bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Home uterine monitoring: A case of telemedicine failure?
Authors: Urquhart Christine , Currell Rosemary
Published: October 2010

The aim of the article is to explore and explain some of the controversies around home uterine monitoring, using a socio-technical interaction networks (STIN) approach. A Cochrane systematic review identified 15 included studies. A critique of these studies, using the eight components of the STIN framework, illustrated very clearly the different assumptions made about the purpose of home uterine monitoring, and helped to explain the different outcomes. The final mapping stage suggested that systems architecture choices included that of the role of monitoring support, to complement patient education or to enhance education for provider and patient. A similar choice concerned the type and extent of patient—care-provider contacts to be used. Using the STIN framework provided a useful perspective on the telemedicine aspects of home uterine monitoring, providing value beyond the systematic review conclusions alone.
Assessing the Allocation of Pork: Evidence From Congressional Earmarks
Authors: Engstrom Erik J. , Vanberg Georg
Published: October 2010

Distributive politics represents one of the most important and controversial aspects of legislative policymaking. In the U.S. Congress, controversies over distributive politics are most evident in the area of legislative earmarking. In this article, we employ a unique set of data matching earmarks to their legislative sponsors to assess the leading explanations of distributive politics. We find that members of the majority party do considerably better than equally situated members of the minority. Moreover, party leaders target earmarks to those holding pivotal agenda-setting positions and to electorally vulnerable members. These findings have direct implications for both the extensive political science literature on distributive politics and the practical politics of earmarking reform.
Review: Therapeutic approaches for lysosomal storage diseases
Authors: Pastores Gregory M.
Published: October 2010

The lysosomal storage disorders (LSDs) comprise a heterogeneous group of inborn errors of metabolism characterized by tissue substrate deposits, most often caused by a deficiency of the enzyme normally responsible for catabolism of various byproducts of cellular turnover. Individual entities are typified by involvement of multiple body organs, in a pattern reflecting the sites of substrate storage. It is increasingly recognized that one or more processes, such as aberrant inflammation, dysregulation of apoptosis and/or defects of autophagy, may mediate organ dysfunction or failure. Several therapeutic options for various LSDs have been introduced, including hematopoietic stem cell transplantation, enzyme replacement therapy and substrate reduction therapy. Additional strategies are being explored, including the use of pharmacological chaperones and gene therapy. Most LSDs include a variant characterized by primary central nervous system (CNS) involvement. At present, therapy of the CNS manifestations remains a major challenge because of the inability to deliver therapeutic agents across the intact blood—brain barrier. With improved understanding of underlying disease mechanisms, additional therapeutic options may be developed, complemented by various strategies to deliver the therapeutic agent(s) to recalcitrant sites of pathology such as brain, bones and lungs.
Two types of C/EBPα mutations play distinct but collaborative roles in leukemogenesis: lessons from clinical data and BMT models
Authors: Kato Naoko , Kitaura Jiro , Doki Noriko , Komeno Yukiko , Watanabe-Okochi Naoko , Togami Katsuhiro , Nakahara Fumio , Oki Toshihiko , Enomoto Yutaka , Fukuchi Yumi , Nakajima Hideaki , Harada Yuka , Harada Hironori , Kitamura Toshio
Published: October 2010

Two types of mutations of a transcription factor CCAAT-enhancer binding protein α (C/EBPα) are found in leukemic cells of 5%-14% of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) patients: N-terminal mutations expressing dominant negative p30 and C-terminal mutations in the basic leucine zipper domain. Our results showed that a mutation of C/EBPα in one allele was observed in AML after myelodysplastic syndrome, while the 2 alleles are mutated in de novo AML. Unlike an N-terminal frame-shift mutant (C/EBPα-Nm)–transduced cells, a C-terminal mutant (C/EBPα-Cm)–transduced cells alone induced AML with leukopenia in mice 4-12 months after bone marrow transplantation. Coexpression of both mutants induced AML with marked leukocytosis with shorter latencies. Interestingly, C/EBPα-Cm collaborated with an Flt3-activating mutant Flt3-ITD in inducing AML. Moreover, C/EBPα-Cm strongly blocked myeloid differentiation of 32Dcl3 cells, suggesting its class II mutation-like role in leukemogenesis. Although C/EBPα-Cm failed to inhibit transcriptional activity of wild-type C/EBPα, it suppressed the synergistic effect between C/EBPα and PU.1. On the other hand, C/EBPα-Nm inhibited C/EBPα activation in the absence of PU.1, despite low expression levels of p30 protein generated by C/EBPα-Nm. Thus, 2 types of C/EBPα mutations are implicated in leukemo-genesis, involving different and cooperating molecular mechanisms.
Context-dependent functions of specific microRNAs in neuronal development
Authors: Gao Fen-Biao
Published: October 2010

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small noncoding RNAs that regulate multiple developmental processes at the post-transcriptional level. Recent rapid progresses have demonstrated critical roles for a number of miRNAs in neuronal development and function. In particular, miR-9 and miR-124 are specifically expressed in the mammalian nervous system, and their respective nucleotide sequences are 100% identical among many species. Yet, their expression patterns and mRNA targets are less conserved throughout evolution. As a consequence, these miRNAs exhibit diverse context-dependent functions in different aspects of neuronal development, ranging from early neurogenesis and neuronal differentiation to dendritic morphogenesis and synaptic plasticity. Some other neuronal miRNAs also exhibit context-dependent functions in development. Thus, post-transcriptional regulation of spatial and temporal expression levels of protein-coding genes by miRNAs contributes uniquely to the proper development and evolution of the complex nervous system.
Inference of lithologic distributions in an alluvial aquifer using airborne transient electromagnetic surveys
Authors: Dickinson Jesse E. , Pool D. R. , Groom R. W. , Davis L. J.
Published: October 2010

An airborne transient electromagnetic (TEM) survey was completed in the Upper San Pedro Basin in southeastern Arizona to map resistivity distributions within the alluvial aquifer. This investigation evaluated the utility of 1D vertical resistivity models of the TEM data to infer lithologic distributions in an alluvial aquifer. Comparisons of the resistivity values and layers in the 1D resistivity models of airborne TEM data to 1D resistivity models of ground TEM data, borehole resistivity logs, and lithologic descriptions in drill logs indicated that the airborne TEM identified thick conductive fine-grained sediments that result in semiconfined groundwater conditions. One-dimensional models of ground-based TEM surveys and subsurface lithology at three sites were used to determine starting models and constraints to invert airborne TEM data using a constrained Marquardt-styleunderparameterized method. A maximum structural resolution of six layers underlain by a half-space was determined from the resistivity structure of the 1D models of the ground TEM data. The 1D resistivity models of the airborne TEM data compared well with the control data to depths of approximately [Formula: see text] in areas of thick conductive silt and clay and to depths of [Formula: see text] in areas of resistive sand and gravel. Comparison of a 3D interpolation of the 1D resistivity models to drill logs indicated resistive (mean of [Formula: see text]) coarse-grained sediments along basin margins and conductive (mean of [Formula: see text]) fine-grained sediments at the basin center. Extents of hydrologically significant thick silt and clay were well mapped by the 1D resistivity models of airborne TEM data. Areas of uncertain lithology remain below conductive fine-grained sediments where the 1D resistivity structure is not resolved: in areas where multiple lithologies have similar resistivity values and in areas of high salinity.
Electrical-resistivity characterization of an industrial site using long electrodes
Authors: Rucker Dale F. , Loke Meng H. , Levitt Marc T. , Noonan Gillian E.
Published: October 2010

An electrical-resistivity survey was completed at the T tank farm at the Hanford nuclear site in Washington State, U.S.A. The purpose of the survey was to define the lateral extent of waste plumes in the vadose zone in and around the tank farm. The T tank farm consists of single-shell tanks that historically have leaked and many liquid-waste-disposal facilities that provide a good target for resistivity mapping. Given that the site is highly industrialized with near-surface metallic infrastructure that potentially could mask any interpretable waste plume, it was necessary to use the many wells around the site as long electrodes. To accommodate the long electrodes and to simulate the effects of a linear conductor, the resistivity inversion code was modified to assign low-resistivity values to the well’s location. The forward model within the resistivity code was benchmarked for accuracy against an analytic solution, and the inverse model was tested for its ability to recreate images of a hypothetical target. The results of the tank-farm field survey showed large, low-resistivity targets beneath the disposal areas that coincided with the conceptual hydrogeologic models developed regarding the releases. Additionally, in areas of minimal infrastructure, the long-electrode method matched the lateral footprint of a 3D surface-resistivity survey with reasonable fidelity. Based on these results, the long-electrode resistivity method may provide a new strategy for environmental characterization at highly industrialized sites, provided a sufficient number and density of wells exist.
Ground-penetrating-radar reflection attenuation tomography with an adaptive mesh
Authors: Hinz Emily A. , Bradford John H.
Published: October 2010

Ground-penetrating radar (GPR) attenuation-difference analysis can be a useful tool for studying fluid transport in the subsurface. Surface-based reflection attenuation-difference tomography poses a number of challenges that are not faced by crosshole attenuation surveys. We create and analyze a synthetic attenuation-difference GPR data set to determine methods for processing amplitude changes and inverting for conductivity differences from reflection data sets. Instead of using a traditional grid-based inversion, we use a data-driven adaptive-meshing algorithm to alter the model space and to create a more even distribution of resolution. Adaptive meshing provides a method for improving the resolution of the model space while honoring the data limitations and improving the quality of the attenuation difference inversion. Comparing inversions on a conventional rectangular grid with the adaptive mesh, we find that the adaptively meshed model reduces the inversion computation time by an average of 75% with an improvement in the root mean square error of up to 15%. While the sign of the conductivity change is correctly reproduced by the inversion algorithm, the magnitude varies by as much as much as 50% from the true values. Our heterogeneous conductivity model indicates that the attenuation difference inversion algorithm effectively locates conductivity changes, and that surface-based reflection surveys can produce models as accurate as traditional crosshole surveys.
Assembly and integration of semiconductor nanowires for functional nanosystems
Authors: Yu Guihua , Lieber Charles M.
Published: October 2010

Central to the bottom-up paradigm of nanoscience, which could lead to entirely new and highly integrated functional nanosystems, is the development of effective assembly methods that enable hierarchical organization of nanoscale building blocks over large areas. Semiconductor nanowires (NWs) represent one of the most powerful and versatile classes of synthetically tunable nanoscale building blocks for studies of the fundamental physical properties of nanostructures and the assembly of a wide range of functional nanoscale systems. In this article, we review several key advances in the recent development of general assembly approaches for organizing semiconductor NW building blocks into designed architectures, and the further integration of ordered structures to construct functional NW device arrays. We first introduce a series of rational assembly strategies to organize NWs into hierarchically ordered structures, with a focus on the blown bubble film (BBF) technique and chemically driven assembly. Next, we discuss significant advances in building integrated nano-electronic systems based on the reproducible assembly of scalable NW crossbar arrays, such as high-density memory arrays and logic structures. Lastly, we describe unique applications of assembled NW device arrays for studying functional nanoelectronic–biological interfaces by building well-defined NW-cell/tissue hybrid junctions, including the highly integrated NW–neuron interface and the multiplexed, flexible NW–heart tissue interface.
Geographical Information Systems–Based Marketing Decisions: Effects of Alternative Visualizations on Decision Quality
Authors: Ozimec Ana-Marija , Natter Martin , Reutterer Thomas
Published: October 2010

Marketing planners often use geographical information systems (GISs) to help identify suitable retail locations, regionally distribute advertising campaigns, and target direct marketing activities. Geographical information systems thematic maps facilitate the visual assessment of map regions. A broad set of alternative symbolizations, such as circles, bars, or shading, can be used to visually represent quantitative geospatial data on such maps. However, there is little knowledge on which kind of symbolization is the most adequate in which problem situation. In a large-scale experimental study, the authors show that the type of symbolization strongly influences decision performance. The findings indicate that graduated circles are appropriate symbolizations for geographical information systems thematic maps, and their successful utilization seems to be virtually independent of personal characteristics, such as spatial ability and map experience. This makes circle symbolizations particularly suitable for effective decision making and cross-functional communication.
Incorporation of Property-Based Testing in Coarse Aggregate Specifications for Pavement Applications
Authors: Abdelrahman Magdy , Hardy Amy
Published: October 2010

The demand for pavement facilities that can handle increasing loads escalates the need for high quality aggregate material. While once plentiful, quality aggregate sources are starting to diminish. When aggregates are eliminated locally by resource depletion as well as land development that prohibits mining, the cost of construction can rise significantly. The cost of transporting quality aggregate materials from other places that comply with specifications can be very expensive. Coarse aggregate specifications for pavement mixtures for many states are outdated, with some sections dating back to around the 1930s. Specifications do not reflect the current level of knowledge concerning testing methodologies of desirable aggregate properties for pavement applications, especially at the local and low volume level. There is a need to evaluate the quality of aggregates based on the suitability of property-based testing requirements. A better understanding of testing requirements used to evaluate material properties can lead to a better utilization of local aggregate materials and reduce the reliance on diminishing high quality sources. This study investigates what property-based testing requirements have been established in current specifications as well as new areas of testing that need to be developed. A questionnaire of professionals defined a set of testing requirements for different pavement applications, which were then compared to the currently specified testing requirements. The results concluded that gaps exist in how professionals define quality aggregate compared to what current specifications define as quality aggregate. This creates the need for the inclusion of more property-based testing that could better characterize aggregates based on pavement performance. This type of characterization could open up the possibility of utilizing local materials that are normally rejected for lower volume applications.
Relative Comparison Method of Rolling Contact Fatigue Performance of Silicon Nitrides by Stepwise Loading Balls-on-Flat Test—Experimental Verification of Validity of Some Assumptions for the Method
Authors: Kanematsu Wataru
Published: October 2010

We have verified the validity of some assumptions in the method described in our prior paper entitled “Relative Comparison Method of Rolling Contact Fatigue Performance of Silicon Nitrides by Stepwise Loading Balls-on-Flat Test—A Candidate for Standard Practice for Comparison of RCF Performance,” (J. ASTM Int., Vol 5, No. 6, 2008). In this method, the mean effective mechanical input (Min)m is used as a criterion for the comparison. The balls-on-flat rolling contact fatigue (RCF) tests under constant loading were carried out at three stress levels for two bearing grade (BG) silicon nitrides and one general purpose (GP) nitride. The values of p, which is defined in the well-known Lundberg and Palmgren theory and is assumed to be constant for any silicon nitride in the calculation of (Min)m, are shown to be close to each other in these three different silicon nitrides, lending support to the assumption. To investigate the influence of loading history in stepwise loading, tests under three different stepwise loading conditions starting from minimum loads of 1, 2.5, and 4 kN were carried out. Generally, with an increase in minimum load, (Min)m decreased, but there was no significant influence of the minimum load on the results of distinguishing between BG and GP. One BG, which is manufactured by gas pressure sintering, however, seems to have a (Min)m higher than the true value when tested from the minimum load of 1 kN. It can be inferred that compressive residual stress causes a suppressing effect on peeling. This anomaly was circumvented by choosing a minimum loading condition higher than 2.5 kN for the test materials used in this research. The test results and the ratios of two surface failure categories, spall and peeling, in the constant loading tests lend support to the hypothesis that relative comparison of RCF performance under stepwise loading can substitute for that under constant load.
Treme vs. The Bad Lieutenant
Authors: Tyree J. M.
Published: October 2010

Whereas the David Simon—Eric Overmyer HBO series Treme emphasizes community and cultural vitality in post-Katrina New Orleans, Werner Herzog's The Bad Lieutenant wryly depicts the city as a corrupt dead zone.
Paneth Cells in Intestinal Health and Disease in the Newborn
Authors: Ouellette André J. , Niklas Victoria
Published: October 2010

Immunologic defense mechanisms of the adaptive and innate immune systems coordinate a balance between host defense and overreaction to the proinflammatory stimuli of the resident microflora in the intestinal tract. Among cells of the intestinal innate immune system, Paneth cells, located in the small intestinal crypts of Lieberkühn, have evolved to provide immediate responses to bacteria as well as shape the composition of commensal bacterial flora in the small intestine. Paneth cells release secretory granules rich in a variety of proteins involved in host defense and inflammation, including alpha-defensins. Alpha-defensins are small, cationic peptides that exhibit a broad spectrum of antimicrobial actions. In addition, Paneth cell granules contain other antibacterial substances, including lysozyme, secretory phospholipase A2, lectins, and a variety of immunomodulatory cytokines. Paneth cell secretion is stimulated by bacteria or by components of bacterial cell envelopes, such as lipopolysaccharide and lipoteichoic acid. The number of Paneth cells, their expression of alpha-defensins, and their expression of proteins involved in the detection of luminal bacteria are reduced in fetuses compared with term newborns and adults. Hence, reduced Paneth cell numbers and immaturity in the production of antibacterial products or their ability to detect bacteria may predispose newborns, and preterm infants in particular, to pathogenic bacterial overgrowth and translocation, contributing to the development of bacteremia, sepsis, and intestinal inflammation in diseases such as necrotizing enterocolitis.
Monocytes in Neonatal Immunity
Authors: Mahdi Mohamed , Maródi László
Published: October 2010

Monocytes have been recognized as fundamental components of the immune system. These cells belong to the mononuclear phagocytic system, which includes monocytes, tissue macrophages, and myeloid dendritic cells. Adhesion, chemotaxis, phagocytosis, intracellular killing, and secretion of cytokines and other biologically active molecules constitute the major functions of monocytes. Studies of the regulation of monocyte development and differentiation have yielded insights into the heterogeneity of these cells. This article examines functional and biochemical characteristics of monocytes (and to lesser extent macrophages), with particular emphasis on the neonatal period, and discusses functional discrepancies in relation to adult cells. Experimental data suggest impaired phagocytosis and killing of group B streptococci by neonatal monocytes. In addition, chemotactic activity in the neonate is hindered. On the other hand, the major immune defect of macrophages results from a defect of T-helper cells and natural killer cells to produce adequate amounts of proinflammatory cytokines coupled with a marked hyporesponsiveness of macrophages to activation by interferon-gamma. Recent research also suggests that impaired toll-like receptor-4-mediated signaling in lipopolysaccharide-exposed newborn monocytes result in immature responses to pathogen-associated molecular patterns expressed by the microorganisms.
The role of cardiovascular magnetic resonance imaging in cardiac resynchronisation therapy
Authors: Vágó H. , Takács P. , Tóth A. , Gellér L. , Szilágyi Sz. , Molnár L. , Kutyifa V. , Simor T. , Merkely Béla
Published: October 2010

Cardiac electromechanical resynchronisation therapy (CRT) is an effective non-pharmacological treatment of patients suffering from drug refractory heart failure. However, approximately 20–30% of patients are non-responder. Cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (CMR) may play significant role in clarifying many questions in this patient population. Forty-five patients, suffering from severe drug refractory heart failure, underwent CMR before applying CRT. Left ventricular end-diastolic, end-systolic volumes, ejection fraction, myocardial mass, wall motion disturbances, localisation of non-viable myocardium were determined. Left ventricular dyssynchrony was determined by illustrating wall-time thickening in short-axis slices of left ventricle from basis to apex. CMR-proved underlying heart disease were postinfarction heart failure, dilated cardiomyopathy and non-compaction cardiomyopathy in 62, 27 and in 11%, respectively. Mean left ventricular ejection fraction was 24.5±10%, intraventricular dyssynchrony was 200±78 ms. In four patients, requiring surgical revascularisation after unsuccessful coronary sinus electrode implantation, optimal position for epicardial screw-in electrode was selected. According to the results of CMR, biventricular device was not implanted in 7 patients. During the follow-up of the 38 patients, 5 patients (13.16%) were non-responders, despite the approximately 22% non-responder ratio in our whole patient population treated by CRT but without performing previous CMR examination. In this patient population CMR may have a significant role in the selection of responder patient population.
Transgastric small bowel resection by using hybrid technique — Experimental study
Authors: Shanava K. , Horváth Sz. , Karl-Hermann F. , Jávor Sz. , Takács I. , Balatonyi B. , Ferencz S. , Ferencz A. , Rőth E. , Wéber György
Published: October 2010

Introduction:The Natural Orifice Transluminal Endoscopic Surgery (NOTES) is an abdominal operation carried out with flexible endoscopic instruments and their advanced versions via natural orifices. The NOTES causes theoretically less pain, operative stress, shorter hospitalization, quicker recovery and it is scarless. The aim of this investigation was to evaluate the feasibility and safety of transgastric small bowel resection. Materials and methods: Seven domestic pigs were investigated and entered the study; body weight 25 kg in average. General anesthesia was performed. One trocar was used for laparoscopic observations during gastrotomy and transgastric penetration with the gastroscope, later for assistance with a grasper for manipulation of the bowel loops and for the application of the linear stapling device. Then the needle knife was used to complete a 1.5 cm long incision in the gastric wall. The gastroscope was advanced into the peritoneal cavity and a small bowel loop was identified and elevated with a flexible grasper. Through the second channel of the scope a coag grasper was used to dissect the mesentery. Then a linear stapler was inserted through the assisting trocar and the resection was performed. Afterwards the bowel ends were opened with the needle knife and the stapler was reinserted for a side-to-side anastomosis. The specimen was removed via the stomach. Gastric closure was completed by laparoscopic mini-instruments through the stapler-port. All special events and all problems were prospectively documented. Follow-up was performed over 2 weeks and body weight was recorded. Then a laparoscopy was performed to document adhesions or abscess formation. Finally the animals were sacrificed to evaluate further evidence of infection or adhesions. Results: The operations were carried without complications, there was no case of letal outcome. On the 12th day the abdominal laparoscopic revision was carried out, after the revision in one case adhesion could be detected, no other kinds of complications were noticed. Conclusion: According to our results, the transgastric small bowel resection is a safe procedure, but further special instruments are needed. These experimental procedures should be evaluated carefully and critically in clinical practice.
Unusual portal reconstructions after liver transplantation — Case report and review of literature
Authors: Nemes Balázs , Görög D. , Fehérvári I. , Mándli T. , Sárváry E. , Kóbori L. , Doros A. , Fazakas J.
Published: October 2010

Portal vein reconstruction might be a challenge in certain cases of liver transplantation. The problem usually arises due to small vessels in pediatric transplantation and/or living related donor and split liver transplantation, or as a result of extensive PVT in adult recipients. Authors report a case of a 60-year-old alcoholic cirrhotic patient with reverse portal flow. The standard end to end portal anastomosis did not work well, so a mesoportal shunt with a donor iliac vein conduit was performed first, followed by a cavoportal hemitransposition. After unsuccessful attempts of providing good portal flow, the donor umbilical vein and the iliac conduit was used for portal flow reconstruction as meso-Rex graft. The patient has been doing fine for eight months after her liver transplantation. Unusual types of portal reconstructions consist of meso-portal, umbilico-portal, renoportal anastomoses that are primarily used as rescue techniques. However, it is rare that one has to use them sequentially in the same patient.
A peculiarity in Haydn’s early symphonic work: Form and possible sources of the first movement of Symphony Hob. I:21
Authors: Fulias Ioannis
Published: October 2010

Among the first forty symphonies that Joseph Haydn wrote up to 1765, Symphony Hob. I:21 has a slow first movement that does not resemble any other, since it is not based on the usual mid-18th-century ternary or binary sonata form; its structure would be better described as a fantasy with allusions of sonata form, and this special structural case should be placed somewhere in the middle of two other notable “capriccios” from the same period: the first movement of Keyboard Trio Hob. XV:35 (a pure sonata form) and the Keyboard Capriccio Hob. XVII:1 (a pure fantasy on a single theme). Yet, the unique form of Hob. I:21 / I does not seem to be absolutely novel in the “pre-classical” repertoire, since some slow movements from Carl Philipp Emanuel Bach’s “Württemberg” Sonatas (Wq. 49 nos. 1, 3 and 6) display several common characteristics with it. Thus, the present paper, focusing on similarities between C. P. E. Bach’s and J. Haydn’s compositions during the 1760s, aims at the broadening of the subject-matter of one’s influence on the other, not only from a chronological point of view but also in terms of an interrelation between different music genres.
Comportamentos violentos de adolescentes e coabitação parento-filial
Authors: Horta Rogério Lessa , Horta Bernardo Lessa , Pinheiro Ricardo Tavares , Krindges Manuela
Published: October 2010

OBJETIVO: Analisar a associação entre comportamentos violentos de adolescentes e a coabitação parento-filial. MÉTODOS: Estudo transversal de base populacional realizado na área urbana de Pelotas, RS, em 2002, com amostragem em múltiplos estágios. Foram entrevistados 960 adolescentes com utilização de questionário auto-aplicado. As variáveis dependentes (uso de armas e envolvimento em brigas no último ano foram referidos pelos adolescentes) e a variável independente coabitação parento-filial foram submetidas a análise pelo teste de qui-quadrado e razão de prevalências, ajustada para idade, sexo, nível socioeconômico e relato de uso na vida e recente de álcool, tabaco ou drogas ilícitas. RESULTADOS: O envolvimento em brigas no último ano foi referido por 23% dos sujeitos e o uso de armas por 9,6%. A razão de prevalência de ocorrência desses comportamentos foi de 1,38 (IC95%: 0,71; 2,68, p = 0,34) para envolvimento em brigas e de 1,68 (IC95%: 1,06; 2,67, p = 0,03) para uso de armas, tendo como referência sujeitos que coabitavam com pai, com mãe ou com ambos. CONCLUSÕES: A coabitação parento-filial deve ser considerada em políticas de prevenção ao uso de armas por crianças e adolescentes, mas recomenda-se o cuidado de não estigmatizar crianças e adolescentes que não coabitam com pais e mães.
Application of geosynthetic material in capillary barriers for slope stabilisation
Authors: Krisdani H. , Rahardjo H. , Leong E.-C.
Published: October 2010

ABSTRACT: A capillary barrier is a soil cover system comprising a fine-grained soil layer overlying a coarse-grained soil layer. The performance of a geosynthetic material as a coarse-grained layer in a capillary barrier was investigated in this study. A sloping capillary barrier model constructed using a 0.20 m thick fine sand as the fine-grained layer and a geosynthetic material as the coarse-grained layer was investigated. Rainfall of several intensities and durations was applied to the model. The performance of the capillary barrier model was studied by measuring pore water pressures, volumetric water contents and water balance of the model. The test results indicated that the geosynthetic material used in the study was able to create a capillary break and prevent percolation into the soil layer underneath the capillary barrier model. Lateral diversion flow along the fine-grained layer (fine sand), indicating the effectiveness of the capillary barrier model, was observed during the rainfall tests.
Can ocean acidification affect population dynamics of the barnacle Semibalanus balanoides at its southern range edge?
Authors: Findlay Helen S. , Burrows Michael T. , Kendall Michael A. , Spicer John I. , Widdicombe Stephen
Published: October 2010

The global ocean and atmosphere are warming. There is increasing evidence suggesting that, in addition to other environmental factors, climate change is affecting species distributions and local population dynamics. Additionally, as a consequence of the growing levels of atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO2), the oceans are taking up increasing amounts of this CO2, causing ocean pH to decrease (ocean acidification). The relative impacts of ocean acidification on population dynamics have yet to be investigated, despite many studies indicating that there will be at least a sublethal impact on many marine organisms, particularly key calcifying organisms. Using empirical data, we forced a barnacle (Semibalanus balanoides) population model to investigate the relative influence of sea surface temperature (SST) and ocean acidification on a population nearing the southern limit of its geographic distribution. Hindcast models were compared to observational data from Cellar Beach (southwestern United Kingdom). Results indicate that a declining pH trend (−0.0017 unit/yr), indicative of ocean acidification over the past 50 years, does not cause an observable impact on the population abundance relative to changes caused by fluctuations in temperature. Below the critical temperature (here Tcrit = 13.1°C), pH has a more significant affect on population dynamics at this southern range edge. However, above this value, SST has the overriding influence. At lower SST, a decrease in pH (according to the National Bureau of Standards, pHNBS) from 8.2 to 7.8 can significantly decrease the population abundance. The lethal impacts of ocean acidification observed in experiments on early life stages reduce cumulative survival by ~25%, which again will significantly alter the population level at this southern limit. Furthermore, forecast predictions from this model suggest that combined acidification and warming cause this local population to die out 10 years earlier than would occur if there was only global warming and no concomitant decrease in pH.
Disturbance and landscape dynamics in a changing world
Authors: Turner Monica G.
Published: October 2010

Disturbance regimes are changing rapidly, and the consequences of such changes for ecosystems and linked social‐ecological systems will be profound. This paper synthesizes current understanding of disturbance with an emphasis on fundamental contributions to contemporary landscape and ecosystem ecology, then identifies future research priorities. Studies of disturbance led to insights about heterogeneity, scale, and thresholds in space and time and catalyzed new paradigms in ecology. Because they create vegetation patterns, disturbances also establish spatial patterns of many ecosystem processes on the landscape. Drivers of global change will produce new spatial patterns, altered disturbance regimes, novel trajectories of change, and surprises. Future disturbances will continue to provide valuable opportunities for studying pattern–process interactions. Changing disturbance regimes will produce acute changes in ecosystems and ecosystem services over the short (years to decades) and long term (centuries and beyond). Future research should address questions related to (1) disturbances as catalysts of rapid ecological change, (2) interactions among disturbances, (3) relationships between disturbance and society, especially the intersection of land use and disturbance, and (4) feedbacks from disturbance to other global drivers. Ecologists should make a renewed and concerted effort to understand and anticipate the causes and consequences of changing disturbance regimes.

Monica G. Turner,MacArthur Award Recipient, 2008

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DUAL EFFECTS ON CHOICE OF CONDITIONED REINFORCEMENT FREQUENCY AND CONDITIONED REINFORCEMENT VALUE
Authors: McDevitt Margaret A. , Williams Ben A.
Published: October 2010

Pigeons were presented with a concurrent‐chains schedule in which the total time to primary reinforcement was equated for the two alternatives (VI 30 s VI 60 s vs. VI 60 s VI 30 s). In one set of conditions, the terminal links were signaled by the same stimulus, and in another set of conditions they were signaled by different stimuli. Choice was in favor of the shorter terminal link when the terminal links were differentially signaled but in favor of the shorter initial link (and longer terminal link) when the terminal links shared the same stimulus. Preference reversed regularly with reversals of the stimulus condition and was unrelated to the discrimination between the two terminal links during the nondifferential stimulus condition. The present results suggest that the relative value of the terminal‐link stimuli and the relative rate of conditioned reinforcer presentation are important influences on choice behavior, and that models of conditioned reinforcement need to include both factors.
REVISITING THE ROLE OF BAD NEWS IN MAINTAINING HUMAN OBSERVING BEHAVIOR
Authors: Fantino Edmund , Silberberg Alan
Published: October 2010

Results from studies of observing responses have suggested that stimuli maintain observing owing to their special relationship to primary reinforcement (the conditioned‐reinforcement hypothesis), and not because they predict the availability and nonavailability of reinforcement (the information hypothesis). The present article first reviews a study that challenges that conclusion and then reports a series of five brief experiments that provide further support for the conditioned‐reinforcement view. In Experiments 1 through 3, participants preferred occasional good news (a stimulus correlated with reinforcement) or no news (a stimulus uncorrelated with reinforcement) to occasional bad news (a stimulus negatively correlated with reinforcement). In Experiment 4 bad news was preferred to no news when the absence of stimulus change following a response to the bad‐news option was reliably associated with good news. When this association was weakened in Experiment 5 the results were intermediate. The results support the conclusion that information is reinforcing only when it is positive or useful. As required by the conditioned‐reinforcement hypothesis, useless information does not maintain observing.
A CHOICE PROCEDURE TO ASSESS THE AVERSIVE EFFECTS OF DRUGS IN RODENTS
Authors: Podlesnik Christopher A. , Jimenez‐Gomez Corina , Woods James H.
Published: October 2010

The goal of this series of experiments was to develop an operant choice procedure to examine rapidly the punishing effects of intravenous drugs in rats. First, the cardiovascular effects of experimenter‐administered intravenous histamine, a known aversive drug, were assessed to determine a biologically active dose range. Next, rats responded on each of two levers with concurrently available fixed‐ratio 1 schedules of food reinforcement. Intravenous histamine was delivered along with food when responses were made on one of the options, and the lever on which both food and histamine were contingent was switched on a regular basis. A dose of 1.0 mg/kg/inj of histamine was effective in moving responding to the alternate lever, whereas saline, 0.1, or 0.3 mg/kg/inj of histamine were not. Histamine injections produced reliable selection of the alternate lever when they were presented on the same lever for three consecutive sessions, but not when they were switched between levers on each session. In addition, histamine produced greater selection of the alternate lever when it was presented with shorter intertrial interval durations. These findings indicate that, with appropriate parameters, the aversive effects of histamine and perhaps other drugs can be established rapidly using a concurrent choice procedure.
The characteristic sequence of a first-order formula
Authors: Malliaris M. E.
Published: October 2010

For a first-order formula φ(x; y) we introduce and study the characteristic sequence (Pn: n < ω) of hypergraphs defined by . We show that combinatorial and classification theoretic properties of the characteristic sequence reflect classification theoretic properties of φ and vice versa. The main results are a characterization of NIP and of simplicity in terms of persistence of configurations in the characteristic sequence. Specifically, we show that some tree properties are detected by the presence of certain combinatorial configurations in the characteristic sequence while other properties such as instability and the independence property manifest themselves in the persistence of complicated configurations under localization.
Associations of Sugar and Artificially Sweetened Soda with Albuminuria and Kidney Function Decline in Women
Authors: Lin Julie , Curhan Gary C.
Published: October 2010

Background and objectives

Sugar-sweetened soda is reported to be associated with increased risk for diabetes and albuminuria, but there are currently limited data on how sugar or artificially sweetened soda may be related to kidney function decline.

Design, setting, participants, & measurements

This study identified 3318 women participating in the Nurses' Health Study with data on soda intake and albuminuria; of these, 3256 also had data on estimated GFR (eGFR) change between 1989 and 2000. Cumulative average beverage intake was derived from the 1984, 1986, 1990, 1994, and 1998 food frequency questionnaires. Serving categories included <1/mo (referent), 1 to 4/mo, 2 to 6/wk, 1 to 1.9/d, and ≥2/d. Microalbuminuria (MA) was considered a urinary albumin-to-creatinine ratio of 25 to 355 μg/mg. For kidney function change, the primary outcome was a ≥30% decline in eGFR over 11 years; rapid eGFR decline defined as ≥3 ml/min per 1.73 m2 per year was also examined.

Results

Consumption of ≥2 servings per day of artificially sweetened (diet) soda was independently associated with eGFR decline ≥30% (OR 2.02, 95% CI 1.36 to 3.01) and ≥3 ml/min per 1.73 m2 per year (OR 2.20, 95% CI 1.36 to 3.55). No increased risk for eGFR decline was observed for <2 servings per day of diet soda. No associations were noted between diet soda and MA or sugar soda and MA or eGFR decline.

Conclusions

Consumption of ≥2 servings per day of artificially sweetened soda is associated with a 2-fold increased odds for kidney function decline in women.
Ductal Carcinoma in Situ: One Size does Not Fit All
Authors: Chivukula Mamatha , Ahrendt Gretchen
Published: October 2010

Evaluation of: Kerlikowske K, Molinaro AM, Gauthier ML et al.: Biomarker expression and risk of subsequent tumors after initial ductal carcinoma in situ diagnosis. J. Natl Cancer Inst. 102(9), 627–637 (2010). In a population-based case–control study cohort of 1162 women who were diagnosed with ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) and treated by lumpectomy alone from 1983 to 1994, a comprehensive analysis of biomarkers including estrogen receptor, progesterone receptor, p53, Her2/neu, p16, Ki67 and COX-2 in a selected cohort of 329 women was performed. Overall, patients presenting with palpable DCIS and patients who were triple positive for p16, COX-2 and Ki67 were found on multivariate analysis to have a significantly increased risk of subsequent invasive carcinoma. Neither nuclear grade nor histopathologic characteristics were associated with subsequent invasive carcinoma. Recurrent DCIS was associated with disease extent of 10 mm or more, positive resection margins, high nuclear grade, extensive necrosis and also associated with the biomarker combinations.
Evaluation of a milk-flow assessment technique in dairy cows with normal teat canals or stenotic teat canals
Authors: Condino Melrose P. , Suzuki Kazuyuki , Sato Kaoru , Hyakutake Koji , Taguchi Kiyoshi
Published: October 2010

Objective—To assess the usefulness and reliability of a milk-flow measurement technique and the values obtained in unobstructed teats and teats with teat canal stenosis in dairy cows.

Animals—16 Holstein cows.

Procedures—Teats were assessed via hand milking and classified as unobstructed or partially obstructed. Partially obstructed teats were further categorized according to the anatomic location of the obstruction via ultrasonography into teat canal obstruction (TCO) and obstruction at the proximal portion of the teat canal (Fürstenberg rosette obstruction [FRO]) The milk-flow characteristics of the teat canal were assessed by measuring the intracisternal pressure at the start (PSL) and at cessation (PCL) of leakage of an infused solution.

Results—The PSL and PCL values among unobstructed teats were not significantly different between lactating and nonlactating cows nor among quarters. In assessment of test-retest intrarater reliability, a high degree of correlation was detected for PSL (correlation coefficient, 0.94; 95% confidence interval, 0.90 to 0.96) and PCL (correlation coefficient, 0.92; 95% confidence interval, 0.86 to 0.95). Teats with TCO and FRO had higher PSL and PCL values, compared with unobstructed teats. Teats with FRO had significantly higher PSL but lower PCL than teats with TCO.

Conclusions and Clinical Relevance—Results indicated the usefulness and reliability of the technique in assessing the milk-flow characteristics of the teat canal. The milk-flow pattern of teats with teat canal stenosis varies depending on the location of obstruction. This technique may be a valuable tool in evaluating the effectiveness of teat canal surgery. (Am J Vet Res 2010;71:1123-1126)
Analysis of the subchondral microarchitecture of the distopalmar aspect of the third metacarpal bone in racing Thoroughbreds
Authors: Rubio-Martínez Luis M. , M. Cruz Antonio , Inglis Dean , Hurtig Mark B.
Published: October 2010

Objective—To determine the anisotropic characteristics of the microarchitecture of the subchondral bone (SCB) plate and trabecular bone (TBB) of the distopalmar aspect of the metacarpal condyles in horses with different stages of SCB disease.

Sample Population—12 third metacarpal bone pairs from racing Thoroughbreds euthanized for diverse reasons.

Procedures—Both metacarpi were collected from horses with SCB changes that were mild (sclerosis and focal radiolucencies; n = 6) or severe (multifocal radiolucencies and articular surface defects; 6). Sample blocks of SCB plate and TBB were collected from the distopalmar aspect of both condyles and the sagittal ridge and examined via 3-D micro-computed tomography at 45-?m isotropic voxel resolution. For each sample, the angle between the principal orientation of trabeculae and the sagittal plane and the degree of anisotropy (DA) were calculated from mean intercept length measurements.

Results—Condylar samples had significantly lower angle (mean, 8.9°; range, 73° to 10.9°) than sagittal ridge samples (mean, 40.7°; range, 33.6° to 49.2°), TBB had significantly higher DA (mean ± SE, 1.75 ± 0.04) than SCB plate (1.29 ± 0.04), and mildly diseased TBB had higher DA (1.85 ± 0.06) than severely diseased TBB (1.65 ± 0.06).

Conclusions and Clinical Relevance—The highly ordered appearance of trabeculae within the condyles supports the concept that joint loading is primarily transmitted through the condyles and not the sagittal ridge. The sharp changes in the trajectories of the SCB trabeculae at the condylar grooves may be indicative of hypothetical tensile forces at this location contributing to the pathogenesis of condylar fractures. (Am J Vet Res 2010;71:1148—1153)