bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Computational studies of LXR molecular interactions reveal an allosteric communication pathway
Authors: Burendahl Sofia , Nilsson Lennart
Published: September 2011

The liver X receptor, LXRα, is an important regulator of genes involved in metabolism and inflammation. The mechanism of communication between the cofactor peptide and the ligand in the ligand‐binding pocket is a crucial and often discussed issue for the nuclear receptors (NRs), but such allosteric signaling pathways are difficult to detect and the transmission mechanism remains elusive. Here, we apply the anisotropic thermal diffusion method to the LXRα with bound coactivator and ligand. We detected a possible communication pathway between the coactivator peptide and the ligand. The signal is transmitted both through the receptor backbone and side chains. A key signaling residue is the first leucine in the cofactor peptide recognition motif LXXLL, which is conserved within the NR cofactors, suggesting a general mechanism for allosteric signaling. Furthermore, we studied the LXR receptor and cofactor molecular interactions in detail using molecular dynamics simulations. The protein–protein interaction patterns in the complexes of nine different cofactor peptides and holo‐LXRα were characterized, revealing the importance of the receptor–cofactor charge clamp interaction. Specific, but infrequently occurring interactions were observed toward the cofactor peptide C‐terminal residues. Thus, additional specificity between LXRα and its cofactors is likely to be found in molecular interactions outside the cofactor peptide or in other biological factors. Proteins 2012;. ©2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
NMR studies on thermal stability of α‐helix conformation of melittin in pure ethanol and ethanol–water mixture solvents
Authors: Miura Yoshinori
Published: September 2011

Thermal stability of the α‐helix conformation of melittin in pure ethanol and ethanol–water mixture solvents has been investigated by using NMR spectroscopy. With increase in water concentration of the mixture solvents (from 0 wt% to ~71.5 wt%) as well as temperature (from room temperature to 60 °C), the intramolecular hydrogen bonds formed in melittin are destabilized and the α‐helix is partially uncoiled. Further, the hydrogen bonds are found to be more thermally stable in pure ethanol than in pure methanol, suggesting that their stability is enhanced with increase in the size of the alkyl groups of alcohol molecules. Copyright © 2011 European Peptide Society and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Chemical synthesis of the S‐linked glycopeptide, sublancin
Authors: Katayama Hidekazu , Asahina Yuya , Hojo Hironobu
Published: September 2011

Sublancin is an S‐linked glycopeptide produced by Bacillus subtilis 168 and consists of 37 amino acid residues with two disulfide bonds. In this study, we synthesized sublancin by Fmoc‐based solid‐phase peptide synthesis and chemoselective disulfide formation reactions. Copyright © 2011 European Peptide Society and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Quadratic stability and stabilization of matrix second‐order time‐varying systems
Authors: Lu Jun‐Guo , Xiao Jizhong , Chen Weidong
Published: September 2011

This paper investigates the quadratic stability and stabilization of a class of matrix second‐order time‐varying systems. All the system matrices including the second‐order differential coefficient matrix are assumed to have the time‐varying norm‐bounded parameters. Necessary and sufficient conditions for the quadratic stability and stabilization of such time‐varying systems are derived. All the results are obtained in terms of linear matrix inequalities. Two illustrative examples are given to show that our results are effective and less conservative than the results obtained by other researchers. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
DECLINE AND RECOVERY OF SMALL MAMMALS AFTER FLOODING: IMPLICATIONS FOR PEST MANAGEMENT AND FLOODPLAIN COMMUNITY DYNAMICS
Authors: Golet G. H. , Hunt J. W. , Koenig D.
Published: September 2011

Floodplains often are managed both for agriculture and as habitat for native species. On the Sacramento River, farmers have expressed concern that natural areas may harbour small mammals in greater abundance than occurs on farms, which could make them sources of pests to adjoining farmlands. Concern over this has generated some opposition to riparian restoration. To better understand the issue, we studied small mammals at agricultural sites, young and older riparian restoration sites and remnant natural areas through live trapping and visual surveys over three successive years. Significant flooding occurred during the second winter of the study. We found that young riparian restoration sites (3–4 years since planting) did not harbour agricultural pests (e.g. California ground squirrel, Botta's pocket gopher) in greater abundance than agricultural sites, with the exception of California voles. Although voles were common at young sites, they declined dramatically as the sites matured, and neither 12‐ to 15‐year‐old sites nor remnant riparian habitats had higher abundances of any small mammal pest species than agricultural sites. All species except the arboreal western gray squirrel experienced significant population declines following the flood and remained at depressed levels for at least a full year thereafter. Native species were not less susceptible to flooding than exotic species. California vole was the first species to recover. Our study suggests that frequent winter flooding may be desirable from an agricultural pest management perspective. It illustrates a valuable ecosystem service, small mammal pest control, which is provided by flooding, an important natural disturbance process. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
From business processes to software services and vice versa—an improved transition through service‐oriented requirements engineering
Authors: Adam Sebastian , Riegel Norman , Doerr Joerg , Uenalan Oezguer , Kerkow Daniel
Published: September 2011

Business processes need to be agile and flexible to help organizations stay competitive. For this purpose, SOA promises the reuse of already existing information system functionality for enabling enterprises to change the business processes more quickly. However, many promises made by SOA authors have not found their way into practice, because methodological guidance that constructively assures a more successful SOA application is still missing. In this article, service‐oriented requirements engineering is therefore introduced as a discipline aiming at a better and more systematic handling and alignment of SOA and Business Process Management. Our industrial experience in this regard is also described. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Homogeneous synthesis and characterization of starch acetates in ionic liquid without catalysts
Authors: Luo Zhigang , Zhou Zidan
Published: September 2011

Homogeneous modification of corn starch with acetic anhydride was performed in ionic liquids 1‐butyl‐3‐methylimidazolium chloride (BMIMCl) without catalysts. The results indicated that the pretreatment of starch, which starch was dissolved in BMIMCl at 105°C for 2 h before reaction, provided feasible reaction environment for starch functionalization. Optimum modification conditions for maximum degree of substitute (DS 2.11) were shown as following: acetic anhydride/anhydroglucose units (AGU) molar ratio 5:1, reaction temperature 105°C and reaction time 2 h. The pretence of acetyl groups in starch products was confirmed by FTIR and 1H NMR spectroscopy. SEM and XRD data showed that the crystalline structure of native starch was disrupted and new structure was formed during the dissolution and modification processes. The higher DS due to acetylation had a beneficial effect on the thermal stability of samples.
Noble Gas Atoms as Electron Donors: Is the Stabilization of Strongly Electrophilic Borylnitrenes Feasible?
Authors: Bettinger Holger F. , Bornemann Holger
Published: September 2011

The possible interaction between an electrophilic borylnitrene, CatBN (Cat = Catecholato), with the noble gas atoms Rg (Rg = Kr, Xe) is probed by computational chemistry techniques including hybrid density functional (B3LYP), second‐order Møller–Plesset perturbation (MP2), and coupled‐cluster theory with singles, doubles, and a perturbative estimate of triple excitations [CCSD(T)] in conjunction with aug‐cc‐pVDZ and cc‐pVTZ and the corresponding small‐core pseudopotential correlation consistent basis sets for krypton and xenon. In the triplet manifold the interaction between CatBN and Rg is of the van der Waals type with a small N–Rg bond dissociation energy. In contrast, the singlet CatBNRg(1A′) has a short N–Rg distance (Kr: 1.962 Å; Xe: 2.029 Å) in agreement with a single bond character. The N–Xe bond dissociation energy is 17 kcal·mol–1at the highest level of theory, while the N–Kr bond is significantly weaker. Experiments in xenon or xenon doped argon matrices do not give any indication for the formation of the CatBNXe(1A′) compound in spite of the strong N–Xe interaction predicted by theory. The experimental observation is explained by the existence of a crossing of singlet and triplet potential energy surfaces. At the geometry of triplet CatBNRg (large N–Rg distance) the singlet state is higher in energy whereas at the geometry of singlet CatBNRg (short N–Rg distance) the triplet is higher. Fast intersystem crossing to the lower lying triplet surface in the presence of Xe is assumed to preclude the formation of CatBNXe(1A′).
Synthesis and Characterization of the Organogermanate‐Based Inorganic‐Organic Hybrid Compound Ca2[(OOCC2H4Ge)2O3]2·3H2O
Authors: Schmidt Corinna , Lieb Alexandra , Stock Norbert
Published: September 2011

Using the bifunctional metalloligand bis(2‐carboxyethylgermanium sesquioxide), (HOOCCH2CH2Ge)2O3, a high‐throughput(HT) study was performed to investigate the systemCa2+ / (HOOCCH2CH2Ge)2O3 / H2O / 2‐propanol. The HT experiment comprised 72 individual reactions, developed to explore the influence of the molar ratio of the starting materials and the volume fraction of the solvents. With this approach one new compound Ca2[(OOCC2H4Ge)2O3]2·3H2O (1) (monoclinic, P21/c, a = 8.9562(18), b = 9.6638(19), c = 27.087(5) Å, β = 92.78(3)°, V = 2334.4(8) Å3,Z = 4) was obtained and characterized by single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction. The crystal structure consists of alternating layers of corner‐sharing GeO3C tetrahedra and chains of edge‐sharing CaO7 polyhedra, which are connected via carboxylate groups of the bis(2‐carboxyethylgermanium sesquioxide) entities. Scale‐up of the synthesis procedure allowed the detailed characterization of the title compound using IR and Raman spectroscopy, TG analysis and temperature resolved XRPD measurements.
The Impact of Heavy Smoking on Anastomotic Leakage and Stricture After Low Anterior Resection in Rectal Cancer Patients
Authors: Kim Min Jung , Shin Rumi , Oh Heung‐Kwon , Park Ji Won , Jeong Seung‐Yong , Park Jae‐Gahb
Published: September 2011

Background

Anastomotic complications after low anterior resection are associated with perianastomotic ischemia. Smoking is one of the main causes of microvascular disease that is correlated with tissue ischemia. The purpose of the present study was to assess the impact of smoking on anastomotic complications after low anterior resection in rectal cancer patients.

Methods

Between January 2005 and December 2008, 412 patients underwent low anterior resection for rectal cancers by a single surgeon at Seoul National University Hospital. Excluded from this series were 197 patients with postoperative radiation therapy, cancers that were located above 10 cm from the anal verge, or lack of medical records, and the remaining 215 patients were included for analysis. Significant variables in the univariate analysis were subsequently subject to multivariate analysis for identification of risk factors for complications.

Results

The rate of anastomotic complications was 10.7% (23 of 215 patients). Univariate analysis showed that male gender, body mass index higher than 25 kg/m2, smoking history, smoking amount, type of operation, and presence of a protective stoma were associated with anastomotic complications. In multivariate analysis, a history of heavy smoking was a significant risk factor for anastomotic complications.

Conclusions

A history of heavy smoking (more than 40 pack‐years) is an independently significant risk factor for anastomotic complications after low anterior resection in rectal cancer patients.
UK Urology Trainees' Exposure to Dedicated Infertility Training: How Good is That Training?
Authors: Grey B.R. , O'Flynn K.J. , Payne S.R.
Published: September 2011

Objective:

The management of male-factor infertility (MFI) is one component of the UK urological training curriculum. Sub-specialising gynaecologists, training in reproductive medicine, are also expected to achieve similar competencies. This study aimed to determine UK urology trainees' views on the quality of Their training in managing the infertile male.

Methods:

All UK urological trainees, identified through the British Association of Urological Surgeons (BAUS) or Joint Committee on Surgical Training (JCST) databases were e-mailed and invited to partake in an online survey, accessed through SurveyMonkey™.

Results:

176 (51.6%) urological trainees responded. Only 3.6% were assured of exposure to training in MFI investigation and management and <35% had any exposure to vasectomy reversal. 61.3% wanted infertility to make up some part of their work as a consultant but only 27% rated their training as adequate. 79.9% felt threatened by the potential loss of skills and patients to gynaecologists with sub-specialist interests in reproductive medicine.

Conclusions:

UK urological trainees reported that exposure to dedicated training in MFI is suboptimal and ultimately, insufficient to equip them for the consultant practice they desire. Urology training needs re-structuring to ensure retention of this skill set and to support the aspirations of interested urological trainees.
Copper handling by astrocytes: Insights into neurodegenerative diseases
Authors: Tiffany‐Castiglioni Evelyn , Hong Sandra , Qian Yongchang
Published: September 2011

Copper (Cu) is an essential trace element in the brain that can be toxic at elevated levels. Cu accumulation is a suspected etiology in several neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, and prion‐induced disorders. Astrocytes are a proposed depot in the brain for Cu and other metals, including lead (Pb). This article describes the physiological roles of Cu in the central nervous system and in selected neurodegenerative diseases, and reviews evidence that astrocytes accumulate Cu and protect neurons from Cu toxicity. Findings from murine genetic models of Menkes disease and from cell culture models concerning the molecular mechanisms by which astrocytes take up, store, and buffer Cu intracellularly are discussed, as well as potential mechanistic linkages between astrocyte functions in Cu handling and neurodegenerative diseases.
First‐trimester maternal serum 25‐hydroxyvitamin D3 status and pregnancy outcome
Authors: Fernández‐Alonso Ana M. , Dionis‐Sánchez Elia C. , Chedraui Peter , González‐Salmerón María D. , Pérez‐López Faustino R. ,   The Spanish Vitamin D and Women's Health Research Group
Published: September 2011

Objective

To determine the pregnancy outcome as a function of the first‐trimester serum 25‐hydroxyvitamin D3 [25(OH)D] status and to compare the 25(OH)D levels in the first and third trimesters.

Methods

Pregnant women (n = 466) tested for serum 25(OH)D levels during the first trimester were followed up until the end of pregnancy, and the obstetric and neonatal outcomes were compared in reference to the baseline 25(OH)D status. The third‐trimester 25(OH)D levels were additionally measured in a subset of women (n = 148).

Results

The obstetric and neonatal outcomes did not vary as a function of the first‐trimester 25(OH)D status. Neither did the 25(OH)D levels vary as a function of pregnancy outcomes. Overall, the 25(OH)D levels significantly decreased from the first to the third trimester. The first‐ and third‐trimester 25(OH)D levels of samples initially taken during autumn/winter were significantly lower than those that were initially taken during spring/summer. Interestingly, the decrease in 25(OH)D levels during the third trimester was independent of the season of sampling.

Conclusion

The pregnancy outcome was independent of the first‐trimester 25(OH)D status. Overall, the 25(OH)D levels significantly decreased in the third trimester. More research in this area is warranted.
Effects of Sleep or Food Deprivation During Civilian Survival Training on Cognition, Blood Glucose and 3-OH-butyrate
Authors: Ståhle Lars , Ståhle Ewa Ljungdahl , Granström Elisabeth , Isaksson Sven , Annas Peter , Sepp Harry
Published: September 2011

Objectives

The study was designed to compare effects of food deprivation (FD) and sleep deprivation (SD) on cognition during survival training.

Methods

In a cross-over design (n=12), the effects of FD (up to 66 hours followed by 500 kcal intake over 24 hours) and SD (up to 50 hours) on cognitive variables, blood glucose, and 3-OH-butyrate were studied.

Results

Food deprivation and SD impaired attention-dependent tasks. The FD impairment of simple reaction time was independent of blood glucose levels, which were normalized by a 500 kcal intake over 24 hours while the reaction time was not. Sleep deprivation and FD impaired maze-solving performance on all variables except rule breaks, which were significantly occurring after 50 hours of SD. Delayed word recall was impaired by SD for 50 hours. On the Balloon Analogue Risk Task, SD was associated with reduced risk-taking. In a gambling task, both SD for 50 hours and FD for 66 hours were associated with a tendency to make early choices when presented with consecutive choices, but the risk-taking was not affected.

Conclusions

Sleep deprivation has multiple cognitive effects, including attention, memory, visual-spatial ability, and risk-taking. Food deprivation had no affect on risk-taking, while the other tasks were affected in a way similar to SD but were less pronounced. The FD effects on cognition did not appear to depend on blood sugar levels. The need to sleep should be prioritized in survival situations to avoid cognitive impairment.
Snowboarding Injuries in Australia: Investigating Risk Factors in Wrist Fractures to Enhance Injury Prevention Strategies
Authors: Dickson Tracey J. , Terwiel F. Anne
Published: September 2011

Objective

To investigate risk factors associated with wrist fractures in snowboarders to inform future snowsport safety strategies.

Methods

A prospective case-control study using a nonprobability convenience sample was conducted with data collected via a respondent-completed questionnaire. Subjects consisted of snowboarders with a snowboard-related injury who presented to one of 10 medical centers and physiotherapy clinics in resort medical centers and gateway communities across the Australian snowsport season in 2007. Those presenting with injuries other than wrist fractures acted as the control.

Results

The 611 respondents reported 802 injuries (61.3% were males and 51.5% were aged 16–25 years). Protective equipment was worn by 57.0% of respondents. The main reason for not wearing a wrist guard was that they did not see the need; of these, 12.9% experienced a wrist fracture. Most injuries occurred on-piste, in a terrain park, or in a lesson. The main mechanism of injury was falling. The major risk factors for wrist fractures were being less than 16 years of age (OR 3.97, CI 2.54–6.22), being in the alpine area for a holiday (OR 2.77, CI 1.47–5.21), and being a first-day snowboard participant (OR 2.02, CI 1.15–3.64). A direct logistic regression indicated that 3 variables had a statistically significant contribution to the model (being less than 16 years old, being on holidays in the region, and not wearing a wrist guard).

Conclusions

The key risk factors in this Australian study reflect other international studies, providing a clear market segment for targeted snowsport safety messages: those less than 16 years old, visitors to the alpine regions, and those not wearing wrist guards.
Effects of Oxygen Supplementation on Acute Mountain Sickness Symptoms and Functional Capacity During a 2-Kilometer Walk Test on Chajnantor Plateau (5050 Meters, Northern Chile)
Authors: Silva-Urra Juan A. , Urizar Constanza , Basualto-Alarcón Carla , Torrella Joan Ramon , Pagés Teresa , Behn Claus , Viscor Ginés
Published: September 2011

Objective

The aim of this study was to test the hypothesis that administration of low-flow oxygen will improve physical performance in subjects unacclimatized to altitude. We evaluated the effects of oxygen supplementation on functional capacity and acute mountain sickness (AMS) symptoms in young, healthy male and female subjects who performed a 2-km fast walk test following rapid ascent to the Chajnantor plateau (5050 m above sea level) in Northern Chile.

Methods

The participants were randomly distributed into 2 groups according to oxygen supplementation levels: 1 or 3 L O2·min−1. Within each group, males and females were evaluated separately. A preliminary walk test was carried out at sea level on a 100-m long, flat track with 10 U-turns. For the first walk at altitude, subjects carried the supplementary oxygen system but did not breathe the oxygen. Subjects received oxygen through a facemask the following day during the second test. The nights prior to altitude tests were spent at 2400 m in San Pedro de Atacama.

Results

Supplementary oxygen administration during a 2-km walk test significantly improved walking times at 5050 m. We also observed a significant improvement in AMS symptoms. As expected, however, performance was poorer at altitude compared to test values at sea level, despite supplementary oxygen administration.

Conclusions

Our findings demonstrate the beneficial effects of supplementary oxygen administration on physical capacity, reducing the incidence of AMS and, thus, improving health and safety conditions for high altitude workers following rapid ascent, when adequate acclimatization is not possible.
Subcritical bifurcation of shear-thinning plane Poiseuille flows
Authors: Chekila A. , Nouar C. , Plaut E. , Nemdili A.
Published: September 2011

In a recent article (Nouar, Bottaro & Brancher,J. Fluid. Mech., vol. 592, 2007, pp. 177–194), a linear stability analysis of plane Poiseuille flow of shear-thinning fluids has been performed. The authors concluded that the viscosity stratification delays the transition and that is important to account for the viscosity perturbation. The current paper focuses on the first-principles understanding of the influence of the viscosity stratification and the nonlinear variation of the effective viscosity$\ensuremath{\mu} $with the shear rate$\dot {\gamma } $on the flow stability with respect to a finite-amplitude perturbation. A weakly nonlinear analysis, using the amplitude expansion method, is adopted as a first approach to study nonlinear effects. The bifurcation to two-dimensional travelling waves is studied. For the numerical computations, the shear-thinning behaviour is described by the Carreau model. The rheological parameters are varied in a wide range. The results indicate that (i) the nonlinearity of the viscous terms tends to reduce the viscous dissipation and to accelerate the flow, (ii) the harmonic generated by the nonlinearity$\ensuremath{\mu} (\dot {\gamma } )$is smaller and in opposite phase to that generated by the quadratic nonlinear inertial terms and (iii) with increasing shear-thinning effects, the bifurcation becomes highly subcritical. Consequently, the magnitude of the threshold amplitude of the perturbation, beyond which the flow is nonlinearly unstable, decreases. This result is confirmed by computing higher order-Landau constants.
Multiscale modelling of erythrocytes in Stokes flow
Authors: Peng Zhangli , Asaro Robert J. , Zhu Qiang
Published: September 2011

To quantitatively understand the correlation between the molecular structure of an erythrocyte (red blood cell, RBC) and its mechanical response, and to predict mechanically induced structural remodelling in physiological conditions, we developed a computational model by coupling a multiscale approach of RBC membranes with a boundary element method (BEM) for surrounding Stokes flows. The membrane is depicted at three levels: in the whole cell level, a finite element method (FEM) is employed to model the lipid bilayer and the cytoskeleton as two distinct layers of continuum shells. The mechanical properties of the cytoskeleton are obtained from a molecular-detailed model of the junctional complex. The spectrin, a major protein of the cytoskeleton, is simulated using a molecular-based constitutive model. The BEM model is coupled with the FEM model through a staggered coupling algorithm. Using this technique, we first simulated RBC dynamics in capillary flow and found that the protein density variation and bilayer–skeleton interaction forces are much lower than those in micropipette aspiration, and the maximum interaction force occurs at the trailing edge. Then we investigated mechanical responses of RBCs in shear flow during tumbling, tank-treading and swinging motions. The dependencies of tank-treading frequency on the blood plasma viscosity and the membrane viscosity we found match well with benchmark data. The simulation results show that during tank-treading the protein density variation is insignificant for healthy erythrocytes, but significant for cells with a smaller bilayer–skeleton friction coefficient, which may be the case in hereditary spherocytosis.
Taste–nutrient relationships in commonly consumed foods
Authors: van Dongen Mirre Viskaal , van den Berg Marjolijn C. , Vink Nicole , Kok Frans J. , de Graaf Cees
Published: September 2011

Taste is expected to represent a food's nutrient content. The objective was to investigate whether taste acts as nutrient-sensor, within the context of the current diet, which is high in processed foods. Intensities of the five basic tastes of fifty commonly consumed foods were rated by nineteen subjects (aged 21·0 (sd 1·7) years, BMI 21·5 (sd 2·0) kg/m2). Linear regression was used to test associations between taste and nutrient contents. Food groups based on taste were identified using cluster analysis; nutrient content was compared between food groups, using ANOVA. Sweetness was associated with mono- and disaccharides (R2 0·45, P < 0·01). Saltiness and savouriness were correlated, with r 0·92 (P < 0·01) and both were associated with Na (both: R2 0·33, P < 0·01) and protein (R2 0·27, P < 0·01 and R2 0·33, P < 0·01, respectively). Cluster analysis indicated four food groups: neutral, salty and savoury, sweet–sour and sweet foods. Mono- and disaccharide content was highest in sweet foods (P < 0·01). In salty and savoury foods, protein content (P = 0·01 with sweet–sour foods, not significant with neutral or sweet foods) and Na content (P < 0·05) were the highest. Associations were more pronounced in raw and moderately processed foods, than in highly processed foods. The findings suggest that sweetness, saltiness and savouriness signal nutrient content, particularly for simple sugars, protein and Na. In highly processed foods, however, the ability to sense nutrient content based on taste seems limited.
Dietary glycaemic index and glycaemic load in relation to the risk of type 2 diabetes: a meta-analysis of prospective cohort studies
Authors: Dong Jia-Yi , Zhang Lijun , Zhang Yong-Hong , Qin Li-Qiang
Published: September 2011

Epidemiological studies of dietary glycaemic index (GI) and glycaemic load (GL) in relation to diabetes risk have yielded inconsistent results. We aimed to examine the associations between dietary GI and GL and the risk of type 2 diabetes by conducting a meta-analysis of prospective cohort studies. Relevant studies were identified by a PubMed database search up to February 2011. Reference lists from retrieved articles were also reviewed. We included prospective cohort studies that reported risk estimates with 95 % CI for the associations between dietary GI and GL and the risk of type 2 diabetes. Either a fixed- or random-effects model was used to compute the summary relative risk (RR). We identified thirteen prospective cohort studies of dietary GI or GL related to diabetes risk. The summary RR of type 2 diabetes for the highest category of the GI compared with the lowest was 1·16 (95 % CI 1·06, 1·26;n12), with moderate evidence of heterogeneity (P = 0·02,I2 = 50·8 %). For the GL, the summary RR was 1·20 (95 % CI 1·11, 1·30;n12), with little evidence of heterogeneity (P = 0·10,I2 = 34·8 %). No evidence of publication bias was observed. In addition, the associations persisted and remained statistically significant in the sensitivity analyses. In conclusion, the present meta-analysis provides further evidence in support of significantly positive associations between dietary GI and GL and the risk of type 2 diabetes. Reducing the intake of high-GI foods may bring benefits in diabetes prevention.
Opening the Holy of Holies: Early Twentieth-Century Explorations of the Sancta Sanctorum (Rome)
Authors: Noreen Kirstin
Published: September 2011

Although the Sancta Sanctorum preserved some of the most venerated relics in Rome and a miraculous image of Christ, until the early twentieth century strict rules limiting access to the space made a formal examination of these objects nearly impossible. The series of investigations and resulting publications of the Sancta Sanctorum and its treasure of reliquaries, relics, and icon that took place between 1903 and 1908 therefore demonstrate an important turning point in the Church's attitude toward the medieval chapel's sanctified space. The papal permission given to scholars such as Florian Jubaru, Hartmann Grisar, Philippe Lauer, and Josef Wilpert allowed, for the first time, a scientific examination and cataloging of the chapel's objects. The permission, however, also instigated an environment of intense academic competition, as noted especially in the publications of Grisar and Lauer. This article discusses the explorations of the Sancta Sanctorum's holy objects in the context of the highly charged political environment of early twentieth-century Rome. The article suggests that concerns over artistic patrimony, the financial stability of the Vatican, the relationship between the papacy and the Italian state, and shifting trends in scholarship played roles in the decision to open the “Holy of Holies” and reveal the contents of the treasure of the Sancta Sanctorum.
Silent Preachers in the Age of Ingenuity: Faith, Commerce, and Religious Tracts in Early Nineteenth-Century Britain
Authors: Stubenrauch Joseph
Published: September 2011

“Why should not system be opposed to system, brevity to brevity, cheapness to cheapness, entertainment to entertainment, and perseverance to perseverance? Thus alone can the enemy be met in his marches and his countermarches, and thus a reasonable hope may be indulged of baffling his schemes.”

–Annual Report of the Religious Tract Society, 1808

On the Thursday morning of August 23, 1821, the executive committee members of the Religious Tract Society (RTS) gathered for a special meeting. Spread before them were specimens of irreligious street literature sold by their competitors. Balefully, they eyed a “good number of the low, mischievous, and disgusting publications now on the table.” The committee was in fact already intimately familiar with these types of publications, but their review of them inspired the RTS to redouble their efforts “to publish tracts with the express purpose of meeting and suppressing the lowest class of books now circulating.” To this end, they deemed it “expedient to descend the scale which the society's publications have hitherto maintained, in order to meet the evil so much complained of.” Furthermore, the committee resolved to focus their attention on discovering “the best means” for putting their new, lowbrow tracts into “extensive circulation.”
The End of “The Protestant Era”?
Authors: Greene Alison Collis
Published: September 2011

More than fifty years after delivering the talk “The American Religious Depression, 1925–1935” to the American Society of Church History, Robert Handy is still the default authority on religion and the Great Depression. This is a tribute to his remarkable insights, but it is also an indication that the Depression merits more attention from historians of religion. A number of scholars have taken the religious history of the 1930s seriously. Yet we tend to think of the work of Joel Carpenter, Leo Ribuffo, Alan Brinkley, Beth Wenger, Kenneth Heineman, and others as primarily about fundamentalist institution-building, New Deal demagogues, or Jews and Catholics in New York and Pittsburgh, and only incidentally about the Great Depression.
NUTRITIONAL EVALUATION AND PALATABILITY TRIAL OF ENSILED CONOCARPUS GREENERY RESIDUES
Authors: BAROON ZAINAB , RAZZAQUE MOHAMED ABDU
Published: September 2011

Conocarpus lancifolius is an ornamental tree planted in Kuwait, resulting in more than 120 t of residual by-products daily. These residues could be utilised as ensiled feed. A total premix of 24 t of silage was prepared in six pilot-scale trench silos for 30 days, after which triplicate samples were taken from each trench silo, which were analysed for nutritional contents and microbial populations. Mean pH value was 4.2 ± 0.12, where mean of dry matter (DM), crude protein, crude fats, crude fibre, organic matter, lactic and acetic acids and total water soluble carbohydrate concentration were 35.10 ± 4.0%, 11.18 ± 0.07%, 2.47 ± 0.21%, 20.85 ± 0.95%, 19.53 ± 0.53%, 4.95 ± 0.32%, 1.47 ± 0.01% and 20.86 ± 0.56% on DM basis, respectively. Means of aerobic bacteria, fungi (yeast and moulds) and lactic acid bacteria counts were 1.8 ×104 ± 0.15, 1.1 × 104 ± 0.09 and 7.3 × 108 ± 0.12 colony forming units per gram of fresh silage, respectively. An animal performance trial was conducted on 60 Holstein Friesian heifers with initial live weights ranging from 262 to 275 kg, grouped in six dietary treatments for a 148-day feeding trial. The diets contained different ratios of Conocarpus silage, which ranged from 10 to 60% on DM basis partially replacing conventional roughage (alfalfa hay, straw). DM intake of heifers ranged between 11.40 ± 2.14 kg and 13.61 ± 2.54 kg. Daily live-weight gain ranged from 0.99 ± 0.38 kg to 1.20 ± 0.31 kg. From the results, Conocarpus silage could be suggested as a replacement for conventional roughage in rations for growing heifers.
Sinonasal mucosal melanoma: retrospective survival study of 25 patients
Authors: Vandenhende C , Leroy X , Chevalier D , Mortuaire G
Published: September 2011

Objective:

To determine potential prognostic factors for survival in patients with mucosal malignant melanoma of the sinonasal tract.

Methods:

Patients managed between 1991 and 2008 were assessed retrospectively. The seventh edition Union for International Cancer Control (7th UICC) tumour-node-metastasis classification was used for tumour staging. Kaplan–Meier and log rank tests were used for survival analysis.

Results:

Twenty-five patients were studied (six were tumour stage three, eight tumour stage four(a) and 11 tumour stage four(b)). Surgery was performed on 23 patients (92 per cent). Fifteen received post-operative radiotherapy. Mean follow up was 31.3 months (range, two to 99 months). Three-year disease-free survival was improved in patients with stage four tumour arising from the nasal fossa, versus other sites, and in those with stage four tumour treated with surgery plus adjuvant radiotherapy, versus other treatments.

Conclusion:

Patients with melanoma of the nasal cavity have very poor survival rates. Treatment is still based on adequate surgical resection with safe margins. In this study, post-operative radiotherapy improved local control only for stage four tumours.
The role of health technology assessment in coverage decisions on newborn screening
Authors: Fischer Katharina E. , Grosse Scott D. , Rogowski Wolf H.
Published: September 2011

Objectives: The role and impact of health technology assessment (HTA) in health policy has been widely discussed. Researchers have started to analyze how decisions on coverage of new technologies are made. Although the involvement of HTA may be an indicator of a well established decision process, this hypothesis requires validation. Also, it is not known whether HTA involvement is associated with other characteristics of decision making like participation or transparency. The primary objective of this study was to develop and test statements on the association between the publication of an HTA and coverage decision making for newborn screening tests in European Union countries.

Methods: Five statements were defined on the relative role of HTA during the steps of decision processes: trigger, participation, publication, assessment, and appraisal. For this purpose, data on twenty-two decision processes in the area of newborn screening across Europe were analyzed, defined as a coverage decision for a given disorder in a specific country. Decision processes were compared by whether the decision was accompanied by the publication of an HTA report. To test differences, nonparametric statistical tests were used.

Results: The decision steps of trigger, participation and publication differed between the HTA and the non-HTA groups. No clear association between HTA and assessment methods in coverage decision making was identified.

Conclusions: It appeared that there is an association between HTA and coverage decision processes that are more explicit, inclusive, and transparent. It is unclear whether HTA is associated with formal evidence reviews and economic evaluations.
Rapid control of foetal supraventricular tachycardia with digoxin and flecainide combination treatment
Authors: Uzun Orhan , Babaoglu Kadir , Sinha Anju , Massias Spyridon , Beattie Bryan
Published: September 2011

Objectives

To evaluate the efficacy of flecainide and digoxin combination in foetal supraventricular tachycardia.

Setting

This study was carried out in a tertiary referral centre.

Methods

We conducted a retrospective review of 29 patients diagnosed with supraventricular foetal tachycardia between 2001 and 2009. Mode of presentation, foetal cardiac function, maternal anti-arrhythmic serum levels, drug tolerance, and maternal electrocardiogram recordings were assessed. The postnatal outcome of each infant was also evaluated for tachycardia recurrence.

Results

In all, 27 foetuses were treated with digoxin and flecainide combination, and two foetuses were delivered without any treatment. Of the 27 foetuses, seven had atrial flutter and the remaining 22 had atrioventricular re-entry tachycardia. There were eight foetuses with hydrops (27%), of whom three had atrial flutter and five had atrioventricular re-entry tachycardia; 26 foetuses (96%) responded to flecainide and digoxin combination, with restoration of sinus rhythm in 22 (81.4%) and rate control in the other four. In one severely hydropic foetus, there was no response to treatment. In all, 26 treated infants were delivered alive, but one pregnancy was terminated for non-cardiac causes when the foetus was in sinus rhythm. There was no intrauterine death due to tachycardia. Although there were minor side effects to anti-arrhythmic medications, none of the pregnant women developed proarrhythmia.

Conclusion

Flecainide and digoxin combination treatment offers a safe and effective treatment for foetal supraventricular tachycardia with fast restoration of sinus rhythm.
Association of cognitive dietary restraint and disinhibition with prediabetes – cross-sectional and longitudinal data of a feasibility study in German employees
Authors: Zyriax Birgit-Christiane , Wolf Christina , Schlüter Annika , Khattak Asad Hameed , Westenhoefer Joachim , Windler Eberhard
Published: September 2011

Objective

To investigate the impact of eating behaviour traits on central obesity, prediabetes and associated major dietary food patterns.

Design

Assessment of eating behaviour was based on the revised German version of the Three-Eating Factor Questionnaire using cross-sectional and longitudinal data of a feasibility study in employees. Data on lifestyle and nutrition were obtained by validated self-administered questionnaires. Baseline characteristics were analysed by the univariate χ2 test or the Mann–Whitney test. To quantify correlations linear regression analysis was used.

Setting

The Delay of Impaired Glucose Tolerance by a Healthy Lifestyle Trial (DELIGHT), which investigated measures to prevent type 2 diabetes mellitus in 2004–2008.

Subjects

Employees (21–64 years, 127 men, 157 women) with elevated waist circumference (men ≥94 cm, women ≥80 cm) of five medium-sized companies in northern Germany.

Results

At baseline (T0), BMI but particularly waist circumference showed a strong inverse correlation with flexible control (P < 0·0001) and a positive correlation with disinhibition (P < 0·0001) and rigid control (P = 0·063). Flexible control was also significantly inversely related to fasting plasma glucose (P = 0·040), energy intake (P < 0·0001), intake of meat and meat products (P = 0·0001), and positively associated with intake of fruit and vegetables (P < 0·0001) at baseline (T0). Changes in flexible control within the first year of intervention (T1 v. T0) predicted changes in central obesity (P < 0·0001) and fasting plasma glucose (P = 0·025).

Conclusions

DELIGHT shows that flexible control characterizes individuals with a higher dietary quality, a lower waist circumference and a lower glucose level. Enhancing flexible control more than rigid control, and decreasing disinhibition, seems beneficial in terms of central adiposity and glucose levels.
Speed of free convective fingering in porous media
Authors: Xie Yueqing , Simmons Craig T. , Werner Adrian D.
Published: September 2011

Previous studies have examined free convection and the development of fingers in variable‐density groundwater environments, but the penetration rates of fingering processes (i.e., fingering speeds) have not been systematically investigated. Unlike common groundwater processes driven by advection and whose flow rates may be computed using Darcy's law, fingering speeds are far less intuitive. In this study, fingering speeds are analyzed in a natural convection system using two measurable diagnostics: deepest plume front (DPF, providing upper bounds on plume speeds) and vertical center of solute mass (COM, providing global speeds). The permeability, porosity, and dispersion (longitudinal and transverse dispersivities) were varied using a perturbation‐based stochastic approach to investigate their effects on fingering speeds. Modeling results show that the characteristic convective velocity, commonly used to represent theoretical fingering speeds, needs to incorporate effective porosity in a similar fashion to hydraulically driven average linear velocity and needs to be further adjusted by multiplying by a corrective factor f for predicting various fingering behaviors (approximately f = 0.115 for DPF and f = 0.034 for COM) in this study. A stochastic analysis demonstrates small variability in the time‐varying speed of both DPF and COM between model realizations. This indicates that reproducing fingering speeds is likely to be achieved and that one single realization can adequately produce f for the characteristic convective velocity. This study also identifies that f for speeds of DPF is most likely to be constrained by (0.115, 1.000), which is extremely useful in the design of laboratory and field experimentation.
Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Global Perspective
Authors: Richmond Alisha S.
Published: September 2011

The incidence of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is rising in prevalence worldwide. In order to provide appropriate assessment and treatment practices, it is essential to examine the governmental influence and family perspectives concerning this disorder. Results of qualitative and quantitative studies provide salient information for implementing effective and culturally appropriate assessment and treatment practices for children with an ASD diagnosis. Speech-language pathologists and audiologists should promote and support efforts that will increase the global public's awareness of the disorder, collaborative research efforts, and the development of culturally appropriate assessment and service.
Combining Professional Interests and Travel: People to People Citizen Ambassador Program
Authors: Johnson Alex , Hitchins Amanda
Published: September 2011

This article summarizes a series of trips sponsored by People to People, a professional exchange program. The trips described in this report were led by the first author of this article and include trips to South Africa, Russia, Vietnam and Cambodia, and Israel. Each of these trips included delegations of 25 to 50 speech-language pathologists and audiologists who participated in professional visits to learn of the health, education, and social conditions in each country. Additionally, opportunities to meet with communication disorders professionals, students, and persons with speech, language, or hearing disabilities were included. People to People, partnered with the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA), provides a meaningful and interesting way to learn and travel with colleagues.
Grazing incidence extreme ultraviolet spectrometer fielded with time resolution in a hostile Z-pinch environment
Authors: Williamson K. M. , Kantsyrev V. L. , Safronova A. S. , Wilcox P. G. , Cline W. , Batie S. , LeGalloudec B. , Nalajala V. , Astanovitsky A.
Published: September 2011

This recently developed diagnostic was designed to allow for time-gated spectroscopic study of the EUV radiation (4 nm < λ < 15 nm) present during harsh wire array z-pinch implosions. The spectrometer utilizes a 25 μm slit, an array of 3 spherical blazed gratings at grazing incidence, and a microchannel plate (MCP) detector placed in an off-Rowland position. Each grating is positioned such that its diffracted radiation is cast over two of the six total independently timed frames of the MCP. The off-Rowland configuration allows for a much greater spectral density on the imaging plate but only focuses at one wavelength per grating. The focal wavelengths are chosen for their diagnostic significance. Testing was conducted at the Zebra pulsed-power generator (1 MA, 100 ns risetime) at the University of Nevada, Reno on a series of wire array z-pinch loads. Within this harsh z-pinch environment, radiation yields routinely exceed 20 kJ in the EUV and soft x-ray. There are also strong mechanical shocks, high velocity debris, sudden vacuum changes during operation, energic ion beams, and hard x-ray radiation in excess of 50 keV. The spectra obtained from the precursor plasma of an Al double planar wire array contained lines of Al IX and AlX ions indicating a temperature near 60 eV during precursor formation. Detailed results will be presented showing the fielding specifications and the techniques used to extract important plasma parameters using this spectrometer.
Monte Carlo and event-driven dynamics of Brownian particles with orientational degrees of freedom
Authors: Romano Flavio , De Michele Cristiano , Marenduzzo Davide , Sanz Eduardo
Published: September 2011

Recently, a simple scaling argument was introduced that allows us to map, with some precautions, Brownian and Monte Carlo dynamics for spherical particles. Here, we extend the scaling to study systems that have orientational degrees of freedom and carefully asses its validity over a wide region of temperature and density. Our work allows us to devise a Brownian Monte Carlo algorithm that produces, to a good approximation, physically meaningful trajectories with a minimum programming effort, although at the expense of some sampling efficiency.