bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Factors influencing the choice of librarianship as a course of study at the diploma level in Ghana
Authors: Adanu Theodosia S. A. , Amekuedee John-Oswald
Published: November 2010

The study investigated the factors that influence the choice of librarianship as a course of study at the diploma level in Ghana. The study also sought to find out if interest had been engendered in librarianship after enrolling for the course and whether the students intended pursuing the course further to develop a career in librarianship. The population surveyed was the Diploma I & II classes of the Department of Information Studies, University of Ghana who were admitted in 2005/2006 and 2006/2007 academic years. Using data obtained through questionnaires, the study sought for information relating to their background, factors influencing the choice of librarianship, interest in librarianship and pursuing librarianship as a career. The findings revealed that various factors account for the choice of librarianship. These factors were mainly external with an opportunity for further education being the most prevalent. Other factors included association with librarians, experience in library work, a liking for books and the need for career change.
Research performance evaluations of Thailand national research universities during 2007-2009
Authors: Sombatsompop Narongrit , Markpin Teerasak , Ratchatahirun Preeyanuch , Yochai Wutthisit , Wongkaew Chatree , Premkamolnetr Nongyao
Published: November 2010

In 2009, the Office of the Higher Education Commission (OHEC), Ministry of Education in Thailand had, for the first time, announced and approved a list of nine outstanding research universities out of 24 public universities under the Thailand National Research University (Thailand-NRU) initiative to be world-class universities. However, the research performances of these 24 universities have never been evaluated and revealed. This work aimed to assess the research performances of the public universities in Thailand using the Web of Science (WoS) database, and investigate whether or not their research performances correspond to those approved by the OHEC. The results suggested that the top six universities that had highest average number of published articles and citations during the three evaluation years were Mahidol University, Chulalongkorn University, Chiang Mai University, Prince of Songkla University, Kasetsart University and Khon Kaen University. However, the universities with lower number of published articles appeared to perform better in terms of average citation/article and citations received/cited article. Only 60 percent of the published articles were responsible for all citations received for Thai universities during 2007—2009. The average value of citation/article for all Thai universities was 1.757, but if only cited articles (60.4 percent) were considered, the ratio increased to 2.876. The research results in this work suggested that the top nine universities based on their research performances corresponded very well to those approved by the Office of the Higher Education Commission (OHEC, 2010) under the 2009 Thailand’s National Research University Initiative only in terms of research productivity and impact.
An agricultural market information service (AMIS) in Bangladesh: evaluating a mobile phone based e-service in a rural context
Authors: Islam M. Sirajul , Grönlund Ake
Published: November 2010

The farmers’ community in Bangladesh is one of the most deprived ones in terms of economy and access to social facilities. An agricultural market information service (AMIS) can be one of the important tools for reducing such social inequality by integrating the farmers with their markets more efficiently. Following the failure of a web-based AMIS initiated by the Government of Bangladesh and considering the wide availability of cellular networks, a mobile phone based AMIS was implemented on a pilot basis in some remote villages in Bangladesh. This paper evaluates the efficiency and effectiveness of this mobile service in terms of users, technology, process and facilitating conditions in a rural context. In general this is an interpretive case study as well as an evaluation research which is based on two small scale surveys and observations. Based on a literature review, a conceptual model is also applied for a systematic evaluation. Findings show that effectiveness of a rural e-service depends on the design and delivery of the service in accordance with the individual’s information needs, adaptive technologies with easy accessibility within a given infrastructure, affordable services with a rational business model, adequate awareness and efficient communication with the respective community.
Rehabilitation in practice: Learning about research - how can trainees in rehabilitation medicine become competent in appraising and conducting research?
Authors: Phillips Margaret , Lin Xia
Published: November 2010

This series of articles for rehabilitation in practice aims to cover a knowledge element of the rehabilitation medicine curriculum. Nevertheless they are intended to be of interest to a multidisciplinary audience. The competency addressed in this article is ‘The trainee is able to critically appraise scientific, clinical and sociological research literature’ and ‘The trainee is able to complete a clinical audit study from the planning to final report stage’.
A Multifoci Person-Centered Perspective on Workplace Affective Commitment: A Latent Profile/Factor Mixture Analysis
Authors: Morin Alexandre J. S. , Morizot Julien , Boudrias Jean-Sébastien , Madore Isabelle
Published: November 2010

The current study aims to explore the usefulness of a person-centered perspective to the study of workplace affective commitment (WAC). Five distinct profiles of employees were hypothesized based on their levels of WAC directed toward seven foci (organization, workgroup, supervisor, customers, job, work, and career). This study applied latent profile analyses and factor mixture analyses to a sample of 404 Canadian workers. The construct validity of the extracted latent profiles was verified by their associations with multiple predictors (gender, age, tenure, social relationships at work, workplace satisfaction, and organizational justice perceptions) and outcomes (in-role performance, organizational citizenship behaviors, and intent to quit). The analyses confirmed that a model with five latent profiles adequately represented the data: (a) highly committed toward all foci; (b) weakly committed toward all foci; (c) committed to their supervisor and moderately committed to the other foci; and (d) committed to their career and moderately uncommitted to the other foci; (e) committed mostly to their proximal work environment. These latent profiles present theoretically coherent patterns of associations with the predictors and outcomes, which suggests their adequate construct validity.
Mixture Latent Markov Modeling: Identifying and Predicting Unobserved Heterogeneity in Longitudinal Qualitative Status Change
Authors: Wang Mo , Chan David
Published: November 2010

There are many areas of organizational research where we may be concerned with subgroup differences in status change profiles. The purpose of this article is to illustrate, using a real data set on retirees’ postretirement employment statuses (PES), how mixture latent Markov modeling may be applied to substantive research in organizational settings to identify population subgroups with varying status change profiles and examine their correlates, by modeling unobserved heterogeneity in longitudinal qualitative changes. Steps in the modeling process are highlighted and limitations, cautions, recommendations, and extensions of the technique are discussed.
The cultural psychology of Palestinian youth: A narrative approach
Authors: Hammack Phillip L.
Published: November 2010

Contemporary Palestinian youth engage with a tragic master narrative of loss and dispossession supported by the social structure of ongoing intractable conflict and Israeli military occupation. This article illustrates a narrative and idiographic approach to research in cultural psychology, interrogating the relationship between constructions of personal identity and the master narrative of Palestinian history and collective identity among contemporary youth. Narratives of youth reveal points of both convergence and divergence with the master narrative of Palestinian identity, the most notable of which are the reproduction of tragic stories of loss and dispossession and the current ideological divisions within Palestinian society between secular and religious nationalism. Implications for theory and methodological practice in cultural psychology are discussed.
Aminoglycoside-induced mutation suppression (stop codon readthrough) as a therapeutic strategy for Duchenne muscular dystrophy
Authors: Malik Vinod , Rodino-Klapac Louise R. , Viollet Laurence , Mendell Jerry R.
Published: November 2010

Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is the most common, lethal, X-linked genetic disease, affecting 1 in 3500 newborn males. It is caused by mutations in the DMD gene. Owing to the large size of the gene, the mutation rate in both germline and somatic cells is very high. Nearly 13-15% of DMD cases are caused by nonsense mutations leading to premature termination codons in the reading frame that results in truncated dystrophin protein. Currently there is no cure for DMD. The only available treatment is the use of glucocorticoids that have modest beneficial effects accompanied by significant side effects. Different therapeutic strategies have been developed ranging from gene therapy to exon skipping and nonsense mutation suppression to produce the full-length protein. These strategies have shown promise in the mdx mouse model of muscular dystrophy where they have been reported to ameliorate the dystrophic phenotype and correct the physiological defects in the membrane. Each of these molecular approaches are being investigated in clinical trials. Here we review nonsense mutation suppression by aminoglycosides as a therapeutic strategy to treat DMD with special emphasis on gentamicin-induced readthrough of disease-causing premature termination codons.
The role of pramipexole in a severe Parkinson’s disease model in mice
Authors: ElHak Seham Gad , Ghanem Abdel Aziz , Abdelghaffar Hasan , ElDakroury Sahar , ElTantawy Dina , ElDosouky Sara , Salama Mohamed
Published: November 2010

Background: Pramipexole is one of a new generation of dopamine agonists. Recently there have been questions regarding its neuroprotective effects. These effects have been tested against various insults, which have yielded conflicting results.

Methods: In this study, we introduced a combination of 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP)/paraquat to induce a severe Parkinson’s disease model. The mice, after receiving the combination of toxins, were evaluated using mortality rates and immunohistochemistry for degenerating tyrosine hydroxylase-positive neurons.

Results and conclusions: Pramipexole was tested for its capacity to offer protection against neurotoxic the effects of MPTP/paraquat in this model; however, the results showed no improvement with pramipexole therapy.
Oxidation States of Unsymmetrically Substituted Quaterthiophenes with Two Terminal Ferrocenyl Groups
Authors: Sato Masa-aki , Kamine Hirokazu , Kato Takumi
Published: November 2010

Unsymmetrically substituted quaterthiophenes with two terminal ferrocenyl groups were prepared as long π-conjugated systems. Anisotropy of the chemical structures of the π-conjugated systems was introduced by substitution of methoxy and hexyl groups. Electrochemical and spectroscopic studies were carried out to evaluate the oxidation states of the diferrocenylquaterthiophenes and the interaction between the two terminals. The one-electron oxidation of one diferrocenylquaterthiophene adequately substituted with two methoxy and one hexyl group occurs at one ferrocene moiety specified due to the unsymmetry of the quaterthiophene moiety. The one-electron oxidizing species extends into the quaterthiophene moiety and apparently interacts with the other terminal ferrocene moiety.
Total Synthesis of Structurally Complex Marine Oxacyclic Natural Products
Authors: Fuwa Haruhiko
Published: November 2010

Total synthesis of structurally complex marine oxacyclic natural products, (−)-gambierol, (−)-brevenal, and (+)-neopeltolide, has been accomplished by exploiting Suzuki–Miyaura coupling of enol phosphates, paving the way for biological investigations on these scarcely available substances.
Adolescent Overweight, Social Relationships and the Transition to First Sex: Gender and Racial Variations
Authors: Alice Cheng Yen‐hsin , Landale Nancy S.
Published: November 2010

CONTEXT: Being overweight influences adolescents’ relationships by increasing their likelihood of experiencing social alienation and discrimination. Its role in sexual development is relatively understudied, as are potential mechanisms through which weight may influence early sexual activity.

METHODS: Data from the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health were used in discrete‐time event history analyses investigating the association between body weight, social relationships and timing of sexual debut among 8,197 respondents who were in grades 7–12 in 1994–1995 (Wave 1) and were young adults in 2001–2002 (Wave 3). Subgroup analyses explored gender and racial and ethnic variations in the association.

RESULTS: Overweight adolescents were less likely than their normal‐weight peers to report first intercourse between Waves 1 and 3 (odds ratio, 0.9). Characteristics reflecting social alienation, including having relatively few close friends and no experience with romantic relationships, were negatively associated with first intercourse among overweight youths. Results differed by gender and race and ethnicity. Overweight females had a lower likelihood than normal‐weight females of experiencing first intercourse (0.8), but no such association was evident among males. Similarly, overweight white youths—but not those from other racial and ethnic groups—had reduced odds of sexual debut (0.7).

CONCLUSIONS: Future studies should seek to understand the broader implications of adolescent weight status for social relationships and subsequent development, and practitioners should apply this knowledge to prevention programs. Postponement of sexual activity may benefit youths, but potential benefits and risks may depend upon the social processes involved.
Mesothelioma in Drywall Finishing Workers
Authors: McCoy Michael J. , Wolter Matthew E. , Anderson Kim E.
Published: November 2010

In this manuscript, we evaluate the context in which workers were exposed to drywall joint compound based on the state-of-the-art of the construction industry during the post-World War II era through the 1970s and conduct a review of the scientific literature associated with the drywall trade and occupational exposure to airborne asbestos from drywall finishing work practices. Specifically, this manuscript evaluates the epidemiologic literature describing the apparent lack of association of mesothelioma to asbestos fibers utilized in drywall finishing materials in workers who were potentially occupationally exposed to short-fiber chrysotile asbestos contained in some drywall joint compound products during the post-World War II era through the early to mid-1970s. This manuscript also provides an understanding of the state-of-the-art in drywall joint compound manufacturing during this period.
Triboelectrification of Metallic Dust Particles: Experiment and Modeling
Authors: Oza Aditi , Ghosh Sudipto , Chowdhury Kanchan
Published: November 2010

Particles acquire electrostatic charges due to repeated collisions with a wall or surface due to a phenomenon termed as tribocharging. Triboelectric separation involves the charging of particles by impact or friction with the walls of a container or a pipe or between each other. It is suspected to be the cause of many industrial incidents and accidents and is recognized to be an industrial hazard. The contamination of particles in an unclean oxygen system, particularly with bends, valves, and regulators, makes it vulnerable to a fire hazard. Particles (both metallic and non-metallic) may be generated over years of operation inside an initially clean system. The particles are added through fresh gases, turning of screws and valves, abrasion, and wear of surfaces either by personnel or by production equipment. The phenomenon of electrostatic charge generation due to the impact between metallic particles and the pipe wall is investigated experimentally and theoretically. The experimentation and simulations have been performed with mild steel particles. The effects of air velocity, pipe diameter, and pipe length on the extent of tribocharging of particles have been determined. The velocity profiles of particles have been found out utilizing the FLUENT 6.3.26 code, and the charges generated are calculated from this velocity. Numerical results for the tribocharging of particles have been validated with the experimental ones.
Intuitives Bedieninterface für effiziente Mensch-Roboter-Kooperation
Authors: Som Franz
Published: November 2010

Wenn Mensch und Maschine gemeinsam in einer Produktionsanlage zusammenarbeiten, ist ein intuitiv bedienbares Mensch-Maschine-Interface unumgänglich, um eine einfache Programmerstellung und damit eine wirtschaftliche Produktion zu gewährleisten. In diesem Beitrag wird ein neuartiges Bedieninterface vorgestellt, welches diese Anforderung erfüllt.
Konzepte für den Roboterassistenten der Zukunft
Authors: Haddadin Sami , Suppa Michael , Fuchs Stefan , Bodenmüller Tim , Albu-Schäffer Alin , Hirzinger Gerd
Published: November 2010

Die Realisierung eines sensorbasierten Roboterassistenten, der es ermöglicht Mensch und Roboter im industriellen Umfeld intenisiv kooperieren zu lassen ist ein wichtiges Ziel der Robotik. In diesem Beitrag wird ein Konzept für einen Roboterassistenten vorgestellt und anhand einer Beispielanwendung, dem Griff-in-die-Kiste, demonstriert. Dabei werden verfügbare Standardkomponenten benutzt, um aufzuzeigen, dass der Stand-der-Technik bereits weit genug ist derart komplexe Szenarien zu realisieren. Es werden sensorbasierte Reaktionsstrategien zur sicheren Mensch-Roboter Interaktion in ein zustandsbasiertes Roboterverhalten integriert und des Weiteren benutzt, um die nötige Robustheit für partiell unstrukturierte Umgebungen zu erlangen. Der Griff-in-die-Kiste wird an einem DLR Leichtbauroboter III (LBR-III) validiert, der mit dem DLR 3D-Modeller zur Generierung von Umgebungsmodelle und einer Time-of-Flight Kamera zur Objekterkennung ausgestattet ist.
Comparative Efficacy of Echinocandins and Nonechinocandins for the Treatment of Candida parapsilosisInfections: AMeta‐analysis
Authors: Kale‐Pradhan Pramodini B. , Morgan Geoffrey , Wilhelm Sheila M. , Johnson Leonard B.
Published: November 2010

Study Objective. To compare the efficacy of echinocandins and nonechinocandins in the treatment of candidemia or invasive candidiasis due to Candida parapsilosis.

Design. Meta‐analysis of five randomized, blinded, comparative trials.

Patients. A total of 1169 patients (mean age 55.5 yrs, 57.8% male) with invasive candidiasis or candidemia treated with an echinocandin or other antifungal agents.

Measurements and Main Results. The PubMed, MEDLINE, Toxnet, and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials databases were searched for relevant English‐language articles to identify appropriate randomized trials. The quality of studies was assessed with the Jadad scoring system. Data on number of patients, age, and treatment success rate were extracted by two investigators independently into a standardized data collection form. Overall C. parapsilosis treatment success rates with echinocandins were compared with nonechinocandins. Jadad scores of the five studies that met all of the selection criteria ranged from 2–5 (out of 5), with a median of 4. Among the 1169 patients with invasive candidiasis or candidemia, 202 (17.3%) had C. parapsilosis. Among these C. parapsilosis cases, 102 received an echinocandin and 100 received a comparator drug. The success rates of treating C. parapsilosis were similar for the echinocandin group versus other antifungal treatment groups (76.5% [78/102] vs 73% [73/100]). A fixed‐effects model was applied secondary to a low level of heterogeneity among the studies (I2=0%). The combined risk ratio demonstrated that echinocandins are not significantly different from other antifungal agents for the treatment of candidemia or invasive candidiasis due to C. parapsilosis (risk ratio 1.03, 95% confidence interval 0.88–1.21).

Conclusion. Echinocandins are as effective as comparator drugs for the treatment of candidemia or invasive candidiasis due to C. parapsilosis.
The Etiology of Hepatocellular Carcinoma and Consequences for Treatment
Authors: Sanyal Arun J. , Yoon Seung Kew , Lencioni Riccardo
Published: November 2010

Most patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) have liver cirrhosis, which develops following long periods of chronic liver disease. Cirrhosis is characterized by a decrease in hepatocyte proliferation, indicating an exhaustion of the regenerative capacity of the liver, and results in an increase in fibrous tissue and a destruction of liver cells, which may ultimately lead to the development of cancerous nodules. Half of all cases of HCC are associated with hepatitis B virus infection, with a further 25% associated with hepatitis C virus. Other risk factors for developing HCC include alcoholic liver disease, nonalcoholic steatohepatitis, intake of aflatoxin-contaminated food, diabetes, and obesity. There are multiple factors involved in the etiology of HCC, all of which have a direct impact on patient characteristics and disease course, and although a causative agent can often be identified, HCC remains an extremely complex condition associated with a poor prognosis. Additionally, the geographic variation in etiology means that information from different countries is needed in order to optimize surveillance methods and develop effective chemoprevention strategies. Unfortunately, there are still many gaps in our current understanding, and further research efforts are needed to fully elucidate the diverse mechanisms involved in the pathogenesis of HCC and offer optimal prevention strategies for those at risk.
Treatment of Intermediate/Advanced Hepatocellular Carcinoma in the Clinic: How Can Outcomes Be Improved?
Authors: Lencioni Riccardo , Chen Xiao-Ping , Dagher Lucy , Venook Alan P.
Published: November 2010

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a complex condition associated with a poor prognosis. Treatment outcomes are affected by multiple variables, including liver function, performance status of the patient, and tumor stage, making a multidisciplinary approach to treatment essential for optimal patient management. Only ∼30% of patients are eligible for curative therapies (surgery or ablation); palliative treatments include transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE) and sorafenib. Treatment choice is guided by staging systems and treatment guidelines, although numerous systems exist and treatment guidelines vary by region. The current standard of care for patients unsuitable for potentially curative therapy is locoregional therapy with TACE. This treatment is associated with survival benefits, but there is no consensus regarding the optimum treatment/retreatment strategy. For patients with more advanced disease or who have failed locoregional therapy, sorafenib is the standard of care. Sorafenib is a targeted agent with proven survival benefits as monotherapy in these patients, and ongoing studies will clarify its role in combination with other agents and in patients with impaired liver function. Although other novel agents and therapeutic approaches are emerging, such as radioembolization and various targeted agents, further suitably designed randomized clinical trials (RCTs) comparing these agents with the standard of care are needed. In addition to RCTs, the collection of real-life data will also be important to allow physicians to make fully informed treatment decisions. The Global Investigation of therapeutic DEcisions in hepatocellular carcinoma and Of its treatment with sorafeNib (GIDEON) study is a global, noninterventional study of patients with unresectable HCC receiving sorafenib. The aim of that study is to compile a large robust database to evaluate local, regional, and global factors influencing the management of patients with HCC. It is hoped that findings from the GIDEON study along with phase III RCT data will lead to better outcomes for patients with intermediate–advanced HCC.
Class Participation in Accounting Courses: Factors That Affect Student Comfort and Learning
Authors: Dallimore Elise J. , Hertenstein Julie H. , Platt Marjorie B.
Published: November 2010

ABSTRACT: Class discussion is frequently used in accounting education. Prior research indicates that preparation for and frequency of participation in class discussion is positively related to students’ comfort participating. This study extends this literature by examining the relationship between class participation and learning. In this study, 323 sophomore business students enrolled in accounting courses and completed pre- and post-course surveys concerning their perceptions about class discussion; in addition, instructors provided students’ grades for our use in this study. Path model results indicate that preparation is positively related to frequency of participation, which, in turn, is positively related to students’ comfort participating in class discussion. Furthermore, students’ comfort participating in class discussion is positively related to learning. A practical implication of this finding on the learning-comfort relationship is that instructors’ efforts to foster student comfort with class discussion—especially efforts directed at increasing their preparation and participation frequency—should lead to increased student mastery of course content.
Accounting Program Research Rankings by Topical Area and Methodology
Authors: Coyne Joshua G. , Summers Scott L. , Williams Brady , Wood David A.
Published: November 2010

ABSTRACT: This paper makes two novel contributions to ranking accounting research programs constructed from publication counts in top journals (AOS, Auditing, BRIA, CAR, JAE, JAR, JATA, JIS, JMAR, RAST, and TAR). In contrast to previous studies, we recognize the mobility of intellectual assets tied to the human capital of accounting researchers, and therefore base our rankings on the researchers’ current affiliations rather than their affiliations at the time of publication. Also, we categorize each article written by topical area (auditing, financial, managerial, accounting information systems, tax, and other) and by methodology (analytical, archival, experimental, and other) and provide separate accounting program rankings by topical area and by methodology. These two innovations provide a rich, centralized information resource for decision-makers—both institutional and individual—in choosing how to allocate time, resources, and expertise.
An Examination of the Impact of Grading Policies on Students’ Achievement
Authors: Elikai Fara , Schuhmann Peter W.
Published: November 2010

ABSTRACT: The strategy of evaluating students’ achievement using a marking system is a common practice in higher education institutions. The result of a student’s effort is usually communicated in the form of a letter grade or percentage correct on an exam or on the course as a whole. Although a vast majority of instructors use various grading policies and the impact of different grading policies on learning is a basis of considerable debate among academics, the empirical work regarding the impact of different grading policies on students’ performance does not include applications to accounting, a discipline for which student learning is directly tied to success in passing professional examinations. Theoretically, one of the functions of a grading system is to motivate students to work harder and perform better. This study provides insight into the impact of a lenient grading scale versus a strict grading scale on students’ achievement, where the level of “average” mastery in the latter category (the grade of C), is coincident with the minimum passing requirement of the professional accounting examinations. The results of this study support the notion that an attainable strict grading policy can be used as an important pedagogical technique to motivate students to study and may provide insight into grade scale decisions faced by accounting faculty seeking to prepare their students for the rigor of professional exams. Contrary to prior results in the literature, we find that when used in an upper-level undergraduate accounting course the stricter standard has a more profound effect on achievement for students at the lower end of the grade distribution.
Impaired Fasting Glucose in Cystic Fibrosis
Authors: Frohnert Brigitte I. , Ode Katie Larson , Moran Antoinette , Nathan Brandon M. , Laguna Theresa , Holme Bonnie , Thomas William
Published: November 2010

OBJECTIVE

While glucose tolerance abnormalities are common in cystic fibrosis (CF), impaired fasting glucose (IFG) has scarcely been explored. No studies have examined the relation between IFG and clinical status.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

Data were retrieved from the University of Minnesota CF database on oral glucose tolerance tests (OGTTs) performed in 1996–2005. Subjects were identified as normal glucose tolerance (NGT), impaired glucose tolerance (IGT), or CF–related diabetes without fasting hyperglycemia (CFRD FH−). Patients with fasting hyperglycemia were excluded. The presence of IFG was assessed within each category. In a separate case-control cohort study, subjects with IFG were matched to CF control subjects by age, sex, and OGTT class to explore outcomes.

RESULTS

For the total population (n = 310), the prevalence of IFG was 22%, and by OGTT class was NGT 14%, IGT 31%, CFRD FH− 53%. Within the cohort study, mortality was significantly reduced in IFG (two vs. nine deaths, odds ratio [OR] = 0.2 [95% CI 0.04–0.9]). IFG did not confer increased risk of progression to diabetes (OR 0.66 [0.29–1.48]). Lung function was better in pediatric IFG subjects with IGT and not significantly worse in adults with IGT or adults and children with NGT and CFRD FH−. BMI was not significantly different in IFG subjects versus control subjects.

CONCLUSIONS

Contrary to expectations in patients with CF, IFG appeared to be associated with improved survival and was not associated with worse nutritional or pulmonary status or increased progression to fasting hyperglycemia.
Dance-plyaskain Russia of the Silver Age
Authors: Sirotkina Irina
Published: November 2010

The present paper focuses on the semantic and cultural meaning of plyaska as a distinct and influential phenomenon of the Silver Age. In particular, the cult of dance-plyaska was responsible for both the welcome accorded to Isadora Duncan in Russia and the proliferation of groups, studios and theatres of free dance in Russia in the first decades of the twentieth century. The article will trace the rise and fall of the utopia of plyaska into the early Soviet years
Leslie Burrowes: A Young Dancer in Dresden and London, 1930–34
Authors: Nicholas Larraine
Published: November 2010

Leslie Burrowes (1908–1985) was the first British dancer to receive the full diploma of the Wigman School in Dresden and subsequently became Wigman's official UK representative. The letters she wrote to her benefactor, Dorothy Elmhirst, with the addition of my commentary and annotations, provide a lens through which to view the School as she experienced it. Her return to London brought her into a quite different cultural environment. I argue that she energetically launched her career, performing and teaching in her new style and contesting what she considered to be false charges against modern dance. But it appears that, by the end of this period, she had adjusted her expectations, away from solo theatrical recitals (in the Wigman mode) and more towards the education of children and students, and a small-scale but intense programme centred on her home studio.
The Mis-shapen Pearl: Morris, Handel, Milton, andL'Allegro, il Penseroso ed il Moderato
Authors: Duerden Rachel
Published: November 2010

Mark Morris's L'Allegro, Il Penseroso ed Il Moderato (1988), embodies ideas about how to live a good life. L'Allegro is unusual in that it is a full evening-length work, yet has no through-narrative; it has characters and action, but these change in each of the many individual sections. However, together these embody a dialogue – really a three (or four or even five)-way discussion between poet, composer and choreographer about the best way to live. The relationship between dance, music and text, and the implied conversation across the centuries between Milton, Handel, Jennens and Morris, offer insights into the way such layering of creativity can illuminate our engagement with art.

As in so much of Mark Morris's work, the relationship of choreography and music is of paramount importance, and this will form the main focus of the discussion here. Handel's secular oratorio of 1740 is itself a setting of John Milton's companion poems, L'Allegro and Il Penseroso (1631), which explicitly explore through debate the relative merits of different approaches to life. Handel's musical setting includes an additional ‘voice’ in the debate: Il Moderato, words by Handel's librettist Charles Jennens, offering a ‘middle way’, or ‘18thcentury balance’, as John Eliot Gardiner has it (1980:16).1

For the purposes of this essay I focus chiefly on the dialogue between dance and music as manifest in a few ‘moments’, with reference also at times to the poetry and its rhythms. In this, I am guided by theories of art as embodiment as expounded by Paul Crowther. When we engage with art, we do so in the fullest sense of perceptual, that is, with our whole, embodied selves. Art, as the embodiment of ideas, does not teach us anything specific about the artist or his/her world, but it does reveal something of the world-view of the artist as an embodied being. There is thus the potential for empathy, and imaginative engagement; we are not passive consumers but active reciprocal participants.

Through close reading of a few short examples drawn from the work, I employ structural analysis to examine music-dance relationships, referring also from time to time to the poetry, which itself reflects key characteristics of both choreography and music. These examples show how dance, music and poetry manifest characteristics that are suggestive of similar perspectives on life, both individually and in relationship with one another. John Creaser, writing of Milton's poems, observes that they embody a sophisticated and resilient playfulness conveyed through verbal nuance and rhythmic buoyancy, a revelation of temperament and sensibility rather than an exploration of ideals. (Creaser 2001:377)
Application of Nanostructures in Electrochromic Materials and Devices: Recent Progress
Authors: Wang Jin Min , Sun Xiao Wei , Jiao Zhihui
Published: November 2010

The recent progress in application of nanostructures in electrochromic materials and devices is reviewed. ZnO nanowire array modified by viologen and WO3, crystalline WO3 nanoparticles and nanorods, mesoporous WO3 and TiO2, poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) nanotubes, Prussian blue nanoinks and nanostructures in switchable mirrors are reviewed. The electrochromic properties were significantly enhanced by applying nanostructures, resulting in faster switching responses, higher stability and higher optical contrast. A perspective on the development trends in electrochromic materials and devices is also proposed.
Synthesis, Antimycobacterial, Antifungal and Photosynthesis-Inhibiting Activity of Chlorinated N-phenylpyrazine-2-carboxamides †
Authors: Dolezal Martin , Zitko Jan , Osicka Zdenek , Kunes Jiri , Vejsova Marcela , Buchta Vladimir , Dohnal Jiri , Jampilek Josef , Kralova Katarina
Published: November 2010

A series of sixteen pyrazinamide analogues with the -CONH- linker connecting the pyrazine and benzene rings was synthesized by the condensation of chlorides of substituted pyrazinecarboxylic acids with ring-substituted (chlorine) anilines. The prepared compounds were characterized and evaluated for their antimycobacterial and antifungal activity, and for their ability to inhibit photosynthetic electron transport (PET). 6-Chloro-N-(4-chlorophenyl)pyrazine-2-carboxamide manifested the highest activity against Mycobacterium tuberculosis strain H37Rv (65% inhibition at 6.25 μg/mL). The highest antifungal effect against Trichophyton mentagrophytes, the most susceptible fungal strain tested, was found for 6-chloro-5-tert-butyl-N-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)pyrazine-2-carboxamide (MIC = 62.5 μmol/L). 6-Chloro-5-tert-butyl-N-(4-chlorophenyl)pyrazine-2-carboxamide showed the highest PET inhibition in spinach chloroplasts (Spinacia oleracea L.) chloroplasts (IC50 = 43.0 μmol/L). For all the compounds, the relationships between the lipophilicity and the chemical structure of the studied compounds as well as their structure-activity relationships are discussed.
Synthesis of Benzofuran Derivatives via Rearrangement and Their Inhibitory Activity on Acetylcholinesterase
Authors: Zhou Xiang , Li Miao , Wang Xiao-Bing , Wang Tao , Kong Ling-Yi
Published: November 2010

During a synthesis of coumarins to obtain new candidates for treating Alzheimer’s Disease (AD), an unusual rearrangement of a benzopyran group to a benzofuran group occurred, offering a novel synthesis pathway of these benzofuran derivatives. The possible mechanism of the novel rearrangement was also discussed. All of the benzofuran derivatives have weak anti-AChE activities compared with the reference compound, donepezil.
Photo-Induced Micellization of Block Copolymers
Authors: Yoshida Eri , Kuwayama Satoshi
Published: November 2010

We found novel photo-induced micellizations through photolysis, photoelectron transfer, and photo-Claisen rearrangement. The photolysis-induced micellization was attained using poly(4-tert-butoxystyrene)-block-polystyrene diblock copolymer (PBSt-b-PSt). BSt-b-PSt showed no self-assembly in dichloromethane and existed as isolated copolymers. Dynamic light scattering demonstrated that the copolymer produced spherical micelles in this solvent due to irradiation with a high-pressure mercury lamp in the presence of photo-acid generators, such as bis(alkylphenyl)iodonium hexafluorophosphate, diphenyliodonium hexafluorophosphate, and triphenylsulfonium triflate. The 1H NMR analysis confirmed that PBSt-b-PSt was converted into poly(4-vinylphenol)-block-PSt by the irradiation, resulting in self-assembly into micelles. The irradiation in the presence of the photo-acid generator also induced the micellization of poly(4-pyridinemethoxymethylstyrene)-block-polystyrene diblock copolymer (PPySt-b-PSt). Micellization occurred by electron transfer from the pyridine to the photo-acid generator in their excited states and provided monodispersed spherical micelles with cores of PPySt blocks. Further, the photo-Claisen rearrangement caused the micellization of poly(4-allyloxystyrene)-block-polystyrene diblock copolymer (PASt-b-PSt). Micellization was promoted in cyclohexane at room temperature without a catalyst. During micellization, the elimination of the allyl groups competitively occurred along with the photorearrangement of the 4-allyloxystyrene units into the 3-allyl-4-hydroxystyrene units.
Classification of Defoliated Trees Using Tree-Level Airborne Laser Scanning Data Combined with Aerial Images
Authors: Kantola Tuula , Vastaranta Mikko , Yu Xiaowei , Lyytikainen-Saarenmaa Paivi , Holopainen Markus , Talvitie Mervi , Kaasalainen Sanna , Solberg Svein , Hyyppa Juha
Published: November 2010

Climate change and rising temperatures have been observed to be related to the increase of forest insect damage in the boreal zone. The common pine sawfly (Diprion pini L.) (Hymenoptera, Diprionidae) is regarded as a significant threat to boreal pine forests. Defoliation by D. pini can cause severe growth loss and tree mortality in Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) (Pinaceae). In this study, logistic LASSO regression, Random Forest (RF) and Most Similar Neighbor method (MSN) were investigated for predicting the defoliation level of individual Scots pines using the features derived from airborne laser scanning (ALS) data and aerial images. Classification accuracies from 83.7% (kappa 0.67) to 88.1% (kappa 0.76) were obtained depending on the method. The most accurate result was produced using RF with a combination of data from the two sensors, while the accuracies when using ALS and image features separately were 80.7% and 87.4%, respectively. Evidently, the combination of ALS and aerial images in detecting needle losses is capable of providing satisfactory estimates for individual trees.
Near-Infrared Sub-Bandgap All-Silicon Photodetectors: State of the Art and Perspectives
Authors: Casalino Maurizio , Coppola Giuseppe , Iodice Mario , Rendina Ivo , Sirleto Luigi
Published: November 2010

Due to recent breakthroughs, silicon photonics is now the most active discipline within the field of integrated optics and, at the same time, a present reality with commercial products available on the market. Silicon photodiodes are excellent detectors at visible wavelengths, but the development of high-performance photodetectors on silicon CMOS platforms at wavelengths of interest for telecommunications has remained an imperative but unaccomplished task so far. In recent years, however, a number of near-infrared all-silicon photodetectors have been proposed and demonstrated for optical interconnect and power-monitoring applications. In this paper, a review of the state of the art is presented. Devices based on mid-bandgap absorption, surface-state absorption, internal photoemission absorption and two-photon absorption are reported, their working principles elucidated and their performance discussed and compared.
A Sustainable Energy Scenario for the United States: Year 2050
Authors: Tonn Bruce , Frymier Paul , Graves Jared , Meyers Jessa
Published: November 2010

This paper presents a scenario depicting life in the United States in the year 2050. The scenario is designed to achieve energy sustainability: fossil fuels and corn ethanol have been replaced by other sustainable and inexhaustible energy sources. The scenario describes the disappearance of the suburbs, replaced by a mix of high density urban centers and low density eco-communities. A suite of advanced technologies and significant social changes underpin the scenario. Analysis of the energy implications inherent in the scenario suggest that total US energy consumption would be around 100 quads in 2050, approximately the same as in the year 2010 despite a forecasted population increase of 130 million.
Sustaining World Food Security with Improved Cassava Processing Technology: The Nigeria Experience
Authors: Kolawole Peter O. , Agbetoye Leo , Ogunlowo Simeon A.
Published: November 2010

Cassava is a very important food crop that is capable of providing food security. However, a lot of problems prevent the development and use of modern equipment for its production. Most of the cassava produced still comes from peasant farmers who depend on manual tools for their field operations and these farmers have made Nigeria the world’s largest producer of the crop. An increase in production of cassava to sustain the world food security needs improved machinery to allow its continuous cultivation and processing. Reasons for the low success recorded in the mechanization of cassava harvesting and processing were traced, and the attempts that have been made in the recent past by various engineers in Nigeria researching towards achieving mechanized harvesting and processing of cassava are well explained. The machinery required for cassava production in Africa, the development of new machines, and the need for more research and development in harvesting and processing machineries, which can reduce poverty worldwide and make food available and accessible for all, are also discussed. Research efforts made and the challenges facing the engineers, farmers, scientists and food processors towards achieving mechanical harvesting and processing of cassava are presented. Breeding a cassava variety with a regular shape for easy mechanization is one solution that could help the engineers worldwide.
Genetics of Dothistromin Biosynthesis in the Peanut Pathogen Passalora arachidicola
Authors: Zhang Shuguang , Guo Yanan , Bradshaw Rosie E.
Published: November 2010

The peanut leaf spot pathogen Passalora arachidicola (Mycosphaerella arachidis) is known to produce dothistromin, a mycotoxin related to aflatoxin. This is a feature shared with the pine needle pathogen Dothistroma septosporum (Mycosphaerella pini). Dothistromin biosynthesis in D. septosporum commences at an unusually early stage of growth in culture compared to most other fungal secondary metabolites, and the biosynthetic genes are arranged in fragmented groups, in contrast to aflatoxin gene clusters. Dothistromin biosynthetic genes were identified and studied in P. arachidicola to determine if the attributes described in D. septosporum are shared by another dothistromin-producing species within the Class Dothideomycetes. It was shown that dothistromin biosynthesis is very similar in the two species with regard to gene sequence and gene synteny. Functional complementation of D. septosporum mutants with P. arachidicola dothistromin genes was also possible. These similarities support a vertical mode of dothistromin gene transmission. P. arachidicola also produced dothistromin at an early growth stage in culture, suggesting that this type of regulation pattern may be relevant to the biological role of dothistromin.
Le motif d'une lecture
Authors: Arambourou Miren
Published: November 2010

Résumé En 1913, Freud publie « Le motif du choix des coffrets » en appliquant « la technique psychanalytique » à deux œuvres de Shakespeare, Le marchand de Venise et Le roi Lear . La logique interne de ce texte repose sur la mise à l’écart de certains moments (le désir paternel incestueux du vieillard, son refus du vieillissement inéluctable dans Le roi Lear ; la question de la dette et la liberté de parole des femmes dans Le marchand de Venise ). Que ces thèmes soient sources de malaise (personnel et institutionnel) au moment de l’écriture de ce texte nous ouvre à la fonction de l’activité autopoïetique qu’est la sublimation : l’ob-jet ainsi fabriqué permet de mettre à l’extérieur de soi ce qui met le sujet en crise. Est-ce pour autant un objet scientifique ? Pour affronter le malaise dans la civilisation, l’activité sublimatoire solitaire peut-elle se substituer à l’expérience psychique partagée du transfert dans la cure ?