bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Antiproliferative Effects of Progestins in T47D Breast Cancer Cells Are Tempered by Progestin Induction of the ETS Transcription Factor Elf5
Authors: Hilton H. N. , Kalyuga M. , Cowley M. J. , Alles M. C. , Lee H. J. , Caldon C. E. , Blazek K. , Kaplan W. , Musgrove E. A. , Daly R. J. , Naylor M. J. , Graham J. D. , Clarke C. L. , Ormandy C. J.
Published: June 2010

Prolactin and progesterone act together to regulate mammary alveolar development, and both hormones have been implicated in breast cancer initiation and progression. Here we show that Elf5, a prolactin-induced ETS transcription factor that specifies the mammary secretory cell lineage, is also induced by progestins in breast cancer cells via a direct mechanism. To define the transcriptional response to progestin elicited via Elf5, we made an inducible Elf5 short hairpin-RNA knock-down model in T47D breast cancer cells and used it to prevent the progestin-induction of Elf5. Functional analysis of Affymetrix gene expression data using Gene Ontologies and Gene Set Enrichment Analysis showed enhancement of the progestin effects on cell cycle gene expression. Cell proliferation assays showed a more efficacious progestin-induced growth arrest when Elf5 was kept at baseline levels. These results showed that progestin induction of Elf5 expression tempered the antiproliferative effects of progestins in T47D cells, providing a further mechanistic link between prolactin and progestin in the regulation of mammary cell phenotype.
ACCOMMODATION TO THE LOCAL MAJORITY NORM BY HMONG AMERICANS IN THE TWIN CITIES, MINNESOTA
Authors: ITO RIKA
Published: June 2010

This study investigates selected English sounds spoken by immigrants in a region of the United States undergoing vowel space restructuring. The vowels of Hmong Americans in the Minneapolis–St. Paul area are compared to those of local white middle-class speakers. Results of this comparison suggest that young white speakers produce a fronted bat vowel and a lowered and backed bet. Males reduce the mean bot-bought spectral distance, leaving the impression of an apparent merger. Younger Hmong Americans who arrived in the United States at a young age accommodate to local norms for bat fronting and raising but not to the apparent low-back merger, regardless of speaker age, sex, generation, or social mobility.
A Drosophila melanogaster model of classic galactosemia
Authors: Kushner Rebekah F. , Ryan Emily L. , Sefton Jennifer M. I. , Sanders Rebecca D. , Lucioni Patricia Jumbo , Moberg Kenneth H. , Fridovich-Keil Judith L.
Published: June 2010

Classic galactosemia is a potentially lethal disorder that results from profound impairment of galactose-1-phosphate uridylyltransferase (GALT). Despite decades of research, the underlying pathophysiology of classic galactosemia remains unclear, in part owing to the lack of an appropriate animal model. Here, we report the establishment of a Drosophila melanogaster model of classic galactosemia; this is the first whole-animal genetic model to mimic aspects of the patient phenotype. Analogous to humans, GALT-deficient D. melanogaster survive under conditions of galactose restriction, but accumulate elevated levels of galactose-1-phosphate and succumb during larval development following galactose exposure. As in patients, the potentially lethal damage is reversible if dietary galactose restriction is initiated early in life. GALT-deficient Drosophila also exhibit locomotor complications despite dietary galactose restriction, and both the acute and long-term complications can be rescued by transgenic expression of human GALT. Using this new Drosophila model, we have begun to dissect the timing, extent and mechanism(s) of galactose sensitivity in the absence of GALT activity.
Tricuspid valve endocarditis during the second trimester of pregnancy
Authors: Quiñones Joanne N , Campbell Faunda , Coassolo Kara M , Pytlewski Gerald , Maran Patricia
Published: June 2010

Bacterial endocarditis in pregnancy is rare, usually resulting from preexisting cardiac lesions or intravenous drug use. We present an interesting case of tricuspid valve endocarditis in a pregnant woman and raise important points in the management of this condition during pregnancy.
The rise and fall of a psychiatric antenatal clinic: development of a perinatal psychiatric service linked directly to the provision of antenatal care
Authors: Shah N , Musters C , Selwood A , Ellis D
Published: June 2010

Usual referral pathways to psychiatric services can miss opportunities for timely intervention in maternal perinatal psychiatric ill health. Psychiatric illness leading to suicide is a significant factor in at least 10% of maternal deaths. Despite Royal College of Psychiatry and National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence recommendations for specialist provision of perinatal mental health services, this remains sporadic and insufficient. We set out to develop a new integrated antenatal–psychiatric direct referral pathway and present a year of experience using this service model. The psychiatric service was delivered from within the antenatal clinic setting with a direct health-care professional (HCP) led referral pathway between 2003 and 2004. The service comprised one session per week of a senior psychiatric specialist registrar and provided three new patients and two follow-up appointments per week. During this period, a total of 75 referrals to the service were made with 57 individuals attending for an appointment. There was a range of diagnoses among the women who attended, with only 24% meeting eligibility criteria for referral to secondary psychiatric services. The majority diagnosis was depression. More severely ill women were not referred to this clinic by obstetric HCPs. In conclusion, this model for developing and delivering a specialist perinatal psychiatric service using direct links to antenatal medical care was not successful despite requiring minimal funding. Nevertheless, it has been used to inform development of a new perinatal service in keeping with the Royal College of Psychiatrists' recommendations and incorporating enhanced training of HCPs responsible for the referral pathway.
Pregnancy and breast cancer
Authors: Sasidharan R , Harvey V
Published: June 2010

Breast cancer is one of the most commonly diagnosed malignancies during pregnancy. Pregnancy-associated breast cancer (PABC) presents a challenging clinical situation. This article reviews the current evidence around the management of PABC and the safety of pregnancy after breast cancer. The trend towards later age at first childbirth has resulted in an increase in the number of breast cancer cases coexistent with pregnancy. The management of breast cancer during pregnancy requires a multidisciplinary team approach. Breast surgery can be safely performed during any trimester of pregnancy. Radiation therapy, if required, must be delayed until after delivery. The majority of patients with PABC require chemotherapy. The timing of delivery in relation to chemotherapy administration should be carefully considered. There is no evidence to date that pregnancy termination influences overall survival for the mother. To date, there is no clear evidence that subsequent pregnancy after breast cancer is associated with worse maternal survival. There is a suggestion that subsequent pregnancy may in fact be associated with an improved survival. However, the available studies are limited by potential biases.
Fragile X protein family member FXR1P is regulated by microRNAs
Authors: Cheever Anne , Blackwell Ernest , Ceman Stephanie
Published: June 2010

FXR1P is one of two autosomal paralogs of the fragile X mental retardation protein FMRP. The absence of FMRP causes fragile X syndrome, the leading cause of hereditary mental retardation. FXR1P plays an important role in normal muscle development and has been implicated in facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy (FSHD). Its absence also causes cardiac abnormalities in both mice and zebrafish. To examine miRNA-mediated regulation of FMRP and FXR1P, we studied their expression in a conditional Dicer knockdown cell line, DT40. We found that FXR1P, but not FMRP, is significantly increased upon Dicer knockdown and the consequent reduction of miRNAs, suggesting that FXR1P is regulated by miRNAs while FMRP is not in DT40 cells. Expression of a luciferase reporter bearing the 3′ untranslated region (3′UTR) of FXR1 was significantly increased in the absence of miRNAs, confirming miRNA-mediated regulation of FXR1P, while a luciferase reporter bearing the FMR1 3′UTR was not. We identified one of the regulatory regions in the 3′UTR of FXR1 by removing a conserved, 8-nucleotide miRNA seed sequence common to miRNAs 25, 32, 92, 363, and 367 and demonstrated loss of miRNA-mediated suppression. Treatment with specific miRNA hairpin inhibitors to each of the miRNAs in the seed sequence showed that miRs 92b, 363, and 367 regulated FXR1P expression. Accordingly, overexpression of the miRNA 367 mimic significantly decreased endogenous FXR1P expression in human cell lines HEK-293T and HeLa. We report for the first time that FXR1P is regulated through miRNA binding, with one site being the miR-25/32/92/363/367 seed sequence.
A Soft Robust Model for Optimization Under Ambiguity
Authors: Ben-Tal Aharon , Bertsimas Dimitris , Brown David B.
Published: June 2010

In this paper, we propose a framework for robust optimization that relaxes the standard notion of robustness by allowing the decision maker to vary the protection level in a smooth way across the uncertainty set. We apply our approach to the problem of maximizing the expected value of a payoff function when the underlying distribution is ambiguous and therefore robustness is relevant. Our primary objective is to develop this framework and relate it to the standard notion of robustness, which deals with only a single guarantee across one uncertainty set. First, we show that our approach connects closely to the theory of convex risk measures. We show that the complexity of this approach is equivalent to that of solving a small number of standard robust problems. We then investigate the conservatism benefits and downside probability guarantees implied by this approach and compare to the standard robust approach. Finally, we illustrate the methodology on an asset allocation example consisting of historical market data over a 25-year investment horizon and find in every case we explore that relaxing standard robustness with soft robustness yields a seemingly favorable risk-return trade-off: each case results in a higher out-of-sample expected return for a relatively minor degradation of out-of-sample downside performance.
A man chooses, a slave obeys: agency, interactivity and freedom in video gaming
Authors: Tulloch Rowan
Published: June 2010

This article explores the concept of interactivity through a close reading of the 2007 video game Bioshock (2K Boston & 2K Australia 2007). By analyzing the interconnections between the game's storyline and ludic mechanisms I argue that Bioshock's narrative twist can
be read as a powerful deconstruction of the notion of player agency (cf. Ruch, this issue). I therefore offer an analysis of this game as a problematization of traditional understandings of choice. By highlighting the role of pedagogy in Bioshock I reveal the importance of processes
of training in the medium of video gaming. I conclude by drawing upon a post-structuralist framework to suggest that the subjectivity of the video game player is constructed through the play experience.
Uncanny behaviour in survival horror games
Authors: Tinwell Angela , Grimshaw Mark , Williams Andrew
Published: June 2010

This study investigates the relationship between the perceived strangeness of a virtual character and the perception of human likeness for some attributes of motion and sound. Participants (N=100) were asked to rate thirteen video clips of twelve different virtual characters and one
human. The results indicate that attributes of motion and sound do exaggerate the uncanny phenomenon and how frightening that character is perceived to be. Strong correlations were identified for the perceived strangeness of a character with how human-like a character's voice sounded, how
human-like the facial expression appeared and how synchronized the character's sound was with lip movement; characters rated as the least synchronized were perceived to be the most frightening. Based on the results of this study, this article seeks to define an initial set of hypotheses for
the fear-evoking aspects of character facial rendering and vocalization in survival horror games that can be used by game designers seeking to increase the fear factor in the genre, and that will form the basis of further experiments, which, it is hoped, will lead to a conceptual framework
for the uncanny.
Game-based learning in Second Life. Do gender and age make a difference?
Authors: Toro-Troconis Maria , Mellstrm Ulf
Published: June 2010

New learning technologies have changed the way teaching and learning is delivered. One of the technologies that offers great potential in helping to motivate and engage students is game-based learning. Social virtual worlds offer rich interactive three-dimensional collaborative spaces where users can meet and interact. One example of such an environment isSecond Life(http://www.secondlife.com; henceforthSecond Life). This article provides an overview of a recent trial carried out at Imperial College London aimed to explore gender-related attitudes towards game-based learning inSecond Life. This article also draws on three recent studies to furthermore explore gender-related issues in computer and video game play. We here argue that the gender gap in gaming and learning is becoming less analytically significant, and in conjunction with this that game experiences have to be viewed from a more inclusive perspective in regard to game genre, gender and age.
The Effect of Microstructure on Delayed Hydride Cracking Behavior of Zircaloy-4 Fuel Cladding—An International Atomic Energy Agency Coordinated Research Program
Authors: Coleman C. , Grigoriev V. , Inozemtsev V. , Markelov V. , Roth M. , Makarevicius V. , Kim Y. S. , Liaqat Ali Kanwar , Chakravarrty J. K. , Mizrahi R. , Lalgudi R.
Published: June 2010

The rate of delayed hydride cracking (DHC) has been measured in Zircaloy-4 fuel cladding in several metallurgical conditions using the pin-loading tension technique. In light water reactor (LWR) cladding in the cold-worked and cold-worked and stress-relieved conditions, the cracking rate followed Arrhenius behavior up to about 280 °C, but at higher temperatures the rate declined with no cracking above 300°C. Non-LWR cladding appeared to behave in the same manner. In LWR cladding in the recrystallized condition, the cracking rate was highly variable because it depended on KI within the test range up to 25 MPa√m, whereas in the other LWR claddings, cracking rate was independent of KI, indicating that KIH was below 11 MPa√m. The main role of microstructure was to control the material strength; the cracking rate increased as the strength increased. Although all the claddings had a radial texture, it did not protect the cladding from DHC. The DHC fracture surface consisted of flat broken hydrides, often in arcs, but no striations were observed, except in one specimen subjected to thermal cycles.
Directionality of Epistasis in a Murine Intercross Population
Authors: Pavlicev Mihaela , Le Rouzic Arnaud , Cheverud James M , Wagner Günter P , Hansen Thomas F
Published: June 2010

Directional epistasis describes a situation in which epistasis consistently increases or decreases the effect of allele substitutions, thereby affecting the amount of additive genetic variance available for selection in a given direction. This study applies a recent parameterization of directionality of epistasis to empirical data. Data stems from a QTL mapping study on an intercross between inbred mouse (Mus musculus) strains LG/J and SM/J, originally selected for large and small body mass, respectively. Results show a negative average directionality of epistasis for body-composition traits, predicting a reduction in additive allelic effects and in the response to selection for increased size. Focusing on average modification of additive effect of single loci, we find a more complex picture, whereby the effects of some loci are enhanced consistently across backgrounds, while effects of other loci are decreased, potentially contributing to either enhancement or reduction of allelic effects when selection acts at single loci. We demonstrate and discuss how the interpretation of the overall measurement of directionality depends on the complexity of the genotype–phenotype map. The measure of directionality changes with the power of scale in a predictable way; however, its expected effect with respect to the modification of additive genetic effects remains constant.
Association of Occupation, Employment Contract, and Company Size with Mental Health in a National Representative Sample of Employees in Japan
Authors: Inoue Akiomi , Kawakami Norito , Tsuchiya Masao , Sakurai Keiko , Hashimoto Hideki
Published: June 2010

Association of Occupation, Employment Contract, and Company Size with Mental Health in a National Representative Sample of Employees in Japan: Akiomi Inoue, et al. Japan Society for the Promotion of Science

Objectives

The purpose of this study was to investigate the cross‐sectional association of employment contract, company size, and occupation with psychological distress using a nationally representative sample of the Japanese population.

Methods

From June through July 2007, a total of 9,461 male and 7,717 female employees living in the community were randomly selected and surveyed using a self‐administered questionnaire and interview including questions about occupational class variables, psychological distress (K6 scale), treatment for mental disorders, and other covariates.

Results

Among males, part‐time workers had a significantly higher prevalence of psychological distress than permanent workers. Among females, temporary/contract workers had a significantly higher prevalence of psychological distress than permanent workers. Among males, those who worked at companies with 300–999 employees had a significantly higher prevalence of psychological distress than those who worked at the smallest companies (with 1–29 employees). Company size was not significantly associated with psychological distress among females. Additionally, occupation was not significantly associated with psychological distress among males or females. Similar patterns were observed when the analyses were conducted for those who had psychological distress and/or received treatment for mental disorders.

Conclusions

Working as part‐time workers, for males, and as temporary/ contract workers, for females, may be associated with poor mental health in Japan. No clear gradient in mental health along company size or occupation was observed in Japan.
Pena-Shokeir syndrome type I – combination of polyhydramnios and pulmonary hypoplasia in fetal akinesia
Authors: Deli Tamás , Kovács Tamás
Published: June 2010

A szerzők egy 18 éves, másodszor szülő esetét ismertetik, akinek első terhessége polyhydramnionnal szövődött, majd a 30. gesztációs héten a magzat méhen belüli elhalása következett be. A dysmorph küllemű magzatot akkor lepényleválás miatt császármetszéssel emelték ki, a rendellenességről pontos leírás nem született. Jelen cikkünk tárgyát képező második terhessége 19. hetétől észleltük a később extrém mértéket elérő polyhydramniont, majd a terhesség előrehaladtával sorra jelentkeztek magzati malformatióra utaló ultrahangjelek: abnormális helyzetű végtagok, szűk mellkas, koponya körüli oedema, a gyomortelődés hiánya. A 34. héten tehermentesítő amniocentesis vált szükségessé, az ekkor elvégzett magzati kromoszómavizsgálat normális karyotypust igazolt. A 39. gesztációs héten pozitív amnioszkópos lelet miatti szülésindukció során tartós magzati bradycardia jelentkezett, ezért sürgős császármetszést végeztünk. A 3000 grammos fiú újszülött a komplex resuscitatio ellenére, befolyásolhatatlan légzési elégtelenség miatt 2,5 órás korában exitált. A kórbonctani és hisztopatológiai vizsgálat a következő fenotípusos jegyeket írta le: nagy, oedemás fej, micrognathia, macroglossia, gégeoedema, szűk mellkas tüdőhypoplasiával, gracilis végtagok atrófiás izomzattal, gracilis ujjak karomállásban, valamint rövid köldökzsinór. Az anamnézis, a kórlefolyás és a fenotípusos jegyek alapján felállítható volt az I-es típusú Pena–Shokeir-szindróma diagnózisa. A közlemény második részében irodalmi adatok alapján áttekintjük a kórkép etiológiáját, patogenezisét, praenatalis diagnosztikáját és differenciáldiagnosztikáját, valamint a genetikai tanácsadás szempontjait. Tudomásunk szerint a jelen közleménnyel hazánkban először számolunk be diagnosztizált Pena–Shokeir-szindrómás esetről.
Vascular plant removal effects on biological N fixation vary across a boreal forest island gradient
Authors: Gundale Michael J. , Wardle David A. , Nilsson Marie-Charlotte
Published: June 2010

There is currently much interest in understanding how biodiversity loss affects the functioning of ecosystems, but few studies have evaluated how ecosystem processes change in response to one another following biodiversity loss. We focused on a well‐described gradient of 30 forested lake islands in northern Sweden, where island size determines the occurrence of lightning‐ignited wildfire, which in turn determines successional stage, plant species composition, and productivity. We investigated the effect of biodiversity loss on biological nitrogen fixation by feathermosses through an experiment consisting of factorial removals of three understory shrub species (Vaccinium myrtillis, Vaccinium vitis‐idaea, and Empetrum hermaphroditum) and two plant functional groups (shrubs and tree roots). We tested the hypothesis that, following vascular plant species loss, N fixation rates would be impaired by changes in pools or processes that increase extractable soil N, because changes in the supply rate of N to feathermosses should influence their demand for newly fixed N. Further, we hypothesized that the effects of removals on N fixation would depend on environmental context (i.e., island size), because it has been previously demonstrated that the effect of vascular plant species removal on N recycling pools and processes was strongest on productive islands. The data demonstrated that removal of two shrub species (V. vitis‐idaea and E. hermaphroditum) negatively affected the N fixation of Hylocomium splendens, but positively affected Pleurozium schreberi, resulting in unchanged areal N fixation rates. In the functional removal experiment, tree root removal resulted in a significant negative effect on N fixation. The effects of shrub and root removals on N fixation occurred only on small islands and thus were context dependent. This pattern did not correspond to the effect of shrub and root removal treatments on N‐recycling pools or processes, which only occurred in response to specific vascular plant removals on large or medium islands. The data thus did not support our hypothesis that N fixation was directly responsive to changes in N‐recycling pools or processes caused by vascular plant species removals, but instead highlighted the importance of species‐specific interactions and environmental context in determining the manner in which biodiversity loss alters ecosystem processes.
Institutional Logics and Institutional Pluralism: The Contestation of Care and Science Logics in Medical Education, 1967–2005
Authors: Dunn Mary B. , Jones Candace
Published: June 2010

Although most studies underscore institutional change as replacement of one dominant logic for another and assume that professions are guided by a single logic, professions that operate in multiple institutional spheres often have plural logics. We focus on medical education, the supplier of medical professionals, which resides at the interstices between academia and healthcare. Using archival sources from 1910 to 2005, we identify two logics central to the profession that persisted over time: care and science. We found that jurisdictional competition with rivals such as public health, contestation among physicians, the rise of managed care, and increasing numbers of women entering medical schools are associated with increased attention to the care logic. Differentiation in the missions of medical schools is associated with reduced attention to the science logic. Our study reveals that plural logics of care and science in medical education are supported by distinct groups and interests, fluctuate over time, and create dynamic tensions about how to educate future professionals.
Socioemotional Wealth and Corporate Responses to Institutional Pressures: Do Family-Controlled Firms Pollute Less?
Authors: Berrone Pascual , Cruz Cristina , Gomez-Mejia Luis R. , Larraza-Kintana Martin
Published: June 2010

This paper compares the environmental performance of family and nonfamily public corporations between 1998 and 2002, using a sample of 194 U.S. firms required to report their emissions. We found that family-controlled public firms protect their socioemotional wealth by having a better environmental performance than their nonfamily counterparts, particularly at the local level, and that for the nonfamily firms, stock ownership by the chief executive officer (CEO) has a negative environmental impact. We also found that the positive effect of family ownership on environmental performance persists independently of whether the CEO is a family member or serves both as CEO and board chair.
Grain orientation distribution and development of grain line in highly ordered Bi4Si3O12 micro-crystals
Authors: Zhang Z.G. , Wang X.F. , Tian Q.Q.
Published: June 2010

Bismuth silicate (Bi4Si3O12) micro-crystals with a grain line structure were grown by a sintering method under atmosphere pressure. The as-grown products were studied using Xray diffraction (XRD) and Environmental scanning electron microscopy (ESEM). The grain orientation law was tested by the One-Sample Kolmogorov-Smirnov (K-S) test. The result shows Bi4Si3O12 grains are always distributed in pairs on both sides of a stable line. On one side of a line, the angle between grain orientation and the growth direction of the line obeys the normal distribution. It indicates that the grains on one side have almost the same orientation. The range of mean angle on one side is from 53.9? to 68.9? in a stable line. There is a highly positive correlation between mean angle and mean growth rate on one side of a stable line. If a mean angle on one side exceeds the maximum mean angle of a stable line, the highly ordered structure on the opposite side will be destroyed. However, the elimination process on the destructed side has no effect on the highly ordered structure on the other side. There are two kinds of grain line creation. One originates from a defect on one side of a line, and the other originates from the boundary between neighboring lines.
Changes in Serum Lipid Levels During Pregnancy in Type 1 and Type 2 Diabetic Subjects
Authors: Göbl Christian S. , Handisurya Ammon , Klein Katharina , Bozkurt Latife , Luger Anton , Bancher-Todesca Dagmar , Kautzky-Willer Alexandra
Published: June 2010

OBJECTIVE

Alterations in maternal lipid metabolism could affect fetal programming and the susceptibility for atherosclerosis in the offspring; therefore, we studied differences in lipid profiles of pregnant women with type 1 and type 2 diabetes.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

A total of 173 diabetic pregnancies were studied prior to conception (V0), at each trimester (V1–V3), and after delivery and were compared with 137 healthy women at V3.

RESULTS

During gestation, the increase in serum lipid concentrations was less pronounced in type 2 diabetic subjects. At V3, the lipid levels of type 1 diabetic women with normal glucose tolerance were similar but significantly higher then those of type 2 diabetic women. Elevated triglycerides and low HDL cholesterol at V3 were significant predictors for large-for-gestational-age (LGA) newborns.

CONCLUSIONS

Our data suggest smaller changes in serum lipid concentrations during pregnancy in type 2 diabetic mothers. Additionally, we found a positive association between maternal triglycerides and LGA infants independently of chronic glycemic control.
Gestational Diabetes Mellitus
Authors: Agarwal Mukesh M. , Dhatt Gurdeep S. , Shah Syed M.
Published: June 2010

OBJECTIVE

To determine the impact of the International Association of Diabetes and Pregnancy Study Group (IADPSG) criteria on 1) gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) diagnosis compared with the American Diabetes Association (ADA) criteria and 2) the fasting plasma glucose (FPG) to predict GDM.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

In 10,283 pregnant women undergoing a 75-g oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) for universal screening of GDM, two FPG thresholds (of the OGTT) were used to rule in and to rule out GDM.

RESULTS

The IADPSG and ADA criteria identified GDM in 3,875 (37.7%) women and 1,328 (12.9%) women, respectively (P < 0.0005). FPG thresholds of ≥5.1 mmol/l ruled in GDM in 2,975 (28.9%) women with 100% specificity, while <4.4 mmol/l ruled out GDM in 2,228 (21.7%) women with 95.4% sensitivity. FPG independently could have avoided the OGTT in 5,203 (50.6%) women.

CONCLUSIONS

The IADPSG criteria increased GDM prevalence nearly threefold. By circumventing a significant number of OGTTs, an initial FPG can greatly simplify the IADPSG diagnostic algorithm.
Simulation of gas-turbine driven device
Authors: Bērziņa Kristīna , Ketnere Elena
Published: June 2010

Simulation of gas-turbine driven device

Power systems are combinations of electrical circuits and electromechanical devices. Engineers working in this discipline are improving the performance of the systems. This is one of the reasons, why the modeling of the power systems is required.
The Comparative Analysis of Inductor and Reluctance Wind Generators
Authors: Kamoliņš Edmunds
Published: June 2010

The Comparative Analysis of Inductor and Reluctance Wind Generators

In the presented work two designs of brushless generators are compared: inductor and reluctance. Both designs are multipolar and also can be applied as directly driven wind generators. Both one and the second designs are basically similar, but in the inductor generator are windings of excitation or permanent magnets which complicate a design, increase consumption of the copper and energy losses. In work shown that reluctance generator has no winding of excitation, it is simple and more reliable, it has less weight. It's more competitive for use in low power wind plants.
Investigations of the undamped field effect to the electromagnetic processes in the induction machines
Authors: Koņuhova Marina , Ketners Kārlis , Ketnere Elena , Kļujevska Svetlana
Published: June 2010

Investigations of the undamped field effect to the electromagnetic processes in the induction machines

The results of effect of induction motor un-damped field on transient electromagnetic torques in motor switching regime research are presented in these investigations.
Increasing Efficiency of Electrical Supply Model for Small Enterprises in Rural Regions
Authors: Galkina A. , Kunicina N. , Chaiko Y.
Published: June 2010

Increasing Efficiency of Electrical Supply Model for Small Enterprises in Rural Regions
Control of Steam-Turbine Regulators at Transition to an Island State
Authors: Georgiev Georgi
Published: June 2010

Control of Steam-Turbine Regulators at Transition to an Island State

The simple operating algorithm is presented for steam turbine regulators of type Simadin (Siemens) at emergency switching-off of the generator from system together with some, unknown in advance, load. The given situation is known as "a transition to an island state (regime)". Keeping of turbine speed and preservation of its rating value at a generator blackout when its own needs will be load only, is an easy problem. When the generator remains in its island it is necessary to solve "on-line" two additional problems: to reveal a situation "island" and to estimate the island load for translating a regulator on the new task and providing dynamic stability of transition. The algorithm was tried and entered successfully into practice on Varna TPP, CEZ GROUP (Prague), in 2008.
Load forecasting till 2020 of existing and perspective transformer substations in Riga
Authors: Guseva Svetlana , Borscevskis Olegs , Skobeleva Nataly , Breners Nikolajs
Published: June 2010

Load forecasting till 2020 of existing and perspective transformer substations in Riga

The forecast of load till 2020 of existing and perspective transformer substations and common load of Riga is given in this paper.
Application of Neural Network Technologies for Price Forecasting in the Liberalized Electricity Market
Authors: Gerikh Valentin , Kolosok Irina , Kurbatsky Victor , Tomin Nikita
Published: June 2010

Application of Neural Network Technologies for Price Forecasting in the Liberalized Electricity Market

The paper presents the results of experimental studies concerning calculation of electricity prices in different price zones in Russia and Europe. The calculations are based on the intelligent software "ANAPRO" that implements the approaches based on the modern methods of data analysis and artificial intelligence technologies.
Improvement the work effectivenes of static var compensators by using of two-input adaptive controllers
Authors: Djagarov Nikolay , Grozdev Zhivko , Bonev Milen
Published: June 2010

Improvement the work effectivenes of static var compensators by using of two-input adaptive controllers

In the paper is suggested a two-input adaptive controller for control of static var compensator (SVC). The controlling system of adaptive controller is identifying in real time of the basis for estimated parameters and variables of identification model and after that controlling signal is created for the compensator. As result of this controlling is improving vastly damping of power system like all performances as in transient processes as in steady state mode are improved.
Analysis and Design of 3.3 kV IGBT Based Three-Level DC/DC Converter with High-Frequency Isolation and Current Doubler Rectifier
Authors: Vinnikov Dmitri , Jalakas Tanel , Roasto Indrek
Published: June 2010

Analysis and Design of 3.3 kV IGBT Based Three-Level DC/DC Converter with High-Frequency Isolation and Current Doubler Rectifier

The paper presents the findings of a R&D project connected to the development of auxiliary power supply (APS) for the high-voltage DC-fed rolling stock applications. The aim was to design a new-generation power converter utilizing high-voltage IGBT modules, which can outpace the predecessors in terms of power density, i.e. to provide more power for smaller volumetric space. The topology proposed is 3.3 kV IGBT-based three-level neutral point clamped (NPC) half-bridge with high-frequency isolation transformer and current doubler rectifier that fulfils all the targets imposed by the designers. Despite an increased component count the proposed converter is very simple in design and operation. The paper provides an overview of the design with several recommendations and guidelines. Moreover, the simulation and experimental results are discussed and the performance evaluation of the proposed converter is presented.
Current Fed Step-up DC/DC Converter for Fuel Cell Inverter Applications
Authors: Andreičiks Aleksandrs , Vitols Kristaps , Krievs Oskars , Steiks Ingars
Published: June 2010

Current Fed Step-up DC/DC Converter for Fuel Cell Inverter Applications

In order to use hydrogen fuel cells in domestic applications either as main power supply or backup source, their low DC output voltage has to be matched to the level and frequency of the utility grid AC voltage. Such power converter systems usually consist of a DC-DC converter and a DC-AC inverter. Comparison of different current fed step-up DC/DC converters is done in this paper and a double inductor step-up push-pull converter investigated, presenting simulation and experimental results. The converter is elaborated for 1200 W power to match the rated power of the proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cell located in hydrogen fuel cell research laboratory of Riga Technical University.
Experimental Results from Physical Model of Bidirectional Power Flow Regulator for Power Substations of Electrical Transport
Authors: Vitols Aigars , Rankis Ivars
Published: June 2010

Experimental Results from Physical Model of Bidirectional Power Flow Regulator for Power Substations of Electrical Transport

This article is about model of bidirectional power flow regulator for power substations of electrical transport. The paper presents an experimental model which is made in the laboratory of Power and electrical engineering of Riga Technical University. Also principal block scheme and principal schemes of that model are presented in the form of computer modeling as well as some main results of experiments are presented in the form of diagrams.
Investigation of the Operation Speed of AC Voltage Sensor
Authors: Cimanis Vladimirs , Hramcovs Vladimirs , Rankis Ivars
Published: June 2010

Investigation of the Operation Speed of AC Voltage Sensor

In the article the AC voltage sensor of industrial frequency-the signal former of the analogue controller with pulse-width modulation which, in its turn, controls the high-frequency electronic pulse AC voltage stabilizer, is considered.
Mathematical Formulation of Public Electric Transport Scheduling Task for Artificial Immune Systems
Authors: Gorobetz Mikhail , Alps Ivars , Levchenkov Anatoly
Published: June 2010

Mathematical Formulation of Public Electric Transport Scheduling Task for Artificial Immune Systems

This paper describes mathematical formulation and application of artificial immune system for scheduling tasks for public electric transport. Artificial immune system is inspired by human immune system to simulate the process of interaction between antigens and antibodies. The task of scheduling in transport system is represented as one of the most well-known flow shop problem. Artificial immune system as a genetic based method is used to solve such task. Mathematical model and algorithm is proposed to create optimal schedule for public electric transport for minimization of electric energy consumption and time. Numerical example shows several steps of algorithm for artificial immune system for scheduling task solution.
Development of impact aggregation procedure for sustainable transport system
Authors: Patlins Antons , Kunicina Nadezhda
Published: June 2010

Development of impact aggregation procedure for sustainable transport system

In the investigation, the problems of utility evaluation methodology application for transport development projects evaluation are described. The main steps of development of impact aggregation procedure for sustainable transport system are described in the article. The new 3 stage environmental impact aggregation procedure is suggested.
Use of Muscle Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging to Compare Cervical Flexor Activity Between Patients With Whiplash-Associated Disorders and People Who Are Healthy
Authors: Cagnie Barbara , Dolphens Mieke , Peeters Ian , Achten Eric , Cambier Dirk , Danneels Lieven
Published: June 2010

Background

Chronic whiplash-associated disorders (WAD) have been shown to be associated with motor dysfunction. Increased electromyographic (EMG) activity in neck and shoulder girdle muscles has been demonstrated during different tasks in participants with persistent WAD. Muscle functional magnetic resonance imaging (mfMRI) is an innovative technique to evaluate muscle activity and differential recruitment of deep and superficial muscles following exercise.

Objective

The purpose of this study was to compare the recruitment pattern of deep and superficial neck flexors between patients with WAD and controls using mfMRI.

Design

A cross-sectional design was used.

Method

The study was conducted in a physical and rehabilitation medicine department. The participants were 19 controls who were healthy (10 men, 9 women; mean [±SD] age=22.2±0.6 years) and 16 patients with WAD (5 men, 11 women; mean [±SD] age=32.9±12.7 years). The T2 values were calculated for the longus colli (Lco), longus capitis (Lca), and sternocleidomastoid (SCM) muscles at rest and following cranio-cervical flexion (CCF).

Results

In the overall statistical model for T2 shift, there was a significant main effect for muscle (F=3.906, P=.033) but not for group (F=2.855, P=.101). The muscle × group interaction effect was significant (F=3.618, P=.041). Although not significant, there was a strong trend for lesser Lco (P=.061) and Lca (P=.060) activity for the WAD group compared with the control group. Although the SCM showed higher T2 shifts, this difference was not significant (P=.291).

Limitations

Although mfMRI is an innovative and useful technique for the evaluation of deep cervical muscles, consideration is required, as this method encompasses a postexercise evaluation and is limited to resistance types of exercises.

Conclusions

Muscle functional magnetic resonance imaging demonstrated a difference in muscle recruitment between the Lco, Lca, and SCM during CCF in the control group, but failed to demonstrate a changed activity pattern in the WAD group compared with the control group. The mild symptoms in the WAD group and the wide variability in T2 values may explain the lack of significance.
Proprioceptive Acuity Assessment Via Joint Position Matching: From Basic Science to General Practice
Authors: Goble Daniel J.
Published: June 2010

Over the past several decades, studies of use-dependent plasticity have demonstrated a critical role for proprioceptive feedback in the reorganization, and subsequent recovery, of neuromotor systems. As such, an increasing emphasis has been placed on tests of proprioceptive acuity in both the clinic and the laboratory. One test that has garnered particular interest is joint position matching, whereby individuals must replicate a reference joint angle in the absence of vision (ie, using proprioceptive information). On the surface, this test might seem straightforward in nature. However, the present perspective article informs therapists and researchers alike of multiple insights gained from a recent series of position matching studies by the author and colleagues. In particular, 5 factors are outlined that can assist clinicians in developing well-informed opinions regarding the outcomes of tests of position matching abilities. This information should allow for enhanced diagnosis of proprioceptive deficits within clinical settings in the future.
Application of the method of auxiliary sources to a defect-detection inverse problem of optical diffraction microscopy
Authors: Karamehmedović Mirza , Sørensen Mads-Peter , Hansen Poul-Erik , Lavrinenko Andrei V.
Published: June 2010

We propose a method of numerical solution of a type of inverse scattering problem that arises in the optical characterisation/quality control of nanostructures. The underlying global, ill-posed, nonlinear optimisation problem is first localised by best-fit matching of library and measured diffraction efficiency patterns. The inverse problem is then solved using piecewise linear interpolation between the best far-field matches. Finally, the results are refined, on average, by solving an additional local optimisation problem formulated in terms of the method of auxiliary sources. To illustrate the proposed method, we apply it in a concrete quantitative characterisation of a non-periodic, nano-scale grating defect, with numerically simulated measurements. It is shown that the presented procedure can solve the inverse problem with an accuracy usually thought to require rigorous electromagnetic theories.
The Legendre transformations in Hamiltonian optics
Authors: Gitin Andrey V.
Published: June 2010

The Legendre transformations are an important tool in theoretical physics. They play a critical role in mechanics, optics, and thermodynamics. In Hamiltonian optics the Legendre transformations appear twice: as the connection between the Lagrangian and the Hamiltonian and as relations among eikonals. In this article interconnections between these two types of Legendre transformations have been investigated. Using the method of “transition to the centre and difference coordinates” it is shown that four Legendre transformations which connect point, point-angle, angle-point, and angle eikonals of an optical system correspond to four Legendre transformations which connect four systems of equations: Euler’s equations, Hamilton’s equations, and two unknown before pairs of equations.
Fabrication of subwavelength structured surfaces via electrospray deposition of nanobeads
Authors: Heilmann M. , Pfeffer M. , Yamagata Y. , Morita S.
Published: June 2010

The usability of electrospray deposition (ESD) to form antireflection structured (ARS) surfaces was studied experimentally. Subwavelength structured (SWS) surfaces were produced by depositing nanobeads with diameters of 50 nm onto glass substrates covered with an ITO-Film. The reflectance from the substrates could be decreased about nearly 3% with an onesided ARS surface.
Where Is NELP Leading Preschool Literacy Instruction?
Authors: Teale William H. , Hoffman Jessica L. , Paciga Kathleen A.
Published: June 2010

This article discusses the potential positive and problematic influences of the National Early Literacy Panel ( NELP; 2008 ) report on prekindergarten and kindergarten classroom instructional practice. The authors support the instructional importance of the majority of the foundational skills identified in the NELP report as having “clear and consistently strong relationships with later conventional literacy skills” but also detail a number of concerns about NELP-influenced instructional recommendations drawn to date, arguing that the NELP report is both insufficiently clear and overly narrow with respect to what preschool teachers should be focusing on instructionally in early literacy.
Speaking Out for Language
Authors: Dickinson David K. , Golinkoff Roberta M. , Hirsh-Pasek Kathy
Published: June 2010

Although the National Early Literacy Panel report provides an important distillation of research, the manner in which the data are reported underrepresents the importance of language. Unlike other predictors with moderate associations with later reading, language exerts pervasive and indirect influences that are not described by the effect sizes used in the meta-analysis. Also, unlike code-related skills that develop rapidly during the years studied, language develops over an extended time span. Because it is relatively difficult to devise interventions that dramatically alter children’s language abilities, the authors of this response are concerned that schools will target the more malleable code-based skills. They warn against such a move.
Screening for fetal trisomy 21 in gestational weeks 6 and 7
Authors: Madsen Helen N. , Petersen Olav B. , Tørring Niels
Published: June 2010

The objective was to examine the applicability of the two biochemical markers PAPP‐A and free β‐hCG for fetal trisomy 21 (T21) in very early pregnancy: gestational weeks (GA) 6 and 7. Medians for the two markers were generated on 36,745 fetal T21 unaffected pregnancies from gestational weeks 6–14. Concentrations were converted to Multiples of the Medians (MoMs). Median MoM from T21 affected pregnancies were compared over three intervals of gestational age; the very early weeks 6 and 7, weeks 8–10 and weeks 11–14. Median MoM from 9 affected pregnancies with a very early blood sample had a PAPP‐A median MoM of 0.269, compared to 0.392 in weeks 8–10 and 0.531 in weeks 11–14. On the contrary, free β‐hCG diverged from the median with increasing gestational age. Our data suggest that PAPP‐A is a useful marker for very early testing in first trimester screening for fetal T21.