bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Problem svijeta u Huserlovoj filosofiji - osnovne crte, glavne teskoce i perspektive
Authors: Koprivica Caslav
Published: April 2012

(nemacki) Das Problem der Weltkonstitution ist der Schl?sselfrage der Husserlschen Philosophie, mit deren Ergebnis nichts minder als Schicksal des seinen ganzen philosophischen Entwurfs zusammenh?ngt. In dieser Arbeit folgt der Autor den Grundmotivationslinien des Weltverstandnisses Husserls, wie auch die seinem Nicht-Unterscheiden zwischen der seienden Welt und dem Ganzen des Seienden, entsprungenen Schwierigkeiten. Das Problematische liegt an der 'methodologistischen' Auffassung des Weltph?nomens als kritischen Ersatzes f?r die seiende Welt der nat?rlichen Einstellung Es wird hier versucht, nicht nur die immanenten Problemen seiner Welt-Beitr?ge anzudeuten, sondern auch die Unmoglichkeit, aus dem Blickwinkel des Absolutismus der Bewusstseinsimmanenz das husserlsche Ziel der wissenschaftlichen Begr?ndung des Alltagsglauben am Bestehen der Wirklichkeit zu erreichen. Die Husserlsche wahrscheinlich ?bertriebene Radikalitat in der Auseinandersetzung mit der 'naturlichen Einstellung' verweist auf die Notwendigkeit eines anderen Umgangs mit diesem Problem, was im nachhinein die Hermeneutik der Faktizit?t und die Philosophische Hermeneutik ausserten.
Peel Adhesive Properties of Polymer Laminates Composed of Polyethylenes and Polypropylenes
Authors: Sakaki H. , Nakagiri M. , Matsuda S. , Toyoda N. , Kishi H.
Published: April 2012

Peel adhesive strengths of multi-layered laminates composed of two polypropylene (PP) sheets and an inserted polyethylene (PE) layer (the middle layer) between the PP layers were evaluated. PE-glycidyl methacrylate (GMA) copolymers and a maleic-anhydride grafted PP (MAPP) were compared to the PE homopolymer and the PP homopolymer. The peel adhesive strength of PE-GMA/MAPP laminates was much higher than that of PE homopolymer/PP homopolymer laminates. Meanwhile, the blends composed of the PE-GMA and three types of PE homopolymer (PE-GMA+LDPE, PE-GMA+MDPE, PE-GMA+HDPE) were formulated as the PE middle layer of the multi-layered laminates. The PE blends had the same amount of glycidyl groups, and the deformation capacity was different in each. Namely, the PE blend of LDPE had higher elongation to break than the PE blend of HDPE. The peel adhesive strength of the multi-layered laminates with the middle layer of the LDPE blend was highest among the three types of laminates with the middle layer of the PE blends. Scanning electron microscopy on the fractured surfaces revealed that the large plastic deformation of the LDPE blended middle layer was responsible for the high energy absorption, and resulted in the high peel strength.
Tubing Extrusion of a Fluoropolymer Melt
Authors: Mitsoulis E. , Hatzikiriakos S. G.
Published: April 2012

The tubing extrusion-forming process of a fluoropolymer (FEP) melt was studied both experimentally and numerically. The flow behaviour of a FEP resin was determined by using a tubular die used in industrial-scale operations and these data were compared with simulation results using (i) a viscous model (Cross) and (ii) a viscoelastic one (the Kaye–Bernstein, Kearsley, Zapas / Papanastasiou, Scriven, Macosko or K-BKZ/PSM model) in order to assess the viscoelastic effects. In all simulations, compressibility, thermal and pressure effects on viscosity were taken into account. It was found that the viscoelastic results for the pressure, and hence the stresses at the wall, were always higher than the viscous results. Both were higher than the experimental results. A quadratic slip model plus viscoelasticity was found necessary to reproduce the experiments. The smooth flow curves resulting from this industrial tubular-coating die are a further manifestation that this is an appropriate design for coating fluoropolymers at very high apparent shear rates, exceeding 5000 s−1.
The Fables of Pity: Rousseau, Mandeville and the Animal-Fable
Authors: Gaston Sean
Published: April 2012

Prompted by Derrida's work on the animal-fable in eighteenth-century debates about political power, this article examines the role played by the fiction of the animal in thinking of pity as either a natural virtue (in Rousseau's Second Discourse) or as a natural passion (in Mandeville's The Fable of the Bees). The war of fables between Rousseau and Mandeville – and their hostile reception by Samuel Johnson and Adam Smith – reinforce that the animal-fable illustrates not so much the proper of man as the possibilities and limitations of a moral philosophy that is unable to address the political realities of the state.
Microfabricated Electrochemical Cell-Based Biosensors for Analysis of Living Cells In Vitro
Authors: Wang Jun , Wu Chengxiong , Hu Ning , Zhou Jie , Du Liping , Wang Ping
Published: April 2012

Cellular biochemical parameters can be used to reveal the physiological and functional information of various cells. Due to demonstrated high accuracy and non-invasiveness, electrochemical detection methods have been used for cell-based investigation. When combined with improved biosensor design and advanced measurement systems, the on-line biochemical analysis of living cells in vitro has been applied for biological mechanism study, drug screening and even environmental monitoring. In recent decades, new types of miniaturized electrochemical biosensor are emerging with the development of microfabrication technology. This review aims to give an overview of the microfabricated electrochemical cell-based biosensors, such as microelectrode arrays (MEA), the electric cell-substrate impedance sensing (ECIS) technique, and the light addressable potentiometric sensor (LAPS). The details in their working principles, measurement systems, and applications in cell monitoring are covered. Driven by the need for high throughput and multi-parameter detection proposed by biomedicine, the development trends of electrochemical cell-based biosensors are also introduced, including newly developed integrated biosensors, and the application of nanotechnology and microfluidic technology.
A Novel and Expedient Approach to New Thiazoles, Thiazolo[3,2-a]pyridines, Dihydrothiophenes, and Hydrazones Incorporating Thieno[2,3-b]thiophene Moiety
Authors: Mabkhot Yahia Nasser , Barakat Assem , Al-Majid Abdullah Mohammad , Alamary Abdullah Saleh , Al-Nahary Taleb T.
Published: April 2012

This paper reports details about the synthesis of a series of novel functionalized symmetrical bis-heterocyclic compounds containing a thieno[2,3-b]thiophene motif. Bis-thiazole derivatives 2, 3a-c and thiazolo[3,2-a]pyridine derivatives 4a-c are achieved. The hitherto unknown dihydrothiophene derivatives 6a-d via bis-pyridimium salt 5 are obtained. Additionally, the novel hydrazonothieno[2,3-b]thiophene derivatives 10a-c are obtained via bis-tosylacetylthieno[2,3-b]thiophene derivative 9. All compounds are characterized by 1H-, 13C-NMR, GCMS, IR, and UV-vis spectrometry. These compounds represent a new class of sulfur and nitrogen containing heterocycles that should also be of interest as new materials.
Genome-Wide Identification and in Silico Analysis of Poplar Peptide Deformylases
Authors: Liu Chang-Cai , Liu Bao-Guang , Yang Zhi-Wei , Li Chun-Ming , Wang Bai-Chen , Yang Chuan-Ping
Published: April 2012

Peptide deformylases (PDF) behave as monomeric metal cation hydrolases for the removal of the N-formyl group (Fo). This is an essential step in the N-terminal Met excision (NME) that occurs in these proteins from eukaryotic mitochondria or chloroplasts. Although PDFs have been identified and their structure and function have been characterized in several herbaceous species, it remains as yet unexplored in poplar. Here, we report on the first identification of two genes (PtrPDF1A and PtrPDF1B) respectively encoding two putative PDF polypeptides in Populus trichocarpa by genome-wide investigation. One of them (XP_002300047.1) encoded by PtrPDF1B (XM_002300011.1) was truncated, and then revised into a complete sequence based on its ESTs support with high confidence. We document that the two PDF1s of Populus are evolutionarily divergent, likely as a result of independent duplicated events. Furthermore, in silico simulations demonstrated that PtrPDF1A and PtrPDF1B should act as similar PDF catalytic activities to their corresponding PDF orthologs in Arabidopsis. This result would be value of for further assessment of their biological activities in poplar, and further experiments are now required to confirm them.
Developing and Piloting an Online Graduate Nursing Course Focused on Experiential Learning of Qualitative Research Methods
Authors: Holtslander Lorraine F. , Racine Louise , Furniss Shari , Burles Meridith , Turner Hollie
Published: April 2012

Despite the turmoil of a worldwide economic crisis, the health sector remains largely understaffed, and the nursing shortage represents a major issue that jeopardizes graduate nursing education. Access to education remains a challenge, particularly in rural and remote areas. This article reports the process of developing an asynchronous online qualitative research course. This online course was piloted among 16 interdisciplinary students. Participants agreed that experiential learning was useful to understand the intricacies of qualitative research. Within this constructivist approach, students were immersed in real-life experiences, which focused on the development of skills applicable to qualitative research. Based on the findings, we suggest that constructivism and the Four-Component Instructional Design (4C/ID) model (a four-part approach for fostering the development of complex skills) represent valuable ontological and pedagogical approaches that can be used in online courses. Triangulating these two approaches is also congruent with the student-centered philosophy that underpins nursing graduate programs.
The Role of Emerging Information Technologies in Frailty Assessment
Authors: Zaslavsky Oleg , Thompson Hilaire , Demiris George
Published: April 2012

Frailty has an insidious impact on multiple systems, resulting in increased disability, morbidity, and mortality among community-dwelling older adults. Notwithstanding the burden that frailty imposes on individuals, there is still a lack of consensus on its operational and conceptual definitions, leading research groups to invest efforts into developing a more comprehensive model of frailty. A number of screening models have been proposed to objectively measure the magnitude of the frailty process and to assess its long-term consequences. Each model incorporates a distinct set of physiological parameters stemming from the combination of a number of clinical domains. Emerging information technologies (ITs) could provide an effective, flexible, and integrative solution for monitoring and measuring the different aspects of the frailty construct in real-life settings. The purpose of this article is to discuss how various ITs can be used to measure the core characteristics of frailty identified from an integrative systematic review. We discuss the actual and potential integration of ITs in frailty research, strengths and limitations of various methods, and areas for future work.
The influence of wind dispersion on the presence of cyanobacteria and algae on South African goldmine tailings.
Authors: Levanets A. , Orlekowsky T. , Venter A. , Van Wyk S.J.
Published: April 2012

The presence and abundance of cyanobacteria and algae in the air on mine tailings storage facilities that is rehabilitated for different periods were determined.
Assessing Electronic Note Quality Using the Physician Documentation Quality Instrument (PDQI-9)
Authors: Bakken S. , Wrenn J.O. , Siegler E.L. , Stetson P.D.
Published: April 2012

Objective: To refine the Physician Documentation Quality Instrument (PDQI) and test the validity and reliability of the 9-item version (PDQI-9).

Methods: Three sets each of admission notes, progress notes and discharge summaries were evaluated by two groups of physicians using the PDQI-9 and an overall general assessment: one gold standard group consisting of program or assistant program directors (n = 7), and the other of attending physicians or chief residents (n = 24). The main measures were criterion-related validity (correlation coefficients between Total PDQI-9 scores and 1-item General Impression scores for each note), discriminant validity (comparison of PDQI-9 scores on notes rated as best and worst using 1-item General Impression score), internal consistency reliability (Cronbach’s alpha), and inter-rater reliability (intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC)).

Results: The results were criterion-related validity (r = –0.678 to 0.856), discriminant validity (best versus worst note, t = 9.3, p = 0.003), internal consistency reliability (Cronbach’s alphas = 0.87–0.94), and inter-rater reliability (ICC = 0.83, CI = 0.72–0.91).

Conclusion: The results support the criterion-related and discriminant validity, internal consistency reliability, and inter-rater reliability of the PDQI-9 for rating the quality of electronic physician notes. Tools for assessing note redundancy are required to complement use of PDQI-9. Trials of the PDQI-9 at other institutions, of different size, using different EHRs, and incorporating additional physician specialties and notes of other healthcare providers are needed to confirm its generaliz-ability.
Students, Computers and Mathematics: How do they interact in the Teaching-Learning Process? (An Empirical Study on Accounting, Management and Marketing Undergraduate Students)
Authors: Santillán Arturo García- , Chávez Milka Elena Escalera , Ricardo Flores-Zambada, , González Ileana S. Chong- , Morales José Satsumi López-
Published: April 2012

The study takes the scale of Galbraith and Hines (1998, 2000) and arguments exposed by Galbraith, Hines and Pemberton (1999), Cretchley, Harman, Ellerton and Fogarty (2000), McDougall and Karadag (2009), Gómez-Chacón and Haines, (2008), Goldenberg (2003), Moursund (2003), about Mathematics confidence, Mathematics motivation, Computer confidence, Computer motivation, Computer and Mathematics interaction and Mathematics engagement. In the same way the arguments of García and Edel (2008), García-Santillán and Escalera (2011), García-Santillán, Escalera and Edel (2011) about variables associated with the use of ICT as a didactic strategy in teaching-learning process in order to establish a relationship between students perception with the teaching-learning process and technology. Therefore this paper examines the relationships between students attitudes towards mathematics and technology in a study carried out in the Universidad Autónoma of San Luis Potosí Unidad Zona Media. 214 questionnaires were applied to undergraduate students in Accounting, Management and Marketing. The statistical procedure was the factorial analysis with extracted principal component. The Statistics Hypothesis: Ho: ρ = 0 have no corelation Ha: ρ ≠0 have correlation. Statistic test to prove: Χ2, Esphericyty test of Bartlett, KMO (Kaiser-Meyer_Olkin) Significancy level: α =0.05; p< 0.01, p<0.05 Decition rule is: Reject Ho if c2 calculated > c2 tablas. The results obtained of sphericyty test of Bartlett KMO (.703), Chi square X2 92.928 > c2 tables, Sig. 0.00 < p 0.01, MSA (CONFIMA .731; MOTIMA .691; COMPIMA .741; CONFICO .686 and INTEMAC .694) provide evidence to reject Ho. Thus, the variables implicated Mathematics confidence, Mathematics motivation, Computer confidence, Computer motivation, Computer-Mathematics interaction and Mathematics engagement, help to understand the student’s attitude toward mathematics and technology. Keywords: Mathematics confidence, Mathematics motivation, Computer confidence, Computer motivation, Computer and Mathematics interaction, Mathematics engagement.
Incidence of oral indigenous bacteria in causative strains isolated from blood cultures in 759 laboratory-confirmed cases of bacteremia
Authors: Yura Shinya , Matano Sadaya
Published: April 2012

Background: The incidence of oral indigenous bacteria in cases of bacteremia has been reported in only a few studies. We investigated the annual incidence of oral indigenous bacteria isolated in blood cultures from patients with bacteremia and call into consideration the impact of oral health measures implemented at our facility.

Methods: In the period from 2001 to 2006, 759 laboratory-confirmed cases of bacteremia were reported and subsequently analyzed in this study. The incidences of the causative strain and oral indigenous bacteria in blood cultures were studied by year.

Results: In 759 cases of bacteremia, oral streptococci were noted in 14 (1.8%), and anaerobic bacteria were noted in 9 (1.2%). The population of microorganisms did not change significantly during the study period.

Conclusions: In a previous report, oral streptococci accounted for 3.8% of those under investigation. In this study, the incidence of oral streptococci was significantly low, 1.8% specifically. A focus on oral health care at our hospital may account for a reduced incidence of oral streptococci bacteremia.
Chronic Recurrent Multifocal Osteomyelitis of The Shoulder: A Case Report
Authors: Lee Ki Won , Choi Young Joon , Ahn Hyung Sun , Kim Chung Hwan , Hwang Jae Kwang , Kang Jeong Ho , Lee Seon Woo , Cho Wan Jong , Park Jun Seok
Published: April 2012

PURPOSE: We report a case of chronic recurrent multifocal osteomyelitis of the shoulder.MATERIALS AND METHODS: A 16 year-old male who had suffered from chronic recurrent multifocal osteomyelitis of the shoulder was diagnosed by clinical features and biopsy and was treated with arthroscopic debridement and Naproxen.RESULTS: Symptoms was subsided without relapse during 16 months follow up.CONCLUSION: Chronic recurrent multifocal osteomyelitis is rare disease and it can be misdiagnosis because of its rarity and non-specific clinical presentation. This is a report of a case of chronic recurrent multifocal osteomyelitis of the shoulder in 16 years man.
Taking Measure of Advanced Water Meter Technologies
Authors: Berardinelli Bridget
Published: April 2012

Recent advancements in water meter technology are providing solutions that will help utilities capture more revenue, provide unprecedented business intelligence, reduce meter maintenance costs, and protect natural water resources. The article discusses a wave of new automatic meter reading/advanced metering infrastructure (AMR/AMI) technology, products, and systems that use radio frequency (RF) technology to transmit data among today's high‐tech meters and data collection computers. They include ultrasonic meters, fluidic oscillator meters, magnetic flowmeters, floating ball technology, and remanent field technology.
Plankton Analysis Guides Source Water Blending
Authors: Hill Dennis R.
Published: April 2012

Des Moines Water Works developed a method for counting and assessing plankton that concentrates water samples by evaporation on well slides with glycerol. The method provides distinct advantages over other popularly applied procedures. Minimal hands‐on manipulation is required, and the entire processing time is 2‐3 hours.
Screw Flange Tightener Saves Time and Backs!
Authors: Exline Dave
Published: April 2012

The Screw Flange Tightener is used to tighten a break flange on a hydrant at ground level. When used in conjunction with the hydraulic unit and wrench, the Screw Flange Tightener has relieved lower‐back stress for workers, saved the city time and money, and improved on‐the‐job safety.
A model‐based PID controller for Hammerstein systems using B‐spline neural networks
Authors: Hong X. , Iplikci S. , Chen S. , Warwick K.
Published: April 2012

In this paper, a new model‐based proportional–integral–derivative (PID) tuning and controller approach is introduced for Hammerstein systems that are identified on the basis of the observational input/output data. The nonlinear static function in the Hammerstein system is modelled using a B‐spline neural network. The control signal is composed of a PID controller, together with a correction term. Both the parameters in the PID controller and the correction term are optimized on the basis of minimizing the multistep ahead prediction errors. In order to update the control signal, the multistep ahead predictions of the Hammerstein system based on B‐spline neural networks and the associated Jacobian matrix are calculated using the de Boor algorithms, including both the functional and derivative recursions. Numerical examples are utilized to demonstrate the efficacy of the proposed approaches. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Synthesis and Evaluation of 5‐Benzylidenethiazolidine‐2,4‐dione Derivatives for the Treatment of Non‐Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease
Authors: Ma Liang , Chen Jinying , Liang Xiaolin , Xie Caifei , Deng Chongyang , Huang Li , Peng Aihua , Wei Yuanquan , Chen Lijuan
Published: April 2012

Twenty‐two 5‐benzylidenethiazolidine‐2,4‐dione derivatives (TZDs) were synthesized and evaluated for their potency on adipogenesis of 3T3‐L1 adipocytes by measuring the expression of adiponectin protein. Among them, compared to rosiglitazone, 3V was found to upregulate the adiponectin protein expression and downregulate the secretion of leptin protein in 3T3‐L1 adipocytes at a respective concentration of 10 µM. With respect to high‐fat/high‐calorie (HF/HC) diet‐induced non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) in Wistar rats, oral administration of 3V could reduce liver weight, visceral fat, and improve serum levels of biochemical markers. H&E staining of liver sections validated 3V as a potent hepatoprotective agent for reducing fat deposition against NAFLD.
Successful treatment of aortic root rupture following transcatheter aortic valve implantation in a heavily calcified aorta: A novel approach to a serious complication
Authors: Lee Leong , Henderson Robert , Baig Kamran
Published: April 2012

Aortic root rupture during transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) is an uncommon but almost uniformly fatal complication. We describe a novel surgical management of this complication using a combination of pledgeted sutures and prolonged direct digital compression with biomatrix and lattice adjuncts. Furthermore, our patient underwent percutaneous coronary intervention with endothelial progenitor cell‐capturing stents, which facilitated TAVI to be performed off clopidogrel therapy. We believe the use of these stents reduced the severity of hemorrhage following aortic root rupture and helped maintain vessel patency following prolonged hypotension. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Effect of Head‐Group Chemistry on Surface‐Mediated Molecular Self‐Assembly
Authors: Jewell April D. , Kyran Samuel J. , Rabinovich Daniel , Sykes E. Charles H.
Published: April 2012

Surface molecular self‐assembly is a fast advancing field with broad applications in sensing, patterning, device assembly, and biochemical applications. A vast number of practical systems utilize alkane thiols supported on gold surfaces. Whereas a strong AuS bond facilitates robust self‐assembly, the interaction is so strong that the surface is reconstructed, leaving etch pits that render the monolayers susceptible to degradation. By using different head group elements to adcust the molecule–surface interaction, a vast array of new systems with novel properties may be formed. In this paper we use a carefully chosen set of molecules to make a direct comparison of the self‐assembly of thioether, selenoether, and phosphine species on Au(111). Using the herringbone reconstruction of gold as a sensitive readout of molecule–surface interaction strength, we correlate head‐group chemistry with monolayer (ML) properties. It is demonstrated that the hard/soft rules of inorganic chemistry can be used to rationalize the observed trend of molecular interaction strengths with the soft gold surface, that is, P>Se>S. We find that the structure of the monolayers can be explained by the geometry of the molecules in terms of dipolar, quadrupolar, or van der Waals interactions between neighboring species driving the assembly of distinct ordered arrays. As this study directly compares one element with another in simple systems, it may serve as a guide for the design of self‐assembled monolayers with novel structures and properties.
Using of the Ornamental Fish in Wastewater Biological Treatment
Authors: Saidi Nourhène , Jabeur Chedia , Bakhrouf Amina
Published: April 2012

Breeding ornamental fish in wastewater was a successful solution not only to decrease sanitary risks but also to encourage fish growth. In fact, the secondary treated effluent was used to grow a walking catfish (Clarias batrachus), a western mosquitofish (Gambusia affinis; Poeciliidae), and a leopard pleco (Glyptoperichthys gibbiceps). The growth rate of fish reared in final treated wastewater was significantly higher than of treated effluent (25 and 50%) and the relative growth rate during 2 months reached 2, 4, and 2.5, respectively. Bacterial loads were important in the gills compared to other fish organs (intestine, skin, and edible muscles). However, the total aerobic germs ranged between 2 × 103 and 3.4 × 103 cfu/g in the edible fish species cultured in secondary treated effluent. The pathogenic bacteria Aeromonas hydrophila was absent in all examined fish muscles. However, the presence of tested fishes did not prevent the reduction of the treatment biological parameter (BOD and COD) at half, in the three treated wastewater proportions (25, 50, and 100%) and thereafter, they clearly participated to the tertiary biological treatment of used water. Further bacteriological and physico‐chemical analyses indicated that the use of treated wastewater in aquaculture is safe and risks to human health are reduced.
Environmentally Friendly Photocatalytic Synthesis of Porphyrin/Ag Nanoparticles/Reduced Graphene Oxide Ternary Nanohybrids Having Superior Catalytic Activity
Authors: Li Haiyan , Zhang Yingwei , Chang Guohui , Liu Sen , Tian Jingqi , Luo Yonglan , Asiri Abdullah M. , Al‐Youbi Abdulrahman O. , Sun Xuping
Published: April 2012

This study demonstrates the first synthesis of novel organic/inorganic ternary nanohybrids of tin(IV) prophyrin (SnPor), Ag nanoparticles (AgNPs), and reduced graphene oxide (RGO) by an environmentally friendly phtotcatalytic process using SnPor as a photocatalyst for the reduction of both GO and AgI. The nanohybrids exhibit high photocurrent generation as a result of the photosensitization effect of SnPor and surface plasmon resonance excitation in the AgNPs. Furthermore, in the activity test, the nanohybrids show good catalytic activity in the degradation of rhodamine B under the irradiation of visible light (λ>400 nm) and in the reduction of 4‐nitrophenol. The detailed mechanism is discussed in the article.
MxA expression induced by α‐defensin in healthy human periodontal tissue
Authors: Mahanonda Rangsini , Sa‐Ard‐Iam Noppadol , Rerkyen Pimprapa , Thitithanyanont Arunee , Subbalekha Keskanya , Pichyangkul Sathit
Published: April 2012

Although periodontal tissue is continually challenged by microbial plaque, it is generally maintained in a healthy state. To understand the basis for this, we investigated innate antiviral immunity in human periodontal tissue. The expression of mRNA encoding different antiviral proteins, myxovirus resistance A (MxA), protein kinase R (PKR), oligoadenylate synthetase (OAS), and secretory leukocyte protease inhibitor (SLPI) were detected in both healthy tissue and that with periodontitis. Immunostaining data consistently showed higher MxA protein expression in the epithelial layer of healthy gingiva as compared with tissue with periodontitis. Human MxA is thought to be induced by type I and III interferons (IFNs) but neither cytokine type was detected in healthy periodontal tissues. Treatment in vitro of primary human gingival epithelial cells (HGECs) with α‐defensins, but not with the antimicrobial peptides β‐defensins or LL‐37, led to MxA protein expression. α‐defensin was also detected in healthy periodontal tissue. In addition, MxA in α‐defensin‐treated HGECs was associated with protection against avian influenza H5N1 infection and silencing of the MxA gene using MxA‐targeted‐siRNA abolished this antiviral activity. To our knowledge, this is the first study to uncover a novel pathway of human MxA induction, which is initiated by an endogenous antimicrobial peptide, namely α‐defensin. This pathway may play an important role in the first line of antiviral defense in periodontal tissue.
Subgrid variability of snow water equivalent at operational snow stations in the western USA
Authors: Meromy Leah , Molotch Noah P. , Link Timothy E. , Fassnacht Steven R. , Rice Robert
Published: April 2012

The spatial distribution of snow water equivalent (SWE) is a key variable in many regional‐scale land surface models. Currently, the assimilation of point‐scale snow sensor data into these models is commonly performed without consideration of the spatial representativeness of the point data with respect to the model grid‐scale SWE. To improve the understanding of the relationship between point‐scale snow measurements and surrounding areas, we characterized the spatial distribution of snow depth and SWE within 1‐, 4‐ and 16‐km2 grids surrounding 15 snow stations (snowpack telemetry and California snow sensors) in California, Colorado, Wyoming, Idaho and Oregon during the 2008 and 2009 snow seasons. More than 30 000 field observations of snowpack properties were used with binary regression tree models to relate SWE at the sensor site to the surrounding area SWE to evaluate the sensor representativeness of larger‐scale conditions. Unlike previous research, we did not find consistent high biases in snow sensor depth values as biases over all sites ranged from 74% overestimates to 77% underestimates. Of the 53 assessments, 27 surveys indicated snow station biases of less than 10% of the surrounding mean observed snow depth. Depth biases were largely dictated by the physiographic relationship between the snow sensor locations and the mean characteristics of the surrounding grid, in particular, elevation, solar radiation index and vegetation density. These scaling relationships may improve snow sensor data assimilation; an example application is illustrated for the National Operational Hydrologic Remote Sensing Center National Snow Analysis SWE product. The snow sensor bias information indicated that the assimilation of point data into the National Operational Hydrologic Remote Sensing Center model was often unnecessary and reduced model accuracy. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The prevalence of osteoporosis in Korean adults aged 50 years or older and the higher diagnosis rates in women who were beneficiaries of a national screening program: The Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2008–2009
Authors: Choi Yong Jun , Oh Han Jin , Kim Dae Jung , Lee Yunhwan , Chung Yoon-Sok
Published: April 2012

For the prevention of osteoporotic fracture, adequate screening and treatment are important. However, there are few published data on diagnosis and treatment rates of osteoporosis in Asia. We used data from the fourth Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2008–2009 to estimate the nationwide prevalence, physician diagnosis rate, and treatment rate of osteoporosis in adults aged 50 years and older. The bone mineral density (BMD) measurements of central skeletal sites (lumbar spine, femoral neck, and total hip) were obtained using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) (Discovery-W; Hologic Inc., Waltham, MA, USA). Diagnosis of osteopenia or osteoporosis was defined by the World Health Organization (WHO) T-score criteria. The prevalence of osteoporosis in adults aged 50 years or older was 35.5% in women and 7.5% in men. The prevalence of osteoporosis in Korea was similar to other East Asian countries but higher than that in Caucasians. Lumbar spine bone density T-scores tended to be lower than those of the femoral neck or hip. The estimated diagnosis rate was 26.2% (women 29.9%, men 5.8%) and the treatment rate was 12.8% (women 14.4%, men 4.0%). The physician diagnosis rate was significantly higher in females aged 66 to 68 years who were the beneficiaries of the national screening program than that in females of other ages (43.6% versus 28.1%, p < 0.05). The national screening program for osteoporosis may have contributed to an increased diagnosis rate in older Korean women. However, it was evident that treatment following a diagnosis of osteoporosis was still inadequate. © 2012 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research.
Prediction of successful labor induction using transvaginal sonographic cervical measurements
Authors: Pitarello Patricia da Rocha Pennachiotti , Tadashi Yoshizaki Carlos , Ruano Rodrigo , Zugaib Marcelo
Published: April 2012

Purpose:

To predict the success of labor induction by sonographic cervical measurements, maternal/obstetrical factors, and the Bishop's score.

Methods:

Between February 2008 and February 2010, 190 consecutive pregnant women underwent clinical examination to assess the Bishop's score and transvaginal sonographic cervical measurements (cervical length, fetal head stage, and cervical dilatation) before labor induction. The following outcomes were analyzed: overall vaginal delivery and vaginal delivery up to 24 hours after labor induction.

Results:

Overall vaginal delivery occurred in 133 (70.0%) patients and vaginal delivery 24 hours after labor induction happened in 119 (62.6%) patients. The sonographic cervical measurements were significantly associated with all outcomes (p < 0.01). The areas under the ROC curve (AUC) of all ultrasound cervical parameters to predict the two events were 68.9% and 72.0% (cervical length); 71.6% and 73.6% (fetal head stage); and 72.0% and 73.4% (cervical dilatation). Mathematical equations were obtained to calculate the probability for each event considering the sonographic cervical measurements in association with clinical factors after regression analysis, which increased the AUC for both events (80.1% and 79.3%).

Conclusions:

Transvaginal sonographic cervical measurements can predict the successful labor induction, especially when associated to clinical analysis (Bishop's score). © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Clin Ultrasound, 2013
MR prediction of liver fibrosis using a liver‐specific contrast agent: Superparamagnetic iron oxide versus Gd‐EOB‐DTPA
Authors: Nishie Akihiro , Asayama Yoshiki , Ishigami Kousei , Tajima Tsuyoshi , Kakihara Daisuke , Nakayama Tomohiro , Takayama Yukihisa , Okamoto Daisuke , Taketomi Akinobu , Shirabe Ken , Fujita Nobuhiro , Obara Makoto , Yoshimitsu Kengo , Honda Hiroshi
Published: April 2012

Purpose:

To examine whether the uptake of a liver‐specific contrast agent in the liver parenchyma was correlated with the degree of liver fibrosis.

Materials and Methods:

This retrospective study included 54 and 63 patients who underwent superparamagnetic iron oxide (SPIO)‐ and gadolinium ethoxybenzyl diethylenetriamine pentaacetic acid (Gd‐EOB‐DTPA)‐enhanced MRI before liver surgery, respectively. For each patient, we calculated ΔR2* and ΔR2, which represent differences in R2* and R2 values of the liver parenchyma before and after administration of SPIO; and the increase rate of liver‐to‐spleen signal intensity ratio (LSR) on the hepatobiliary phase compared with the precontrast image. The correlation of each MR parameter with the degree of liver fibrosis (F0 to F4) was assessed using Spearman's rank correlation test.

Results:

The increase rate of LSR was best correlated with the degree of liver fibrosis and significantly decreased as the liver fibrosis progressed (rho = −0.641; P < 0.0001). It showed sensitivity of 76.9% and specificity of 83.3% in differentiating F3 or greater fibrosis when 1.126 or less was set up as a cut‐off value. No significant correlation was obtained between ΔR2* or ΔR2 and the degree of liver fibrosis.

Conclusion:

The uptake of Gd‐EOB‐DTPA in the liver parenchyma decreased as the liver fibrosis progressed. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2012;36:664–671. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Influence of estrogen replacement and aging on the expression of nerve growth factor in the urethra of female rats
Authors: Zucchi Eliana V.M. , Jármy‐Di Bella Zsuzsanna I.K. , Castro Rodrigo A. , Takano Claudia C. , Simões Manuel J. , Girão Manoel J.B.C. , Sartori Marair G.F.
Published: April 2012

Objective

To evaluate the expression of nerve growth factor (NGF) in the urethra of adult female rats in different hormonal status using immunohistochemical assay.

Methods

Forty‐eight rats (Rattus norvegicus albinus, Rodentia, Mammalia) from the CEDEME‐UNIFESP laboratory animal facility were used in the study. Rats were divided into four groups: group A, 12 non‐neutered rats; group B, 12 oophorectomized rats; group C, 12 castrated rats treated with 17β‐estradiol for 30 days; and group D, 12 aging rats. Animals were killed by lethal injection and their urethra was removed. NGF expression was evaluated by means of immunohistochemistry using mouse monoclonal primary IgG antibody anti‐NGF diluted 1:600, and read under 400× magnification. Digital analysis of the images was done by Imagelab software. The intensity of the dark brown color was used as a measure of NGF cytoplasmatic expression, and was used to quantify the percentage of epithelial and muscular layer cells showing this neurotrophin.

Results

After oophorectomy, rats showed a significant increase in NGF expression in the periurethral muscular layer. Compared with oophorectomized rats, NGF expression increased in the epithelial layer and diminished in the periurethral smooth muscle following estrogen administration. In 18‐month‐old rats, NGF expression was diminished in both epithelial and muscular layers.

Conclusions

Hormonal status led to significant differences in NGF protein expression in urethral epithelium and periurethral smooth muscle. Neurourol. Urodynam. 31:702–705, 2012. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Supratrigonal cystectomy with hautmann pouch as treatment for neurogenic bladder in spinal cord injury patients: Long‐term functional results
Authors: Gobeaux Nicolas , Yates David R. , Denys Pierre , Even‐Schneider Alexia , Richard Francois , Chartier‐Kastler Emmanuel
Published: April 2012

Aims

To study clinical and urodynamic data along with immediate and long‐term morbidity of surgical management of neurogenic bladder in spinal cord injury (SCI) patients

Methods

Single‐center retrospective study of 61 SCI patients with neurogenic detrusor overactivity (NDO) related urinary incontinence and/or sphincter weakness incontinence who underwent supratrigonal cystectomy with Hautmann pouch ± concomitant stress incontinence procedure (27.9%; n = 17).

Results

With a mean follow‐up of 5.84 years (range 1–20.5) an improved or total continence rate was achieved in 89.7% and 74.1%, respectively. Surgery failed (incontinence persisted) for six (10.3%) patients, three of which had a simultaneous procedure for stress incontinence. On urodynamics, maximum cystometric capacity (MCC) (ml) increased from 305.2 to 509.4 (P < 0.05), mean compliance (ml/cmH2O) increased from 15 to 42.7 (P < 0.05) and mean detrusor pressure at MCC (cmH2O) fell from 54.1 to 19.1 (P < 0.05). Persisent NDO occurred in 20.7% compared to 59% pre‐operatively (P < 0.05). The overall complication rate was 37.7% but ≤Clavien grade 2 in 82.6%. Notably, the incidence of bowel dysfunction, namely diarrhea and/or fecal incontinence was 27.5%. Concomitant outlet surgery was associated with increased morbidity as three (17.6%) complications led to re‐intervention.

Conclusions

Supratrigonal cystectomy with Hautmann pouch is an excellent surgical treatment for SCI patients suffering from refractory NDO incontinence. It achieves the main goals of achieving continence (74% complete), reducing rates of infection and preserving upper tract function, which is reflected in the improvement on urodynamics. The incidence of secondary bowel dysfunction and potential risk of a simultaneous procedure for stress incontinence needs to be discussed. Neurourol. Urodynam. 31:672–676, 2012. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Diet, Geography and Drinking Water in Polynesia: Microfossil Research from Archaeological Human Dental Calculus, Rapa Nui (Easter Island)
Authors: Dudgeon John V. , Tromp Monica
Published: April 2012

Microfossil analysis of human dental calculus provides consumption‐specific and archaeologically relevant data for evaluating diet and subsistence in past populations. Calculus was extracted from 114 teeth representing 104 unique individuals from a late 16th to early 18th century skeletal series on Rapa Nui (Easter Island) to address questions of human–environment interactions and possible dietary preference. Scanning electron microscopy was used in lieu of optical microscopy for its superior depth of field and resolution of surface detail. The calculus microfossil recovery produced 16,377 total biogenic silica microfossils: 4733 phytoliths and 11,644 diatoms. The majority of phytoliths correspond with the Arecaceae or palm family (n = 4,456) and the minority corresponds to the Poaceae or grass family (n = 277). Because of the relatively large sample size, we were able to test hypotheses related to age cohort, sex, dental element and geographic region. Results indicate no significant difference in phytolith or diatom recovery based on age cohort or sex. The high frequency and proportion of Arecaceae phytoliths found in calculus extracted from the anterior dentition suggests consumption of soft or cooked foods containing palm phytoliths and the high frequency of diatoms recovered from the southern part of the island argue for different sources of drinking water. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A global perspective on sickle cell disease
Authors: Aygun Banu , Odame Isaac
Published: April 2012

The global burden of sickle cell disease (SCD) is now being increasingly realized. SCD poses a significant public health problem in sub‐Saharan Africa, the Middle East, some regions of India, the Caribbean, and Brazil. In many of these regions, progress in the management of SCD has been slow. Long‐term North–South and South–South partnerships between SCD professionals, funding agencies, governments, and industry are needed to help reduce the high disease burden in developing countries, through widespread SCD education, relevant research and implementation of evidence‐based cost‐effective interventions. A group of SCD professionals have responded with action by forming a global network. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2012;59:386–390. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Characterization of cerebrospinal fluid aminoterminally truncated and oxidized amyloid‐β peptides
Authors: Bibl Mirko , Gallus Marion , Welge Volker , Lehmann Sabine , Sparbier Katrin , Esselmann Hermann , Wiltfang Jens
Published: April 2012

Purpose

Carboxyterminally elongated and aminoterminally truncated Aβ peptides as well as their pyroglutamate and oxidized derivates are major constituents of human amyloid plaques. The objective of the present study was to characterize aminoterminally truncated or oxidized Aβ38, Aβ40, and Aβ42 peptide species in immunoprecipitated human cerebrospinal fluid (CSF).

Experimental design

We invented a novel sequential aminoterminally and carboxyterminally specific immunoprecipitation protocol and used the Aβ‐SDS‐PAGE/immunoblot for subsequent analysis of CSF Aβ peptide patterns.

Results

In the present study, we identified the aminoterminally truncated Aβ peptides 2–40 and 2–42 as well as oxidized forms of Aβ1–38 and Aβ1–42 in CSF. Our protocol allowed the quantification of a pattern of Aβ peptides 1–38ox, 2–40, and 2–42 in addition to the well known panel of Aβ 1–37, 1–38, 1–39, 1–40, 1–40ox, and 1–42 in a group of seven patients with peripheral polyneuropathy.

Conclusions and clinical relevance

In the present approach, we could broaden the range of quantifiable Aβ peptides described in previous studies (i.e., 1–37, 1–38, 1–39, 1–40, 1–40ox, and 1–42) by Aβ 1–38ox, 2–40, and 2–42. An exact analysis of CSF Aβ peptides regarding their carboxy‐ and aminoterminus as well as posttranslational modification seems promising with respect to diagnostic and pathogenic aspects.
Structural, surface morphological, and optical properties of nanocrystalline Cu2O and CuO films formed by RF magnetron sputtering: Oxygen partial pressure effect
Authors: Hari Prasad Reddy M. , Pierson J. F. , Uthanna S.
Published: April 2012

Copper oxide films were deposited on glass and silicon substrates held at 473 K by radio‐frequency (RF) magnetron sputtering of copper target under different oxygen partial pressure in the range 5 × 10−3–8 × 10−2 Pa. The influence of oxygen partial pressure on the compositional, chemical binding configuration, structural, morphological, electrical, and optical properties of the deposited films was investigated. The films grown at low oxygen partial pressures < 2 × 10−2 Pa, showed mixed phase of Cu2O and Cu. At an oxygen partial pressure of 2 × 10−2 Pa the grown films were single‐phase Cu2O. The films formed at oxygen partial pressure of 2 × 10−2 Pa showed a core level binding energy peak of Cu 2p3/2 at 932.3 eV, confirmed the growth of Cu+ state of copper in Cu2O. The films formed at higher oxygen partial pressure of 5 × 10−2 Pa, films showed mixed phase of Cu2O and CuO. While those formed at 8 × 10−2 Pa were of CuO. Atomic force micrographs showed that the grain size of the films was increased from 40 to 110 nm with increase of oxygen partial pressure from 8 × 10−3 to 2 × 10−2 Pa. Single‐phase Cu2O films grown at oxygen partial pressure of 2 × 10−2 Pa showed electrical resistivity of 10 Ω cm and optical bandgap of 2.36 eV. The CuO films formed at higher oxygen partial pressure of 8 × 10−2 Pa exhibited an electrical resistivity of 3 × 102 Ω cm and optical bandgap of 1.96 eV.
Use of alternative time scales in Cox proportional hazard models: implications for time‐varying environmental exposures
Authors: Griffin Beth Ann , Anderson Garnet L. , Shih Regina A. , Whitsel Eric A.
Published: April 2012

Issues surrounding choice of time scales in Cox proportional hazard regression models have received limited attention in the literature. Although the choice between time on study and ‘attained’ age time scales has been examined, the calendar time scale may be of interest when modeling health effects of environmental exposures with noteworthy secular trends such as ambient particulate matter air pollution in large epidemiological cohort studies. The authors use simulation studies to examine performance (bias, mean squared error, coverage probabilities, and power) of models using all three time scales when the primary exposure of interest depends on calendar time. Results show that performance of models fit to the calendar time scale varies inversely with the strength of the linear association between the time‐varying primary exposure and calendar time. Although models fit to attained age and time on study that do not adjust for calendar time were relatively robust, the authors conclude that care should be exercised when using time scales that are highly correlated with exposures of interest. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Handling the limit of detection by extrapolation
Authors: Longford Nicholas T.
Published: April 2012

A general method of estimation with a variable observed subject to a limit of detection is introduced. It is based on extrapolation of the estimates obtained by increasing the limit of detection. Theoretical arguments support the method in some special cases, and it is explored by simulations. Several examples are presented and adaptations for other kinds of censoring explored. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The Public Weather Service Customer Group
Authors: Goldstraw Claire
Published: April 2012

Ball lightning is a curious, complex and multifaceted atmospheric phenomenon whose nature remains a subject of some controversy. Eyewitness reports of ball lightning allow a fuller and more objective description of the phenomenon to be formulated. This work presents a report describing a ball lightning event observed on 19 February 1783 in Rio de Janeiro (Brazil) by Bento Sanches Dorta.