bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Ussing chamber results for amino acid absorption of protein hydrolysates in porcine jejunum must be corrected for endogenous protein
Authors: Awati Ajay , Rutherfurd Shane M , Plugge Wim , Reynolds Gordon W , Marrant Helene , Kies Arie K , Moughan Paul J
Published: June 2009

BACKGROUND: Ussing chambers have been used extensively as an ex vivo model to investigate intestinal nutrient absorption. In this study Ussing chambers were used to investigate the absorption of amino acids and peptides in pig jejunal tissue using a highly hydrolysed casein hydrolysate (PeptoPro®), casein and whey protein isolate after they had been digested with pepsin and pancreatin to simulate digestion products in the jejunum. Jejunal tissue was collected from three pigs and mounted into Ussing chambers, equilibrated, and the luminal chamber loaded with one of three test nitrogen sources. Luminal solution samples were taken every 10 min over a 90 min incubation period and the amino acid concentration determined. To determine the endogenous amino acid contribution of the tissue to the luminal solution, Ussing chambers containing no test N source (blanks) were prepared and treated similarly to the Ussing chambers containing the test N sources.

RESULTS: The endogenous amino acid contribution was 0.5 mg in the luminal solution at time 0 and increased to 1 mg after 90 min. The mean amino acid absorption after 10 min incubation for the pre‐digested highly hydrolysed casein hydrolysate (16.6%) was significantly (P < 0.05) higher than for the pre‐digested casein (7.6%) and whey protein isolate (6.7%).

CONCLUSION: Endogenous amino acids were a quantitatively significant portion of the luminal solution amino acids present in the Ussing chambers containing the test N sources. Ussing chambers may be a suitable tool for studying amino acid absorption of protein hydrolysates but correction for the endogenous amino acid contribution from the intestinal tissue must be made. Copyright © 2009 Society of Chemical Industry
Effect of humic acid on fermentation and ciliate protozoan population in rumen fluid of sheep in vitro
Authors: Váradyová Zora , Kišidayová Svetlana , Jalč Dušan
Published: June 2009

BACKGROUND: Humic acid (HA) as a product of decomposition of animal and plant tissue is used in animal production as a feed supplement, antimicrobial product and growth stimulator. The objective of the present in vitro study was to investigate the effects of dietary humic acid as a commercial Humacid 60 Basic (H60B) feed additive preparation on rumen fermentation and the ciliate protozoan population in the rumen fluid of sheep using a high fibre (HF) and high concentrate (HC) diet in batch cultures and artificial rumen (RUSITEC).

RESULTS: Production of total volatile fatty acids (VFAs) was significantly decreased (P < 0.001) for batch cultures by the HF‐H60B diet. The HF‐H60B diet decreased ammonia N in RUSITEC (P < 0.001). An increase in the population of Enoploplastron triloricatum, Isotricha spp. and Ophryoscolex c. tricoronatus with the HF‐H60B diet and Diploplastron affine with the HC‐H60B was observed. The H60B did not affect the total ciliate population and Entodinium spp.

CONCLUSION: It can be concluded that dietary humic acid preparations are not effective as dietary antiprotozoal agents. Humic acid might enhance microbial growth and energy efficiency in doses up to 10 g kg−1 DM of diet. Copyright © 2009 Society of Chemical Industry
No Lewy pathology in monkeys with over 10 years of severe MPTP Parkinsonism
Authors: Halliday Glenda , Herrero Maria Trinidad , Murphy Karen , McCann Heather , Ros‐Bernal Francisco , Barcia Carlos , Mori Hideo , Blesa Francisco J. , Obeso José A.
Published: June 2009

The recent knowledge that 10 years after transplantation surviving human fetal neurons adopt the histopathology of Parkinson's disease suggests that Lewy body formation takes a decade to achieve. To determine whether similar histopathology occurs in 1‐methyl‐4‐phenyl‐1,2,3,6‐tetrahydropyridine (MPTP)‐primate models over a similar timeframe, the brains of two adult monkeys made parkinsonian in their youth with intermittent injections of MPTP were studied. Despite substantial nigral degeneration and increased α‐synuclein immunoreactivity within surviving neurons, there was no evidence of Lewy body formation. This suggests that MPTP‐induced oxidative stress and inflammation per se are not sufficient for Lewy body formation, or Lewy bodies are human specific. © 2009 Movement Disorder Society
Temporoparietal fascial free flap for correction of first web space atrophy
Authors: Kruavit Arthi , Visuthikosol Vivat
Published: June 2009

Fourteen temporoparietal fascial free flaps were used for correction of first web space atrophy from ulnar nerve palsy in 13 patients. Ten sustained ulnar nerve injuries and three suffered from leprosy. The procedures were performed under general anesthesia except one leprosy patient with bilateral ulnar nerve palsy in which local anesthesia and brachial block were employed to harvest bilateral free flaps and recipient site preparations, respectively. The follow‐up time varied from 4 to 64 months. The postoperative results were satisfactory and there was no resorption of the free flaps. The consistency of the augmented first web space was soft and compressible like natural feel. The size of the flap was more than enough for augmentation of first web space and donor site morbidity was minimal and accepted by all patients. We conclude that temporoparietal fascial free flap is an ideal autogenous tissue for correction of first web space atrophy. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc. Microsurgery 2010.
Ischial pressure sores: Reconstruction using the perforator‐based reverse flow musculocutaneous 180° propeller flap
Authors: Jakubietz Rafael G. , Jakubietz Michael G. , Jakubietz Danni F. , Koehler Guido , Zeplin Phillip H. , Meffert Rainer H. , Schmidt Karsten
Published: June 2009

The treatment of pressure sores requires soft tissue reconstruction with thick tissue to provide padding of bony prominences and obliterate dead space. Fasciocutaneous flaps may not provide adequate bulk. Propeller flaps (180°) based on perforators from the gluteal artery may be harvested as a reverse flow musculocutaneous flap including a muscle plug to reconstruct deep cavities. Three patients presenting with deep pressure sores required reconstruction of large cavities. In addition to a regular 180° propeller flap, a muscle plug based on a perforator found in the blade of the propeller was used to add bulk to the flap and obliterate the cavity with well‐vascularized tissue. One flap required secondary closure of the donor site due to dehiscence, one hematoma required drainage. All flaps survived completely. No recurrence of osteomyelitis or pressure sores was seen. The 180° propeller flap can be harvested as a reverse flow musculocutaneous flap including a muscle plug in the distal blade. This adds volume which is required to adequately obliterate large cavities in cases of osteomyelitis. This new technique may be useful in other areas as well. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc. Microsurgery 2009.
A hybridizable discontinuous Galerkin method for linear elasticity
Authors: Soon S.‐C. , Cockburn B. , Stolarski Henryk K.
Published: June 2009

This paper describes the application of the so‐called hybridizable discontinuous Galerkin (HDG) method to linear elasticity problems. The method has three significant features. The first is that the only globally coupled degrees of freedom are those of an approximation of the displacement defined solely on the faces of the elements. The corresponding stiffness matrix is symmetric, positive definite, and possesses a block‐wise sparse structure that allows for a very efficient implementation of the method. The second feature is that, when polynomials of degree k are used to approximate the displacement and the stress, both variables converge with the optimal order of k+1 for any k⩾0. The third feature is that, by using an element‐by‐element post‐processing, a new approximate displacement can be obtained that converges at the order of k+2, whenever k⩾2. Numerical experiments are provided to compare the performance of the HDG method with that of the continuous Galerkin (CG) method for problems with smooth solutions, and to assess its performance in situations where the CG method is not adequate, that is, when the material is nearly incompressible and when there is a crack. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Variation in part‐time job quality within the nonprofit human service sector
Authors: Haley‐Lock Anna
Published: June 2009

This article extends the growing literature on the quality of part‐time employment to the domain of nonprofit human services, specifically grassroots organizations in which paid work is itself a relatively new reality. It addresses three central questions: How do part‐time and full‐time workers differ in their personal and household characteristics? How do part‐time jobs differ in access to employment benefits from their full‐time counterparts; and finally, How does benefits access vary among part‐time job titles? These lines of inquiry are examined using data from the populations of nonprofit domestic violence programs and their employees in a large midwestern metropolitan area. Analyses of worker‐level data reveal that part‐time workers in these settings disproportionately live with children, are in committed relationships, and report a strong preference for employment that facilitates work‐life balance; they are also less likely to be primary household wage earners. Analyses at the level of jobs suggest that employment benefits extended to part‐time jobs are minimal compared to their full‐time equivalents, but there are also striking variations among different part‐time titles. The results offer insights into the nature of part‐time work in these nonprofit human service settings and potential challenges for effective management.
A critical cross‐cultural perspective for developing nonprofit international management capacity
Authors: Jackson Terence
Published: June 2009

Issues of the effectiveness of international nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) are becoming critical among a claim that cultural sensitivity to people's needs and the appropriateness of interventions is a competitive advantage of the sector. Here, the cross‐cultural management agenda is set out, particularly in terms of the transferability or appropriateness of management knowledge and development interventions. Research propositions are presented that, if supported through future empirical findings, suggest cultural hybridization is a process that can be managed through greater stakeholder involvement, leading to greater appropriateness as well as effectiveness of international NGOs.
The economic value of volunteers to nonprofit organizations
Authors: Bowman Woods
Published: June 2009

This article applies microeconomic theory to the problem of calculating the economic value of volunteers to nonprofit organizations. It finds weaknesses in two popular valuation metrics: replacement cost and demand price. It argues for a method that measures the economic value of volunteer time by the impact it has on an organization's revenue, through either fundraising or producing goods and services. An Australian case study illustrates the method, and a survey of U.S. nonprofits tests the generality of the assumptions. The concluding section offers suggestions for management practice and further research.
Building stronger weak ties among a diverse pool of emergent nonprofit leaders of color
Authors: Gelles Erna , Merrick Meg , Derrickson Sean , Otis Felesia , Sweeten‐Lopez Oscar , Folsom Jamaal Tripp
Published: June 2009

This article explores theoretical underpinnings of social capital and strong and weak ties as they relate to relationships within, between, and among six cohorts of promising nonprofit leaders of color in a northwestern U.S. city. Using mixed methods, including network analyses, it considers the impact and potential of a university‐community collaboration to deliver a program to promising emergent leaders nominated for their talent and commitment to the work of their community‐based organizations, often in competition for limited resources. The article considers the program's implicit effect on relationships and reveals intersector connections among alumni. Findings show substantial alumni movement among organizations, increasing the potential for collaboration and mentoring relationships. We conclude with recommendations for programs seeking long‐term impact and discuss a series of unanticipated findings and the questions they engender, many critical as communities and organizations become more diverse and social needs do not diminish.
Synthesis and nonlinear optical properties of polyester containing 4‐di‐(2′‐hydroxyethoxy)‐4‐diphenyl‐hydrazonomethyl chromophore
Authors: Issam A. M. , Ratnamalar R.
Published: June 2009

The nonlinear optical property of new polyester has been studied via second harmonic generation (SHG). The values of electro‐optic coefficients, d33 and d31, of the poled polymer film were 3.15 × 10 −7 and 1.5 × 10−7 esu, respectively. Thermal behavior of this polyester was studied through thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). 4‐di‐(2′‐hydroxyethoxy)‐4‐diphenyl‐hydrazonomethyl was synthesized from the reaction of 3,4‐dihydroxy‐4‐diphenyl‐hydrazonomethyl with 2–chloro–1‐ethanol in a 1:2 mole ratio and subsequently reacted with terephthaloyl chloride (TPC) in the presence of pyridine, as catalyst, to produce the new nonlinear polyester. The chemical structures of the resulting monomers and polymer were characterized by CHN analysis, 1H‐NMR, FT‐IR, and UV–Vis spectroscopy. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Integrating nine prescription opioid analgesics and/or four signal detection systems to summarize statewide prescription drug abuse in the United States in 2007
Authors: Schneider Michael F. , Bailey J. Elise , Cicero Theodore J. , Dart Richard C. , Inciardi James A. , Parrino Mark , Muñoz Alvaro
Published: June 2009

Purpose

Integrate statewide rankings of abuse across different drugs and/or signal detection systems to summarize prescription drug abuse in each state in 2007.

Methods

Four signal detection systems (Opioid Treatment Programs, Key Informants, Drug Diversion, and Poison Centers) that covered heterogeneous populations collected data on the abuse of nine opioids: hydrocodone, immediate‐release oxycodone, tramadol, extended‐release [ER] oxycodone, fentanyl, morphine, methadone, hydromorphone, and buprenorphine). We introduce here linearized maps which integrate nine drugs within each system; four systems for each drug; or all drugs and systems.

Results

When rankings were integrated across drugs, Rhode Island, New Hampshire, Maine, West Virginia, and Michigan were in the highest tertile of abuse in three systems. When rankings were integrated across signal detection systems, there was a geographic clustering of states with the highest rates for ER oxycodone (in Tennessee, Mississippi, Kentucky, Ohio, Indiana, Michigan, and in Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Maine, and Vermont) and methadone (Massachusetts, Rhode Island, New Hampshire, Maine, Vermont, Connecticut, and New Jersey). When rankings were integrated across both drugs and signal detection systems, states with 3‐digit ZIP codes below 269 (i.e., from Massachusetts to West Virginia): Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Maine, Vermont, Washington DC, Virginia, and West Virginia were in the highest tertile and only Delaware was in the lowest tertile.

Conclusions

We have presented methods to integrate data on prescription opioid abuse collected by signal detection systems covering different populations. Linearized maps are effective graphical summaries that depict differences in the level of prescription opioid abuse at the state level. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Confidence assessment for protein identification by using peptide‐mass fingerprinting data
Authors: Song Zhao , Chen Luonan , Xu Dong
Published: June 2009

Protein identification using Peptide Mass Fingerprinting (PMF) data remains an important yet only partially solved problem. Current computational methods may lead to false positive identification since the top hit from a database search may not be the target protein. In addition, the identification scores assigned singly by a scoring function (raw scores) are not normalized. Therefore, the ranking based on raw scores may be biased. To address the above issue, we have developed a statistical model to evaluate the confidence of the raw score and to improve the ranking of proteins for identification. The results show that the statistical model better ranks the correct protein than the raw scores. Our study provides a new method to enhance the accuracy of protein identification by using PMF data. We incorporated the method into our software package “Protein‐Decision” together with a user‐friendly graphical interface. A standalone version of Protein‐Decision is freely available at http://digbio.missouri.edu/ProteinDecision/.
Proteomics of RAW 264.7 macrophages upon interaction with heat‐inactivated Candida albicans cells unravel an anti‐inflammatory response
Authors: Martínez‐Solano Laura , Reales‐Calderón Jose Antonio , Nombela César , Molero Gloria , Gil Concha
Published: June 2009

Murine macrophages (RAW 264.7) were allowed to interact with heat‐inactivated cells of Candida albicans SC5314 during 45 min. The proteomic response of the macrophages was then analyzed using 2‐D gel electrophoresis. Many proteins having differential expression with respect to control macrophages were identified, and their functions were related to important processes, such as cytoskeletal organization, signal transduction, metabolism, protein biosynthesis, stress response and protein fate. Several of these proteins have been described as being involved in the process of inflammation, such as Erp29, Hspa9a, AnxaI, Ran GTPase, P4hb, Clic1 and Psma1. The analysis of the consequences of their variation unravels an overall anti‐inflammatory response of macrophages during the interaction with heat‐inactivated cells. This result was corroborated by the measurement of TNF‐α and of ERK1/2 phosphorylation levels. This anti‐inflammatory effect was contrary to the one observed with live C. albicans cells, which induced higher TNF‐α secretion and higher ERK1/2 phosphorylation levels with respect to control macrophages.
A proteomic study of pectin‐degrading enzymes secreted by Botrytis cinerea grown in liquid culture
Authors: Shah Punit , Gutierrez‐Sanchez Gerardo , Orlando Ron , Bergmann Carl
Published: June 2009

Botrytis cinerea is a pathogenic filamentous fungus, which infects more than 200 plant species. The enzymes secreted by B. cinerea play an important role in the successful colonization of a host plant. Some of the secreted enzymes are involved in the degradation of pectin, a major component of the plant cell wall. A total of 126 proteins secreted by B. cinerea were identified by growing the fungus on highly or partially esterified pectin, or on sucrose in liquid culture. Sixty‐seven common proteins were identified in each of the growth conditions, of which 50 proteins exhibited a SignalP motif. Thirteen B. cinerea proteins with functions related to pectin degradation were identified in both pectin growth conditions, while only four were identified in sucrose. Our results indicate it is unlikely that the activation of B. cinerea from the dormant state to active infection is solely dependent on changes in the degree of esterification of the pectin component of the plant cell wall. Further, these results suggest that future studies of the B. cinerea secretome in infections of ripe and unripe fruits will provide important information that will describe the mechanisms that the fungus employs to access nutrients and decompose tissues.
Auditing process safety management in four levels
Authors: Sepeda Adrian L.
Published: June 2009

An audit must have a defined structure, an understood purpose, and enough details to assure completeness. It should be divided into discrete levels with specific topics so that the auditor can fully identify and understand the degree to which each facility or company complies with the requirements. Each of these levels should also be designed to analyze different types of information, implementation actions, and infrastructure. This article proposes and discusses a four‐level approach to conduct a comprehensive and complete audit. The four levels are as follows:

Recognition and acknowledgment of the need to comply with a specific set of rules or regulations,

An implementation strategy and infrastructure,

Evidence of compliance, and

Quality assessments.

The content and purpose of each level as well as the interaction between levels is discussed and explained in this article. © 2009 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Process Saf Prog, 2009
Magnetic nanoparticles produced by femtosecond laser pulse: Magnetic force microscopy study
Authors: Grossman E. , Shpilman Z. , Gouzman I. , Eliezer S. , Louzon E.
Published: June 2009

Magnetic nanoparticles (NPs) were deposited on Si substrates by interaction of femtosecond laser with thin films of Ni and Fe. Magnetic Force Microscopy (MFM) was used to determine the magnetic properties and size distribution of the particles. Ni nanoparticles were relatively uniform in size with an average diameter of about 15 nm and average magnetic moment of 3.4 × 10–20 A m2. Fe nanoparticles were less uniform and particles size ranged from 14 nm to 36 nm in diameter, with an average magnetic moment of 6.5 × 10–20 A m2. Due to high impact energy both Ni and Fe nanoparticles were deformed upon impact resulting in a shape of oblate spheroid. The NPs shape change due to the impact was analyzed thermodynamically and was correlated to the magnetic moment measured for the different NPs type. (© 2009 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Adsorption configurations of hydrocarbon ring molecules on GaAs(001)‐c(4 × 4)
Authors: Passmann R. , Bruhn T. , Nilsen T. A. , Fimland B. O. , Kneissl M. , Esser N. , Vogt P.
Published: June 2009

The understanding of self–assembly and bonding mechanisms of organic molecules on semiconductor surfaces represents a central research aspect in the investigation of novel organic/inorganic interfaces and their technological applicability. Here, we investigated the adsorption and bond formation of cyclopentene and 1,4‐cyclohexadiene on a GaAs(001)‐ c(4 × 4) surface in order to clarify the influence of the number of intra‐molecular C=C double bonds on the respective adsorption sites. For a determination of the adsorption configuration, the interfaces were characterized electronically and optically by synchrotron based X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (SXPS), low energy electron diffraction (LEED) and reflectance anisotropy spectroscopy (RAS). The results reveal significantly different adsorption configurations for the two molecules. While cyclopentene bonds with a single covalent bond to the surface, 1,4‐cyclohexadiene adsorbs onto the surface by the formation of multiple covalent bonds, e.g. bridge bonds. (© 2009 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
On the large temperature variation of the dielectric constant of Na0.4K0.6Br [Phys. Status Solidi B 246, No. 1, 241–245 (2009)]
Authors: Katsika‐Tsigourakou V. , Bekris P.
Published: June 2009

References [3, 28, 37] in the paper by Katsika‐Tsigourakou and Bekris [Phys. Status Solidi B 246, 241 (2009)] are corrected. (© 2009 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Deepening the debate over ‘sustainable science’: Indigenous perspectives as a guide on the journey
Authors: Broadhead Lee‐Anne , Howard Sean
Published: June 2009

This article engages with the concept of sustainable science as articulated by those eager to address and correct environmentally destructive tendencies in western scientific theory and practice. We first reflect on the widespread resistance among western scientists to accord the designation of ‘science’ to other cultural enterprises of inquiry. Focusing on the example of Native American approaches to nature and knowledge, we caution that this pervasive sense of superiority has blocked recognition of reasonable paths to a new science even amongst those eager to incorporate elements of Indigenous thinking into their worldviews. Finally, we argue that the explorations of the natural world as found in Indigenous science can be seen to represent an alternative mode of rigorous, systematic inquiry – a ‘full‐spectrum’ approach – demonstrating the practical potential for truly sustainable science. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and ERP Environment.
Bladder endometriosis, a remarkable resemblance in a monozygotic twin
Authors: van Beek J. J.
Published: June 2009

It is known for many years that heritability plays a role in the development of endometriosis in many patients. Deep endometriosis of the bladder is a rare presentation of the disease and bladder endometriosis was not reported in monozygotic twin studies so far. Since monozygotic twins share the same genes, concordance and differences in presentation of endometriosis may help to discriminate between genetic and environmental determinants. The remarkable resemblance in the presentation of bladder endometriosis in this monozygotic twin seems to indicate that genetic factors are of importance in the arising of deep endometriosis in the bladder too.
Safer childbirth: A rights‐based approach
Authors: Boama Vincent , Arulkumaran Sabaratnam
Published: June 2009

The Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) set very high targets for women's reproductive health through reductions in maternal and infant mortality, among other things. Reductions in maternal mortality and morbidity can be achieved through various different approaches, such as the confidential review of maternal deaths, use of evidence‐based treatments and interventions, using a health systems approach, use of information technology, global and regional partnerships, and making pregnancy safer through initiatives that increase the focus on human rights. A combination of these and other approaches can have a synergistic impact on reductions in maternal mortality. This paper highlights some of the current global efforts on safer pregnancy with a focus on reproductive rights. We encourage readers to do more in every corner of the world to advocate for women's reproductive rights and, in this way, we may achieve the MDGs by 2015.
Access to sexual and reproductive health for young people: Bridging the disconnect between rights and reality
Authors: Shaw Dorothy
Published: June 2009

Of the 1.5 billion young people globally, 78% live in Asia and Africa, the poorest regions of the world. The majority of young people infected with HIV are female and adolescent girls have a significant increased risk for maternal mortality and morbidity, such as fistula. Trends to delay marriage do not decrease the age of onset of sexual activity, but highlight the need for access to sexual and reproductive information, and skills and services to learn healthy sexuality and prevent unwanted pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections. Youth‐friendly services require confidentiality, privacy, and non‐judgmental attitudes, and rights of adolescents include the consideration of their evolving capacities to consent to services. Denial of young people's sexuality and rights by conservative and traditional forces has lethal consequences, especially for women and girls. Countries have committed to these rights through numerous international instruments and many are making progress, but challenges at the community level are significant.
Reproductive healthcare systems should include accessible infertility diagnosis and treatment: An important challenge for resource‐poor countries
Authors: Ombelet Willem
Published: June 2009

Infertility is a central issue in the lives of many couples who suffer from it. In resource‐poor countries the problem of childlessness is even more pronounced compared with Western societies owing to different sociocultural circumstances. It often leads to severe psychological, social, and economic suffering, and access to infertility treatment is often limited to certain procedures and certain costumers. The issue of infertility in resource‐poor countries is underestimated and neglected, not only by local governments but also by the international nonprofit organizations. Simplification of the diagnostic and therapeutic procedures, minimizing the complication rate, and incorporating fertility centers into existing reproductive healthcare programs are essential measures to take in resource‐poor countries if infertility treatment is to be accessible for a large part of the population. For reasons of social justice, a search for strategies to implement simplified methods of infertility diagnosis and treatment in resource‐poor countries is urgently warranted.
Healthcare workers and the brain drain
Authors: Serour Gamal I.
Published: June 2009

The brain drain of health workers occurs mostly from low‐ and low/middle‐income countries to resource‐rich countries and from rural to urban areas. Shortage and uneven distribution of healthcare workers aggravated by the brain drain from Africa, Asia, and Pacific countries has contributed to impaired reproductive and sexual health services and the high rate of maternal and newborn mortality and morbidity in these counties. Brain drain impedes maternal, neonatal, and child health and the fight against HIV/AIDS, and translates into loss of potential employers, teachers, and role models. Source countries spend US$ 500 million each year to educate health workers who leave their home countries for North America, Western Europe, and South Asia. A code of practice on international recruitment of health personnel is needed. Improving the health workforce database, wages, health resources and working conditions, task shifting, pay‐back from recipient countries and migrant health professionals, securing additional investment in the health workforce, and the development of locally relevant medical training and research are useful measures to combat this problem.
The role of parliamentarians in promoting sexual and reproductive health and rights
Authors: McCafferty Christine
Published: June 2009

Parliamentarians are central to the full implementation of the International Conference on Population and Development Programme of Action (ICPD PoA). We promote, review, and adopt sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) legislation, including budget appropriations. Parliamentarians also approve policies formulated by government and endorse resolutions and statements in support of SRHR. All Party Parliamentary Groups on Population, Development, and Reproductive Health have now been established in nearly 100 countries to promote the ICPD PoA. Examples are given of successful SRHR parliamentary advocacy in the UK, Europe, and internationally. The biggest constraint to achieving universal access to reproductive health services by 2015 (the new MDG 5 target) remains ideological‐driven campaigns across Europe and the USA. Politicians must be brave and speak out against misinformation or ill‐informed and ideological‐driven campaigns that mitigate the promotion of women's SRHR.
CHANGES IN THE PROXIMATE DETERMINANTS OF FERTILITY DECLINE IN POST-SOCIALIST MONGOLIA
Authors: SPOORENBERG THOMAS
Published: June 2009

Mongolian fertility decline has received only limited analysis in the demographic literature. Using the 2003 Reproductive Health Survey of Mongolia the classical proximate determinants of fertility framework proposed by Bongaarts is applied here in order to analyse which factors shape period fertility. The results indicate that the fertility-inhibiting effect of contraception contributed to reduce period fertility by 54.2% from its theoretical maximum, while induced abortion accounted for only 6.1% of the reduction in fertility. Compared with previous studies made in the early 1990s, these results show that important changes in the control of reproduction took place in Mongolia during the fertility transition. In order to assess the changes implied by the transition to democracy and market economy, the proximate determinants of fertility are estimated for the year 1994. The results show that the importance of induced abortion in the determination of fertility level has reduced and that the use of modern contraception has increased progressively and contributed most in determining fertility level in 2003.
On vorticity waves propagating in a waveguide formed by two critical layers
Authors: DERZHO OLEG , GRIMSHAW ROGER
Published: June 2009

A theoretical model for long vorticity waves propagating on a background shear flow is developed. The basic flow is assumed to be confined between two critical layers, respectively, located near the lower and upper rigid boundaries. In these critical layers even small disturbances will break, and eventually a thin zone of mixed fluid will appear. We derive a nonlinear evolution equation for the amplitude of a wave-like disturbance in this configuration, based on the assumption that the critical layers are replaced by thin recirculation zones attached to the lower and upper rigid boundaries, where the flow is very weak. The dispersive and time-evolution terms in this equation are typical for Korteweg–de Vries theory, but the nonlinear term is more complicated. It comprises nonlinearity associated with the shear across the waveguide, and the nonlinearity due to the flow over the recirculation zones. The coefficient of the quadratic nonlinear term may change sign, depending on the presence or otherwise of recirculation zones at the upper or lower boundary of the waveguide. We then seek steady travelling wave solutions, and show that there are no such steady solutions if the waveguide contains no density stratification. However, steady solutions including solitary waves and bores can exist if the fluid between the critical layers is weakly density stratified.
The occurrence ofCyathostoma(Cyathostoma)microspiculum(Skrjabin, ) (Nematoda: Syngamidae) in the great cormorant [Phalacrocorax carbo(L., 1758)] in north-eastern Poland
Authors: Kanarek G.
Published: June 2009

The nematodeCyathostoma(Cyathostoma)microspiculum(Skrjabin, 1915) was found in 37 out of the 491 great cormorant [Phalacrocorax carbo(L.)] individuals from north-eastern Poland (the Vistula Spit, the Vistula Lagoon and the Masurian Lake District) that were examined. The nematode occurred at 7.5% prevalence, 3.6 mean intensity (1–16 intensity range) and 0.27 mean abundance. This is the first Polish record ofC. microspiculumand the first properly documented record of the nematode in Europe. Significant age-dependent differences in prevalence and mean intensity were found; the heaviest infection (13.7%; 4) was found in immature birds, followed by that found in chicks (8.1%; 3.7) and mature individuals (4.4%; 3). No significant habitat-dependent differences in the infection parameters were found but, for chicks, the nematode was present exclusively in those found in the breeding colony located on the Vistula Spit. It may be related to their life cycle, probably associated with a marine environment. Morphology and biometry of theC. microspiculumindividuals examined are described in detail. The results are compared with data in the literature.Syngamus hexadontusChin, 1950 is recognized as an older synonym ofC. microspiculum.
The first occurrence of Trichinella murrelli in wild boar in Iran and a review of Iranian trichinellosis
Authors: Kia E.B. , Meamar A.R. , Zahabiun F. , Mirhendi H.
Published: June 2009

Trichinella larvae isolated from the thigh muscle of a wild boar, Sus scrofa, captured from Gilan Province, northern Iran, was processed for DNA analysis. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for amplification of the 5S rDNA fragment demonstrated a 700 bp band on agarose gel. Analysis of DNA sequencing by BLAST confirmed the isolate as T. murrelli. This report constitutes the first recorded occurrence of T. murrelli in Asia, and also the first occurrence in a wild boar host.
Distribution of Eurasian otter biliary parasites, Pseudamphistomum truncatum and Metorchis albidus (Family Opisthorchiidae), in England and Wales
Authors: SHERRARD-SMITH E. , CABLE J. , CHADWICK E. A.
Published: June 2009

Gall bladders from 273 otter carcasses, collected throughout England and Wales, were screened to assess the status of gall bladder parasites in the Eurasian otter, Lutra lutra. The digenean Pseudamphistomum truncatum had previously been found in UK otters collected between 2000 and 2007. The parasite was established in Somerset and Dorset but its distribution elsewhere in the UK was largely unknown. In the current study, P. truncatum was also found to be abundant in south Wales, with occasional cases elsewhere, but appears to be absent from the north of England. Overall, 11·7% of otters were infected with 1–238 P. truncatum. A second digenean, Metorchis albidus, previously unreported in British otters, was found in the biliary system of 6·6% of otters. M. albidus appears well established in Suffolk, Norfolk and north Essex but was recorded elsewhere rarely. Both parasites are associated with pathological damage to the otter gall bladder. The recent discovery of these two non-native parasites provides a unique opportunity to assess their impact on native British fauna.
Modified High-Resolution Correlator Technique for Short-Delayed Multipath Mitigation
Authors: So Hyoungmin , Kim Ghangho , Lee Taikjin , Jeon Sanghoon , Kee Changdon
Published: June 2009

Multipath is one of the main error sources in global navigation satellite system (GNSS) positioning. The high-resolution correlator (HRC) is a multipath mitigation technique well known for its outstanding performance for mid-delayed multipath, but still has a remaining error for the short-delayed multipath. This paper proposes a modified HRC scheme that can remove or reduce the error for short-delayed multipath signals. It estimates the HRC tracking error and augments the conventional HRC with the estimates. The method was implemented with a software receiver and the test results show short-delayed multipath-induced errors were reduced to about one third of those from the conventional HRC.
Tangible user interface laboratory: Teaching tangible interaction design in practice
Authors: Shaer Orit , Horn Michael S. , Jacob Robert J.K.
Published: June 2009

Tangible interaction is an emerging field of human–computer interaction that links the digital and the physical worlds by embedding computation in physical artifacts and environments. This paper shares our experience teaching tangible interaction over the past 4 years in an interdisciplinary, project-based laboratory course at Tufts University. Although the course is offered through the Computer Science Department, it reflects the multidisciplinary nature of the field, merging product engineering practices with a design studio approach. With a diverse mix of students, this approach has fostered creativity and hands-on learning. Throughout the course students have created innovative interfaces that not only capture fundamental concepts of tangible interaction but also contribute novel techniques for supporting collaborative design. We discuss examples of student-created interfaces and illustrate the relationship between the methods employed in the course and the artifacts created. We also share our recommendations for implementing such a course in institutions with constraints similar to ours including a limited budget and minimal laboratory space.
Explaining the Gender Gap in Political Knowledge
Authors: Lizotte Mary-Kate , Sidman Andrew H.
Published: June 2009

Much scholarship has noted that there are significant differences in the political behavior of women and men. Women, for example, are found to be more likely to identify as and vote for Democrats, less likely to hold conservative issue positions, and more likely to vote for incumbents. One of the more disturbing gender gaps occurs in political knowledge: Specifically, women are typically found to be less knowledgeable about politics and government than their male counterparts. We propose that much of the gap can be explained by theories of risk aversion, which imply that women are less likely to guess on questions for which they are uncertain. Using item response models, we demonstrate that failure to consider these gender-based differences leads to scales that significantly underestimate the political knowledge of women. Consistent with other work in this area, we find that accounting for the higher propensity of men to guess decreases the gender gap in knowledge by around 36%.
New paradigm for statistical validation of satellite precipitation estimates: Application to a large sample of the TMPA 0.25° 3‐hourly estimates over Oklahoma
Authors: Villarini Gabriele , Krajewski Witold F. , Smith James A.
Published: June 2009

It is well acknowledged that space‐based and ground‐based radar estimates of rainfall are both affected by several sources of uncertainties; nevertheless, the latter are generally used as ground reference for the validation of the former. In this way, it is difficult to assess what portion of the observed discrepancies is solely due to the targeted satellite errors and what is the impact of the radar‐rainfall errors. The authors propose a novel approach for the validation of satellite‐based rainfall estimates, in which an empirically based radar‐rainfall error model is used to account for deterministic and random uncertainties in radar‐rainfall estimates. Using an easy‐to‐interpret metric, the approach can be used to answer probabilistic questions such as “Given radar and satellite rainfall estimates, what is the probability that the true rainfall is larger (smaller) than the satellite estimate”? The results are based on a large sample (6 years) of the Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission (TRMM) Multisatellite Precipitation Analysis (TMPA) 0.25‐degree 3‐hourly satellite‐rainfall estimates and hourly radar‐rainfall product (aggregated at the satellite space‐time scale) from the Oklahoma City WSR‐88D radar (KTLX). This study shows how the TMPA satellite product tends to overestimate the high rainfall values and underestimate the low values and how it tends to perform better during the hot season (June to September). Moreover, the authors demonstrate how the presence of errors in the ground‐based radar could significantly affect the results of the satellite product evaluation.
Reconstruction of near‐global annual precipitation using correlations with sea surface temperature and sea level pressure
Authors: Smith Thomas M. , Arkin Philip A. , Sapiano Mathew R. P.
Published: June 2009

An indirect precipitation analysis method is described which allows analysis of large spatial‐scale and multidecadal variations over land and oceans beginning 1900. The method uses covariance between precipitation and analyses of sea level pressure (SLP) and sea surface temperature (SST). Both SLP and SST analyses can be produced using in situ data for the 20th century. Here a canonical correlation analysis is developed to specify annual precipitation anomalies from annual anomalies of SLP and SST on a 5° spatial grid. Covariance relationships are computed using 26 years of satellite‐based precipitation data beginning 1979 and are used to analyze annual average precipitation anomalies for the full period. This indirect analysis indicates global variations consistent with the satellite‐based analysis for the recent period. Cross‐validation testing shows most skill in the tropics where variations are largest, with decreasing skill at higher latitudes, and large‐scale averages have much more skill than at individual locations. For the full period over oceans the analysis indicates increasing precipitation with increasing temperature over the 20th century. That oceanic change is correlated with the change from climate models, but the analysis change is more than twice as strong as the change indicated by the models. Over land the analysis is consistent with gauge observations over the 20th century, which are independent observations before 1979. This study shows that indirect precipitation analyses can show many climate‐scale variations that cannot be resolved in studies based on direct analysis of precipitation data.
Diurnal variations of Titan's ionosphere
Authors: Cui J. , Galand M. , Yelle R. V. , Vuitton V. , Wahlund J.‐E. , Lavvas P. P. , Müller‐Wodarg I. C. F. , Cravens T. E. , Kasprzak W. T. , Waite J. H.
Published: June 2009

We present our analysis of the diurnal variations of Titan's ionosphere (between 1000 and 1300 km) based on a sample of Ion Neutral Mass Spectrometer (INMS) measurements in the Open Source Ion (OSI) mode obtained from eight close encounters of the Cassini spacecraft with Titan. Although there is an overall ion depletion well beyond the terminator, the ion content on Titan's nightside is still appreciable, with a density plateau of ∼700 cm−3 below ∼1300 km. Such a plateau is a combined result of significant depletion of light ions and modest depletion of heavy ones on Titan's nightside. We propose that the distinctions between the diurnal variations of light and heavy ions are associated with their different chemical loss pathways, with the former primarily through “fast” ion‐neutral chemistry and the latter through “slow” electron dissociative recombination. The strong correlation between the observed night‐to‐day ion density ratios and the associated ion lifetimes suggests a scenario in which the ions created on Titan's dayside may survive well to the nightside. The observed asymmetry between the dawn and dusk ion density profiles also supports such an interpretation. We construct a time‐dependent ion chemistry model to investigate the effect of ion survival associated with solid body rotation alone as well as superrotating horizontal winds. For long‐lived ions, the predicted diurnal variations have similar general characteristics to those observed. However, for short‐lived ions, the model densities on the nightside are significantly lower than the observed values. This implies that electron precipitation from Saturn's magnetosphere may be an additional and important contributor to the densities of the short‐lived ions observed on Titan's nightside.
Neurogenesis and Angiogenesis within the Ipsilateral Thalamus with Secondary Damage after Focal Cortical Infarction in Hypertensive Rats
Authors: Ling Li , Zeng Jinsheng , Pei Zhong , Cheung Raymond TF , Hou Qinghua , Xing Shihui , Zhang Suping
Published: June 2009

Neurogenesis and angiogenesis in the subventricular zone and peri-infarct region have been confirmed. However, newly formed neuronal cells and blood vessels that appear in the nonischemic ipsilateral ventroposterior nucleus (VPN) of the thalamus with secondary damage after stroke has not been previously studied. Twenty-four stroke-prone renovascular hypertensive rats were subjected to distal right middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) or sham operation. 5′-Bromo-2′-deoxyuridine (BrdU) was used to label cell proliferation. Rats were killed at 7 or 14 days after the operation. Neuronal nuclei (NeuN), OX-42, BrdU, nestin, laminin+, BrdU+/nestin+, BrdU+/NeuN+, nestin+/GFAP+(glial fibrillary acidic protein), and BrdU+/laminin+ immunoreactive cells were detected within the ipsilateral VPN. The primary infarction was confined to the right somatosensory cortex. Within the ipsilateral VPN of the ischemic rats, the number of NeuN+ neurons decreased, the OX-42+ microglia cells were activated, and BrdU+ and nestin+ cells were detected at day 7 after MCAO and increased in number at day 14. Moreover, BrdU+/nestin+ cells and BrdU+/NeuN+ cells were detected at day 14 after MCAO. In addition, the ischemic rats showed a significant increase in vascular density in the ipsilateral VPN compared with the sham-operated rats. These results suggest that secondary damage with neurogenesis and angiogenesis of the ipsilateral VPN of the thalamus occurs after focal cortical infarction.