bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Early avian follicular development is characterized by changes in transcripts involved in steroidogenesis, paracrine signaling and transcription
Authors: Diaz Francisco J. , Anthony Kate , Halfhill Ashley N.
Published: January 2011

The mechanisms associated with follicular activation and early growth are not well understood in avian species. Level of mRNA transcripts involved in steroidogenesis (STAR, HSD3B, CYP11A1, CYP19), paracrine signaling (AMH, BMP2, BMP4, BMP6, KITL, WNT4, and PCSK6) and transcription (SMAD1, SMAD2, SMAD3, SMAD5, SMAD9, FOXL3, FOXL2, NR5A1 (SF1), and WT1) were determined in small avian follicles 0.5, 1, and 2 mm in diameter after oocyte removal. STAR, HSD3B, CYP11A1, CYP19, PCSK6, FOXO3, and KITL mRNA increased 2‐ to 45‐fold, while FOXL2, WT1, and WNT4 decreased 30–90% and NR5A1 did not change as follicles developed from 0.5 to 2 mm. Phosphorylated SMAD2, SMAD3, SMAD1/5/9 and FOXO3 proteins were found in both granulosa cells and oocytes of small (<0.5 mm) and larger (>1 mm) follicles. In contrast, non‐phosphorylated FOXO3 protein was found in oocyte and granulosa cells of small follicles, but only in the oocyte of larger follicles. Culture of small avian follicles on the chorioallantoic membrane of chick embryos (in ovo) for 7 days caused changes in transcript levels that were similar to changes observed in vivo. The collective findings suggest that the growth of avian follicles from 0.5 to 2 mm is marked by an increase in steroidogenic capacity, and changes in paracrine signaling that may be important during early avian follicular development. Thus, a number of candidate marker genes were identified, and a method of follicle culture was developed to study early follicular development in a model avian species. Mol. Reprod. Dev. 78:212–223, 2011. © 2011 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Establishment of goat embryonic stem cells from in vivo produced blastocyst‐stage embryos
Authors: Behboodi E. , Bondareva A. , Begin I. , Rao K. , Neveu N. , Pierson J.T. , Wylie C. , Piero F.D. , Huang Y.J. , Zeng W. , Tanco V. , Baldassarre H. , Karatzas C.N. , Dobrinski I.
Published: January 2011

Embryonic stem (ES) cells with the capacity for germ line transmission have only been verified in mouse and rat. Methods for derivation, propagation, and differentiation of ES cells from domestic animals have not been fully established. Here, we describe derivation of ES cells from goat embryos. In vivo‐derived embryos were cultured on goat fetal fibroblast feeders. Embryos either attached to the feeder layer or remained floating and expanded in culture. Embryos that attached showed a prominent inner cell mass (ICM) and those that remained floating formed structures resembling ICM disks surrounded by trophectodermal cells. ICM cells and embryonic disks were isolated mechanically, cultured on feeder cells in the presence of hLIF, and outgrown into ES‐like colonies. Two cell lines were cultured for 25 passages and stained positive for alkaline phosphatase, POU5F1, NANOG, SOX2, SSEA‐1, and SSEA‐4. Embryoid bodies formed in suspension culture without hLIF. One cell line was cultured for 2 years (over 120 passages). This cell line differentiated in vitro into epithelia and neuronal cells, and could be stably transfected and selected for expression of a fluorescent marker. When cells were injected into SCID mice, teratomas were identified 5–6 weeks after transplantation. Expression of known ES cell markers, maintenance in vitro for 2 years in an undifferentiated state, differentiation in vitro, and formation of teratomas in immunodeficient mice provide evidence that the established cell line represents goat ES cells. This also is the first report of teratoma formation from large animal ES cells. Mol. Reprod. Dev. 78:202–211, 2011. © 2011 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Veno‐occlusive disease in pediatric patients affected by Wilms tumor
Authors: Cesaro Simone , Spiller Monica , Sartori Maria Teresa , Alaggio Rita , Peruzzo Mattia , Saggiorato Graziella , Bisogno Gianni
Published: January 2011

Background

Hepatic veno‐occlusive disease (VOD) is a rare and potentially severe complication of chemotherapy. We describe five patients who developed VOD after chemotherapy for Wilms tumor (WT) and evaluate the role of plasminogen activator inhibitor‐1 (PAI‐1) and defibrotide for diagnosis and therapy of VOD, respectively.

Patients and methods

Thirty‐five patients treated from 2002 to 2009 for WT were eligible. Diagnosis of VOD was according McDonald's criteria that required two of the following: jaundice, hepatomegaly and/or right upper quadrant pain, weight gain with or without ascites.

Results

VOD occurred in 5 of 35 patients (14%) after 21–105 days from starting chemotherapy. Two patients developed multiorgan failure (MOF). PAI‐1 was high in four patients who were tested. Three patients were treated with defibrotide and no side effects were reported while two patients received supportive measures only. Four patients recovered and three of them received defibrotide. They are all alive and well after a median follow‐up of 35 months. One of two patients not treated with defibrotide died of MOF.

Conclusions

PAI‐1 levels were abnormal in WT‐VOD. Defibrotide was a safe, well‐tolerated, and potentially efficacious therapy in this group of patients. Further prospective study is needed in WT‐VOD to confirm these data. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2011; 57: 258–261. © 2011 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
General practitioners' prescribing patterns for the elderly in a province of Iran
Authors: Ghadimi Hadi , Esmaily Hamideh M. , Wahlstrom Rolf
Published: January 2011

Purpose

To determine prescribing patterns by general physicians working in primary care (GPs) in Iran for the elderly and the prevalence of inappropriate prescribing.

Methods

We collected information about prescribed medicines for 10% of patients in primary care aged 65 years or above in six cities in one province during two separate months 1 year apart. Inappropriate prescribing was determined using Beers criteria, excluding diagnosis‐related medications. The WHO indicators for appropriateness of prescribing in general practice and drug–drug interactions (DDIs) were also assessed.

Results

A total of 2041 patients were studied (mean age 73 years, 56% were women). Drugs for the alimentary system (20%), nervous system (15%), cardiovascular system (14%), and anti‐infectives (12%) were most frequently prescribed. Almost all drugs (96%) were prescribed by generic names. Thirty percent of patients received at least one inappropriate drug (27% for men; 33% for women), whereof 94% were categorized as high risk for adverse effects. Indomethacin, diphenhydramine, and methocarbamol were the most common inappropriate medications. The average number of drugs per patient was 4.4 (4.2 for men; 4.5 for women). Forty‐four percent of patients received five or more drugs. Antibiotics and injections were prescribed in 39 and 55% of all patients, respectively. Clinically relevant DDIs were observed for 14% of the patients.

Conclusion

Our findings call for further interventions aiming at educating GPs to reduce potential errors. National drug policies and prescribing guidelines should be implemented to address the problem of inappropriate drug usage among the elderly. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Elaboration of densely functionalized polylactide nanoparticles from N‐acryloxysuccinimide‐based block copolymers
Authors: Handké Nadège , Trimaille Thomas , Luciani Elsa , Rollet Marion , Delair Thierry , Verrier Bernard , Bertin Denis , Gigmes Didier
Published: January 2011

Poly(N‐acryloxysuccinimide) (PNAS) and poly(N‐acryloxysuccinimide‐co‐N‐vinylpyrrolidone) (P(NAS‐co‐NVP)) of adjustable molecular weights and narrow polydispersities were prepared by nitroxide‐mediated polymerization (NMP) in N,N‐dimethylformamide in the presence of free SG1 (N‐tert‐butyl‐N‐1‐diethylphosphono‐(2,2‐dimethylpropyl) nitroxide), with MAMA‐SG1 (N‐(2‐methylpropyl)‐N‐(1‐diethylphosphono‐2,2‐dimethylpropyl)‐O‐(2‐carboxylprop‐2‐yl)hydroxylamine) alkoxyamine as initiator. The reactivity ratios of NAS and NVP were determined to be rNAS = 0.12 and rNVP = 0, indicating a strong alternating tendency for the P(NAS‐co‐NVP) copolymer. NAS/NVP copolymerization was then performed from a SG1‐functionalized poly(D,L‐lactide) (PLA‐SG1) macro‐alkoxyamine as initiator, leading to the corresponding PLA‐b‐P(NAS‐co‐NVP) block copolymer, with similar NAS and NVP reactivity ratios as mentioned above. The copolymer was used as a surface modifier for the PLA diafiltration and nanoprecipitation processes to achieve nanoparticles in the range of 450 and 150 nm, respectively. The presence of the functional/hydrophilic P(NAS‐co‐NVP) block, and particularly the N‐succinimidyl (NS) ester moieties at the particle surface, was evidenced by ethanolamine derivatization and zeta potential measurements. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem, 2011
Radical‐induced oxidation of RAFT agents—A kinetic study
Authors: Li Changxi , He Junpo , Zhou Yanwu , Gu Yuankai , Yang Yuliang
Published: January 2011

Radical‐induced oxidation of reversible addition‐fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) agents is investigated with respect to the effect of molecular structure on oxidation rate. The radicals are generated by homolysis of either azobisisobutyronitrile or alkoxyamine and transformed in situ immediately into peroxy radicals through transfer to molecular oxygen. It is found that the oxidation rate depends on the structure of Z‐ and R‐group of thiocarbonylthio compounds. For dithioesters with identical Z‐phenyl substituent, the oxidation rate decreases in the order of cyanoisopropyl (C(Me)2CN) > cumyl (C(Me)2Ph) > phenylethyl (CH(Me)Ph) > 2‐methoxy‐1‐methyl‐2‐oxoethyl (CH(Me) C(O)OCH3) > benzyl (CH2Ph). For dithioesters with identical R‐group, the oxidation rate decreases in the order of Z = phenyl− ∼ benzyl− > RS− (trithiocarbonates) > RO− (xanthates). The stability of the RAFT agents toward oxidation correlates well with the chain transfer abilities as those previously reported by Rizzardo and coworkers. The priority of the oxidation reaction over the RAFT process, and the subsequent influence on RAFT polymerization are also investigated. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem, 2011
Synthesis, characterization, and micellization studies of coil‐rod‐coil and ABA ruthenium(II) terpyridine assemblies with π‐conjugated electron acceptor systems
Authors: Schlütter Florian , Pavlov Georges M. , Gohy Jean‐François , Winter Andreas , Wild Andreas , Hager Martin D. , Hoeppener Stephanie , Schubert Ulrich S.
Published: January 2011

A series of RuII heterodinuclear complexes of ABA‐type with electron‐deficient bis‐terpyridines as building blocks was synthesized by (R‐tpy)RuIIICl3 complexation. These compounds were characterized by NMR spectroscopy, MALDI‐TOF, ESI‐TOF mass spectrometry, and elemental analysis. The results were compared with a coil‐rod‐coil RuII metallo‐supramolecular copolymer, which was synthesized by bis‐complex formation between a hydrophilic ω‐terpyridine poly(ethylene glycol) RuII mono‐complex and a hydrophobic bis‐terpyridine‐functionalized rigid core. This amphiphilic RuII triblock copolymer showed self‐assembly to clusters and micelles in aqueous solution, which was studied by transmission electron microscopy and dynamic light scattering. Applying velocity sedimentation experiments the number of amphiphilic RuII ABA triblock copolymer molecules within the micelles could be estimated. Finally, the photophysical properties of the RuII supramolecular assemblies were investigated by UV–vis spectroscopy. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem, 2011
Side‐chain ferrocene‐containing (meth)acrylate polymers: Synthesis and properties
Authors: Hardy Christopher G. , Ren Lixia , Tamboue Tuedjo C. , Tang Chuanbing
Published: January 2011

A comprehensive investigation on the synthesis and properties of a series of ferrocene‐containing (meth)acrylate monomers and their polymers that differ in the linkers between the ferrocene unit and the backbone was carried out. The side‐chain ferrocene‐containing polymers were prepared via atom transfer radical polymerization. The kinetic studies indicated that polymerization of most monomers followed a “controlled”/living manner. The polymerization rates were affected by the vinyl monomer structures and decreased with an increase of the linker length. Methacrylate polymerization was much faster than acrylate polymerization. The optical absorption of monomers and polymers was affected by the linkers. Thermal properties of these polymers can be tuned by controlling the length of the linker between the ferrocene unit and the backbone. By increasing the length of the linker, the glass transition temperature ranged from over 100 to −20 °C. Electrochemical properties of both monomers and polymers were characterized. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem, 2011
Heart rate variability in childhood obstructive sleep apnea
Authors: Kwok Ka‐li , Yung Tak‐cheung , Ng Daniel K. , Chan Chung‐hong , Lau Wing‐fai , Fu Yu‐ming
Published: January 2011

The identification of patients with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is important because of morbidities associated with OSA. A previous adult study demonstrated the use of heart rate variability (HRV) as a tool to identify patients with moderate to severe OSA. Either a reduction in time parameters or an increase in LF/HF ratio was seen at overnight or 24‐hr studies suggestive of increased sympathetic modulation. To study the feasibility of daytime HRV as a screening tool, a short‐term recording of HRV is studied. Since it was shown in adult study that increased normalized LF, decreased normalized HF and increased LF/HF ratio could be detectable during supine rest at daytime awake period, the authors hypothesize that the differences are also detectable in children. Children who underwent sleep polysomnography for suspected OSA were recruited. Subjects were classified OSA if apnea‐hypopnea index (AHI) > 1.5/hr and non‐OSA if AHI ≤ 1.5/hr. Continuous 1‐hr electrocardiographic monitoring was recorded in awake children during the day. Parameters from time domain and frequency domain were analyzed. Seventy‐four male and 17 female snoring subjects were included in this study. Fifty‐one (56%) and 40 (44%) of them were classified as “non‐OSA” and “OSA,” respectively. pNN50, a parameter for parasympathetic modulation, was significantly reduced in the OSA group when compared with the non‐OSA group. Using multiple regression, all time domain variables were shown to be decreased in OSA group. Our results suggest that 1‐hr study of HRV may be a feasible tool in identifying children with OSA. Pediatr Pulmonol. 2011; 46:205–210. © 2011 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Structural mechanism associated with domain opening in gain‐of‐function mutations in SHP2 phosphatase
Authors: Darian Eva , Guvench Olgun , Yu Bing , Qu Cheng‐Kui , MacKerell Alexander D.
Published: January 2011

The SHP2 phosphatase plays a central role in a number of signaling pathways were it dephosphorylates various substrate proteins. Regulation of SHP2 activity is, in part, achieved by an intramolecular interaction between the PTP domain of the protein, which contains the catalytic site, and the N‐SH2 domain leading to a “closed” protein conformation and autoinhibition. Accordingly, “opening” of the N‐SH2 and PTP domains is required for the protein to become active. Binding of phosphopeptides to the N‐SH2 domain is known to induce the opening event, while a number of gain‐of‐function (GOF) mutants, implicated in Noonan's Syndrome and childhood leukemias, are thought to facilitate opening. In the present study, a combination of computational and experimental methods are used to investigate the structural mechanism of opening of SHP2 and the impact of three GOF mutants, D61G, E76K, and N308D, on the opening mechanism. Calculated free energies of opening indicate that opening must be facilitated by effector molecules, possibly the protein substrates themselves, as the calculated free energies preclude spontaneous opening. Simulations of both wild type (WT) SHP2 and GOF mutants in the closed state indicate GOF activity to involve increased solvent exposure of selected residues, most notably Arg362, which in turn may enhance interactions of SHP2 with its substrate proteins and thereby aid opening. In addition, GOF mutations cause structural changes in the phosphopeptide‐binding region of the N‐SH2 domain leading to conformations that mimic the bound state. Such conformational changes are suggested to enhance binding of phosphopeptides and/or decrease interactions between the PTP and N‐SH2 domains thereby facilitating opening. Experimental assays of the impact of effector molecules on SHP2 phosphatase activity against both small molecule and peptide substrates support the hypothesized mechanism of GOF mutant action. The present calculations also suggest a role for the C‐SH2 domain of SHP2 in stabilizing the overall conformation of the protein in the open state, thereby aiding conformational switching between the open active and closed inactive states. Proteins 2011; © 2011 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Functionally important positions can comprise the majority of a protein's architecture
Authors: Tungtur Sudheer , Parente Daniel J. , Swint‐Kruse Liskin
Published: January 2011

Concomitant with the genomic era, many bioinformatics programs have been developed to identify functionally important positions from sequence alignments of protein families. To evaluate these analyses, many have used the LacI/GalR family and determined whether positions predicted to be “important” are validated by published experiments. However, we previously noted that predictions do not identify all of the experimentally important positions present in the linker regions of these homologs. In an attempt to reconcile these differences, we corrected and expanded the LacI/GalR sequence set commonly used in sequence/function analyses. Next, a variety of analyses were carried out (1) for the entire LacI/GalR sequence set and (2) for a subset of homologs with functionally‐important “YxPxxxAxxL” motifs in their linkers. This strategy was devised to determine whether predictions could be improved by knowledge‐based sequence sorting and—for some analyses—did increase the number of linker positions identified. However, two functionally important linker positions were not reliably identified by any analysis. Finally, we compared the new predictions to all known experimental data for E. coli LacI and three homologous linkers. From these, we estimate that >50% of positions are important to the functions of the LacI/GalR homologs. In corollary, neutral positions might occur less frequently and might be easier to detect in sequence analyses. Although analyses have successfully guided mutations that partially exchange protein functions, a better experimental understanding of the sequence/function relationships in protein families would be helpful for uncovering the remaining rules used by nature to evolve new protein functions. Proteins 2011; © 2011 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Evolution of the isoelectric point of mammalian proteins as a consequence of indels and adaptive evolution
Authors: Alendé Nicolas , Nielsen Jens E. , Shields Denis C. , Khaldi Nora
Published: January 2011

Although important shifts in the isoelectric point of prokaryotic proteins, mainly due to adaptation to environmental pH, have been widely reported, such studies have not covered mammalian proteins, where pH changes may relate to changes in subcellular or tissue compartmentalization. We explored the isoelectric point of the proteome of 13 mammalian species. We detected proteins that have shifted their pI the most among 13 mammalian species, and investigated if these differences reflect adaptations of the orthologous proteins to different conditions. We find that proteins exhibiting a high isoelectric point change are enriched in certain GO terms, including immune defense, and mitochondrial proteins. We show that the shift in pI between orthologous proteins is not strongly associated with the overall rate of protein evolution, nor with protein length. Our results reveal that insertions/deletions are the main reason behind the shift of pI. However, for some proteins we find evidence of selection shifting the pI of the protein through amino acid replacement. Finally, we argue that shifts in pI might relate to the gain of additional activities, such as new interacting partners, in one ortholog as opposed to the other, and may potentially relate to functional differences between mammals. Proteins 2011. © 2011 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Implementing neonatal screening for congenital cytomegalovirus: addressing the deafness of policy makers
Authors: de Vries Jutte J.C. , Vossen Ann C.T.M. , Kroes Aloys C.M. , van der Zeijst Bernard A.M.
Published: January 2011

Congenital cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection is an important public health problem with approximately 7 in 1,000 newborns infected and consequently at risk for hearing impairment. Newborn hearing screening will fail to detect this hearing impairment in approximately half of the cases because late onset hearing loss is frequent. Hearing impairment has profound impact on cognitive and social development of children and their families, determining most of the disease burden of congenital CMV infection. The potential value of newborn screening for congenital CMV is increasingly discussed. To date, many experts acknowledge the benefit of antiviral treatment in the prevention of hearing deterioration in newborns with neurological symptoms, and the benefit of early identification of late‐onset hearing impairment by means of extensive audiological follow up of infected infants. These opinions imply that the potential of newborn screening for CMV would lie in the identification of the large proportion of asymptomatic congenitally infected newborns at risk for developing late‐onset hearing loss. Experience with postnatal antiviral treatment of symptomatic newborns is encouraging, but has not been studied in asymptomatic congenitally infected newborns. A large‐scale study on the safety and effectiveness of combined screening and antiviral therapy for congenital CMV infection is the necessary next step to take and should not be delayed. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Conceptual model of river ice types and dynamics along sedimentary links
Authors: Bergeron N.E. , Buffin‐Bélanger T. , Dubé J.
Published: January 2011

This paper proposes a conceptual model relating the large‐scale distribution of river ice types and dynamics to the longitudinal sequence of river forms and flows typically encountered along the sedimentary links of gravel‐bed rivers. Sedimentary links are discrete river segments each characterized by a node of coarse sediment recruitment followed by a gradual downstream fining of substrate and an associated reduction of channel slope. Because these downstream changes in substrate and slope are associated with changes in channel morphology and hydraulics, they create a longitudinal sequence of river environments moving from steep, fast flowing and highly turbulent boulder bed channels at the head of links to meandering low‐gradient sand channels with calm flows at the downstream end. We describe and show examples of how these spatial variations in the geomorphology and flow characteristics of gravel‐bed rivers should interact with river ice processes to produce a predictable ‘most probable’ large‐scale pattern of river ice types and dynamics. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Sources of efficacy information in an inservice program for elementary teachers
Authors: Palmer David
Published: January 2011

Low teacher self‐efficacy is an important factor constraining the teaching of science at the elementary level. This study was designed to investigate the effectiveness of particular sources of efficacy information for enhancing the science teaching self‐efficacy of practicing elementary teachers. Twelve teachers participated in an intervention that was designed to provide them with cognitive mastery, enactive mastery, modeling, and verbal persuasion. Data were collected prior to, during, immediately after, and 2 years after the intervention. The results showed that increases in self‐efficacy were mainly due to cognitive mastery (i.e., perceived success in understanding how to teach science) and in situ feedback (i.e., verbal persuasion given after observation of the teacher teaching his/her own class). © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Sci Ed 95:577–600, 2011
Predictive assessment of a non‐linear random effects model for multivariate time series of infectious disease counts
Authors: Paul M. , Held L.
Published: January 2011

Infectious disease counts from surveillance systems are typically observed in several administrative geographical areas. In this paper, a non‐linear model for the analysis of such multiple time series of counts is discussed. To account for heterogeneous incidence levels or varying transmission of a pathogen across regions, region‐specific and possibly spatially correlated random effects are introduced. Inference is based on penalized likelihood methodology for mixed models. Since the use of classical model choice criteria such as AIC or BIC can be problematic in the presence of random effects, models are compared by means of one‐step‐ahead predictions and proper scoring rules. In a case study, the model is applied to monthly counts of meningococcal disease cases in 94 departments of France (excluding Corsica) and weekly counts of influenza cases in 140 administrative districts of Southern Germany. The predictive performance improves if existing heterogeneity is accounted for by random effects. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Application of Benders decomposition to transmission expansion planning with N − 1 security constraints
Authors: Asadamongkol Somphop , Eua‐arporn Bundhit
Published: January 2011

This paper proposes a methodology for solving a transmission expansion planning problem with N − 1 security constraints consideration. The problem is formulated using a disjunctive model solved by Benders decomposition. A local search procedure is applied to solve the master problem, i.e. investment problem. With this developed methodology, the computational time can be considerably reduced, especially for large system problems, and the global optimality of Bender decomposition can be preserved by solving the master problem in a complete search space for specified iteration numbers. The proposed methodology has been tested with the IEEE 24‐bus system and the southern Brazilian system with satisfactory results. © 2011 Institute of Electrical Engineers of Japan. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Downlink media streaming with wireless fountain coding in wireline‐cum‐WiFi networks
Authors: Chieochan Surachai , Hossain Ekram
Published: January 2011

This paper addresses the problem of streaming packetized media data in a combined wireline/802.11 network. Since the wireless channel is normally the bottleneck for media streaming in such a network, we propose that wireless fountain coding (WFC) be used over the wireless downlink in order to efficiently utilize the wireless bandwidth and exploit the broadcast nature of the channel. Forward error correction (FEC) is also used to combat errors at the application‐layer. We analytically obtain the moment generating function (MGF) for the wireless link‐layer delay incurred by WFC. With the MGF, the expected value of this wireless link‐layer delay is found and used by the access point (AP), who has no knowledge of the buffer contents of wireless receivers, to make a coding‐based decision. We then derive the end‐to‐end packet loss/late probability based on the MGF. We develop an integrated ns‐3/EvalVid simulator to evaluate our proposed system and compare it with the traditional 802.11e scheme which is without WFC capability but equipped with application‐ and link‐layer retransmission mechanisms. Through extensive simulations of video streaming, we show that streaming with WFC is able to support more concurrent video flows compared to the traditional scheme. When the deadlines imposed on video packets are relatively stringent, streaming with WFC also shows superior performance in terms of packet loss/late probability, video distortion, and video frame delay, over the traditional scheme. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A lightweight, self‐adaptive lock gate designation scheme for data collection in long‐thin wireless sensor networks
Authors: Wang You‐Chiun , Chuang Che‐Hsi , Tseng Yu‐Chee , Shen Chien‐Chung
Published: January 2011

Constrained by the physical environments, thelong‐thintopology has recently been promoted for many practical deployments of wireless sensor networks (WSNs). In general, a long‐thin topology is composed of a number of long branches of sensor nodes, where along a branch each sensor node has only one potential parent node toward the sink node. Although data aggregation may alleviate excessive packet contention, the maximum payload size of a packet and the dynamically changing traffic loads may severely affect the amount of sensor readings that may be collected along a long branch of sensor nodes. In addition, many practical applications of long‐thin WSNs demand the exact sensor readings at each location along the deployment areas for monitoring and analysis purposes, so sensor readings may not be aggregated when they are collected. This paper proposes a lightweight, self‐adaptive scheme that designates multiple collection nodes, termedlock gates, along a long‐thin network to collect sensor readings sent from their respective upstream sensor nodes. The self‐adaptive lock gate designation scheme balances between the responsiveness and the congestion of data collection while mitigating the funneling effect. The scheme also dynamically adapts the designation of lock gates to accommodate the time‐varying sensor reading generation rates of different sensor nodes. A testbed of 100 Jennic sensor nodes is developed to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed lock gate designation scheme. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Probabilistic routing protocol for a hybrid wireless underground sensor networks
Authors: Adel Ahmed , Norsheila Fisal
Published: January 2011

A wireless underground sensor network (WUSN) is defined as a network of wireless sensor devices in which all sensor devices are deployed completely underground (network sinks or any devices specifically for relay between sensors and a sink may be aboveground). In hybrid wireless underground sensor network (HWUSN), communication between nodes is implemented from underground‐to‐air or air‐to‐underground, not underground‐to‐underground. This paper proposes a novel hybrid underground probabilistic routing protocol that provides an efficient means of communication for sensor nodes in HWUSN. In addition, signal propagation based on the shadowing model for underground medium is developed. The proposed routing protocol ensures high packet throughput, prolongs the lifetime of HWUSN and the random selection of the next hop with multi‐path forwarding contributes to built‐in security. Moreover, the proposed mechanism utilizes an optimal forwarding (OF) decision that takes into account of the link quality, and the remaining power of next hop sensor nodes. The performance of proposed routing protocol has been successfully studied and verified through the simulation and real test bed. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Is prenatal myo‐inositol deficiency a mechanism of CNS injury in galactosemia?
Authors: Berry Gerard T.
Published: January 2011

Classic Galactosemia due to galactose‐1‐phosphate uridyltransferase (GALT) deficiency is associated with apparent diet‐independent complications including cognitive impairment, learning problems and speech defects. As both galactose‐1‐phosphate and galactitol may be elevated in cord blood erythrocytes and amniotic fluid despite a maternal lactose‐free diet, endogenous production of galactose may be responsible for the elevated fetal galactose metabolites, as well as postnatal CNS complications. A prenatal deficiency of myo‐inositol due to an accumulation of both galactose‐1‐ phosphate and galactitol may play a role in the production of the postnatal CNS dysfunction. Two independent mechanisms may result in fetal myo‐inositol deficiency: competitive inhibition of the inositol monophosphatase1 (IMPA1)‐mediated hydrolysis of inositol monophosphate by high galactose‐1‐ phosphate levels leading to a sequestration of cellular myo‐inositol as inositol monophosphate and galactitol‐induced reduction in SMIT1‐mediated myo‐inositol transport. The subsequent reduction of myo‐inositol within fetal brain cells could lead to inositide deficiencies with resultant perturbations in calcium and protein kinase C signaling, the AKT/mTOR/cell growth and development pathway, cell migration, insulin sensitivity, vescular trafficking, endocytosis and exocytosis, actin cytoskeletal remodeling, nuclear metabolism, mRNA export and nuclear pore complex regulation, phosphatidylinositol‐anchored proteins, protein phosphorylation and/or endogenous iron “chelation”. Using a knockout animal model we have shown that a marked deficiency of myo‐inositol in utero is lethal but the phenotype can be rescued by supplementing the drinking water of the pregnant mouse. If myo‐inositol deficiency is found to exist in the GALT‐deficient fetal brain, then the use of myo‐inositol to treat the fetus via oral supplementation of the pregnant female may warrant consideration.
A comparative study of female sterilization via modified Uchida and silver clip techniques in rural China
Authors: Qiu Hongyan , Li Li , Wu Shangchun , Liang Hong , Yuan Wei , He Yingqin
Published: January 2011

Objective

To compare the specific effects of 2 female sterilization methods: the modified Uchida technique and the application of silver clips.

Methods

A total of 2198 women living in rural areas who were still of reproductive age but opting for sterilization were enrolled. The participants were randomly divided into 2 groups, and underwent sterilization by either modified Uchida technique or silver clips. Information on acceptability, operation conditions, effectiveness, adverse effects, and complaints was collected 3, 6, and 12 months after the procedure.

Results

No significant difference in effectiveness, adverse effects or chief complaints between the 2 procedures was found. Differences in operative outcome, bleeding volume during the procedure, and operation time were found.

Conclusion

A shorter operation time and less bleeding for the silver clip method indicated that female sterilization by this technique was as safe as that by modified Uchida technique.
Randomized study of vaginal and neonatal cleansing with 1% chlorhexidine
Authors: Pereira Leonardo , Chipato Tsungai , Mashu Alexio , Mushangwe Velda , Rusakaniko Simbarashe , Bangdiwala Shrikant I. , Chidede Office Samson , Darmstadt Gary L. , Gwanzura Lovemore , Kandawasvika Gwendoline , Madzime Simon , Lumbiganon Pisake , Tolosa Jorge E.
Published: January 2011

Objective

To determine the safety, acceptability, and antimicrobial effect of 1% chlorhexidine (CHX) vaginal washing of women in labor and their neonates.

Methods

Randomized controlled trial of 1% CHX vaginal and neonatal washing compared with no washing (usual care [UC]). The study included 502 women (334 CHX, 168 UC) who delivered 508 liveborn neonates (335 CHX, 173 UC). Main outcome measures were the incidence of maternal adverse effects, the incidence of neonatal skin rash, the axillary temparature before and after neonatal wiping, and vaginal culture results.

Results

Maternal demographics did not differ between the groups. No case of maternal rash occured; 4% of women experienced vaginal burning. An axillary temperature drop of more than 1 °C after CHX cleansing occurred in 8 neonates; 2 neonates had a minor rash. In the subset of women with positive vaginal cultures as baseline, 1% CHX eliminated culture growth in 56% after 1 wash, and in 86% after 2 washes.

Conclusions

Use of 1% CHX is safe for neonates, well tolerated by laboring mothers, and effective in treating vaginal infections during labor. A randomized controlled trial using 1% CHX and powered for a reduction in neonatal septic mortality is justified based on these data.
Evaluation of the incision angle of mediolateral episiotomy at 60 degrees
Authors: Kalis Vladimir , Landsmanova Jana , Bednarova Barbora , Karbanova Jaroslava , Laine Katariina , Rokyta Zdenek
Published: January 2011

Objective

To study the angle of mediolateral episiotomy at the time of cut, after primary repair, and 6 months postpartum; and the incidence and severity of perineal pain and anal incontinence 6 months after delivery.

Methods

The study group comprised 60 consecutively recruited primiparous women who required episiotomy during delivery assisted by 2 obstetricians. The incision angle of episiotomy (defined as 60°) was measured before cutting, after primary repair, and after 6 months. At follow‐up, perineal pain was evaluated by a verbal rating score; anal incontinence was assessed by St Mark's score.

Results

The angles differed significantly among the incision (60°), repair (45°), and 6‐month (48°) measurements (P < 0.001). There was a poor correlation between the suture angle and the angle measured at 6 months postpartum. No severe perineal tear was diagnosed in the cohort. At 6 months postpartum, only 1 woman reported mild symptoms of de novo anal incontinence, whereas 7 women reported perineal pain related to episiotomy.

Conclusion

An incision angle of mediolateral episiotomy of 60° resulted in a low incidence of anal sphincter tearing, anal incontinence and perineal pain. A randomized controlled trial is needed to assess the outcome when different angles of episiotomy are used.
High prevalence of vitamin D deficiency in Pakistani mothers and their newborns
Authors: Hossain Nazli , Khanani Rafiq , Hussain‐Kanani Fatima , Shah Tahira , Arif Shaheen , Pal Lubna
Published: January 2011

Objective

To determine the prevalence of vitamin D deficiency in Pakistani parturients and their newborns and to assess the correlation between maternal and newborn serum levels of the vitamin D metabolite 25‐hydroxy vitamin D3.

Methods

A prospective study of parturients presenting to the labor suite with a singleton pregnancy. Maternal and cord blood were collected for estimation of serum 25‐hydroxy vitamin D3.

Results

In total, 89% of the gravidae were deficient in vitamin D (serum 25‐hydroxy vitamin D3 < 30 ng/mL). There was a positive correlation between maternal and cord blood 25‐hydroxy vitamin D3 levels(r = 0.68; P < 0.001). Inverse correlations were noted between cord blood 25‐hydroxy vitamin D3 and a longer duration of gestation (r = − 0.33; P = 0.003) and with the newborn's birth weight (r = − 0.23; P = 0.048). Maternal 25‐hydroxy vitamin D3 levels were inversely correlated with maternal mean arterial pressure (r = 0.029; P < 0.020).

Conclusion

There was a high prevalence of vitamin D deficiency in the Pakistani parturients and their newborns. There was a correlation between higher maternal vitamin D levels and lower blood pressure in the mothers.
DISCOVERING THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN CONTEXT AND ALLOPHONES IN A SECOND LANGUAGE
Authors: Shea Christine E. , Curtin Suzanne
Published: January 2011

The identification of stressed syllables by adult second-language (L2) Spanish learners was examined for evidence of influence of an allophonic alternation driven by word position and stress. The Spanish voiced stop-approximant alternation, whereby stops occur in stressed-syllable and word onsets, was utilized. If L2 learners track the distribution of this alternation, they should tend to link stops to stressed syllables in word-onset position and approximants to unstressed, word-medial position. Low- and high-intermediate-level first-language English learners of Spanish as well as native Spanish and monolingual English speakers listened to a series of nonce words and determined which of the two consonant-vowel (CV) syllables they perceived as stressed. In Experiment 1, onset allophone and vowel stress were crossed. In Experiment 2, the onset allophone alternated and a vowel unmarked for prominence was used. The results show that the monolingual English and low-intermediate groups were more likely to perceive syllables with stressed vowels as stressed, regardless of the allophone onset. In contrast, listeners with greater Spanish proficiency performed similarly to native Spanish speakers and were more likely to perceive stress on syllables with stop onsets, a pattern that follows the distributional information of Spanish. This finding suggests that learning the interplay between allophonic distributions and their conditioning factors is possible with experience and that knowledge of this relationship plays a role in the acquisition of L2 allophones.
Nonliteral Language in Alzheimer Dementia: A Review
Authors: Rapp Alexander M. , Wild Barbara
Published: January 2011

The use of nonliteral language in clinical assessment, especially testing the patients’ ability to interpret proverbs, has a long tradition in psychiatry. However, its diagnostic sensitivity and specificity in dementias is not yet clear. The aim of this review article is to examine the current evidence on nonliteral/figurative language (proverb, metaphor, metonymy, idiom, irony, sarcasm) comprehension in Alzheimer's disease and related disorders. A comprehensive literature search identified 25 studies (16 proverb, 3 metaphor, 0 metonymy, 5 idiom, 3 sarcasm) on nonliteral language comprehension in dementia. Studies predominantly indicate a deficit. Most studies investigated Alzheimer's dementia. Applied correctly, nonliteral language is a worthwhile diagnostic tool to evaluate language and abstract thinking in dementias. During assessment, familiarity testing (e.g., by asking “are you familiar with the proverb XY”) is obligatory. Still, future research is needed in several areas: evidence on decline of nonliteral language over the course of the illness is limited. So far, almost no studies delineated proverb comprehension in high risk populations such as patients with mild cognitive impairment. Currently, there is a lack of studies addressing performance in direct comparison to relevant differential diagnosis like older-age depression, delirium, brain lesion, or other psychiatric conditions. (JINS, 2011, 17, 207–218)
Nutrition labels on pre-packaged foods: a systematic review
Authors: Campos Sarah , Doxey Juliana , Hammond David
Published: January 2011

Objective

To review research on consumer use and understanding of nutrition labels, as well as the impact of labelling on dietary habits.

Design

A systematic review was conducted by searching electronic databases. Relevant articles were screened by two reviewers and included if they met inclusion criteria, including eight methodological criteria. A total of 120 articles were included in the review, including cross-sectional surveys (n96), experimental designs (n17), ‘natural experiments’ (n7) and longitudinal population-based surveys (n2).

Setting

Articles covered seven jurisdictions: USA (n88), Europe (n12), Canada (n9), Australia and New Zealand (n4), Norway (n2), Thailand (n1) and Trinidad (n1).

Subjects

Participants were from a wide range of age groups, socio-economic strata and geographical regions.

Results

Nutrition labels on pre-packaged foods are among the most prominent sources of nutrition information. Nutrition labels are perceived as a highly credible source of information and many consumers use nutrition labels to guide their selection of food products. Evidence also shows a consistent link between the use of nutrition labels and healthier diets. However, the use of labels varies considerably across subgroups, with lower use among children, adolescents and older adults who are obese. Research also highlights challenges in terms of consumer understanding and appropriate use of labelling information.

Conclusions

Nutrition labels on pre-packaged foods are a cost-effective population-level intervention with unparalleled reach. However, to capitalize on their potential, governments will need to explore new formats and different types of information content to ensure that nutrition information is accessible and understandable.
Public Influence inside the College Walls: Progressive Era Universities, Social Scientists, and Intercollegiate Football Reform
Authors: Ingrassia Brian M.
Published: January 2011

At the height of the Progressive Era a number of social scientists, educational leaders, and politicians called for the reform of intercollegiate football. Since the 1880s football had become a popular spectacle, and many were concerned that it was corrupting the country's universities and college men. This article considers the progressive movement to reform football in the context of programs to make the modern American university useful at the turn of the century—including the Wisconsin Idea of state government developed in Madison and the University of Chicago's sponsorship of settlement houses, social work, and university extension. Although many progressives wanted the university to affect society, most were less enthusiastic about the prospect that elements of that society (what Wisconsin historian Frederick Jackson Turner dubbed “public influence”) would affect the university. Social scientists theorized the relationship between the university and the public and constructed an intellectual basis for football reform. Reforms proposed and in some cases adopted demonstrated ambivalence regarding football's academic and public role. Reformers wanted to preserve the popular, profitable, and potentially educational enterprise of football, but they also hoped to curtail its influence over burgeoning universities. The Progressive Era effort to control college football and channel it into constructive directions in many ways demonstrates the paradoxical nature of Progressive Era reform and inadvertently contributed to the institutionalization of “big time” intercollegiate athletics.
On the evaluation of the high-frequency load line in active devices
Authors: Raffo Antonio , Avolio Gustavo , Schreurs Dominique M.M.-P. , Di Falco Sergio , Vadalà Valeria , Scappaviva Francesco , Crupi Giovanni , Nauwelaers Bart , Vannini Giorgio
Published: January 2011

In this work a de-embedding technique oriented to the evaluation of the load line at the intrinsic resistive core of microwave FET devices is presented. The approach combines vector high-frequency nonlinear load-pull measurements with an accurate description of the reactive nonlinearities, thus allowing one to determine the actual load line of the drain–source current generator under realistic conditions. Thanks to the proposed approach, the dispersive behavior of the resistive core and the compatibility of the voltage and current waveforms with reliability requirements can be directly monitored. Different experiments carried out on a gallium nitride HEMT sample are reported.
Dark current measurements on a superconducting cavity using a cryogenic current comparator
Authors: Geithner R. , Neubert R. , Vodel W. , Seidel P. , Knaack K. , Vilcins S. , Wittenburg K. , Kugeler O. , Knobloch J.
Published: January 2011

This paper presents nondestructive dark current measurements of tera electron volt energy superconducting linear accelerator cavities. The measurements were carried out in an extremely noisy accelerator environment using a low temperature dc superconducting quantum interference device based cryogenic current comparator. The overall current sensitivity under these rough conditions was measured to be 0.2 nA/Hz\documentclass[12pt]{minimal}\begin{document}$^{1/2}$\end{document}1/2, which enables the detection of dark currents of 5 nA.
Representable states on quasilocal quasi *-algebras
Authors: Bagarello F. , Trapani C. , Triolo S.
Published: January 2011

Continuing a previous analysis originally motivated by physics, we consider representable states on quasilocal quasi *-algebras, starting with examining the possibility for a compatible family of local states to give rise to a global state. Some properties of local modifications of representable states and some aspects of their asymptotic behavior are also considered.