bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Faith, phonics and identity: reading in faith complementary schools
Authors: Rosowsky Andrey 
Published: July 2012

AbstractThousands of UK school children spend considerable time during a lengthy period of their youth learning to read, or decode, a ‘religious classical’, the liturgical language connected to their faith. Drawing on recent theories of reading, identity and literacy practices, this paper briefly describes and seeks to share tentative thoughts about some common issues around the teaching and learning of religious classicals within minority ethnic faith settings. It presents a comparative textual analysis of a central teaching resource used in three Jewish, Muslim and Sikh complementary schools in the United Kingdom. It is concluded that, regardless of any relative effectiveness of method or resource, what may be more interesting for researchers is the symbolic value of learning to read the religious classical. This may be more important than the eventual outcome in terms of reading competence. Here, ‘successful reading’ is understood primarily as ‘successful decoding’. The tenacity of this literacy practice in the face of spoken community language attrition is testimony to the importance placed upon it both individually and collectively.
Live fast, die young: the life cycle of the brooding feather star Aporometra wilsoni (Echinodermata: Crinoidea)
Authors: Haig Jodie A. , Gillanders Bronwyn M. , Rouse Greg W. 
Published: July 2012

AbstractWe present here the first documentation of the entire life cycle of a crinoid. A population of the diminutive feather star
Aporometra wilsoni, which broods larvae, was sampled near Adelaide, in the Gulf St Vincent, South Australia, every fortnight between February 2004 and February 2005. Body size, sex, and reproductive status were recorded for 30–50 individuals collected on each occasion. The population showed a sex ratio of 1:1, with unequivocal male and female specimens found in 10 of 13 months. The average size (arm length) of individuals increased until June, when it stabilized and females began to brood larvae. Females were found brooding larvae until November, when adults began senescing. By January, the majority of the population consisted of small recruits. The entire life cycle of this small ovoviviparous crinoid occurs over a single year, a life cycle that is unique among echinoderms.
Feedback from the infrared background in the early Universe
Authors: Wolcott-Green J. , Haiman Z. 
Published: July 2012

Abstract
It is commonly believed that the earliest stages of star formation in the Universe were self-regulated by global radiation backgrounds - either by the ultraviolet (UV) Lyman-Werner (LW) photons emitted by the first stars (directly photodissociating H2), or by the X-rays produced by accretion on to the black hole (BH) remnants of these stars (heating the gas but catalysing H2 formation). Recent studies have suggested that a significant fraction of the first stars may have had low masses (a few M⊙). Such stars do not leave BH remnants and they have softer spectra, with copious infrared (IR) radiation at photon energies ∼1 eV. Similar to LW and X-ray photons, these photons have a mean-free path comparable to the Hubble distance, building up an early IR background. Here we show that if soft-spectrum stars, with masses of a few M⊙, contributed ≳0.3 per cent of the UV background (or their mass fraction exceeded ∼80 per cent), then their IR radiation dominated radiative feedback in the early Universe. The feedback is different from the UV feedback from high-mass stars, and occurs through the photodetachment of H− ions, necessary for efficient H2 formation. Nevertheless, we find that the baryon fraction which must be incorporated into low-mass stars in order to suppress H2 cooling is only a factor of a few higher than for high-mass stars.
Protection against L‐NAME‐induced reduction in cardiac output persists even after cessation of angiotensin‐converting enzyme inhibitor treatment
Authors: Biwer L. A. , Broderick T. L. , Xu H. , Carroll C. , Hale T. M. 
Published: July 2012

AbstractAimWe have demonstrated that short‐term angiotensin‐converting enzyme (ACE) inhibition in adult spontaneously hypertensive rats produces cardiac changes that persist following cessation of treatment that result in a reduced inflammatory, proliferative and fibrotic response to the nitric oxide synthase inhibitor Nω‐Nitro‐l‐arginine methyl ester (L‐NAME). The present study examines whether prior ACE inhibition with enalapril also protects against L‐NAME‐induced cardiac dysfunction.MethodsRats were treated with enalapril (Enal + L) or tap water (Con, Con + L) for 2 weeks followed by a 2‐week washout period. At this point, Con + L and Enal + L rats were treated with L‐NAME for 10 days. Hearts were perfused in the working mode, mean arterial pressure (MAP) was assessed via radiotelemetry, and myocardial injury was evaluated in hematoxylin and eosin‐stained sections.ResultsL‐NAME increased MAP by a similar magnitude in Con + L and Enal + L. L‐NAME‐induced statistically significant decreases in flow‐mediated functional parameters in Con + L rats including cardiac output, stroke volume and coronary flow. This was prevented by prior enalapril treatment. Prior enalapril did not prevent L‐NAME‐induced myocardial injury, but may have lessened the degree of it. Regardless of treatment, changes in cardiac function did not correlate with myocardial injury.ConclusionDespite equivalent impact on MAP and incidence of myocardial infarction, prior enalapril treatment resulted in the preservation of cardiac function following L‐NAME. Understanding the mechanisms by which transient ACE inhibition protects against reductions in cardiac function in the absence of ongoing treatment may reveal novel targets for heart failure treatment.
Antioxidant potential of zinc–flavonol complex studied in streptozotocin‐diabetic rats (锌黄酮醇复合物在链脲霉素‐糖尿病大鼠中的抗氧化作用)
Authors: Vijayaraghavan Kalavakunda , Iyyampillai Subramanian , Subramanian Sorimuthu Pillai 
Published: July 2012

AbstractBackground:  Diabetic oxidative stress coexists with a reduction in the antioxidant status, which can further increase the deleterious effects of free radicals. Zinc is an essential trace element with significant antidiabetic activity. However, the acceptance of zinc compounds as promising therapeutic antidiabetic agents has been slowed due to concerns regarding chronic toxicity. Recently, we have designed, synthesized and characterized a novel zinc–flavonol complex and evaluated its antidiabetic efficacy in streptozotocin (STZ)‐diabetic rats. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the role of the zinc–flavonol complex in the antioxidant status of diabetic rats.Methods:  Diabetes was induced in rats by i.p. injection of STZ. Diabetic rats were then treated with the zinc–flavonol complex (5 mg/kg, p.o.) for 30 days. The extent of oxidative stress was assessed by determining lipid peroxide levels, pancreatic tissue antioxidant enzyme activities and plasma concentrations of non‐enzymatic antioxidants. In addition, nuclear levels of nuclear factor (NF)‐κB p65, pancreatic nitric oxide (NO), and plasma levels of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)‐α, interleukin (IL)‐1β and IL‐6 were determined. Pancreatic tissues were examined histologically.Results:  Oral treatment with the zinc–flavonol complex significantly improved antioxidant levels and alleviated levels of oxidative stress markers. Furthermore, significant increases were seen in NF‐κB p65, NO, TNF‐α, IL‐1β and IL‐6 levels. Histological observations revealed that the zinc–flavonol complex effectively protects pancreatic β‐cells against oxidative damage.Conclusion:  The results of the present study indicate that the zinc–flavonol complex has an antioxidative and anti‐inflammatory role in the diabetic milieu.
Adam10 haploinsufficiency causes freckle‐like macules in Hairless mice
Authors: Tharmarajah Grace , Faas Laura , Reiss Karina , Saftig Paul , Young Antony , Van Raamsdonk Catherine D. 
Published: July 2012

SummaryThe Hairless nuclear receptor co‐repressor is required for hair follicle regeneration during the hair cycle. The classical HairlessHr/HairlessHr mouse mutant loses all hair between 2 and 3 weeks of age. As the mice age, their trunk skin develops epidermal pigmentation, a feature of human skin which is not found in normal haired mice. In this report, we present a new, dominant mouse mutation, Pied, which arose within a colony of HairlessHr/HairlessHr mice and causes freckle‐like macules on the skin. The Pied macules require HairlessHr homozygosity to form and are composed of localized clusters of epidermal melanocytes. Through linkage analysis, we find that the Pied mutation is a 1914 base pair loss‐of‐function deletion in the Adam10 zinc metalloprotease gene. The pathways that specifically maintain long‐term pigmentation patterns in adults are not well understood. We have identified Adam10 as an inhibitor of melanocyte expansion in adult skin.
SalmonellaPrevalence Among Reptiles in a Zoo Education Setting
Authors: Hydeskov H. B. , Guardabassi L. , Aalbæk B. , Olsen K. E. P. , Nielsen S. S. , Bertelsen M. F. 
Published: July 2012

SummaryClinically healthy reptiles may shedSalmonellaand therefore act as a potential zoonotic threat. Most people in Northern European countries are rarely exposed to reptiles, but many zoos have education departments where children have direct contact with this group of animals. The objectives of this study were to determine the prevalence and serotype distribution ofSalmonellaamong reptiles in the Education Department (n = 55) at Copenhagen Zoo and compare it to the Zoo’s main reptile collection (n = 145) to evaluate the zoonotic risk.Salmonellawas isolated from cloacal swabs by selective enrichment, and a single isolate from each positive sample was further identified by biochemical tests and serotyped. The overall prevalence was 35% (69/200) with significant difference between the Education Department (64%, 35/55) and the main reptile collection (23%, 34/145). A total of 28 serotypes were detected. Ten serotypes were isolated from more than one specimen and four from more than one species.Salmonella entericasubsp.entericaserovar Eastbourne was the predominant serotype (32%, 22/69) and was also the serotype isolated from most reptile species (n = 7). Transmission of serotypes from one department to another was very limited indicated by the serotype distribution. Despite the relative high prevalence observed among the reptiles in the Zoo’s Education Department compared to the reptiles in the Zoo’s main reptile collection, noSalmonellacases have been linked to the Zoo, andSalmonellaser. Eastbourne is very rarely isolated from humans in Denmark. Simple hygienic procedures such as hand washing which is consistently carried out following handling of reptiles at the Education Department may reduce the risk and therefore contribute to this low prevalence.
The views of pharmacists who participated in a community pharmacy randomised controlled trial
Authors: Twigg Michael J , Bhattacharya Debi , Poland Fiona , Desborough James A , Wright David J 
Published: July 2012

Abstract

Objective
Examining case studies of research projects can prove useful to determine what design aspects can be changed to improve the robustness and feasibility of future projects.

Methods
Pharmacists who took part as research partners in a feasibility study of an eczema support service that failed to achieve its recruitment objectives were asked to attend a focus group to determine their views about factors that may have affected pharmacist recruitment rate.

Key findings
Pharmacists expressed positive opinions about being involved in research in principle and remaining engaged for further projects. However, they identified problems in their relationship with the medical practices, their unfamiliarity with this particular study design and the challenges this brought. They also experienced frustration from delays to the research timetable holding back their contribution to the research.

Conclusion
In this case study, pharmacists described how and why they wanted a study process to be made as simple and easy as possible for the participants and themselves to engage in, so as to maintain their own and participants’ engagement in studies.
Intelligent scanning: Automated standard plane selection and biometric measurement of early gestational sac in routine ultrasound examination
Authors: Zhang Ling , Chen Siping , Chin Chien Ting , Wang Tianfu , Li Shengli 
Published: July 2012

Purpose:To assist radiologists and decrease interobserver variability when using 2D ultrasonography (US) to locate the standardized plane of early gestational sac (SPGS) and to perform gestational sac (GS) biometric measurements.Methods:In this paper, the authors report the design of the first automatic solution, called “intelligent scanning” (IS), for selecting SPGS and performing biometric measurements using real‐time 2D US. First, the GS is efficiently and precisely located in each ultrasound frame by exploiting a coarse to fine detection scheme based on the training of two cascade AdaBoost classifiers. Next, the SPGS are automatically selected by eliminating false positives. This is accomplished using local context information based on the relative position of anatomies in the image sequence. Finally, a database‐guided multiscale normalized cuts algorithm is proposed to generate the initial contour of the GS, based on which the GS is automatically segmented for measurement by a modified snake model.Results:This system was validated on 31 ultrasound videos involving 31 pregnant volunteers. The differences between system performance and radiologist performance with respect to SPGS selection and length and depth (diameter) measurements are 7.5% ± 5.0%, 5.5% ± 5.2%, and 6.5% ± 4.6%, respectively. Additional validations prove that the IS precision is in the range of interobserver variability. Our system can display the SPGS along with biometric measurements in approximately three seconds after the video ends, when using a 1.9 GHz dual‐core computer.Conclusions:IS of the GS from 2D real‐time US is a practical, reproducible, and reliable approach.
3D DVH‐based metric analysis versus per‐beam planar analysis in IMRT pretreatment verification
Authors: Carrasco Pablo , Jornet Núria , Latorre Artur , Eudaldo Teresa , Ruiz Agustí , Ribas Montserrat 
Published: July 2012

Purpose:To evaluate methods of pretreatment IMRT analysis, using real measurements performed with a commercial 2D detector array, for clinical relevance and accuracy by comparing clinical DVH parameters.Methods:We divided the work into two parts. The first part consisted of six in‐phantom tests aimed to study the sensitivity of the different analysis methods. Beam fluences, 3D dose distribution, and DVH of an unaltered original plan were compared to those of the delivered plan, in which an error had been intentionally introduced. The second part consisted of comparing gamma analysis with DVH metrics for 17 patient plans from various sites. Beam fluences were measured with the MapCHECK 2 detector, per‐beam planar analysis was performed with the MapCHECK software, and 3D gamma analysis and the DVH evaluation were performed using 3DVH software.Results:In a per‐beam gamma analysis some of the tests yielded false positives or false negatives. However, the 3DVH software correctly described the DVH of the plan which included the error. The measured DVH from the plan with controlled error agreed with the planned DVH within 2% dose or 2% volume. We also found that a gamma criterion of 3%/3 mm was too lax to detect some of the forced errors. Global analysis masked some problems, while local analysis magnified irrelevant errors at low doses. Small hotspots were missed for all metrics due to the spatial resolution of the detector panel. DVH analysis for patient plans revealed small differences between treatment plan calculations and 3DVH results, with the exception of very small volume structures such as the eyes and the lenses. Target coverage (D98 and D95) of the measured plan was systematically lower than that predicted by the treatment planning system, while other DVH characteristics varied depending on the parameter and organ.Conclusions:We found no correlation between the gamma index and the clinical impact of a discrepancy for any of the gamma index evaluation possibilities (global, local, 2D, or 3D). Some of the tests yielded false positives or false negatives in a per‐beam gamma analysis. However, they were correctly accounted for in a DVH analysis. We also showed that 3DVH software is reliable for our tests, and is a viable method for correlating planar discrepancies with clinical relevance by comparing the measured DVH of target and OAR's with clinical tolerance.
A new technology for revealing the flow profile in integrated lab‐on‐a‐chip
Authors: Liu Tian‐Cai , Wohland Thorsten , Watt Frank , Bettiol Andrew , Udalagama Chammika , Wang Li‐Ping 
Published: July 2012

Purpose:Recently, greater attention has been paid to interactions between biomolecules particularly at the single‐molecular level. Due to their novel properties, integrated lab‐on‐a‐chip (LOC) devices and fluorescence correlation spectroscopy (FCS) are in high demand.Methods:The LOC was manufactured using the technique of proton beam writing. The biomolecule fluorescein was used to probe flow profiles in the micro/nanochannels on the LOC by FCS. The FCS optical system was based on a confocal microscopy setup. At different locations on the LOC, the numbers and traveling time of the fluorescein fluidic solution were investigated.Results:From calibrations,ω0 and τD were 217 nm and 2.2 × 10−5 s, respectively. Particle number and duration in passing through the detect volume, τF, were investigated. Results indicated that particle number was proportional to the size of micro/nanochannels in the LOC. The particle number distribution and speed of the flow were mirror‐symmetric in the two parallel (inlet/outlet) microchannels. The distribution of the fluidic particles remained stable and the speed of the flow was nearly symmetrical when being transferred in the nanochannels.Conclusions:The results were realistic and in line with the hydromechanics, indicating that in multidisciplinary areas measurements of flow profiles by FCS are possible inside the LOC channels. This study paves the way to investigate biomolecular interactions at the single‐molecular level.
Rapid Detection and Identification of Aspergillus from Lower Respiratory Tract Specimens by Use of a Combined Probe–High-Resolution Melting Analysis
Authors: Alonso María , Escribano Pilar , Guinea Jesus , Recio Sandra , Simon Ainhoa , Peláez Teresa , Bouza Emilio , García de Viedma Darío 
Published: July 2012

ABSTRACT

Diagnosis of invasive aspergillosis (IA) requires increasingly rapid molecular methods that enable sensitive detection and discrimination between species. We designed and evaluated a real-time PCR-based method that combined melting temperature (

T
m

) calling analysis of a specific probe with high-resolution melting analysis of the full amplicon. The test correctly identified 78 isolates of
Aspergillus
section
Fumigati
and non-
Fumigati
sections of
Aspergillus
with a limit of detection of 10
2
conidia/ml (10
2
fg/ml). No cross-reactivity with other fungi was found. The assay was further validated on lower respiratory tract specimens containing
Aspergillus
or not. It successfully identified
Aspergillus
to section level in 56 of 59 specimens. With culture as the gold standard, our assay shows 100% sensitivity and specificity and constitutes an efficient alternative for identification of
Aspergillus
in lower respiratory tract samples.
Prevalence of Streptococcus pneumoniae in Respiratory Samples from Patients with Tracheostomy in a Long-Term-Care Facility
Authors: Adler Amos , Ben-David Debby , Schwaber Mitchell J. , Masarwa Samira , Schwartz David , Porat Nurith , Kotlovsky Tali , Shklyar Maya , Polivkin Nikolay , Weinberg Irina , Lazary Avraham , Ohana Nissim , Dagan Ron 
Published: July 2012

ABSTRACT

We aimed to study the prevalence of
Streptococcus pneumoniae
in respiratory samples from institutionalized patients with chronic tracheostomy. A total of 264 pairs of nasopharyngeal and endotracheal cultures were collected. There was no difference in the proportion of positive cultures between children (21%) and adults (18%). However, the proportion of positive endotracheal cultures was higher than that of nasopharyngeal cultures in adults (18% versus 3%, respectively;
P
< 0.001) but not in children (17% in both sites).
Abundant Drug-Resistant NS3 Mutants Detected by Deep Sequencing in Hepatitis C Virus-Infected Patients Undergoing NS3 Protease Inhibitor Monotherapy
Authors: Svarovskaia Evguenia S. , Martin Ross , McHutchison John G. , Miller Michael D. , Mo Hongmei 
Published: July 2012

ABSTRACT

The high genetic variation of hepatitis C virus (HCV) results in rapid selection of drug resistance mutations (DRMs) during monotherapy with direct-acting antivirals (DAAs). It has been proposed that each possible single mutant preexists in infected individuals; however, the levels of preexisting DRMs are too low to be directly quantified in most patients using current techniques. In this study, we evaluated the presence of DRMs in HCV-infected patients treated with the HCV protease inhibitors GS-9256 or GS-9451 as monotherapy using deep sequencing in 137 longitudinal samples from 45 patients. Software was developed to analyze deep-sequencing results with an assay cutoff of 0.25%. No NS3 DRMs that confer resistance to GS-9256 and GS-9451 (R155K, A156T, and D168V/E) were observed in 33 baseline samples at >0.25%. In contrast, these and other substitutions at NS3 positions 155, 156, and 168 were detected in 19/27 patients at day 2 (24 h) and 21/21 at day 4 (84 h) of monotherapy but not in placebo-treated patients. Based on the DRM growth kinetics during drug treatment, pretreated NS3 mutations at amino acids 155, 156, and 168 were estimated on average at 0.025% and 0.015% per genotype 1a and 1b HCV-infected patients, respectively. Relative fitness of the DRM viruses was shown to be significantly lower than the wild type. Deep-sequencing analyses of NS3 protease inhibitor-treated HCV-infected patients suggest a limit of HCV viral load suppression of 3.6 to 3.8 log
10
with NS3 protease inhibitor monotherapy that does not suppress the identified preexisting NS3 DRMs and thus a need for a combination therapy.
Serratia marcescens Necrotizing Fasciitis Presenting as Bilateral Breast Necrosis
Authors: Rehman Tayyab , Moore Thomas A. , Seoane Leonardo 
Published: July 2012

ABSTRACT

Serratia marcescens
is an extremely rare cause of necrotizing fasciitis. We report the first case of necrotizing fasciitis of the chest wall due to infection with
S. marcescens
that initially manifested as bilateral breast necrosis. The patient had a fulminant course leading to death within 72 h of presentation. Literature pertinent to
S. marcescens
-mediated necrotizing fasciitis is also reviewed.
Detection of New Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus Strains That Carry a Novel Genetic Homologue and Important Virulence Determinants
Authors: Sabat Artur J. , Koksal Mahir , Akkerboom Viktoria , Monecke Stefan , Kriegeskorte André , Hendrix Ron , Ehricht Ralf , Köck Robin , Becker Karsten , Friedrich Alexander W. 
Published: July 2012

ABSTRACT

In this study, 18 methicillin-resistant
Staphylococcus aureus
(MRSA) isolates harboring staphylococcal cassette chromosome
mec
(SCC
mec
) type XI, recovered in the Dutch-German Euregio, were characterized by DNA microarrays. In contrast to previous data, we found two MRSA strains of different clonal lineages possessing SCC
mec
XI that carried important virulence determinants. The worrisome emergence of such toxigenic MRSA strains raises concerns that MRSA strains with enhanced virulence potential and impaired detectability by standard molecular assays may spread in Europe.