bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Process Planning and Scheduling in Distributed Manufacturing System Using Multiobjective Genetic Algorithm
Authors: Zhang Wenqiang , Gen Mitsuo 
Published: December 2009

AbstractThis paper proposed a multiobjective genetic algorithm approach for solving process planning and scheduling (PPS) problems in a distributed manufacturing system (DMS) environment. In this environment, factories processing various machines and tools at different geographical locations are often combined to produce various parts with different resource constraints. This paper proposed a fast multiobjective genetic algorithm with archive (fmoGA‐A) mechanism to deal with PPS problem with considering the minimization of the maximum total processing time and minimization of the maximum variation of workload of machine in DMS. The proposed algorithm has been compared with other approaches to testify and benchmark the optimization reliability on several PPS problems. These comparisons demonstrate the importance of PPS in DMS and indicate fmoGA‐A is better than adaptive weight approach genetic algorithm (awaGA) did on efficacy and efficient; the efficacy is not less than non‐dominated sorting genetic algorithm II (NSGA‐II) and strength Pareto evolutionary algorithm 2 (SPEA2) and the efficient is better than NSGA‐II and SPEA2. Copyright © 2010 Institute of Electrical Engineers of Japan. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Screening for twin–twin transfusion syndrome at 11–14 weeks of pregnancy: the key role of ductus venosus blood flow assessment
Authors: Matias A. , Montenegro N. , Loureiro T. , Cunha M. , Duarte S. , Freitas D. , Severo M. 
Published: December 2009

AbstractObjectivesA discrepancy in crown–rump length (CRL) and/or nuchal translucency thickness (NT) between monochorionic twins has been found to be associated with an increased risk of twin–twin transfusion syndrome (TTTS). As one of the most plausible mechanisms for increased NT is hemodynamic imbalance and cardiac dysfunction, indirectly manifested by abnormal blood flow in the ductus venosus (DV), we aimed to clarify the role of DV blood flow assessment in identifying those monochorionic twins more prone to develop TTTS.MethodsWe present 99 cases of monochorionic diamniotic twin pregnancies in which CRL, NT and DV blood flow were evaluated at 11–14 weeks' gestation.ResultsDiscrepant values of CRL were not predictive of TTTS development. Intertwin NT discrepancy ≥ 0.6 mm had a sensitivity of 50.0% and a specificity of 92.0%. The presence of at least one abnormal blood flow waveform in the DV was associated with a relative risk for developing TTTS of 11.86 (95% CI, 3.05–57.45), with a sensitivity of 75.0% and a specificity of 92.0%. The combination of abnormal DV blood flow with NT discrepancy ≥ 0.6 mm yielded a relative risk for the development of TTTS of 21 (95% CI, 5.47–98.33).ConclusionsBoth intertwin discrepancy in NT and abnormal flow in the DV in monochorionic twins may represent early manifestations of hemodynamic imbalance between donor and recipient. In these pregnancies, in addition to NT measurement at 11–14 weeks, the Doppler assessment of DV blood flow significantly increases the performance of screening for those at risk of developing TTTS. Copyright © 2010 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The EU emissions trading scheme
Authors: Bailey Ian 
Published: December 2009

AbstractAs the centrepiece of the European Union's Climate Change Programme, the European Union Emissions Trading Scheme (EU ETS) has attracted significant attention from scholars interested in the regulatory and technical issues raised by the scheme. This article reviews the current state of knowledge about emissions trading arising from this research. Three broad strands of enquiry are identified: studies of the international and EU‐domestic pressures that led to the EU's conversion to emissions trading; analyses of the political processes that accompanied negotiation of the emissions trading directives; and investigations into regulatory problems encountered during the scheme's early years. From this, avenues for further research on emissions trading are proposed: (1) analyses of the consequences for the scheme of political decisions made during its negotiation, (2) further analysis of the behaviour of traders in the EU ETS market, (3) greater investigation of the scheme's implications for equity issues,and(4) comparison of emissions trading against nonmarket instruments. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.This article is categorized under:The Carbon Economy and Climate Mitigation > Policies, Instruments, Lifestyles, BehaviorPolicy and Governance > Multilevel and Transnational Climate Change Governance
Spoken sentence comprehension in children with dyslexia and language impairment: The roles of syntax and working memory
Authors: ROBERTSON ERIN K. , JOANISSE MARC F. 
Published: December 2009

ABSTRACTWe examined spoken sentence comprehension in school-age children with developmental dyslexia or language impairment (LI), compared to age-matched and younger controls. Sentence–picture matching tasks were employed under three different working memory (WM) loads, two levels of syntactic difficulty, and two sentence lengths. Phonological short-term memory (STM) skills and their relation to sentence comprehension performance were also examined. When WM load was minimized, the LI group performed more poorly on the sentence comprehension task compared to the age-matched control group and the dyslexic group. Across groups, sentence comprehension performance generally decreased as the WM load increased, but this effect was somewhat more pronounced in the dyslexic group compared to the age-matched group. Moreover, both the LI and dyslexic groups showed poor phonological STM compared to the age-matched control group, and a significant correlation was observed between phonological STM and sentence comprehension performance under demanding WM loads. The results indicate subtle sentence processing difficulties in dyslexia that might be explained as resulting from these children's phonological STM limitations.
Conventional research on controversial issues: an exercise in futility?
Authors: Francis Charles A. 
Published: December 2009

AbstractResults from research on controversial topics are often interpreted according to the world view of the reader. With conflicting results from different researchers or institutions, it is likely that vested financial interests or adherence to conventional wisdom will lead to rejection of science-based conclusions. An example from the past is the comparison of multiple cropping with monocrop systems, where clear advantages of complex systems are discounted by those committed to the monoculture paradigm. A current example is comparison of organic with conventional farming systems and food products, where food price, suspicion about certification and philosophy about perceived ‘non-scientific’ results cloud the technical conclusions. An emerging example is comparisons of local versus global food systems, where multiple issues including comparative advantage and food preferences obscure the key questions of energy investment, food equity and local well-being. A proposed solution to this dilemma is to instead focus scarce research funds on improving the development of alternative agroecosystems, rather than invest human energy into futile comparisons that are unlikely to convince the skeptics. In this way, more creative alternatives can be explored and greater progress made toward food equity and sufficiency.
Disorders related with ageing in the gerbil female prostate (Skene’s paraurethral glands)
Authors: Custodio Ana M. G. , Santos Fernanda C. A. , Campos Silvana G. P. , Vilamaior Patricia Simone Leite , Oliveira Sérgio M. , Góes Rejane M. , Taboga Sebastião R. 
Published: December 2009

SummaryThe female organs, which are regulated by steroid hormones, are targets of studies especially those related to senescence. However, although the female prostate is an organ influenced by hormones and susceptible to lesions, there is still little information about its histopathology. Thus, given the morphophysiological similarity between the prostate in women and female gerbils, the present study aimed to identify the spontaneous histopathological changes in this rodent to provide contributions to the understanding of lesions that also affect the human female prostate. The structural, ultrastructural, immunohistochemical, morphometric‐stereological and serological aspects, as well as the quantification of the incidence, multiplicity and percentage of acini affected by different lesions were analyzed. Benign prostate lesions including hyperplasia, prostatitis, microcalculi and calculi; preneoplastic lesions like dysplasias; premalignant lesions, such as high grade prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia as well as malignant ones, specifically adenocarcinoma, were identified in the adult gland, but they were intensified during senescence, which is possibly due to the imbalance among steroid hormone levels. Although clinical attention focuses on other urogenital organs, the real condition of the histopathological injuries in the human female prostate should be considered. A serious preventive work regarding the female prostate could be applied in the gynaecological context in order to monitor the gland and avoid possible disturbances to women’s health and consequently provide better quality of life.
Reproductive decision‐making in the context of mitochondrial DNA disorders: views and experiences of professionals
Authors: Bredenoord AL , Krumeich A , De Vries MC , Dondorp W , De Wert G 
Published: December 2009

Bredenoord AL, Krumeich A, De Vries MC, Dondorp W, De Wert G. Reproductive decision‐making in the context of mitochondrial DNA disorders: views and experiences of professionals.Although a scientific and ethical debate about the possible reproductive options for carriers of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) mutations is developing, not much information regarding the views and experiences of professionals exists. This paper explores the attitudes and experiences of professionals involved on a daily basis with their patients' reproductive decision‐making in the context of mtDNA disease. Qualitative international multicenter design using in‐depth semi‐structured interviews with 20 professionals has been utilized. We identified four main themes emerging from the interviews. Firstly, we illustrate the discussion among professionals as to what extent mitochondrial genetics differs from other areas in genetics, both technically and ethically. Secondly, we show the discomfort and doubts of professionals when an mtDNA mutation is involved, because of the uncertainty remaining after testing. Thirdly, we discuss how professionals struggle with the tension between, on the one hand, the ideal of reproductive autonomy and, on the other hand, the reality of their professional responsibility and complex clinical decision‐making. Fourthly, we delineate the strategies used by professionals in order to make attempts to control uncertainty.This paper illustrates the impact on professionals of reproductive decision‐making in the context of mtDNA disease. It shows their feelings of discomfort when interpreting and explaining uncertain or ambiguous data and may be perceived as an example of how professionals deal with the inherent limitations in genetic knowledge representing the state of the art. Insight into the experiences of professionals may contribute to a further improvement of reproductive genetic counseling in the context of mtDNA disorders.
Children's Nomenclatural Adventurism and Medical Evaluation study
Authors: Willis Francis R , Adams Stephen L , Doyle Sarah , Everitt Ian J , Lovegrove Michael , Slee Jennie , Sparrow Annie , Willis Judith 
Published: December 2009

Aim:  The aim of this study was to determine whether there is an association between a child's first name and the likelihood of inpatient admission following presentation to a paediatric emergency department (ED).Methods:  This was a retrospective review of electronic records held in the ED of an urban tertiary paediatric hospital. Data were obtained for all presentations up to the age of 16 years for a single month (n= 4260), each being allocated to 1 of the 10 predetermined first name categories.Results:  A statistically significant increased risk for hospital admission was found for the following first name categories: popular culture (relative risk (RR) = 1.91, P= 0.000, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.60–2.28), apparently unique (RR = 1.52, P= 0.000, 95% CI = 1.23–1.87), Old Testament (RR = 1.39, P= 0.001, 95% CI = 1.14–1.69) and surname as first name (RR = 1.36, P= 0.015, 95% CI = 1.07–1.72).Conclusions:  Our data confirm the impression that children with certain categories of first names have an increased likelihood of admission to hospital after presenting to the ED. We speculate that our findings, which are in concordance with those from educational and psychological literature, may reflect socio‐economic status and/or a ‘self‐fulfilling prophecy’. Further research may make it possible to assign names an RR rating (e.g. for hospital admission in the first 16 years of life), thus providing parents with another factor to consider when choosing names for their children. More studies are of course needed.
Adult Hirschsprung’s disease in Jamaica: operative treatment and outcome
Authors: Duncan N. D. , Plummer J. , Dundas S. E. , Martin A. , McDonald A. H. 
Published: December 2009

AbstractAim  This study reviewed the operative management and outcome of patients with adult Hirschsprung’s disease treated at the University Hospital of the West Indies, Mona, Jamaica.Method  The case notes for 11 patients with adult Hirschsprung's disease, treated operatively between January 1986 and December 2007, were reviewed and data on preoperative diagnosis, operative procedures and postoperative complications were retrieved.Results  Diagnosis was by open rectal biopsy in nine patients and by rectal suction biopsy in two patients. The time taken for preoperative bowel preparation ranged from 10 to 35 days, and colostomy was required in three patients to facilitate bowel cleansing. The Soave and Swenson procedures were used in six and five patients, respectively, leading to anastomotic stricture in one patient treated using the Soave procedure and to leakage in two patients treated using the Swenson procedure. All procedures took longer than 300 min, and 300–800 ml of blood or plasma was transfused.Conclusion  Therapeutic procedures for adult Hirschsprung's disease may result in life‐threatening anastamotic complications. A protective colostomy is recommended when Swenson’s procedure is used.
Globalization, Domestic Inflation and Global Output Gaps: Evidence from the Euro Area*
Authors: Calza Alessandro 
Published: December 2009

AbstractThis paper tests whether the proposition that globalization has led to greater sensitivity of domestic inflation to the global output gap (the ‘global output gap hypothesis’) holds for the euro area. The empirical analysis uses quarterly data over the period 1979–2003. Measures of the global output gap using two different weighting schemes (based on purchasing power parities and trade data) are considered. We find limited evidence that global capacity constraints have explanatory power for domestic consumer price inflation in the euro area. Based on these findings, the prescription that central banks should specifically react to developments in global output gaps does not seem to be justified for the euro area.
Women’s expectations of management in their next pregnancy after an unexplained stillbirth: An Internet‐based empirical study
Authors: ROBSON Stephen J. , LEADER Leo R. , DEAR Keith B. G. , BENNETT Michael J. 
Published: December 2009

Background:  Unexplained stillbirth is the largest contributor to perinatal death, accounting for one‐third of stillbirths. There appears to be no increase in perinatal death rates in the pregnancies that follow an unexplained stillbirth. However, these pregnancies have increased rates of induced labour and elective caesarean section, as well as preterm birth, low birthweight, instrumental delivery, ‘fetal distress’ and postpartum haemorrhage.Aim:  To study the wishes for future pregnancy management in women who have suffered an unexplained stillbirth.Methods: An Internet‐based survey of women after an unexplained stillbirth, seeking demographic information and reproductive history, details of management of the index stillbirth and information about their wishes for subsequent pregnancy management (antenatal surveillance, early delivery and caesarean delivery).Results:  Of the total respondents included in the study, 93% wanted ‘testing’ over and above normal pregnancy care in their next pregnancy. Of the respondents, 81% wanted early delivery and 26% wanted a Caesarean delivery, irrespective of obstetric indications. These wishes were not influenced by socio‐demographic factors, management of the index stillbirth (with the exception of having had a Caesarean delivery) or advice received on management of the next pregnancy (with the exception of being advised to have an early or Caesarean delivery).Conclusions:  The women surveyed wanted increased fetal surveillance and early delivery, but not necessarily elective caesarean section.
Sustainable strategies on water supply management in Hong Kong
Authors: Yue Derek P. T. , Tang S. L. 
Published: December 2009

AbstractThe growth in population and of the economy of Hong Kong has caused a significant increase in the demand for fresh water. To secure sufficient water supply and to reduce reliance on imported water from Dongjiang (East River) in Mainland China, the Hong Kong Special Administration Region (HKSAR) government has implemented a wide range of water conservation measures which include the use of seawater for toilet flushing, metering and a tiered water tariff, large‐scale replacement and rehabilitation of ageing pipelines to reduce leakage, valve‐type toilet flushing apparatus and education and publicity programmes. To ensure sustainable and safe water supply, the HKSAR government is actively exploring alternative water resources including the treated effluent from sewage treatment plant, desalination of seawater and the extension of water‐gathering grounds in the territory.
Healthy corals maintain Vibrio in the VBNC state
Authors: Sharon Gil , Rosenberg Eugene 
Published: December 2009

Summary Vibrio species play an important role in the health and disease of corals. To gain a better understanding of the interactions between Vibrio and coral holobionts we examined the growth of Vibrio in the mucus of the coral Oculina patagonica while the mucus was attached and detached from the coral. Fresh mucus contained ca. 102Vibrio cfu ml−1, representing c. 1% of the total viable count. Incubation of detached mucus resulted in a 50 000‐fold increase in Vibrio cfu from 1 to 4 h, corresponding to 60% of the total viable counts. This large increase in Vibrio would require an unreasonable doubling time of 11 min. Furthermore, the total microscopic bacterial count increased only 17‐fold during the 1–4 h incubation period. These data led to the conclusion that Vibrio species in the mucus were largely in the VBNC state when attached to the coral and ‘resuscitated’ when the mucus was detached from the coral. We suggest that the coral signal for maintaining Vibrio in the VBNC state is diffusible and unstable. Maintenance of Vibrio in the VBNC state did not require photosynthetic products of the coral holobiont. Vibrio species in the VBNC state may contribute to the health of corals by preventing infections by pathogens.
Vibrio harveyi as a causative agent of the White Syndrome in tropical stony corals
Authors: Luna Gian Marco , Bongiorni Lucia , Gili Claudia , Biavasco Francesca , Danovaro Roberto 
Published: December 2009

SummaryWe investigated bacterial assemblages associated with corals displaying symptoms of the ‘White Syndrome’ (WS), a general term used for indicating the appearance of bands, spots or patches of tissue loss, which is devastating wide areas of tropical ecosystems worldwide. We collected WS‐diseased (n = 15) and healthy (n = 15) corals from the natural reef (Indonesia, Indian Ocean) and from four large public aquaria. By using culture‐dependent and culture‐independent techniques, we found that a large fraction (73%) of the investigated WS events was associated with the presence of a high bacterial abundance and, specifically, of Vibrio spp. Vibrio harveyi, a pathogen of many marine organisms and recently involved in coral Yellow Band disease, was the most represented species, being recovered from five out of 15 diseased corals. In experimental infection assays, two V. harveyi strains, isolated from diseased corals, were inoculated on a total of 62 healthy colonies of Pocillopora damicornis. WS signs appeared in 57 corals, confirming the ability of V. harveyi strains to induce the disease. We conclude that V. harveyi is one of the coral pathogens involved in the appearance of WS. However, not all of the investigated WSs were associated to V. harveyi detection, nor to other Vibrio species (such as V. coralliilyticus), which supports the hypothesis that WS is not caused exclusively by Vibrio spp., but rather can have a multifactorial aetiology, or can represent a group of diseases caused by a variety of agents. Further investigations to identify specific virulence traits will contribute to the understanding of the role of V. harveyi in WS pathogenesis.
Weakening of the Winter Monsoon and Abrupt Increase of Winter Rainfalls over Northern Taiwan and Southern China in the Early 1980s
Authors: Hung Chih-wen , Kao Pei-ken 
Published: December 2009

Abstract
The rainfall characteristic of the East Asian winter monsoon (EAWM) is less emphasized in previous works. This study reveals that the circulation of the EAWM weakened in recent decades, which results in a decrease of winter rainfall over several windward coastal areas over East Asia including the hills in northern Taiwan. In contrast, there is an abrupt increase of rainfall in southern China and the plains of northern Taiwan during the early 1980s. This is due to the increase in sea surface temperature and lower-troposphere moisture over the South China Sea and the anomalous northward flow that enhances the moisture transport to southern China. Because more moisture is provided for the frontal system that moves eastward, the fronts frequently come with abundant moisture and a well-developed rainband in winter. Therefore, the plains of northern Taiwan receive more rainfall after the 1980s.
Identification and characterization of endonuclein binding proteins: evidence of modulatory effects on signal transduction and chaperone activity
Authors: Ludvigsen Maja , Østergaard Morten , Vorum Henrik , Jacobsen Christian , Honoré Bent 
Published: December 2009

Abstract

Background
We have previously identified endonuclein as a cell cycle regulated WD-repeat protein that is up-regulated in adenocarcinoma of the pancreas. Now, we aim to investigate its biomedical functions.

Results
Using the cDNA encoding human endonuclein, we have expressed and purified the recombinant protein from Escherichia coli using metal affinity chromatography. The recombinant protein was immobilized to a column and by affinity chromatography several interacting proteins were purified from several litres of placenta tissue extract. After chromatography the eluted proteins were further separated by two-dimensional gel electrophoresis and identified by tandem mass spectrometry. The interacting proteins were identified as; Tax interaction protein 1 (TIP-1), Aα fibrinogen transcription factor (P16/SSBP1), immunoglobulin heavy chain binding protein (BiP), human ER-associated DNAJ (HEDJ/DNAJB11), endonuclein interaction protein 8 (EIP-8), and pregnancy specific β-1 glycoproteins (PSGs). Surface plasmon resonance analysis and confocal fluorescence microscopy were used to further characterize the interactions.

Conclusions
Our results demonstrate that endonuclein interacts with several proteins indicating a broad function including signal transduction and chaperone activity.