bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Constructivist Beliefs of Latvian Mathematics Teachers: Looking into Future
Authors: Šapkova Oļesja 
Published: July 2011

Constructivist Beliefs of Latvian Mathematics Teachers: Looking into FutureThe aim of the research is to clarify the profile of constructivist/traditional beliefs sustained by the mathematics teachers in Latvia. The research sample comprised 390 mathematics teachers representing all regions of Latvia. The present study is part of an international research within the NorBa project "Nordic-Baltic comparative research in mathematics education" that makes use of a quantitative questionnaire elaborated by project participants. The initial results show that the beliefs of Latvian teachers of mathematics on efficient teaching are oriented more towards a constructivist approach, yet there exist significant differences of teachers of different social and demographical groups in their beliefs on approaches in teaching and effective instruction. The obtained results provide a possibility to develop pre-service teacher education and teachers' professional development courses in order to assure sustainability of the learning process.
Shape‐Persistent Two‐Component 2 D Networks with Atomic‐Size Tunability
Authors: Liu Jia , Zhang Xu , Wang Dong , Wang Jie‐Yu , Pei Jian , Stang Peter J. , Wan Li‐Jun 
Published: July 2011

AbstractOver the past few years, two‐dimensional (2D) nanoporous networks have attracted great interest as templates for the precise localization and confinement of guest building blocks, such as functional molecules or clusters on the solid surfaces. Herein, a series of two‐component molecular networks with a 3‐fold symmetry are constructed on graphite using a truxenone derivative and trimesic acid homologues with carboxylic‐acid‐terminated alkyl chains. The hydrogen‐bonding partner‐recognition‐induced 2D crystallization of alkyl chains makes the flexible alkyl chains act as rigid spacers in the networks to continuously tune the pore size with an accuracy of one carbon atom per step. The two‐component networks were found to accommodate and regulate the distribution and aggregation of guest molecules, such as COR and CuPc. This procedure provides a new pathway for the design and fabrication of molecular nanostructures on solid surfaces.
An inverse to the Optical Society of America‐Uniform Color System
Authors: Moroney Nathan , Fairman Hugh S. , Chong Patrick 
Published: July 2011

AbstractThe Optical Society of America Uniform Color Scales (OSA‐UCS) possesses many salutary properties, but it is presently under‐utilized. The authors believe the reason may be that the transformation from CIE notation to the OSA system presently has no known inverse. In an effort to rectify that lack, the OSA system is presented in its forward transformation, and then an inverse transformation using a Newton–Raphson iterative algorithm is described. The authors' experience with parameters associated with implementing the algorithm is related, and a few worked examples are provided to assist potential users in their implementation. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Col Res Appl, 2011
Understanding threshold effects of organized activity involvement in adolescents: Sex and family income as moderators
Authors: Randall Edin T. , Bohnert Amy M. 
Published: July 2011

ABSTRACTThe current study examined the curvilinear links between involvement in organized activities (OA) and sport activities specifically and various indicators of psychological and social development. Participants included 150 9th and 10th graders (57% females) from an urban, selective‐enrollment high school. Eligibility for admission is based on city residence, high GPA, and high scores on standardized tests and an admission exam. Findings indicated that benefits of OA involvement leveled off at approximately 5–7 h/week, with diminishing returns for adolescents participating in more than 10 h/week. Results also suggest that OA involvement uniquely impacts male and lower‐income participants. Males reported threshold effects in terms of perceived friendship competence and depressive symptoms. Male sport participants and lower‐income adolescents reported a similar pattern for loneliness. Findings suggest that among a high achieving sample of urban adolescents, social and psychological benefits are linked to moderate but not intense involvement in OAs and sports.
Safety, feasibility, and acceptability of visual inspection with acetic acid and immediate treatment with cryotherapy in rural Laos
Authors: Phongsavan Keokedthong , Phengsavanh Alongkone , Wahlström Rolf , Marions Lena 
Published: July 2011

AbstractObjectiveTo assess the safety, acceptability, and feasibility of visual inspection with acetic acid (VIA) followed by immediate treatment with cryotherapy as a single‐visit approach for the prevention of cervical cancer among women in rural Laos.MethodsIn 2009, women from 2 provinces in Laos were recruited for cervical cancer screening using VIA. If the inspection of the cervix showed a well‐defined acetowhite lesion close to the os, immediate cryotherapy was offered.ResultsOf the 1926 women who were included, 134 (7.0%) tested positive on VIA. Of these, 113 (84.3%) underwent immediate cryotherapy and none declined treatment. One year after immediate cryotherapy, 77 (68.1%) women returned for a follow‐up assessment and 68 (88.3%) were now VIA‐negative. There was no report of a major complication during or after treatment. The acceptance of both VIA and cryotherapy was high.ConclusionVisual inspection with acetic acid is a simple test that requires minimal infrastructure and expenditure. Integration of VIA with cryotherapy at the primary care level may constitute a feasible program for the prevention of cervical cancer in Laos.
Novel correlations between the genotype and the phenotype of hypertrophic and dilated cardiomyopathy: results from the German Competence Network Heart Failure
Authors: Waldmüller Stephan , Erdmann Jeanette , Binner Priska , Gelbrich Götz , Pankuweit Sabine , Geier Christian , Timmermann Bernd , Haremza Janine , Perrot Andreas , Scheer Steffen , Wachter Rolf , Schulze‐Waltrup Norbert , Dermintzoglou Anastassia , Schönberger Jost , Zeh Wolfgang , Jurmann Beate , Brodherr Turgut , Börgel Jan , Farr Martin , Milting Hendrik , Blankenfeldt Wulf , Reinhardt Richard , Özcelik Cemil , Osterziel Karl‐Josef , Loeffler Markus , Maisch Bernhard , Regitz‐Zagrosek Vera , Schunkert Heribert , Scheffold Thomas ,   on behalf of the German Competence Network Heart Failure
Published: July 2011

AimsHypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) and dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) can both be due to mutations in the genes encoding β‐myosin heavy chain (MYH7) or cardiac myosin‐binding protein C (MYBPC3). The aim of the present study was to determine the prevalence and spectrum of mutations in both genes in German HCM and DCM patients and to establish novel genotype‐to‐phenotype correlations.Methods and resultsCoding exons and intron flanks of the two genes MYH7 and MYBPC3 of 236 patients with HCM and 652 patients with DCM were sequenced by conventional and array‐based means. Clinical records were established following standard protocols. Mutations were detected in 41 and 11% of the patients with HCM and DCM, respectively. Differences were observed in the frequency of splice site and frame‐shift mutations in the gene MYBPC3, which occurred more frequently (P< 0.02, P< 0.001, respectively) in HCM than in DCM, suggesting that cardiac myosin‐binding protein C haploinsufficiency predisposes to hypertrophy rather than to dilation. Additional novel genotype‐to‐phenotype correlations were found in HCM, among these a link between MYBPC3 mutations and a particularly large thickness of the interventricular septum (P= 0.04 vs. carriers of a mutation in MYH7). Interestingly, this correlation and a link between MYH7 mutations and a higher degree of mitral valve regurgitation held true for both HCM and DCM, indicating that the gene affected by a mutation may determine the magnitude of structural and functional alterations in both HCM and DCM.ConclusionA large clinical‐genetic study has unravelled novel genotype‐to‐phenotype correlations in HCM and DCM which warrant future investigation of both the underlying mechanisms and the prognostic use.
Intranasal Application of Xenon Reduces Opioid Requirement and Postoperative Pain in Patients Undergoing Major Abdominal Surgery
Authors: Holsträter Thorsten Frederik , Georgieff Michael , Föhr Karl Josef , Klingler Werner , Uhl Miriam Elisabeth , Walker Tobias , Köster Sarah , Grön Georg , Adolph Oliver 
Published: July 2011

Background
Both central sensitization after peripheral tissue injury and the development of opioid tolerance involve activation of N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptors. At subanesthetic doses the NMDA receptor antagonist xenon suppresses pain-evoked sensitization of pain-processing areas in the central nervous system. Although numerous studies describe the effect of NMDA receptor antagonists on postoperative pain, clinical studies elucidating their intraoperative analgesic potency when applied in a low dosage are still largely missing.

Methods
To analyze the analgesic effect of low-dose xenon using new application methods, the authors tested nasally applied xenon as an add-on treatment for analgesia in 40 patients undergoing abdominal hysterectomy. Within a randomized double-blind placebo-controlled study design, intraoperative and postoperative requirement of opioids as well as postoperative subjective experiences of pain were measured as primary outcome variables.

Results
Intranasal application of xenon significantly reduced intraoperative opioid requirement (mean difference [MD] -2.0 μg/min; 95% CI [CI95]-0.53 to -3.51, Bonferroni correction adjusted P value [pcorr]= 0.028) without relevant side effects and significantly reduced postoperative pain (MD -1.34 points on an 11-point rating scale; CI95 -0.60 to -2.09, pcorr = 0.002). However, postoperative morphine consumption (MD -8.8 μg/min; CI95 1.2 to -18.8, pcorr = 0.24) was not significantly reduced in this study.

Conclusions
Low-dose xenon significantly reduces intraoperative analgesic use and postoperative pain perception. Because NMDA receptor antagonists suppress central sensitization, prevent the development of opioid tolerance, and reduce postoperative pain, the intraoperative usage of NMDA receptor antagonists such as xenon is suggested to improve effectiveness of pain management within a concept of multimodal analgesia.
Relationships among net primary productivity, nutrients and climate in tropical rain forest: a pan‐tropical analysis
Authors: Cleveland Cory C. , Townsend Alan R. , Taylor Philip , Alvarez‐Clare Silvia , Bustamante Mercedes M. C. , Chuyong George , Dobrowski Solomon Z. , Grierson Pauline , Harms Kyle E. , Houlton Benjamin Z. , Marklein Alison , Parton William , Porder Stephen , Reed Sasha C. , Sierra Carlos A. , Silver Whendee L. , Tanner Edmund V. J. , Wieder William R. 
Published: July 2011

Ecology Letters (2011) 14: 939–947AbstractTropical rain forests play a dominant role in global biosphere‐atmosphere CO2 exchange. Although climate and nutrient availability regulate net primary production (NPP) and decomposition in all terrestrial ecosystems, the nature and extent of such controls in tropical forests remain poorly resolved. We conducted a meta‐analysis of carbon‐nutrient‐climate relationships in 113 sites across the tropical forest biome. Our analyses showed that mean annual temperature was the strongest predictor of aboveground NPP (ANPP) across all tropical forests, but this relationship was driven by distinct temperature differences between upland and lowland forests. Within lowland forests (< 1000 m), a regression tree analysis revealed that foliar and soil‐based measurements of phosphorus (P) were the only variables that explained a significant proportion of the variation in ANPP, although the relationships were weak. However, foliar P, foliar nitrogen (N), litter decomposition rate (k), soil N and soil respiration were all directly related with total surface (0–10 cm) soil P concentrations. Our analysis provides some evidence that P availability regulates NPP and other ecosystem processes in lowland tropical forests, but more importantly, underscores the need for a series of large‐scale nutrient manipulations – especially in lowland forests – to elucidate the most important nutrient interactions and controls.
Primary focal hyperhidrosis: current treatment options and a step‐by‐step approach
Authors: Hoorens I. , Ongenae K. 
Published: July 2011

AbstractPrimary focal hyperhidrosis is a common disorder for which treatment is often a therapeutic challenge. A systematic review of current literature on the various treatment modalities for primary focal hyperhidrosis was performed and a step‐by‐step approach for the different types of primary focal hyperhidrosis (axillary, palmar, plantar and craniofacial) was established. Non‐surgical treatments (aluminium salts, local and systemic anticholinergics, botulinum toxin A (BTX‐A) injections and iontophoresis) are adequately supported by the current literature. More invasive surgical procedures (suction curettage and sympathetic denervation) have also been extensively investigated, and can offer a more definitive solution for cases of hyperhidrosis that are unresponsive to non‐surgical treatments. There is no consensus on specific techniques for sympathetic denervation, and this issue should be further examined by meta‐analysis. There are numerous treatment options available to improve the quality of life (QOL) of the hyperhidrosis patient. In practice, however, the challenge for the dermatologist remains to evaluate the severity of hyperhidrosis to achieve the best therapeutic outcome, this can be done most effectively using the Hyperhidrosis Disease Severity Scale (HDSS).
Activation of innate immunity accelerates sialoadenitis in a mouse model for Sjögren’s syndrome‐like disease
Authors: Nandula S‐R , Scindia YM , Dey P , Bagavant H , Deshmukh US 
Published: July 2011

Oral Diseases (2011) 17, 801–807Objective:  Sjögren’s syndrome is a chronic autoimmune disorder characterized by progressive lymphocytic infiltration within the salivary and lacrimal glands. This study was undertaken to investigate the effects of innate immunity activation on sialoadenitis in a mouse strain genetically susceptible for development of SS‐like disease.Methods:  Female New Zealand Black X New Zealand White F1 mice were repeatedly treated with toll‐like 3 receptor agonist poly(I:C). Submandibular glands were investigated at different time points for sialoadenitis by immunohistochemistry and for gene expression of different chemokines by quantitative PCR. Submandibular gland–infiltrating cells were characterized by flow cytometry.Results:  Poly(I:C) treatment significantly upregulated the expression of multiple chemokines within the submandibular glands. The severity and incidence of sialoadenitis was considerably higher in poly(I:C)‐treated mice. There was a preponderance of dendritic cells and NK cells in the initial inflammatory cell infiltrates, and these were followed by CD4+ T cells.Conclusions:  Our data clearly demonstrate that systemic activation of innate immunity accelerates sialoadenitis in a mouse model for SS‐like disease. These findings suggest that chronic activation of innate immunity can influence certain features of SS.
Urban legends: recurrent aphthous stomatitis
Authors: Baccaglini L , Lalla RV , Bruce AJ , Sartori‐Valinotti JC , Latortue MC , Carrozzo M , Rogers RS 
Published: July 2011

Oral Diseases (2011) 17, 755–770Recurrent aphthous stomatitis (RAS) is the most common idiopathic intraoral ulcerative disease in the USA. Aphthae typically occur in apparently healthy individuals, although an association with certain systemic diseases has been reported. Despite the unclear etiopathogenesis, new drug trials are continuously conducted in an attempt to reduce pain and dysfunction. We investigated four controversial topics: (1) Is complex aphthosis a mild form of Behçet’s disease (BD)? (2) Is periodic fever, aphthous stomatitis, pharyngitis, and adenitis (PFAPA) syndrome a distinct medical entity? (3) Is RAS associated with other systemic diseases [e.g., celiac disease (CD) and B12 deficiency]? (4) Are there any new RAS treatments? Results from extensive literature searches, including a systematic review of RAS trials, suggested the following: (1) Complex aphthosis is not a mild form of BD in North America or Western Europe; (2) Diagnostic criteria for PFAPA have low specificity and the characteristics of the oral ulcers warrant further studies; (3) Oral ulcers may be associated with CD; however, these ulcers may not be RAS; RAS is rarely associated with B12 deficiency; nevertheless, B12 treatment may be beneficial, via mechanisms that warrant further study; (4) Thirty‐three controlled trials published in the past 6 years reported some effectiveness, although potential for bias was high.
The Development of
Performance Prediction Methods for an Automotive CO2 A/C
Cycle
Authors: Kaneko Akira , Katsuta Masafumi , Oshiro Takahiro , Bae Sangchul , Komatsu Shunji , Ohno Yohei 
Published: July 2011

Abstract
In previous research, we have been focusing on the performance of the each element heat transfer and hydraulic performance of refrigeration cycle. Experimental investigations have been repeated several times, and finally, we have substantial database including the effect of lubricant oil. Moreover, the maldistribution of two-phase in an evaporator can be also predicted from the experimental database. Under these circumstances, this study is intended to effectively put the construction of an automotive CO2 air conditioning system into practical design use through the simulation using the above-mentioned database. This paper describes the refrigeration cycle performance prediction of each element (e.g., an evaporator, a gas-cooler, and so on) by a simulation using substantial database and various available correlations proposed by us and several other researchers. In the performance prediction model of heat exchangers, local heat transfer and flow characteristics are considered and, in addition, the effects of lubricant oil on heat transfer and pressure drop are duly considered. The comparison is also made between simulation results and bench test results using a real automotive air conditioning system. Finally, the developed simulation method can predict the cooling capacity successfully within ±10% for A/C system simulation. By incorporating the lubricant oil effect, the simulation results are improved to ±5% and ±15% for the cooling capacity and pressure drop for evaporator simulation, respectively.
Effect of dietary krill oil supplementation on the endocannabinoidome of metabolically relevant tissues from high-fat-fed mice
Authors: Piscitelli Fabiana , Carta Gianfranca , Bisogno Tiziana , Murru Elisabetta , Cordeddu Lina , Berge Kjetil , Tandy Sally , Cohn Jeffrey S , Griinari Mikko , Banni Sebastiano , Di Marzo Vincenzo 
Published: July 2011

Abstract

Background
Omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (ω-3-PUFA) are known to ameliorate several metabolic risk factors for cardiovascular disease, and an association between elevated peripheral levels of endogenous ligands of cannabinoid receptors (endocannabinoids) and the metabolic syndrome has been reported. We investigated the dose-dependent effects of dietary ω-3-PUFA supplementation, given as krill oil (KO), on metabolic parameters in high fat diet (HFD)-fed mice and, in parallel, on the levels, in inguinal and epididymal adipose tissue (AT), liver, gastrocnemius muscle, kidneys and heart, of: 1) the endocannabinoids, anandamide and 2-arachidonoylglycerol (2-AG), 2) two anandamide congeners which activate PPARα but not cannabinoid receptors, N-oleoylethanolamine and N-palmitoylethanolamine, and 3) the direct biosynthetic precursors of these compounds.

Methods
Lipids were identified and quantified using liquid chromatography coupled to atmospheric pressure chemical ionization single quadrupole mass spectrometry (LC-APCI-MS) or high resolution ion trap-time of flight mass spectrometry (LC-IT-ToF-MS).

Results
Eight-week HFD increased endocannabinoid levels in all tissues except the liver and epididymal AT, and KO reduced anandamide and/or 2-AG levels in all tissues but not in the liver, usually in a dose-dependent manner. Levels of endocannabinoid precursors were also generally down-regulated, indicating that KO affects levels of endocannabinoids in part by reducing the availability of their biosynthetic precursors. Usually smaller effects were found of KO on OEA and PEA levels.

Conclusions
Our data suggest that KO may promote therapeutic benefit by reducing endocannabinoid precursor availability and hence endocannabinoid biosynthesis.
Negative auto-regulation increases the input dynamic-range of the arabinose system of Escherichia coli
Authors: Madar Daniel , Dekel Erez , Bren Anat , Alon Uri 
Published: July 2011

Abstract

Background
Gene regulation networks are made of recurring regulatory patterns, called network motifs. One of the most common network motifs is negative auto-regulation, in which a transcription factor represses its own production. Negative auto-regulation has several potential functions: it can shorten the response time (time to reach halfway to steady-state), stabilize expression against noise, and linearize the gene's input-output response curve. This latter function of negative auto-regulation, which increases the range of input signals over which downstream genes respond, has been studied by theory and synthetic gene circuits. Here we ask whether negative auto-regulation preserves this function also in the context of a natural system, where it is embedded within many additional interactions. To address this, we studied the negative auto-regulation motif in the arabinose utilization system of Escherichia coli, in which negative auto-regulation is part of a complex regulatory network.

Results
We find that when negative auto-regulation is disrupted by placing the regulator araC under constitutive expression, the input dynamic range of the arabinose system is reduced by 10-fold. The apparent Hill coefficient of the induction curve changes from about n = 1 with negative auto-regulation, to about n = 2 when it is disrupted. We present a mathematical model that describes how negative auto-regulation can increase input dynamic-range, by coupling the transcription factor protein level to the input signal.

Conclusions
Here we demonstrate that the negative auto-regulation motif in the native arabinose system of Escherichia coli increases the range of arabinose signals over which the system can respond. In this way, negative auto-regulation may help to increase the input dynamic-range while maintaining the specificity of cooperative regulatory systems. This function may contribute to explaining the common occurrence of negative auto-regulation in biological systems.