bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The genetics of environmental variation of dry matter grain yield in maize
Authors: YANG YE , SCHÖN CHRIS-CAROLIN , SORENSEN DANIEL 
Published: May 2012

SummaryDry matter grain yield per plot from three genetically homogeneous single-cross maize hybrids were analysed to investigate whether environmental variance depends on genotype. Three genotypes were tested at 20 locations in 3 years. The data were analysed using a non-parametric approach and fully parametric Bayesian models. Both analyses reveal effects of genotype on environmental variation. The Bayesian analyses indicate that genotype by location–year interactions are the most important effects acting at the level of the mean. The best-fitting Bayesian model is one postulating genotype by location–year interactions acting on the mean and main effects of genotype and of location–year on the variance. Despite the detection of genotypic effects acting on the variance, location–year effects constitute the biggest relative source of variance heterogeneity.
Effect of beam pre-bunching on gain and efficiency in a surface wave-pumped free electron laser
Authors: SHARMA SURESH C. , SHARMA JYOTSNA , BHASIN ANURADHA , WALIA RITU 
Published: May 2012

AbstractA pre-bunched relativistic electron beam (REB) counter-propagating to the surface wave in the vacuum region Compton backscatters the surface wave into a high-frequency coherent radiation. Plasma supports the surface wave that acquires a large wave number k0z around pump wave frequency $\omega _0 = {{\omega _p } {/ {\vphantom {{\omega _p } {\sqrt 2 }}} \kern-\nulldelimiterspace} {\sqrt 2 }}$, where ωp is the plasma frequency. The surface wave extends into the vacuum region and can be employed as a wiggler for the generation of sub-millimeter waves. The growth rate, efficiency, and gain were evaluated based on experimentally known parameters relevant to free electron laser (FEL). It was found that the growth rate, efficiency, and gain of the surface wave-pumped FEL increase with the modulation index Δ, which has the maximum value when approaching unity in addition to when the frequency and wave number of the pre-bunched beam are comparable to that of the radiation wave, i.e., ω01 ~ ω1 and k01 ~ k1. The growth rate of FEL instability scales as one-third power of beam density in the Compton regime.
Propagation of an ultrashort, high-intensity laser pulse in gas-target plasma
Authors: WANG XIAOFANG , WANG GUANGHUI , MA ZHANNAN , DONG KEGONG , ZHU BIN , WU YUCHI , GU YUQIU 
Published: May 2012

AbstractFor high-energy gain of electron acceleration by a laser wakefield, a stable or guiding propagation of an ultrashort, high-intensity laser pulse in a gas-target plasma is of fundamental importance. Preliminary experiments were carried out for the propagation of 30-fs, ~100-TW laser pulses of intensities ~1019W/cm2in plasma of densities ~1019/cm3. Self-guiding length of nearly 1.4 mm was observed in a gas jet and 15 mm in a hydrogen-filled capillary. Fluid-dynamics simulations are used to characterize the two types of gas targets. Particle-in-cell simulations indicate that in the plasma, after the pulse's evolution of self-focusing and over-focusing, the high-intensity pulse could be stably guided with a beam radius close to the plasma wavelength. At lower plasma densities, a preformed plasma channel of a parabolic density profile matched to the laser spot size would be efficient for guiding the pulse.
Psychosocial stressors and the prognosis of major depression: a test of Axis IV
Authors: Gilman S. E. , Trinh N.-H. , Smoller J. W. , Fava M. , Murphy J. M. , Breslau J. 
Published: May 2012

BackgroundAxis IV is for reporting ‘psychosocial and environmental problems that may affect the diagnosis, treatment and prognosis of mental disorders’. No studies have examined the prognostic value of Axis IV in DSM-IV.MethodWe analyzed data from 2497 participants in the National Epidemiologic Survey on Alcohol and Related Conditions (NESARC) with major depressive episode (MDE). We hypothesized that psychosocial stressors predict a poor prognosis of MDE. Secondarily, we hypothesized that psychosocial stressors predict a poor prognosis of anxiety and substance use disorders. Stressors were defined according to DSM-IV's taxonomy, and empirically using latent class analysis (LCA).ResultsPrimary support group problems, occupational problems and childhood adversity increased the risks of depressive episodes and suicidal ideation by 20–30%. Associations of the empirically derived classes of stressors with depression were larger in magnitude. Economic stressors conferred a 1.5-fold increase in risk for a depressive episode [95% confidence interval (CI) 1.2–1.9]; financial and interpersonal instability conferred a 1.3-fold increased risk of recurrent depression (95% CI 1.1–1.6). These two classes of stressors also predicted the recurrence of anxiety and substance use disorders. Stressors were not related to suicidal ideation independent from depression severity.ConclusionsPsychosocial and environmental problems are associated with the prognosis of MDE and other Axis I disorders. Although DSM-IV's taxonomy of stressors stands to be improved, these results provide empirical support for the prognostic value of Axis IV. Future work is needed to determine the reliability of Axis IV assessments in clinical practice, and the usefulness of this information to improving the clinical course of mental disorders.
Time to diagnosis in young-onset dementia as compared with late-onset dementia
Authors: van Vliet D. , de Vugt M. E. , Bakker C. , Pijnenburg Y. A. L. , Vernooij-Dassen M. J. F. J. , Koopmans R. T. C. M. , Verhey F. R. J. 
Published: May 2012

BackgroundThe extent to which specific factors influence diagnostic delays in dementia is unclear. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to compare duration from symptom onset to diagnosis for young-onset dementia (YOD) and late-onset dementia (LOD) and to assess the effect of age at onset, type of dementia, gender, living situation, education and family history of dementia on this duration.MethodData on 235 YOD and 167 LOD patients collected from caregivers from two prospective cohort studies were used. Multiple linear regression analysis was performed.ResultsThe duration between symptom onset and the diagnosis of YOD exceeded that of LOD by an average of 1.6 years (2.8 v. 4.4 years). Young age and being diagnosed with frontotemporal dementia were related to increases in the time to diagnosis. Subjects with vascular dementia experienced shorter time to diagnosis.ConclusionsThere is a need to raise special awareness of YOD to facilitate a timely diagnosis.
Error patterns in young German children's wh-questions*
Authors: SCHMERSE DANIEL , LIEVEN ELENA , TOMASELLO MICHAEL 
Published: May 2012

ABSTRACTIn this article we report two studies: a detailed longitudinal analysis of errors in wh-questions from six German-learning children (age 2 ; 0–3 ; 0) and an analysis of the prosodic characteristics of wh-questions in German child-directed speech. The results of the first study demonstrate that German-learning children frequently omit the initial wh-word. A lexical analysis of wh-less questions revealed that children are more likely to omit the wh-word was (‘what’) than other wh-words (e.g. wo ‘where’). In the second study, we performed an acoustic analysis of sixty wh-questions that one mother produced during her child's third year of life. The results show that the wh-word was is much less likely to be accented than the wh-word wo, indicating a relationship between children's omission of wh-words and the stress patterns associated with wh-questions. The findings are discussed in the light of discourse–pragmatic and metrical accounts of omission errors.
Estimated cumulative incidence of West Nile virus infection in US adults, 1999–2010
Authors: PETERSEN L. R. , CARSON P. J. , BIGGERSTAFF B. J. , CUSTER B. , BORCHARDT S. M. , BUSCH M. P. 
Published: May 2012

SUMMARYWest Nile virus (WNV) was first recognized in the USA in 1999. We estimated the cumulative incidence of WNV infection in the USA from 1999 to 2010 using recently derived age- and sex-stratified ratios of infections to WNV neuroinvasive disease (WNND) and the number of WNND cases reported to national surveillance. We estimate that over 3 million persons have been infected with WNV in the USA, with the highest incidence rates in the central plains states. These 3 million infections would have resulted in about 780 000 illnesses. A substantial number of WNV infections and illnesses have occurred during the virus' first decade in the USA.
Malignant anomalous left coronary artery associated with acute coronary syndrome and subsequent post-operative secondary stenosis of the reimplanted anomalous left coronary artery
Authors: Banerjee Debasish , Sriharan Mohanaluxmi , Nicol Edward D. 
Published: May 2012

AbstractWe present a case of a 14-year-old boy who presented with symptoms resulting from an anomalous left coronary artery. He underwent corrective surgery to reimplant the left coronary artery into the left coronary sinus. After 3 months, he developed new symptoms. On further investigation, a tight ostial stenosis of the left coronary artery was observed and the patient underwent left internal mammary artery to left anterior descending coronary artery bypass graft. This case showcases the importance of multi-modality imaging in the diagnosis of coronary artery anomalies and potential post-surgical complications.
Factors associated with high compliance/feasibility during iron and folic acid supplementation in a tribal area of Madhya Pradesh, India
Authors: Chakma Tapas , Vinay Rao Pinnamneni , Meshram Pradeep Kumar 
Published: May 2012

AbstractObjectiveTo study the feasibility of iron and folic acid (IFA) supplementation among tribal adolescent girls and identify factors associated with high compliance.DesignIntervention study with IFA supplementation among tribal adolescent girls of Bijadandi block, Mandla district, Madhya Pradesh, India. Girls (n 274) from twelve villages randomly selected out of 100 potential villages received daily tablets containing iron (iii) hydroxide polymaltose complex equivalent to 100 mg of elemental Fe and 350 μg of folic acid (commercially available as Feritas tablets, marketed by Intas Pharmaceutical Ltd, India). IFA was given for 100 d and supervised by school teachers and anganwadi workers. Compliance was measured using cards and interviews.SettingCommunity-based iron supplementation programme.SubjectsTribal adolescent girls aged 12–19 years.ResultsIn total 233 girls completed the study. Prevalence of anaemia was reduced from 94 % at baseline to 69 % after the intervention. Compliance rate (>80 tablets) was 89 %. Minor side-effects were reported by three girls, yet they consumed >80 tablets. Factors associated with compliance included fasting during the local festival (χ2 = 72·74, df 3; P < 0·0001) and counselling (χ2 = 72·74, df 3; P < 0·0001). Other qualitative factors like social mobilization, timely supply of tablets, quality of tablets (blister pack) and availability of teachers and anganwadi workers were also associated with the compliance and feasibility.ConclusionsHigh compliance indicates that IFA supplementation with tablets is feasible among the tribal adolescent girls of Bijadandi block, Mandla district.
AN EQUAL-AREA METHOD FOR SCALAR CONSERVATION LAWS
Authors: KRAMAR FIJAVŽ MARJETA , LAKNER MITJA , ŠKAPIN RUGELJ MARJETA 
Published: May 2012

AbstractWe study the one-dimensional conservation law. We use a characteristic surface to define a class of functions, within which the integral version of the conservation law is solved in a simple and direct way. A simple algorithm for computing the unique solution is developed. The method uses the equal-area principle and yields the solution for any given time directly.
Determination of primary sequence specificity of Arabidopsis MAPKs MPK3 and MPK6 leads to identification of new substrates
Authors: Sörensson Carolin , Lenman Marit , Veide-Vilg Jenny , Schopper Simone , Ljungdahl Thomas , Grøtli Morten , Tamás Markus J. , Peck Scott C. , Andreasson Erik 
Published: May 2012

MAPKs (mitogen-activated protein kinases) are signalling components highly conserved among eukaryotes. Their diverse biological functions include cellular differentiation and responses to different extracellular stress stimuli. Although some substrates of MAPKs have been identified in plants, no information is available about whether amino acids in the primary sequence other than proline-directed phosphorylation (pS-P) contribute to kinase specificity towards substrates. In the present study, we used a random positional peptide library to search for consensus phosphorylation sequences for Arabidopsis MAPKs MPK3 and MPK6. These experiments indicated a preference towards the sequence L/P-P/X-S-P-R/K for both kinases. After bioinformatic processing, a number of novel candidate MAPK substrates were predicted and subsequently confirmed by in vitro kinase assays using bacterially expressed native Arabidopsis proteins as substrates. MPK3 and MPK6 phosphorylated all proteins tested more efficiently than did another MAPK, MPK4. These results indicate that the amino acid residues in the primary sequence surrounding the phosphorylation site of Arabidopsis MAPK substrates can contribute to MAPK specificity. Further characterization of one of these new substrates confirmed that At1g80180.1 was phosphorylated in planta in a MAPK-dependent manner. Phenotypic analyses of Arabidopsis expressing phosphorylation site mutant forms of At1g80180.1 showed clustered stomata and higher stomatal index in cotyledons expressing the phosphomimetic form of At1g80180.1, providing a link between this new MAPK substrate and the defined role for MPK3 and MPK6 in stomatal patterning.
Phase II study of dose‐modified busulfan by real‐time targeting in allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation for myeloid malignancy
Authors: Kuwatsuka Yachiyo , Kohno Akio , Terakura Seitaro , Saito Shigeki , Shimada Kazuyuki , Yasuda Takahiko , Inamoto Yoshihiro , Miyamura Koichi , Sawa Masashi , Murata Makoto , Karasuno Takahiro , Taniguchi Shuichi , Nagafuji Koji , Atsuta Yoshiko , Suzuki Ritsuro , Fukumoto Mariko , Naoe Tomoki , Morishita Yoshihisa ,   the Nagoya Blood and Marrow Transplantation Group
Published: May 2012

We aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation with targeted oral busulfan (BU) and cyclophosphamide (CY) in a phase II study. Busulfan (1.0 mg/kg) was given initially in six doses. Based on the estimated concentration at steady state after the first dose of BU, subsequent (7th–16th) doses were adjusted to obtain a targeted overall concentration at steady state of 700–900 ng/mL. The primary endpoint was 1‐year overall survival (OS). Fifty patients were registered and 46 (median age, 53 years; range, 18–62 years) received planned transplant, including 24 with AML, 16 with myelodysplastic syndrome, and six with CML. Fourteen patients were categorized as standard risk. Nineteen patients received transplant from human leukocyte antigen‐identical siblings, 27 from unrelated donors. The BU dose required reduction in 32 patients and escalation in six patients. One‐year OS was 65% (95% confidence interval, 50–77%). Cumulative incidence of hepatic sinusoidal obstruction syndrome was 11%. One‐year transplant‐related mortality was 18%. Both OS and transplant‐related mortality were favorable in this study, including patients of older age and with high risk diseases. Individual dose adjustment based on BU pharmacokinetics was feasible and effective in the current phase II study. This trial is registered in the University Hospital Medical Information Network Clinical Trial Registry System (UMIN‐CTR, ID:C000000156).
Predictors and impact of microsurgical complications in patients with locally advanced oral squamous cell carcinoma
Authors: Chen Ya‐Wei , Chen Chia‐Yu , Chiang Shu‐Chiung , Lui Man‐Tin , Kao Shou‐Yen , Yang Muh‐Hwa 
Published: May 2012

Microvascular free flap transfer for post‐oncologic reconstructive surgery in oral cancer is considered to be a challenge due to the complexity of the anatomy and function of the region. We sought to identify possible factors associated with microsurgical complications and to assess the impact of these complications in relation to patient survival. Following the inclusion and exclusion protocol, 142 patients with stage III and IV oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) who underwent immediate free flap reconstruction after tumor ablation were included in the study. Clinical and surgical procedural‐related factors were retrieved from a database and analyzed retrospectively; survival data were evaluated using the Kaplan–Meier method. Major complications that required re‐anastomosis of the flap vessels occurred in 23 patients (16.2%); total necrosis of the flaps, regardless of salvage treatment, occurred in seven cases, with 95.1% of full flap survival. The American Society of Anesthesiologists classification, types of neck dissection, and number of flaps were regarded as strong predictors for surgical complications. Patients with these complications appeared to have a shortened survival (5‐year cancer‐specific survival of approximately 60%, both in stage III and IV OSCC). However, the impact of surgical complications on survival was significant only in stage III OSCC (P = 0.037). Strategies to minimize surgical complications should be used to ensure better prognoses for these patients.
Zinc finger E‐box binding homeobox 1 promotes invasion and bone metastasis of small cell lung cancer in vitro and in vivo
Authors: Liu Yi , Zhang Ning , Wang Yanxia , Xu Min , Liu Na , Pang Xiaowen , Cao Jian , Ma Ningqiang , Pang Hailin , Liu Lili , Zhang Helong 
Published: May 2012

Bone is one of the most frequent targets of small cell lung cancer (SCLC) metastasis and is closely associated with a poor prognosis, but the specific cellular gene alterations responsible for SCLC with bone metastasis are unclear. Zinc finger E‐box binding homeobox 1 (ZEB1) as an E‐box transcriptional repressor has been suggested that an important inducer of the epithelial‐mesenchymal transition (EMT) and a promoter of tumor metastasis in colon, breast and lung cancers. However, the relationship between ZEB1 and SCLC with bone metastasis is unclear. In this study, ZEB1 was found to be highly expressed in bone‐metastatic SCLC tissues and cell lines as compared with those that were non‐metastatic (P < 0.05). Using a lentivirus RNA interference technique to knockdown ZEB1 expression in bone‐metastatic SCLC cells (SBC‐5 cell line), we found that ZEB1 siRNA could inhibit the invasive and migratory ability and decrease parathyroid hormone‐related protein expression, as determined by invasion assays and enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assays. Besides, ZEB1 siRNA significantly inhibited the bone metastasis of SBC‐5 cells in vivo. Furthermore, overexpression of ZEB1 in SBC‐3 cells, which demonstrate promoted bone‐metastatic potential, dramatically promoted their invasive and migratory ability and parathyroid hormone‐related proteinexpression as well as increased the number and sites of bone metastases in vivo compare to the control group. We also found that SBC‐3 cells underwent EMT, as indicated by decreased epithelial markers and increased mesenchymal marker expression. Taken together, these results indicate that ZEB1 promoted the invasive ability and bone metastasis of SCLC cells, and that this was partially mediated via the EMT pathway. (Cancer Sci, doi: 10.1111/j.1349‐7006.2012.02347.x, 2012)
Comparative study of the value of dual tracer PET/CT in evaluating breast cancer
Authors: Tateishi Ukihide , Terauchi Takashi , Akashi‐Tanaka Sadako , Kinoshita Takayuki , Kano Daisuke , Daisaki Hiromitsu , Murano Takeshi , Tsuda Hitoshi , Macapinlac Homer A. 
Published: May 2012

The present study was conducted to assess the relationship between tumor uptake and pathologic findings using dual‐tracer PET/computed tomography (CT) in patients with breast cancer. Seventy‐four patients with breast cancer (mean age 54 years) who underwent 11C‐choline and 2‐[18F]fluoro‐2‐deoxy‐d‐glucose (18F‐FDG) PET/CT prior to surgery on the same day were enrolled in the present study. Images were reviewed by a board‐certified radiologist and two nuclear medicine specialists who were unaware of any clinical information and a consensus was reached. Uptake patterns and measurements of dual tracers were compared with the pathologic findings of resected specimens as the reference standard. Mean (±SD) tumor size was 5.9 ± 3.2 cm. All primary tumors were identified on 18F‐FDG PET/CT and 11C‐choline PET/CT. However, 18F‐FDG PET/CT demonstrated focal uptake of the primary tumor with (n = 38; 51%) or without (n = 36; 49%) diffuse background breast uptake. Of the pathologic findings, multiple logistic regression analysis revealed an independent association between fibrocystic change and diffuse background breast uptake (odds ratio [OR] 8.57; 95% confidence interval [CI] 2.86–25.66; P < 0.0001). Tumors with higher histologic grade, nuclear grade, structural grade, nuclear atypia, and mitosis had significantly higher maximum standardized uptake values (SUVmax) and tumor‐to‐background ratios (TBR) for both tracers. Multiple logistic regression analysis revealed that only the degree of mitosis was independently associated with a high SUVmax (OR 7.45; 95%CI 2.21–25.11; P = 0.001) and a high TBR (OR 5.41; 95%CI 1.13–25.96; P = 0.035) of 11C‐choline PET/CT. In conclusion, 11C‐choline may improve tumor delineation and reflect tumor aggressiveness on PET/CT in patients with breast cancer.
Randomized controlled trial of a novel cannabis use intervention delivered by telephone
Authors: Gates Peter J. , Norberg Melissa M. , Copeland Jan , Digiusto Erol 
Published: May 2012

AbstractAimsTo evaluate the efficacy of a telephone‐based intervention consisting of four sessions of motivational interviewing (MI) and cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) designed to assist individuals to reduce their cannabis use and related problems.DesignRandom allocation to intervention or delayed treatment control with 4‐ and 12‐week follow‐up assessments.SettingCounsellors from the Cannabis Information and Helpline (CIH), an Australian reactive telephone service, delivered the intervention to callers seeking treatment.ParticipantsA total of 160 participants were recruited by the CIH, with 110 participants completing the final follow‐up assessment (69% retention).MeasurementsCannabis use, dependence and related problems and other substance use were assessed at baseline and follow‐up.FindingsIntervention participants reported greater reductions in dependence symptoms [P < 0.001, d = 0.9 (0.5–1.3)] and related problems [P < 0.001, d = 0.5 (0.1–0.9)] compared with control participants at both follow‐up assessments. Compared with control, intervention participants reported greater confidence to reduce cannabis use at 4 weeks [P = 0.002, d = 0.5 (0.1–0.9)], and in turn reported a greater percentage of abstinent days at 12 weeks [P = 0.019, d = 0.6 (0.2–1.0)].ConclusionsA brief course of motivational interviewing plus cognitive behavioural therapy delivered by telephone can help to reduce cannabis dependence and promote abstinence in the short term.