bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
A Modified Nuss Procedure for Late Adolescent and Adult Pectus Excavatum
Authors: Yoon Yoo Sang , Kim Hong Kwan , Choi Yong Soo , Kim Kwhanmien , Shim Young Mog , Kim Jhingook 
Published: March 2010

AbstractBackgroundAlthough the Nuss procedure has been widely adopted as a standard procedure in children with pectus excavatum, reports focusing on its use in adults are rare. We retrospectively reviewed postoperative results to evaluate the safety and efficacy of the Nuss procedure in late adolescents and adults with pectus excavatum.MethodsBetween 2004 and 2007, a total of 44 patients (M:F = 38:6) with a median age of 20 underwent the Nuss procedure. The pectus bar was inserted under thoracoscopic guidance and the depressed sternum was lifted by means of a crane device before rotating the bar. The bar was secured with steel wires laterally at three points. A compound bar and sometimes double bar insertion was performed.ResultsThe median length of hospital stay was three days. Complications occurred in nine patients, including pneumothorax in five, bar rotation in two, wound infection in two, and pericardial effusion in one. Reoperation was performed in three patients to correct bar rotation (n = 2) and incomplete repair (n = 1). Three of the 26 patients with a single bar required reoperation, whereas none of the 18 with a double bar had a second operation. There was no recurrence of the chest deformity over median follow‐up of 12 months, except in one patient from whom the bar was removed prematurely.ConclusionsUsing the thoracoscope, the compound bar technique, the 3‐point wire fixation, the crane technique, and sometimes double bar insertion showed that the Nuss procedure could be performed safety and effectively in late adolescent and adult patients with pectus excavatum.
An optimization process in Value‐at‐Risk estimation
Authors: Huang Alex YiHou 
Published: March 2010

AbstractA new method is proposed to estimate Value‐at‐Risk (VaR) by Monte Carlo simulation with optimal back‐testing results. The Monte Carlo simulation is adjusted through an iterative process to accommodate recent shocks, thereby taking into account the latest market conditions. Empirical validation covering the current financial crisis shows that VaR estimation via the optimization process is relatively reliable and consistent, and generally outperforms the VaR generated by a simple Monte Carlo simulation. This is particularly true in cases when the out‐of‐sample evaluation sample spans a lengthy period, as the traditional method tends to underestimate the number of extreme shocks.
Maternal protein restriction with or without folic acid supplementation during pregnancy alters the hepatic transcriptome in adult male rats
Authors: Lillycrop Karen A. , Rodford Joanne , Garratt Emma S. , Slater-Jefferies Joanne L. , Godfrey Keith M. , Gluckman Peter D. , Hanson Mark A. , Burdge Graham C. 
Published: March 2010

Feeding pregnant rats a protein-restricted (PR) diet induces altered expression of candidate genes in the liver of the adult offspring, which can be prevented by supplementation of the PR diet with folic acid (PRF). We investigated the effect of maternal nutrition during pregnancy on the liver transcriptome in their adult male offspring. Pregnant rats were fed control, PR or PRF diets. Male offspring were killed on day 84. The liver transcriptome was analysed by microarray (six livers per maternal dietary group) followed bypost hocanalysis of relative mRNA levels and gene ontology. These results were confirmed for selected genes by real-time RT-PCR. There were 311 genes that differed significantly ( ≥ 1·5-fold change;P < 0·05) between PR offspring (222 increased) and control offspring, while 191 genes differed significantly between PRF offspring (forty-five increased) compared with offspring of control dams. There were sixteen genes that were significantly altered in both PR and PRF offspring compared with controls. Ion transport, developmental process, and response to reactive oxygen species (RROS) and steroid hormone response (SHR) ontologies were altered in PR offspring. Folic acid supplementation prevented changes within RROS and SHR response pathways, but not in ion transport or developmental process. There was no effect of maternal PR on mRNA expression of imprinted genes. Insulin 1 and Pleckstrin homology-like domain family A member 2 were increased significantly in PRF compared with PR offspring. The present findings show that the pattern of induced changes in the adult liver transcriptome were dependent on maternal protein and folic acid intakes during pregnancy.
Sex differences in the effects of maternal vitamin supplements on mortality and morbidity among children born to HIV-infected women in Tanzania
Authors: Kawai Kosuke , Msamanga Gernard , Manji Karim , Villamor Eduardo , Bosch Ronald J. , Hertzmark Ellen , Fawzi Wafaie W. 
Published: March 2010

We examined whether there are sex differences in the effect of vitamin supplements on birth outcomes, mortality and morbidity by 2 years of age among children born to HIV-infected women in Tanzania. A randomised placebo-controlled trial was conducted among 959 mother–infant pairs. HIV-infected pregnant women were randomly assigned to receive a daily oral dose of one of four regimens: multivitamins (vitamins B-complex, C and E), vitamin A plus β-carotene, multivitamins including vitamin A plus β-carotene or placebo. Supplements were administered during pregnancy and continued after delivery. The beneficial effect of multivitamins on decreasing the risk of low birth weight was stronger among girls (relative risks (RR) = 0·39, 95 % CI 0·22, 0·67) than among boys (RR = 0·81, 95 % CI 0·44, 1·49;Pfor interaction = 0·08). Maternal multivitamin supplements resulted in 32 % reduction in mortality among girls (RR = 0·68, 95 % CI 0·47, 0·97), whereas no effect was found among boys (RR = 1·20, 95 % CI 0·80, 1·78;Pfor interaction = 0·04). Multivitamins had beneficial effects on the overall risks of diarrhoea that did not differ by sex. Vitamin A plus β-carotene alone increased the risk of HIV transmission, but had no effects on mortality, and we found no sex differences in these effects. Sex differential effects of multivitamins on mortality may be due to sex-related differences in the immunological or genetic factors. More research is warranted to examine the effect of vitamins by sex and better understand biological mechanisms mediating such effects.
Novel findings on the metabolic effects of the low glycaemic carbohydrate isomaltulose (Palatinose™)
Authors: Holub Ines , Gostner Andrea , Theis Stephan , Nosek Leszek , Kudlich Theodor , Melcher Ralph , Scheppach W. 
Published: March 2010

The slow digestible disaccharide isomaltulose (iso; Palatinose™) is available as novel functional carbohydrate ingredient for manufacturing of low glycaemic foods and beverages. Although basically characterised, various information on physiological effects of iso are still lacking. Thus, the objective of the present study was to expand scientific knowledge of physiological characteristics of iso by a set of three human intervention trials. Using an ileostomy model, iso was found to be essentially absorbed, irrespective of the nature of food (beverage and solid food). Apparent digestibility of 50 g iso from two different meals was 95·5 and 98·8 %; apparent absorption was 93·6 and 96·1 %, respectively. In healthy volunteers, a single dose intake of iso resulted in lower postprandial blood glucose and insulin responses than did sucrose (suc), while showing prolonged blood glucose delivery over 3 h test. In a 4-week trial with hyperlipidaemic individuals, regular consumption of 50 g/d iso within a Western-type diet was well tolerated and did not affect blood lipids. Fasting blood glucose and insulin resistance were lower after the 4-week iso intervention compared with baseline. This would be consistent with possible beneficial metabolic effects as a consequence of the lower and prolonged glycaemic response and lower insulinaemic burden. However, there was no significant difference at 4 weeks after iso compared with suc. In conclusion, the study shows that iso is completely available from the small intestine, irrespective of food matrix, leading to a prolonged delivery of blood glucose. Regular iso consumption is well tolerated also in subjects with increased risk for vascular diseases.
RELIGION, HIV/AIDS AND SEXUAL RISK-TAKING AMONG MEN IN GHANA
Authors: GYIMAH STEPHEN OBENG , TENKORANG ERIC Y. , TAKYI BAFFOUR K. , ADJEI JONES , FOSU GABRIEL 
Published: March 2010

SummaryAlthough a growing body of research has linked religious involvement with HIV/AIDS protective behaviour in Africa, the focus has mainly been on women. Given the patriarchal nature of African culture, this paper argues for the inclusion of men, a critical group whose sexual behaviours have increasingly been linked to the spread and sustenance of the virus in the region. Drawing on different theoretical discourses and using data from the 2003 Ghana Demographic and Health Survey, this paper examines how religious affiliation influences men's risky sexual behaviours. While the results from the bivariate analysis suggested that Muslims and Traditionalists were significantly less likely to engage in risky sexual behaviour compared with Christians, those differences disappeared once socioeconomic variables were controlled, rendering support for the selectivity thesis. This finding could benefit programmatic and policy formulation regarding AIDS prevention in Ghana.
Introduced mammals, vegetation changes and seabird conservation on the Scott Islands, British Columbia, Canada
Authors: HIPFNER J. MARK , LEMON MOIRA J. F. , RODWAY MICHAEL S. 
Published: March 2010

SummaryThe Scott Islands, British Columbia, Canada, support the largest aggregation of breeding seabirds in the eastern Pacific Ocean south of Alaska. However, large seabird populations were eradicated by American MinkNeovison visonand RaccoonsProcyon lotorintroduced to Lanz and Cox islands in the 1930s, while the ecological consequences of the introduction of European RabbitsOryctolagus cuniculusto Triangle Island in the 1920s are unknown. We have seen dramatic changes in the vegetation on Triangle Island in recent decades, chiefly a decrease in Tufted HairgrassDeschampsia cespitosacover and a concomitant increase in SalmonberryRubus spectabiliscover. We carried out vegetation surveys at Triangle Island (1989 and 2004) and its nearest neighbour, rabbit-free Sartine Island (1987 and 2006), to test the hypothesis that rabbits have caused these changes. We found, however, that similar changes have occurred at Sartine Island as at Triangle Island over the same time period. Because these two islands support the bulk of the world's breeding population of Cassin's AukletPtychoramphus aleuticus, a small seabird that selects grass-covered habitat but avoids tall Salmonberry for nesting, the vegetation changes raise serious concerns for a species that has experienced dramatic population declines in recent years. Restoration of seabird nesting habitat by removing American Mink and Raccoons from Lanz and Cox islands will be vital for long-term seabird conservation in the Scott Islands.
SHARP INTEGRAL INEQUALITIES BASED ON GENERAL TWO-POINT FORMULAE VIA AN EXTENSION OF MONTGOMERY’S IDENTITY
Authors: AGLIĆ ALJINOVIĆ A. , PEČARIĆ J. , RIBIČIĆ PENAVA M. 
Published: March 2010

AbstractWe consider families of general two-point quadrature formulae, using the extension of Montgomery’s identity via Taylor’s formula. The formulae obtained are used to present a number of inequalities for functions whose derivatives are fromLpspaces and Bullen-type inequalities.
SERIES SOLUTION OF LARGE DEFORMATION OF A BEAM WITH ARBITRARY VARIABLE CROSS SECTION UNDER AN AXIAL LOAD
Authors: LIAO SHIJUN 
Published: March 2010

AbstractA general analytic approach is proposed for nonlinear eigenvalue problems governed by nonlinear differential equations with variable coefficients. This approach is based on the homotopy analysis method for strongly nonlinear problems. As an example, a beam with arbitrary variable cross section acted on by a compressive axial load is used to show its validity and effectiveness. This approach provides us with great freedom to transfer the original nonlinear buckling equation with variable coefficients into an infinite number of linear differential equations with constant coefficients that are much easier to solve. More importantly, it provides us with a convenient way to guarantee the convergence of solution series. As an example, the beam displacement and the critical buckling load can be obtained for arbitrary variable cross sections. The influence of nonuniformity of moment of inertia is investigated in detail and the optimal distributions of moment of inertia are studied. It is found that the critical buckling load of a beam with the optimal distribution of moment of inertia can be approximately 21–22% larger than that of a uniform beam with the same average moment of inertia. Mathematically, this approach is rather general and thus can be used to solve many other linear/nonlinear differential equations with variable coefficients.
A SIMPLE ALGORITHM FOR DEDUCTION
Authors: WHITEN BILL 
Published: March 2010

AbstractIt is shown that a simple deduction engine can be developed for a propositional logic that follows the normal rules of classical logic in symbolic form, but the description of what is known about a proposition uses two numeric state variables that conveniently describe unknown and inconsistent, as well as true and false. Partly true and partly false can be included in deductions. The multi-valued logic is easily understood as the state variables relate directly to true and false. The deduction engine provides a convenient standard method for handling multiple or complicated logical relations. It is particularly convenient when the deduction can start with different propositions being given initial values of true or false. It extends Horn clause based deduction for propositional logic to arbitrary clauses. The logic system used has potential applications in many areas. A comparison with propositional logic makes the paper self-contained.
MIXED DELAY-DEPENDENT STABILITY OF HIGH-ORDER NEURAL NETWORKS BASED ON A WEAK COUPLING LMI SET
Authors: LI MINGHAO , ZHOU WUNENG , NI ZIWEI , WANG MINGJUN 
Published: March 2010

AbstractThis paper deals with the problem of discrete and distributed time-delay exponential stability for deterministic and uncertain stochastic high-order neural networks. The concept of a parameter weak coupling linear matrix inequality set (PWCLMIS) is developed. New results are derived in terms of PWCLMIS. Large mixed time delays can be obtained by using this approach. Furthermore, these results are more general than some previous existence results. Two numerical examples are given to show the merit of the approach.
Hybridization for increased yield and nutritional content of snake melon (Cucumis melo L. var. flexuosus)
Authors: Pandey Sudhakar , Dhillon N. P. S. , Sureja A. K. , Singh Dilbag , Malik Ajaz A. 
Published: March 2010

This is the first report on increasing yield and nutritional content of snake melon (Cucumis melo L. var. flexuosus) by exploiting intraspecific genetic variation of genetically diverse melons. Inbred snake melon ‘Punjab Long melon 1’ (PLM1) was hybridized with five genetically diverse inbred melons: KP 7 (var. momordica), AM 72 (var. acidulus), ‘Arya 1’ (var. chate), 04-02 (var. tibish) and ‘Punjab Wanga’ (unknown botanical variety). The parents and hybrids were evaluated at three locations for nine traits. Hybrids PLM1 × 04-02 and PLM1 × ‘Punjab Wanga’ exhibited significant (P0.05) heterosis for the number of marketable fruits per plant, and ascorbic acid and carotenoid contents of marketable fruits.
A Comparative Politics of Gender Symposium Introduction: Comparative Politics and the Logics of a Comparative Politics of Gender
Authors: Beckwith Karen 
Published: March 2010

This symposium is the culmination of work that began in October 2007, when fourteen scholars from Australia, the United Kingdom, and the United States convened at Case Western Reserve University to participate in the research conferenceToward a Comparative Politics of Gender: Advancing the Discipline along Interdisciplinary Boundaries.The conference was funded by a Presidential Initiative Grant from the University and further supported by an ACES grant. Dr. Gregory Eastwood made available the Library of the Inamori Center for Ethnics and Excellence for our conference meetings. Many thanks to Linda Gilmore, Tonae Bolton-Dove, Gail Papay, Shelley White, and Sharon Skowronski for their expert administrative support. Professors Dorothy Miller (Women's Studies), Rosalind Simson (Philosophy, Law and Women's Studies), and Kelly McMann (Political Science and International Studies) served as discussants of the conference papers. To Theda Skocpol, who presented remarks at the opening dinner of the conference, and to the scholars who participated in the CPG conference and whose contributions are included in this symposium, I offer my deepest appreciation and gratitude.What do we mean by a comparative politics of gender? How would a comparative politics of gender advance our understanding of politics generally? What would it take to develop a gendered comparative political analysis? In the essays that follow, Teri Caraway, Louise Chappell, Leslie Schwindt-Bayer, and Aili Mari Tripp elaborate their understandings of a comparative politics of gender. Five additional essays focus specifically on issues of democratization (Lisa Baldez, Georgina Waylen), political institutions and representation (Mili Caul Kittilson, Mona Lena Krook), and comparative sex equality policies (Mala Htun and Laurel Weldon). In this introductory essay, I discuss what I mean by “gender” in the context of comparative politics. Briefly enumerating the advantages of comparative politics as a subfield for a gendered analysis of political phenomena, I discuss how a comparative politics of gender can serve to advance our understanding of politics generally, and I provide an example of subfield research—the study of political violence—where gender as a metaconcept may be particularly useful. I conclude by considering what it would mean to our study of gender and of comparative politics to place gender as a central concept in comparative political research and to move to a comparative politics of gender.
Nucleosynthesis Now and Then
Authors: Woosley S. E. , Heger A. , Roberts L. , Hoffman R. D. 
Published: March 2010

AbstractToday we understand, to reasonable accuracy, the origin of most of the abundant elements in the sun and similar Population I stars. Given our relatively primitive ability to model supernova explosion mechanisms, stellar mass loss, and stellar mixing, this is a remarkable achievement. This understanding is possible, in part, because supernovae are highly constrained by their spectra, light curves and the sorts of remnants they leave. This same understanding extends to the major abundances seen in primitive metal-poor stars down to [Fe/H] > −4. In particular, one finds no compelling evidence for exotic energies or unusual stellar properties. There are exceptions, however. About half of the isotopes above iron, ther-process and thep-process withA< 130, still have an uncertain origin, both in the sun and in metal-poor stars. The abundances in the hyper-iron-poor stars ([Fe/H] < −4) also require a special explanation. We suggest that they represent the operation of a first generation of massive stars that produced almost exclusively C, N, and O and black holes, a generation in which 100 M⊙were abundant, but stars over about 150 M⊙and under 30 M⊙were almost absent.
The Very First Stars: Formation and Reionization of the Universe
Authors: Bromm Volker 
Published: March 2010

AbstractOne of the key challenges for the next 10 years is to understand the first sources of light, the first stars and possibly accreting black holes. Their formation ended the cosmic dark ages at redshifts z ≃ 20 − 30, and signaled the transition from the simple initial state of the universe to one of ever increasing complexity. We here review recent progress in understanding the formation process of the first stars with numerical simulations, starting with cosmological initial conditions and modelling the detailed physics of accretion. Once formed, the first stars exerted crucial feedback on the primordial intergalactic medium, due to their input of radiation and of heavy chemical elements in the wake of supernova explosions. The current theoretical model posits that the first stars were predominantly very massive, typically ~100 M⊙. Our predictions will be tested with upcoming near-infrared observatories, such as the James Webb Space Telecope, in the decade ahead.
The Nucleosynthetic Imprint of 15 - 40 M⊙ Primordial Supernovae on Metal-Poor Stars
Authors: Whalen Daniel J. , Joggerst Candace C. 
Published: March 2010

AbstractThe first stars are key to the formation of primeval galaxies, early cosmological reionization, and the assembly of supermassive black holes. Although Population III stars lie beyond the reach of direct observation, their chemical imprint on long-lived second generation stars may yield indirect measures of their masses. While numerical models of primordial SN nucleosynthetic yields have steadily improved in recent years, they have not accounted for the chemical abundances of ancient metal-poor stars in the Galactic halo. We present new two-dimensional models of 15 - 40 M⊙ primordial SNe that capture the effect of progenitor rotation, mass, metallicity, and explosion energy on elemental yields. Rotation dramatically alter the structure of zero-metallicity stars, expanding them to much larger radii. This promotes mixing between elemental shells by the SN shock and fallback onto the central remnant, both of which govern which elements escape the star. We find that a Salpeter IMF average of our yields for Z=0 models with explosion energies of 2.4 × 1051 ergs or less is in good agreement with the abundances measured in extremely metal-poor stars. Because these stars were likely enriched by early SNe from a well-defined IMF, our models indicate that the bulk of the metals in the early universe were synthesized by low-mass primordial stars.
Constraints on the Nature of the s- and r-processes
Authors: Sneden Christopher , Cowan John J. , Gallino Roberto 
Published: March 2010

AbstractNeutron-capture (Z > 30) elements are detected in many very metal-poor halo stars, and so they must have been manufactured by some of the earliest element donors in our Galaxy's history. The bulk amounts of neutron-capture elements with respect to the iron group vary by several orders of magnitude from star to star at low metallicities. Additionally, abundance distributions among these elements are often strikingly different from that of the solar system. Some stars exhibit abundances that must have been made purely in “rapid” neutron-capture events (the r-process), some in “slow” events (the s-process), and some have hybrid mixes. Here we summarize the major observed categories of the neutron-capture abundances in metal-poor stars, and discuss their implications for early Galactic nucleosynthesis.
The slow-neutron capture process in low-metallicity asymptotic giant branch stars
Authors: Karakas Amanda I. , Lugaro Maria , Campbell Simon W. 
Published: March 2010

AbstractElements heavier than iron are produced in asymptotic giant branch (AGB) stars via the slow neutron capture process (s process). Recent observations of s-process-enriched Carbon Enhanced Metal-Poor (CEMP) stars have provided an unprecedented wealth of observational constraints on the operation of the s-process in low-metallicity AGB stars. We present new preliminary full network calculations of low-metallicity AGB stars, including a comparison to the composition of a few s-process rich CEMP stars. We also discuss the possibility of using halo planetary nebulae as further probes of low-metallicity AGB nucleosynthesis.