bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
What are you going to do with a degree in that?
Authors: Kent Eliza F.
Published: July 2012

In an era in which the imperatives of global economic competition prompt institutions of higher education to promote vocational practicality and efficiency over all else, advocates of the humanities have struggled to articulate the distinctive value and contribution of our disciplines. This article seeks to develop an argument directed not at fellow academics, but at friends and parents who ask incredulously, ‘What are you going to do with a degree in that?’ After discussing the historical shifts that have led to the present-day predicament in which majoring in English, philosophy, religion, art or a foreign language seems supremely impractical, I argue that the most important resource necessary to succeed in today’s competitive marketplace is a clear, eloquent, impassioned voice. The learning exercises at the foundation of excellent humanities-based education may appear to lack any utilitarian benefit, but their long-term effect is the development of each student’s individual voice, which is priceless.
Theory, practice, and specialization
Authors: Jacobs Jonathan
Published: July 2012

Humanistic studies cultivate types of conceptual fluency and modes of awareness important to thought concerning values. Not all knowledge is scientific knowledge. There is genuine comprehension of some valuative matters – they are not all to be interpreted in expressive or subjective terms. Education in the humanities can encourage value-relevant types of discernment, awareness, and articulateness in uniquely effective ways. Though important kinds of thought concerning values may lack formal, theoretical elaboration they involve genuine standards of intellectual responsibility. Engagement with the humanities does not ensure development of sound valuative thought and judgment – nothing ensures it – but can have a crucial role in shaping it. Moreover, intellectual and moral imagination should not be constrained by boundaries of academic specialization. Specialization has several merits but it can motivate inappropriately reductionist claims and theoretical over-extension. Often, sound normative understanding is not dependent upon explicit theoretical justification or a specific inquiry’s explanatory idiom.
Single-walled carbon nanotube–modified epoxy thin films for continuous crack monitoring of metallic structures
Authors: Ashrafi Behnam , Johnson Leon , Martinez-Rubi Yadienka , Martinez Marcias , Mrad Nezih
Published: July 2012

Cracks are one of the primary forms of damage that can lead to the catastrophic failure of metallic structures. This study focuses on the application of epoxy nanocomposite thin film sensors for continuous monitoring of crack evolution in metallic structures. The core approach was to monitor the current (or resistance) change in these nanocomposite films, as cracks develop and propagate in the metallic host structure. Based on optical, electrical, and mechanical properties of epoxy resins modified with different contents of single-walled carbon nanotubes, two different nanocomposites (with 0.3 and 1.0 wt%) were chosen for the development of a crack sensor. The performance of the nanocomposite sensors was evaluated under tension–tension fatigue tests, on aluminum coupons with centrally located through thickness electrical discharge machining notches. Crack growth in the aluminum was found to transfer to the nanocomposite films in a stable mode. Once the crack was established, a linear correlation was found between the measured current and crack length with a slope of −10−11 and −10−8 A/mm for 0.3 and 1.0 wt% nanocomposites, respectively. Contact between the asperities formed on the crack surfaces in the nanocomposite film while the crack was closed at small loads (<30% of maximum load) was found to be an important limiting factor causing a large variation in measured currents during each fatigue cycle. Hence, a normalized variable based upon current change during each cycle was defined, providing a more accurate measurement of the crack size, with a crack gauge factor of ∼0.04 mm−1. In summary, the nanocomposite thin film sensor developed in this study offers both continuous crack growth monitoring and the possibility of strain sensing. The sensor is also suitable for visual inspection of the host structure due to the transparency of the developed nanocomposite film.
Impaired hypoxic cerebral vasodilation in younger adults with metabolic syndrome
Authors: Harrell John W , Morgan Barbara J , Schrage William G
Published: July 2012

Metabolic syndrome (MetSyn) increases the risk of cerebrovascular disease and stroke; however, its impact on human cerebral circulation remains unclear. Reduced cerebral dilation is also associated with an increased risk of stroke and may occur in MetSyn adults. We hypothesised that MetSyn adults would exhibit reduced cerebral vasodilation to hypoxia and hypercapnia. Middle cerebral artery velocity (MCAv) was insonated with Doppler ultrasound in younger (approximately 35 years) MetSyn and healthy adults. We measured mean arterial blood pressure (MABP), arterial oxygen saturation (SpO2) and end tidal carbon dioxide (PetCO2). Cerebrovascular conductance index (CVCi) was calculated as MCAv*100/MABP. Cerebral vasodilation (ΔCVCi) to hypoxia (SpO2 = 90% and 80%) and hypercapnia (+10 mm Hg PetCO2) was assessed. Baseline MCAv was similar, while adults with MetSyn had lower baseline CVCi. MetSyn adults demonstrated markedly reduced ΔCVCi compared to healthy adults in response to hypoxia (90% SpO2: 1±2 vs 6±2; 80% SpO2: 5±2 vs 15±3 cm/s/mmHg, p<0.05). Both groups demonstrated similar ΔCVCi to hypercapnia (18±2 vs 20±2 cm/s/mmHg). These data are the first to demonstrate that younger MetSyn adults have impaired hypoxia-mediated cerebral vasodilation prior to clinically overt cerebrovascular disease. These findings provide novel insight into cerebrovascular disease onset in MetSyn adults.
Intellectual Disabilities and Hearing Loss
Authors: Herer Gilbert R.
Published: July 2012

Undetected/untreated hearing loss imposes significant limitations upon individuals with intellectual disabilities (ID). It can interfere with cognitive development, impede communicative and social interactions, and limit vocational aspirations. Over the past decade, the hearing of 9961 people with ID was evaluated at Special Olympics sports events. This report provides outcome findings. A striking 24% of hearing loss is revealed, 1.4 times greater than the general population of similar ages (18 to 55 years). Most hearing loss is previously undetected, unserved or undertreated. Thirteen percent have sensorineural hearing losses, and most could benefit from hearing aids. An additional 11% show conductive/mixed losses needing medical attention. These outcomes highlight the need for parents, caregivers, primary care physicians, other healthcare providers and teachers to be informed about high incidences of hearing loss among people with ID, to advocate for annual hearing evaluations, and to assure immediate interventions once hearing loss is identified.
Deletion of scavenger receptor A gene in mice resulted in protection from septic shock and modulation of TLR4 signaling in isolated peritoneal macrophages
Authors: Drummond Robert , Cauvi David M , Hawisher Dennis , Song Donghuan , Niño Diego F , Coimbra Raul , Bickler Stephen , De Maio Antonio
Published: July 2012

Scavenger receptor A (Sra), also known as macrophage scavenger receptor 1 (Msr1), is a surface glycoprotein preferentially present in macrophages that plays a primary role in innate immunity. Previous studies have shown that Sra is a modifier gene for the response to bacterial LPS in mice at the level of IL-10 production, in particular. In the present study, we found that Sra(−/−) mice are more resistant to septic shock induced by cecal ligation and puncture than wild-type C57BL/6 J (B6) mice. In addition, Sra(−/−) mice displayed initial elevated high density lipoprotein (HDL) circulating levels. Naïve peritoneal macrophages (PMϕs) were isolated from Sra(−/−) mice to understand the possible protective mechanism. Incubation of these cells with LPS was found to modulate TLR4 signaling, leading to a reduction in IL-10 and IL-6 mRNA levels, but not TNF-α expression, at low concentrations of LPS in comparison with PMϕs isolated from B6 mice. No differences were found in LPS binding between PMϕs derived from Sra(−/−) or B6 mice. The lack of Sra binding to LPS was confirmed after transfection of Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells with the Sra gene. The contribution of Sra to the outcome of sepsis may be a combination of changes in TLR4 signaling pathway and elevated levels of HDL in circulation, but also LPS toxicity.
Ethnomedical Implications of Wierzbicka’s Theory and Method
Authors: Fabrega Horacio
Published: July 2012

Pain is a biological and subjective phenomenon. Clear understanding of its features is essential. Wierzbicka’s analysis accomplishes this. This comment discusses the relevance of her approach for the study of early evolution of medicine. The comment has six parts: (a) Wierzbicka’s theory and method; (b) its application to pain; (c) relevance of pain for the study of ethnomedicine, the cultural understanding of sickness and healing; (d) significance of natural semantic metalanguage (NSM) for understanding the evolution of human thought and behavior; (e) relevance of NSM for studying biological and cultural evolution of early medicine; and (f) summary and conclusion.
Pain’s Description: Beginning Grammar and Biological Philology
Authors: Hinton Devon E.
Published: July 2012

How can pain complaints be elicited and analyzed so as to increase the empathic bond between patient and clinician? I will argue that though Wierzbicka’s approach to this question is useful—an exploration of certain abstract dimensions of pain’s meaning—it fails to examine key aspects that are the most useful and crucial for cultural analysis and for building empathic bonds between the clinician and patient. Not just a grammar of pain is needed; rather a biological philology of pain.
Comment on Brian Parkinson’s “Piecing Together Emotion: Sites and Time-Scales for Social Construction”
Authors: Scherke Katharina
Published: July 2012

To emphasize the importance of “the social” for the construction of emotions, Parkinson distinguishes three time-scales: a phylogenetic one, an ontogenetic one, and a time-scale which focuses on real-time interactions. As far as the sociology of emotions is concerned, the last time-scale is of special interest. The following commentary deals with some questions of the sociology of emotions and draws special attention to the third time-scale Parkinson has suggested.
Affective Alternates: Comment on Aylett and Paiva
Authors: Bainbridge William Sims
Published: July 2012

A bewildering array of sciences, theories, and methodologies offer researchers many difficult choices when studying emotion or designing affective technologies. Thus, clarity of focus is a prime virtue of good work, as illustrated in the Aylett and Paiva (2012) article. The social sciences remain fundamentally undecided about how to conceptualize human variations, including how to measure culture and personality, and even about whether these two commonly used words have real meaning. This disagreement is pronounced in human-centered computing, because cognitive and rational-choice perspectives are technically easiest to apply, and these make little room for culture and personality. The article employs a modular approach, which can inspire researchers following alternative conceptualizations to substitute their own preferred choices.
Social Dynamics and Mixed Emotions
Authors: Higgins Kathleen M.
Published: July 2012

The commentators collectively indicate a variety of further considerations that should factor into an account of musical emotion beyond those I consider. I agree that we should seek a more holistic account of musical experience and provide some of my own suggestions toward this end in light of their remarks.
Missing Pieces in the Emotion Construction Kit
Authors: Parkinson Brian
Published: July 2012

This reply considers how my article’s approach might be extended by attention to individual, contextual, and ecological processes. I agree that individual learning and agency play important roles in ontogeny; that sociologists have conducted informative work about the interpersonal and institutional contexts shaping on-line emotion construction; and that consideration of the relational niches in which discrete emotions consolidate can help to clarify their abstract structure. Emotion construction works with nonsocial as well as social materials.
A Pilot Study of Effects of Fruit Intake on Cardiovascular Risk Factors in Children
Authors: Chellappah Jessica , Tonkin Andrew , Douglas Gregg M Elizabeth , Reid Christopher
Published: July 2012

Cardiovascular risk factors in childhood are known to be a predictor of morbidity. The objective here was to determine the feasibility of a school-based intervention of providing fruit daily in the classroom and its effects on risk factors of cardiovascular disease and dietary behavior. The authors designed a pilot study (23 children, 9-11 years old) for a randomized controlled trial with fruit served daily in the classroom over a period of 5 weeks as a readily available healthy dietary alternative and follow-up over 16 weeks. The main outcome included acceptability and impact on class time in addition to BMI, waist to hip ratio, body fat percentage, bench test, blood pressure, blood glucose and cholesterol levels, food habits, and attitudes toward dietary fruit intake. The pilot study showed that the intervention (a) was well received by children, parents, and teachers; (b) created minimal disruption to daily activity; and (c) may have the potential to influence physiological parameters and attitudes toward dietary intake in children. Improvements were seen in physiological measures such as body fat percentage and cardiovascular endurance tests, with improvements also seen in blood high-density lipoprotein cholesterol. Questionnaire data suggested that both dietary choices and canteen choices of the children improved over the intervention period. This pilot study provides the proof of concept for conducting a randomized controlled trial of daily provision of fruit within the school environment to evaluate the impact on cardiovascular risk factors at an early age.
Pediatric Obesity and Nutrition Counseling
Authors: Wilhelm Melanie J. , Zimbro Kathie , Smith Melanie W. , Shepherd Laurel S. , Rutledge Carolyn
Published: July 2012

About one third of children are overweight/obese. This study examined whether these children were more likely to have nutrition counseling documented and if counseling was affected by gender or ethnicity. Method. A retrospective secondary data analysis was used to explore nutrition counseling for an insured pediatric population. A sample of 526 records met inclusion criteria. Member records were categorized based on BMI as underweight, normal weight, or overweight/obese. Results. The observed proportion of overweight/obese children was significantly higher than the national average, 37% versus 33% respectively, P = .03. No significant difference was found in documented nutrition counseling for children with overweight/obese BMIs—Pearson χ2(1, N = 526) = 1.586; P = .21, Φ = 0.06. Likewise, no significant difference was found in documented nutrition counseling for overweight/obese children by race—Pearson χ2(1, N = 37) = 0.11; P = .74, Φ = 0.05—or gender—Pearson χ2(1, N = 194) = 0.35; P = .55; Φ = −0.04. In this sample, African American children were almost twice as likely to have Medicaid compared with commercial benefits—Pearson χ2(1, N = 114) = 13.57; P < .001; Φ = −0.35. However, no significant difference was found in documented nutrition counseling between insurance benefits—Pearson χ2(1, N = 194) = 0.04; P = .85; Φ = 0.01.
Addition of Calcium and Phosphorus to Preterm Donor Human Milk and the Impact on Protein, Fat, and Calcium Digestibility In Vitro
Authors: Fogleman April Danielle , Cohen Ronald S. , Sakamoto Pauline , Allen Jonathan C.
Published: July 2012

Infants born prematurely are at risk for metabolic bone disease and may need increased minerals for normal bone mineralization. In these situations, supplementation of human milk with calcium and phosphorus is common in the United States. The interaction of these nutrients and their carriers with other nutrition components of human milk has not been systematically investigated. The primary goal was to study the effect of calcium and phosphorus supplementation on the digestibility of protein, free fatty acids, and calcium in preterm donor human milk (DHM). An in vitro model of the premature infant’s gastrointestinal tract was used to simulate digestion. Protein, free fatty acids, and ionized calcium were measured before and after in vitro digestion in milk with and without added calcium glubionate and sodium potassium phosphate. Calcium and phosphorus supplementation did not negatively affect total protein, protein breakdown, protein digestibility, or fat breakdown when compared with unfortified DHM. Supplemental calcium increased ionized calcium, which may replace ionized calcium lost during milk expression, storage, and processing. Supplemental calcium glubionate and sodium potassium phosphate do not affect protein or fat breakdown in vitro. DHM contains less ionized calcium than fresh human milk because it loses CO2 during expression and processing. Adding supplemental calcium increases ionized calcium in DHM.
Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome in Orthopaedics
Authors: Shirley Eric D. , DeMaio Marlene , Bodurtha Joanne
Published: July 2012

Ehlers-Danlos syndrome is a heterogeneous connective tissue condition characterized by varying degrees of skin hyperextensibility, joint hypermobility, and vascular fragility. Joint dislocations, musculoskeletal pain, atrophic scars, easy bleeding, vessel/viscera rupture, severe scoliosis, and obstetric complications may occur. These manifestations are secondary to abnormal collagen, with specific molecular defects in types I, III, and V collagen; they may also be related to tenascin-X, which has been identified in some patients. Ehlers-Danlos syndrome has been classified into 6 types, with variable degrees of joint instability, skin hyperextensibility, wound healing difficulty, and vascular fragility. Diagnosis begins with recognition of the signs and symptoms of global hypermobility and referring appropriate patients for genetic consultation. It is important to accurately identify patients with Ehlers-Danlos syndrome to initiate appropriate musculoskeletal treatment, optimize anesthetic and postoperative management, perform appropriate vascular screening, and help families address their concerns with other families and advocacy groups.
Future Neurohospitalist
Authors: Freeman William David , Barrett Kevin M. , Vatz Kenneth A. , Demaerschalk Bart M.
Published: July 2012

Despite the growing demand for emergency neurological evaluations and neurohospitalists, the supply of neurologists remains relatively fixed over time.  Telemedicine is a unique tool that has the ability to put a medical specialist like a neurologist in 2 places in a relatively short period of time, expanding expertise in many rural and in some underserved urban facilities that would ordinarily be devoid of such expertise. Teleneurology is a branch of telemedicine that consults and practices through remote neurological evaluation. Telestroke is defined as remote stroke evaluation. The demand for timely neurological evaluation, especially acute stroke evaluation and treatment with intravenous recombinant tissue plasminogen activator (IV rtPA), continues to fuel the growth of neurohospitalists, telestroke, and teleneurology services.  Remote, rural, or underserved urban emergency departments and hospitals which are unable to successfully recruit a neurologist or neurohospitalist to provide this service are uniquely suited to a teleneurology option.  The number of private practices and academic centers providing telestroke services has grown significantly in the past decade with continued growth expected.  We describe the benefits and drawbacks of teleneurology/telestroke, as well as other practical aspects for the teleneurohospitalist.
Acute Loss of Bladder Control in a Stroke of the Frontal Cortex
Authors: Woessner Heidi , Vibhute Prasanna , Barrett Kevin
Published: July 2012

Lesions of the medial frontal micturition center can result in the activation of the pontine and spinal micturition centers when the bladder is full, causing urinary incontinence. Recognition of acute bladder incontinence as part of a cortical hemispheric stroke syndrome may reduce the likelihood of false localization to the spinal cord in patients with acute ischemic stroke eligible for acute reperfusion therapy.  We describe a case of urinary incontinence due to anterior cerebral artery infarction and discuss the cortical localization of voluntary bladder control to the anterior cingulate gyrus, inferior frontal gyrus, middle frontal gyrus, and superior frontal gyrus.
The older patient with hypertension: care and cure
Authors: Borghi Claudio , Tartagni Elisa
Published: July 2012

Hypertension is one of the most important clinical conditions affecting older people. Its prevalence in this group of subjects is above 60% and continues to grow. Isolated systolic hypertension accounts for the majority of cases as systolic blood pressure increases with advancing age, while diastolic blood pressure remains unchanged or even decreases. Nowadays hypertension is a well established risk factor for stroke and cardiovascular disease among older people and its treatment is considered mandatory. The general recommended blood pressure goal in uncomplicated hypertension is less than 140/90 mmHg, even if this target in older people is based mainly on expert opinion. All patients should receive nonpharmacological treatment, in particular reduction in excess body weight when body mass index is greater than 26 kg/m2 and dietary salt restriction. Older patients with hypertension may also benefit from smoking cessation, physical activity and alcohol restriction. In relation to drug therapy, a low-dose thiazide diuretic could be a good first step. Other first-line drugs are long-acting calcium channel blockers, generally dihydropyridines, and angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors or angiotensin II receptor blockers. The HYVET study showed a specific protective effect of indapamide with or without perindopril in people older than 80 years. Since monotherapy normalizes blood pressure in only 40–50% of cases, a combination of two or more drugs is often required. Moreover the addiction of a second drug may reduce the dose-related adverse effects of the first one. Finally, compliance with treatment should always be achieved by giving complete information to patients and simplifying the drug regimen as much as possible.
Investigation of weld defects in dissimilar friction stir welding of aluminium to brass by radiography
Authors: Esmaeili A , Givi M K Besharati , Rajani H R Zareie
Published: July 2012

The present study was focused on detecting weld defects in dissimilar joints made by friction stir welding. Radiography test and optical microscopy were used to evaluate the main defects. Coarse and continuous fragments of brass in aluminium matrix, tunnelling and void defects in vicinity of fragments were the main observed defects.
Investigation of mechanism of cleavage fracture initiation in intercritically coarse grained heat affected zone of HSLA steel
Authors: Mohseni P , Solberg J K , Karlsen M , Akselsen O M , Østby E
Published: July 2012

The degradation of the fracture toughness of high strength low alloy steels is attributed to the formation of ‘local brittle zones’ in the welded joint. These local brittle zones are mainly located within the coarse grained heat affected zone (CGHAZ) and the intercritically reheated CGHAZ (ICCGHAZ). Cracking and debonding of M-A constituents from the surrounding matrix are generally accepted as initiation events of fracture in the ICCGHAZ. In the present work, the low temperature fracture toughness of X80 pipeline steel was examined. The main purposes were (i) to evaluate possible crack initiation sites of cleavage fracture and (ii) to identify the mechanism by which M-A constituents deteriorate the ICCGHAZ toughness. The results revealed that the microstructure of ICCGHAZ contained blocky M-A constituents along prior austenite grain boundaries. Finally, it was shown that fracture initiation occurred preferentially at M-A constituents by a debonding mechanism rather than cracking of the M-A constituents.
Non-linear partial least squares and its application to minimising scale formation at a steel hot mill
Authors: Evans M , Kennedy J , Thomas P
Published: July 2012

Scale is highly detrimental to surface quality for tinplate products. As there are a large number of process variables at a typical hot mill, non-linear partial least squares was used to study the influence of these process parameters on tertiary scale formation. It was found that a logit model containing just two partial least squares components provided an adequate best fit to the process data with the most significant variables being the average temperatures at which the steel strip was entering the finishing and rolling mills, the average crop shear temperature and the percentage of phosphorus present within the strip.
Influence of chemistry on transverse cracking during continuous casting of medium C high N steel billets
Authors: Banks K M , Tuling A S , Mintz B
Published: July 2012

Corner cracking in medium C electric arc steel was experienced after continuous casting of square billets. This led to the investigation of the influence of high N levels on hot ductility. Steels microalloyed with V, Ti and B were subjected to in situ melting followed by cooling according to typical off-corner temperature profiles. Steels containing moderate amounts of V resulted in good ductility at the estimated off-corner temperature during unbending of 900°C due to the suppression of precipitation. Ti additions to V, Al, Si and B containing steels, although beneficial at low N levels, are detrimental to hot ductility when the N content is high due to a higher precipitate volume fraction. High Ti–B steels produced the worst hot ductility in medium C steels containing high N.
Interfacial microstructure observation and nanoindentation measurements in mild steel/HT780 clad plate
Authors: Sawanishi C , Ogura T , Sumi H , Oi K , Yasuda K , Hirose A
Published: July 2012

The microstructures at the cladded interface between two low alloy steels, a mild steel and HT780, having different transformation temperatures, were characterised using optical microscopy, SEM and nanoindentation. To study the effects of heat on the near interface structures, the HT780 clad steel plate was welded and heat treated. It was found that cladding produced an interfacial layer with greater hardness than was found in either steel type tested and that carbon was enriched in this layer. During welding, the interfacial layer broadened and its hardness increased in the heat affected zone, which was heated to approximately the transformation temperature, but then softened again at temperatures above Ac3. Hardening of the interfacial layer occurred under various cooling rates. These microstructural changes are potentially due to the difference between the transformation temperatures of mild steel and HT780.
The crystal chemistry of the uranyl carbonate mineral grimselite, (K, Na)3Na[(UO2)(CO3)3](H2O), from Jáchymov, Czech Republic
Authors: Plášil J. , Fejfarová K. , Skála R. , Škoda R. , Meisser N. , Hlousek J. , Císařová I. , Dušek M. , Veselovský F. , Čejka J. , Sejkora J. , Ondruš P.
Published: July 2012

Two crystals of the uranyl carbonate mineral grimselite, ideally K3Na[(UO2)(CO3)3](H2O), from Jáchymov in the Czech Republic were studied by single-crystal X-ray diffraction and electron-probe microanalysis. One crystal has considerably more Na than the ideal chemical composition due to substitution of Na into KO8 polyhedra; the composition of the other crystal is nearer to ideal, and similar to synthetic grimselite. The presence of Na atoms in KO8 polyhedra, which are located in channels in the crystal structure, reduces their volume, and as a result the unit-cell volume also decreases. Structure refinement shows that the formula for the sample with the anomalously high Na content is (K2.43Na0.57)Σ3.00Na[(UO2)(CO3)3](H2O). The unit-cell parameters, refined in space group P2c, are a = 9.2507(1), c = 8.1788(1) Å, V = 606.14(3) Å3 and Z = 2. The crystal structure was refined to R1 = 0.0082 and wR1 = 0.0185 with a GOF = 1.33, based on 626 observed diffraction peaks [Iobs>3σ(I)].
Biogeochemical behaviour of plutonium during anoxic biostimulation of contaminated sediments
Authors: Kimber R. L. , Boothman C. , Purdie P. , Livens F. R. , Lloyd J. R.
Published: July 2012

Understanding the biogeochemical behaviour of actinides in the environment is essential for the longterm stewardship of radionuclide contaminated land. Plutonium is of particular concern due its high radiotoxicity, long half-life and complex chemistry, with these factors contributing to the limited literature available on its environmental behaviour. Here, we investigate the biogeochemistry of Pu in contaminated soil as microbial processes have the potential to mobilize Pu through numerous mechanisms including the reduction of Pu(IV) to the potentially more mobile Pu(III). After the addition of glucose to stimulate microbial activities, there was a substantial shift in the 16S rRNA gene profile of the extant microbial communities between days 0 and 44 with an increase in Clostridium species, known glucose fermenters which have been reported to facilitate the reduction of Pu(IV) to Pu(III). A minor increase in Pu mobility was observed at day 44, returning to initial levels by day 118. The negligible change in Pu mobility, despite the onset of reducing conditions and changing mineralogy, would suggest the Pu is highly refractory. This information is important for developing remediation options for Pu-contaminated soils, suggesting that managing legacy Pu in situ may be preferred to mobilization via the stimulation of metal-reducing bacteria.
The mineralogy and crystal chemistry of alkaline pegmatites in the Larvik Plutonic Complex, Oslo rift valley, Norway. Part 1. Magmatic and secondary zircon: implications for petrogenesis from trace-element geochemistry
Authors: Piilonen P. C. , McDonald A. M. , Poirier G. , Rowe R. , Larsen A. O.
Published: July 2012

A detailed electron microprobe (EMP) and laser-ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS) study of zircon from six types of miaskitic and agpaitic alkaline pegmatite from the Larvik Plutonic Complex, Oslo rift valley, Norway, was undertaken to shed light on the pegmatite petrogenesis. Detailed rare earth element (REE) analyses indicate important differences between the zircon from each type of pegmatite. Primary zircon from miaskitic Stavern-, Tvedalen- and Stålaker-type pegmatites has a mean ΣREE = 704 ppm, is depleted in LREE and has a significant positive Ce anomaly (Ce/Ce* = 44–67) and negative Eu anomaly (Eu/Eu* = 0.15–0.18). Secondary Tvedalen-type zircon is REE-enriched (ΣREE = 5035 ppm), with a flatter REE pattern, Ce/Ce* = 0.97 and a Eu anomaly similar to primary Tvedalen-type zircon (Eu/Eu* = 0.21). Secondary zircon from agpaitic Langesundsfjord-type pegmatites display a distinctive flat REE pattern characterized by overall REE enrichment (ΣREE = 967), Ce/Ce* = 1.92, and a minor negative Eu anomaly (Eu/Eu* = 0.37). Zircon from agpaitic Bratthagen-type pegmatites occurs as both altered primary and secondary phases and is strongly enriched in REE relative to other zircon (ΣREE = 4178 and 8388, respectively). Primary Bratthagen-type zircon has a similar REE pattern to miaskitic zircon, with a steeper HREE profile and smaller Ce and Eu anomalies (Eu/Eu* = 0.73; Ce/Ce* = 6.22). Secondary Bratthagen-type zircon is strongly enriched in LREE compared to primary zircon, does not display a positive Ce anomaly and has Eu/Eu* = 0.56. The altered primary and secondary Bratthagen-type zircons have elevated Th/UN ratios, suggesting a different melt source for Bratthagen-type agpaitic pegmatites. Zircon from external pegmatites has trace-element signatures similar to Stavern-, Tvedalen- and Staålaker-type primary zircon with Ce/Ce* = 214 and Nb/Ta and Th/U ratios that are similar to those of secondary Langesundsfjord- and Bratthagen-type zircon. It is suggested that the parental melt of the external pegmatites is the same as the miaskitic pegmatites, but that it has undergone alteration by hydrothermal fluids derived from the host basalt, or by post-magmatic F-rich fluids which mobilize Nb and Th. On the basis of texture, morphology and geochemistry, two populations of zircon can be recognized: (1) primary zircon from miaskitic pegmatites; and (2) secondary zircon from post-magmatic, hydrothermal assemblages. The U–Th–Pb isotope analyses indicate that the secondary and altered zircon are depleted in 238U, and enriched in LREE. Interaction of a post-magmatic hydrothermal fluid with an externally derived meteoric fluid is suggested to have influenced the REE signatures, and in particular the Eu and Ce anomalies of the late-stage zircons.
Diamond and coesite in ultrahigh-pressure–ultrahigh-temperature granulites from Ceuta, Northern Rif, northwest Africa
Authors: Ruiz-Cruz M. D. , de Galdeano C. Sanz
Published: July 2012

Diamond and coesite occur in granulites of the Internal Zone of the Rif belt in northwest Africa. Diamond, identified by optical microscopy, electron microprobe analysis, Raman spectroscopy, cathodoluminescence and microstructural electron backscattered diffraction, is present as inclusions up to 20 μm across in garnet, K-feldspar, coesite relics and quartz. Thermobarometric estimates yield P >4.3 GPa and T >1100°C, which corresponds to a depth of formation >150 km. The estimates suggest that the diamond-bearing peridotites and adjacent crustal rocks experienced similar P–T conditions. If this is correct, there is an old (undated) core in the Betic–Rif cordillera and the current models of the tectonic evolution of the area, which are based on 'full Alpine' evolution, must be revised. This discovery provides further valuable information about the complex geotectonic environment of the southeast Spain and north Moroccan collisional orogen.
Jakobssonite, CaAlF5, a new mineral from fumaroles at the Eldfell and Hekla volcanoes, Iceland
Authors: Balić-Žunić T. , Garavelli A. , Mitolo D. , Acquafredda P. , Leonardsen E.
Published: July 2012

The new mineral jakobssonite, ideally CaAlF5, was first found in crusts collected in 1988 from a fumarole on the Eldfell volcano, Heimaey Island, Iceland. It was subsequently found in similar crusts collected in 1991 from a fumarole on the Hekla volcano, Iceland. It is associated with leonardsenite (IMA2011-059), ralstonite, heklaite, anhydrite, gypsum, jarosite, hematite, opal and several fluoride minerals that have not been fully characterized. Jakobssonite occurs as soft white fragile crusts of acicular crystals <50 μm long. Its calculated density is 2.89 g cm–3. Chemical analyses by energy-dispersive spectrometry on a scanning electron microscope produced a mean elemental composition as follows: Ca, 18.99; Al, 18.55; Mg, 1.33; Na, 0.33; F, 50.20; O, 10.39; total 99.79 wt.%. The empirical chemical formula, calculated on the basis of 7 atoms per formula unit with all of the oxygen as OH, is (Ca0.73Mg0.09Na0.02)Σ0.84Al1.06F4.09(OH)1.01. Jakobssonite is monoclinic, space group C2/c, with a = 8.601(1), b = 6.2903(6), c = 7.2190(7) Å, β = 114.61(1)o, V = 355.09(8) Å3and Z = 4. The crystal structure contains chains of [AlF6] octahedra which run parallel to the c axis. These chains are interconnected by chains of [CaF7] pentagonal bipyramids. Jakobssonite is isostructural with several other CaMIIIF5 compounds. The eight strongest lines in the powder diffraction diagram [d in Å (I) (hkl)] are as follows: 4.91 (18) (110), 3.92 (76) (200), 3.15 (68) (020), 3.13 (100) (1), 2.27 (22) (2), 1.957 (21) (400), 1.814 (20) (1), 1.805 (22) (20). The chemical and crystal-structure analyses of jakobssonite are similar to synthetic CaAlF5 with minor substitutions of light elements (e.g. Na) or vacancies for Ca, and OH for F.
Ectopic ATP synthase facilitates transfer of HIV-1 from antigen-presenting cells to CD4+ target cells
Authors: Yavlovich Amichai , Viard Mathias , Zhou Ming , Veenstra Timothy D. , Wang Ji Ming , Gong Wanghua , Heldman Eliahu , Blumenthal Robert , Raviv Yossef
Published: July 2012

Antigen-presenting cells (APCs) act as vehicles that transfer HIV to their target CD4+ cells through an intercellular junction, termed the virologic synapse. The molecules that are involved in this process remain largely unidentified. In this study, we used photoaffinity labeling and a proteomic approach to identify new proteins that facilitate HIV-1 transfer. We identified ectopic mitochondrial ATP synthase as a factor that mediates HIV-1 transfer between APCs and CD4+ target cells. Monoclonal antibodies against the β-subunit of ATP synthase inhibited APC-mediated transfer of multiple strains HIV-1 to CD4+ target cells. Likewise, the specific inhibitors of ATPase, citreoviridin and IF1, completely blocked APC-mediated transfer of HIV-1 at the APC-target cell interaction step. Confocal fluorescent microscopy showed localization of extracellular ATP synthase at junctions between APC and CD4+ target cells. We conclude that ectopic ATP synthase could be an accessible molecular target for inhibiting HIV-1 proliferation in vivo.
A new approach for psychological consultation: the psychologist at the chemist's
Authors: Molinari Enrico , Pagnini Francesco , Castelnuovo Gianluca , Lozza Edoardo , Bosio Claudio Albino
Published: July 2012

Background

The prevalence of mental illness and psychological suffering is greater than the availability of primary care services in Europe and, in particular, in Italy. The main barriers that hinder the access to these services are economic, the lack of proximity of services and some prejudices that may promote stigma and shame.

A new mental health service, named “Psychologist in the Neighbourhood” was created to intercept unexpressed needs for psychological assistance. The service allows everyone to ask for free psychological consultation, consisting of no more than four meetings with a psychologist, in certain chemists’ shops around the city of Milan. This article aims to present the service specific features of this initiative and the results of a pilot study.

Methods

Information gathered on all users included socio-demographic data, the reasons why they approached this specific service, how they learnt about it, the main presented problem and, for a random sub-group, the level of psychological well-being (as measured by the PGWBI). Socio-demographic data were compared with previously collected information about general users of psychological services. The outcome of the intervention was assessed by the clinicians.

Results

During the two-year project a total of 1,775 people accessed the service. Compared to traditional users of psychological services, the participants in this service were characterized by a higher presence of females, unemployed and retired people. The main factors encouraging access were proximity and the fact that the service was free of charge. Many of the users were redirected to more specific services, while for about a third of the sample the consultation cycle was sufficient to resolve the presented problem.

Conclusions

The interest and participation of the population was high and this initiative intercepted an unexpressed requirement for psychological support. Free access and home proximity, were the main reasons for accessing this specific service. Subjects were mostly re-directed to appropriate services, while about a third of the sample addressed and resolved their problem with the psychologist in the chemist’s shop.

These encouraging results suggest the benefits of bringing psychological consultations closer to citizens, particularly to those who cannot afford it, reducing socio-economic inequalities.
Qualitative evaluation of a diabetes electronic decision support tool: views of users
Authors: Wan Qing , Makeham Meredith , Zwar Nicholas A , Petche Susanna
Published: July 2012

Background

Quality care of type 2 diabetes is complex and requires systematic use of clinical data to monitor care processes and outcomes. An electronic decision support (EDS) tool for the management of type 2 diabetes in primary care was developed by the Australian Pharmaceutical Alliance. The aim of this qualitative study was to evaluate the uptake and use of the EDS tool as well as to describe the impact of the EDS tool on the primary care consultation for diabetes from the perspectives of general practitioners and practice nurses.

Methods

This was a qualitative study of telephone interviews. General Practitioners and Practice Nurses from four Divisions of General Practice who had used the EDS tool for a minimum of six weeks were invited to participate. Semi-structured interviews were conducted and the interview transcripts were coded and thematically analysed using NVivo 8 software.

Results

In total 15 General Practitioners and 2 Practice Nurses completed the interviews. The most commonly used feature of the EDS tool was the summary side bar; its major function was to provide an overview of clinical information and a prompt or reminder to diabetes care. It also assisted communication and served an educational role as a visual aide in the consultation. Some participants thought the tool resulted in longer consultations. There were a range of barriers to use related to the design and functionality of the tool and to the primary care context.

Conclusions

The EDS tool shows promise as a way of summarising information about patients’ diabetes state, reminder of required diabetes care and an aide to patient education.
Recombinant production of self-assembling β-structured peptides using SUMO as a fusion partner
Authors: Prakash Abhinav , Parsons Stephen J , Kyle Stuart , McPherson Michael J
Published: July 2012

Background

Self-assembling peptides that form nanostructured hydrogels are important biomaterials for tissue engineering scaffolds. The P11-family of peptides includes, P11-4 (QQRFEWEFEQQ) and the complementary peptides P11-13 (EQEFEWEFEQE) and P11-14 (QQOrnFOrnWOrnFOrnQQ). These form self-supporting hydrogels under physiological conditions (pH 7.4, 140 mM NaCl) either alone (P11-4) or when mixed (P11-13 and P11-14). We report a SUMO-peptide expression strategy suitable for allowing release of native sequence peptide by SUMO protease cleavage.

Results

We have expressed SUMO-peptide fusion proteins from pET vectors by using autoinduction methods. Immobilised metal affinity chromatography was used to purify the fusion protein, followed by SUMO protease cleavage in water to release the peptides, which were recovered by reverse phase HPLC. The peptide samples were analysed by electrospray mass spectrometry and self-assembly was followed by circular dichroism and transmission electron microscopy.

Conclusions

The fusion proteins were produced in high yields and the β-structured peptides were efficiently released by SUMO protease resulting in peptides with no additional amino acid residues and with recoveries of 46% to 99%. The peptides behaved essentially the same as chemically synthesised and previously characterised recombinant peptides in self-assembly and biophysical assays.
Population genetic structure of Plasmodium falciparum across a region of diverse endemicity in West Africa
Authors: Mobegi Victor A , Loua Kovana M , Ahouidi Ambroise D , Satoguina Judith , Nwakanma Davis C , Amambua-Ngwa Alfred , Conway David J
Published: July 2012

Background

Malaria parasite population genetic structure varies among areas of differing endemicity, but this has not been systematically studied across Plasmodium falciparum populations in Africa where most infections occur.

Methods

Ten polymorphic P. falciparum microsatellite loci were genotyped in 268 infections from eight locations in four West African countries (Republic of Guinea, Guinea Bissau, The Gambia and Senegal), spanning a highly endemic forested region in the south to a low endemic Sahelian region in the north. Analysis was performed on proportions of mixed genotype infections, genotypic diversity among isolates, multilocus standardized index of association, and inter-population differentiation.

Results

Each location had similar levels of pairwise genotypic diversity among isolates, although there were many more mixed parasite genotype infections in the south. Apart from a few isolates that were virtually identical, the multilocus index of association was not significant in any population. Genetic differentiation between populations was low (most pairwise F
ST values < 0.03), and an overall test for isolation by distance was not significant.

Conclusions

Although proportions of mixed genotype infections varied with endemicity as expected, population genetic structure was similar across the diverse sites. Very substantial reduction in transmission would be needed to cause fragmented or epidemic sub-structure in this region.
Proteomic analysis of the metabolic adaptation of the biocontrol agent Pseudozyma flocculosa leading to glycolipid production
Authors: Hammami Walid , Chain Florian , Michaud Dominique , Bélanger Richard R
Published: July 2012

The yeast-like epiphytic fungus Pseudozyma flocculosa is known to antagonize powdery mildew fungi through proliferation on colonies presumably preceded by the release of an antifungal glycolipid (flocculosin). In culture conditions, P. flocculosa can be induced to produce or not flocculosin through manipulation of the culture medium nutrients. In order to characterize and understand the metabolic changes in P. flocculosa linked to glycolipid production, we conducted a 2-DE proteomic analysis and compared the proteomic profile of P. flocculosa growing under conditions favoring the development of the fungus (control) or conducive to flocculosin synthesis (stress). A large number of protein spots (771) were detected in protein extracts of the control treatment compared to only 435 matched protein spots in extracts of the stress cultures, which clearly suggests an important metabolic reorganization in slow-growing cells producing flocculosin. From the latter treatment, we were able to identify 21 protein spots that were either specific to the treatment or up-regulated significantly (2-fold increase). All of them were identified based on similarity between predicted ORF of the newly sequenced genome of P. flocculosa with Ustilago maydis' available annotated sequences. These proteins were associated with the carbon and fatty acid metabolism, and also with the filamentous change of the fungus leading to flocculosin production. This first look into the proteome of P. flocculosa suggests that flocculosin synthesis is elicited in response to specific stress or limiting conditions.