bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Comparison of the Cytodiff flow cytometric leucocyte differential count system with the Sysmex XE‐2100 and Beckman Coulter UniCel DxH 800
Authors: Park Borae G. , Park Chan‐Jeoung , Kim Sue , Yoon Chan‐Hee , Kim Duck‐Hee , Jang Seongsoo , Chi Hyun‐Sook
Published: June 2012

Introduction

Routine automated haematology analysers categorize leucocytes into five types. The Cytodiff (Beckman Coulter) is a 16‐part leucocyte differential analysis system that uses six markers and five colours. We compared leucocyte differential counts obtained by the Cytodiff with five‐part differential counts obtained by routine automated haematology analysers.

Methods

We collected 477 EDTA blood samples from healthy individuals and patients with malignancies, sepsis and multi‐organ failure. Leucocyte differential counts were simultaneously analysed by a Cytodiff multiparametric flow cytometric system and the XE‐2100 (Sysmex) and UniCel DxH 800 (Beckman Coulter) automated haematology analysers. Regression and correlation analyses were performed between the different systems.

Results

Our Cytodiff results were well correlated with those produced using the DxH 800 and XE‐2100 analysers except for monocytes and basophils. The correlations were poorer for leukopenic than for nonleukopenic samples. For most samples, Cytodiff obtained a higher correlation with manual counts according to a case analysis; however, in several samples, the Cytodiff generated false decreases in monocyte levels and false increases in basophil levels.

Conclusion

The Cytodiff may have an advantage, as it could sensitively detect blasts and immature granulocytes. Additionally, it was less labour‐intensive than manual counting, and therefore, the Cytodiff might be useful for differential counts.
BAM‐S005 Type A and B: New Silicate Reference Glasses for Microanalysis
Authors: Yang Qi‐Chao , Jochum Klaus Peter , Stoll Brigitte , Weis Ulrike , Kuzmin Dmitry , Wiedenbeck Michael , Traub Heike , Andreae Meinrat O.
Published: June 2012

To test whether the silicate reference glasses BAM‐S005‐A and BAM‐S005‐B from BAM (The Federal Institute for Materials Research and Testing, Germany) are suitable materials for microanalysis, we investigated the homogeneity of these reference glasses using the microanalytical techniques EPMA, LA‐ICP‐MS and SIMS. Our study indicated that all major and most trace elements are homogeneously distributed at micrometre sampling scale in both types of glass. However, some trace elements (e.g., Cs, Cl, Cr, Mo and Ni) seem to be inhomogeneously distributed. We also determined the composition of BAM‐S005‐A and BAM‐S005‐B. The EPMA data of major elements confirmed the information values specified by the certificate. With the exception of Sr, Ba, Ce and Pb, our trace element data by LA‐ICP‐MS were also in agreement with the certified values within the stated uncertainty limits. The reasons for the discrepancy in these four elements are still unclear. In addition, we report new data for twenty‐two further trace elements, for which the concentrations were not certified. Based on our investigation, we suggest that both of these materials are suitable for many microanalytical applications.
Enhancing floral diversity to increase the robustness of grassland beetle assemblages to environmental change
Authors: Woodcock B.A. , Bullock J.M. , Nowakowski M. , Orr R. , Tallowin J.R.B. , Pywell R.F.
Published: June 2012

Intensive grassland management has produced floristically species poor swards supporting a limited invertebrate fauna. Low cost seed mixtures can be used to increase floristic diversity and so diversify the food resource of phytophagous invertebrate. We quantify trophic links between plants and phytophagous beetles in grasslands established using three seed mixtures. Using food webs, we model secondary extinctions from the beetle communities caused by the loss of host‐plants. Plant species were eliminated according to three scenarios: (1) drought intolerant first; (2) low nutrient status first; (3) stress tolerant first. Diverse seed mixtures containing grasses, legumes, and nonlegume forbs, were more robust to secondary beetle extinctions. The highest diversity seed mixture increased robustness under scenarios of extreme drought in three out of four tested management regimes. Simple and low cost seed mixtures have the potential to promote landscape scale robustness to future environmental change for native invertebrates.
Conditional modelling of ring‐recovery data
Authors: McCrea Rachel S. , Morgan Byron J. T. , Brown Daniel I. , Robinson Rob A.
Published: June 2012

1. Ring‐recovery data can be used to obtain estimates of survival probability which is a key demographic parameter of interest for wild animal populations. Conditional modelling of ring‐recovery data is needed when cohort numbers are unavailable or unreliable. It is often necessary to include in such analysis a recovery probability that is declining as a function of time, and failure to do this can result in biased estimates of annual survival.

2. Corresponding estimates of survival probability need to be reliable in order for correct conclusions to be drawn regarding the effects of climate change.

3. We show that standard logistic modelling of a decline in recovery probability is unsatisfactory, and propose and investigate a range of alternative procedures.

4. Methods are illustrated by application to a recovery data set on grey herons. The model selected is a scaled‐logistic model, and it is shown to provide a unifying analysis of several data sets collected on different common bird species. The model makes specific predictions, providing potential new insights and avenues for ecological research. The wider performance of this model is evaluated through simulation.

5. In this study, we propose a new scaled‐logistic model for the analysis of ring‐recovery data without cohort numbers, which incorporates a reporting probability that declines over time. The model is shown to perform well in simulation studies and for both a single real data set and several real data sets in combination. Its use has the potential to reduce bias in estimates of wild animal survival that currently do not incorporate such reporting probabilities. Alternative models are shown to possess undesirable features.
Successful outcome in a case of equine multinodular pulmonary fibrosis (EMPF) treated with valacyclovir
Authors: Schwarz B. , Schwendenwein I. , van den Hoven R.
Published: June 2012

Equine multinodular pulmonary fibrosis (EMPF) is a progressive fibrosing interstitial lung disease, which has been associated with γ‐herpesviruses. This report describes a 22‐year‐old Warmblood stallion diagnosed with EMPF on the basis of clinical examination, laboratory results, lung radiographs and ultrasound, lung biopsy and inclusion bodies found in macrophages of broncho‐alveolar lavage fluid (BALF) as well as an identification of EHV‐5 DNA by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The horse recovered after one week of treatment with valacyclovir (40 mg/kg bwt per os q. 8 h) and is clinically healthy 2 years later. To our knowledge this is the first report describing treatment of EMPF with valacyclovir.
Parainguinal laparotomy as an alternative surgical approach for removal of an enterolith in the small colon of a horse
Authors: Barrett E. J. , Munsterman A. S.
Published: June 2012

This report describes the use of a parainguinal approach to the abdomen to remove an obstruction in the small colon that could not be removed using an initial ventral midline approach. The use of a parainguinal approach should be considered for removal of an obstruction in the distal portion of the small colon.
A Clinical Validation Study of Impaired Physical Mobility of Patients Submitted to Cardiac Catheterization
Authors: Paganin Angelita , Rabelo Eneida Rejane
Published: June 2012

PURPOSE:  To conduct a Fehring model‐based clinical validation of the defining characteristics of the nursing diagnosis of impaired physical mobility in a sample of 250 patients.

METHOD:  Cross‐sectional study.

FINDINGS:  Three of the 11 NANDA‐International defining characteristics assessed in this study were validated: limited range of motion, limited ability to perform gross motor skills, and difficulty turning. Although discomfort was not validated due to the rarity of occurrence, there was excellent interrater agreement as to its relevance (kappa coefficient).

CONCLUSIONS:  In this setting, three characteristics were validated.

IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING PRACTICE:  Validation studies are important for advancing evidence‐based practice.
Impact of Microchannel Boundary Conditions and Porosity Variation on Diffusion Layer Saturation and Transport in Fuel Cells
Authors: Armijo Kenneth M. , Carey Van P.
Published: June 2012

Polymer electrolyte membrane (PEM) fuel cell flooding can be detrimental to energy generation performance due to its role in reducing gas diffusion layer (GDL) oxygen transport. Previous transport models have made use of a zero-saturation boundary condition at the GDL/oxygen gas channel (GC) interface. However, the physical accuracy of this boundary condition is still unclear and further investigation is needed to lead to a more robust model of the GDL saturation distribution. This work provides a half-cell two-phase transport model for saturation as well as liquid water and gaseous oxygen pressure distributions. This work focuses on the impact of nonzero saturation boundary conditions at the GDL/GC interface, and its impact on GDL two-phase transport. Saturation boundary conditions at this location are determined based on GDL interfacial liquid coverage of water droplets that form as a result of product water that diffuses through the porous medium and blocks oxygen transport paths. The results indicate that nonzero saturation boundary conditions, which are a consequence of GDL/GC liquid droplet coverage, increase cathode saturation by as much as 4% and 12% for low and high current density conditions respectively. It is also shown that cathode saturation dependence on the interfacial liquid coverage fraction α is reduced with an increase in porosity ɛ. As ɛ increases from 0.3 to 0.5, the cathode saturation difference is reduced by 22%. This investigation also evaluated the inclusion and optimization of a microporous layer (MPL) within the half-cell system. It was found that cathode saturation reductions were more significant for increasing MPL porosity than for GDL porosity. The results suggest that its inclusion was able to reduce cathode saturation by up to 90% at the GDL/MPL interface for near zero α values.
Comparing large lecture mechanics curricula using the Force Concept Inventory: A five thousand student study
Authors: Caballero Marcos D. , Greco Edwin F. , Murray Eric R. , Bujak Keith R. , Jackson Marr M. , Catrambone Richard , Kohlmyer Matthew A. , Schatz Michael F.
Published: June 2012

The performance of over 5000 students in introductory calculus-based mechanics courses at the Georgia Institute of Technology was assessed using the Force Concept Inventory (FCI). Results from two different curricula were compared: a traditional mechanics curriculum and the Matter & Interactions (M&I) curriculum. Both were taught with similar interactive pedagogy. Post-instruction FCI averages were significantly higher for the traditional curriculum than for the M&I curriculum; the differences between curricula persist after accounting for factors such as pre-instruction FCI scores, grade point averages, and SAT scores. FCI performance on categories of items organized by concepts was also compared; traditional averages were significantly higher in each concept. We examined differences in student preparation between the curricula and found that the relative fraction of homework and lecture topics devoted to FCI force and motion concepts correlated with the observed performance differences. Concept inventories, as instruments for evaluating curricular reforms, are generally limited to the particular choice of content and goals of the instrument. Moreover, concept inventories fail to measure what are perhaps the most interesting aspects of reform: the non-overlapping content and goals that are not present in courses without reform.
Model of a mechanical clock escapement
Authors: Moline David , Wagner John , Volk Eugene
Published: June 2012

The mechanical tower clock originated in Europe during the 14th century to sound hourly bells and later display hands on a dial. An important innovation was the escapement mechanism, which converts stored energy into oscillatory motion for fixed time intervals through the pendulum swing. Previous work has modeled the escapement mechanism in terms of inelastic and elastic collisions. We derive and experimentally verify a theoretical model in terms of impulsive differential equations for the Graham escapement mechanism in a Seth Thomas tower clock. The model offers insight into the clock’s mechanical behavior and the functionality of the deadbeat escapement mechanism.
Stress-dependent changes in the diffuse ultrasonic backscatter coefficient in steel: Experimental results
Authors: Kube Christopher M. , Du Hualong , Ghoshal Goutam , Turner Joseph A.
Published: June 2012

In this article, the effects of uniaxial compressive loading on the ultrasonic scattering from polycrystalline grains are shown for 10 MHz ultrasound in annealed, 1018 steel. The results show a decreasing value of the stress-dependent backscatter coefficient for normal incident ultrasound when the compression loading is perpendicular to the scattering direction. The change due to scattering is about 2 orders of magnitude greater than changes observed by others using ultrasonic wavespeed measurements. It is anticipated that this research can serve as the basis for many methods associated with nondestructive determination of stress in structural materials.
SIMULATING SPIN MODELS ON GPU: A TOUR
Authors: WEIGEL MARTIN
Published: June 2012

The use of graphics processing units (GPUs) in scientific computing has gathered considerable momentum in the past five years. While GPUs in general promise high performance and excellent performance per Watt ratios, not every class of problems is equally well suitable for exploiting the massively parallel architecture they provide. Lattice spin models appear to be prototypic examples of problems suitable for this architecture, at least as long as local update algorithms are employed. In this review, I summarize our recent experience with the simulation of a wide range of spin models on GPU employing an equally wide range of update algorithms, ranging from Metropolis and heat bath updates, over cluster algorithms to generalized ensemble simulations.
MODELS OF ELECTRON INJECTION, DIFFUSION AND RECOMBINATION IN DYE-SENSITIZED SOLAR CELLS
Authors: CAI J. H. , CHEN H. , HAN L. Y.
Published: June 2012

In comparison with traditional solid p-n junction solar cells, the process of light-to-electric transformation in dye-sensitized solar cells is complicated. In order to obtain a comprehensive understanding of the physical and chemical mechanism in the complicated process, people have proposed some models to describe electron injection, diffusion and recombination occurred in the process. In this paper, we will give a brief review on these models. The electrical characteristic of dye-sensitized solar cell can be well described by the diffusion model, which was originally proposed by Södergren and later further developed by Ferber, Anta, Bisquert et al. The electron injection, diffusion and recombination manifest themselves via three parameters: injection efficiency η inj , diffusion coefficient D and recombination rate (time) K (τ) in the diffusion equation. Meanwhile, some microscopic models have also been developed to evaluate η inj , D and K. The dynamical behavior of electron injection can be described by a kinetic theory, and corresponding η inj can be understood from a conduction-band fluctuation model or a two-energy-level model. The power-law dependence of D and K on electron density can be well explained by trapping model, but the temperature behavior of D cannot be explained by this model. In the potential barrier model, a weak electron-density-dependent D is obtained, and the observed temperature dependence of D in experiment is naturally expected. Although currently the relevant experimental results cannot be consistently explained within one model, we believe that these models still are important for us to understand the physical and chemical mechanism in these microscopical processes and are helpful for us to further improve the photovoltaic performance of dye-sensitized solar cell.
SIMULATION OF THE ELECTRICAL PROPERTIES OF ZnO-BASED CERAMIC VARISTORS USING CONTINUUM THEORY
Authors: FANG CHAO , ZHOU DONGXIANG
Published: June 2012

A continuum field model describing the electrical characteristics of polycrystalline semiconductors ceramics is suggested. Taking into account the continuum theory, a static differential equation about electron level on the base of Poisson equation is established. The one-dimensional calculation is carried out using the Runge–Kutta method. The effect of grain size, temperature and donor concentration on the current–voltage characteristic and specific capacitance of the material is calculated quantitatively using ZnO ceramics as an example. The results pointed out that current and voltage characteristics divide into three regions: Linear region before breakdown field, nonlinear region near breakdown field and upturn region after breakdown field. As the applied voltage increases, the grain boundary barrier and the grain boundary capacitance in the nonlinear zone drop drastically. The results are compared with experimental data. An interesting phenomenon is that the Schottky barrier has a small offset along the direction of the applied electric field.
EXTENSIVE STUDY OF INTERACTION FORCE BETWEEN SPHERICAL COLLOIDS AND STAR POLYMERS
Authors: HIMMI MUSTAPHA , MOHAMMADI LAILA
Published: June 2012

We consider a system consisting of very small colloidal particles clothed each by f end-grafted flexible polymer chains we regarded as star polymers, and hard spherical colloidal particles in a good solvent. Our main objective is to determine the expression of the interaction force between a spherical colloid and a star polymer as a function of distance between them. We limit ourselves to the case where the star polymer is smaller than the colloid.

In the first part, the system is dissolved in a melt of short linear chains of polymerization degree P<N, where N denotes the polymerization degree of grafted chains. To compute the expected force, we consider two regimes: (1) high-grafting density [Formula: see text] and (2) small-grafting density (f < f*). For (f > f*), we show that the expression of the expected force coincides exactly with that of the case of a small molecular weight solvent. For (f < f*), we show that there is a change in behavior.

In the second part, we assume that the lengths of the f grafted chains were randomly distributed and there is talk of a polydisperse star polymer. We show that the computation of the expected force depends on the relative values of the polymerization degree of longest grafted chain, N, when it is compared to the typical one Nc ~ f1/(α-1). Here α is the polydispersity exponent. We distinguish two regimes depending on whether N < Nc or N > Nc. For the regime with N < Nc, and comparing the expression of the force obtained for the monodisperse case, we can say that the polydispersity of grafted chains induce a drastic change of the force expression. For the regime with N > Nc, we found the existence of two distance-ranges. For small distances, the effective force expression is identical to that relative to the above case (N < Nc). But for high distances, the effective force expression is similar to the monodisperse case.
ITERATIVE GROUP SELECTION-BASED ENHANCEMENT OF TIME-FREQUENCY MASKS FOR MISSING DATA RECOGNITION
Authors: PULLELLA DANIEL , TOGNERI ROBERTO
Published: June 2012

Missing data approaches have recently been applied to speech recognition tasks to increase noise robustness. The drawback of missing data techniques is the vulnerability of the recognizer to errors in the reliability mask. This work proposes a novel group selection algorithm to perform top-down refinement of initial bottom-up reliability mask estimates with the goal of removing these errors. A novel probabilistic decision process based on normalized likelihood distances is proposed and used to evaluate the quality of a reliability mask without any a priori noise knowledge. Experimental results on a speaker identification task illustrate the ability of the combined bottom-up top-down system to significantly outperform traditional bottom-up only missing data techniques for various types of mask corruption.
CARTAN CALCULUS OF Z3-GRADED DIFFERENTIAL CALCULUS ON THE QUANTUM PLANE
Authors: ÖZKAN ERDOĜAN MEHMET
Published: June 2012

To give a Z3-graded Cartan calculus on the extended quantum plane, the noncommutative differential calculus on the extended quantum plane is extended by introducing inner derivations and Lie derivatives.
LIGHT SCATTERING BEHAVIOR OF MAGNETIC FIELD INDUCED DIRECTIONAL SELF ASSEMBLY OF IRON OXIDE NANOPARTICLE SUSPENSION
Authors: GOGOI MADHULEKHA , DEB PRITAM
Published: June 2012

The magnetic control on scattering of light by ultrafine iron oxide (γ- Fe2O3 ) nanoparticles suspended in a carrier liquid was investigated. The light scattering behavior was studied using laser light under the influence of a permanent magnet over a rotating frame of reference. When the magnet is rotated continuously from 0° to 360° with respect to the direction of the incident laser beam, the scattered light pattern from the sample has the same angular displacement but in counter direction to the magnetic field rotation. When external field is not applied to the ferrofluid, no other preferred directional scattering of light is observed. The applied magnetic field induces directional self assembly of magnetic nanoparticles through dipole–dipole interactions. This finally leads to the formation of "nanoparticle grating" and the optical geometry of diffraction grating clearly describes the anomalous scattering behavior of the ferrofluid. Most interestingly, for each complete orientation of the field from 0° to 360°, the transmitted light intensity switches between maxima and minima for longitudinal and transverse applied magnetic fields.
TURING PATTERNS OF A PREDATOR–PREY MODEL WITH A MODIFIED LESLIE–GOWER TERM AND CROSS-DIFFUSIONS
Authors: HU GUANG-PING , LI XIAO-LING
Published: June 2012

In this paper, a strongly coupled diffusive predator–prey system with a modified Leslie–Gower term is considered. We will show that under certain hypotheses, even though the unique positive equilibrium is asymptotically stable for the dynamics with diffusion, Turing instability can produce due to the presence of the cross-diffusion. In particular, we establish the existence of non-constant positive steady states of this system. The results indicate that cross-diffusion can create stationary patterns.
Wideband Circularly Polarized Dielectric Rod Antenna
Authors: Guo Min , Yan Ji-Jun , Zhong Shun-Shi , Sun Zhu
Published: June 2012

A new dielectric rod antenna (DRA) is introduced to produce circular polarization (CP) over a wide frequency band without a complex feed network. Along with the simulated results, measured results of the antenna prototype are presented, showing a 3 dB axial ratio (AR) CP bandwidth of 17.7%. The radiation characteristics of the fabricated antenna are also demonstrated showing the measured gain of better than 6.2 dBi. Moreover, the measured impedance bandwidth (VSWR≤2) reaches 20.1%, from 8.75 GHz to 10.7 GHz, while the CP beamwidth (AR≤3 dB) at the central frequency is measured over 120°.
Catalysis of Methanol‐Air Mixture Using Platinum Nanoparticles for Microscale Combustion
Authors: Applegate James R. , Pearlman Howard , Bakrania Smitesh D.
Published: June 2012

High surface area, active catalysts containing dispersed catalytic platinum nanoparticles
(dp ~ 11.6 nm) on a cordierite substrate were fabricated and characterized using
TEM, XRD, and SEM. The catalyst activity was evaluated for methanol oxidation. Experimental
results were obtained in a miniature‐scale continuous flow reactor. Subsequent
studies on the effect of catalyst loading and reactor flow parameters are reported.
Repeat tests were performed to assess the stability of the catalyst and the extent of
deactivation, if any, that occurred due to restructuring and sintering of the particles.
SEM characterization studies performed on the postreaction catalysts following repeat
tests at reasonably high operating temperatures (~500°C corresponding to ~0.3Tm for bulk platinum) showed evidence of sintering, yet the associated loss of surface area had minimal effect on the overall catalyst activity, as determined from bulk temperature
measurements. The potential application of this work for improving catalytic
devices including microscale reactors is also briefly discussed.
The Vegetable Freshness Monitoring System Using RFID with Oxygen and Carbon Dioxide Sensor
Authors: Eom Ki Hwan , Kim Min Chul , Lee SeungJoon , Lee Chang won
Published: June 2012

This paper proposes an oxygen and carbon dioxide concentration monitoring system for freshness management based on radio frequency identification (RFID). Freshness can be checked by various factors including humidity, temperature, oxygen, and carbon dioxide. This paper focuses on oxygen and carbon dioxide. The concentrations of these two gases are related to freshness and affect the food. We use a sensor for monitoring these gases and combine the sensor with an RFID tag. The RFID system is relatively easy to manage. With this combined system, we estimated the freshness of vegetables.
ICAM-1 Upregulation in Ethanol-Induced Fatty Murine Livers Promotes Injury and Sinusoidal Leukocyte Adherence after Transplantation
Authors: Theruvath Tom P. , Ramshesh Venkat K. , Zhong Zhi , Currin Robert T. , Karrasch Thomas , Lemasters John J.
Published: June 2012

Background. Transplantation of ethanol-induced steatotic livers causes increased graft injury. We hypothesized that upregulation of hepatic ICAM-1 after ethanol produces increased leukocyte adherence, resulting in increased generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and injury after liver transplantation (LT). Methods. C57BL/6 wildtype (WT) and ICAM-1 knockout (KO) mice were gavaged with ethanol (6 g/kg) or water. LT was then performed into WT recipients. Necrosis and apoptosis, 4-hydroxynonenal (4-HNE) immunostaining, and sinusoidal leukocyte movement by intravital microscopy were assessed. Results. Ethanol gavage of WT mice increased hepatic triglycerides 10-fold compared to water treatment (P<0.05). ICAM-1 also increased, but ALT was normal. At 8 h after LT of WT grafts, ALT increased 2-fold more with ethanol than water treatment (P<0.05). Compared to ethanol-treated WT grafts, ALT from ethanol-treated KO grafts was 78% less (P<0.05). Apoptosis also decreased by 75% (P<0.05), and 4-HNE staining after LT was also decreased in ethanol-treated KO grafts compared to WT. Intravital microscopy demonstrated a 2-fold decrease in leukocyte adhesion in KO grafts compared to WT grafts. Conclusions. Increased ICAM-1 expression in ethanol-treated fatty livers predisposes to leukocyte adherence after LT, which leads to a disturbed microcirculation, oxidative stress and graft injury.
A2AReceptor Antagonism and Dyskinesia in Parkinson’s Disease
Authors: Morelli Micaela , Blandini Fabio , Simola Nicola , Hauser Robert A.
Published: June 2012

Dyskinesia, a major complication of treatment of Parkinson’s disease (PD), involves two phases: induction, which is responsible for dyskinesia onset, and expression, which underlies its clinical manifestation. The unique cellular and regional distribution of adenosineA2Areceptors in basal ganglia areas that are richly innervated by dopamine, and their antagonistic role towards dopamine receptor stimulation, have positionedA2Areceptor antagonists as an attractive nondopaminergic target to improve the motor deficits that characterize PD. In this paper, we describe the biochemical characteristics ofA2Areceptors and the effects of adenosineA2Aantagonists in rodent and primate models of PD on L-DOPA-induced dyskinesia, together with relevant biomarker studies. We also review clinical trials ofA2Aantagonists as adjuncts to L-DOPA in PD patients with motor fluctuations. These studies have generally demonstrated that the addition of anA2Aantagonist to a stable L-DOPA regimen reduces OFF time and mildly increases dyskinesia. However, limited clinical data suggest that the addition of anA2Aantagonist along with a reduction of L-DOPA might maintain anti-Parkinsonian benefit and reduce dyskinesia. WhetherA2Aantagonists might reduce the development of dyskinesia has not yet been tested clinically.
Global Transcriptional Analysis of Olfactory Genes in the Head of Pine Shoot Beetle,Tomicus yunnanensis
Authors: Zhu Jia-Ying , Zhao Ning , Yang Bin
Published: June 2012

The most important proteins involved in olfaction include odorant binding protein (OBP), chemosensory protein (CSP), olfactory receptor (OR), and gustatory receptor (GR). Despite that the exhaustive genomic analysis has revealed a large number of olfactory genes in a number of model insects, it is still poorly understood for most nonmodel species. This is mostly due to the reason that the small antenna is challenging for collection. We can generally isolate one or few genes at a time by means of the traditional method. Here, we present the large-scale identifying members of the main olfactory genes from the head ofTomicus yunnanensisusing Illumina sequencing. In a single run, we obtained over 51.8 million raw reads. These reads were assembled into 57,142 unigenes. Nearly 29,384 of them were functionally annotated in the NCBI nonredundant database. By depth analysis of the data, 11 OBPs, 8 CSPs, 18 ORs, and 8 GRs were retrieved. Sequences encoding full length proteins were further characterised for one OBP and two CSPs. The obtained olfactory genes provide a major resource in further unraveling the molecular mechanisms ofT. yunnanensischemoperception. This study indicates that the next generation sequencing is an attractive approach for efficient identification of olfactory genes from insects, for which the genome sequence is unavailable.
Incidental Diagnostic and Treatment of a Suppurative Appendicitis at Colonoscopy
Authors: Benatta Mohammed Amine
Published: June 2012

We herein report a patient with acute appendicitis who was diagnosed by colonoscopy: a 54-year-old woman with normal physical examination and laboratory results within normal limits. The case had shown an erythematous and edematous bulging polypoid lesion with purulent discharging from appendiceal orifice into the cecum. At colonoscopy, appendix appeared as an erythematous and edematous bulging polypoid lesion with purulent discharging from appendiceal orifice into the coecum. Surgeons exclude any emergency. Two weeks later, a colonoscopic second look was performed, and the same bulging polypoid lesion was found but without spontaneous purulent discharging. Appendiceal endoscopic pus drainage was then performed.
Pharmacological Characterization of the Mechanisms Involved in Delayed Calcium Deregulation in SH-SY5Y Cells Challenged with Methadone
Authors: Perez-Alvarez Sergio , Solesio Maria E. , Cuenca-Lopez Maria D. , Melero-Fernández de Mera Raquel M. , Villalobos Carlos , Kmita Hanna , Galindo Maria F. , Jordán Joaquin
Published: June 2012

Previously, we have shown that SH-SY5Y cells exposed to high concentrations of methadone died due to a necrotic-like cell death mechanism related to delayed calcium deregulation (DCD). In this study, we show that, in terms of their Ca2+responses to 0.5 mM methadone, SH-SY5Y cells can be pooled into four different groups. In a broad pharmacological survey, the relevance of different Ca2+-related mechanisms on methadone-induced DCD was investigated including extracellular calcium, L-type Ca2+channels,μ-opioid receptor, mitochondrial inner membrane potential, mitochondrial ATP synthesis, mitochondrial Ca2+/2Na+-exchanger, reactive oxygen species, and mitochondrial permeability transition. Only those compounds targeting mitochondria such as oligomycin, FCCP, CGP 37157, and cyclosporine A were able to amend methadone-induced Ca2+dyshomeostasis suggesting that methadone induces DCD by modulating the ability of mitochondria to handle Ca2+. Consistently, mitochondria became dramatically shorter and rounder in the presence of methadone. Furthermore, analysis of oxygen uptake by isolated rat liver mitochondria suggested that methadone affected mitochondrial Ca2+uptake in a respiratory substrate-dependent way. We conclude that methadone causes failure of intracellular Ca2+homeostasis, and this effect is associated with morphological and functional changes of mitochondria. Likely, this mechanism contributes to degenerative side effects associated with methadone treatment.
Uniformly Immobilizing Gold Nanorods on a Glass Substrate
Authors: Weinrib Hadas , Meiri Amihai , Duadi Hamootal , Fixler Dror
Published: June 2012

The goal of this paper is to immobilize gold nanoparticles uniformly on a glass substrate. In order to attach gold-nanorods (GNRs) to an area of a few squared microns surface of glass substrate without preliminary coating of the GNR, 3-(Mercaptopropyl)trimethoxysilane molecules were used as linker while using different methods. These methods included placing the glass slide and the GNR (1) inside a tube without any motion; (2) inside a shaker; (3) in a fan setup. The fan setup included a tube containing the GNR solution and the glass slide at a vertical position, when the fan blows above the tube, producing turbulations in the liquid. Each method was evaluated according to the density and the homogeneousness of the GNR monolayer on the surface. The uniformity of the monolayer was demonstrated using AFM images of different areas on the slides, and the effectiveness of the protocol was demonstrated by calculating the average density of the GNR on the surface using image processing and analysis software. It was found that while both the shaker and the fan setups improved the monolayer density, the fan setup improved the density by a factor of more than two than the density found using the shaker.
Central Role of the EGF Receptor in Neurometabolic Aging
Authors: Siddiqui Sana , Fang Meng , Ni Bin , Lu Daoyuan , Martin Bronwen , Maudsley Stuart
Published: June 2012

A strong connection between neuronal and metabolic health has been revealed in recent years. It appears that both normal and pathophysiological aging, as well as neurodegenerative disorders, are all profoundly influenced by this “neurometabolic” interface, that is, communication between the brain and metabolic organs. An important aspect of this “neurometabolic” axis that needs to be investigated involves an elucidation of molecular factors that knit these two functional signaling domains, neuronal and metabolic, together. This paper attempts to identify and discuss a potential keystone signaling factor in this “neurometabolic” axis, that is, the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR). The EGFR has been previously demonstrated to act as a signaling nexus for many ligand signaling modalities and cellular stressors, for example, radiation and oxidative radicals, linked to aging and degeneration. The EGFR is expressed in a wide variety of cells/tissues that pertain to the coordinated regulation of neurometabolic activity. EGFR signaling has been highlighted directly or indirectly in a spectrum of neurometabolic conditions, for example, metabolic syndrome, diabetes, Alzheimer’s disease, cancer, and cardiorespiratory function. Understanding the positioning of the EGFR within the neurometabolic domain will enhance our appreciation of the ability of this receptor system to underpin highly complex physiological paradigms such as aging and neurodegeneration.
Microfluidic Platforms for Evaluation of Nanobiomaterials: A Review
Authors: Giridharan Venkataraman , Yun YeoHeung , Hajdu Peter , Conforti Laura , Collins Boyce , Jang Yongseok , Sankar Jagannathan
Published: June 2012

Biomaterials, especially those based on nanomaterials, have emerged as critical tools in biomedical applications. The applications encompass a wide range such as implantable devices, tissue regeneration, drug delivery, diagnostic systems, and molecular printing. The type of materials used also covers a wide range: metals (permanent and degradable), polymers (permanent and degradable), carbon nanotubes, and lipid nanoparticles. This paper explores the use of microfluidic platforms as a high‐throughput research tool for the evaluation of nanobiomaterials. Typical screening of such materials involves cell/tissue cultures to determine attributes such as cell adhesion, proliferation, differentiation, as well as biocompatibility. In addition to this, other areas such as drug delivery and toxicity can also be evaluated via microfluidics. Traditional approach for screening of such materials is very time‐consuming, and a lot of animals should be sacrificed since it involves one material and a single composition or concentration for a single test. The microfluidics approach has the advantage of using multiple types of drugs and their concentration gradients to simultaneously study the effect on the nanobiomaterial and its interaction with cell/tissue. In addition to this, microfluidics provides a unique environment to study the effect of cell‐to‐extracellular interaction and cell‐to‐cell communication in the presence of the nanobiomaterials.
A Novel Approach to Design Chitosan-Polyester Materials for Biomedical Applications
Authors: Akopova Tatiana A. , Demina Tatiana S. , Shchegolikhin Alexander N. , Kurkin Tikhon S. , Grandfils Christian , Perov Nikolay S. , Kechekyan Alexander S. , Zelenetskii Alexander N.
Published: June 2012

A novel approach to design chitosan-polyester materials is reported. The method is based on mechanical activation and effective intermixing of the substrates under high pressure and shear deformation in the course of solid-state reactive blending. The marked departure of this approach from previous practice resides on exploitation of a variety of chemical transformations of the solid polymers that become feasible under conditions of plastic flow. Low temperatures (aboveTgbut below the melting points of the crystalline polymers) are maintained throughout the process, minimizing mechanical and oxidative degradation of the polymers. Morphology as well as structural, mechanical, and relaxation properties of those prepared blends of chitosan with semicrystalline poly(L,L-lactide) and amorphous poly(D,L-lactide-co-glycolide) has been studied. Grafting of polyester moieties onto chitosan chains was found to occur under employed pressures and shear stresses. The prepared polymer blends have demonstrated an amphiphilic behavior with a propensity to disperse in organic solvents that widens possibilities to transform them into promising materials for various biomedical applications.
Reducing the Environmental Impact of Dietary Choice: Perspectives from a Behavioural and Social Change Approach
Authors: Joyce Andrew , Dixon Sarah , Comfort Jude , Hallett Jonathan
Published: June 2012

Climate change is recognised as a significant public health issue that will impact on food security. One of the major contributors to global warming is the livestock industry, and, relative to plant-based agriculture, meat production has a much higher environmental impact in relation to freshwater use, amount of land required, and waste products generated. Promoting increased consumption of plant-based foods is a recommended strategy to reduce human impact on the environment and is also now recognised as a potential strategy to reduce the high rates of some chronic diseases such as cardiovascular disease and certain cancers. Currently there is a scant evidence base for policies and programs aiming to increase consumption of plant-based diets and little research on the necessary conditions for that change to occur and the processes involved in such a change. This paper reviews some of the environmental and health consequences of current dietary practices, reviews literature on the determinants of consuming a plant-based diet, and provides recommendations for further research in this area.
Distinct Development of the Trigeminal Sensory Nuclei in Platypus and Echidna
Authors: Ashwell Ken W.S. , Hardman Craig D.
Published: June 2012

Both lineages of the modern monotremes have been reported to be capable of electroreception using the trigeminal pathways and it has been argued that electroreception arose in an aquatic platypus-like ancestor of both modern monotreme groups. On the other hand, the trigeminal sensory nuclear complex of the platypus is highly modified for processing tactile and electrosensory information from the bill, whereas the trigeminal sensory nuclear complex of the short-beaked echidna (Tachyglossus aculeatus) is not particularly specialized. If the common ancestor for both platypus and echidna were an electroreceptively and trigeminally specialized aquatic feeder, one would expect the early stages of development of the trigeminal sensory nuclei in both species to show evidence of structural specialization from the outset. To determine whether this is the case, we examined the development of the trigeminal sensory nuclei in the platypus and short-beaked echidna using the Hill and Hubrecht embryological collections. We found that the highly specialized features of the platypus trigeminal sensory nuclei (i.e. the large size of the principal nucleus and oral part of the spinal trigeminal nuclear complex, and the presence of a dorsolateral parvicellular segment in the principal nucleus) appear around the time of hatching in the platypus, but are never seen at any stage in the echidna. Our findings support the proposition that the modern echidna and platypus are derived from a common ancestor with only minimal trigeminal specialization and that the peculiar anatomy of the trigeminal sensory nuclei in the modern platypus emerged in the ornithorhynchids after divergence from the tachyglossids.
Circulation
's Editors' Picks
Authors:   The Editors
Published: June 2012

The following articles are being highlighted as part of
Circulation's
Topic Review series. This series summarizes the most important manuscripts, as selected by the editors, published in
Circulation
and the
Circulation
subspecialty journals. The studies included in this article represent the Editors' Picks for each
Circulation
issue published in 2011.
A Comparison of Global Search Algorithms for Continuous Black Box Optimization
Authors: Pošík Petr , Huyer Waltraud , Pál László
Published: June 2012

Four methods for global numerical black box optimization with origins in the mathematical programming community are described and experimentally compared with the state of the art evolutionary method, BIPOP-CMA-ES. The methods chosen for the comparison exhibit various features that are potentially interesting for the evolutionary computation community: systematic sampling of the search space (DIRECT, MCS) possibly combined with a local search method (MCS), or a multi-start approach (NEWUOA, GLOBAL) possibly equipped with a careful selection of points to run a local optimizer from (GLOBAL). The recently proposed “comparing continuous optimizers” (COCO) methodology was adopted as the basis for the comparison. Based on the results, we draw suggestions about which algorithm should be used depending on the available budget of function evaluations, and we propose several possibilities for hybridizing evolutionary algorithms (EAs) with features of the other compared algorithms.
De korte loopbaan van Nicolaes Berchem de Jonge
Authors: de Kinkelder Marijke C.
Published: June 2012

It is virtually unknown that the famous painter from Haarlem, Nicolaes Pietersz Berchem (1620-1683), had a namesake son who was also a painter. This is evident from the signature 'd'Jonge Berchem' ('The Young Berchem'), displayed on the painting Zuidelijk landschap met door een rivier trekkende herders en hun dieren, (Southern landscape with shepherds crossing a river with their cattle) (fig. 2). Nicolaes de Jonge was born in 1649 in Haarlem and died at the age of 22 in Paris. He was undoubtedly educated by his father though both his grandfathers, Pieter Claesz (1597/1598-1660) and Jan Wils (1603-1666), may also have contributed to his artistic education. His father's influence is clearly identifiable in his paintings as he made a number of citations from his work. This article reconstructs the life and work of the young artist, who died an untimely death.
The African Traditional Ritual of Cleansing the Chest of Grudges as a Ritual of Reconciliation
Authors: Nolte-Schamm Claudia
Published: June 2012

This article describes a Southern African traditional cultural ritual which is employed in order to reconcile hostile parties, namely parties who are at loggerheads about something and wish to resolve the conflict that is dividing them. Using resources gleaned from ritual and sociological studies, as well as from theology, the author offers an interpretive analysis of the ritual. The aim of the article is to illuminate the value and significance of traditional African rituals for the promotion of social reconciliation in the South African context. The present article is one of two essays that consider the named ritual.
Porcelain and the Material Culture of the Mongol-Yuan Court
Authors: Gerritsen Anne
Published: June 2012

Abstract

This paper offers a re-evaluation of the significance of porcelain during the Yuan dynasty by analyzing a type of ceramics known as luanbai or shufu wares. These matt white porcelains, sometimes inscribed with the characters shu and fu, have generally been seen as official wares, manufactured on the orders of the highest echelons of the Yuan central government and classified as high-quality luxury wares associated with the imperial court. This paper proposes that this conventional interpretation is misleading. Instead of understanding luanbai wares as part of the narrative of ceramics manufacture and the history of porcelain, I explore their relevance by situating them in the context of Yuan-dynasty material culture more broadly, court-sponsored craft manufactures, and the practice of inscribing objects. This approach reveals a different story, highlighting the absence of court control over ceramic production, the ensuing freedom to experiment locally with new ceramic production methods, and the significance of the demands of consumers in territories outside Yuan China.
Shared Stories and Religious Rhetoric: R. Judah the Pious, Peter the Chanter and a Drought
Authors: Baumgarten Elisheva
Published: June 2012

Abstract

This article discusses a story about a Jewish-Christian interaction during a drought that appears in Peter the Chanter’s Verbum abbreviatum and R. Judah the Pious’ Sefer Hasidim. I suggest that the two authors had a common source, noting that Peter’s version was earlier so that R. Judah might have based his story on an account based on Peter the Chanter’s story, whether oral or written. Analyzing the tale, the article points to narrative strategies used by both authors and to what they can tell us about Jewish and Christian knowledge of each other’s religious practice and belief in medieval Christian Europe.