bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Knowledge of sexual abuse amongst female students in Malawi
Authors: Dzimadzi R. , Klopper H.
Published: November 2012

Sexual abuse is an increasing problem in Malawi amongst female students, and is associated with physical and mental health problems. This study aimed to determine existing knowledge of sexual abuse amongst female students in tertiary education institutions in Malawi. A descriptive, comparative, quantitative and contextual research design was used. Participants (n=219) were selected through systematic random sampling from a population of female students aged 18 to 21, at fifteen (n= 15) tertiary education institutions in Malawi. Sexually abusive behaviours demonstrated by a lover and friend were interpreted as not being abusive. There were no significant differences in knowledge of sexual abuse between the abused and non-abused respondent groups (p > 0.05). The overall prevalence rate of sexual abuse was 41%. Common forms of sexual abuse experienced were touching of breasts (54.4%) and attempted sexual intercourse (47.8%). Completed sexual intercourse was experienced by 18.9% of the respondents. The majority reported that they were sexually abused by men (98.9%). Twenty one percent experienced more than one sexually abusive incident and some respondents were abused by friends (30%). The abusers mostly used physical threats. Only 55.6% reported their sexual victimisation to others. Female students aged 18 to 21 in tertiary education institutions in Malawi had some knowledge of sexual abuse, but there were deficits in the interpretation of sexually abusive behaviours. The majority of abusers were male adolescents and young adults. Respondents should know what the Malawi law stipulates and what can be done to control and prevent sexual abuse. The information obtained from the study was used to develop guidelines for sexual abuse prevention programmes.
Exploration of knowledge, attitudes and percepions regarding sexually transmitted infections among patients attending a primary health care clinic in Gauteng - Part 1
Authors: Molapo T.J. , Maja T.M.M. , Wright S.C.D.
Published: November 2012

Sexually transmitted infections are a major public health problem in South Africa. The high incidence and prevalence of sexually transmitted infections in South Africa pose a serious threat to public health for two main reasons. Firstly, the long-term consequences of these infections are a major cause of loss of health or life, and secondly, sexually transmitted infections are important co-factors in driving the human immunodeficiency virus/acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (HIV/AIDS) epidemic. The control and prevention of sexually transmitted infections has become an urgent priority. At a primary health care clinic, the nursing personnel experienced an increasing number of persons daily seeking treatment for sexually transmitted infections. The purpose of the study was therefore to investigate the knowledge, attitudes and perceptions of people seeking treatment at Stanza Bopape Clinic regarding sexually transmitted infections. The study was a contextual, quantitative survey. The population was all patients (15 years and older) who visited the clinic for a health-related problem during November 2004 to January 2005. The sampling method was convenient. The data gathering method was self-report using a structured questionnaire basic on current knowledge. The data analysis was done with descriptive statistics.
Expectations of postgraduate nursing students: an inquiry
Authors: Lekalakala-Mokgele S
Published: November 2012

Postgraduate supervision in South Africa currently takes place in the context of university transformation with a notable increase in concern for quality. The latter is determined by the extent to which students’ expectations within a supervisory practice are met. This study investigated students’ expectations regarding their research supervision in a postgraduate nursing programme. A 48-item questionnaire was mailed to 24 postgraduate students, of which 22 (92%) responded, to determine their expectations within a supervisory relationship. Items in the questionnaire included students’ perceptions of the responsibilities of the institution, the department, the supervisor and students’ responsibilities regarding their supervised postgraduate studies in the School of Nursing Science. Descriptive statistics, namely frequencies and percentages for categorical data and means and standard deviations or medians and percentiles for continuous data, were calculated. Findings indicate that more than 80% of the postgraduate students in the study expected the university and the department to provide them with structures that would enable them to succeed in their studies. They also believed that the student had a major role to play in ensuring that studies were completed. Recommendations included making a code of practice for postgraduate supervision available to students and the use of a learning contract to clarify roles and expectations in the supervisory process. It was also recommended that supervisors should be trained to supervise students.
Managing ethical issues in sexual violence research using a pilot study
Authors: Duma S.E. , Khanyile T.D. , Daniels F.
Published: November 2012

Conducting research in the area of sexual violence has complex ethical and practical challenges for the researcher. Managing ethical issues in sexual violence is important and can be achieved through the use of pilot studies. The primary purpose of the pilot study was to identify and manage potential ethical and practical problems that could jeopardise the main study or violate the ethical and human rights of participants in the main study on women’s journey of recovery from sexual assault. The secondary purpose was to collect preliminary data in order to determine the human, financial and time resources needed for a planned study. The methods and processes used in conducting the pilot study in the study on women’s journey of recovery are discussed according to each of the objectives of the pilot study, methods used to achieve the objective, observations or findings made during the pilot study, and implications for the main study.This article aims to demonstrate how a pilot study was used to manage identified potential ethical and practical research issues during the recruitment of participants and data collection for the research that was conducted by the first author to investigate women’s journey of recovery from sexual assault trauma within the first week following sexual assault.
Orthopaedic patients’ perceptions about their pre-operative information
Authors: Chetty C. , Ehlers V.J.
Published: November 2012

A non-experimental, descriptive and quantitative survey was conducted to explore orthopaedic patients’ perceptions about the pre-operative information received when undergoing elective surgery in two hospitals in the KwaZulu-Natal Province. The findings indicate that most patients perceived the pre-operative information to be useful in their preparation for surgery. Aspects that were not addressed during preoperative information sessions included post-operative nutrition, pain medication, ambulation, deep breathing and coughing exercises. The recommendations include that all these aspects should be addressed in future pre-operative education sessions. Further research should be conducted for enhancing the pre-operative information provided to patients scheduled to undergo elective orthopaedic surgery.
An information system to manage the rollout of the antiretroviral treatment programme in the Free State
Authors: Kotzé J.E. , McDonald T.
Published: November 2012

The Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome epidemic, caused by the Human Immunodeficiency Virus, is a global crisis which threatens development gains, economies, and societies. Within sub-Saharan Africa, where the epidemic began the earliest and the HIV prevalence is the highest, African countries have death rates not seen before. In South Africa the epidemic has a devastating impact which creates profound suffering on individuals and their families, and the impact on the socio-economic level is of great concern. The eradication of HIV/AIDS represents one of humanity’s greatest challenges, which requires co-operation and comprehensive collaboration between many different role players. In this endeavour clinical information plays a major role. To combat the effect of the disease, the Free State Department of Health started with the provisioning of antiretroviral therapy in the public health sector. The objective of this paper was to address the challenges they faced in order to develop and implement an information system to manage the rollout of antiretroviral treatment effectively. They started with a paper-based system to collect vital information. It was followed by a palm computer project that was initiated to electronically capture the data collected by the paper-based system. This system was then replaced by a comprehensive Hospital and Clinic Information System which was acquired and customised for the antiretroviral data collection process. Research partners developed a standalone antiretroviral data warehouse for collecting information associated with the monitoring and evaluation of the Free State antiretroviral and HIV/ AIDS treatment programme. The data warehouse successfully produced several management information reports to the antiretroviral management team. A need was identified to design a comprehensive antiretroviral data warehouse that will integrate data from several operational sources which are all associated with HIV/AIDS.
Nursing: An essential expression of human endeavour
Authors: Harrison P.H.
Published: November 2012

To put nursing into some sort of perspective a brief historical journey is called for. History allegedly helps us to understand the present and even forecast the future through an awareness of past errors. Much depends on one’s source materials and it is very often a purely subjective approach that is presented in certain records and journals which in turn will influence the writings of the present-day reviewer of past events. So can one really produce a totally objective study of nursing and nurses in past centuries?
'n Ondersoek na faktore wat met kontraseptiewe staking verband hou: Kleurlingvroue in die metropolitaanse gebied van Kaapstad
Authors: Strydom Marietjie
Published: November 2012

There is concern over persons who fail to attend family planning clinics without a motivated reason. This represnts one of the major stumbling blocks to a successful family planning program. The author investigated factors associated with clinic drop-out among coloured women in a metropolitan area. Almost half of those who ceased to attend had a good reason for doing so. The main findings regarding the other defaulters was that there is a lack of motivation among Coloured women to prevent unplanned pregnancies through temporary contraception and that (he program may not meet all the needs of the public. In this regard specific reference is made to the need of those women who no longer bring their youngest child to a child health clinic as family planning services are usually integrated with this clinic.
Village health workers: First line of contact in the Republic of Ciskei
Authors: Rautenbach Cecil
Published: November 2012

The health care of the majority of the inhabitants of South Africa’s rural areas has given cause for concern for a long time. There are a number of suggested reasons for this.
A Modified Helmholtz Equation With Impedance Boundary Conditions
Authors: Callihan Robert S. , Wood Aihua W.
Published: November 2012

Here considered is the problem of transient electromagnetic scattering from overfilled cavities embedded in an impedance ground plane. An artificial boundary condition is introduced on a semicircle enclosing the cavity that couples the fields from the infinite exterior domain to those fields inside. A Green’s function solution is obtained for the exterior domain, while the interior problem is solved using finite element method. Well-posedness of the associated variational formulation is achieved and convergence and stability of the numerical scheme confirmed. Numerical experiments show the accuracy and robustness of the method.
Numerical Method for The Time Fractional Fokker-Planck Equation
Authors: Cao Xue-Nian , Fu Jiang-Li , Huang Hu
Published: November 2012

In this paper, a new numerical algorithm for solving the time fractional Fokker-Planck equation is proposed. The analysis of local truncation error and the stability of this method are investigated. Theoretical analysis and numerical experiments show that the proposed method has higher order of accuracy for solving the time fractional Fokker-Planck equation.
Ice water content of arctic, midlatitude, and tropical cirrus – Part 2: Extension of the database and new statistical analysis
Authors: Luebke A. E. , Avallone L. M. , Schiller C. , Rolf C. , Krämer M.
Published: November 2012

Abstract. Ice clouds are known to be major contributors to radiative forcing in the Earth's atmosphere, yet describing their microphysical properties in climate models remains challenging. Among these properties, the ice water content (IWC) of cirrus clouds is of particular interest both because it is measurable and because it can be directly related to a number of other radiatively important variables such as extinction and effective radius. This study expands upon the work of Schiller et al. (2008), extending a climatology of IWC by combining datasets from several European and US airborne campaigns and ground-based lidar measurements over Jülich, Germany. The relationship between IWC and temperature is further investigated using the new merged dataset and probability distribution functions (PDFs). A PDF-based formulation allows for representation of not only the mean values of IWC, but also the variability of IWC within a temperature band. The IWC-PDFs are found to be bimodal over the whole cirrus temperature range, which might be attributed to different cirrus formation mechanisms such as heterogeneous and homogeneous freezing. The PDFs of IWC are further compared to distributions of cirrus ice crystal number and mass mean radius, which show that the general relationship between IWC and temperature appears to be influenced much more by particle number than by particle size.
Biological production in the Bellingshausen Sea from oxygen-to-argon ratios and oxygen triple isotopes
Authors: Castro-Morales K. , Cassar N. , Kaiser J.
Published: November 2012

Abstract. We present estimates of mixed layer net community oxygen production (N) and gross oxygen production (G) of the Bellingshausen Sea in March and April 2007. N was derived from oxygen-to-argon (O2 / Ar) ratios; G was derived using the dual-delta method from triple oxygen isotope measurements. In addition, O2 profiles were collected at 253 CTD stations. N is often approximated by the biological oxygen air-sea exchange flux (Fbio) based on the O2 / Ar supersaturation, assuming that significant horizontal or vertical fluxes are absent. Here, we show that the effect of vertical fluxes alone can account for Fbio values < 0 in large parts of the Bellingshausen Sea towards the end of the productive season, which could be mistaken to represent net heterotrophy. Thus, improved estimates of mixed-layer N can be derived from the sum of Fbio, Fe (entrainment from the upper thermocline during mixed-layer deepening) and Fv (diapycnal eddy diffusion across the base of the mixed layer). In the Winter Sea Ice Zone (WSIZ), the corresponding correction results in a small change of Fbio= (30 ± 17) mmol m−2 d−1 to N= (34 ± 17) mmol m−2 d−1. However, in the permanent open ocean zone (POOZ), the original Fbio value of (−17 ± 10) mmol m−2 d−1 gives a corrected value for N of (−2 ± 18) mmol m−2 d−1. We hypothesize that in the WSIZ enhanced water column stability due to the release of freshwater and nutrients from sea-ice melt may account for the higher N-value. These results stress the importance of accounting for physical biases when estimating mixed layer-marine productivity from in situ O2 / Ar ratios.
Distribution of methane in the Lena Delta and Buor Khaya Bay, Russia
Authors: Bussmann I.
Published: November 2012

Abstract. The Lena River is one of the largest Russian rivers draining into the Laptev Sea. The permafrost areas surrounding the Lena are predicted to melt at increasing rates due to global temperature increases. With this melting, large amounts of carbon – either organic or as methane – will reach the waters of the Lena and the adjacent Buor Khaya Bay (Laptev Sea). Methane concentrations and the isotopic signal of methane in the waters of the Lena Delta and estuary were monitored from 2008 to 2010. Meltwater run-off of permafrost soils produced hotspots for methane input into the river system (median concentration 1500 nM) compared with concentrations of around 100 nM observed in the main channels of the Lena. Within the river, especially at sites with meltwater input, microbiological experiments indicated strong in situ methane production but a very low methane oxidation potential. In the estuary of Buor Khaya Bay, methane concentrations decreased towards background levels of 20 nM. Here, the strong stratification of the water column permits the dilution of methane with seawater, and methane is released mainly by diffusion into the atmosphere.
Soil respiration compartments on an aging managed heathland: can model selection procedures contribute to our understanding of ecosystem processes?
Authors: Kopittke G. R. , van Loon E. E. , Tietema A. , Asscheman D.
Published: November 2012

Abstract. Soil respiration studies are increasingly undertaken with the aim of quantifying C fluxes and predicting changes for the future. The interpretation of field data into annual C loss predictions requires the use of modeling tools which generally include model variables related to the underlying drivers of soil respiration, such as soil temperature, soil moisture and plant activity. Very few studies have reported using model selection procedures in which structurally different models are calibrated, then validated on separate observation datasets and the outcomes critically compared. This study utilized thorough model selection procedures to determine soil heterotrophic (microbial) and autotrophic (root) respiration for a heathland chronosequence. The model validation process identified that none of the six measured plant variables explained any data variation when included in models with soil temperature, which contradicts many current studies. The best predictive model used a generalized linear mixed effect model format with soil temperature as the only variable. There were no heterotrophic respiration differences between the community ages. In contrast, autotrophic respiration was significantly greater on the youngest vegetation (55 % of total soil respiration in summer) and decreased as the plants aged (oldest vegetation: 37 % of total soil respiration in summer). Total annual soil C loss from the youngest and oldest communities was estimated to be 650 and 435 g C m−2 yr−1 respectively. Heathlands are cultural landscapes which are managed through cyclical cutting, burning or grazing practices. Understanding the C fluxes from these ecosystems provides information on the optimal management cycle-time to maximize C uptake and minimize C output. Inclusion of the predicted soil fluxes into a preliminary ecosystem C balance suggested that the youngest vegetation is a C sink while the oldest vegetation is a C source, indicating that shorter management cycles could reduce C emissions.
BOLD Responses to Different Temporospatial Frequency Stimuli in V1 and V2 Visual Cortex of Anisometropic Amblyopia
Authors: Li Hua , Yang Xubo , Gong Qiyong , Chen Huafu , Liao Meng , Liu Longqian
Published: November 2012

Purpose.

Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) is the most advanced neuroimaging technique. The aim of this study was to investigate the blood oxygenation level–dependent (BOLD) of V1 and V2 visual cortex in anisometropic amblyopia with fMRI and explore the neural mechanism of amblyopia.

Methods.

fMRI was performed with a 3.0-T MRI scanner during reversal checkerboard visual stimulation with different spatial frequencies (SF) of 0.4, 2, and 8 cpd in 2 states of temporal frequencies (TF) of 6 Hz and 8 Hz in a group of patients with anisometropic amblyopia (n=5) and a group of normal observers (n=4). Data were processed by SPM software offline. Responses of different eyes were compared in different conditions.

Results.

The BOLD signal magnitude in V1 and V2 visual cortex of amblyopic eyes was significantly lower than the fellow eyes with anisometropic amblyopia at low SF (0.4-2 cpd) (p<0.05), but it was significantly higher than the fellow eyes at high SF (8 cpd) (p<0.05). The BOLD signal magnitude in V1 and V2 visual cortex of amblyopic eyes was significantly lower than the nondominant eyes in normal subjects in all conditions (p<0.001).

Conclusions.

There are cortical deficits in V1 and V2 visual cortex of anisometropic amblyopia, which may be useful for selecting an optimum stimulus at proper temporospatial frequency.
Relational Versus Absolute Representation in Categorization
Authors: Edwards Darren J. , Pothos Emmanuel M. , Perlman Amotz
Published: November 2012

This study explores relational-like and absolute-like representations in categorization. Although there is much evidence that categorization processes can involve information about both the particular physical properties of studied instances and abstract (relational) properties, there has been little work on the factors that lead to one kind of representation as opposed to the other. We tested 370 participants in 6 experiments, in which participants had to classify new items into predefined artificial categories. In 4 experiments, we observed a predominantly relational-like mode of classification, and in 2 experiments we observed a shift toward an absolute-like mode of classification. These results suggest 3 factors that promote a relational-like mode of classification: fewer items per group, more training groups, and the presence of a time delay. Overall, we propose that less information about the distributional properties of a category or weaker memory traces for the category exemplars (induced, e.g., by having smaller categories or a time delay) can encourage relational-like categorization.
Diabetes Technology: Markers, Monitoring, Assessment, and Control of Blood Glucose Fluctuations in Diabetes
Authors: Kovatchev Boris P.
Published: November 2012

People with diabetes face a life-long optimization problem: to maintain strict glycemic control without increasing their risk for hypoglycemia. Since the discovery of insulin in 1921, the external regulation of diabetes by engineering means has became a hallmark of this optimization. Diabetes technology has progressed remarkably over the past 50 years—a progress that includes the development of markers for diabetes control, sophisticated monitoring techniques, mathematical models, assessment procedures, and control algorithms. Continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) was introduced in 1999 and has evolved from means for retroactive review of blood glucose profiles to versatile reliable devices, which monitor the course of glucose fluctuations in real time and provide interactive feedback to the patient. Technology integrating CGM with insulin pumps is now available, opening the field for automated closed-loop control, known as the artificial pancreas. Following a number of in-clinic trials, the quest for a wearable ambulatory artificial pancreas is under way, with a first prototype tested in outpatient setting during the past year. This paper discusses key milestones of diabetes technology development, focusing on the progress in the past 10 years and on the artificial pancreas—still not a cure, but arguably the most promising treatment of diabetes to date.
Contemporary Evaluation and Management of the Diabetic Foot
Authors: Sumpio Bauer E.
Published: November 2012

Foot problems in patients with diabetes remain a major public health issue and are the commonest reason for hospitalization of patients with diabetes with prevalence as high as 25%. Ulcers are breaks in the dermal barrier with subsequent erosion of underlying subcutaneous tissue that may extend to muscle and bone, and superimposed infection is a frequent and costly complication. The pathophysiology of diabetic foot disease is multifactorial and includes neuropathy, infection, ischemia, and abnormal foot structure and biomechanics. Early recognition of the etiology of these foot lesions is essential for good functional outcome. Managing the diabetic foot is a complex clinical problem requiring a multidisciplinary collaboration of health care workers to achieve limb salvage. Adequate off-loading, frequent debridement, moist wound care, treatment of infection, and revascularization of ischemic limbs are the mainstays of therapy. Even when properly managed, some of the foot ulcers do not heal and are arrested in a state of chronic inflammation. These wounds can frequently benefit from various adjuvants, such as aggressive debridement, growth factors, bioactive skin equivalents, and negative pressure wound therapy. While these, increasingly expensive, therapies have shown promising results in clinical trials, the results have yet to be translated into widespread clinical practice leaving a huge scope for further research in this field.
The Complex Interplay of Genetic and Lifestyle Risk Factors in Type 2 Diabetes: An Overview
Authors: Franks Paul W.
Published: November 2012

Type 2 diabetes (T2D) is one of the scourges of modern times, with many millions of people affected by the disease. Diabetes occurs most frequently in those who are overweight or obese. However, not all overweight and obese persons develop diabetes, and there are those who develop the disease who are lean and physically active. Certain ethnicities, especially indigenous populations, are at considerably higher risk of obesity and diabetes than those of white European ancestry. The patterns and distributions of diabetes have led some to speculate that the disease is caused by interactions between genetic and obesogenic lifestyle factors. Whilst to many this is a plausible explanation, remarkably little reliable evidence exists to support it. In this review, an overview of published literature relating to genetic and lifestyle risk factors for T2D is provided. The review also describes the concepts and rationale that have motivated the view that gene-lifestyle interactions cause diabetes and overviews the empirical evidence published to date to support this hypothesis.
Advanced renal disease, end‐stage renal disease and renal death among HIV‐positive individuals in Europe
Authors: Ryom L , Kirk O , Lundgren J , Reiss P , Pedersen C , De Wit S , Buzunova S , Gasiorowski J , Gatell J , Mocroft A ,   EuroSIDA in EuroCoord
Published: November 2012

Many studies have focused on chronic kidney disease in HIV‐positive individuals, but few have studied the less frequent events, advanced renal disease (ARD) and end‐stage renal disease (ESRD). The aim of this study was to investigate incidence, predictors and outcomes for ARD/ESRD and renal death in EuroSIDA. ARD was defined as confirmed eGFR < 30 ml/min per 1.73 m2 (>3 months apart) using Cockcroft‐Gault. ESRD was defined as hemo‐ or peritoneal dialysis>1 month/renal transplant. Renal deaths were defined as renal failure as the underlying cause of death, using CoDe methodology. Patients were followed from baseline (first eGFR after 1/1/2004) until last eGFR, ARD/ESRD/renal death; whichever occurred first. Poisson regression was used to identify predictors. 8817 persons were included, the majority were white (87.3%), males (73.9%) infected though homosexual contact (41.5%) and with a median age of 42 years (IQR 36–49). 45 persons (0.5%) developed the composite endpoint; ARD (24), ESRD (19) and renal death (2) during a median follow up (FU) of 4.5 years (IQR 2.7–5.8), incidence rate (IR) 1.21/1000 PYFU (95% CI 0.86–1.57). Of 312 persons (3.5%) with baseline eGFR<60 ml/min/1.73 m2, 13.3% (7.5–18.9) are estimated to develop ARD/ESRD/renal death within 6 years after baseline compared to 0.86% (0.58–1.1) of all patients, using Kaplan‐Meier methods. Predictors in multivariate analysis were older age (IRR 1.29 per 10 years [0.95–1.75]) any cardiovascular risk (IRR 2.34 [1.23–4.45]), CD4 count (IRR 0.76 per 2‐fold higher [0.60–0.97]) and eGFR (IRR 0.63 per 5 ml/min/1.73 m2 higher [0.58–0.69]).

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Ethnicity, gender, nadir CD4, VL, HBV and using potential nephrotoxic antiretrovirals were insignificant in uni‐ and multivariate analysis. At 1 year after ARD/ESRD, 23.3% (CI 9.8–36.8) were estimated to have died using Kaplan‐Meier methods. The 11 deaths were from renal causes (2), non‐AIDS‐defining malignancies (2), hepatitis‐associated liver failure (1), respiratory failure (1), cardiovascular disease (1), pancreatitis (1) and unknown causes (3). The ARD/ESRD/renal death incidence was low in this population with the available FU, and was associated with traditional and HIV‐related risk factors. Most persons with ARD/ESRD/renal death had pre‐existing renal impairment, but some experienced a rapid progression from initial normal levels. Prognosis after ARD/ESRD was poor. Larger studies are required to address the possible contribution of specific antiretrovirals.
Identificação e utilização da dissimilaridade genética entre genótipos de trigo ("Triticum aestivum" L.). DOI: 10.7902/ecb.v3i1.10
Authors: Desordi Rodrigo , Kavalco Sydney Antonio Frehner , Ribeiro Moisés Dias Niquini , Ezequiel Sandro , Ribeiro Filipe , Pazza Rubens , Kavalco Karine Frehner
Published: November 2012

O presente trabalho buscou demonstrar a dissimilaridade genética entre cultivares de trigo (Triticum aestivum, L.) em dois sistemas de cultivo, sequeiro e irrigado, propondo, a partir desta, as melhores hibridações. Quarenta cultivares de trigo foram testadas, 8 recomendadas para Minas Gerais e 32 para a região Sul do Brasil. Foram utilizados dados de quinze caracteres agronômicos obtidos em experimento conduzido em esquema de blocos casualizados com três repetições. Foram empregadas análises de agrupamento pelos métodos de Tocher e Ligação Média Entre Grupos utilizando a distância Euclidiana Média como medida de dissimilaridade. Os caracteres ACAM e RG apresentaram os maiores CV (%) e o caractere DEF apresentou as maiores estratificações entre as médias dos genótipos para ambos os cultivos. Os genótipos Guamirim e Frontana apresentaram as maiores dissimilaridades para o cultivo sequeiro e irrigado respectivamente. Os resultados obtidos possibilitaram a escolha de genótipos para serem estrategicamente utilizados em hibridações. 
Phase‐sensitive surface plasmon resonance biosensors: methodology, instrumentation and applications
Authors: Huang Y.H. , Ho H.P. , Kong S.K. , Kabashin A.V.
Published: November 2012

Surface Plasmon Resonance (SPR) has become a central tool for label‐free characterization of biomolecular interactions. Based on monitoring of amplitude characteristics, conventional SPR sensors have been extensively explored, commercialized and applied for studies of many important interactions (antigen‐antibody, protein‐ligand etc), but this technology still lacks of sensitivity for the detection of relatively small and low copy number compounds. Phase‐sensitive SPR has recently emerged as an upgrade of this technology to resolve the sensitivity issue. Profiting from a sharp phase jump under SPR and ultra‐sensitive tools of its control, this technology offers up to 100‐time improvement of the detection limit, giving access to the detection of trace amounts of small molecular weight analytes (drugs etc). This paper intends to provide a tutorial on basic concepts of phase detection in SPR sensing, compare the performance of phase‐ and amplitude‐sensitive sensors, review recent progress in the development and applications of phase‐sensitive SPR sensors, and outline future prospects and trends of this technology.
Morphological and Immunohistochemical Features of the Vomeronasal System in Dogs
Authors: Salazar Ignacio , Cifuentes José M. , Sánchez‐Quinteiro Pablo
Published: November 2012

Each of the structures integrating the sense of smell in mammals has a different degree of development, even in the so‐called macrosmatic animals, according to the capacity of the olfactory system to detect thousands of different chemical signals. Such morphological diversity implies analogous physiological variation. The study of the accessory olfactory system, also known as the vomeronasal system, is a useful way to analyze the heterogeneity of the sense of smell. Macrodissection and microdissection methods as well as conventional histology and immunohistochemistry protocols were used to study aspects of the vomeronasal organ and the accessory olfactory bulbs in dogs. Observations regarding the end of the anterior part of the vomeronasal duct have been emphasized. Both lectins, Ulex europaeus agglutinin I and Lycopersicum esculentum agglutinin, and one G protein, Gαi2, show a similar pattern of binding in the sensory epithelium of the vomeronasal organ and in the vomeronasal nerve and glomerular layers of the accessory olfactory bulb, whereas the expression of protein Gαo was not observed. Taken together, our results emphasize the contribution of comparative data to our understanding of the vomeronasal system function. Anat Rec, 2013. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Mechanism of Ketone Allylation with Allylboronates as Catalyzed by Zinc Compounds: A DFT Study
Authors: Li Weiyi , Su Zhishan , Hu Changwei
Published: November 2012

The mechanism of the allylation reaction between 4‐chloroacetophenone and pinacol allylboronates catalyzed by ZnEt2 with alcohols was investigated using density functional theory (DFT) at the M05‐2X/6‐311++G(d,p) level. The calculations reveal that the reaction prefers to proceed through a double γ‐addition stepwise reaction mechanism rather than a Lewis acid‐catalyzed concerted one. The intermediate with a four‐coordinated boron center, which is formed through proton transfer from EtOH to the ethyl group of ZnEt2 mediated by the boron center, is the active species and an entrance for the catalytic cycle. The latter is composed of three elementary steps: 1) boron to zinc transmetalation leading to the formation of allylzincate species, 2) electrophilic addition of ketone to allylzincate species, and 3) generation of the final product with recovery of the catalyst. The boron to zinc transmetalation step has the largest energy barrier of 61.0 kJ mol−1 and is predicted to be the rate‐determining step. The calculations indicate that the additive EtOH plays important roles both in lowering the activation free energy for the formation of the four‐coordinated boron active intermediate and in transforming the low catalytic activity ZnEt2 into high activity zinc alkoxide species. The alcohols with a less sterically encumbering R group might be the effective additives. The substituted groups on the allylboronates might primarily affect the boron to zinc transmetalation, and the allylboronates with substituents on the Cγ atom is poor in reactivity. The comparison of the catalytic effect between the zinc compounds investigated suggest that Zn(OEt)2, Zn(OH)2, and ZnF2 exhibit higher catalytic efficiency for the boron to zinc transmetalation due to the activation of the BCα bond through orbital interactions between the p orbitals of the EtO, OH, F groups and the empty p orbital of the boron center.
Single threshold optimization and a novel double threshold scheme for non‐line‐of‐sight identification
Authors: Wu Shixun , Li Jiping , Liu Shouyin
Published: November 2012

Non‐line‐of‐sight (NLOS) identification is a critical issue in wireless location system. The traditional method only considers the probability of false alarm to obtain the single threshold to identify the wireless propagation environment as line of sight (LOS) or NLOS. However, the probability of missed detection is rarely discussed. In this paper, firstly, the optimal single threshold is derived through minimizing the total error probability, which is the sum of the probability of false alarm and the probability of missed detection. Further, if the prior probabilities for the LOS and NLOS environment are available, a novel double threshold method based on the optimal single threshold is proposed to perform NLOS identification. By comparing the total error probability, we show through simulation results that the performance of the optimal single threshold is better than that of the traditional single threshold. Moreover, the novel double threshold NLOS identification scheme is feasible and better than the optimal single threshold scheme. It is also shown that the analytical results are consistent with the simulated ones.Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Effects of inbreeding on mouthpart deformities of Chironomus riparius under sublethal pesticide exposure
Authors: Vogt Christian , Langer-Jaesrich Miriam , Elsässer Oliver , Schmitt Claudia , Van Dongen Stefan , Köhler Heinz-R. , Oehlmann Jörg , Nowak Carsten
Published: November 2012

Mouthpart deformities in chironomids have been reported to indicate adverse effects of environmental pollutants. The authors assessed rates of mouthpart deformities in tributyltin-exposed, inbred, and outcrossed Chironomus riparius larvae over multiple generations. The authors found that the occurrence of mouthpart deformities was significantly correlated with inbreeding, whereas no correlation was found with the tributyltin exposure. The present study confirms the strong effect of high inbreeding rates on developmental deformities in chironomids. Environ. Toxicol. Chem. 2013;32:423–425. © 2012 SETAC
Prognostic significance of disease‐free interval in head and neck cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma with nodal metastases
Authors: Ebrahimi Ardalan , Clark Jonathan R. , Ahmadi Nazanin , Palme Carsten E. , Morgan Gary J. , Veness Michael J.
Published: November 2012

Background

The purpose of this study was to determine whether the disease‐free interval (DFI) between treatment of primary head and neck cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) and the development of regional metastases is an independent prognostic factor.

Methods

A retrospective analysis of 229 patients with metastatic nodal head and neck cutaneous SCC, treated with curative intent by surgery ± adjuvant radiotherapy was conducted.

Results

After adjusting for the effect of nodal staging, extracapsular spread, involved margins, adjuvant radiotherapy, and immunosuppression, a short DFI (≤9 months vs >9 months) was a significant predictor of disease‐related mortality (hazard ratio [HR], 3.0; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.4–6.5; p = .004) and locoregional relapse (HR, 2.0; 95% CI, 1.1–4.0; p = .044).

Conclusion

The DFI is a potentially powerful independent prognostic factor in patients with regional metastases secondary to head and neck cutaneous SCC. It provides information before definitive treatment that may ultimately assist clinicians in applying a risk‐adapted management paradigm. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Head Neck, 2013
Effects of platelet‐rich plasma‐containing fragmin/protamine microparticles in enhancing endothelial and smooth muscle cell growth and inducing collateral vessels in a rabbit model of hindlimb ischemia
Authors: Fujita Masanori , Horio Takuya , Kishimoto Satoko , Nakamura Shingo , Takikawa Megumi , Nakayama Takefumi , Yamamoto Yoritsuna , Shimizu Masafumi , Hattori Hidemi , Tachibana Shoichi , Ishihara Masayuki
Published: November 2012

The purpose of the study was to evaluate the effects of isogenous platelet‐rich plasma (PRP)–containing fragmin/protamine microparticles (F/P MPs) as a delivery system for proteins in PRP on growth of endothelial and smooth muscle cells (SMCs)in vitroand as an alternative treatment for peripheral arterial disease (PAD) and critical limb ischemia. Frozen and thawed PRP contains high concentrations of growth factors that are adsorbed by F/P MPs. Human aorta endothelial cells (AECs) and SMCs were grown in a medium with PRP. Addition of F/P MPs significantly enhanced the proliferative effects of PRP on AECs and SMCs at 37°C for >10 days. Intramuscular administration of phosphate‐buffered saline (PBS; 2 mL, control), F/P MPs (12 mg in 2 mL PBS), PRP (2 mL), or PRP (2 mL) containing F/P MPs (12 mg) was then performed in a rabbit model of hindlimb ischemia prepared by resection of the left femoral artery. Blood flow and pressure were measured on days 0, 14, and 28, and angiography to assess arteriogenesis was performed on day 28. PRP‐containing F/P MPs strongly induced functional collateral vessels in the rabbit model of hindlimb ischemia, indicating possible use of these microparticles in therapy for PAD. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater 101B: 36–42, 2013.
Lignin extraction and purification with ionic liquids
Authors: Prado Raquel , Erdocia Xabier , Labidi Jalel
Published: November 2012

BACKGROUND

In new biorefineries the use of new green solvents is essential
in order to minimize the employment of volatile organic solvents.Lignin is the most abundant residue in paper industries, however, it is necessary to purify it in order to obtain revalorized products.

RESULTS

In this study, soda and organosolv lignins obtained from apple
tree prunings (Malus domestica) were purified using
[Bmim][MeSO4], and the lignin extracted from raw material was tested comparing different conditions. [Bmim][MeSO4], EtmimAc(1‐Ethyl‐3‐methylimidazolium acetate) and BmimCl, were the ionic liquids chosen for the experimentation. The lignins obtained were characterized by FTIR, TGA, RMN and HPLC, in order to determinate the influence of the different treatments on their structures. Lignin of 91.2% purity was obtained directly from raw material using ionic liquids, whereas organosolv lignin purity ranges from 85.7% to 90.9%, and soda lignin from 12.9% to 89.6% after treatment with [Bmim][MeSO4].

CONCLUSION

Results showed that the use of
[Bmim][MeSO4] is the best option to purify and
extract lignin from raw material. In addition, microwave radiation
enhanced the energy consumption of the process.© 2012 Society of Chemical Industry
Protein kinase cα is involved in impaired perinatal hypothyroid rat brain development
Authors: Zhang Hong‐Mei , Lin Ning , Dong Yan , Su Qing , Luo Min
Published: November 2012

Protein kinase Cα (PKCα) has been implicated in the regulation of a variety of cellular functions, such as proliferation, differentiation, and apoptosis, in response to a diverse range of stimuli. Activated PKCα mediates oxidative stress, apoptosis, and inflammatory reaction. Thyroid hormone (TH) is essential for the proper development of the mammalian central nervous system. TH deficiency during critical periods of brain development results in permanent cognitive and neurological impairments. In the present study, we attempted to explore whether PKCα is involved in impaired brain function in developing hypothyroid rat brain. Severe perinatal hypothyroidism was obtained by administration of 30 mg/day propylthiouracil to dams. Brain PKC activity in hypothyroid pups was increased significantly in cytosol and membrane fractions. The change of membrane PKC activity was more marked than that of cytosol, and hypothyroidism led to a higher ratio of membrane PKC activity to that in cytosol, which means abnormal activation of PKC in developing hypothyroid rat brain. Thyroxine replacement partially corrected these changes. After being treated with bisindolmaleimide XI, a mainly selective inhibitor for PKCα, the hypothyroid pups showed improved place navigation test results, and further Western blot analysis showed that PKCα expression in cytosol fractions was increased in hypothyroid rat brain with or without bisindolmaleimide XI treatment, but, after treatment with bisindolmaleimide XI, PKCα content in membrane fractions decreased almost to normal. Therefore, we conclude that PKCα appears to be involved in the impaired brain development observed in perinatal hypothyroid rat brain. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Simultaneous determination of two‐component isotherm parameters and lumped mass transfer coefficients in RPLC with the 0‐1 model‐inverse method
Authors: OuYang Liang‐fei , Liu Qian , Liang Heng , Shi Yuhua , Shi Junwei , Yin Xiaoguang
Published: November 2012

The 0‐1 model‐inverse method of nonequilibrium nonlinear chromatography was developed to simultaneously determine the isotherm parameters and the lumped mass transfer coefficients of the two‐component systems in RPLC. By comparing the simulated elution curves with experimental curves with regard to profiles and areas, the suitable isotherm parameters and the lumped mass transfer coefficients were obtained with the 0‐1 model‐inverse method. With a solute cell unit width of cm, the average errors of the peak areas were 0.178% for one component and −0.40% for two components, and the numerical diffusions of the 0‐1 model for the contribution to band broadening may be negligible. In addition, the results showed that the lumped mass transfer coefficients decrease as the solute concentration increases. The 0‐1 model‐inverse method has not only the advantages of high calculation speed (less than 10 min for one‐component systems or approximately 3 h for two‐component systems using an ordinary computer) and high accuracy in simultaneously obtaining thermodynamic parameters and kinetic parameters of two‐component systems, but this method also possesses the potential to optimally design and control the time‐variant preparative chromatographic system due to the thermodynamic state recursion and the Lagrangian‐Eulerian presentation of the 0‐1 model.
Pre‐ and postischemic pulsed acoustic cellular expression conditioning modulates expression of inflammation factors in cremaster ischemia/reperfusion injury model
Authors: Cwykiel Joanna M. , Klimczak Aleksandra , Krokowicz Lukasz , Siemionow Maria
Published: November 2012

Pulsed acoustic cellular expression (PACE) is a treatment that applies focused acoustic shock waves to promote tissue healing. The aim of this study was to assess the effect of PACE treatment on inflammatory responses in a cremaster muscle ischemia/reperfusion injury model. Seventeen cremaster muscle flaps were evaluated in four groups: nonischemic controls (n = 5), 5‐hour ischemia controls (n = 4), preischemic (5‐hour) PACE conditioning (n = 4), and postischemic (5‐hour) PACE conditioning (n = 4). The expression of proinflammatory cytokines (TNFα, IL‐6, IL‐1α, IL‐1β, GM‐CSF) and chemokines (CCL3, CCL4, CXCL4) was assessed using TaqMan® real‐time PCR. Expression of ELAM‐1, VCAM‐1, and ICAM‐1 was assessed by immunostaining. Preischemic PACE conditioning upregulated expression of IL‐6, CCL3, CCL4, and CXCL4, and downregulated expression of TNFα, GM‐CSF, and IL‐1α. Postischemic PACE conditioning significantly decreased expression of all evaluated genes. Pre‐ and postischemic PACE conditioning decreased expression of ELAM‐1 and ICAM‐1. Results of the study indicate that application of PACE conditioning may have a beneficial effect on the recovery of tissues subjected to the ischemia/reperfusion injury. Postischemic PACE conditioning revealed anti‐inflammatory effect as confirmed by decreased expression of inflammatory cytokines, chemokines, and cell adhesion molecules (ELAM‐1 and ICAM‐1) that are responsible for leukocyte recruitment into ischemic tissues. Hence, PACE therapy may be used effectively in clinical practice as a convenient therapeutic strategy to protect tissues against ischemia/reperfusion related injury after microsurgical procedures of free tissue transfers. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microsurgery, 2013.