bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
"What If" Analyses in Investment Decision Making
Authors: Belanová Katarína
Published: October 2012

In general, each project`s value is estimated using a discounted cash flow (DCF) valuation, and the opportunity with the highest value, as measured by the resultant net present value (NPV) will be selected. The problem with such NPV estimates is that they depend on projected future cash flows. If there are errors in those projections, then estimated net present values can be misleading (a forecasting risk). Basic approach to evaluating cash flow and NPV estimates involves asking “what – if” questions. Accordingly, the paper discusses some organized way s of going about a what – if analysis. Its goal in doing so is to assess the degree of forecasting risk and to identify those elements that are the most critical to the success or failure of an investment. However, as we show in examples, as well as in the practical study, though what – if analysis really allows us to obtain the certain idea of degree of forecasting risk, it does not tell us what to do about the possible errors.
Sainsbury’s vs. Morrisons - An Investment Decision Based on Financial Analysis
Authors: Kalmárová Zuzana
Published: October 2012

This paper deals with financial analysis of two large supermarket chains in the United Kingdom, namely Sainsbury’s benchmarked against Morrisons. The purpose is to evaluate whether Sainsbury’s is worth investing in at the market price. To measure the performance of the food retailers mainly Annual Financial Reports and key performance indicators will be used as a tool. Given the financial data, findings show that Sainsbury’s is a company worth investing in at the current share price for both conservative investors and those looking for growth industries. There is a high probability that Sainsbury’s will grow in the future.
De l’analyse des routines vers la gestion de classe et la professionnalisation
Authors: Lacourse France
Published: October 2012

Comment enseigner un savoir imperceptible comme des routines professionnelles dans l’immédiateté de la classe ? Comment dégager leur construction en formation ? Pour une gestion de classe efficace, il est essentiel de recourir à des routines professionnelles. Elles soutiennent le sentiment de sécurité tant chez l’enseignant que chez les élèves. Elles relèvent de compétences incorporées, ce qui force à leur analyse pour une articulation phare dans une formation professionnalisante. Nous présenterons le concept des routines professionnelles comme un savoir-faire nécessaire au développement professionnel, le cadre conceptuel, la méthodologie, quelques résultats et la discussion suivie de la conclusion.
Guaranteed cost control of networked control systems based on delta operator Kalman filter
Authors: Yang Hongjiu , Xia Yuanqing , Shi Peng , Liu Bo
Published: October 2012

In this paper, the problem of guaranteed cost control for networked control systems is addressed by using delta operator Kalman filter approach. To cope with network‐induced delays and packet dropout, we take into account the quality‐of‐service of networks. The networked control system is described as a kind of delayed Markovian jump delta operator systems. Sufficient conditions for the solvability of underlying problem are derived in terms of linear matrix inequalities. A numerical example is given to illustrate the effectiveness of the developed techniques. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Motivations for Local Food Demand by Japanese Consumers: A Conjoint Analysis with Reference‐Point Effects
Authors: Saito Hisamitsu , Saito Yoko
Published: October 2012

Consumers often favor locally over nonlocally produced foods in the belief they have higher quality and provide the quasipublic service of conserving local agriculture. The aim of the present study is to clarify these two motivations’ relative contributions to product demand by considering consumer reference points, that is preferences for remaining at present consumption and price levels. A stated‐preference method is applied to the Japanese demand for bread from local wheat. We find that Japanese consumers pay a significant premium for local wheat bread and that more than half the observed demand variation is explained by a product's quasipublic nature. In contrast, reference‐point effects suggest that those who frequently buy local food have a negative willingness‐to‐pay for imported or nonlocal‐domestic breads. Appealing to local food‐buyers’ preferences for a local source and for environmental quality thus appears to be the most effective way of promoting local wheat bread. [JEL classifications: Q13; D12; D03].
Consanguineous unions and the burden of disability: A population‐based study in communities of Northeastern Brazil
Authors: Weller Mathias , Tanieri Marina , Pereira Josecleide Calixto , Almeida Ednno Dos Santos , Kok Fernando , Santos Silvana
Published: October 2012

Objectives:

The aim of this study was to identify communities at high risk of transmitting recessive genetic disorders by measuring levels of endogamy and offspring's rate of disabilities.

Methods:

In a house‐to‐house population based‐survey in the state of Paraíba, 20,462 couples were interviewed regarding kinship relation, number of siblings and offspring affected by mental or physical disabilities.

Results:

The rate of consanguineous unions in the communities ranged from 6.0% to 41.14%, showing an average value of 20.19% ± 9.13%. The overall average inbreeding coefficient (F) was 0.00602 ± 0.00253, ranging from 0.00134 to 0.01182. Communities situated on the backlands had an increased average value of F compared to those closer to the seashore (P = 0.024). The average rate of disabled offspring varied from 2.96% ± 0.68% for unrelated unions to 10.44% ± 16.86% for related couples at the level of double first cousins or uncle–niece. The Spearman correlation coefficient between the overall rate of disabled offspring from all couples together and F was 0.510 (P < 0.01).

Conclusion:

Inbreeding increases the risk of disability which is unevenly distributed, varying considerably even in neighboring communities with similar Human Development Index and population density. Higher inbreeding communities are mostly located on the more economically underdeveloped backlands than on the coastal region. The identification of communities at high risk for genetic disorders could serve as basis for the establishment of Community Genetics programs. Am. J. Hum. Biol., 2012. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Recombinant tagging system using ribosomal frameshifting to monitor protein expression
Authors: Han Se Jong , Cho Sayeon , Lowehhaupt Ky , Park So‐Young , Sim Sang Jun , Kim Yang‐Gyun
Published: October 2012

For rapid and accurate quantitation of recombinant proteins during expression and after purification, we introduce a new tagging strategy that expresses both target proteins and limitedly tagged target proteins together in a single cell at a constant ratio by utilizing cis‐elements of programmed ‐1 ribosomal frameshifting (‐1RFS) as an embedded device. ‐1RFS is an alternative reading mechanism that effectively controls protein expression by many viruses. When a target gene is fused to the enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP) gene with a ‐1RFS element implanted between them, the unfused target and the target‐GFP fusion proteins are expressed at a fixed ratio. The expression ratio between these two protein products is adjustable simply by changing ‐1RFS signals. This limited‐tagging system would be valuable for the real‐time monitoring of protein expression when optimizing expression condition for a new protein, and in monitoring large‐scale bioprocesses without a large metabolic burden on host cells. Furthermore, this strategy allows for the direct measurement of the quantity of a protein on a chip surface and easy application to proteomewide study of gene products. Biotechnol. Bioeng. 2013; 110: 898–904. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Quantitative determination of rupestonic acid in rat plasma by high‐performance liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry and its application in a pharmacokinetic study
Authors: Gu Zhengyi , He Jinhua , Yang Xi , Sha Xianyi
Published: October 2012

A sensitive and specific high‐performance liquid chromatography–electrospray ionization–tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC‐ESI‐MS/MS) method was developed and validated for determination of rupestonic acid in rat plasma. Protein precipitation method was used to extract rupestonic acid and the internal standard (IS) warfarin sodium from rats plasma. The chromatographic separation was performed on an Agela Venusil XBP Phenyl column with an isocratic mobile phase consisting of methanol–0.1% formic acid in water (40:60, v/v), pumped at 0.4 mL/min. Rupestonic acid and the internal standard (IS) warfarin sodium were detected at m/z 247.2 → 203.1 and 307.1 → 161.3 in positive ion and multiple reaction monitoring mode respectively. The standard curves were linear over the concentration range of 2.5–5000 ng/mL (r2 > 0.99). The within‐day and between‐day precision values for rupestonic acid at four concentrations were 4.7–5.7 and 4.4–8.7%, respectively. The method described herein was fully validated and successfully applied to the pharmacokinetic study after an intravenous administration of rupestonic acid in rats. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Synthesis, Structure, and Reactivity of a Dimeric Zinc(I) Compound Stabilized by a Sterically Demanding Diiminophosphinate Ligand
Authors: Stasch Andreas
Published: October 2012

The new sterically demanding aminoiminophosphorane Ph2P(NDip)(NHDip) (Dip=C6H3‐2,6‐iPr2; LH, 1) has been prepared as a precursor to the potassium complex [LK] (2) and a series of heteroleptic zinc(II) complexes, namely [(LZnBr)2] (3), [LZnMe] (4), [LZnEt] (5), and [(LZnI)2] (6). The products have been obtained either through a salt metathesis route by using complex 2 and ZnBr2 to give compound 3, through a direct reaction of ligand precursor 1 and ZnR2 (R=Me or Et) yielding complexes 4 or 5, respectively, or through iodination of complexes 4 or 5 by using I2 to afford compound 6. Reduction of the heteroleptic zinc(II) halide complexes 3 or 6 by using a dimeric magnesium(I) compound as a selective, stoichiometric, and soluble reducing agent afforded the new zinc(I) dimer [(LZn)2] (7) in good yield. Compounds 1–7 were crystallographically and spectroscopically characterized and the coordination behavior of the diiminophosphinate ligand has been investigated and compared with related CN‐based ligands. An initial reactivity study has been carried out on [(LZn)2] (7) by using small‐scale reactions and the oxidative addition of small alkyl halides across the ZnZn bond has been found to generate equimolar amounts of the alkyl complexes 4 or 5 and the halide complexes 3 or 6, respectively.
Fluorine‐18 Radiolabeling and Radiopharmacological Characterization of a Benzodioxolylpyrimidine‐based Radiotracer Targeting the Receptor Tyrosine Kinase EphB4
Authors: Mamat Constantin , Mosch Birgit , Neuber Christin , Köckerling Martin , Bergmann Ralf , Pietzsch Jens
Published: October 2012

Members of the Eph receptor tyrosine kinase family play essential roles in the pathogenesis of cancer and are therefore promising candidates for molecular imaging by positron emission tomography (PET), for example. In this regard, radiochemical access to novel PET radiotracers derived from potent inhibitors that target the EphB4 kinase domain and which bear a benzodioxolylpyrimidine structural motif was developed. A synthetic route was established for a new fluorine‐18‐containing radiotracer and for the desired precursor based on a high‐affinity benzodioxolylpyrimidine receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitor lead structure. The radiotracer [18F]15 was obtained in 16 % radiochemical yield with a specific activity of ∼7 GBq μmol−1 and >95 % radiochemical purity. Due to the implication of EphB4, particularly in the progression, angiogenesis, and metastasis of melanoma, EphB4‐overexpressing human melanoma cells were generated and used as a novel in vitro model for radiopharmacological evaluation of the radiotracer. We demonstrate that the corresponding non‐radioactive reference compound regained its functionality as an inhibitor for both EphB4 receptor tyrosine kinase and Src kinase. EphB4 was significantly inhibited at compound concentrations >1 μM. Cellular uptake studies with [18F]15 revealed substantial uptake in both EphB4‐overexpressing and control cells. Moreover, NMRI nu/nu mice bearing both EphB4‐overexpressing tumors and control tumors were used for radiopharmacological characterization by biodistribution studies ex vivo and by dynamic small‐animal PET experiments in vivo. Despite the high metabolic stability of the novel radiotracer observed in vivo, no substantial binding or accumulation in EphB4‐overexpressing and control tumors was observed. Nevertheless, we point out that the approach presented herein gives convenient access to novel 18F‐labeled benzodioxolylpyrimidines and is a promising strategy for the further development of novel radiotracers for imaging Eph receptor tyrosine kinases in cancer.
Receipt of recommended radiation therapy among rural and urban cancer patients
Authors: Baldwin Laura‐Mae , Patel Shilpen , Andrilla C. Holly A. , Rosenblatt Roger A. , Doescher Mark P.
Published: October 2012

BACKGROUND:

Rural populations have limited geographic access to radiation therapy. The current study examines whether rural patients with cancer are less likely than urban patients with cancer to receive recommended radiation therapy, and identifies factors influencing rural versus urban differences in radiation therapy receipt.

METHODS:

The current study included 14,692 rural and 107,834 urban patients with 5 cancer types and stages for which radiation therapy was recommended. The authors used 2000 to 2004 Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) Limited‐Use Data from 8 state‐based (California, Connecticut, Hawaii, Iowa, Kentucky, Louisiana, New Mexico, and Utah) and 3 county‐based (Atlanta, rural Georgia, and Seattle/Puget Sound) cancer registries. Adjusted radiation therapy receipt rates were calculated by rural versus urban residence overall, for different sociodemographic and cancer characteristics, and for different states based on logistic regression analyses using general estimating equation methods to account for patient clustering by county.

RESULTS:

Adjusted rates of radiation therapy receipt were lower for rural (62.1%) than urban (69.1%) patients with breast cancer (P ≤ .001). Among patients with breast cancer, radiation therapy receipt differed more by sociodemographic characteristics (eg, rural patients aged < 50 years had a 67.1% receipt rate, whereas those aged ≥ 80 years had a radiation therapy receipt rate of 29.1%) than rural versus urban residence. Adjusted rates of radiation therapy receipt were similar for rural and urban patients with other cancer types overall (66.1% vs 68.2%; difference not significant), although there were differences between urban and rural patients with regard to radiation therapy receipt for patients with stage IIIA nonsmall cell lung cancer (66.2% vs 60.7%; P ≤ .01).

CONCLUSIONS:

Sociodemographics, cancer types and stages, and state of residence appear to have a greater influence over receipt of radiation therapy than rural versus urban residence location, suggesting that factors such as social support, receipt of other cancer treatments, and regional practice patterns are important determinants of radiation therapy receipt. Cancer 2012. © 2012 American Cancer Society.
Detection of urinary metabolites of AM‐2201 and UR‐144, two novel synthetic cannabinoids
Authors: Sobolevsky Tim , Prasolov Ilya , Rodchenkov Grigory
Published: October 2012

Synthetic cannabinoids are the psychotropic compounds frequently identified as active components of smoking mixtures easily available via the Internet in several countries. These herbal blends have become extremely popular as a legal alternative to cannabis‐based products and are difficult to detect by regular drug tests.

Here we report on an in vitro and in vivo metabolism of AM‐2201, 1‐[(5‐fluoropentyl)‐1H‐indol‐3‐yl]‐(naphthalen‐1‐yl)methanone, and UR‐144 (KM‐X1), (1‐pentylindol‐3‐yl)‐(2,2,3,3‐tetramethylcyclopropyl)methanone isolated using preparative liquid chromatography from the smoking mixtures sold in Russia. After incubation with human liver microsomes (HLM) as well as with cytochrome isoenzymes 3A4 and 2B6, the metabolic pathways were identified by means of liquid chromatography – triple quadrupole and high resolution mass spectrometry with electrospray ionization in positive mode. It was found that the in vitro reactions include mono‐ and dihydroxylation, loss of N‐alkyl side chain and formation of dihydrodiol metabolites in case of AM‐2201. The HLM were found to be superior over the other two isoenzymes for generation of cannabinoid metabolites. Finally, forensic urine samples were analyzed to validate the in vitro data and it has been shown that for both cannabimimetics the recommended screening targets are the monohydroxylated metabolites. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Citric acid production from sucrose by recombinant Yarrowia lipolytica using semicontinuous fermentation
Authors: Moeller Lucie , Zehnsdorf Andreas , Aurich Andreas , Barth Gerold , Bley Thomas , Strehlitz Beate
Published: October 2012

The genetically modified yeast strain Yarrowia lipolytica H222‐S4(p67ICL1)T5 is able to utilize sucrose as a carbon source and to produce citric and isocitric acids in a more advantageous ratio as compared to its wild‐type equivalent. In this study, the effect of pH of the fermentation broth (pH 6.0 and 7.0) and proteose‐peptone addition on citric acid production by the recombinant yeast strain were investigated. It was found that the highest citric acid production occurred at pH 7.0 without any addition of proteose‐peptone. Furthermore, two process strategies (fed‐batch and repeated fed‐batch) were tested for their applicability for use in citric acid production from sucrose by Y. lipolytica. Repeated fed‐batch cultivation was found to be the most effective process strategy: in 3 days of cycle duration, approximately 80 g/L citric acid was produced, the yield was at least 0.57 g/g and the productivity was as much as 1.1 g/Lh. The selectivity of the bioprocess for citric acid was always higher than 90% from the very beginning of the fermentation due to the genetic modification, reaching values of up to 96.4% after 5 days of cycle duration.
What’s Special About Human Language? The Contents of the “Narrow Language Faculty” Revisited
Authors: Traxler Matthew J. , Boudewyn Megan , Loudermilk Jessica
Published: October 2012

In this review, we re‐evaluate the recursion‐only hypothesis, advocated by Fitch, Hauser and Chomsky (Fitch et al. 2005; Hauser et al. 2002). According to the recursion‐only hypothesis, the property that distinguishes human language from animal communication systems is recursion, which refers to the potentially infinite embedding of one linguistic representation within another of the same type. This hypothesis predicts (1) that non‐human primates and other animals lack the ability to learn recursive grammar, and (2) that recursive grammar is the sole cognitive mechanism that is unique to human language. We first review animal studies of recursive grammar, before turning to the claim that recursion is a property of all human languages. Finally, we discuss other views on what abilities may be unique to human language.
Mass‐producible Nano‐featured Polystyrene Surfaces for Regulating the Differentiation of Human Adipose‐derived Stem Cells
Authors: Park Kwang‐Sook , Cha Kyoung Je , Han In‐Bo , Shin Dong‐Ah , Cho Dong‐Woo , Lee Soo‐Hong , Kim Dong Sung
Published: October 2012

In this study, we report an efficient and cost‐effective method of fabricating polystyrene (PS) nano‐featured substrates containing nanopore (NPo) and nanopillar (NPi) arrays based on hot embossing using nickel nano‐stamps. We investigate the behavior of adipose‐derived stem cells (ASCs), including adhesion, morphology, proliferation and differentiation, on the replicated PS surfaces. Compared to a flat substrate, NPo‐ and NPi‐featured substrates do not alter the morphology of stem cells. However, both NPo‐ and NPi‐featured substrates induce different integrin expression and lower formation of focal adhesion complexes. In addition, ASCs on the NPo‐featured substrate exhibit greater adipogenic differentiation, while the NPi‐featured substrate induces higher osteogenic differentiation.

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Interaction effects between genes involved in the AKT signaling pathway and phytoestrogens in gastric carcinogenesis: A nested case–control study from the Korean Multi‐Center Cancer Cohort
Authors: Yang Jae Jeong , Cho Lisa Y. , Ko Kwang‐Pil , Ma Seung Hyun , Shin Aesun , Choi Bo Youl , Han Dong Soo , Song Kyu Sang , Kim Yong Sung , Chang Soung‐Hoon , Shin Hai‐Rim , Kang Daehee , Yoo Keun‐Young , Park Sue K.
Published: October 2012

Scope

To investigate whether genes involved in AKT/nuclear factor kappa B signaling and/or gene–environment interactions between the genes and phytoestrogens may be susceptible factors for gastric cancer.

Methods and results

The representative single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) identified during the primary analysis (screening a total of 622 SNPs within ± 5 kbp of the 51 target gene locations) were further investigated in 317 matched case–control sets. The summary odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for gastric cancer were calculated. Interaction effects between the SNPs and phytoestrogen biomarkers (genistein, daidzein, equol, and enterolactone) were computed. CDK1 rs4145643, FAS rs6586161, and FAS rs1468063 in the AKT signaling pathway presented significant genetic effects on gastric cancer (OR = 0.81 (95% CI: 0.66–0.99) for CDK1 rs4145643; OR = 1.27 (95% CI: 1.03–1.58) for FAS rs6586161; OR = 1.29 (95% CI: 1.03–1.56) for FAS rs1468063; Cochran Q statistics > 0.10). Risk alleles of FAS rs6586161, FAS rs1468063, MAP3K1 rs16886448, and MAP3K1 rs252902 showed significant interaction effects with enterolactone (pinteraction < 0.05).

Conclusion

CDK1 and FAS genes involved in AKT signaling and influenced by anti‐carcinogenic property of phytoestrogens can play a role as susceptible genetic factors in gastric carcinogenesis. FAS and MAP3K1 genes significantly interact with enterolactone, thereby modifying the individual's risk for gastric cancer.
Reactive adsorption of hydrogen sulfide by promoted sorbents Cu‐ZnO/SiO2: active sites by experiment and simulation
Authors: Dhage Priyanka , Samokhvalov Alexander , McKee Michael L. , Duin Evert C. , Tatarchuk Bruce J.
Published: October 2012

In the Cux‐Zn(1‐x)O/SiO2 sorbents for ultradeep adsorptive removal of H2S from gaseous fuel reformates for fuel cells at room temperature, Cu promoter sites significantly increase sulfur uptake capacity of the sorbents. We report characterization of the family of Cux‐Zn(1‐x)O/SiO2 sorbents for reactive adsorption of H2S using X‐ray diffraction (XRD), Brunauer‐Emmett‐Teller (BET) surface area analysis, electron spin resonance (ESR), ultraviolet–visible (UV–vis) diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (DRS) and calculations by the density functional theory (DFT). Both the supported ZnO phase and Cu promoter sites in the Cux‐Zn(1‐x)O/SiO2 sorbents are nano‐dispersed, as shown by XRD. The Cux‐Zn(1‐x)O/SiO2 sorbents contain Cu promoter as the Cu2+ site of octahedral geometry, as found by the complementary ESR and UV–vis DRS. Mechanism of the promoter effect of the Cu2+ site in the Cux‐Zn(1‐x)O/SiO2 sorbents in reaction with H2S is proposed based on DFT calculations. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Optimization of Intensified Silicon Deoxidation
Authors: Nurmi Sonja , Louhenkilpi Seppo , Holappa Lauri
Published: October 2012

For demanding wire applications steel cleanliness should be very high and the inclusions inevitably found in steel should be harmless. This means strict control of inclusions' size, quantity, and composition, pursuing deformable inclusions in rolling conditions. Primary inclusions are formed during steel treatment in the ladle. Most of these are removed to the ladle slag or on the lining. However, the rest of the inclusions still remain through the successive process stages, and some new inclusions are formed during casting and solidification. Conventionally, deformable inclusions are produced by Si–Mn deoxidation resulting in MnO–SiO2–Al2O3 inclusions. This leaves, however, the oxygen content too high for demanding applications. In order to get really clean steel, the Si deoxidation needs to be strengthened by lowering the activity of SiO2 forming in steel. This can be done by bringing the steel in intimate contact with a slag containing SiO2–MnO–Al2O3 and additionally CaO and some MgO. With this kind of intensified Si deoxidation it is possible to produce steels with low oxygen content having inclusions that will elongate at rolling. In this paper thermodynamic examination of potential slag systems and compositions to equilibrate with steels having medium carbon and high silicon were scrutinized. The optimal slag composition for producing low‐O steels with deformable inclusions was evaluated by using FactSage thermodynamic calculation program. The lowest SiO2 activities at the region in which slag is still liquid at 1400°C, can be found when slag composition is approximately 36–40 wt% SiO2, 6–18 wt% Al2O3, 30–40 wt% CaO, 6–8 wt% MgO, and 2–4 wt% MnO. Industrial heats using intensified Si deoxidation and slag based inclusion engineering were produced in a steel mill with 60 tons heat size. Inclusions and slag compositions were in satisfactory accordance with the theoretical examinations, though some scattering was discovered.
Development and characterization of a vector set with regulated promoters for systematic metabolic engineering in Saccharomyces cerevisiae
Authors: Shen Michael W. Y. , Fang Fang , Sandmeyer Suzanne , Da Silva Nancy A.
Published: October 2012

A set of vectors was constructed that enable combined and systematic testing of metabolic pathway genes in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. The vectors are available as CEN/ARS and 2 µ‐based plasmids with a choice of three inducible promoters, PGAL1, PCUP1 and PADH2. These features offer control over the initiation and level of gene expression. In addition, the vectors can be used as templates to generate PCR fragments for targeted chromosomal integration of gene expression cassettes. Selection markers are flanked by loxP elements to allow efficient CreA‐mediated marker removal and recycling after genomic integration. For each promoter, expression of a bacterial lacZ reporter gene was characterized from plasmid‐based and integrated chromosomal cassettes, and compared to that of the glycolytic PPGK1 promoter. Plasmid stabilities were also determined. The promoters showed distinct activity profiles useful for modulating expression of metabolic pathway genes. This series of plasmids with inducible promoters extends our previous vector set carrying the constitutive promoters PPGK1, PTEF1 and PHXT7‐391. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A worldsheet extension of $ O\left( {d,d\left| \mathbb{Z} \right.} \right) $
Authors: Bachas C. , Brunner I. , Roggenkamp D.
Published: October 2012

Abstract

We study superconformal interfaces between
$ \mathcal{N}=\left( {1,1} \right) $
supersymmetric sigma models on tori, which preserve a
$ \widehat{u}{(1)^{2d }} $
current algebra. Their fusion is non-singular and, using parallel transport on CFT deformation space, it can be reduced to fusion of defect lines in a single torus model. We show that the latter is described by a semi-group extension of
$ O\left( {d,d\left| \mathbb{Q} \right.} \right) $
), and that (on the level of Ramond charges) fusion of interfaces agrees with composition of associated geometric integral transformations. This generalizes the well-known fact that T-duality can be geometrically represented by Fourier-Mukai transformations.

Interestingly, we find that the topological interfaces between torus models form the same semi-group upon fusion. We argue that this semi-group of orbifold equivalences can be regarded as the α′ deformation of the continuous O(d, d) symmetry of classical supergravity.
Coming of Age With Quantum Information
Authors: Fuchs Christopher A.
Published: October 2012

A passionate and personal account of the early days of quantum information and quantum computing, this unique book is a collection of more than 500 letters between the author and many of the founders of these intriguing fields. Christopher A. Fuchs is one of the most penetrating modern thinkers on the philosophical foundations of quantum mechanics. This remarkable book follows his journey as he comes to grips with the quantum world. It contains correspondence with Charles Bennett, Gilles Brassard, Rolf Landauer, N. David Mermin, Michael Nielsen, Asher Peres, John Preskill, Abner Shimony, William Wootters, Anton Zeilinger, and many others. Filled with diary entries, anecdotes, historical selections, and research ideas, this book will fascinate physicists, philosophers, and historians of science.
Objects and Information Structure
Authors: Dalrymple Mary , Nikolaeva Irina
Published: October 2012

In many languages, the objects of transitive verbs are either marked by grammatical case or agreement on the verb, or they remain unmarked: this is differential object marking. This book is a cross-linguistic study of how differential object marking is affected by information structure, the structuring of the utterance in accordance with the informational value of its elements and contextual factors. Marked objects tend to be associated with old information or information that the sentence is about, while unmarked objects tend to express new information. The book also sheds light on grammatical patterning in languages with differential object marking: in some languages marked and unmarked objects have identical grammatical properties, whereas in other languages marked objects are more active in syntax. Finally, it provides a theory of the historical changes that lead to the emergence of various patterns of differential object marking.
Identity, Invention, and the Culture of Personalized Medicine Patenting
Authors: Ghosh Shubha
Published: October 2012

What are the normative implications of patenting in the area of personalized medicine? As patents on genes and medical diagnoses have increased over the past decade, this question lies at the intersection of intellectual property theory, identity politics, biomedical ethics and constitutional law. These patents are part of the personalized medicine industry, which develops medical treatments tailored to individuals based on race and other characteristics. This book provides an overview of developments in personalized medicine patenting and suggests policies to best regulate such patents.
Adult and Paediatric ALS
Authors: Deakin Charles
Published: October 2012

Competency in resuscitation is a necessity for most clinical staff, with many attending Advanced Life Support (ALS) courses. Adult and Paediatric ALS: Self-assessment in Resuscitation uses an innovative question-and-answer structure and Resuscitation Council (UK) 2010 Guidelines to provide a complete overview of all aspects of advanced life support and resuscitation in adults and children. Comprising ten chapters of multiple choice questions, diagnostic questions, colour photo questions and comprehensive answers, this resource aids revision of the adult and paediatric ALS syllabus and assists readers in gaining a thorough understanding of all aspects of resuscitation science and practice. Written by a leading resuscitation expert, Adult and Paediatric ALS: Self-assessment in Resuscitation is essential reading for anyone undertaking resuscitation training, beginning training in acute resuscitation specialities or wishing to update their knowledge of advanced life support.
Severe Domestic Squalor
Authors: Snowdon John , Halliday Graeme , Banerjee Sube
Published: October 2012

Should you intervene in the life of the 48-year-old woman whose dwelling is stuffed with accumulated rubbish and who will not let anyone help get rid of it – or the 78-year-old surrounded by putrescent food and filth – or the 'animal accumulator'? Cases of severe domestic squalor (sometimes called Diogenes Syndrome) are among the most complex and difficult faced by community agencies. Local councils, housing officers, health professionals, social services, animal welfare agencies, public guardians and of course relatives and neighbours often feel powerless and lack confidence about what to do when faced with such situations. The guidelines, recommendations and case examples in Severe Domestic Squalor will help concerned people to understand what can be done and how, by providing an understanding of the causative factors and who should take the lead in dealing with them.
Effect of polydispersity, bimodality, and aspect ratio on the phase behavior of colloidal platelet suspensions
Authors: Martínez-Ratón Yuri , Velasco Enrique
Published: October 2012

We use a fundamental-measure density functional for hard board-like polydisperse particles, in the restricted-orientation approximation, to explain the phase behaviour of platelet colloidal suspensions studied in recent experiments. In particular, we focus our attention on the behavior of the total packing fraction of the mixture, η, in the region of two-phase isotropic-nematic coexistence as a function of mean aspect ratio, polydispersity, and fraction of total volume γ occupied by the nematic phase. In our model, platelets are polydisperse in the square section, of side length σ, but have constant thickness L (and aspect ratio κ ≡ L/⟨σ⟩ < 1, with ⟨σ⟩ the mean side length). Good agreement between our theory and recent experiments is obtained by mapping the real system onto an effective one, with excluded volume interactions but with thicker particles (due to the presence of long-ranged repulsive interactions between platelets). The effect of polydispersity in both shape and particle size has been taken into account by using a size distribution function with an effective mean-square deviation that depends on both polydispersities. We also show that the bimodality of the size distribution function is required to correctly describe the huge two-phase coexistence gap and the nonlinearity of the function γ(η), two important features that these colloidal suspensions exhibit.
Finite-temperature electronic simulations without the Born-Oppenheimer constraint
Authors: Mazzola Guglielmo , Zen Andrea , Sorella Sandro
Published: October 2012

The adiabatic approximation, typically assumed when performing standard Born-Oppenheimer (BO) molecular dynamics, can become unreliable at finite temperature, and specifically when the temperature is larger than the electronic energy gap between the ground state and the low-lying excited states. In this regime, relevant for many important chemical processes, the non-adiabatic couplings between the electronic energy states can produce finite temperature effects in several molecular properties, such as the geometry, the vibrational frequencies, the binding energy, and several chemical reactions. In this work, we introduce a novel finite-temperature non-adiabatic molecular dynamics based on a novel covariant formulation of the electronic partition function. In this framework, the nuclei are not constrained to move in a specific electronic potential energy surface. Then, by using a rigorous variational upper bound to the free energy, we are led to an approximate partition function that can be evaluated numerically. The method can be applied to any technique capable to provide an energy value over a given wave function ansatz depending on several variational parameters and atomic positions. In this work, we have applied the proposed method within a quantum Monte Carlo (QMC) scheme. In particular, we consider in this first application only classical ions, but we explicitly include an electronic correlation (Jastrow) term in the wave function, by extending in this way the standard variational QMC method, from ground state to finite temperature properties. We show that our approximation reduces correctly to the standard ground-state Born-Oppenheimer (gsBO) at zero temperature and to the correct high temperature limit. Moreover, at temperatures large enough, this method improves the upper bound of the free energy obtained with a single BO energy surface, since within our approach it is possible to estimate the electron entropy of a correlated ansatz in an efficient way. We test this new method on the simple hydrogen molecule, where at low temperature we recover the correct gsBO low temperature limit. Moreover, we show that the dissociation of the molecule is possible at a temperature much smaller than the one corresponding to the gsBO energy surface, in good agreement with experimental evidence. Several extensions of the proposed technique are also discussed, as for instance the inclusion of quantum effects for ions and the calculation of critical (magnetic, superconducting) temperatures.
Tuberculosis among Healthcare Workers, United States, 1995–2007
Authors: Lambert Lauren A. , Pratt Robert H. , Armstrong Lori R. , Haddad Maryam B.
Published: October 2012

Objective.

We examined surveillance data to describe the epidemiology of tuberculosis (TB) among healthcare workers (HCWs) in the United States during the period 1995–2007.

Design.

Cross-sectional descriptive analysis of existing surveillance data.

Setting and Participants.

TB cases reported to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention from the 50 states and the District of Columbia from 1995 through 2007.

Results.

Of the 200,744 reported TB cases in persons 18 years of age or older, 6,049 (3%) occurred in individuals who were classified as HCWs. HCWs with TB were more likely than other adults with TB to be women (unadjusted odds ratio [95% confidence interval], 4.1 [3.8–4.3]), be foreign born (1.3 [1.3–1.4]), have extrapulmonary TB (1.6 [1.5–1.7]), and complete TB treatment (2.5 [2.3–2.8]).

Conclusions.

Healthcare institutions may benefit from intensifying TB screening of HCWs upon hire, especially persons from countries with a high incidence of TB, and encouraging treatment for latent TB infection among HCWs to prevent progression to TB disease.
From natural woodlands to cultivated land: diversity of fruit‐feeding butterflies and beetles in the mid‐Zambezi valley, northern Zimbabwe
Authors: Tambara Edwin , Murwira Amon , Kativu Shakie
Published: October 2012

We tested the effect of cultivation on butterfly (Nymphalidae: Charaxes) and beetle (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae: Cetoniinae) species richness and abundance along a cultivation intensification gradient. Results showed significant differences in species richness and abundance between natural woodlands and cultivated landscapes with larger differences in areas of high cultivation intensity. The results indicate that natural woodland clearing for cultivation purposes has negative impacts on arthropod diversity, a situation more severe in highly intensified cultivated areas. Our results imply that mosaics of different land‐use units, each in a different phase of clearance‐cultivation‐abandonment‐recovery‐clearance cycle could counter the negative effects of cultivation intensity on arthropod diversity.
Clinicopathological significance of MAML2 gene split in mucoepidermoid carcinoma
Authors: Noda Haruna , Okumura Yoshihide , Nakayama Takahisa , Miyabe Satoru , Fujiyoshi Yukio , Hattori Hideo , Shimozato Kazuo , Inagaki Hiroshi
Published: October 2012

CRTC1–MAML2 and CRTC3–MAML2 fusions have been associated with favorable clinicopathological features of mucoepidermoid carcinomas. However, the significance of the MAML2 gene split has not been fully clarified. In the present study, 95 mucoepidermoid carcinomas (paraffin‐embedded materials) were analyzed for CRTC1–MAML2 and CRTC3–MAML2 fusions by RT‐PCR and for the MAML2 gene split by FISH. Quantitative RT‐PCR for the CRTC1–MAML2 transcript was performed in selected cases. MLL gene involvement, which has been reported in some leukemia cases, was examined by FISH in fusion partner‐unknown cases. CRTC1–MAML2 and CRTC3–MAML2 fusions were detected in 37 and 6 cases, respectively. The MAML2 gene split was detected in 62 cases, which included all CRTC1/3–MAML2 fusion‐positive cases. The level of CRTC1–MAML2 transcript expression was highly variable, and its clinicopathological impact was unclear. The MLL gene split was not detected. Mucoepidermoid carcinomas negative for CRTC1/3–MAML2 and positive for the MAML2 gene split (n = 19) showed favorable clinicopathological tumor features similar to those positive for CRTC1/3–MAML2 fusions. Compared with negative cases (n = 33), mucoepidermoid carcinomas positive for the MAML2 split (n = 62) were associated with lower patient age, a mild female predilection, a smaller tumor size, less frequent nodal metastasis, a lower clinical stage, a lower histological grade, and longer overall and disease‐free survival. The MAML2 gene split emerged as an independent prognostic factor for both overall and disease‐free survival in multivariate prognostic analysis. The presence of the MAML2 gene split defines a distinct mucoepidermoid carcinoma subset that is associated clinicopathologically with favorable tumor features. (Cancer Sci 2013; 104: 85–92)
A pharmacologic perspective on newly emerging T‐cell manipulation technologies
Authors: Smethurst Dominic
Published: October 2012

T cells are a multifaceted family pivotal in the operations of the immune system and many of its associated diseases. The pathway to understanding T cells has been marked by several pharmacological advances including the discoveries of ciclosporin, tacrolimus and the mTOR inhibitors which revolutionized transplant therapy along with providing relief for severe eczema, asthma and other immunological disorders towards the end of the last century. This article will revisit the current understanding and new developments in T cell pharmacology 10 years on from the TeGenero (TGN 1412) debacle and look at more recent successes with ex vivo antigen presenting cell incubation technologies; T cell receptor (TCR) engineering and adoptive T cell therapy both with chimaeric antibodies and also with modified T cell receptors themselves. Features of T cell biology will be explored and processes often highly unique to humans will be used to highlight what many are beginning to see as an exciting new monoclonal (T cell) frontier for drug development.
A case report of Citrobacter koseri bacteraemia after transfusion of contaminated red cells
Authors: Fernandes C. , Oliveira M. C. , Jorge M. T.
Published: October 2012

Background

Citrobacter koseri has not been associated to infection caused by blood component transfusions.

Case report

A 46–year–old female patient presented sudden chills, dyspnoea, and tachycardia during a transfusion from a unit of packed red blood cells. Citrobacter koseri was isolated in the two sample collected from the patient and from the content of the packed red blood cells.

Results

We report a case of bacteraemia due to a transfusion of contaminated red blood cells.

Conclusion

C. koseri should be taken into account in bacteraemias caused by transfusion of blood components.
Septic pulmonary embolism due to periodontal disease
Authors: HATANI TAKESHI , TAKEMURA MASAYA , INOUE DAIKI , TAKAMATSU KAZUFUMI , ISHITOKO MANABU , ITOTANI RYO , SUZUKI SHINKO , MATSUMOTO MASATAKA , SAKURAMOTO MINORU , FUKUI MOTONARI
Published: October 2012

Background and objective:  Septic pulmonary embolism due to periodontal disease (SPE‐PD) is rarely reported and little is known about its clinical features. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the clinical and radiological features, as well as outcome, in SPE‐PD.

Methods:  Patients' records were retrospectively reviewed and 12 patients with SPE‐PD were identified (10 men, mean age 60.5 years). The patients' demographic features, laboratory data, physical and radiological findings, and clinical outcomes were evaluated.

Results:  All but one patient were smokers. Eight of the 12 patients had comorbidities including hypertension (58%) and/or diabetes mellitus (17%). Prevalent symptoms were fever (67%) and chest pain (58%). Only two patients fulfilled the criteria of systemic inflammatory response syndrome; most of the subjects were not clinically severely ill. Blood cultures were negative in all cases. Contrast‐enhanced chest computed tomography (CT) showed multiple peripheral nodules in all 12 patients, wedge‐shaped peripheral lesions abutting on the pleura in 10 (83%) and a feeding‐vessel sign in 9 (75%). All patients recovered from their illness after antimicrobial therapy concomitant with tooth extraction or periodontal care. The median duration of antibiotic administration was 51 days.

Conclusions:  Most patients with SPE‐PD were not seriously ill. Contrast‐enhanced chest CT appeared to be useful to diagnose SPE‐PD.
Embolism as a mechanism of cerebral infarction
Authors: Gerraty R. P.
Published: October 2012

In the last half century, cerebral embolism from proximal sources other than the heart has been better understood thanks to technological advances that have become routine in stroke investigation.
Current state of the performance of percutaneous coronary intervention in centres without on‐site cardiac surgery
Authors: Oqueli E.
Published: October 2012

Before the routine use of coronary stents, potential complications of percutaneous coronary interventions required the presence of backup cardiac surgery on‐site.

Advances in pharmacotherapy and interventional techniques, particularly in the last decade, have significantly decreased the rates of complications requiring emergency cardiac surgery, from approximately 4% to 6% in the balloon angioplasty era to as low as 0.3% to 0.6% in the contemporary era of routine intracoronary stent implantation.

An early invasive approach has been shown to improve outcomes among patients with non‐ST elevation acute coronary syndromes (NSTEACS), particularly in those at the highest risk, emphasising the importance of early access to revascularisation premises in such patients.

Patients with ST‐segment elevation myocardial infarction require immediate and sustained recanalisation of the culprit vessel to obtain rapid reperfusion of the threatened myocardium, in order to reduce infarct size and improve outcomes.

Primary percutaneous coronary intervention at hospitals without on‐site cardiac surgery improves clinical outcomes and reduces length of stay when compared with fibrinolytic therapy. It also significantly reduces door‐to‐balloon times when compared with transfer for percutaneous coronary interventions at hospitals with on‐site surgery.

It has been published that risk‐adjusted mortality rates for patients undergoing percutaneous coronary interventions in centres without on‐site surgical backup are comparable with those of percutaneous coronary intervention facilities that have cardiac surgery on‐site, regardless of whether percutaneous coronary intervention was performed as primary therapy for ST‐segment elevation myocardial infarction or in a non‐primary setting. To achieve these results however, an adequate percutaneous coronary intervention programme is required, including proper hospital infrastructure and appropriately trained interventional cardiologists.
Epworth HealthCare cardiac surgery audit report 2011
Authors: Chorley T. , Baker L.
Published: October 2012

2011 is the first year Epworth has contributed to Australian and New Zealand Society of Cardiac and Thoracic Surgeons cardiac surgery database. There is now a 30‐day follow‐up data for all cardiac surgical patients as well as benchmarking of our results with 19 public hospitals and 6 private hospitals contributing data to the Australian and New Zealand Society of Cardiac and Thoracic Surgeons. This is an extension of the John Fuller Melbourne University database that has compiled cardiac surgery data for the last 30 years.