bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Development of Meso‐Scale Co‐Fired Ceramic Tape Axisymmetric Combustors
Authors: Sun Wei , Cai Guobiao , Donadio Nicholas , Kuo Bo‐han , Lee Jongguen , Yetter Richard A.
Published: December 2011

Meso‐scale combustors for use in small chemical thrusters were fabricated from low temperature co‐fired ceramic (LTCC) and high temperature co‐fired ceramic (HTCC) tape technology, and operated with gaseous fuels and oxidizers. In contrast to previous research with tape technology where two‐dimensional planar geometries have been fabricated, the present combustors were cylindrical axisymmetric. Igniters that consist of metal wires or silver pastes were co‐fired with the ceramic bodies. Ignition and combustion phenomena were studied in combustors with different volumes and various fuels (H2, CH4, C2H2, and C2H4) with either oxygen or air. Various injection methods of the reactants were investigated to determine ignition criteria and flame stability. Reliable and restartable ignition was obtained in combustion chambers ranging from 16 to 104 mm3. Sustained and stable combustion longer than 600 s was achieved with hydrogen and oxygen under a wide range of equivalence ratios ranging from 0.1 to 1.0. Chemical composition analyses from the combustor exhaust plume were performed with a 64‐mm3 combustion chamber. Combustion efficiencies were determined to be higher than 95% for fuel‐lean conditions. However, the thermal efficiency of the 64 mm3 combustor was estimated to be considerably lower at about 40%.
REDUCING OPERATING COSTS IN FREEZING PROCESSES USING ASYMMETRIC DISTRIBUTION OF SPRAYS
Authors: PILIPOVIK M.V. , RIVEROL C.
Published: December 2011

This article outlines an alternative method for freezing food using liquid nitrogen. The freezing process is important to guarantee the quality of the frozen food. This article describes an alternative distribution of the sprays along tunnel. Recently, the interest in reducing the operating costs has been sharply increased due to economic crisis, especially in food industries. Also, this short article discusses several distributions of the amount of liquid nitrogen along the conveyor and its impact on the operating costs.

PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS

This work contributes an alternative method for spraying foods with a minimum quantity of nitrogen in order to reduce the operating costs and make the process more attractive for small‐scale industries.
IDENTIFYING DRIVERS OF LIKING FOR COMMERCIAL SPREADABLE CHEESES WITH DIFFERENT FAT CONTENT
Authors: BAYARRI SARA , MARTÍ MAR , CARBONELL INMACULADA , COSTELL ELVIRA
Published: December 2011

The aim of this work was to obtain information about how perceptible differences among commercial spreadable cheeses with different fat content affect consumer liking/disliking. Sensory profiles of six commercial samples, three with regular fat content and three with low‐fat content were determined using a trained panel (n = 10), and hedonic responses were obtained from a group of consumers (n = 106). Sensory variability among samples was mainly due to texture and flavor attributes. Three subgroups of consumers with different preference criteria were identified using cluster analyses: a small group of consumers (11%) for whom the variability in sensory attribute intensity among samples did not affect sample acceptability and two subgroups of consumers (39% and 50%) for whom certain sensory attribute intensity influenced hedonic scores. Partial least squares regression was used to determine the sensory factors driving liking/disliking for the latter two consumer subgroups.

PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS

Low‐fat variants of spreadable cheeses are now on the market with different sensory properties and different success. The elimination or reduction of fat modifies the composition and structure of cheeses and alters the original balance among fat, protein, carbohydrates and moisture, often giving rise to perceptible changes in color, flavor and texture. Although, fat reduction may provide consumers with added‐value products, the different sensory characteristics of low‐fat cheese, compared to its full‐fat counterpart, may influence the consumer's response. Identifying the sensory attributes that drive liking/disliking of low‐fat cream cheeses, is a key issue guiding new‐product development, product improvement and optimization.
QSAR Models for Toxicity of Organic Substances to Daphnia magna Built up by Using the CORAL Freeware
Authors: Toropova Alla P. , Toropov Andrey A. , Benfenati Emilio , Gini Giuseppina
Published: December 2011

CORAL (CORrelations And Logic, http://www.insilico.eu/coral/) is a freeware available on the Internet. This freeware is designed to build up quantitative structure – property/activity relationships. The molecular structure for CORAL should be represented by the simplified molecular input line entry system (SMILES). Optimal descriptors calculated with SMILES are a mathematical function of the presence or absence of SMILES elements. The essence of this approach is the calculation of correlation weights for each element or combination of the elements by the Monte Carlo method. These coefficients serve to calculate the descriptors correlated with the endpoint for the training set, hoping that this correlation will also hold for the external test set. These descriptors can be improved by taking into account global physicochemical situations in molecules. An example of the physicochemical situation is the presence of oxygen and nitrogen. One can calculate these situations with SMILES and represent them by combining 0 (absence) and 1 (presence). The involving in the modelling of correlation weights of aforementioned physicochemical situations gave improvement in accuracy of models of toxicity to Daphnia magna for test set: ntest = 75, r2 = 0.7322, r2pred = 0.7193, r2m = 0.6549 (without correlation weights of the physicochemical situations); and ntest = 75, r2 = 0.7897, r2pred = 0.7790, r2m = 0.6850 (with aforementioned correlation weights of physicochemical situations).
Identification of New Peptide Ligands for Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor Using Phage Display and Computationally Modeling their Mode of Binding
Authors: Hamzeh‐Mivehroud Maryam , Mahmoudpour Ali , Dastmalchi Siavoush
Published: December 2011

Peptide phage display, a powerful method for ligand identification, was used to identify new peptide ligands for epidermal growth factor receptor. A‐431 cells expressing epidermal growth factor receptor were used as the matrix in a cell‐based subtractive biopanning approach using a 7‐mer peptide displaying phage library. Two novel peptide ligands were identified and tested for their affinities and functional effects on epidermal growth factor receptor. The identified peptides were able to inhibit the epidermal growth factor‐induced phosphorylation of epidermal growth factor receptor in a concentration‐dependent manner. The results of affinity binding experiments showed that the natural ligand, that is epidermal growth factor, was able to inhibit competitively the binding of peptide‐bearing phage to epidermal growth factor receptor expressing A‐431 cells. Molecular modeling studies were used to calculate the free energies for the binding of peptides to the receptor‐binding site as well as proposing the interaction modes for this binding. The calculated values for the binding energies were found to be similar to our experimental data and those of previously reported studies.
Revolving door laws and state public utility commissioners
Authors: Law Marc T. , Long Cheryl X.
Published: December 2011

This paper investigates the effects of revolving door regulations – laws that restrict the post‐government employment opportunities of public sector workers – on the characteristics of state public utility commissioners. We find that commissioners from states with revolving door regulations have less expertise, serve shorter terms, and are less likely to be subsequently employed by the private sector, compared with their counterparts from states without revolving door laws. These findings suggest that revolving door regulations may have costly unintended consequences.
Mating Systems and Reproductive Success in Hermaphroditic Bay Scallop, Argopecten irradians irradians (Lamarck 1819), Inferred by Microsatellite‐based Parentage Analysis
Authors: Li Ronghua , Li Qi
Published: December 2011

In this study, we used microsatellite‐based parentage analysis to assess the mating system of a mass spawning bay scallop, Argopecten irradians irradians. Parental assignment was performed on 237 offspring and 14 candidate parents. Overall, 95% of all offspring were unambiguously allocated to their putative parents based on information from six highly polymorphic loci. Offspring from both the self‐fertilization and cross‐fertilization style were observed, the large variation of self‐fertilization rate among individuals displays a mixed mode of mating. The high variances in reproductive success resulted in a decline in effective breeding numbers (Nb/N = 0.71). The self‐fertilization rate was 32.89% for this mass spawning and the coefficient of inbreeding was estimated at around 16.5% per generation. When selfed larvae were removed, the relationship between relatedness and individual reproductive success was proved insignificant between half‐sibings and unrelated, which suggest that selection pressures other than avoidance of inbreeding may be responsible for the evolution and maintenance of the self‐compatible mating system of A. i. irradians. These results lend insight to A. i. irradians cultivation in present China and provide a genetic basis for the development of more effective spawning techniques.
Current Status and Bottle Neck of Octopod Aquaculture: The Case of American Species
Authors: Uriarte Iker , Iglesias José , Domingues Pedro , Rosas Carlos , Viana María T. , Navarro Juan C. , Seixas Pedro , Vidal Erica , Ausburger Alberto , Pereda Sandra , Godoy Félix , Paschke Kurt , Farías Ana , Olivares Alberto , Zuñiga Oscar
Published: December 2011

The increasing market demand for cephalopods and the experiences obtained with different species has boosted the interest in developing their culture in Latin America. In 2008, an international workshop was held in Puerto Montt, Chile, with 14 experts in experimental cephalopods aquaculture from Brazil, Chile, Spain, and Mexico. Several topics were approached within the holobenthic species Octopus maya and the merobenthic species Enteroctopus megalocyathus, Octopus vulgaris, and Robsonella fontaniana. Part of the conclusions demonstrated that the two greatest difficulties for their production were survival of paralarvae for merobenthic species, and survival of early juveniles for holobenthic species. Besides, there is a need to study the endogenous and exogenous factors affecting health and nutritional status of embryos, paralarvae, and juveniles. These stages, which may limit the culture, should be extensively studied in order to develop the appropriate environmental conditions and culture systems for the physiological and behavioral requirements, from egg incubation up to juveniles to reach a grow‐out phase.
Growth, Feed Utilization, and Glycemic Response in European Sea Bass, Dicentrarchus labrax, Juveniles Fed Carbohydrate of Different Complexities
Authors: Enes Paula , Peres Helena , Almeida Ivone , Couto Ana , Oliva‐Teles Aires
Published: December 2011

The effect of dietary carbohydrate complexity on growth, feed utilization, and glycemia was studied in European sea bass juveniles. Four isonitrogenous (50% crude protein) and isolipidic (15% crude lipids) diets were formulated to contain 20% pregelatinized maize starch (PGS diet), dextrin (DEX diet), maltose (MAL diet), or glucose (GLU diet). No effect of dietary carbohydrate complexity on growth was noticed. Feed efficiency and protein efficiency ratio were lower in fish fed the GLU diet than in the other groups, whereas the opposite was observed for feed intake. Plasma glucose peaked 3–4 h after feeding in fish fed the MAL and GLU diets, whereas in fish fed the PGS and DEX diets the peak was reached 5–6 h after feeding. Peak plasma glucose concentration (13 mmol/L) was higher in fish fed the GLU diet than the other diets (9 mmol/L). Shorter hyperglycemia duration was observed in fish fed the MALT and GLU diets (6 h) than the PGS and DEX diets (10 h). Complex carbohydrates delayed plasma glucose concentration peak compared with simple sugars, whereas the opposite was observed for hyperglycemia duration. Overall, dietary maltose, dextrin, and starch were apparently better utilized as energy source than glucose by European sea bass juveniles.
Scanning Electron Microscopy of “Saddleback” Lesions Associated with Experimental Infections of Flavobacterium columnare in Channel Catfish, Ictalurus punctatus (Siluriformes: Ictaluridae), and Zebrafish, Danio rerio (Cypriniformes: Cyprinidae)
Authors: Bullard Stephen A. , McElwain Andrew , Arias Covadonga R.
Published: December 2011

Laboratory‐reared, specific pathogen‐free fingerling channel catfish, Ictalurus punctatus, and adult zebrafish, Danio rerio, were each separately exposed by immersion challenge to the etiological agent of “columnaris disease,”Flavobacterium columnare (Japanese Collection of Microorganisms 21327 strain). At 24‐h post‐immersion, fish exhibiting a “saddleback” lesion were fixed whole in 10% neutral buffered formalin. Skin samples approximately 5 mm2 were excised from both the margin and center of each saddleback lesion as well as from corresponding sites in control, non‐challenged, fish before being prepared routinely for scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Skin samples from control channel catfish and zebrafish had uniform, contiguous epidermal cells with continuous or closely apposed cell margins and well‐defined microridges. Channel catfish skin lesion samples had margins typified by epidermal sloughing and lesion centers that exhibited a multitude of rod‐shaped bacterial cells, approximately 3–10 µm long × 0.3–0.5 µm wide, intermingled with cellular debris across a surface characterized by denuded, strongly ridged, or folded dermal connective tissue. Zebrafish skin lesion samples had a multitude of rod‐shaped bacterial cells and exhibited comparable ultrastructural changes but some lacked scales. These findings are the first published SEM observations of columnaris disease and saddleback lesions in channel catfish and zebrafish and thereby advance our understanding of the ultrastructural characteristics of acute‐stage saddleback lesions and columnaris disease pathogenesis.
Characterization of the Volatility of Flavor Compounds in Alcoholic Beverages through Headspace Solid‐Phase Microextraction (HS‐SPME) and Mathematical Modeling
Authors: Khio Shuh‐Wen , Cheong Mun‐Wai , Zhou Weibiao , Curran Philip , Yu Bin
Published: December 2011

Abstract:  The volatility of flavor compounds (10 distinctive esters commonly found in alcoholic beverages) was characterized using headspace solid‐phase microextraction (HS‐SPME) analysis combined with mathematical modeling. The impacts of extrinsic factors (extraction time and temperature) and intrinsic parameters (ethanol content and concentration of these flavor compounds) were evaluated on their influences. From extraction profiles, different kinetic behaviors of flavor compounds revealed that volatility is influenced by chemical natures (that is, molecular weight and physicochemical properties). Moreover, volatility was also found to be interrelated with extraction temperature and absorption/adsorption on the fiber's surface. Through mathematical modeling, the kinetic constants of these volatile compounds were computed, and their release profiles were determined. Finally, it was observed that an increase of ethanol (a competitive interference compound to flavor compounds) could decrease the extraction efficiency. Our studies indicated that this approach might be a rapid and practical method that would provide a better understanding of flavor release behavior from alcoholic beverages.

Practical Application:  The proposed approach may provide a simple and fast method in predicting the performance of key aroma esters in different alcoholic beverages. It could also be a practical way in quality control during the production of alcoholic beverage by monitoring key aroma esters.
Characterization of Monofloral Honeys with Multivariate Analysis of Their Chemical Profile and Antioxidant Activity
Authors: Sant’Ana Luiza D’O. , Sousa Juliana P. L. M. , Salgueiro Fernanda B. , Lorenzon Maria Cristina Affonso , Castro Rosane N.
Published: December 2011

Abstract:  Various bioactive chemical constituents were quantified for 21 honey samples obtained at Rio de Janeiro and Minas Gerais, Brazil. To evaluate their antioxidant activity, 3 different methods were used: the ferric reducing antioxidant power, the 1,1‐diphenyl‐2‐picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical‐scavenging activity, and the 2,2′‐azinobis (3‐ethylbenzothiazolin)‐6‐sulfonate (ABTS) assays. Correlations between the parameters were statistically significant (−0.6684 ≤ r ≤−0.8410, P < 0.05). Principal component analysis showed that honey samples from the same floral origins had more similar profiles, which made it possible to group the eucalyptus, morrão de candeia, and cambara honey samples in 3 distinct areas, while cluster analysis could separate the artificial honey from the floral honeys.

Practical Application:  This research might aid in the discrimination of honey floral origin, by using simple analytical methods in association with multivariate analysis, which could also show a great difference among floral honeys and artificial honey, indicating a possible way to help with the identification of artificial honeys.
Embodied Attitude Change: A Self‐Validation Perspective
Authors: Briñol Pablo , Petty Richard E. , Wagner Benjamin C.
Published: December 2011

Our behavior can change what we like and dislike. Although it seems clear that we might like something more when we smile (versus frown), or when we nod our heads (versus shake), it is important to understand the processes responsible for these changes in evaluation. It might be that agreement behaviors such as smiling and nodding work as cue, make us think about everything in a positive light, or it might be that they encourage us not to think much about the information we receive. This review describes the basic processes underlying embodied change, highlighting the role of a recently discovered meta‐cognitive process (called self‐validation) by which bodily responses can validate or invalidate (instead of changing) our thoughts. This new mechanism can account for some already established outcomes in embodied persuasion (e.g., more persuasion with smiling than frowning), but by a different process than postulated previously (smiling increases confidence in thoughts), as well as for some new findings (e.g., more persuasion for low than high powerful postures; more self‐confidence when performing doubtful postures).
Increased Frequency of Low‐Magnitude Floods in New England1
Authors: Armstrong William H. , Collins Mathias J. , Snyder Noah P.
Published: December 2011

Armstrong, William H., Mathias J. Collins, and Noah P. Snyder, 2012. Increased Frequency of Low‐Magnitude Floods in New England. Journal of the American Water Resources Association (JAWRA) 48(2): 306‐320. DOI: 10.1111/j.1752‐1688.2011.00613.x

Abstract:  Recent studies document increasing precipitation and streamflow in the northeastern United States throughout the 20th and early 21st Centuries. Annual peak discharges have increased over this period on many New England rivers with dominantly natural streamflow – especially for smaller, more frequent floods. To better investigate high‐frequency floods (<5‐year recurrence interval), we analyze the partial duration flood series for 23 New England rivers selected for minimal human impact. The study rivers have continuous records through 2006 and an average period of record of 71 years. Twenty‐two of the 23 rivers show increasing trends in peaks over threshold per water year (POT/WY) – a direct measure of flood frequency – using the Mann‐Kendall trend test. Ten of these trends had p < 0.1. Seventeen rivers show positive trends in flood magnitude, six of which had p < 0.1. We also investigate a potential hydroclimatic shift in the region around 1970. Twenty‐two of the 23 rivers show increased POT/WY in the post‐1970 period when comparing pre‐ and post‐1970 records using the Wilcoxon rank‐sum test. More than half of these increases have p < 0.1, indicating a shift in flow regime toward more frequent flooding. Region wide, we found a median increase of one flood per year for the post‐1970 period. Because frequent floods are important channel‐forming flows, these results have implications for channel and floodplain morphology, aquatic habitat, and restoration.
Host tracking or cryptic adaptation? Phylogeography ofPediobius saulius(Hymenoptera, Eulophidae), a parasitoid of the highly invasive horse‐chestnut leafminer
Authors: Hernández‐López Antonio , Rougerie Rodolphe , Augustin Sylvie , Lees David C. , Tomov Rumen , Kenis Marc , Çota Ejup , Kullaj Endrit , Hansson Christer , Grabenweger Giselher , Roques Alain , López‐Vaamonde Carlos
Published: December 2011

Classical biological control is often advocated as a tool for managing invasive species. However, accurate evaluations of parasitoid species complexes and assessment of host specificity are impeded by the lack of morphological variation. Here, we study the possibility of host races/species within the eulophid waspPediobius saulius, a pupal generalist parasitoid that parasitize the highly invasive horse‐chestnut leaf‐mining mothCameraria ohridella. We analysed the population genetic structure, host associations and phylogeographic patterns ofP. sauliusin Europe using the COI mitochondrial gene. This marker strongly supports a division into at least five highly differentiated parasitoid complexes, within two of which clades with differing degrees of host specialization were found: a Balkan clade that mainly (but not only) attacksC. ohridellaand a more generalist European group that attacks many hosts, includingC. ohridella. The divergence in COI (up to 7.6%) suggests the existence of cryptic species, although this is neither confirmed by nuclear divergence nor morphology. We do not find evidence of host tracking. The higher parasitism rates observed in the Balkans and the scarcity of the Balkan–Camerariahaplotypes out of the Balkans open the possibility of using these Balkan haplotypes as biological control agents ofC. ohridellaelsewhere in Europe.
Proposal for a simple mechanism to encourage capital investment in electricity generation capacity: illusion or reality?1
Authors: Chaton Corinne , Hermon Florence , Pignon Virginie
Published: December 2011

Market prices make it possible to realise returns on capital investments in the electricity sector, but these prices may not necessarily be politically or socially acceptable. As a result, explicit or implicit price caps may be established. If these caps are effective, they may result in loss of income and therefore discourage investors. To remedy this problem, several mechanisms have been proposed and put into place. The goal of this paper is not to perform an analysis of these initiator mechanisms for capital investment but, rather, to study an alternative. We show that this conceptually simple mechanism, which appears to correspond to the desires of producers and suppliers, is actually an illusion. Admittedly, the mechanism allows a single producer (or multiple producers with the same production mix) to recover its (their) costs despite the price cap. However, it does not allow certain technologies to be profitable. As a result, producers may be reluctant to invest in these technologies. This reluctance is more significant with the introduction of risk. The mechanism creates a distortion, moving money from peak to base technologies. Furthermore, it is not simple to implement.
Development of a high‐throughput microsphere‐based molecular assay to identify 15 common bloodmeal hosts of Culex mosquitoes
Authors: THIEMANN T. C. , BRAULT A. C. , ERNEST H. B. , REISEN W. K.
Published: December 2011

For vectorborne infections, host selection by bloodfeeding arthropods dictates the interaction between host and pathogen. Because Culex mosquitoes that transmit West Nile virus (WNV) feed both on mammalian and avian hosts with varying competence, understanding the bloodfeeding patterns of these mosquitoes is important for understanding the transmission dynamics of WNV. Herein, we describe a new microsphere‐based assay using Luminex xMAP® technology to rapidly identify 15 common hosts of Culex mosquitoes at our California study sites. The assay was verified with over 100 known vertebrate species samples and was used in conjunction with DNA sequencing to identify over 125 avian and mammalian host species from unknown Culex bloodmeals, more quickly and with less expense than sequencing alone. In addition, with multiplexed labelled probes, this microsphere array identified mixed bloodmeals that were difficult to discern with traditional sequencing. The microsphere set was easily expanded or reduced according to host range in a specific area, and this assay has made it possible to rapidly screen thousands of Culex spp. bloodmeals to extend our understanding of WNV transmission patterns.
Decellularization of porcine corneas and repopulation with human corneal cells for tissue‐engineered xenografts
Authors: Yoeruek Efdal , Bayyoud Tarek , Maurus Christine , Hofmann Johanna , Spitzer Martin S. , Bartz‐Schmidt Karl‐Ulrich , Szurman Peter
Published: December 2011

Purpose:  To evaluate the potential use of decellularized porcine corneas (DPCs) as a carrier matrix for cultivating human corneal cells in tissue engineering.

Methods:  Corneal cells were isolated from human corneoscleral rims. Porcine corneas were decellularized using hypotonic tris buffer, ethylene diamine tetra‐acetic acid (EDTA, 0.1%), aprotinin (10 KIU/ml) and 0.3% sodium dodecyl sulphate. Haematoxylin–eosin (HE) and 4,6‐diamidino‐2‐phenylindole (DAPI) staining were performed to confirm removal of the corneal cells. Quantitative analysis was performed to determine levels of desoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) using DNA Purification Kit (Fermentas, St. Leon‐Rot, Germany). Alcian blue staining was carried out to analyse the structure of the extracellular matrix (ECM). Corneal stromal cells were injected into the DPCs; limbal corneal epithelial cells and corneal endothelial cells were seeded onto the anterior and posterior surfaces of the DPCs, respectively. Evaluation was undertaken at days 14 and 30. The phenotypical properties of the cultivated corneal cells were investigated using Immunolocalization of type I collagen, keratocan, lumican, cytokeratin 3 (AE5) and type VIII collagen.

Results:  Haematoxylin–eosin and DAPI staining showed efficient elimination of porcine corneal cells, whereas alcian blue confirmed gross preservation of the ECM. The quantitative analysis of the DNA content showed a significant reduction (mean before decellularization: 75.45 ± 13.71 ng/mg; mean after decellularization: 9.87 ± 2.04 ng/mg, p < 0.001). All three types of corneal cells were efficiently cultured and expanded on the DPCs.

Conclusions:  Decellularized porcine corneas might serve as a potential scaffold for tissue engineering of the cornea, possibly providing xenogenic substrate for corneal transplantation.
Mediastinal re‐staging of non small‐cell lung cancer
Authors: Khoo Kay‐Leong
Published: December 2011

Selected patients with non small‐cell lung cancer (NSCLC) with mediastinal lymph node involvement may have a survival benefit from surgical resection, particularly if mediastinal nodal down‐staging occurs after induction therapy and complete resection is achieved with lobectomy. Accurate re‐staging of the mediastinum after induction therapy is therefore crucial in determining prognosis and subsequent treatment. Non‐invasive imaging techniques usually require a confirmatory tissue sampling method to improve the accuracy of mediastinal re‐staging. As in the initial staging of the mediastinum, minimally invasive endosonography‐guided needle sampling techniques such as endobronchial ultrasound‐guided fine‐needle aspiration (EBUS‐TBNA) and endoscopic ultrasound‐guided fine‐needle aspiration show promise in re‐staging the mediastinum, though invasive surgical re‐staging remains the gold standard. Despite a lower sensitivity in the mediastinal re‐staging of NSCLC, EBUS‐TBNA with or without EUS‐FNA may still be the preferred initial mediastinal re‐staging technique.
Effectiveness of biweekly low‐dosage peginterferon treatment on the improvement of serum alanine aminotransferase and α‐fetoprotein levels
Authors: Kajiwara Eiji , Ooho Aritune , Yamashita Naoki
Published: December 2011

Aim:  The purpose of this clinical study was to determine the effect of a biweekly low‐dosage peginterferon α‐2a treatment program on serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and α‐fetoprotein (AFP) levels.

Methods:  Fifty‐five patients participated in the study. The inclusion criteria included chronic genotype 1b hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection, liver cirrhosis, or the absence of cirrhosis in subjects 65 years old or above, and interferon therapy naivety or a lack of sustained response to therapy with interferon‐plus‐ribavirin or peginterferon‐plus‐ribavirin. Patients were divided into naïve, relapser, and non‐responder groups. The median age of the patients was 70 years, and 73% of patients had cirrhosis. All patients were treated with peginterferon α‐2a at 90 µg biweekly.

Results:  The rates of normalization (≤30 IU/l) of ALT levels at week 24 in the relapser group and the ≥2 log10 HCV RNA decline group were high (74% and 68%, respectively). However, the ALT and AFP levels decreased significantly in each group, including the non‐responder group. The ALT levels decreased significantly even in patients in whom the HCV RNA levels did not decrease. Furthermore, the AFP levels decreased significantly in the patients showing no decline in the ALT and HCV RNA levels. Only three patients discontinued treatment within 48 weeks due to adverse events, and more than 70% of the patients experienced no subjective symptoms during treatment.

Conclusion:  A biweekly low‐dosage peginterferon α‐2a therapy is effective for reducing the serum levels of ALT and AFP and may reduce hepatocarcinogenesis in patients with liver cirrhosis and in the elderly individuals.
Comparison of surgical outcomes in patients with colorectal liver metastases versus non‐colorectal liver metastases: A Chinese experience
Authors: Duan Xiao‐Feng , Dong Na‐Na , Zhang Ti , Li Qiang
Published: December 2011

Aim:  To compare the surgical treatment outcomes between patients with colorectal liver metastases (CLM) and non‐colorectal liver metastases (NCLM).

Methods:  The study population consisted of 132 patients undergoing hepatectomy at Tianjin Medical University Cancer Hospital between January 1996 and December 2008. Survival analyses were used to assess the differences in prognosis and survival between groups.

Results:  The primary tumor site was colorectal in 60 (45.5%), breast in 16 (12.1%), lung in 14 (10.6%), non‐colorectal gastrointestinal in 12 (9.1%), genitourinary in 10 (7.6%), pancreatobiliary tumor (n = 8, 6.1%) and others in 12 (9.1%). A curative liver resection was performed in all patients by pathological findings. After a median follow‐up of 32 months, the overall 3‐ and 5‐year survival rate was 44.7 and 29.5% in all patients, respectively. The 3‐ and 5‐year survival rates were 53.3 and 36.7% for liver metastases from colorectal tumors, 62.5 and 43.8% from breast, 60.0 and 40.0% from genitourinary neoplasm, 41.7 and 25.0% from non‐colorectal gastrointestinal cancer, 28.5 and 15.0% from lung, 12.5 and 0% from pancreatobiliary malignancies, and 41.7 and 8.3% from other sites, respectively.

Conclusions:  Hepatic resection is an effective and safe treatment for liver metastases mainly depending on primary tumor sites. Hepatic metastases from non‐colorectal gastrointestinal cancer, pulmonary and pancreatobiliary malignancies have the worst prognosis; those from breast and genitourinary neoplasm show the best prognosis.
Hepatic veno‐occlusive disease after taking Gynura Rhizome: The value of multidetector computed tomography in diagnosing the disease and evaluating the clinical therapeutic effect
Authors: Wu Xing‐Wang , Wang Wan‐Qin , Liu Bin , Xu Jian‐Ming , Yu Yong‐Qiang , Zhang Shuai , Shen Yun
Published: December 2011

Aim:  We conducted this study to evaluate the role of multidetector computed tomography (MDCT) in diagnosing and differential diagnosis hepatic veno‐occlusive disease (HVOD), and as well as assessing the clinical therapeutic effects.

Methods:  From 2007 to 2010, 10 inpatients with weight increasing, liver pains, ascites, jaundice and history of taking gynura rhizome before hospitalization were scanned with a 64‐MDCT. The data were reconstructed every 0.625 mm and reviewed using multiplanar reconstruction (MPR) and liver CT angiography (CTA) on a GE AW4.2 workstation. Patients were re‐scanned with MDCT after medication so that the clinical therapeutic effect could be evaluated before the patients discharging from hospital.

Results:  In 10 HVOD patients, the diagnoses of MDCT were coincident with clinical results. All patients had ascites and pleural fluid, hepatomegaly except the caudate lobe in MDCT. Failure to view hepatic veins in hepatic 3 phase scans, but portal veins and inferior vena cava were unobstructed. In portal‐phase, hepatic enhancements were non‐uniform. Three patients were incorrectly diagnosed before hospital admission. All patients improved significantly after hepato‐protection and supporting therapy. No ascites, hydrothorax, hepatomegaly and obstruction of hepatic veins were observed by MDCT before patients were discharged from hospital.

Conclusion:  Multidetector computed tomography combined with MPR and liver CTA images are helpful in the diagnosis and differential diagnosis of HVOD and in the evaluation of clinical therapeutic effects.
The Regional Supply of Venture Capital: Can Syndication Overcome Bottlenecks?
Authors: Fritsch Michael , Schilder Dirk
Published: December 2011

abstract

In our study, we investigated whether the supply of venture capital (VC) is driven by spatial proximity between a VC company and the portfolio firm. Our analysis was based on information about VC investments in Germany between 2004 and 2009. We found that possible problems caused by the geographic distance to a portfolio firm seem to be overcome by the syndication of investments with one of the VC firms located close to the investment. The results suggest, however, that a short geographic distance between an investor and the investment has an increasing effect on the probability of syndication as well as on the number of firms that join the syndicate. Hence, local VC suppliers may assume the role of an anchor, connecting the regional economy to more distant parts of the industry.
Refractory Alkali‐Free Cristobalite Glass‐Ceramics: Activated Reaction Sinter‐Crystallization Synthesis and Properties
Authors: Pascova Radost , Avdeev Georgi , Gutzow Ivan , Penkov Ivan , Ludwig Frank‐Peter , Schmelzer Juern W. P.
Published: December 2011

A new approach for the synthesis of chemically stabilized β‐cristobalite‐like glass‐ceramic materials is developed. It is based on an activated reaction sinter‐crystallization process of compacted powder mixtures at relatively low temperatures (1400–1450°C) and short heat treatment times. To facilitate homogeneous dopant distribution and thus the formation of a high content of βx‐cristobalite‐like phases, possessing a very low thermal expansion coefficient, the batch components are introduced in a chemically, mechanically, or thermally preactivated form. In this way, the high‐temperature glass premelting usually employed in the “classical” synthesis of glass‐ceramics is avoided. Using different, mutually complementary techniques of analysis it is revealed that optimal refractory properties are achieved with glass‐ceramics containing αx‐ and βx‐cristobalite solid solutions with close values of the lattice parameters. In this case, the transformation between these two cristobalite‐like solid solutions proceeds instead by a first‐order displacive transition, by a process exhibiting features characteristic for both a suppressed first‐order phase change and a second‐order λ‐type phase transitions. The refractory properties of the glass‐ceramic materials thus synthesized and the possibility to use various forming techniques open many fields for their application.
WHAT LIARS CAN TELL US ABOUT THE KNOWLEDGE NORM OF PRACTICAL REASONING
Authors: FALLIS DON
Published: December 2011

abstract

If knowledge is the norm of practical reasoning, then we should be able to alter people's behavior by affecting their knowledge as well as by affecting their beliefs. Thus, as Roy Sorensen (2010) suggests, we should expect to find people telling lies that target knowledge rather than just lies that target beliefs. In this paper, however, I argue that Sorensen's discovery of “knowledge‐lies” does not support the claim that knowledge is the norm of practical reasoning. First, I use a Bayesian framework to show that in each of Sorensen's examples, knowledge‐lies alter people's behavior by affecting their beliefs. Second, I show that while we can imagine lies that target knowledge without targeting beliefs, they cannot alter people's behavior. In other words, knowledge‐lies actually work (i.e., manipulate behavior) by targeting beliefs or they do not work at all.
DOES THE SUPERVENIENCE ARGUMENT GENERALIZE?
Authors: BLISS SUZANNE , FERNÁNDEZ JORDI
Published: December 2011

abstract

We evaluate the scope of Jaegwon Kim's “supervenience argument” for reduction. Does its conclusion apply only to psychology, or does it generalize to all the special sciences? The claim that the supervenience argument generalizes to all the special sciences if it goes through for psychology is often raised as an objection to the supervenience argument. We argue that this objection is ambiguous. We distinguish three readings of it and suggest that some of them make it a plausible claim, whereas other readings make it implausible. We suggest that this ambiguity is the result of picturing the world as being hierarchically organized in levels, with the domain of physics at the bottom and the domains of the social sciences at the top. The plausibility of the objection depends on how we think of this picture. This popular picture, we suggest, involves three different dimensions along which reduction may occur.
Working with despair: A phenomenological investigation
Authors: Gee Joanna , Loewenthal Del
Published: December 2011

Objectives. Psychotherapy as an appropriate treatment for clients in despair is an important area of inquiry, particularly given its problematic nature in the therapy and the resulting impact on the therapeutic relationship. This study aimed to explore how psychotherapists experience working with a client in despair through a phenomenological investigation.

Design. A phenomenological epistemology and methodology was adopted as the study was focused on understanding the phenomenon in terms of the participant's meanings of the lived situation.

Method. In‐depth, semi‐structured interviews were conducted with eight accredited psychotherapists who had worked with clients in despair. The interviews were transcribed and analysed using the method of Empirical Phenomenological Analysis (EPA).

Results. Four main themes emerged from the analysis: Psychotherapist's experience of client's despair, Evocation in the psychotherapist, Therapeutic ways of responding, and Supporting the psychotherapist.

Conclusions. The phenomenological findings inform and support the idea of a client's despair as something that challenges the psychotherapist personally and professionally. With implications for practice, the findings also suggest that in order to prevent the despair from encompassing the psychotherapist, they must locate a therapeutic balance; one that allows them to be with the client's despair, whilst allowing a certain degree of distance from the despair which may enable the psychotherapist to consider hope and to see the client's situation from different perspectives.

Practitioner Points

Client's despair challenges the psychotherapist personally and professionally.

In order to prevent the despair from encompassing the psychotherapist, they must locate a therapeutic balance which allows them to be with the client's despair, whilst allowing a certain degree of distance from the despair.

This balance may enable the psychotherapist to consider hope and to see the client's situation from different perspectives.
The Effect of Squeeze-Film Damping on the Shock Response of Clamped-Clamped Microbeams
Authors: Yagubizade Hadi , Younis Mohammad I.
Published: December 2011

This paper presents an investigation into the nonlinear effect of squeeze-film damping on the response of a clamped–clamped microbeam to mechanical shock. In this work, we solve simultaneously the nonlinear Reynolds equation, to model squeeze-film damping, coupled with a nonlinear Euler–Bernoulli beam equation. A Galerkin-based reduced-order model and a finite-difference method are utilized for the solid domain and fluid domain, respectively. Several results demonstrating the effect of gas pressure on the response of the microbeams are shown. Comparison with the results of a fully coupled multiphysics nonlinear finite-element model is presented. The results indicate that, for devices operating in air, squeeze-film damping can be used effectively to minimize the displacements of released microstructures during shock and impact. The results also indicate that squeeze-film damping has more significant effect on the response of microstructures in the dynamic shock regime compared to the quasi-static shock regime. A computationally efficient approach is proposed to model the fluidic-structural problem more efficiently based on a nonlinear analytical expression of the squeeze-film damping.
Accumulation of the Antibiotic Phenazine-1-Carboxylic Acid in the Rhizosphere of Dryland Cereals
Authors: Mavrodi Dmitri V. , Mavrodi Olga V. , Parejko James A. , Bonsall Robert F. , Kwak Youn-Sig , Paulitz Timothy C. , Thomashow Linda S. , Weller David M.
Published: December 2011

Natural antibiotics are thought to function in the defense, fitness, competitiveness, biocontrol activity, communication, and gene regulation of microorganisms. However, the scale and quantitative aspects of antibiotic production in natural settings are poorly understood. We addressed these fundamental questions by assessing the geographic distribution of indigenous phenazine-producing (Phz
+
)
Pseudomonas
spp. and the accumulation of the broad-spectrum antibiotic phenazine-1-carboxylic acid (PCA) in the rhizosphere of wheat grown in the low-precipitation zone (<350 mm) of the Columbia Plateau and in adjacent, higher-precipitation areas. Plants were collected from 61 commercial wheat fields located within an area of about 22,000 km
2
. Phz
+
Pseudomonas
spp. were detected in all sampled fields, with mean population sizes ranging from log 3.2 to log 7.1 g
−1
(fresh weight) of roots. Linear regression analysis demonstrated a significant inverse relationship between annual precipitation and the proportion of plants colonized by Phz
+
Pseudomonas
spp. (
r
2
= 0.36,
P
= 0.0001). PCA was detected at up to nanomolar concentrations in the rhizosphere of plants from 26 of 29 fields that were selected for antibiotic quantitation. There was a direct relationship between the amount of PCA extracted from the rhizosphere and the population density of Phz
+
pseudomonads (
r
2
= 0.46,
P
= 0.0006). This is the first demonstration of accumulation of significant quantities of a natural antibiotic across a terrestrial ecosystem. Our results strongly suggest that natural antibiotics can transiently accumulate in the plant rhizosphere in amounts sufficient not only for inter- and intraspecies signaling but also for the direct inhibition of sensitive organisms.
Proline Utilization by Bacillus subtilis: Uptake and Catabolism
Authors: Moses Susanne , Sinner Tatjana , Zaprasis Adrienne , Stöveken Nadine , Hoffmann Tamara , Belitsky Boris R. , Sonenshein Abraham L. , Bremer Erhard
Published: December 2011

l
-Proline can be used by
Bacillus subtilis
as a sole source of carbon or nitrogen. We traced
l
-proline utilization genetically to the
putBCP
(
ycgMNO
) locus. The
putBCP
gene cluster encodes a high-affinity proline transporter (PutP) and two enzymes, the proline dehydrogenase PutB and the Δ
1
-pyrroline-5-carboxylate dehydrogenase PutC, which jointly catabolize
l
-proline to
l
-glutamate. Northern blotting, primer extension, and
putB-treA
reporter gene fusion analysis showed that the
putBCP
locus is transcribed as an
l
-proline-inducible operon. Its expression was mediated by a SigA-type promoter and was dependent on the proline-responsive PutR activator protein. Induction of
putBCP
expression was triggered by the presence of submillimolar concentrations of
l
-proline in the growth medium. However, the very large quantities of
l
-proline (up to several hundred millimolar) synthesized by
B. subtilis
as a stress protectant against high osmolarity did not induce
putBCP
transcription. Induction of
putBCP
transcription by external
l
-proline was not dependent on
l
-proline uptake via the substrate-inducible PutP or the osmotically inducible OpuE transporter. It was also not dependent on the chemoreceptor protein McpC required for chemotaxis toward
l
-proline. Our findings imply that
B. subtilis
can distinguish externally supplied
l
-proline from internal
l
-proline pools generated through
de novo
synthesis. The molecular basis of this regulatory phenomenon is not understood. However, it provides the
B. subtilis
cell with a means to avoid a futile cycle of
de novo
l
-proline synthesis and consumption by not triggering the expression of the
putBCP
l
-proline catabolic genes in response to the osmoadaptive production of the compatible solute
l
-proline.
PAX8 is expressed in the majority of renal epithelial neoplasms: an immunohistochemical study of 223 cases using a mouse monoclonal antibody
Authors: Hu Yingchuan , Hartmann Arndt , Stoehr Christine , Zhang Shaobo , Wang Mingsheng , Tacha David , Montironi Rodolfo , Lopez-Beltran Antonio , Cheng Liang
Published: December 2011

Aims

PAX8 is a cell lineage-specific transcription factor which plays a crucial role in the organogenesis of the kidney, thyroid gland and Müllerian duct. A previous study showed that PAX8 is a specific and sensitive marker for both renal and ovarian carcinomas. The purpose of this study is to investigate PAX8 expression using a new monoclonal PAX8 antibody in a larger number of renal epithelial neoplasms including clear cell renal cell carcinoma, papillary renal cell carcinoma, chromophobe renal cell carcinoma and renal oncocytoma.

Methods

PAX8 immunohistochemical staining was performed on tissue microarrays containing 84 cases of clear cell renal cell carcinoma, 66 cases of chromophobe renal cell carcinoma, 57 cases of papillary renal cell carcinoma and 16 cases of renal oncocytoma.

Results

PAX8 expression was detected in 93% (78/84) of cases of clear cell renal cell carcinoma, 80% (53/66) of cases of chromophobe renal cell carcinoma, 95% (54/57) of cases of papillary renal cell carcinoma and 94% (15/16) of cases of renal oncocytoma.

Conclusions

PAX8 is expressed in the majority of renal epithelial neoplasms including renal cell carcinomas and oncocytomas and the monoclonal PAX8 antibody is more sensitive than polyclonal antibody to detect chromophobe renal cell carcinoma. These results showed that PAX8 is a valuable marker for nephric neoplasms.