bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Tricyclic antidepressant use and risk of fractures: A meta-analysis of cohort and case-control studies
Authors: Wu Qing , Qu Wenchun , Crowell Michael D , Hentz Joseph G , Frey Keith A
Published: November 2012

Because studies of the association between tricyclic antidepressant (TCA) treatment and risk of fracture have shown inconsistent findings, we sought to assess whether people who take TCAs are at increased risk of fracture. Relevant studies published by June 2012 were identified through database searches of Scopus, MEDLINE, EMBASE, PsycINFO, ISI Web of Science, and WorldCat Dissertations and Theses from their inception, and manual searching of reference lists. Only original studies that examined the association between TCA treatment and risk of fracture were included. Two investigators independently conducted literature searches, study selection, study appraisal, and data abstraction using a standardized protocol. Disagreements were resolved by consensus. Twelve studies met inclusion criteria. Because of the heterogeneity of these studies, random-effects models were used to pool estimates of effect. Overall, TCA use was associated with significantly increased fracture risk (relative risk [RR], 1.45; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.31–1.60; p < 0.001). Increased fracture risk associated with TCA use was also observed in studies that adjusted for bone mineral density (RR, 1.54; 95% CI, 1.24–1.90; p < 0.001) or depression (RR, 1.49; 95% CI, 1.28–1.67; p < 0.001). Strength of association with TCA exposure duration ≥6 weeks (RR, 1.13; 95% CI, 1.00–1.28) was substantially weaker than association with TCA exposure duration <6 weeks (RR, 2.40; 95% CI, 1.41–4.08). Prior TCA exposure had no significant effect on fracture risk (RR, 1.04; 95% CI, 0.86–1.26; p = 0.70). After accounting for publication bias, we found the overall association between TCA use and fracture risk to be slightly weaker (RR, 1.36; 95% CI, 1.24–1.50) but still significant (p < 0.001). Findings of this meta-analysis indicate that treatment with TCAs may convey an increased risk of fracture, independent of depression and bone mineral density. © 2013 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research.
Partial reductions in mechanical loading yield proportional changes in bone density, bone architecture, and muscle mass
Authors: Ellman Rachel , Spatz Jordan , Cloutier Alison , Palme Rupert , Christiansen Blaine A , Bouxsein Mary L
Published: November 2012

Although the musculoskeletal system is known to be sensitive to changes in its mechanical environment, the relationship between functional adaptation and below-normal mechanical stimuli is not well defined. We investigated bone and muscle adaptation to a range of reduced loading using the partial weight suspension (PWS) system, in which a two-point harness is used to offload a tunable amount of body weight while maintaining quadrupedal locomotion. Skeletally mature female C57Bl/6 mice were exposed to partial weight bearing at 20%, 40%, 70%, or 100% of body weight for 21 days. A hindlimb unloaded (HLU) group was included for comparison in addition to age-matched controls in normal housing. Gait kinematics was measured across the full range of weight bearing, and some minor alterations in gait from PWS were identified. With PWS, bone and muscle changes were generally proportional to the degree of unloading. Specifically, total body and hindlimb bone mineral density, calf muscle mass, trabecular bone volume of the distal femur, and cortical area of the femur midshaft were all linearly related to the degree of unloading. Even a load reduction to 70% of normal weight bearing was associated with significant bone deterioration and muscle atrophy. Weight bearing at 20% did not lead to better bone outcomes than HLU despite less muscle atrophy and presumably greater mechanical stimulus, requiring further investigation. These data confirm that the PWS model is highly effective in applying controllable, reduced, long-term loading that produces predictable, discrete adaptive changes in muscle and bone of the hindlimb. © 2012 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research © 2013 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research
Identification, characterization, and isolation of a common progenitor for osteoclasts, macrophages, and dendritic cells from murine bone marrow and periphery
Authors: Jacome-Galarza Christian E , Lee Sun-Kyeong , Lorenzo Joseph A , Aguila Hector Leonardo
Published: November 2012

Osteoclasts are specialized bone-resorbing cells that derive from monocyte precursors. We have identified three populations of cells with high osteoclastogenic potential in murine bone marrow, which expressed the phenotype B220-CD3-CD11b−/low CD115+ and either CD117hi, CD117intermediate, or CD117low. We have evaluated these populations for their ability to also generate macrophages and dendritic cells. At a single-cell level, the population expressing higher CD117 levels was able to generate bone-resorbing osteoclasts, phagocytic macrophages, and antigen-presenting dendritic cells in vitro with efficiencies of more than 90%, indicating that there exists a common developmental pathway for these cell types. Cells with osteoclastogenic potential also exist in blood and peripheral hematopoietic organs. Their functional meaning and/or their relationship with bone marrow progenitors is not well established. Hence, we characterized murine peripheral cell populations for their ability to form osteoclasts, macrophages, and dendritic cells in vitro. The spleen and peripheral blood monocyte progenitors share phenotypic markers with bone marrow progenitors but differ in their expression of CD11b, which was low in bone marrow but high in periphery. We propose that circulating monocyte progenitors are derived from a common bone marrow osteoclasts/macrophage/dendritic cell progenitor (OcMDC), which we have now characterized at a clonal level. However, the lineage relationship between the bone marrow and peripheral monocyte progenitors has yet to be defined. © 2013 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research.
Brain perfusion imaging: How does it work and what should I use?
Authors: McGehee Blake E. , Pollock Jeffrey M. , Maldjian Joseph A.
Published: November 2012

In the last 15 years there has been a relative explosion in the number of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) techniques and developments related to cerebral perfusion. Given the variety of perfusion methods available, it is often difficult to decide which technique would be best for a particular clinical question or patient. In this review article we discuss the more common techniques, review how they are performed, and summarize the optimal technique or techniques for a variety of clinical situations. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2012; 36:1257–1272. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Determination of thiol compounds by HPLC and fluorescence detection with 1,3,5,7‐tetramethyl‐8‐bromomethyl‐difluoroboradiaza‐s‐indacene
Authors: Guo Xiao‐Feng , Zhu Hong , Wang Hong , Zhang Hua‐Shan
Published: November 2012

Altered levels of thiols in biological fluids are considered to be an important indicator for several diseases. In this article, 1,3,5,7‐tetramethyl‐8‐bromomethyl‐difluoroboradiaza‐s‐indacene is proposed as a fluorescent derivatization reagent for the determination of thiols including glutathione, cysteine, N‐acetylcysteine, and homocysteine by HPLC. Under the optimized derivatization and separation conditions, a baseline separation of all the four derivatives has been achieved using isocratic elution on an RP C8 column within 26 min. With fluorescence detection at 505 and 525 nm for the excitation and emission, respectively, the LODs (S/N = 3) are from 0.2 nM (glutathione) to 0.8 nM (cysteine). The feasibility of this method in real samples has been evaluated by the determination of thiols in human plasma from the healthy persons and hypertensive patients with recoveries of 92–105.3%.
Biocompatible Multishell Architecture for Iron Oxide Nanoparticles
Authors: Wotschadlo Jana , Liebert Tim , Clement Joachim H. , Anspach Nils , Höppener Stephanie , Rudolph Tobias , Müller Robert , Schacher Felix H. , Schubert Ulrich S. , Heinze Thomas
Published: November 2012

The coating of super‐paramagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (SPIONs) with multiple shells is demonstrated by building a layer assembled from carboxymethyldextran and poly(diallydimethylammonium chloride). Three shells are produced stepwise around aggregates of SPIONs by the formation of a polyelectrolyte complex. A growing particle size from 96 to 327 nm and a zeta potential in the range of +39 to −51 mV are measured. Microscopic techniques such as TEM, SEM, and AFM exemplify the core‐shell structures. Magnetic force microscopy and vibrating sample magnetometer measurements confirm the architecture of the multishell particles. Cell culture experiments show that even nanoparticles with three shells are still taken up by cells.

magnified image
Localization errors in MR spectroscopic imaging due to the drift of the main magnetic field and their correction
Authors: Tal Assaf , Gonen Oded
Published: November 2012

Purpose: To analyze the effect of B0 field drift on multivoxel MR spectroscopic imaging and to propose an approach for its correction.

Theory and Methods: It is shown, both theoretically and in a phantom, that for ∼30 min acquisitions a linear B0 drift (∼0.1 ppm/h) will cause localization errors that can reach several voxels (centimeters) in the slower varying phase encoding directions. An efficient and unbiased estimator is proposed for tracking the drift by interleaving short (∼
), nonlocalized acquisitions on the nonsuppressed water each pulse repetition time, as shown in 10 volunteers at 1.5 and 3 T.

Results: The drift is shown to be predominantly linear in both the phantom and volunteers at both fields. The localization errors are observed and quantified in both phantom and volunteers. The unbiased estimator is shown to reliably track the instantaneous frequency in vivo despite only using a small portion of the FID.

Conclusion: Contrary to single‐voxel MR spectroscopy, where it leads to line broadening, field drift can lead to localization errors in the longer chemical shift imaging experiments. Fortunately, this drift can be obtained at a negligible cost to sequence timing, and corrected for in post processing. Magn Reson Med, 70:895–904, 2013. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Reproducibility and biological basis of in vivo T2* magnetic resonance imaging of liver metastasis of colorectal cancer
Authors: ter Voert E. G. W. , Heijmen L. , de Wilt J. H. W. , Bussink J. , Punt C. J. A. , van Laarhoven H. W. M. , Heerschap A.
Published: November 2012

In this study, the reproducibility of MR imaging in colorectal liver metastases was assessed and values were correlated with the expression of the hypoxia‐related markers GLUT‐1 and CA‐IX as well as the relative vascular area, and the vessel density in resected tumors. The reproducibility of was analyzed in 18 patients with in total 22 colorectal liver metastases using the Bland and Altman method for the 16th, 50th, and 84th percentile values. Immunohistochemical staining was performed on 17 resected tumors obtained from 16 patients. The median of all liver metastases was 25.0 ± 5.6 ms vs. 23.0 ± 4.1 ms (median ± st.dev.) in normal liver. The coefficient of repeatability was 11.2 ms and the limits of agreement were −13.2 ms and 9.1 ms for median values. On average, showed fair reproducibility. No correlations between values, hypoxia‐ and vascularity‐related markers were observed. Magn Reson Med, 70:1145–1152, 2013. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
The Relationship Between Intensity of Physical Activity and Entheseal Changes on the Lower Limb
Authors: Niinimäki S. , Baiges Sotos L.
Published: November 2012

Studies on the relationship between intensity of activity and entheseal changes (EC) have usually focused on the upper limb. Body size may bias lower limb EC, and thus evaluation of activity intensity may not be applicable. We study the effects of age, body size (as femoral length and femoral head superoinferior height) and intensity of physical activity on the lower limb EC. Our study sample (Helsinki) represents early 20thcentury Finns where age, sex and occupation are known for the individuals. Due to small number of females only males were included in this study. Based on the reported occupation, the material was divided into heavy (N = 17) and light (N = 6) activity groups. Entheses were observed for ruggedness, and the obtained scores were transformed into binary variables. Intensity of physical activity did not result in differences in EC in the lower limb. Surprisingly, also body size as femoral maximum length and femoral head height did not affect lower limb entheses. Age, a significant biasing factor in the upper limb EC, resulted in changes in some lower limb entheses. This was similar for left and right sides. Our results indicate that there are factors other than size, age and labour intensity affecting EC in the lower limb. Thus, the use of lower limb EC in activity reconstructions is problematic. However, our sample size was small which restricts the generalization of the results. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Novel vanadium(III) complexes with tridentate phenoxy‐phosphine [O,P(O),O] ligands: Synthesis, characterization, and catalytic behavior of ethylene polymerization and copolymerization with 10‐undecen‐1‐ol
Authors: Zhang Sen‐Wang , Zhang Gui‐Bao , Lu Ling‐Pan , Li Yue‐Sheng
Published: November 2012

A series of novel vanadium(III) complexes bearing tridentate phenoxy‐phosphine [O,P,O] ligands and phosphine oxide‐bridged bisphenolato [O,PO,O] ligands, which differ in the steric and electronic properties, have been synthesized and characterized. These complexes were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and mass spectra as well as elemental analysis. Single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction revealed that complexes 3c and 4e adopt an octahedral geometry around the vanadium center. In the presence of Et2AlCl as a cocatalyst, these complexes displayed high catalytic activities up to 22.8 kg PE/mmolV.h.bar for ethylene polymerization, and produced high‐molecular‐weight polymers. Introducing additional oxygen atom on phosphorus atom of [O,P,O] ligands has resulted in significant changes on the aspect of steric/electronic effect, which has an impact on polymerization performance. 3c and 4c/Et2AlCl catalytic systems were tolerant to elevated temperature (70 °C) and yielded unimodal polyethylenes, indicating the single‐site behavior of these catalysts. By pretreating with equimolar amounts of alkylaluminums, functional α‐olefin 10‐undecen‐1‐ol can be efficiently incorporated into polyethylene chains. 10‐Undecen‐1‐ol incorporation can easily reach 14.6 mol % under the mild conditions. Other reaction parameters that influenced the polymerization behavior, such as reaction temperature, Al/V (molar ratio), and comonomer concentration, are also examined in detail. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem, 2013
Energy transfer from Ce to Nd in Y3Al5O12 ceramics
Authors: Yamaga Mitsuo , Oda Yohei , Uno Hideaki , Hasegawa Kazuo , Ito Hiroshi , Mizuno Shintaro
Published: November 2012

Luminescence spectra of Nd3+ and Ce3+ excited in absorption bands of Ce3+ in Y3Al5O12 (YAG) ceramics codoped with 0.9 mol.% Nd3+ and 0.05 mol.% Ce3+ were measured in a temperature range between 10 and 300 K. Their luminescence spectra indicate an energy transfer process from Ce3+ to Nd3+through reabsorption of the Ce3+ luminescence due to Nd3+. The large quantum yields of the Nd3+ luminescence excited in the Ce3+ absorption bands give evidence of the energy transfer process. (© 2012 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Four Conditions for Serious Systems Thinking and Action
Authors: Checkland Peter
Published: November 2012

This is the text version of a Plenary Address to the Annual Conference of the International Society for the Systems Sciences (ISSS) held at the University of Hull, July 2011. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Review of photovoltaic module energy yield (kWh/kW): comparison of crystalline Si and thin film technologies
Authors: Hegedus Steven
Published: November 2012

The energy yield (kWh/kWSTC) reported from photovoltaic (PV) installations were reviewed to look for consistent trends in performance between module technologies. The effect of higher operating temperature and lower light intensity are discussed in terms of different locations and module technologies. Both of these losses can favor thin film PV under controlled laboratory conditions but may not be significant under real field conditions. As received, PV modules suffer from a minimum ±5% uncertainty because of binning (±3%) and calibration (±2%). Differences between initial nameplate kWSTC and the actual field‐tested values cause larger uncertainty. Thin film modules suffer additional uncertainty because of calibration and stabilization issues. A recent study comparing 12 different module technologies in Nicosia and Stuttgart concluded that when properly measured and stabilized, thin film technologies could have a 1–4% advantage because of smaller temperature losses and 3% advantage due to improved low light efficiency but the tolerances and uncertainty in kW rating were greater at ±5–10%. Energy yield data from utility scale installations in sunny hot locations finds that CdTe outperforms c‐Si by ∼5–6%. Data for a‐Si is complicated by initial versus stabilized module ratings and summer annealing. Gains with Cu(InGa)Se2 (CIGS) are expected to be even less than CdTe or a‐Si. Analysis of data‐driven simulation finds at best a few percent advantage in kWh/kW for thin films. We conclude that any differences between thin film and c‐Si module technologies are much smaller than reported previously, and are often smaller than the measurement uncertainty especially between different locations.

This article is categorized under:

Photovoltaics > Science and Materials

Photovoltaics > Economics and Policy

Photovoltaics > Systems and Infrastructure

Energy Infrastructure > Science and Materials
Monascus secondary metabolites: production and biological activity
Authors: Patakova Petra
Published: November 2012

The genus Monascus, comprising nine species, can reproduce either vegetatively with filaments and conidia or sexually by the formation of ascospores. The most well-known species of genus Monascus, namely, M. purpureus, M. ruber and M. pilosus, are often used for rice fermentation to produce red yeast rice, a special product used either for food coloring or as a food supplement with positive effects on human health. The colored appearance (red, orange or yellow) of Monascus-fermented substrates is produced by a mixture of oligoketide pigments that are synthesized by a combination of polyketide and fatty acid synthases. The major pigments consist of pairs of yellow (ankaflavin and monascin), orange (rubropunctatin and monascorubrin) and red (rubropunctamine and monascorubramine) compounds; however, more than 20 other colored products have recently been isolated from fermented rice or culture media. In addition to pigments, a group of monacolin substances and the mycotoxin citrinin can be produced by Monascus. Various non-specific biological activities (antimicrobial, antitumor, immunomodulative and others) of these pigmented compounds are, at least partly, ascribed to their reaction with amino group-containing compounds, i.e. amino acids, proteins or nucleic acids. Monacolins, in the form of β-hydroxy acids, inhibit hydroxymethylglutaryl-coenzyme A reductase, a key enzyme in cholesterol biosynthesis in animals and humans.
Older sibling influences on the language environment and language development of toddlers in bilingual homes
Authors: BRIDGES KELLY , HOFF ERIKA
Published: November 2012

Two separate studies examined older siblings’ influence on the language exposure and language development of US-born toddlers who were being raised in bilingual homes. The participants in Study 1 were 60 children between 16 and 30 months who had heard English and another language at home from birth; 26 had older siblings, and 34 did not. The participants in Study 2 were 27 children, assessed at 22 and 30 months, who had heard English and Spanish from birth; 14 had school-aged older siblings, and 13 did not. Both studies found that older siblings used English more in talking to the toddlers than did other household members and that toddlers with older siblings were more advanced in English language development. Study 2 also found that the presence of a school-aged older sibling increased mothers’ use of English with their toddlers and that toddlers without a school-aged older sibling were more advanced in Spanish than the toddlers with a school-aged older sibling. These findings contribute to a picture of the complex processes that shape language use in bilingual homes and cause variability in young children's bilingual development.
The pros and cons of trading water: A case study in Australia
Authors: Bhattacharya Atreyee
Published: November 2012

Water is a commodity, and water rights can be freely traded in an open market. Proponents of the free market approach argue that it leads to the most efficient allocation of water resources, as it would for any other commodity. However, unlike some commodities, water is critical for human life, for many human activities, and as an environmental resource. When such an essential commodity becomes scarce, as frequently happens in Australia, which is prone to sudden and dramatic droughts, severe problems can occur quickly. In Australia's Murray Darling Basin, the country's largest agricultural region, the government had historically controlled the distribution of water rights. However, under these controls, a selected few controlled a large share of the water. To resolve this problem of overallocation, a free market approach was put in place in the early 1990s.
A statistical basis for multiobjective calibration
Authors: Bhattacharya Atreyee
Published: November 2012

Mathematical models are very powerful tools for improving the understanding of environmental systems. However, the output of such models usually deviates systematically from observations, and this bias is typically larger than the measurement error. These problems are mainly caused by the fact that the model is based on a simplified description of systems mechanisms that does not fully capture the real complex environment. Such errors lead to incorrect or biased estimates of parameters, model predictions, and uncertainties associated with these results. Furthermore, there is no objective way to decide how much bias to accept in each of several model outputs. A statistical (Bayesian) description of bias can address the former problem, and scientists use specialized calibration techniques to find good but unquantified compromises between bias in model outputs (multiobjective calibration). However, there is no straightforward way to estimate uncertainties in parameters and model predictions in such calibration techniques.
Oligocene‐Miocene magnetic stratigraphy carried by biogenic magnetite at sites U1334 and U1335 (equatorial Pacific Ocean)
Authors: Channell J. E. T. , Ohneiser C. , Yamamoto Y. , Kesler M. S.
Published: November 2012

Sediments from the equatorial Pacific Ocean, at the Integrated Ocean Drilling Program sites U1334 and U1335, record reliable magnetic polarity stratigraphies back to ~26.5 Ma (late Oligocene) at sedimentation rates usually in the 5–20 m/Myr range. Putative polarity subchrons that do not appear in current polarity timescales occur within Chrons C5ACr, C5ADn, and C5Bn.1r at Site U1335; and within Chrons C6AAr.2r, C6Br, C7Ar, and C8n.1n at Site U1334. Subchron C5Dr.1n (~17.5 Ma) is recorded at both sites, supporting its apparent recording in the South Atlantic Ocean, and has an estimated duration of ~40 kyr. The Oligocene‐Miocene calcareous oozes have magnetizations carried by submicron magnetite, as indicated by thermal demagnetization of magnetic remanences, the anhysteretic remanence to susceptibility ratio, and magnetic hysteresis parameters. Transmission electron microscopy of magnetic separates indicates the presence of low‐titanium iron oxide (magnetite) grains with size (50–100 nm) and shape similar to modern and fossil bacterial magnetite, supporting other evidence that biogenic submicron magnetite is the principal remanence carrier in these sediments. In the equatorial Pacific Ocean, low organic‐carbon burial arrests microbial pore‐water sulfate reduction, thereby aiding preservation of bacterial magnetite.
A study on evaluation strategies in dimensional X-ray computed
tomography by estimation of measurement uncertainties
Authors: Müller P. , Hiller J. , Cantatore A. , De Chiffre L.
Published: November 2012

Computed tomography has entered the industrial world in 1980’s as a technique for
non-destructive testing and has nowadays become a revolutionary tool for dimensional
metrology, suitable for actual/nominal comparison and verification of geometrical and
dimensional tolerances. This paper evaluates measurement results using different measuring
strategies applied in different inspection software packages for volume and surface data
analysis. The strategy influence is determined by calculating the measurement uncertainty.
This investigation includes measurements of two industrial items, an aluminium pipe
connector and a plastic toggle, a hearing aid component. These are measured using a
commercial CT scanner. Traceability is transferred using tactile and optical coordinate
measuring machines, which are used to produce reference measurements. Results show that
measurements of diameter for both parts resulted in smaller systematic errors compared to
distance and height measurements. It was found that uncertainties of all measurands
evaluated on surface data were generally greater compared to measurements performed on
volume data.
Interlaboratory proficiency testing of tensile and flexural
testing for cellulose based transformed board material
Authors: Aydemir B. , Fank S.
Published: November 2012

Optimum safety and reliability can be achieved by coordinating an interlaboratory
proficiency testing among different laboratories. Testing laboratories need to verify
their test procedures and testing capability for reliable results. In this study,
equivalent samples are prepared by cellulose based transformed board material used in
transformers as electrical isolation material. Randomly selected test samples having
specified dimensions are sent to the participant laboratories. Then they are tested and
results are analyzed according to previously defined parameters. Each laboratory applied
tensile and flexural tests on the samples according to procedures given in IEC 60641-2,
2004 and IEC 60763-2, 2007 standards respectively. Test results are evaluated according to
same procedures explained in related standards by the participant laboratories. TUBITAK
UME Material Testing Laboratory being the pilot laboratory collected to the all evaluated
results including associated measurement uncertainties. Then the collected results
evaluated according to ISO 17043, 2010 are reported by each laboratory as a part of the
proficiency test report. Z-scores of the participant laboratories are presented.
The use of permeation liquid membranes for free zinc measurements in aqueous solution
Authors: Gramlich A. , Tandy S. , Slaveykova V. I. , Duffner A. , Schulin R.
Published: November 2012

Environmental context
The free Zn ion concentration in environmental aqueous systems is an important factor in determining Zn deficiency or toxicity to organisms as this species is directly bioavailable. The permeation liquid membrane technique, a tool to measure either free or bioavailable metal concentrations in solution depending on its setup, was evaluated for the first time for Zn speciation in simplified plant nutrient solutions. The technique is low-cost and applicable to a broad range of aqueous samples.

Abstract
The bioavailability of Zn in environmental water phases strongly depends on its speciation. One important species in studies on Zn deficiency or toxicity to organisms is the free ion. The permeation liquid membrane (PLM) technique is a tool to measure free metal concentrations with a short analysis time of 1 h and at low cost. However, so far it has only been validated for Cd, Cu, Ni and Pb. In this study we tested the effect of carrier concentrations and pH on Zn transport across the organic PLM membrane and the ability of the technique to measure free Zn in synthetic plant nutrient solution. We found that Zn membrane transport is dependent on the concentration of the carrier molecule lauric acid (LA), whereas variations in the concentration of the other carrier molecule, the crown ether Kryptofix 22DD, showed no effect, suggesting that Zn is not transported by the ‘classical’ PLM transport mechanism by binding to the crown ether. Zn preconcentration increased with increasing pH and decreased with increasing ligand concentrations. Using 0.05 M LA, Zn membrane transport is expected to be rate limiting (permeability criterion <<1) and the free Zn concentration can be measured. Under these conditions, PLM measurements agreed well with speciation calculations and with Donnan membrane technique (DMT) measurements in the presence of ligands forming negatively charged Zn complexes (ethylenediaminetetraacetate or citrate). In the presence of L-histidine higher free Zn concentrations than calculated were measured by PLM and DMT, suggesting that positively charged complexes contributed to cross-membrane transport in both methods.
Climate change and its effects on grassland productivity and carrying capacity of livestock in the main grasslands of China
Authors: Qian S. , Wang L. Y. , Gong X. F.
Published: November 2012

Climate change and its effects on grassland productivity and potential carrying capacity of livestock were systemically studied using AVIM-GRASS and other models, using daily meteorological data for the period from 1961 to 2007 for 70% (275 million ha) of grasslands across China. The results showed an overall trend for increasing temperatures per year and in the length of the grass-growing season from April to September. Sunlight hours decreased in most places. Precipitation and a humidity index had decreased in the northern grasslands of China, where the climate has become warmer and drier, and had increased in the western grasslands, where the climate has become warmer and wetter. Changes to a warmer and drier climate in the more productive northern grasslands resulted in a decrease in annual available herbage production and the carrying capacity of livestock. The greatest reductions in productivity have been in middle and east Inner Mongolia and south-east Gansu. Where there had been a trend for a warmer and wetter climate in western grassland areas, the trend in available herbage production and carrying capacity of livestock has been for a small increase or none at all. The largest rate of increase in productivity was in south-west Xinjiang and east Xizang. Annual available herbage production and carrying capacity of livestock decreased in north and east Xinjiang and south Qinghai where there was very little increase in precipitation. Overall, climate change has resulted in an average decrease in annual available herbage production and carrying capacity of livestock in most of the main grassland areas in China from 1961 to 2007.
Poor uptake of community based sexually transmissible infection testing at an inner city needle and syringe program
Authors: Martin Lynne , Crawford Sione , Knight Vickie , Bath Nicky , McNulty Anna
Published: November 2012

Sydney Sexual Health Centre (SSHC) and the NSW Users and AIDS Association (NUAA), the NSW peer-based drug user organisation, pilot tested an outreach sexually transmissible infection (STI) testing station using self-collected urine and swabs in NUAA’s needle and syringe program (NSP) space. The model was based on SSHC’s established Xpress clinic. A needs assessment among NUAA clients was undertaken prior to commencement in order to ascertain potential uptake. A computer-assisted self interview was developed with data securely transferred to SSHC daily. During the 6 months from January to July 2011, almost 3000 occasions of service were recorded in the NSP from an estimated 375 clients. Four clients took advantage of NUAA Xpress during this time. Despite initial client interest, promotional efforts and the success of this methodology elsewhere, this outreach model did not have a successful uptake and was discontinued. This project provides value in considering the methodology and implementation of future outreach STI testing projects for people who inject drugs.
Expanding Aerial–Roving Surveys to Include Counts of Shore-Based Recreational Fishers from Remotely Operated Cameras: Benefits, Limitations, and Cost Effectiveness
Authors: Smallwood C. B. , Pollock K. H. , Wise B. S. , Hall N. G. , Gaughan D. J.
Published: November 2012

Information on shore-based recreational fishing is essential for the sustainable management of nearshore fish stocks. However, obtaining estimates of catch and effort from such fishing activity can be complex and expensive due to the large spatial scales over which surveys are typically conducted and the fine-scale temporal resolution that is desired. Complementary surveys are one option for improving the accuracy of estimates. A pilot study was conducted in Perth, Western Australia, from April to June 2010 to test an expanded aerial–roving survey design that incorporated remotely operated cameras. Cameras recorded the distribution of shore-based fishing activity across a 24-h day, highlighting an afternoon peak as well as some nighttime activity, which is rarely captured in existing survey designs. This information was combined with instantaneous counts of shore fishers from aerial surveys and trip length data that were obtained from 1,194 incomplete trip interviews conducted during roving creel surveys; the resulting estimate of fishing effort was 213,460 angler-hours (SE = 18,141; relative SE [RSE] = 8%). Catch rates, which were calculated from roving creel survey data on the numbers of retained fish, were combined with fishing effort to estimate a total retained catch of 355,801 fish (SE = 41,446; RSE = 12%). The Australian herring Arripis georgianus was the dominant species, with a retained catch of 229,779 fish (SE = 39,007; RSE = 17%). In comparison with other on-site techniques, the incorporation of cameras into an aerial–roving survey design provides a generic, cost-effective method for measuring the distribution of shore-based fishing activity across a 24-h day. Our findings improve the understanding of the exploitation of nearshore fish stocks along the Perth coast. Our method has broad application to many other recreational fisheries around the world, especially where nighttime fishing is popular.

Received June 28, 2012; accepted August 24, 2012
Group Session Rating Scale: Preliminary psychometrics in substance abuse group interventions
Authors: Quirk Kelley , Miller Scott , Duncan Barry , Owen Jesse
Published: November 2012

Background: Although ultra‐brief outcome and process measures have been developed for individual therapy, currently there are no ultra‐brief alliance measures for group therapy. Method: The current study examined 105 clients in group therapy for issues related to substance abuse or with issues related to the substance abuse of a significant other. We tested whether a newly developed group therapy alliance measure – the Group Session Rating Scale would be related to other commonly used group process measures (Working Alliance Inventory, Group Cohesion, Group Climate) and early change (change over the first four sessions of group therapy). Results: The findings provided support for reliability based on Cronbach alphas and test‐retest coefficients. Additionally, the GSRS was a one‐factor measure that was related to other group process measures as well as predicted early change. Discussion: Clinical implications for how to utilise ultra‐brief outcome and alliance measures are provided.
Getting Serious about Similarity
Authors: Weisberg Michael
Published: November 2012

Although most philosophical accounts about model/world relations focus on structural mappings such as isomorphism, similarity has long been discussed as an alternative account. Despite its attractions, proponents of the similarity view have not provided detailed accounts of what it means that a model is similar to a real-world target system. This article gives the outlines of such an account, drawing on the work of Amos Tversky.
Modeling and Measurement: The Criterion of Empirical Grounding
Authors: van Fraassen Bas C.
Published: November 2012

A scientific theory offers models for the phenomena in its domain; these models involve theoretical quantities, and a model's structure is the set of relations it imposes on these quantities. A fundamental demand in scientific practice is for those quantities to be clearly and feasibly related to measurement. This demand for empirical grounding can be articulated by displaying the theory-dependent criteria for a procedure to count as a measurement and for identifying the quantity it measures.
The Role of Case Study Research in Political Science: Evidence for Causal Claims
Authors: Crasnow Sharon
Published: November 2012

Political science research, particularly in international relations and comparative politics, has increasingly become dominated by statistical and formal approaches. The promise of these approaches shifted the methodological emphasis away from case study research. In response, supporters of case study research argue that case studies provide evidence for causal claims that is not available through statistical and formal research methods, and many have advocated multimethod research. I propose a way of understanding the integration of multiple methodologies in which the causes sought in case studies are treated as singular causation and contingent on a theoretical framework.
Should “Heredity” and “Inheritance” Be Biological Terms? William Bateson's Change of Mind as a Historical and Philosophical Problem
Authors: Radick Gregory
Published: November 2012

In 1894, William Bateson objected to the terms “heredity” and “inheritance” in biology, on grounds of contamination with misleading notions from the everyday world. Yet after the rediscovery of Mendel's work in the spring of 1900, Bateson promoted that work as disclosing the “principles of heredity.” For historians of science, Bateson's change of mind provides a new angle on these terms at a crucial moment in their history. For philosophers of science, the case can serve as a reminder of the potential of Putnam's hypothesis of a division of linguistic labor for analyzing the semantic lives of scientific kind terms.
Improving Hand Hygiene Compliance in Hospitals by Design
Authors: Melles Marijke , Erasmus Vicki , van Loon Martijn P. M. , Tassoul Marc , van Beeck Ed F. , Vos Margreet C.
Published: November 2012

Essential in reducing hospital-acquired infections is adequate hand hygiene (HH) among healthcare workers (HCWs). International studies show, however, that HH guidelines are adhered to in less than 50% of required times. Research into HH behavior has shown that self-reported compliance is often higher than observed compliance, which seems to indicate that HCWs are unaware of their HH behavior. In addition, because of its frequency, HH behavior could be considered an automatic (or subconscious) behavior. Therefore, a (temporary) shift from the subconscious to the conscious could be a solution to change current HH behavior and create new habits. These insights formed the points of departure of the design project described here, which aimed to develop an alcohol-based hand rub (ABHR) dispenser to stimulate HCWs to better adhere to the international guidelines of HH. In order to increase the chance of success of the new dispenser, a participatory design approach was applied, meaning that all stakeholders of the dispenser (nurses, physicians, infection control practitioners, housekeeping) were actively involved in the different phases of the development process.

The development process of the new dispenser consisted of 5 phases: analysis, idea finding (identifying promising design directions), and 3 idea iterations. Interim ideas were evaluated using functional 3-dimensional prototypes and the results applied to further develop the final concept. Methods of user research included observations and individual and focus group interviews.
Occupational Exposures and the Prevalence of Blood-Borne Pathogens in a Deployed Setting Data from a US Military Trauma Center in Afghanistan
Authors: Okulicz Jason F. , Yun Heather C. , Murray Clinton K.
Published: November 2012

Objective.

Occupational exposures to blood and other bodily fluids occur in approximately 5 per 100 persons every year in US hospitals. Since the provision of health care in the deployed environment poses unique challenges to hospital personnel, it is important to characterize the rates of occupational exposures and understand the prevalence of blood-borne pathogens (BBPs) in host nations.

Methods.

A retrospective review of public health and laboratory records at a US military trauma center in Afghanistan from October 1, 2010, to March 31, 2012.

Results.

A total of 65 occupational exposures were reported, including 47 (72%) percutaneous and 18 (28%) mucocutaneous, with a yearly rate of 8.6 exposures per 100 persons. During 6-month deployment cycles, the majority of exposures (46.2%) occurred in the first 2 months after arrival in Afghanistan. Physicians reported the most exposures (26%), and the operating room (48%) was the most common hospital location. The prevalence of hepatitis B and hepatitis C among local national source patients (n= 59 ) was 8.9% and 2.3%, respectively, with no cases of HIV or syphilis detected. In contrast, there were no BBPs detected in coalition source (n= 12) or exposed (n = 57) patients.

Conclusions.

The characteristics of occupational exposures in this deployed environment were comparable to those of US-based hospitals. Standard practices used to reduce occupational exposures, such as use of personal protective equipment and safety devices, should continue to be prioritized in the deployed setting. Although BBP rates are not well defined in Afghanistan, our results were consistent with those of prior epidemiologic studies.
Deliveries on the CME Live Cattle Contract: An Economic Assessment
Authors: Hudson Michael A. , Hieronymus Thomas A. , Koontz Stephen R.
Published: November 2012

Deliveries on the CME live cattle contract respond to the delivery month basis, discounts for yield grade 4 carcasses, and limited seasonal influences. Modification of the contract to tighten quality standards resulted in a decline in the response of deliveries to the yield grade 4 carcass discounts. The certificate delivery system appears to have had no significant effect on the total number of deliveries. Analysis of spatial combinations of delivery points suggests that markets east of the Mississippi River respond to different factors than the western markets.
Effects of Reduced Price and Income Supports on Farmland Rent and Value
Authors: Featherstone Allen M. , Baker Timothy G.
Published: November 2012

Currently, there is a debate about the appropriate form of future farm policy. This paper analyzes the distribution of land prices under the 1985 programs and under a more market orientation. The problem was studied by using results from an econometric simulation model. Results suggest that by 1990, under average conditions, land prices under both the Market and the 1985 program scenarios could be near the long‐run equilibrium levels of $1121 and $1296 per acre, respectively.
Determinants of Profitability in Farrow‐to‐Finish Swine Production
Authors: Edwards William M. , van der Sluis Grytsje T. , Stevermer Emmett J.
Published: November 2012

Cost estimates for feed, facilities, labor, operating, health, reproductive performance and average selling price were derived from four years of on‐farm data from farrow‐to‐finish swine producers. The effect of each independent management area on profit per hundredweight of pork produced was estimated. Feed cost was found to have the greatest impact, followed closely by the cost of facilities. The quantity of feed consumed per hundredweight of gain and the cost of the ration had nearly equal impact on feed costs.
PTID: an integrated web resource and computational tool for agrochemical discovery
Authors: Gong Jiayu , Liu Xiaofeng , Cao Xianwen , Diao Yanyan , Gao Daqi , Li Honglin , Qian Xuhong
Published: November 2012

Summary: Although in silico drug discovery approaches are crucial for the development of pharmaceuticals, their potential advantages in agrochemical industry have not been realized. The challenge for computer-aided methods in agrochemical arena is a lack of sufficient information for both pesticides and their targets. Therefore, it is important to establish such knowledge repertoire that contains comprehensive pesticides’ profiles, which include physicochemical properties, environmental fates, toxicities and mode of actions. Here, we present an integrated platform called Pesticide-Target interaction database (PTID), which comprises a total of 1347 pesticides with rich annotation of ecotoxicological and toxicological data as well as 13 738 interactions of pesticide-target and 4245 protein terms via text mining. Additionally, through the integration of ChemMapper, an in-house computational approach to polypharmacology, PTID can be used as a computational platform to identify pesticides targets and design novel agrochemical products.

Availability:  http://lilab.ecust.edu.cn/ptid/.

Contact:  hlli@ecust.edu.cn; xhqian@ecust.edu.cn

Supplementary information:  Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
Long-Term Effects of Class Size *
Authors: Fredriksson Peter , Öckert Björn , Oosterbeek Hessel
Published: November 2012

This article evaluates the long-term effects of class size in primary school. We use rich data from Sweden and exploit variation in class size created by a maximum class size rule. Smaller classes in the last three years of primary school (age 10 to 13) are beneficial for cognitive and noncognitive ability at age 13, and improve achievement at age 16. Most important, we find that smaller classes have positive effects on completed education, wages, and earnings at age 27 to 42. The estimated wage effect is large enough to pass a cost-benefit test.
Gauge fields in real and momentum spaces in magnets: monopoles and skyrmions
Authors: Nagaosa N. , Yu X. Z. , Tokura Y.
Published: November 2012

Electronic states in magnets are characterized by the quantum mechanical Berry phase defined in both the real and momentum spaces. This Berry phase constitutes the gauge fields, i.e. the emergent electromagnetic fields in solids, and affects the motion of the electrons. In momentum space, the band crossings act as the magnetic monopoles, i.e. the sources or sinks of the gauge flux. In real space, the spin textures with non-coplanar spin configurations produce the gauge field by the solid angle leading to the spin chirality. Skyrmion is the representative structure supporting this gauge field. A typical phenomenon reflecting this gauge field is the anomalous Hall effect, i.e. the Hall effect produced by the spontaneous magnetization combined with the relativistic spin–orbit interaction. We discuss a few examples recently studied related to these issues with some new results on skyrmion formation.