bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Closed‐loop optimization of chromatography column sizing strategies in biopharmaceutical manufacture
Authors: Allmendinger Richard , Simaria Ana S. , Turner Richard , Farid Suzanne S.
Published: November 2013

BACKGROUND

This paper considers a real‐world optimization problem involving the identification of cost‐effective equipment sizing strategies for the sequence of chromatography steps employed to purify biopharmaceuticals. Tackling this problem requires solving a combinatorial optimization problem subject to multiple constraints, uncertain parameters, and time‐consuming fitness evaluations.

RESULTS

An industrially‐relevant case study is used to illustrate that evolutionary algorithms can identify chromatography sizing strategies with significant improvements in performance criteria related to process cost, time and product waste over the base case. The results demonstrate also that evolutionary algorithms perform best when infeasible solutions are repaired intelligently, the population size is set appropriately, and elitism is combined with a low number of Monte Carlo trials (needed to account for uncertainty). Adopting this setup turns out to be more important for scenarios where less time is available for the purification process. Finally, a data‐visualization tool is employed to illustrate how user preferences can be accounted for when it comes to selecting a sizing strategy to be implemented in a real industrial setting.

CONCLUSION

This work demonstrates that closed‐loop evolutionary optimization, when tuned properly and combined with a detailed manufacturing cost model, acts as a powerful decisional tool for the identification of cost‐effective purification strategies. © 2013 The Authors. Journal of Chemical Technology & Biotechnology published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry.
T2‐weighted prostate MRI at 7 tesla using a simplified external transmit‐receive coil array: Correlation with radical prostatectomy findings in two prostate cancer patients
Authors: Rosenkrantz Andrew B. , Zhang Bei , Ben‐Eliezer Noam , Le Nobin Julien , Melamed Jonathan , Deng Fang‐Ming , Taneja Samir S. , Wiggins Graham C.
Published: November 2013

Purpose

To report design of a simplified external transmit‐receive coil array for 7 Tesla (T) prostate MRI, including demonstration of the array for tumor localization using T2‐weighted imaging (T2WI) at 7T before prostatectomy.

Materials and Methods

Following simulations of transmitter designs not requiring parallel transmission or radiofrequency‐shimming, a coil array was constructed using loop elements, with anterior and posterior rows comprising one transmit‐receive element and three receive‐only elements. This coil structure was optimized using a whole‐body phantom. In vivo sequence optimization was performed to optimize achieved flip angle (FA) and signal to noise ratio (SNR) in prostate. The system was evaluated in a healthy volunteer at 3T and 7T. The 7T T2WI was performed in two prostate cancer patients before prostatectomy, and localization of dominant tumors was subjectively compared with histopathological findings. Image quality was compared between 3T and 7T in these patients.

Results

Simulations of the B1+ field in prostate using two‐loop design showed good magnitude (B1+ of 0.245 A/m/w1/2) and uniformity (nonuniformity [SD/mean] of 10.4%). In the volunteer, 90° FA was achieved in prostate using 225 v 1 ms hard‐pulse (indicating good efficiency), FA maps confirmed good uniformity (14.1% nonuniformity), and SNR maps showed SNR gain of 2.1 at 7T versus 3T. In patients, 7T T2WI showed excellent visual correspondence with prostatectomy findings. 7T images demonstrated higher estimated SNR (eSNR) in benign peripheral zone (PZ) and tumor compared with 3T, but lower eSNR in fat and slight decreases in tumor‐to‐PZ contrast and PZ‐homogeneity.

Conclusion

We have demonstrated feasibility of a simplified external coil array for high‐resolution T2‐weighted prostate MRI at 7T. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2015;41:226–232. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Fabrication of modeling platform for fused deposition modeling using vacuum casting
Authors: Kuo C.‐C.
Published: November 2013

This study presents a cost‐effective approach for rapid fabricating modeling platforms utilized in fused deposition modeling three‐dimensional printing system. A small‐batch production of modeling platforms about 20 pieces can be obtained economically through silicone rubber mold using vacuum casting without applying the plastic injection molding. The air venting systems is crucial for fabricating modeling platform using vacuum casting. Modeling platforms fabricated can be used for building rapid prototyping model after sandblasting. This study offers industrial value because it has both time‐effectiveness and cost‐effectiveness.
A cost‐effective method to fabricate micro‐featured mold for microstructures replication
Authors: Kuo C.‐C. , Hsu H.‐J.
Published: November 2013

This study demonstrated a method for manufacturing a micro‐featured mold insert of Fresnel lens. The transcription rate of this process is about 92.5%. A plastic Fresnel lens was fabricated using micro‐hot embossing process. The transcription rate of the embossed part is about 95.1%. The micro‐featured mold insert not only reduces the fabrication cost, but has higher form accuracy as well. In comparison with conventional method for fabricating a pair of mold insert, a cost reduction of 60.4% can be achieved using the hybrid method proposed in this study.
Selenite protects Caenorhabditis elegans from oxidative stress via DAF‐16 and TRXR‐1
Authors: Li Wen‐Hsuan , Shi Yeu‐Ching , Chang Chun‐Han , Huang Chi‐Wei , Hsiu‐Chuan Liao Vivian
Published: November 2013

Scope

Selenium is an essential micronutrient. In the present study, trace amount of selenite (0.01 μM) was evaluated for oxidative stress resistance and potential associated factors in Caenorhabditis elegans.

Methods and results

Selenite‐treated C. elegans showed an increased survival under oxidative stress and thermal stress compared to untreated controls. Further studies demonstrated that the significant stress resistance of selenite on C. elegans could be attributed to its in vivo free radical‐scavenging ability. We also found that the oxidative and thermal stress resistance phenotypes by selenite were absent from the forkhead transcription factor daf‐16 mutant worms. Moreover, selenite influenced the subcellular distribution of DAF‐16 in C. elegans. Furthermore, selenite increased mRNA levels of stress‐resistance‐related proteins, including superoxide dismutase‐3 and heat shock protein‐16.2. Additionally, selenite (0.01 μM) upregulated expressions of transgenic C. elegans carrying sod‐3::green fluorescent protein (GFP) and hsp‐16.2::GFP, whereas this effect was abolished by feeding daf‐16 RNA interference in C. elegans. Finally, unlike the wild‐type N2 worms, the oxidative stress resistance phenotypes by selenite were both absent from the C. elegans selenoprotein trxr‐1 mutant worms and trxr‐1 mutants feeding with daf‐16 RNA interference.

Conclusion

These findings suggest that the antioxidant effects of selenite in C. elegans are mediated via DAF‐16 and TRXR‐1.
Effect of diffusion time on liver DWI: An experimental study of normal and fibrotic livers
Authors: Zhou Iris Y. , Gao Darwin S. , Chow April M. , Fan Shujuan , Cheung Matthew M. , Ling Changchun , Liu Xiaobing , Cao Peng , Guo Hua , Man Kwan , Wu Ed X.
Published: November 2013

Purpose

To investigate whether diffusion time (Δ) affects the diffusion measurements in liver and their sensitivity in detecting fibrosis.

Methods

Liver fibrosis was induced in Sprague‐Dawley rats (n = 12) by carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) injections. Diffusion‐weighted MRI was performed longitudinally during 8‐week CCl4 administration at 7 Tesla (T) using single‐shot stimulated‐echo EPI with five b‐values (0 to 1000 s/mm2) and three Δs. Apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) and true diffusion coefficient (Dtrue) were calculated by using all five b‐values and large b‐values, respectively.

Results

ADC and Dtrue decreased with Δ for both normal and fibrotic liver at each time point. ADC and Dtrue also generally decreased with the time after CCl4 insult. The reductions in Dtrue between 2‐week and 4‐week CCl4 insult were larger than the ADC reductions at all Δs. At each time point, Dtrue measured with long Δ (200 ms) detected the largest changes among the 3 Δs examined. Histology revealed gradual collagen deposition and presence of intracellular fat vacuoles after CCl4 insult.

Conclusion

Our results demonstrated the Δ dependent diffusion measurements, indicating restricted diffusion in both normal and fibrotic liver. Dtrue measured with long Δ acted as a more sensitive index of the pathological alterations in liver microstructure during fibrogenesis. Magn Reson Med 72:1389–1396, 2014. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
In vivo three‐dimensional high resolution cardiac diffusion‐weighted MRI: A motion compensated diffusion‐prepared balanced steady‐state free precession approach
Authors: Nguyen Christopher , Fan Zhaoyang , Sharif Behzad , He Yi , Dharmakumar Rohan , Berman Daniel S. , Li Debiao
Published: November 2013

Purpose

The aim of this study was to implement and optimize a novel application of diffusion‐prepared balanced steady‐state free precession (bSSFP) to perform in vivo cardiac diffusion‐weighted MRI.

Theory and Methods

Diffusion‐prepared sequences have the flexibility to diffusion encode with a multi‐shot image readout. The diffusion preparation was optimized to reduce sensitivity to cardiac bulk motion with second order motion compensation (M1M2). The image readout consisted of a three‐dimensional (3D) centric‐encoded segmented bSSFP acquisition that incorporated a prospective navigator. Ten healthy subjects were scanned twice using the proposed technique diffusion preparation with and without M1M2 using three orthogonal directions under varying off‐resonance conditions. Trace apparent diffusion coefficient (trADC) maps and the left ventricular (LV) trADC were calculated.

Results

M1M2 diffusion‐prepared scans resulted in LV trADC values of 1.5 ± 0.4 × 10−3 mm2/s that were reproducible yielding no statistical differences (P = 0.54). M1M2 diffusion‐prepared images showed no ghosting artifacts and/or signal fallout. The non–motion‐compensated diffusion‐prepared scans yielded LV trADC values of 6.6 ± 0.9 × 10−3 mm2/s and diffusion‐prepared images with severe bulk motion‐induced artifacts.

Conclusion

We developed a novel free‐breathing bulk motion compensated diffusion‐prepared 3D segmented bSSFP technique able to perform in vivo cardiac diffusion‐weighted MRI on a conventional clinical MR scanner. Magn Reson Med 72:1257–1267, 2014. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Reduced chaos expansions with random coefficientsin reduced‐dimensional stochastic modeling of coupled problems
Authors: Arnst M. , Ghanem R. , Phipps E. , Red‐Horse J.
Published: November 2013

We address the curse of dimensionality in methods for solving stochastic coupled problems with an emphasis on stochastic expansion methods such as those involving polynomial chaos expansions. The proposed method entails a partitioned iterative solution algorithm that relies on a reduced‐dimensional representation of information exchanged between subproblems to allow each subproblem to be solved within its own stochastic dimension while interacting with a reduced projection of the other subproblems. The proposed method extends previous work by the authors by introducing a reduced chaos expansion with random coefficients. The representation of the exchanged information by using this reduced chaos expansion with random coefficients enables an expeditious construction of doubly stochastic polynomial chaos expansions that separate the effect of uncertainty local to a subproblem from the effect of statistically independent uncertainty coming from other subproblems through the coupling. After laying out the theoretical framework, we apply the proposed method to a multiphysics problem from nuclear engineering. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Unraveling the complexity of neurodegeneration in brains of subjects with Down syndrome: Insights from proteomics
Authors: Perluigi Marzia , Di Domenico Fabio , Buttterfield D. Allan
Published: November 2013

Down syndrome (DS) is one of the most common genetic causes of intellectual disability characterized by multiple pathological phenotypes, among which neurodegeneration is a key feature. The neuropathology of DS is complex and likely results from impaired mitochondrial function, increased oxidative stress, and altered proteostasis. After the age of 40 years, many (most) DS individuals develop a type of dementia that closely resembles that of Alzheimer's disease with deposition of senile plaques and neurofibrillary tangles. A number of studies demonstrated that increased oxidative damage, accumulation of damaged/misfolded protein aggregates, and dysfunction of intracellular degradative systems are critical events in the neurodegenerative processes. This review summarizes the current knowledge that demonstrates a “chronic” condition of oxidative stress in DS pointing to the putative molecular pathways that could contribute to accelerate cognition and memory decline. Proteomics and redox proteomics studies are powerful tools to unravel the complexity of DS phenotypes, by allowing to identifying protein expression changes and oxidative PTMs that are proved to be detrimental for protein function. It is reasonable to suggest that changes in the cellular redox status in DS neurons, early from the fetal period, could provide a fertile environment upon which increased aging favors neurodegeneration. Thus, after a critical age, DS neuropathology can be considered a human model of early Alzheimer's disease and could contribute to understanding the overlapping mechanisms that lead from normal aging to development of dementia.
An effective Coarse‐grained model for biological simulations: Recent refinements and validations
Authors: Vicatos Spyridon , Rychkova Anna , Mukherjee Shayantani , Warshel Arieh
Published: November 2013

Exploring the free energy landscape of proteins and modeling the corresponding functional aspects presents a major challenge for computer simulation approaches. This challenge is due to the complexity of the landscape and the enormous computer time needed for converging simulations. The use of various simplified coarse grained (CG) models offers an effective way of sampling the landscape, but most current models are not expected to give a reliable description of protein stability and functional aspects. The main problem is associated with insufficient focus on the electrostatic features of the model. In this respect, our recent CG model offers significant advantage as it has been refined while focusing on its electrostatic free energy. Here we review the current state of our model, describing recent refinements, extensions, and validation studies while focusing on demonstrating key applications. These include studies of protein stability, extending the model to include membranes, electrolytes and electrodes, as well as studies of voltage‐activated proteins, protein insertion through the translocon, the action of molecular motors, and even the coupling of the stalled ribosome and the translocon. The examples discussed here illustrate the general potential of our approach in overcoming major challenges in studies of structure function correlation in proteins and large macromolecular complexes. Proteins 2014; 82:1168–1185. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Effect of the orthorhombic/rhombohedral volume ratio on the piezoelectric properties of BaCaxTiO3–0.04LiF ceramics
Authors: Zhao Lei , Zhang Bo‐Ping , Zhou Peng‐Fei , Zhao Xiao‐Kun , Zhu Li‐Feng
Published: November 2013

BaCaxTiO3–0.04LiF (0.010 ≤ x ≤ 0.045) ceramics were prepared by normal sintering at 1100 °C in air. A two‐phase coexisted region across orthorhombic and rhombohedral symmetry was designed by refining the components. The detailed phase structure was analyzed quantitatively by the Rietveld refinement. BaCa0.035TiO3–0.04LiF ceramic showed better properties with d33 = 354 pC N−1, kp = 39%, Qm = 314, and TC = 65 °C, in which the relative proportion of rhombohedral symmetry was 74.86%, the grain size was 6.0 µm and the relative density was 91%, indicating that the synergistic effect of the phase structure, fine grain, and relatively high density contributed to the outstanding piezoelectric properties.
Translating Agent Perception Computations into Environmental Processes in Multi‐Agent‐Based Simulations: A means for Integrating Graphics Processing Unit Programming within Usual Agent‐Based Simulation Platforms
Authors: Michel Fabien
Published: November 2013

Multi‐agent‐based simulations (MABS) relies on modelling the behavior of individual entities and their interactions in a virtual environment. Nowadays, MABS are used for studying various complex systems such as crowds, animal societies, ecosystems, traffic behaviors or the Market. So MABS are experimental research tools that contribute to our understanding of the mechanisms embedded in these complex systems. Still, studying some complex systems may require to consider millions of individuals. In such a case, the computing resources, which are required, represent a major obstacle for MABS end‐users. In this respect, general‐purpose computing on graphics processing units (GPGPU) is a relevant approach for addressing performance and scalability issues. However, GPU programming requires expert skills, which strongly limits both the accessibility and the re‐usability of the frameworks developed using GPGPU. This paper presents MABS design guideline, dedicated to the GPU context, which allows the use of the GPU power without sacrificing the accessibility of MABS frameworks. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A new proxy for ground motion selection in seismic collapse assessment of tall buildings
Authors: Yakhchalian Masood , Ghodrati Amiri Gholamreza , Nicknam Ahmad
Published: November 2013

Tall buildings are long‐period structures that are sensitive to the long‐period content of ground motions. Selection of appropriate ground motions is an important step in seismic collapse assessment of tall buildings using nonlinear dynamic analyses. Epsilon (εSa) and eta (η) are two spectral shape indicators, which have been recently proposed for ground motion selection in the technical literature. In this study, a new parameter gamma (γ) is proposed, which has considerable correlation with the collapse capacity of long‐period structures having a fundamental period greater than 1 s. This parameter is a linear combination of εSa and the displacement spectrum intensity epsilon (εDSI). The parameter γ is obtained and optimized by applying the particle swarm optimization algorithm. Since γ has significant correlation with the collapse capacity of long‐period structures, it can be used as an efficient proxy for ground motion selection in seismic collapse assessment of tall buildings. The results of this study show that ground motion selection considering the new proxy γ causes reduction in the dispersion of structural response and also decrease in the mean annual frequency of collapse, when compared with ground motion selection based on εSa and η. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The origin, function, and diagnostic potential of extracellular microRNAs in human body fluids
Authors: Liang Hongwei , Gong Fei , Zhang Suyang , Zhang Chen‐Yu , Zen Ke , Chen Xi
Published: November 2013

Recently, numerous studies have documented the importance of microRNAs (miRNAs) as an essential cornerstone of the genetic system. Although RNA is usually considered an unstable molecule because of the ubiquitous ribonuclease, miRNAs are now known to circulate in the bloodstream and other body fluids in a stable, cell‐free form. Importantly, extracellular miRNAs are aberrantly present in plasma, serum, and other body fluids during the pathogenesis of many diseases and, thus, are promising noninvasive or minimally invasive biomarkers to assess the pathological status of the body. However, the origin and biological function of extracellular miRNAs remains incompletely understood. In this review, we summarize the recent literature on the biogenesis and working models of extracellular miRNAs, and we highlight the impact of extending these ongoing extracellular miRNA studies to clinical applications. WIREs RNA 2014, 5:285–300. doi: 10.1002/wrna.1208

This article is categorized under:

RNA Interactions with Proteins and Other Molecules > Protein–RNA Interactions: Functional Implications

Regulatory RNAs/RNAi/Riboswitches > Regulatory RNAs
Phenotypic noise: effects of post‐transcriptional regulatory processes affecting mRNA
Authors: Arbel‐Goren Rinat , Tal Asaf , Stavans Joel
Published: November 2013

The inherently stochastic nature of biomolecular processes is one of the main sources giving rise to cell‐to‐cell variations in protein and mRNA abundance, termed noise. Noise in isogenic populations can enhance survival under adverse conditions and stress, and has therefore played a fundamental role in evolution. On the other hand, noise may have detrimental effects and therefore cells must also display robustness to fluctuations and possess mechanisms of control in order to function properly. Noise can be introduced at every step in the cascade of intermediate events resulting in the production of functional proteins. While initial studies of noise focused on stochasticity introduced at the transcriptional level, recent years have witnessed a gradual shift of emphasis into the effects that post‐transcriptional processes have on phenotypic noise. Here, we survey the insights that have been gained on the effects of processes that modify RNA transcript populations on phenotypic noise, including regulation by noncoding RNAs in prokaryotes and eukaryotes, alternative splicing and transcriptional interference. WIREs RNA 2014, 5:197–207. doi: 10.1002/wrna.1209

This article is categorized under:

RNA Interactions with Proteins and Other Molecules > RNA–Protein Complexes

RNA Processing > RNA Editing and Modification

Regulatory RNAs/RNAi/Riboswitches > Regulatory RNAs

RNA in Disease and Development > RNA in Development
ASR FORUM: ENGAGING WITH AFRICAN INFORMAL ECONOMIES
Authors: Dolan Catherine , Roll Kate
Published: November 2013

Over the last decade, the bottom-of-the-pyramid (BoP) approach has gained prominence as a tool of “inclusive” capitalism in sub-Saharan Africa. This approach reframes development as a seamless outcome of core business activities, one that can ameliorate poverty by bringing much-needed products and services to the poor and generating employment opportunities for informal and subsistence workers as “micro-entrepreneurs.” Yet while transnational capital has set its sights on Africa’s “underserved” yet potentially buoyant markets, BoP initiatives do more than seize upon the entrepreneurial talent and aspirations of Africa’s informal economies. This article argues, rather, that these initiativescreateBoP economies through a set of market technologies, practices, and discourses that render the spaces and actors at the bottom of the pyramid knowable, calculable, and predictable to global business. The article describes how these technologies extend new forms of market governance over the informal poor, reconfiguring their habits, social practices, and economic strategies under the banner of poverty reduction.
ASR FORUM: ENGAGING WITH AFRICAN INFORMAL ECONOMIES
Authors: Cleaver Frances , Franks Tom , Maganga Faustin , Hall Kurt
Published: November 2013

This article furthers our understanding of how state and citizens interact to produce local institutions and examines the effects of these processes. It brings critical institutional theory into engagement with ideas about everyday governance to analyze how hybrid arrangements are formed through bricolage. Such a perspective helps us to understand governance arrangements as both negotiated and structured, benefiting some and disadvantaging others. To explore these points the article tracks the evolution of the Sungusungu, a hybrid pastoralist security institution in the Usangu Plains, Tanzania. It also considers the wider implications of such hybrid arrangements for livelihoods, social inclusion, distributive justice, and citizenship.
Carbon isotope signatures of pedogenic carbonates from SE China: rapid atmospheric pCO2 changes during middle–late Early Cretaceous time
Authors: LI XIANGHUI , JENKYNS HUGH C. , ZHANG CHAOKAI , WANG YIN , LIU LING , CAO KE
Published: November 2013

Lower Cretaceous pedogenic carbonates exposed in SE China have been dated by U–Pb isotope measurements on single zircons taken from intercalated volcanic rocks, and the ages integrated with existing stratigraphy. δ13C values of calcretes range from –7.0‰ to –3.0‰ and can be grouped into five episodes of increasing–decreasing values. The carbon isotope proxy derived from these palaeosol carbonates suggests pCO2 mostly in the range 1000–2000 parts per million by volume (ppmV) at S(z) (CO2 contributed by soil respiration) = 2500 ppmV and 25°C during the Hauterivian–Albian interval (c. 30 Ma duration). Such atmospheric CO2 levels are 4–8 times pre-industrial values, almost double those estimated by geochemical modelling and much higher than those established from stomatal indices in fossil plants. Rapid rises in pCO2 are identified for early Hauterivian, middle Barremian, late Aptian, early Albian and middle Albian time, and rapid falls for intervening periods. These episodic cyclic changes in pCO2 are not attributed to local tectonism and volcanism but rather to global changes. The relationship between reconstructed pCO2 and the development of large igneous provinces (LIPs) remains unclear, although large-scale extrusion of basalt may well be responsible for relatively high atmospheric levels of this greenhouse gas. Suggested levels of relatively low pCO2 correspond in timing to intervals of regional to global enrichment of marine carbon in sediments and negative carbon isotope (δ13C) excursions characteristic of the oceanic anoxic events OAE1a (Selli Event), Kilian and Paquier events (constituting part of the OAE 1b cluster) and OAE1d. Short-term episodes of high pCO2 coincide with negligible carbon isotope excursions associated with the Faraoni Event and the Jacob Event. Given that episodes of regional organic carbon burial would draw down CO2 and negative δ13C excursions indicate the addition of isotopically light carbon to the ocean–atmosphere system, controls on the carbon cycle in controlling pCO2 during Early Cretaceous time were clearly complex and made more so by atmospheric composition also being affected by changes in silicate weathering intensity.
ALIENS IN THE ASYLUM: IMMIGRATION AND MADNESS IN GOLD COAST
Authors: Heaton Matthew M.
Published: November 2013

This article examines the experiences of immigrants from British and French West African colonies in the Accra lunatic asylum in the first half of the twentieth century. Placing particular emphasis on how immigrants got into and out of the asylum, the article argues that immigrants were marginalized and manipulated by colonial psychiatric institutions to a greater extent than non-migrant colonial subjects in Gold Coast. In making this argument, the article argues for the value of adding colonial origin and subjecthood to the racial and gendered perspectives that have dominated the history of health and medicine in Africa to date.
SOUTH SUDANESE ARABIC AND THE NEGOTIATION OF THE LOCAL STATE,c. 1840–2011
Authors: Leonardi Cherry
Published: November 2013

This article explores the history of the creole South Sudanese Arabic language from the mid-nineteenth century to the present day. It analyses the historical evidence of language use in the light of insights drawn from linguistic studies of creolisation to argue that South Sudanese Arabic became an innovative and necessary means of communication among multiple actors within new fields of interaction. The article argues that these fields of interaction were both the product and the arena of local state formation. Rather than marking the boundary of the state, the spread of this creole language indicates the enlarging arenas of participation in the local state. The development and use of South Sudanese Arabic as an unofficial lingua franca of local government, trade, and urbanisation demonstrates that communication and negotiation among local actors has been central to the long-term processes of state formation in South Sudan.
Throat-related quality of life in peritonsillar abscess sufferers: application of the adult tonsil outcome inventory
Authors: Powell J , Powell E L , Conroy K , Hopkins C , Moor J W , Wilson J A
Published: November 2013

Objective:

To investigate throat-related quality of life in peritonsillar abscess sufferers.

Method:

The adult tonsil outcome inventory questionnaire, which is a validated throat-related quality of life tool, was administered to individuals who had recently suffered a peritonsillar abscess and to control subjects.

Results:

The mean inventory score was significantly higher (reflecting poorer throat-related quality of life) in peritonsillar abscess sufferers (n = 55, mean score 25.8 out of 100) than in age- and gender-matched controls (n = 55, mean score 8.7) (p < 0.001). Neither gender nor interval between episode of peritonsillar abscess and inventory completion date were significantly correlated with the overall questionnaire scores. However, younger abscess sufferers reported greater symptom severity and throat-related quality of life impact than older abscess sufferers.

Conclusion:

Peritonsillar abscess had a significant impact on throat-related quality of life. In many, peritonsillar abscess represented an acute episode on a background of chronic throat problems. For optimal management, notably the place and timing of tonsillectomy, this impact should be taken into account. The adult tonsil outcome inventory is an ideal tool for use in clinical practice.
Coxiella burnetii(Q fever) as a cause of community-acquired pneumonia during the warm season in Germany
Authors: SCHACK M. , SACHSE S. , RÖDEL J. , FRANGOULIDIS D. , PLETZ M. W. , ROHDE G. U. , STRAUBE E. , BODEN K.
Published: November 2013

Q fever is a notifiable disease in Germany. The majority of the reported cases are related to outbreaks. The objective of our study was to evaluate the general role of Q fever in community-acquired pneumonia (CAP). We investigated respiratory samples and sera from 255 patients with CAP, who were enrolled into a CAPNETZ cohort in summer 2005. Altogether, our data showed a significant prevalence of Q fever as CAP (3·5%). If a patient's condition leads to a diagnostic test forChlamydophilasp.,Mycoplasmasp. orLegionellasp., then a Q fever diagnostic test should also be included. In particular, ELISA as a first diagnostic step is easy to perform. PCR should be performed at an early stage of the disease if no antibodies are detectable. Because of our highly promising findings we suggest performing PCR in respiratory samples.
Greedy Random Walk
Authors: ORENSHTEIN TAL , SHINKAR IGOR
Published: November 2013

We study a discrete time self-interacting random process on graphs, which we call greedy random walk. The walker is located initially at some vertex. As time evolves, each vertex maintains the set of adjacent edges touching it that have not yet been crossed by the walker. At each step, the walker, being at some vertex, picks an adjacent edge among the edges that have not traversed thus far according to some (deterministic or randomized) rule. If all the adjacent edges have already been traversed, then an adjacent edge is chosen uniformly at random. After picking an edge the walker jumps along it to the neighbouring vertex. We show that the expected edge cover time of the greedy random walk is linear in the number of edges for certain natural families of graphs. Examples of such graphs include the complete graph, even degree expanders of logarithmic girth, and the hypercube graph. We also show that GRW is transient in$\mathbb{Z}^d$for alld≥ 3.
A chitosan-based polyaniline–Au nanocomposite biosensor for determination of cholesterol
Authors: Srivastava Monika , Srivastava S. K. , Nirala N. R. , Prakash Rajiv
Published: November 2013

A polyaniline–gold nanocomposite impregnated in a chitosan matrix and immobilized with cholesterol oxidase for redox mediator based cholesterol sensors.
MRI of the human brain at 130 microtesla
Authors: Inglis Ben , Buckenmaier Kai , SanGiorgio Paul , Pedersen Anders F. , Nichols Matthew A. , Clarke John
Published: November 2013

Significance

We describe MRI in a magnetic field of 130 μT with signals detected from prepolarized protons with a superconducting quantum interference device (SQUID). We report measurements of the longitudinal relaxation time
T
1
of brain tissue, blood, scalp fat, and cerebrospinal fluid. Using a combination of inversion recovery and multiple echoes, we form images in which one species can be nulled and another species emphasized. In particular, we show an image in which only blood is visible. Such techniques greatly enhance the already high intrinsic
T
1
-contrast obtainable at ultralow frequencies. We further present 2D brain images of
T
1
and the transverse relaxation time
T
2
showing that, as expected, they exhibit similar contrast.
Conflict in the Jury Room
Authors: Pomerantz Anita , Sanders Robert E.
Published: November 2013

A number of studies have shown how participants work to accomplish their goals in ways that minimize the possibility of acrimonious conflict. And yet acrimonious conflict does occur. This raises the issue of what circumstances and discursive moves engender acrimonious interactions and what circumstances and discursive moves avert them. We address this issue through the analysis of segments of a jury deliberation in the penalty phase of a murder trial. We followed the lead of writers who have tied the outbreak of an acrimonious interaction to the launching of a complaint that exposes a personal flaw in the target. We examine three cases where one juror made such a complaint about another. In two of those cases, an acrimonious interaction did not ensue, in the third it did. In comparing these cases, we found that much depends on whether the complainant’s wording and sequential placement of the complaint are mitigating or inflammatory, and much depends on whether the target juror resists the complaint in ways that engender acrimony or concedes and avoids engendering it.
Effects of Stocking Density on Survival and Yield of North American Burbot Reared under Semi‐Intensive Conditions
Authors: Barron James M. , Jensen Nathan R. , Anders Paul J. , Egan Joshua P. , Ireland Susan C. , Cain Kenneth D.
Published: November 2013

The effects of six stocking densities on the survival and yield of larval Burbot Lota lota in a semi‐intensive culture setting were investigated over a 3‐year period. A stocking initiation trial indicated that a stocking date of at least 45 d after the first exogenous feeding (DPEF) would yield surviving juveniles after a 108‐d semi‐intensive culture period. Following this, stocking density was investigated, and larval Burbot were stocked into in‐ground outdoor tanks 45 DPEF at densities of 50, 100, 150, 200, 250, and 300 larvae/m2. Tanks were harvested after 65 d, and the trials were repeated over two consecutive years. At harvest, the mean TL of fish ranged from 41 to 68 mm and the mean weight from 0.5 to 2.1 g over both years. Survival ranged from 1.0% to 12.7%, with lower stocking densities exhibiting higher survival. An exponential decay model revealed a significant influence of stocking density on survival, with 50 larvae/m2 being predicted to provide the highest survival and the maximum yield being predicted to occur at 100/m2. These results indicate that a stocking density of 100 larvae/m2 should not be exceeded under the conditions described in this study. This experiment demonstrated that semi‐intensive culture strategies can be successfully adapted for North American Burbot. Relative to other culture methods, this semi‐intensive approach may represent a less labor‐intensive and less costly method of efficiently producing Burbot for conservation or commercial production programs.
Artificial Marker Selection and Subsequent Tagging Evaluations with Juvenile Burbot
Authors: Ashton Neil K. , Ireland Susan C. , Cain Kenneth D.
Published: November 2013

A conservation program developed by regional stakeholders incorporates stock enhancement as one of several approaches to restore an imperiled BurbotLota lotapopulation native to Idaho and British Columbia. Tagging juvenile fish is pivotal to stock enhancement monitoring; however, limited information is currently available on marks or tags applied to Burbot. We identified six criteria to guide artificial marker selection that are specific to imperiled juvenile fish. A short‐term experiment with age‐0 Burbot (65–92 mm TL) tested fin clips, freeze brands, visible implant elastomer, passive integrated transponders, and an unmarked control group. At 4 weeks posttagging, no significant differences were found between marking treatments with respect to fish survival (100%), absolute growth rate (0.15 ± 0.06 mm/d), specific growth rate (0.55 ± 0.32 g·g−1·d−1), or condition factor (0.64 ± 0.05). Mean tag retention ranged from 88% to 100%, and no significant differences were detected between treatments. Recognition of dorsal freeze brands differed significantly between two independent tag assessments. Overall, we found no adverse short‐term effects and high tag retention in this preliminary trial of seven artificial marks applied to hatchery‐reared Burbot.
Feeding Ecology of Pelagic Larval Burbot in Northern Lake Huron, Michigan
Authors: George Ellen M. , Roseman Edward F. , Davis Bruce M. , O'Brien Timothy P.
Published: November 2013

BurbotLota lotaare a key demersal piscivore across the Laurentian Great Lakes whose populations have declined by about 90% in recent decades. Larval Burbot typically hatch in the early spring and rely on abundant crustacean zooplankton prey. We examined the stomach contents of larval Burbot from inshore (≤15 m) and offshore sites (37 and 91 m) in northern Lake Huron, Michigan. Concurrent zooplankton vertical tows at the same sites showed that the prey community was dominated by calanoid copepods, dreissenid mussel veligers, and rotifers. Burbot consumed mostly cyclopoid copepods, followed by copepod nauplii and calanoid copepods. Chesson's index of selectivity was calculated and compared among sites and months for individual Burbot. According to this index, larval Burbot exhibited positive selection for cyclopoid copepods and copepod nauplii and negative selection for calanoid copepods, cladocerans, rotifers, and dreissenid veligers. This selectivity was consistent across sites and throughout the sampling period. Burbot displayed little variation in their prey preferences during the larval stage, which suggests that the recent shifts in zooplankton abundance due to the invasion of the predatory zooplankterBythotrephes longimanusand competition from invasive Rainbow SmeltOsmerus mordaxcould negatively impact larval Burbot populations.
A Synthesis of Kootenai River Burbot Stock History and Future Management Goals
Authors: Hardy Ryan , Paragamian Vaughn L.
Published: November 2013

In Idaho, Burbot Lota lota are endemic only to the Kootenai River, where they once provided an important winter fishery to the indigenous people and European settlers. This fishery and that of Kootenay Lake in British Columbia may have been the most robust Burbot fisheries in North America. However, the fishery in Idaho rapidly declined after the construction of Libby Dam by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in 1972, and it closed in 1992. Concomitant to the collapse in Idaho was the collapse of the Burbot fishery in Kootenay Lake and the Kootenay River. The operation of Libby Dam for hydroelectric power generation and flood control created major changes in the river's nutrient concentration, temperature, and seasonal discharge, particularly during the winter when Burbot spawn. Libby Dam operations were implicated as the major limiting factor to Burbot recruitment, giving rise to higher winter temperatures and widely fluctuating flows. Because the Burbot in the Kootenai River are at risk of demographic extinction, a conservation strategy was prepared to outline the measures necessary to rehabilitate the Burbot population to a self‐sustaining level. The strategy indicated that operational discharge changes at Libby Dam are required during winter to provide suitable temperature and discharge conditions for Burbot migration and spawning. Studies recommend that the discharge at Bonners Ferry average 176 m3/s for a minimum of 90 d (mid‐November through mid‐February). Furthermore, preferred Burbot water temperatures of about 6°C are necessary for migration and cooler temperatures of 1–4°C for spawning. With each passing year, Burbot stock limitations increasingly constrain rehabilitation. Thus, coordination of intensive culture, extensive rearing, and pen rearing among the Kootenai Tribe of Idaho, the British Columbia Ministry of Environment, the University of Idaho's Aquatic Research Institute, and the Idaho Department of Fish and Game is important for restoration.
Stability in Life History Characteristics among Burbot Populations across Environmental Gradients
Authors: Cott Peter A. , Johnston Tom A. , Gunn John M.
Published: November 2013

We examined the variation in the growth, morphometry, life history, and reproductive traits of 24 lake‐dwelling populations of Burbot Lota lota from across Canada with respect to latitude and lake characteristics as well as the differences in these traits between the sexes across populations. Overall, there was stability in most of the life history traits examined vis‐à‐vis the environmental gradients tested (latitude, Secchi depth, lake area, and maximum lake depth). Among populations, spawning dates ranged from the last week of January to mid‐March (most commonly within the first three weeks of February), and date of spawning was not strongly related to latitude or lake characteristics. Liver size and gonad size did not vary significantly with latitude or other lake characteristics, and neither gonad size nor egg size were strongly related to maternal size. However, egg size decreased with latitude and increased with lake area. The proportion of females in nonspawning condition within populations was positively related to Secchi depth and lake area, whereas size at age decreased with Secchi depth. Both swim bladder mass and gas gland mass increased with maximum lake depth. With the exception of the relative liver size of fish in spawning condition, there were was no evidence of sexually dimorphic characteristics in Burbot across populations. The monomorphism of gonad size observed in Burbot across populations is unusual among boreal fishes. The geographic variation in Burbot reproductive ecology observed in this study provides insight into the potential impacts of a changing environment.
Age and Growth of the Common Thresher Shark in the Western North Atlantic Ocean
Authors: Gervelis Brian J. , Natanson Lisa J.
Published: November 2013

Age and growth estimates were generated for the Common Thresher Shark Alopias vulpinus in the western North Atlantic (WNA) using vertebral centra from 173 females and 135 males ranging in size from 56 to 264 cm FL. Assuming that vertebral band pairs were deposited annually, we estimated ages up to 22 years (228 cm FL) for males and 24 years (244 cm FL) for females. The growth of both sexes was similar until approximately age 8 (185 cm FL), after which male growth slowed. The growth of females slowed at a later age (∼age 12) than that of males. Relative goodness of fit for all candidate models supported the separate modeling of sexes. For males, von Bertalanffy growth parameters generated from the vertebral data using a set size at birth (81 cm FL) provided the best fit for the band counts (asymptotic length [L∞] = 225.4 cm FL; growth coefficient [k] = 0.17). For females, the standard three‐parameter von Bertalanffy growth model provided the best fit to the band counts (L∞ = 274.5 cm FL; k = 0.09; theoretical age at a length of zero [t0] = −4.82). These are the first growth parameters generated for Common Thresher Sharks in the WNA and can be used to make informed decisions for the management of this species.
Partial Migration and Diel Movement Patterns in Puget Sound Coho Salmon
Authors: Rohde Jessica , Kagley Anna N. , Fresh Kurt L. , Goetz Fred A. , Quinn Thomas P.
Published: November 2013

Partial migration, a term referring to populations in which only a fraction of the individuals migrate, is a widespread phenomenon among fishes. However, it is not always clear whether there are only two alternatives (migration or residency) or a continuum of movement patterns. For example, Coho SalmonOncorhynchus kisutchare anadromous, and most individuals rear over the continental shelf or in offshore waters of the North Pacific Ocean; however, some Coho Salmon (known as residents) spend all or part of their marine lives within Puget Sound. The movements of residents are poorly documented, and it is unclear whether they ever leave Puget Sound and move to the coast of Washington and to what extent they move within Puget Sound. Accordingly, the goal of this study was to investigate the patterns of movement by immature Coho Salmon in Puget Sound at a series of spatial scales. We tagged 45 resident Coho Salmon in the central basin of Puget Sound with acoustic transmitters and detected their movements with fixed receivers in the Salish Sea. Seven individuals were detected as departing Puget Sound through the Strait of Juan de Fuca, but these fish did not differ in body size, origin (wild or hatchery), or tagging date from fish that remained in Puget Sound. The fish remaining as residents seldom moved between the marine basins of Puget Sound. Within the central basin, deeper/offshore sites had higher frequencies of detection and other indices of site use. Fish were more often present and moved more often at shallow sites close to shore during the night, whereas they were more often present and moved more at deep, offshore sites during the day. We suggest that rather than being a discrete behavior, residence in Puget Sound by Coho Salmon is part of a continuum of migratory behavior patterns.
Comparison of MS‐222 and Electronarcosis as Anesthetics on Cortisol Levels in Juvenile Atlantic Sturgeon
Authors: Balazik Matthew T. , Langford Briana C. , Garman Greg C. , Fine Michael L. , Stewart Jennifer K. , Latour Robert J. , McIninch Stephen P.
Published: November 2013

Invasive surgical procedures on sturgeon (family Acipenseridae) are sometimes conducted without anesthesia. We examined plasma cortisol concentrations in Atlantic Sturgeon Acipenser oxyrinchus exposed to the anesthetic MS‐222 (tricaine methanesulfonate), electronarcosis, or no anesthetic 1 and 24 h after a small incision mimicking an invasive procedure (tag implantation or laparoscopy). We also determined the feasibility of using electronarcosis in the field and the effect of salinity on electronarcosis. One hour after surgery under electronarcosis or MS‐222 anesthesia, cortisol concentrations did not differ significantly from those in untreated controls but all three were significantly lower than the no‐anesthetic group. There were no significant changes between 1‐ and 24‐h blood cortisol concentrations. We recommend electronarcosis as a method to minimize stress in fish studies involving surgical procedures because it avoids the use of toxic chemicals and because induction and recovery are virtually instantaneous.