bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Work-nonwork interference: Preliminary results on the psychometric properties of a new instrument
Authors: Koekemoer Eileen , Mostert Karina
Published: December 2010

Orientation: Recently, a new work-nonwork interference instrument was developed to measure the interference between work and nonwork roles in the South African context (Koekemoer, Mostert & Rothmann, 2010). However, no information is available on the psychometric properties of this instrument.Research purpose: The objectives of this study were to investigate the internal validity (construct, discriminant and convergent validity), reliability and external validity (relationship with theoretically relevant variables, including job characteristics, home characteristics, burnout, ill health and life satisfaction) of the instrument.Motivation for the study: Work-family interaction is a key topic receiving significant research attention. In order to facilitate comparison across work-family studies, the use of psychometrically sound instruments is of great importance.Research design, approach and method: A cross-sectional survey design was used for the target population of married employees with children working at a tertiary institution in the North West province (n = 366). In addition to the new instrument, job characteristics, home characteristics, burnout, ill health and life satisfaction were measured.Main findings: The results provided evidence for construct, discriminant and convergent validity, reliability and significant relations with external variables.Practical/managerial implications: The new instrument can be used by researchers and managers as a test under development to investigate the interference between work and different nonwork roles (i.e. parental role, spousal role, work role, domestic role) and specific relations with antecedents (e.g. job/home characteristics) and well-being (e.g. burnout, ill health and life satisfaction).Contribution/value-add: This study provides preliminary information on the psychometric properties of a new instrument that measures the interference between work and nonwork.
How �religious� is religion and how �natural� is naturalness? On the question of the naturalness of religion
Authors: Veldsman Dani�l P.
Published: December 2010

The problem addressed in this article is twofold: firstly, how can a question be posed (on the naturalness of religion) consisting of two concepts (naturalness and religion) that are both somewhat vague and secondly, what are the implications of the preceding semantic mappings (or labelling) that determine the sense-making process (i.e. the conceptual problems that follows in the wake of the labelling). The aim of the article is to reflect from a historical perspective on the two concepts that make up the question, namely natural and religion and finally to indicate what is meant by semantic mappings that determine conceptual problems. From this indication it is argued that �scientific foul play� is the order of the day, that is, that both theology and science are as it were playing �off-side�, thus making the question in the contemporary discourses an emotionally messy endeavour and that, in the author�s opinion, the question has therefore to be rephrased.
Wa re o Bona e Hlot�a, wa e Namet�a Thaba! Bibele, Basadi ba Maafrika ba Afrika-Borwa le HIV le AIDS
Authors: Masenya Madipoane
Published: December 2010

The question of the history of the reception of the Christian Bible in South Africa particularly by African- South Africans has not been a smooth ride. It was part of a bigger package that included among others, the importation of European patriarchy onto African soil, the land grabbing exercise which resulted in among others, the impoverishment of African peoples and, the emasculation of the African man. The latter in turn led to the intensification of patriarchy within the average African family. The preceding situation, was not helpful to the context and/or situation of African women who were already then, at the bottom of the patriarchal ladder, because, as can be expected, within the context of the Black church and theology then, little if any except for a handful of liberation theologians and members of some ecumenical bodies, was done to make the theology propagated then, relevant to pertinent issues which affected the lives of Black people.Given the historical marginalisation of women in the Bible and Theology, not only in South Africa, but also globally, it becomes obvious that even in our context, mainstream theology and biblical hermeneutics left issues pertaining to gender justice basically untouched. It is no wonder, as we will argue in this paper, that given that already vulnerable situation into which African women have been thrown into by the preceding factors as well as by how the Bible continues to be used in our HIV and AIDS contexts, their situation may be succinctly captured as that of a limping animal that has been made to climb the mountain! The Northern Sotho proverb or saying: Wa re o bona e hlot�a, wa e namet�a thaba (while limping, you let it climb the mountain) simply means that a certain situation is being aggravated (by an external factor). The present article will use the preceding proverb as a hermeneutical lens through which to analyse the reception of the Bible by African women in the HIV and AIDS context of South Africa.
Kreatiewe prediking: Die noodsaak van kreatiwiteit in die preekgebeure
Authors: Botha Johan S.
Published: December 2010

Creative preaching: The importance of creativity in the preaching process Using the limited resources for proclaiming the gospel of Jesus Christ in a rapidly changing world presents problems for preachers. Preaching in the reformed tradition is based primarily upon the Bible and the tradition of the church. Given the limitations of the age of the source, the preacher runs the risk of boring the congregation with sermons irrelevant to their living conditions, by repeating the same basic message. Preachers may run out of ideas and ways of presenting a fresh, relevant message on a weekly basis. They start employing all kinds of tricks and gimmicks in order to stay relevant. Creative preaching is suggested as an answer to this dilemma. Creative preaching is developed and described as a process in which the preacher, with the guidance of the Holy Spirit, employs creative methods like observation, association, imagination and creative thinking when creating a sermon. The sermon is structured to be creative and to stimulate the creativity of the listeners. Creative preaching could be described as stimulating preaching based on Scripture, imagination and the inspiration of the Holy Spirit.
TEACHER PREPARATION AND IN-SERVICE NEEDS OF GEORGIA AGRICULTURE TEACHERS
Authors: Duncan Dennis W. , Ricketts John C. , Peake Jason B. , Uesseler John
Published: December 2010

The continuing trend toward increasing the diversity of curriculum offered within secondary agricultural education programs is driving a change in pre-service and in-service preparation for agriculture teachers. This study analyzed Georgia agriculture teachers’ perceived importance of, and competence in, a variety of professional agricultural teaching competencies to identify their in-service needs. A revised version of Joerger’s (2002) needs assessment instrument was used to gather data from existing Georgia agriculture teachers, with this data providing the means to prioritize competencies where agriculture teachers need supplemental preparation. The findings of this study indicate that teachers need additional preparation in technical areas such as biotechnology, aquaculture, and veterinary technology. Teachers also need support in developing pedagogical skills that will assist them in motivating their students to learn and increase their students’ ability to think critically and creatively. Further, teachers indicated a need for preparation in managing student behavior. Finally, teachers identified the need for assistance when advising students who have an interest in post-secondary education, preparing various FFA applications, and developing an effective public relations program. Therefore, it was recommended that a number of pre-service/in-service preparation needs should be addressed by university faculty and state agricultural education staff.
EXPLORING RELATIONSHIPS OF TEACHERS’ SENSE OF EFFICACY IN TWO STUDENT TEACHING PROGRAMS
Authors: Knobloch Neil A.
Published: December 2010

Teacher educators seek to know which personal and environmental factors influence student teachers’ confidence and performance. Two university-based agricultural student teaching programs were compared to determine differences in personal factors, environmental factors, and teachers’ sense of efficacy. Student teachers entered their student teaching experiences already feeling efficacious, and their sense of efficacy did not change at the end of the student teaching experience. Student teachers’ perception of the student teaching experience was related to their sense of efficacy. Student teachers in the two programs were similarly efficacious, yet they were different on four personal and environmental factors. Student teachers are likely influenced by a variety of sources of self-efficacy. Student teachers from Ohio State University taught fewer class preparations and were more involved in agricultural education as high school students. Student teachers from the University of Illinois perceived their principals as being more supportive and their cooperating teachers as being more competent.
FACTORS CONTRIBUTING TO VOLUNTEER ADMINISTRATION LEADERSHIP PROFICIENCY OF SOUTHERN REGION 4-H COUNTY FACULTY
Authors: Stedman Nicole , Rudd Rick D.
Published: December 2010

Volunteer administration leadership is an important component of any successful 4-H program. Proficiency in competencies associated with volunteer administration can prove to be one’s greatest asset in his/her ability to successfully develop the leadership of youth. With that, leadership style is also an important consideration because it provides a means for working with individuals and reaching programmatic goals. The purpose of this research was to determine factors which contribute to volunteer administration leadership proficiency of 4-H county faculty in the southern region. In order to do this, demographics and correlations among identified independent variables were analyzed. The primary intent was to develop a prediction equation for perceived proficiency in VAL competence. Although seven variables correlated with perceived proficiency in VAL competence, organizational culture (importance) and age were responsible for 43% of the variation in the model. These factors can guide efforts related to volunteer programming, including professional development opportunities for 4-H county faculty in the southern region. A focused curriculum addressing organizational culture and a mentoring program for faculty has the potential to increase VAL proficiency.
CAREER ASPIRATIONS OF SELECTED FFA MEMBERS
Authors: Talbert B. Allen , Balschweid Mark A.
Published: December 2010

This descriptive study conducted in 2003 utilized random sampling techniques for accessing the 450,000 members of the National FFA Organization. The purpose of the study was to describe career aspirations of FFA members within, and related to, USDE career clusters, Supervised Agricultural Experiences, Career Development Event participation and career related demographic indicators. The study compared results to a similar study conducted in 1999. The data revealed that FFA members are busy with involvement in multiple sports and multiple clubs within their school and that a majority hold a job. FFA members across the nation consistently connect to agriculture with over half of all respondents reporting involvement in raising animals or crops as an SAE. The data revealed that FFA members strongly associate with production practices in agriculture through their involvement in FFA activities. Eighty-seven percent of all respondents aspire to some form of post-secondary education or technical training. One-third of all respondents indicated their first choice of careers within the USDE career clusters to be agriculture while health sciences received 14%. A recommendation is that the National FFA Organization develop activities and awards programs that emphasize skills and careers found within the broader life sciences industry.
A PHILOSOPHICAL FRAMEWORK FOR AGRICULTURAL EDUCATION RESEARCH
Authors: Miller Larry E.
Published: December 2010

The philosophy of science is examined to define the boundaries of research in agricultural education. The philosophies underlying research, the knowledge desired to be produced, and the kinds of research to be conducted are examined. This article is framed by the interest a researcher has in the production of knowledge. Methods of providing better communication with other agricultural researchers will be considered. A challenge is provided to graduate programs preparing future researchers for agricultural education.
Continuous-flow isotope ratio mass spectrometry method for carbon and hydrogen isotope measurements on atmospheric methane
Authors: Brass M. , Röckmann T.
Published: December 2010

Abstract. We describe a continuous-flow isotope ratio mass spectrometry (CF-IRMS) technique for high-precision δD and δ13C measurements of atmospheric methane on 40 mL air samples. CH4 is separated from other air components by utilizing purely physical processes based on temperature, time and mechanical valve switching. Chemical agents are avoided. Trace amounts of interfering compounds can be separated by gas chromatography after pre-concentration of the CH4 sample. The purified sample is then either combusted to CO2 or pyrolyzed to H2 for stable isotope measurement. Apart from connecting samples and refilling liquid nitrogen as coolant the system is fully automated and allows an unobserved, continuous analysis of samples. The analytical system has been used for analysis of air samples with CH4 mixing ratios between ~100 and ~10 000 ppb, for higher mixing ratios samples usually have to be diluted.
Detection of ULF geomagnetic signals associated with seismic events in Central Mexico using Discrete Wavelet Transform
Authors: Chavez O. , Millan-Almaraz J. R. , Pérez-Enríquez R. , Arzate-Flores J. A. , Kotsarenko A. , Cruz-Abeyro J. A. , Rojas E.
Published: December 2010

Abstract. The geomagnetic observatory of Juriquilla Mexico, located at longitude –100.45° and latitude 20.70°, and 1946 m a.s.l., has been operational since June 2004 compiling geomagnetic field measurements with a three component fluxgate magnetometer. In this paper, the results of the analysis of these measurements in relation to important seismic activity in the period of 2007 to 2009 are presented. For this purpose, we used superposed epochs of Discrete Wavelet Transform of filtered signals for the three components of the geomagnetic field during relative seismic calm, and it was compared with seismic events of magnitudes greater than Ms > 5.5, which have occurred in Mexico. The analysed epochs consisted of 18 h of observations for a dataset corresponding to 18 different earthquakes (EQs). The time series were processed for a period of 9 h prior to and 9 h after each seismic event. This data processing was compared with the same number of observations during a seismic calm. The proposed methodology proved to be an efficient tool to detect signals associated with seismic activity, especially when the seismic events occur in a distance (D) from the observatory to the EQ, such that the ratio D/ρ < 1.8 where ρ is the earthquake radius preparation zone. The methodology presented herein shows important anomalies in the Ultra Low Frequency Range (ULF; 0.005–1 Hz), primarily for 0.25 to 0.5 Hz. Furthermore, the time variance (σ2) increases prior to, during and after the seismic event in relation to the coefficient D1 obtained, principally in the Bx (N-S) and By (E-W) geomagnetic components. Therefore, this paper proposes and develops a new methodology to extract the abnormal signals of the geomagnetic anomalies related to different stages of the EQs.
Embedding reconstruction methodology for short time series – application to large El Niño events
Authors: Astudillo H. F. , Borotto F. A. , Abarca-del-Rio R.
Published: December 2010

Abstract. We propose an alternative approach for the embedding space reconstruction method for short time series. An m-dimensional embedding space is reconstructed with a set of time delays including the relevant time scales characterizing the dynamical properties of the system. By using a maximal predictability criterion a d-dimensional subspace is selected with its associated set of time delays, in which a local nonlinear blind forecasting prediction performs the best reconstruction of a particular event of a time series. An locally unfolded d-dimensional embedding space is then obtained. The efficiency of the methodology, which is mathematically consistent with the fundamental definitions of the local nonlinear long time-scale predictability, was tested with a chaotic time series of the Lorenz system. When applied to the Southern Oscillation Index (SOI) (observational data associated with the El Niño-Southern Oscillation phenomena (ENSO)) an optimal set of embedding parameters exists, that allows constructing the main characteristics of the El Niño 1982–1983 and 1997–1998 events, directly from measurements up to 3 to 4 years in advance.
The Predictivity of Serum Biochemical Markers in Acute Biliary Pancreatitis
Authors: Güngör Bülent , Çağlayan Kasım , Polat Cafer , Şeren Deniz , Erzurumlu Kenan , Malazgirt Zafer
Published: December 2010

Background and Aim. There are no accurate methods of differentiating acute biliary pancreatitis. Obstructions of biliary ducts, idiopathic pancreatitis may be related with biliary origin which needs identification for acute treatment. We searched for the predictivity of biochemical markers in early acute biliary pancreatitis. Patients and Methods. Serum levels of AST (Aspartate Transaminase),ALT (Alanine Transaminase), ALP (Alkaline Phosphatase), GGT (Gamma Glutamyl Transferase), total bilirubin, direct bilirubin, LDH (Lactate Dehydrogenase), amylase, lipase, CRP (C-Reactive Protein) and WBC (White Blood Cell) were measured in 157 patients with acute pancreatitis. Biliary and nonbiliary pancreatitis were differentiated by Magnetic Resonance Cholangiopancreatography (MRCP), Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography (ERCP), Intraoperative Cholangiopancreatography (IOC). Cut-off points of admission biochemical markers with sensitivity, specifity, positive predictive value and negative predictive value were determined after identification of significant variables. Receiver Operator Curves were plotted for each biochemical marker. Results. Serum Alkaline Phosphatase, total bilirubin, direct bilirubin, amylase and lipase levels were significantly higher in biliary pancreatitis with a positive predictive value of 80.8%, 83.9%, 81.6%, 78.8%, 79.7%. Conclusion. Increased Alkaline Phosphatase,total bilirubin, direct bilirubin, amylase and lipase levels may be used in prediction of biliary pancreatitis.
A Biocompatible Arginine‐Based Polycation
Authors: Zern Blaine J. , Chu Hunghao , Osunkoya Adeboye O. , Gao Jin , Wang Yadong
Published: December 2010

Self assembly between cations and anions is ubiquitous throughout nature. Important biological structures such as chromatin often use poly­valent assembly between a polycation and a polyanion. The biomedical importance of synthetic polycations arises from their affinity to polyanions such as nucleic acid and heparan sulfate. However, the limited biocompatibility of synthetic polycations hampers the realization of their immense potential. By examining biocompatible cationic peptides, we hypothesize that a biocompatible polycation should be biodegradable and made from endogenous cations. We design an arginine‐based biodegradable polycation and demonstrate that it is more compatible by several orders of magnitude than conventional polycations in vitro and in vivo. This biocompatibility diminishes when L‐arginine is substituted with D‐arginine or when the biodegradable ester linker is changed to a biostable ether linker. We believe that this design can lead to many biocompatible polycations that can significantly advance a wide range of applications including controlled release, tissue engineering, biosensing, and medical devices.
Materials for Printable, Transparent, and Low‐Voltage Transistors
Authors: Sun Jia , Zhang Bo , Katz Howard E.
Published: December 2010

Since the 1990s, printable, transparent, and low‐voltage transistors have attracted great attention from academia and industry due to the demand for specialized circuitry such as in radio‐frequency identification (RFID) tags, medical sensors, and electronically active textiles. Some flexible and portable devices have been available commercially; however, the challenge to convert more conceptual devices into real‐life applications is still the materials. This article starts with a brief summary of some examples from silicon electronics, to place the other materials in context, followed by the topics including high‐capacitance dielectrics, transparent conductors and semiconductors, and printability of recently developed electronic materials. The recent progress about these topics is reviewed, and discussions of each topic suggest future science and engineering research opportunities.
Harnessing “Click”‐Type Chemistry for the Preparation of Novel Electronic Materials
Authors: Firstenberg Michal , Shivananda Kammasandra Nanjunda , Cohen Irit , Solomeshch Olga , Medvedev Vladislav , Tessler Nir , Eichen Yoav
Published: December 2010

Sequence‐independent or “click”‐type chemistry is applied for the preparation of novel π‐conjugated oligomers. A variety of bi‐functional monomers for Wittig–Horner olefination are developed and applied in a sequential protection–deprotection process for the preparation of structurally similar π‐conjugated oligomers. Selected oligomers are incorporated as the organic semiconductors in light‐emitting diodes and a field‐effect transistor, demonstrating the potential of the approach.
Transfusion intensity, not the cumulative red blood cell transfusion burden, determines the prognosis of patients with myelodysplastic syndrome on chronic transfusion support
Authors: Pereira Arturo , Nomdedeu Meritxell , Aguilar Josep‐Lluís , Belkaid Mohamed , Carrió Anna , Cobo Francesc , Costa Dolors , Rozman María , Sanz Cristina , Nomdedeu Benet
Published: December 2010

Transfusion‐dependency is associated with poor prognosis in patients with MDS although the causal link for such association is disputed. This study tests thee hypotheses on the association between transfusion burden and prognosis in the MDS: (1) the cumulative transfusion burden is a confounder merely reflecting the time elapsed from diagnosis; (2) it is a surrogate for higher transfusion intensity, which would reflect a more severe disease; and (3) it is the total amount of transfused RBC units that influences on prognosis. We studied 191 transfusion‐dependent patients with MDS or chronic myelomonocytic leukemia. Transfusion intensity was calculated at the time of each transfusion as the yearly‐equivalent number of RBC units. The main outcome was acute leukemia‐free survival from first transfusion. Median transfusion burden was 30 (range: 4–330) RBC units and 112 patients received ≥25 units after a median of 9 months from first transfusion. In nested Cox models, having received ≥25 RBC units had a significant effect on survival (P < 0.001) that was not abrogated by including follow‐up ≥9 months as a time‐dependent covariate. Including transfusion intensity in the model had a significant effect on leukemia‐free survival (P < 0.001) and cancelled the prognostic value of having received ≥25 RBC units. In conclusion, transfusion intensity, instead of the cumulative transfusion burden, is the transfusion‐related variable really influencing on the prognosis of patients with transfusion‐dependent MDS. Am. J. Hematol. 86:245–250, 2011. © 2011 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Recreational angling markets to advance the conservation of a reach of the Western Ramganga River, India
Authors: Everard Mark , Kataria Gaurav
Published: December 2010

Mahseer fishes of the genus Tor are ‘iconic species’ in Indian rivers, representing ‘flagship’ species for conservation purposes but with additional exploitable, cultural and economic values. Conservation action is required to address their vulnerability to numerous pressures on multiple habitats, and connections between them, across the extended aquatic ecosystems supporting different life stages.

Recreational angling for mahseer, along with associated wildlife and cultural tourism, is a growth industry dependent upon healthy river ecosystems.

A cyclic, ecosystem‐based model in which local people can benefit economically from sustainable mahseer exploitation through catch‐and‐release fisheries can form a basis for conservation of both mahseer and the wider river ecosystem.

Experience on the Western Ramganga River in the vicinity of the town of Bikhyasen, Uttarakhand State (in the Himalayas in northern India), demonstrates the importance of involving local people in the benefits associated with angling, wildlife and cultural tourism. This creates local incentives for river protection, and may be the most effective means for preventing destructive over‐exploitation in poor rural communities.

Recognition of this value and its recirculation to local people can form the basis for a ‘paying for ecosystems services’ (PES) market. This will benefit river ecosystems, local people, tour operators and visiting anglers, provided that local people benefit to a greater extent than through the killing of fish for non‐renewable consumption or sale.

This is the basis for a potentially transferable model which may support regional development through involving local people in markets for iconic species. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The Effects of the 4‐(4‐Methylpiperazine)phenyl Group on Nucleosides and Oligonucleotides: Cellular Delivery, Detection, and Stability
Authors: Park Sun Min , Nam Su‐Jin , Jeong Hyun Seok , Kim Won Jong , Kim Byeang Hyean
Published: December 2010

As drug candidates, one promising way to improve the cellular delivery efficacy of oligonucleotides is to introduce a cationic group. By introducing a cationic moiety into the oligonucleotide structure, they become capable of approaching the cell surface and also of crossing the cellular membrane. In an effort to develop cell‐permeable oligonucleotides, we examined the piperazinephenyl‐bearing 2′‐deoxyuridine (PPU), which can be not only cationic but also fluorescent as a cationic monomer for cationic oligonucleotides. Several modified DNA oligonucleotides with different numbers of PPU building blocks were synthesized and evaluated for the effect on thermal stability and conformation by the introduction of PPU. The cellular delivery of modified oligonucleotides was different depending on the number of PPU building blocks. Furthermore, these PPU‐modified oligonucleotides had sufficient fluorescence that we were able to identify the delivery results without the use of conventional fluorescent tags. They were predominantly localized in the cell cytoplasm. In addition, they were stable enough after 3 hours in the presence of nuclease. These results showed that a piperazinephenyl moiety that is conjugated with nucleobase is able to deliver and detect the oligonucleotides, which suggests that this concept of ‘dual‐function oligonucleotides’ might be utilized in diagnostics, therapeutics, and as a convenient biological tool for probing the activity of oligonucleotides inside cells.
Synthesis, Characterization, and Physical Properties of a Conjugated Heteroacene: 2‐Methyl‐1,4,6,7,8,9‐hexaphenylbenz(g)isoquinolin‐3(2H)‐one (BIQ)
Authors: Zhang Qichun , Xiao Jinchong , Yin Zongyou , Duong Hieu M. , Qiao Fen , Boey Freddy , Hu Xiao , Zhang Hua , Wudl Fred
Published: December 2010

We report the synthesis and characterization of a novel, stable and blue heteroacene, 2‐methyl‐1,4,6,7,8,9‐hexaphenylbenz(g)isoquinolin‐3(2H)‐one (BIQ 3). BIQ 3, with its relatively small π framework, has an absorption λmax at 620 nm, which is larger than that of pentacene (λmax=582 nm), but BIQ 3 is more stable. The solutions of BIQ 3 are observed without any noticeable photobleaching on the order of days. In the solid state, it is very stable at ambient conditions and can be stored indefinitely. Owing to its pyridone end unit, BIQ 3 can display different resonance structures in different solvents (aprotic and protic) or Lewis acids to give different colors. The attractive stability exhibited by BIQ 3 is very desirable in organic semiconductor devices. Herein, we investigated a simple heterojunction photovoltaic device based on BIQ 3 as an electron donor and [6,6]‐phenyl‐C61 butyric methyl ester as an electron acceptor. Our results show that this type of heteroacene could be a good candidate as a charge‐transport material in organic semiconductor devices.
Development of a hybrid iterative learning control for contouring NURBS curves
Authors: Tsai M.‐S. , Yen C. L. , Yau H. T.
Published: December 2010

This paper develops a hybrid iterative learning control (ILC) algorithm which uses both tracking and contour errors as correction signals during the learning process. The tracking, contour and combined ILCs are first introduced and analyzed. A hybrid ILC is then proposed to predict contour errors based on the identified models and then used to determine whether the tracking or contour errors should be utilized for the correction signals. The criteria for selecting different signals are based on the predicted root mean square (RMS) value of the contour errors for non‐uniform rational B‐spline (NURBS) curves. Simulations performed on a butterfly trajectory represented by NURBS curves show that the hybrid ILC adopts tracking errors as correction signals for the first five iterations, even if the contour error RMS values are used as the objective function. As the iterations evolve, the hybrid ILC switches from using tracking errors to using contour errors as correction signals. Geometric interpretations are given to illustrate the switching behavior. It is shown that the hybrid ILC can significantly reduce contour errors as compared to the process without learning. Finally, validation experiments using the butterfly curve show that the hybrid ILC outperforms the tracking, contour and combined ILCs algorithms.

Copyright © 2010 John Wiley and Sons Asia Pte Ltd and Chinese Automatic Control Society
Profiling highly conserved microrna expression in recombinant IgG‐producing and parental Chinese hamster ovary cells
Authors: Lin Nan , Davis Angela , Bahr Scott , Borgschulte Trissa , Achtien Katherine , Kayser Kevin
Published: December 2010

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) play important roles in global gene regulation. Researchers in recombinant protein production have proposed miRNAs as biomarkers and cell engineering targets. However, miRNA expression remains understudied in Chinese Hamster Ovary cells, one of the most commonly used host cell systems for therapeutic protein production. To profile highly conserved miRNA expression, we used the miRCURY™ miRNA array for screening miRNAs in CHO cells. The selection criteria for further miRNA profiling included positive hybridization signals and experimentally validated predicted regulatory targets. On the basis of screening, we selected 16 miRNAs for quantitative RT‐PCR profiling. We profiled miR expression in parental CHO DG44 and CHO K1 cell lines as well as four recombinant DG44‐derived CHO lines producing a recombinant human IgG. We observed that miR‐221 and miR‐222 were significantly downregulated in all IgG‐producing cell lines when compared with parental DG44, whereas miR‐125b was significantly downregulated in one IgG‐producing line. In another IgG‐producing line, miR‐19a was significantly upregulated. miRNA expression was also profiled in two of these lines that were amplified by stepwise increase of methotrexate. In both amplified cell lines, let‐7b and miR‐221 were significantly downregulated. In parental CHO K1, let‐7b, miR‐15b, and miR‐17 were significantly downregulated when compared with DG44. The results reported here are the first steps toward profiling highly conserved miRNAs and studying the clonal difference in miRNA expression in CHO cells and may shed light on using miRNAs in cell engineering. © 2011 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Biotechnol. Prog., 2011
Using the Peptide Bp100 as a Cell‐Penetrating Tool for the Chemical Engineering of Actin Filaments within Living Plant Cells
Authors: Eggenberger Kai , Mink Christian , Wadhwani Parvesh , Ulrich Anne S. , Nick Peter
Published: December 2010

The delivery of externally applied macromolecules or nanoparticles into living cells still represents a critically limiting step before the full capabilities of chemical engineering can be explored. Molecular transporters such as cell‐penetrating peptides, peptoids, and other mimetics can be used to carry cargo across the cellular membrane, but it is still difficult to find suitable sequences that operate efficiently for any particular type of cell. Here we report that BP100 (KKLFKKILKYL‐amide), originally designed as an antimicrobial peptide against plant pathogens, can be employed as a fast and efficient cell‐penetrating agent to transport fluorescent test cargoes into the cytosol of walled plant cells. The uptake of BP100 proceeds slightly more slowly than the endocytosis of fluorescent dextranes, but BP100 accumulates more efficiently and to much higher levels (by an order of magnitude). The entry of BP100 can be efficiently blocked by latrunculin B; this suggests that actin filaments are essential to the uptake mechanism. To test whether this novel transporter can also be used to deliver functional cargoes, we designed a fusion construct of BP100 with the actin‐binding Lifeact peptide (MGVADLIKKFESISKEE). We demonstrated that the short BP100 could transport the attached 17‐residue sequence quickly and efficiently into tobacco cells. The Lifeact construct retained its functionality as it successfully labeled the actin bundles that tether the nucleus in the cell center.
Quorum Sensing in Bacterial Species that Use Degenerate Autoinducers Can Be Tuned by Using Structurally Identical Non‐native Ligands
Authors: Palmer Andrew G. , Streng Evan , Jewell Kelsea A. , Blackwell Helen E.
Published: December 2010

Many bacteria use quorum sensing (QS) to regulate cell‐density dependent phenotypes that play critical roles in the maintenance of their associations with eukaryotic hosts. In Gram‐negative bacteria, QS is primarily controlled by N‐acylated L‐homoserine lactone (AHL) signals and their cognate LuxR‐type receptors. AHL–LuxR‐type receptor binding regulates the expression of target genes necessary for QS phenotypes. We recently identified a series of non‐native AHLs capable of intercepting AHL–LuxR binding in the marine symbiont Vibrio fischeri, and thereby strongly promoting or inhibiting QS in this organism. V. fischeri utilizes N‐(3‐oxo)‐hexanoyl L‐HL (OHHL) as its primary QS signal, and OHHL is also used by several other bacterial species for QS. Such signal degeneracy is common among bacteria, and we sought to determine if our non‐native LuxR agonists and antagonists, which are active in V. fischeri, would also modulate QS phenotypes in other bacteria that use OHHL. Herein, we report investigations into the activity of a set of synthetic LuxR modulators in the plant pathogen Pectobacterium carotovora subsp. carotovora Ecc71. This pathogen uses OHHL and two closely related LuxR‐type receptors, ExpR1 and ExpR2, to control virulence, and we evaluated their responses to synthetic ligands by quantifying virulence factor production. Our results suggest an overall conservation in the activity trends of the ligands between the ExpR receptors in P. carotovora Ecc71 and LuxR in V. fischeri, and indicate that these compounds could be used as tools to study QS in an expanded set of bacteria. Notable differences in activity were apparent for certain compounds, however, and suggest that it might be possible to selectively regulate QS in bacteria that utilize degenerate AHLs.
Selective Phenylacetylene Hydrogenation on a Polymer‐Supported Palladium Catalyst Monitored by FTIR Spectroscopy
Authors: Liu Wei , Otero Arean Carlos , Bordiga Silvia , Groppo Elena , Zecchina Adriano
Published: December 2010

The progress of phenylacetylene hydrogenation (at room temperature) on palladium nanoparticles supported on the porous polymer poly(4‐ethylstyrene‐co‐divinylbenzene) is monitored by in situ FTIR spectroscopy. Results clearly show that, when the hydrogen excess is not too large, very close to 100 % selectivity for CC triple bond hydrogenation, converting phenylacetylene to styrene, can be attained. Nevertheless, this selectivity declines when the ratio of hydrogen to phenylacetylene is greatly increased. The reproducibility of the results is tested by repeated catalytic runs, which also indicates that the catalytically active sites are not significantly altered during the phenylacetylene to styrene hydrogenation process. These studies are made possible by the chosen polymer support, which combines a high surface area and an organic nature and favors condensation of reactants and reaction products, so that the reaction occurs in a liquid‐like phase. Moreover, the high transparency of the polymer in the infrared region facilitates monitoring of the relevant IR absorption bands.
Finely Dispersed Au Nanoparticles on SiO2 Achieved by the C60 Additive and Their Catalytic Activity
Authors: Qian Kun , Luo Liangfeng , Chen Chuanbao , Yang Shangfeng , Huang Weixin
Published: December 2010

We have investigated in detail the effect of buckminsterfullerene (C60) additive on the structure and catalytic activity of Au/SiO2 catalysts prepared by a routine deposition–precipitation method employing HAuCl4 as the gold precursor. The structures of various catalysts have been characterized by using N2 adsorption–desorption isotherms, powder X‐ray diffraction, X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy, photoluminescence, and Raman spectroscopy. The C60 additive was found to greatly enhance the dispersion of Au nanoparticles supported on SiO2. Supported Au nanoparticles that are about 3–5 nm in size can be synthesized without difficulty on C60/SiO2, whereas those sized about 7–10 nm are usually acquired on bare SiO2. Strong Au–C60 interaction with the charge transfer from Au nanoparticles to C60 has been observed in Au/C60/SiO2 and proven to suppress the agglomeration of supported Au nanoparticles and enhance their dispersion on SiO2. The catalyst Au/C60/SiO2‐10 (Au:C60 molar ratio of 10) exhibits a much better catalytic performance for CO oxidation than Au/SiO2, but is not active for CO oxidation at room temperature, which demonstrates that the intrinsic activity of supported Au nanoparticles increases with decreasing particle size, but supported Au 3–5 nm nanoparticles cannot activate oxygen for CO oxidation at room temperature. We propose that 3 nm is the critical size for Au nanoparticles to exhibit an intrinsic catalytic activity in CO oxidation at room temperature without additional contributions. These results provide novel and important insights into the fundamental understanding of intrinsic structure–activity relation of Au nanoparticles.
A comparison of the efficacy and safety of oral and intravenous fludarabine in chronic lymphocytic leukemia in the LRF CLL4 trial
Authors: Dearden Claire E. , Richards Sue , Else Monica , Catovsky Daniel , Hillmen Peter
Published: December 2010

BACKGROUND:

An oral formulation of fludarabine was introduced for use in chronic lymphocytic leukemia in 2001 following studies demonstrating the bioequivalence of a 40 mg/m2 oral dose with a 25 mg/m2 intravenous dose. We assessed retrospectively the efficacy of these two routes of administration in the LRF CLL4 trial.

METHODS:

A total of 777 patients were randomized from 1999‐2004 to receive fludarabine, alone or with cyclophosphamide, or chlorambucil. In 2001, a protocol amendment allowed the oral formulation. There were 117 assessable patients who received fludarabine intravenously and 252 who received it orally. A total of 387 patients given chlorambucil acted as a control group.

RESULTS:

Patients given oral fludarabine were less likely to receive the full dose (P = .0004) and experienced more, predominantly gastrointestinal, toxicity. Progression‐free survival (PFS) and overall survival were not affected by the route of administration (PFS hazard ratio, 1.10; 95% confidence interval, 0.87‐1.40), but the overall rate of response to treatment appeared to be lower with the oral formulation (P = .003). However, patients recruited since 2001 were older (P = .03) and were more likely to have TP53 deletion, and response rates after 2001 were also lower in the chlorambucil group. After excluding patients with TP53 deletion, no significant difference in outcome was attributable to the route of administration.

CONCLUSIONS:

Although the LRF CLL4 data suggest no important difference in the effectiveness of oral compared with intravenous fludarabine, randomized trials are needed to reliably evaluate this comparison, particularly in combination with rituximab. Meanwhile, it is important to monitor compliance and gastrointestinal side effects with the oral route and to switch to intravenous therapy if a reduced dose is being received. Cancer 2011. © 2010 American Cancer Society.
V‐CLIP: Integrating plasma vascular endothelial growth factor into a new scoring system to stratify patients with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma for clinical trials
Authors: Kaseb Ahmed O. , Hassan Manal M. , Lin E , Xiao Lianchun , Kumar Vikas , Pathak Priyanka , Lozano Richard , Rashid Asif , Abbruzzese James L. , Morris Jeffrey S.
Published: December 2010

BACKGROUND:

Several staging systems have been proposed for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC); however, none has incorporated circulating angiogenic biomarkers. The purpose of this study was to determine whether vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) could independently predict overall survival in patients with HCC, and whether adding VEGF level into the Cancer of the Liver Italian Program (CLIP) score could improve patient stratification and prediction of overall survival.

METHODS:

Between 2001 and 2008, baseline plasma VEGF levels were available from 288 patients, and multivariate Cox regression models and median survival (95% confidence intervals) were calculated. Recursive partitioning was used to determine the optimal cutpoint for VEGF, using 10 repeated training/validation samples, each using two‐thirds of the data to determine the best cutpoint and the remaining one‐third to validate it. Prognostic ability of CLIP and V‐CLIP was compared using the concordence index.

RESULTS:

Plasma VEGF was a significant independent predictor of overall survival, with an optimal VEGF cutpoint of 450 pg/mL. After CLIP validation in our patients, we added VEGF to the CLIP score and found that the new V‐CLIP score better separates patients into homogenous prognostic groups (P = .005).

CONCLUSIONS:

The assessment of baseline plasma VEGF levels increases the precision of the CLIP scoring system for predicting HCC prognosis, which may assist in equally randomizing patients with HCC in clinical trials. Prospective validation of the V‐CLIP scoring system is warranted. Cancer 2011. © 2010 American Cancer Society.
John Cunningham virus T‐antigen expression in anal carcinoma
Authors: Ramamoorthy Sonia , Devaraj Bikash , Miyai Katsumi , Luo Linda , Liu Yu‐Tsueng , Boland C. Richard , Goel Ajay , Carethers John M.
Published: December 2010

BACKGROUND:

Anal carcinoma is thought to be driven by human papillomavirus (HPV) infection through interrupting function of cell regulatory proteins such as p53 and pRb. John Cunningham virus (JCV) expresses a T‐antigen that causes malignant transformation through development of aneuploidy and interaction with some of the same regulatory proteins as HPV. JCV T‐antigen is present in brain, gastric, and colon malignancies, but has not been evaluated in anal cancers. The authors examined a cohort of anal cancers for JCV T‐antigen and correlated this with clinicopathologic data.

METHODS:

Archived anal carcinomas were analyzed for JCV T‐antigen expression. DNA from tumor and normal tissue was sequenced for JCV with viral copies determined by quantitative polymerase chain reaction and Southern blotting. HPV and microsatellite instability (MSI) status was correlated with JCV T‐antigen expression.

RESULTS:

Of 21 cases of anal cancer (mean age 49 years, 38% female), 12 (57%) were in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)‐positive individuals. All 21 cancers expressed JCV T‐antigen, including 9 HPV‐negative specimens. More JCV copies were present in cancer versus surrounding normal tissue (mean 32.54 copies/μg DNA vs 2.98 copies/μg DNA, P = .0267). There was no correlation between disease stage and viral copies, nor between viral copies and HIV‐positive or ‐negative status (28.7 vs 36.34 copies/μg DNA, respectively, P = .7804). In subset analysis, no association was found between JCV T‐antigen expression and HPV or MSI status.

CONCLUSIONS:

Anal carcinomas uniformly express JCV T‐antigen and contain more viral copies compared with surrounding normal tissue. JCV and its T‐antigen oncogenic protein, presumably through interruption of cell regulatory proteins, may play a role in anal cancer pathogenesis. Cancer 2011. © 2010 American Cancer Society.
In vivo myoelectric activity: methods, analysis, and interpretation
Authors: Sarna Sushil K.
Published: December 2010

The sections in this article are:

Control of Phasic Contractions

Temporal Control of Phasic Contractions

Spatial Control of Phasic Contractions

Methods of Recording

Methods of Analysis

Terminology

Spatial and Temporal Patterns of in Vivo Myoelectric Activity

Stomach

Small Intestine

Colon and Rectum

Esophagus

Sphincters and Organ Junctions

Sphincters

Organ Junctions

Gallbladder

Special Situation Contractions

Vomiting

Caudad Mass Movement

Relaxation‐Oscillator Versus Cable Model to Explain Organization of Electrical Control Activity

Passive Conduction

Regenerative Propagation

Relaxation‐Oscillator Propagation
Fine‐needle aspiration of thyroid tumors: Identifying factors associated with adequacy rate in a large academic center in the Netherlands
Authors: de Meer Sijbrigje G. A. , Schreinemakers Jennifer M. J. , Zelissen Pierre M. J. , Stapper Gerard , Sie‐Go Daisy M. D. S. , Rinkes Inne H. M. Borel , Vriens Menno R.
Published: December 2010

The goal of our study was to evaluate, and identify factors associated with, the adequacy rate of fine‐needle aspiration (FNA) cytology of thyroid tumors to improve the quality of the procedure. We reviewed 1,611 cytological pathology reports of thyroid tumors of 871 patients between January 1998 and August 2008. The overall cytological adequacy rate was 53.9%. The freehand technique had significantly higher adequacy rates than the ultrasound (US)‐guided technique (P < 0.001) regardless of size, tumor type, multinodularity, or location. Aspiration, performing specialist (endocrinologist versus radiologist), and size were the factors associated with adequacy rates. US‐guided FNA is recommended in previous articles, but results in our clinic were in favor of freehand FNA. US guidance is a way to improve adequacy rates, but we would like to stress the importance of other factors like operator experience, education, and quality control in one's own institution before implementing techniques. Diagn. Cytopathol. 2012;40:E21–E26. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.