bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A Pharmacometric Approach to Quantify the Impact of Chronic Kidney Disease and Hemodialysis on Systemic Drug Exposure: Application to Saxagliptin
Authors: Zhang Liping , Boulton David W. , Pfister Marc
Published: January 2012

The draft United States Food and Drug Administration guidance recommends a dedicated pharmacokinetic (PK) study for most drugs intended for use in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD), including stage V patients requiring hemodialysis (HD) treatment. However, clinical studies conducted in CKD patients are challenged by difficulties in recruiting stage IV and V patients not yet on dialysis, and in balancing patient characteristics among each studied CKD group. Furthermore, study design for dialysis patients often involves a single dose administered before an HD session. The design may not necessarily represent usual patient care in current clinical practice, in which multiple doses are more likely to be administered at varying times between HD sessions. Using exposure modeling of saxagliptin and its active metabolite, 5‐hydroxy saxagliptin, as an example, this work illustrates how these challenges can be alleviated by modeling the impact of HD on drug exposure in clinical studies and simulating the expected exposure level in patient care. The modeled PK profiles in dialysis patients were used to understand PK profiles in patients with various CKD stages. The applied pharmacometric approach increased the efficiency of knowledge generation from existing data.
“I HAVE SEEN THE FUTURE”
Authors: Hayden Dolores
Published: January 2012

Seventy years ago, General Motors’ Highways and Horizons exhibit at the World’s Fair, designed by Norman Bel Geddes and Eero Saarinen, promoted demand for cars and federal highways without any concern for environmental sustainability, the theme of our 2010 conference. The main exhibit included a sequence of four parts (entrance ramps, map lobby, Futurama ride, and “intersection of 1960”) where the viewer’s perception of spatial scale was manipulated. Setha M. Low’s theory of “embodied space” helps decode why movement through these diverse spaces influenced millions of Americans’ views of transportation and urban form, a promotional success yet to be equaled by advocates of environmental sustainability.
Local Performance in the Construction of National Identity
Authors: Gür Berin F.
Published: January 2012

In this article, the author studies the local response to the nation-building process that constructs society, its space, and history, by focusing on the particular case of Greece in the nineteenth century. How local inhabitants actively participated in this process is discussed in the example of the Plaka district on the northern slope of the Athenian Acropolis. The author argues that mutual relations among modernization, Hellenization, and living tradition constructed modern Greece as a new nation in the nineteenth century. The official efforts toward Hellenization and modernization with the emphasis on classical antiquity gave rise to the emergence of alternative tendencies that were shaped by the local inhabitants according to the way they perceived society and experienced space. The author’s focus in this article, then, turns to nineteenth-century houses in Plaka as a folk expression of the official neoclassical style to discuss the local performance in the construction of a national identity.
Making Philadelphia Safe for “WFIL-adelphia”
Authors: Delmont Matt
Published: January 2012

This article examines television and housing as sites of struggle over segregation in postwar Philadelphia. WFIL-TV, which was part of Walter Annenberg’s media empire, broadcast to a four state region it called “WFIL-adelphia,” and emphasized the station’s ability to help advertisers reach millions of these regional consumers in parts of Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Delaware and Maryland. At the same time, however, the racial tensions around WFIL’s West Philadelphia studio threatened to scare off advertisers. Just steps from the station’s front door, for example, black families seeking to move into West Philadelphia faced organized resistance from white homeowners associations. Scared of offending local and regional viewers and advertisers, WFIL implemented racial discriminatory admissions policies in its most popular show, the teenage dance program Bandstand (which became American Bandstand). I argue that, in working to maintain segregated spaces, both WFIL-TV and white homeowners associations practiced overlapping and reinforcing versions of defensive localism.
Notched GFRP: anisotropy, residual strength, and fracture characteristics
Authors: Tinô S.R.L. , de Aquino E.M.F.
Published: January 2012

This research aims to analyze a study of the mechanical response, in the presence of geometric discontinuity, of glass fiber-reinforced plastics to the uniaxial tensile test. Geometric discontinuity is characterized by a circular hole in the longitudinal section (with reduction of the cross-section) of the composite. In this study, different configuration types are tested, with and without hole, to provide a better understanding of the mechanical properties, with respect to residual strength, anisotropy, and fracture characteristics. The residual strength determined using the precepts given by the ASTM D 5766-07 standard is used in the point-stress criterion and average-stress criterion failure theories for the semi-empirical calculation of the distances ( d0 and a0) in the vicinity of the hole, the region where stress failure occurs. Semi-empirical distances are determined for the composite laminate whose configuration is considered isotropic. The results show the direct influence of the presence of geometric discontinuity and residual strength in all the parameters studied, in addition to fracture characteristics.
Combat cuties: photographs of Israeli women soldiers in the press since the 2006 Lebanon War
Authors: Berger Eva , Naaman Dorit
Published: January 2012

For the first time since 1948, Israeli women soldiers took part in combat in Lebanon in the summer of 2006 and excelled in their jobs. However, images of women soldiers published in the press, during and after the war, objectify the soldiers in ways that belittle their violent agency. The images tend to sexualize the women soldiers as well as their militarized skill and gear.
The circle of terror: strategic localizations of global media terror meta-discourses in the US, India and Scotland
Authors: Roy Sudeshna , Ross Susan Dente
Published: January 2012

This critical discourse analysis (CDA) examines media commentary on terror events in three countries in which the events occurred – the US, India and Scotland – to explore and compare the media’s role in the construction, ideological conception, and recommended response to terrorism. Media commentary in each of the three countries is juxtaposed to expose similarities and differences in editorials about the 11 September 2001 (9/11) attacks in the US, the 26 November 2008 terrorist attacks in Mumbai, India, and the release of the Lockerbie bomber on 20 August 2009 in Scotland. The authors argue that the collective (inter)national media construction of ‘terrorism event spheres’ transcends a specific terrorist event, national boundary and time to confine and define what is, and is not, terrorism. They discursively exclude from public discourse ‘reality zones’ associated with the political, historical, social, religious, cultural and ideological positions, and justifications of terrorism. There are also observed localizations of the global terror discourse suggesting internal particularities and contexts within which the terror events occur.
Determination of Methane Fermentation Yield and its Kinetics by near Infrared Spectroscopy and Chemical Composition in Maize
Authors: Grieder Christoph , Mittweg Greta , Dhillon Baldev S. , Montes Juan M. , Orsini Elena , Melchinger Albrecht E.
Published: January 2012

Maize ( Zea mays L.) is the most commonly used substrate for methane production through anaerobic fermentation and is gaining further importance in Germany. Laboratory assays used for the determination of methane fermentation yield (MFY), i.e. the amount of methane produced per unit of dry matter, are complex and costly. Thus, the adoption of near infrared (NIR) spectroscopy, which is already successfully used for fast and cost-effective examination of animal feeds, would remedy this problem. The objectives of this study were to examine the potential of employing NIR spectroscopy to predict MFY as measured in a discontinuous fermenter, investigate the reliability of prediction of parameters related to the kinetics of MFY and compare models based on NIR spectroscopy with that on chemical composition for reliable prediction of MFY. Samples of dried whole plant material from 55 maize genotypes, grown in six environments, were analysed for their MFY using a discontinuous fermentation assay for different fermentation times. Further, chemical composition of the samples was analysed and NIR spectra were measured. Calibration models were developed to predict MFY and related traits based on NIR spectroscopy or chemical composition. Prediction of MFY after a short fermentation time ( R2 = 0.88 after five days) was better than after complete fermentation ( R2 = 0.77 after 35 days). Chemical composition models were always inferior to NIR spectroscopy models and showed a strong decrease in performance to predict MFY with ongoing fermentation time. The superiority of NIR spectroscopy is most likely attributable to higher information content in the NIR spectra. The fast determination of MFY by NIR spectroscopy will enable the examination of a larger number of samples and, therefore, allow for the use of MFY in maize breeding for biogas production.
Near Infrared Spectroscopy Calibrations for the Estimation of Process Parameters of Anaerobic Digestion of Energy Crops and Livestock Residues
Authors: Krapf Lutz Christian , Gronauer Andreas , Schmidhalter Urs , Heuwinkel Hauke
Published: January 2012

Near infrared (NIR) spectroscopy is a potentially valuable tool for estimating the process parameters of anaerobic digestion (AD) in agricultural biogas plants. In addition to precision and accuracy, the evaluation of model robustness versus changes in the feedstock composition and process stages are needed to implement this analytical technology into common practice. This paper reports the first step of a global modelling approach, addressing the need for increased calibration robustness for the estimation of the process parameters volatile solids (VS), ammonium (NH4–N), total inorganic carbon (TIC), total volatile fatty acids (VFA), acetic acid and propionic acid in the fresh matter (FM) of digester sludge. Spectra from samples in different training sets, varying with respect to their origin and feedstock composition, were assessed using partial least square regression. The comparison of the offline calibration results among the training sets revealed that an increase in the heterogeneity of the sample matrices did not result in a relevant performance loss of the NIR models. With a root mean square error of cross-validation ( RMSECV) of 4.0 g kg−1 and 0.16 g kg−1 FM, VS and NH4–N exhibited the highest potential for estimation via NIR spectroscopy. While the strong X–Y relationship for the structurally NIR-inactive TIC ( RMSECV = 0.80 g kg−1 FM) indicated a satisfactory screening potential, further study is required before application. The volatile fatty acid parameters, which are useful for detecting short-term changes of the AD, did not result in good NIR models. However, there appears to be a realistic potential for a global VFA model with an estimation error of 0.9 g kg−1 FM, which may support the use of NIR-based rapid screening of the dynamics of the acidity level in digester sludge.
Noninvasive in Vivo Measurement of Natural Moisturizing Factor Content in Stratum Corneum of Human Skin by Attenuated Total Reflection Infrared Spectroscopy
Authors: Takada Shingo , Naito Satoru , Sonoda Junko , Miyauchi Yuuki
Published: January 2012

Water-soluble components in the outermost layer of human skin are called natural moisturizing factor (NMF). NMF is one of the most important factors of skin moisturizing mechanisms. It is known that individuals with psoriasis, atopic dermatitis, and ichthyosis possess skin with lower-than-normal NMF content. Therefore, a noninvasive method for NMF content measurement of the human skin would be very useful to both dermatologists and cosmetic chemists. We attempted to measure the NMF content by focusing on the infrared wavelengths that are commonly absorbed by most NMF components. In order to estimate the intensity of absorption that is common to NMF components, we simulated the attenuated total reflection (ATR)-infrared (IR) spectrum of human skin by the combination of multiple Gaussian peaks. The spectroscopic signal of NMF linearly correlated with the actual NMF content measured by chromatographic methods. Therefore, we concluded that we can determine the skin surface NMF content from the ATR-IR spectrum of skin. This noninvasive and simple method is useful for studying NMF in a wide variety of skin regions and under various skin conditions.
Real-Time Spectroscopic Analysis of Extracellular Matrix Produced by MC3T3-E1 Preosteoblastic Cells Cultured under Dynamic Conditions
Authors: Hassler Norbert , Rumpler Monika , Thaler Roman , Mendelsohn Richard , Phipps Roger , Varga Franz , Fringeli Urs P. , Klaushofer Klaus , Paschalis Eleftherios P.
Published: January 2012

The deposition of extracellular matrix (ECM) produced by osteoblasts is one of the first steps in bone formation. Composition and structure of the ECM influence the development and strength of bone, as well as the onset of its mineralization. Since ECM is secreted onto the surface where the cells attach, Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) attenuated total reflection (ATR), as a surface sensitive technique, provides a useful tool for its investigation, as ECM instead of the cells is predominantly detected by the IR beam. The purpose of the present study was to develop the FT-IR ATR technique so that real-time measurements of the ECM produced by MC3T3-E1 osteoblasts could be obtained in situ. Measurements were performed using polarized incident IR light to apply a procedure for solvent compensation which reduces the influence of culture medium on the evaluation of the amide I and II bands. The formation of ECM took place in a flow-through chamber under dynamic conditions by applying a constant flow of culture medium and was tracked over a time period of two weeks by evaluation of the integrated absorbance of amide I and II bands reflecting the amount and isotropic arrangement of amide bonds in the ECM. Cultures without ascorbic acid had a reduced protein concentration that enabled the analysis of cell-mediated matrix accumulation. Presence and proliferation of cells after two weeks of permanent flow-through of culture medium was shown by cell counting exhibiting a 67% increase in cell number as well as by crystal violet and live/dead staining. These results demonstrate the application of FT-IR ATR spectroscopy for monitoring matrix formation.
Linear Discriminant Analysis of Single-Cell Fluorescence Excitation Spectra of Five Phytoplankton Species
Authors: Bruckman Laura S. , Richardson Tammi L. , Swanstrom Joseph A. , Donaldson Kathleen A. , Allora Michael , Shaw Timothy J. , Myrick Michael L.
Published: January 2012

Linear discriminant analysis (LDA) of single-cell fluorescence excitation spectra (λem=680 nm) for five species of marine phytoplankton was used to determine whether intra-species variation among single cells precluded discrimination among species. Single-cell spectra were recorded in an optical trap with a custom-built spectral fluorometer. For nitrogen (N)- replete cells, separation of all five species ( Emiliania huxleyi, a coccolithophore, Thalassiosira pseudonana, a diatom, Dunaliella tertiolecta, a chlorophyte, Amphidinium carterae, a dinoflagellate, and Rhodomonas salina, a cryptophyte) was possible using only a portion of the excitation spectra (570–610 nm). This wavelength region gave perfect classification of species with a minimum Fisher ratio of 62. For four species ( E. huxleyi, T. pseudonana, D. tertiolecta, and A. carterae), variations in fluorescence excitation spectra as cells were starved of N did not impact the classification process adversely within the chosen spectral window. R. salina cells grown with and without N showed significant differences in their fluorescence excitation spectra but could still be classified if a different spectral window (490–570 nm) was used. Overall, we conclude that intra-species variation among single-cell fluorescence excitation spectra does not preclude discrimination among species.
Evaluation of Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy (LIBS) as a Measurement Technique for Evaluation of Total Elemental Concentration in Soils
Authors: Díaz Daniel , Hahn David W. , Molina Alejandro
Published: January 2012

Online analysis of nutrients in soil would be beneficial in soil and agronomic sciences as it could lead to real-time adjustment of the level of nutrients in soils. Laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) yields a real-time signal that could be correlated with the total elemental concentration in soils, and, hopefully, to the available fraction of the element in soils. As a first step in developing a technique for the real-time evaluation of the nutrient concentration in soils, in this study LIBS was applied to the evaluation of total element concentrations in mixtures of soils and fertilizers. Two fertilizers were mixed with soil in several concentrations, and loose powder samples of these mixtures were analyzed using LIBS. Calibration curves for three macroelements, calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), and phosphorus (P), and two microelements, iron (Fe) and sodium (Na), in the samples allowed determination of detection and quantification limits for total elements in soils. The correlation coefficients ( r 2 ) between total element concentrations and the LIBS signal were above 0.85 for all elements; however, we note that Ca showed evidence of self-absorption. The quantification limits were below typical total element concentration in soils; however, matrix effects demanded one calibration curve for each element and for each soil/fertilizer mixture.
Raman and Fluorescence Spectral Imaging of Live Breast Cancer Cells Incubated with PEGylated Gold Nanorods
Authors: Hartsuiker Liesbeth , Petersen Wilma , Rayavarapu Raja G. , Lenferink Aufried , Poot André A. , Terstappen Leon W. M. M. , Van Leeuwen Ton G. , Manohar Srirang , Otto Cees
Published: January 2012

The optical properties of PEGylated gold nanorods (PEG-GNR) in interaction with cells have been investigated with Raman and fluorescence microspectroscopic imaging. The emission spectra were compared with those from dispersions of GNR, which can be characterized by a broad emission bandwidth of approximately 60 nm with a band maximum around 675 nm. These properties are in good agreement with observations from various other gold substrates and (nano)particles. The emission spectra from cells incubated with PEG-GNR were dominated by Raman scattering from locations where no GNR were present. Intense fluorescence spectral lines, with peak amplitude comparable with the Raman scattering from cells, were observed from locations containing GNR. The frequency range of the fluorescence emission spectra coincided mainly with the Raman fingerprint region from 500 cm−1 to 1800 cm−1, excited by the laser emission line at 647.1 nm. No surface-enhanced Raman spectra were observed. It was furthermore observed from cluster analysis of the Raman and fluorescence hyperspectral datasets that the GNR-related integrated fluorescence emission band from an individual cell could be sub-divided in multiple bands with slightly varying band maxima. Raman difference spectra of cells with GNR minus control cells showed that the amplitude of lipid signal in cells incubated with PEG-GNR was increased. An excellent correlation was found between the increased lipid signals and locations of the nanorods. This positive correlation between Raman signals from lipids and fluorescence signals from gold nanorods supports that gold nanorods are locally accumulating in lipid vesicles within the cells.
Potential of Mid-Infrared Spectroscopy for On-Line Monitoring of Mammalian Cell Culture Medium Components
Authors: Foley Róisín , Hennessy Siobhán , Marison Ian W.
Published: January 2012

This study proposed a methodology to evaluate the potential of midinfrared (MIR) spectroscopy as a process analytical technology (PAT) tool for in situ (in-line) monitoring of cell culture media constituents, paving the way for on-line bioprocess monitoring and control of mammalian cell cultures. The methodology included a limit of detection (LOD) analysis and external influence investigation in addition to the calibration model development. The LOD analysis in the initial step provided a detailed procedure by which to evaluate the monitoring potential of the instrument of choice, for the application in question. The external influence study highlighted the potential difficulties when applying this technique to a typical mammalian cell culture. A comparative investigation between a fixed conduit immersion probe and flexible fiber-optic immersion probe was also carried out. Limitations associated with the use of MIR spectroscopy in the cell culture environment were also examined. A preliminary investigation, on components typically found in mammalian cell cultures, involving spectral characterization and limit of detection analysis was completed. It was evident at this initial stage that glutamine, could not be accurately detected at levels typically found in a mammalian cell culture medium. Results for glucose and ammonia, however, proved promising. A seven-concentration-level experimental design was used, and partial least squares regression employed, to develop calibration models. Optimized model results echoed the results of the preliminary analysis with the percentage error of prediction for glucose as low as 6.03% with the fixed conduit probe and glutamine having a higher error of 63.06% for the same probe. Comparison of the model results obtained from both probes supported the fixed conduit as the more accurate of the two probes for this experimental setup. The effect of external influences on the MIR spectra and hence the concentrations predicted by the model were also examined. These were subjected to statistical analysis to determine the significance of the effect. This study demonstrates that MIR spectroscopy as a PAT tool has limited potential for mammalian cell culture monitoring due to low concentrations of analytes present and outlines a method to allow the system to be evaluated.
Detection of Carbon Particulates from a High-Speed Stream Reaching 70 Meters/Second
Authors: Lee Seok Hwan , Yoh Jack J.
Published: January 2012

The detection of carbon is conducted by laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) in a flow system designed to replicate aircraft exhaust flow conditions. To generate carbon particles, a glucose solution was evaporated using a ceramic nebulizer and an electrical heater. For elemental analysis, both the C (247.86 nm) and CN band (388.3 nm) peaks were selected for detecting carbon. The signals detected from the emissions stream at velocities of up to 70 m/s showed that in situ characterization of carbon particulates in the high-speed exhaust is feasible.
Binding of a Phenanthridine-Biguanide Derivative with DNA/RNA Polynucleotides Studied by Surface-Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy (SERS)
Authors: Miljanić Snežana , DijanošiĆ Adriana , Landeka Kristina , Stojković Marijana Raðić , Piantanida Ivo
Published: January 2012

Surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) in the near-infrared region has been applied to study interactions between a phenanthridine-biguanide derivative (PB) and polynucleotides. The PB molecules scatter radiation in the silver citrate colloid most intensively at concentration of 2.5 6 10−5 mol dm−3, at which they are optimally oriented towards the nanoparticles, with the phenanthridine plane placed perpendicularly to the silver surface. A band at 228 cm−1, attributed to the Ag–N stretching mode, implies that chemical mechanism, along with the electromagnetic mechanism, contributes to the total enhancement of the scattered radiation. A decrease in intensity and shifts of the biguanide-related bands in the SERS spectra of the mixtures of PB with DNA indicate binding of the small molecules with the nucleic acid. Studies with double-stranded DNA analogues reveal that the molecules of PB intercalate into the G–C base pairs by the phenanthridine system and bind within the minor groove of the A–T sequences through the biguanide substituent. Intensity decrease in the SERS spectrum of the PB/RNA mixture confirms insertion of the molecules between A–U base pairs, whereas an upward shift of the amino groups bending mode (1078 cm−1) as well as diminution of the CN stretching band at 1421 cm−1 imply hydrogen bonding of the biguanide moiety with the nucleobases. SERS spectra of the mixtures containing the single-stranded polynucleotides show that the polynucleotide secondary structure does not affect binding of PB with the polynucleotides but that affinity towards the polynucleotides depends solely on the molecular structure of the nucleic bases.
A Combined Normal Raman, Surface-Enhanced Raman Scattering (SERS), and Theoretical Calculation (DFT and PED) Study of Alpha-Tocopherol
Authors: Cai Tiantian , Gu Huaimin , Liu Angfang , Xie Min
Published: January 2012

In this work, the band assignment for the vibration mode of the functional groups contained in α-tocopherol (aT) molecules was analyzed entirely for the first time using their normal Raman spectra (NRS), density functional theory (DFT) calculations, and potential energy distributions (PED). The bands obtained through the theory calculation method were in accordance with experimentally observed values. The surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) spectra of aT adsorbed on nanoparticles were studied in gold colloidal solutions and on modified gold substrates. Some crucial differences were observed in the SERS spectra of the aT molecules adsorbed on these two substrates, indicating that the behavior of aT adsorbed on gold colloids was different from that of aT on the modified gold substrate. The aT molecules probably lie flat on the surfaces of the gold nanoparticles through the ring in the gold colloidal solution, whereas they stand with a certain angle on the gold surfaces of the modified substrate. Furthermore, the concentration dependence of SERS spectra of aT is characterized by variation of the enhanced intensity of the bands, primarily suggesting that the adsorption behavior of the aT molecules adsorbed on the gold nanoparticles surface is changed with different concentrations. With the concentration around 7.5 × 10−2 mol/L, the sub-monolayer mode, and more aT molecules allowed to lie on the gold surface, then Raman signals are greatly enhanced in the SERS spectrum.
CO2 Adsorption and Desorption on MgO/Al2O3: An In Situ Diffuse Reflection Infrared Fourier Transform Spectroscopy (DRIFTS) Study
Authors: Hu Gengshen , Zhu Lin , Jia Aiping , Hu Xin , Xie Guanqun , Lu Jiqing , Luo Mengfei
Published: January 2012

The adsorption and desorption of CO2 on MgO/Al2O3 were investigated by in situ diffuse reflection infrared Fourier transform spectroscopy (DRIFTS) combined with the method of curve-fitting analysis. The spectroscopic results indicate that there are three chemisorbed surface species formed on the MgO/Al2O3, i.e., free carbonate ion, bridged carbonate, and bidentate carbonate species, which correspond to the peaks at 1675, 1403, and two peaks at 1610 and 1340 cm−1, respectively, when the sample was exposed in CO2 flow at 130 °C. The quantification analysis of the spectra during CO2 adsorption and desorption shows that the formation and desorption rates of all surface species are coverage dependent. Among the three species, the bridged carbonate shows the highest speed of formation and desorption, indicating that this type of species may be beneficial to CO2 capture and release. It should also be noted that the contribution of support Al2O3 to CO2 capture is negligible. This study may help us to understand the interaction between CO2 and metal oxides and thus to give more insights into CO2 capture using solid sorbents.
Between Horizons: Traveling the Great Central Valley
Authors: Fireman Janet
Published: January 2012

Over a dozen years, frequent driving trips between Los Angeles and San Francisco cultivated and seasoned the historian's esteem for California's Great Central Valley and ripened her curiosity about how authentic travelers—witnesses of the land—understood the Valley's topographic variety, hydrology, ecosystems, and human cultures as they journeyed and documented what they saw. With quotations from a variety of observations, recollections, and meditations exposing the promise of place, the article points to an under-appreciated past, directing attention to changes wrought by humans, nature, and the passage of time.
Functional design of porous drug delivery systems based on laser assisted manufactured nitinol
Authors: Shishkovsky Igor V.
Published: January 2012

Our previous studies proved the occurrence of the shape memory effect (SME) in a biocompatible porous nitinol (inter-metallic phase NiTi), obtained by the selective laser sintering (SLS) method. In this report we propose to use the SME peculiar to the nitinol, for a functional design of the drug delivery system and to discuss the process flow pattern. In living tissues (flesh) the elevated temperature at the disease origination leads to the nitinol pores size reduction caused by the austenite phase transformation, and to the pharmaceutical composition extrusion from the pores. And vice versa, during the cooling stage when the tissue temperature reverts to normal level, the drug intake will stop. Depending on the type of the three dimensional structure of a porous matrix (scaffold) identified at the stage of a computer-aid-design, the velocity of penetration can be controllable.
Consequences of manipulated snow cover on soil gaseous emission and N retention in the growing season: a meta‐analysis
Authors: Blankinship Joseph C. , Hart Stephen C.
Published: January 2012

Most seasonally snow covered ecosystems will continue to face more shallow and discontinuous snowpack as the world warms. Annual greenhouse gas and nitrogen (N) budgets in seasonally snow covered ecosystems are partly controlled by snow depth and duration, but little is known about the generality of these responses during the growing season and the driving mechanisms across sites. Using results from snow addition and removal experiments, we performed a meta‐analysis to quantify soil biogeochemical responses during the growing season to decreasing winter snow depth, and to identify correlative variables that best explained changes in carbon dioxide (CO2) efflux, nitrous oxide (N2O) efflux, and mobile N concentration in runoff, leachate, and soil solution. The moderators tested to possibly explain the effects of manipulated snow depth were the sampling date (earlier vs. later in growing season), the direction of snow manipulation, soil texture, vegetation type, mean annual temperature (MAT), mean annual precipitation (MAP), latitude, and the maximum change in winter soil temperature due to snow manipulation. Across studies, decreasing snow depth caused a 35% reduction in soil CO2 efflux and a three‐fold increase in N2O efflux later in the growing season, and a two‐fold increase in mobile N concentration throughout the growing season. The tested moderators of CO2 and N2O efflux were important earlier but not later in the growing season. Early in the growing season, decreasing snow depth increased soil CO2 efflux in snow removal experiments at lower latitude sites with a higher MAT and smaller change in winter soil temperature. Decreasing snow depth increased N2O efflux more at lower latitudes sites with a higher MAP and smaller change in winter soil temperature. Changes in mobile N concentration were greater in forest than in non‐forest ecosystems, and tended to increase with latitude. Our meta‐analysis suggests that winter and summer biogeochemistry are intertwined, and decreasing snow cover generally reduces ecosystem N retention. Future changes in snow cover may impact global carbon and N biogeochemistry at the annual scale, likely driven by interactions between climate, latitude, and vegetation type.
Learning During Dynamic Testing: Variability in Strategy Use by Indigenous and Ethnic Minority Children
Authors: Resing Wilma C. M. , de Jong Froukje M. , Bosma Tirza , Tunteler Erika
Published: January 2012

The objective of this study was to explore whether dynamic testing of indigenous and ethnic minority children could provide information concerning changes in their strategy use during testing. It was hypothesized that dynamic testing with graduated prompting and trial-by-trial-assessment could reveal the development of children’s strategy use while tested. The participants were indigenous Dutch and ethnic minority children. Trial-by-trial-testing provided information of how strategy use developed during training. Experimental-group children showed significant changes towards more advanced strategies. Ethnic minority children showed most strategy changes during training, initially needing more prompting but progressively requiring less. The study provided insight into strategy use during and after training. Pretest strategy level was found to be the first predictor of posttest strategy level, followed by condition and ethnicity. Age, gender, and intelligence test scores did not change this order. The relatively short dynamic intervention provides insights into children’s strategy use and their response to prompting, particularly for ethnic minority children.
Generalized Lucas cubes
Authors: Ilic Aleksandar , Klavzar Sandi , Rho Yoomi
Published: January 2012

Let f be is a binary string and d?1. Then the generalized Lucas cube Qd(f?)is
introduced as the graph obtained from the Qd by removing all vertices that
have a circulation containing f as a substring. The question for which f and
d, the generalized Lucas cube Qd(f?) is an isometric subgraph of the d-cube
Qd is solved for all binary strings of length at most five. Several
isometrically embeddable and non-embeddable infinite series where f is of
arbitrary length are given. Some structural properties of generalized Lucas
cubes are also presented.
Economics of non-oil value chains in peanut: A case of peanut-candy and salted-peanut small-scale units in India
Authors: Govindaraj Gurrappanaidu , Jain Vimal
Published: January 2012

This study was conducted to assess the extent of value-addition, employment
generating potential and economics of peanut-candy and salted-peanut
small-scale units in India. In the low-capacity peanut-candy units, the
value-addition at the end of Stage-I (pod to kernel) was $ 2.4/q, whereas, it
was $ 2.2/q in the high-capacity units. In salted-peanut units, the
value-addition in the low- and high-capacity was $2.2/q and $2.3/q,
respectively. In Stage-II (kernel to final product), the value-addition was
high across sizes and type of the processing units. Around 525 and 635
man-days of employment/month/unit were generated by low and high-capacity
peanut-candy units, respectively. The employment generation was less in
salted-peanut vis-?-vis peanut-candy units due to different processing
methods. The kernel alone constituted 50 to 52 per cent of the total cost in
peanut-candy, and 89 per cent in salted-peanut units. The sensitivity
analysis revealed that change in the kernel price directly affected the
magnitude of profits. The important policy implications emerged were: if the
units process the pods to obtain kernel (Stage-I) instead of procuring
kernels from the market, considerable value-addition can be made, kernel
price directly affects the profits and hence an appropriate mechanism like
?contract farming? would stabilise the kernel prices, majority of the units
retrench labour during off-peak period due to less demand and hence
diversification in processing will generate sufficient employment to retain
the existing skilled employees, and appropriate policy intervention is
necessary to address the capital, technology and marketing constraints of the
peanut processing units.
Synthesis of 2-oxo-azetidine derivatives of 2-amino thiazole and their biological activity
Authors: Samadhiya Pushkal , Sharma Ritu , Srivastava Santosh , Srivastava Savitri
Published: January 2012

A new series of N-[2-(2-aminothiazolyl)ethyl]-4-(substitutedphenyl)-
3-chloro-2-oxo-1-iminoazetidine, compounds 4(a-m) have been synthesized from
2-aminothiazole as a starting material. The structure of all the synthesized
compounds were confirmed by chemical and spectral analyses such as IR, 1H
NMR, 13C NMR and FAB-Mass. All the final synthesized compounds 4(a-m) were
screened for their antibacterial and antifungal activities against some
selected bacteria and fungi and antitubercular activity screened against M.
tuberculosis with their MIC value. Antiinflammatory activity screened against
albino rats (either sex) and gave acceptable results.
The euro area ten years after its creation: (Divergent) competitiveness and the optimum currency area theory
Authors: Rebelo João , Alves Henrique
Published: January 2012

As the euro is on its second decade, the European sovereign debt crisis and
the ever more evident disparities in competitiveness among member states are
prompting many to question whether monetary union is bringing more benefits
than costs. The optimum currency area (OCA) theory provides a framework with
several criteria for such analysis. In such context, we start by a
descriptive analysis of the first twelve euro countries under six criteria,
leading to a mixed conclusion on whether the EMU is closer or farther to
fulfil them. Then we assess the impact of five OCA criteria on countries?
relative competitiveness. Differences in the growth of unit labour costs,
the dissimilarity of trade and the differences in output growth were found
to be the most significant. This way, we identify some causes of the
divergent competitiveness between some EMU countries that contributed to
weaker economic growth in some of them.
Knowledge and job opportunities in a gender perspective: Insights from Italy
Authors: Cipollone Angela , Corsi Marcella , D’Ippoliti Carlo
Published: January 2012

The paper proposes an enlargement of the traditional notion of human capital,
by conceptualising knowledge in a comprehensive and multidimensional way. In
our empirical approach, knowledge encompasses several formal and informal
skills, to complement the mainstream view narrowly concerned with education
and on-the-job training. Our results for Italy point out that despite much
rhetoric about the reduction (or even the reversal) of gender gaps in
education, women often lack the main skills and competencies that can
profitably be deployed in the labour market. Unsurprisingly, in Italy women?s
accumulation of labour market experience is mostly hindered by unpaid
housework burdens. However, when adopting an extensive definition of
knowledge these activities may be regarded as a source of relevant knowledge.
Yet, they do not seem to be positively valued by the market, either in terms
of employability or in terms of wages, thus calling for a serious rethinking
of the role of knowledge in shaping men?s and women?s economic opportunities.
Super Electronics, Inc.: Financial Reporting of Sales Incentives and Vendor Allowances Using FASB Codification
Authors: Gujarathi Mahendra R.
Published: January 2012

Super Electronics, Inc., a specialty retailer, has recently initiated several sales incentives and has entered into a long-term purchase arrangement with a major vendor that entitles it to sliding discounts based on its level of purchases. Using FASB Accounting Standards Codification, you are to determine whether the Company's existing policies comply with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP). You are also required to evaluate the soundness of the proposals that SE's management has made during the process of annual audit and explore plausible motivations behind them. The case provides an opportunity to examine several technical and conceptual accounting issues in a real-world setting, strengthen accounting research capabilities, understand implications of the choice of an accounting policy for performance measurement and financial statement analysis, and develop advanced critical thinking and professional judgment skills.
Surface Photochemistry: 3,3'-Dialkylthia and Selenocarbocyanine Dyes Adsorbed onto Microcrystalline Cellulose
Authors: Vieira Ferreira Luís F. , Ferreira Diana P. , Duarte Paulo , Oliveira A. S. , Torres E. , Ferreira Machado I. , Almeida P. , Reis Lucinda V. , Santos Paulo F.
Published: January 2012

In this work, thia and selenocarbocyanines with n-alkyl chains of different length, namely with methyl, ethyl, propyl, hexyl and decyl substituents, were studied in homogeneous and heterogeneous media for comparison purposes. For both carbocyanine dyes adsorbed onto microcrystalline cellulose, a remarkable increase in the fluorescence quantum yields and lifetimes were detected, when compared with solution. Contrary to the solution behaviour, where the increase in the n-alkyl chains length increases to a certain extent the fluorescence emission FF and τF, on powdered solid samples a decrease of FF and τF was observed. The use of an integrating sphere enabled us to obtain absolute FF’s for all the powdered samples. The main difference for liquid homogeneous samples is that the increase of the alkyl chain strongly decreases the FF values, both for thiacarbocyanines and selenocarbocyanines. A lifetime distribution analysis for the fluorescence of these dyes adsorbed onto microcrystalline cellulose, evidenced location on the ordered and crystalline part of the substrate, as well as on the more disordered region where the lifetime is smaller. The increase of the n-alkyl chains length decreases the photoisomer emission for the dyes adsorbed onto microcrystalline cellulose, as detected for high fluences of the laser excitation, for most samples.
A New Strategy for Identification of Highly Conserved microRNAs in Non-Model Insect, Spodoptera litura
Authors: Gao Lu , Zuo Hongliang , Liu Keling , Li Haiyi , Zhong Guohua
Published: January 2012

The indigenous small non-coding RNAs, known as microRNAs (miRNAs), are important regulators of gene expression and many of them are evolutionarily conserved. Whether stem-loop RT-PCR, as a sensitive method, could be utilized to clone conserved miRNAs from non-model insects lacks information. Here, three miRNAs, sli-miR-14, sli-miR-2a and sli-bantam, were cloned from Spodoptera litura by stem-loop RT-PCR. Two groups of primers were designed, and one of them performed especially well and proved stable. The sequences of two highly conserved miRNAs, sli-miR-14 and sli-miR-2a were identical to those in Drosophila melanogaster. To validate the reliability of this strategy, pre-miR-14 and pre-miR-2a in S. litura as representatives were given as well; this shared high homology with those in D. melanogaster and Bombyx mori, and both mature sequences of sli-miR-14 and sli-miR-2a in their precursors shared 100% identity to the results shown by stem-loop RT-PCR. Moreover, expression patterns of these miRNAs were investigated by real-time quantitative PCR. Sli-miR-14 and sli-miR-2a could be detected successfully and their expression patterns showed similar characteristics with those in model insects, further suggesting stem-loop RT-PCR technology can be used for identification of highly conserved miRNAs in non-model insects. These results provide a simplified and efficient strategy for studying the structure and function of highly conserved miRNAs, especially some critical miRNAs in non-model insects.
Polyphenol Content and Modulatory Activities of Some Tropical Dietary Plant Extracts on the Oxidant Activities of Neutrophils and Myeloperoxidase
Authors: Tsumbu Cesar N. , Deby-Dupont Ginette , Tits Monique , Angenot Luc , Frederich Michel , Kohnen Stephane , Mouithys-Mickalad Ange , Serteyn Didier , Franck Thierry
Published: January 2012

Young leaves of Manihot esculenta Crantz (Euphorbiaceae), Abelmoschus esculentus (Malvaceae), Hibiscus acetosella (Malvaceae) and Pteridium aquilinum (Dennstaedtiaceae) are currently consumed as green vegetables by peoples in sub-Saharan Africa, Latin America, Asia and their migrants living in Western Europe. Sub-Saharan peoples use Manihot, Abelmoschus and Hibiscus also in the folk medicine to alleviate fever and pain, in the treatment of conjunctivitis, rheumatism, hemorrhoid, abscesses, ... The present study investigates the effects of aqueous extracts of those plants on the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and the release of myeloperoxidase (MPO) by equine neutrophils activated with phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA). The ROS production was measured by lucigenin-enhanced chemiluminescence (CL), and the release of total MPO by an ELISA method. The study also investigates the effect of the extracts on the activity of MPO by studying its nitration activity on tyrosine and by using a new technique called SIEFED (Specific Immunological Extraction Followed by Enzymatic Detection) that allows studying the direct interaction of compounds with the enzyme. In all experiments, the aqueous extracts of the plants developed concentration-dependent inhibitory effects. A moderate heat treatment did not significantly modify the inhibitory capacity of the extracts in comparison to not heated ones. Total polyphenol and flavonoid contents were determined with an HPLC-UV/DAD analysis and a spectroscopic method using Folin-Ciocalteu reagent. Some polyphenols with well-known antioxidant activities (caffeic acid, chlorogenic acid, hyperoside, rosmarinic acid and rutin) were found in the extracts and may partly explain the inhibitory activities observed. The role of those dietary and medicinal plants in the treatment of ROS-dependent inflammatory diseases could have new considerations for health.
Correction: Goto, H. et al. Liquid Crystalline π-Conjugated Copolymers Bearing a Pyrimidine Type Mesogenic Group. Materials 2009, 2, 22-37
Authors: Kawabata Kohsuke , Goto Hiromasa
Published: January 2012

We found an error in the Scheme 1 in our paper published in Materials [1]. [...]
Daphnoretin Induces Cell Cycle Arrest and Apoptosis in Human Osteosarcoma (HOS) Cells
Authors: Gu Shoubin , He Jinhai
Published: January 2012

In this study antiproliferation, cell cycle arrest and apoptosis induced by daphnoretin in human osteosarcoma (HOS) cells were investigated. Antiproliferative activity was measured with the 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay. The IC50 value of daphnoretin was 3.89 μM after 72 h treatment. Induction of apoptosis was evidenced by apoptotic body appearance and Annexin V-FITC/PI apoptosis detection kit. Flow cytometric analysis indicated daphnoretin arrested the cell cycle in the G2/M phase. Western-blot assay showed that the G2/M phase arrest was accompanied by down-regulation of cdc2, cyclin A and cyclin B1. Moreover, daphnoretin inhibited Bcl-2 expression and induced Bax expression to desintegrate the outer mitochondrial membrane and causing cytochrome c release. Mitochondrial cytochrome c release was associated with the activation of caspase-9 and caspase-3 cascade. Our results demonstrated that daphnoretin caused death of HOS cells by blocking cells successively in G2/M phases and activating the caspase-3 pathway.