bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Heritable variation in an extended phenotype: the case of a parasitoid manipulated by a virus
Authors: MARTINEZ J. , FLEURY F. , VARALDI J.
Published: October 2011

In host–symbiont interactions, the genes of both host and symbiont can influence phenotypic traits. In the context of a conflict of interest, fitness‐related traits are subjected to opposing selective pressures in the genomes of the partners. In the Drosophila parasitoid Leptopilina boulardi, females usually avoid laying eggs into already parasitized larvae. However, when infected by the virus LbFV, they readily lay additional eggs into parasitized larvae. Inducing superparasitism allows the virus to colonize uninfected parasitoid lineages but is usually maladaptive for the parasitoid. We tested for the presence of resistance genes to this behavioural manipulation in the parasitoid genotype by sampling 30 lines from five populations with contrasting viral prevalence, after infecting them with a reference viral isolate. No geographical differentiation was observed although some genotypes underwent less manipulation than others, and these differences were heritable across generations. The viral titre was not correlated with these differences although fecundity differed between extreme lines.
Mucins in human neoplasms: Clinical pathology, gene expression and diagnostic application
Authors: Yonezawa Suguru , Higashi Michiyo , Yamada Norishige , Yokoyama Seiya , Kitamoto Sho , Kitajima Shinichi , Goto Masamichi
Published: October 2011

Mucins are high molecular weight glycoproteins that play important roles in carcinogenesis and tumor invasion. Our immunohistochemical studies demonstrated that MUC1 or MUC4 expression is related to the aggressive behavior and poor outcome of human neoplasms. MUC2 is expressed in indolent pancreatobiliary neoplasms, but these tumors sometimes show invasive growth with MUC1 expression in invasive areas. MUC5AC shows de novo high expression in many types of precancerous lesions of pancreatobiliary cancers and is an effective marker for early detection of the neoplasms. The combination of MUC1, MUC2, MUC4 and MUC5AC expression may be useful for early detection and evaluation of the potential for malignancy of pancreatobiliary neoplasms. Regarding the mechanism of mucin expression, we have recently reported that expression of the mucin genes is regulated epigenetically in cancer cell lines, using quantitative MassARRAY analysis, methylation‐specific polymerase chain reaction analysis and chromatin immunoprecipitation analysis, with confirmation by the treatment with 5‐aza‐2′‐deoxycytidine and trichostatin A. We have also developed a monoclonal antibody against the MUC1 cytoplasmic tail domain, which has many biological roles. Based on all of the above findings, we suggest that translational research into mucin gene expression mechanisms, including epigenetics, may provide new tools for early and accurate detection of human neoplasms.
Survey of paediatric intravenous fluid prescription: Are we safe in what we know and what we do?
Authors: Keijzers Gerben , McGrath Melissa , Bell Christa
Published: October 2011

Objective: The administration of i.v. fluids to children is common in hospital. There are risks associated with fluid therapy, especially iatrogenic hyponatraemia. The objective of this study was to assess the workplace practices and knowledge of tertiary hospital doctors regarding paediatric i.v. fluid prescription.

Methods: This is a prospective, questionnaire‐based observational study conducted at a 570‐bed teaching hospital in June 2009. A convenience sample of doctors (n= 150), representing all levels of experience and all specialties that regularly prescribe paediatric i.v. fluids, were invited to participate. The main outcome measures consisted of demographical data and the ability to correctly prescribe paediatric fluids measured as ‘fluid calculation’, ‘fluid choice’ and ‘total’ percentage scores based on a percentage score of correctly answered questions using eight clinical scenarios.

Results: One hundred and six (71%) doctors returned a completed questionnaire. The great majority of respondents had a method for calculating a fluid bolus and maintenance rates (91% and 97%, respectively). Scenarios involving infants, especially where an increased risk of antidiuretic hormone secretion was possible, were answered poorly. Senior doctors performed better than junior doctors. ED and paediatric doctors performed better than those in other specialities.

Conclusions: Most doctors in this Australian tertiary hospital have a correct method for prescribing bolus and maintenance fluid rates. However, the potential for adverse events from i.v. fluid prescription remains. Further education in this area for junior doctors, introduction of standardized guidelines for fluid use and restriction of available fluid choice may reduce the risk of iatrogenic hyponatraemia in children.
MEK–ERK and heparin‐susceptible signaling pathways are involved in cell‐cycle entry of the wound edge retinal pigment epithelium cells in the adult newt
Authors: Yoshikawa Taro , Mizuno Aki , Yasumuro Hirofumi , Inami Wataru , Vergara Maria N. , Del Rio‐Tsonis Katia , Chiba Chikafumi
Published: October 2011

The onset mechanism of proliferation in mitotically quiescent retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) cells is still obscure in humans and newts, although it can be a clinical target for manipulating both retinal diseases and regeneration. To address this issue, we investigated factors or signaling pathways involved in the first cell‐cycle entry of RPE cells upon retinal injury using a newt retina‐less eye‐cup culture system in which the cells around the wound edge of the RPE exclusively enter the cell cycle. We found that MEK–ERK signaling is necessary for their cell‐cycle entry, and signaling pathways whose activities can be modulated by heparin, such as Wnt‐, Shh‐, and thrombin‐mediated pathways, are capable of regulating the cell‐cycle entry. Furthermore, we found that the cells inside the RPE have low proliferation competence even in the presence of serum, suggesting inversely that a loss of cell‐to‐cell contact would allow the cells to enter the cell cycle.
Large-Scale Discovery of ERK2 Substrates Identifies ERK-Mediated Transcriptional Regulation by ETV3
Authors: Carlson Scott M. , Chouinard Candace R. , Labadorf Adam , Lam Carol J. , Schmelzle Katrin , Fraenkel Ernest , White Forest M.
Published: October 2011

A chemical genetics strategy identified 67 previously unknown substrates of the kinase ERK2, including the transcriptional repressor ETV3.
In Vitro
Susceptibility Testing of Dientamoeba fragilis
Authors: Nagata N. , Marriott D. , Harkness J. , Ellis J. T. , Stark D.
Published: October 2011

Dientamoeba fragilis
is a commonly encountered trichomonad which has been implicated as a cause of gastrointestinal disease in humans. Despite the frequency of reports recording infections with this parasite, little research has been undertaken in terms of antimicrobial susceptibility. The aim of this study was to evaluate the susceptibility of
D. fragilis
to several commonly used antiparasitic agents: diloxanide furoate, furazolidone, iodoquinol, metronidazole, nitazoxanide, ornidazole, paromomycin, secnidazole, ronidazole, tetracycline, and tinidazole. Antibiotic susceptibility testing was performed on four clinical strains of
D. fragilis
, designated A, E, M, and V, respectively. Molecular testing followed, and all strains were determined to be genotype 1. The activities of antiprotozoal compounds at concentrations ranging from 2 μg/ml to 500 μg/ml were determined via cell counts of
D. fragilis
trophozoites grown in dixenic culture. Minimum lethal concentrations (MLCs) were as follows: ornidazole, 8 to 16 μg/ml; ronidazole, 8 to 16 μg/ml; tinidazole, 31 μg/ml; metronidazole, 31 μg/ml; secnidazole, 31 to 63 μg/ml; nitazoxanide, 63 μg/ml; tetracycline, 250 μg/ml; furazolidone, 250 to 500 μg/ml; iodoquinol, 500 μg/ml; paromomycin, 500 μg/ml; and diloxanide furoate, >500 μg/ml. This is the first study to report the profiles of susceptibility to a wide range of commonly used treatments for clinical isolates of
D. fragilis
. Our study indicated 5-nitroimidazole derivatives to be the most active compounds
in vitro
against
D. fragilis
.
MODELING AND ANALYSIS OF HIV AND HEPATITIS C CO-INFECTIONS
Authors: MOUALEU D. P. , MBANG J. , NDOUNDAM R. , BOWONG S.
Published: October 2011

Infection with the hepatitis C virus (HCV) is the most common coinfection in people with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), and hepatitis C is categorized as an HIV-related illness. The study of the joint dynamics of HIV and HCV present formidable mathematical challenges in spite the fact that they share similar routes of transmission. A deterministic model for the co-interaction of HCV and HIV in a community is presented and rigorously analyzed. The disease-free equilibrium is shown to be locally asymptotically stable when the associated epidemic threshold known as the basic reproduction number for the model is less than the unity. The Centre Manifold theory is used to show that the HCV only and HIV/AIDS only endemic equilibria are locally asymptotically stable when their associated reproduction numbers are greater than the unity. We compute two coexistence thresholds for the stability of boundary equilibria. Numerical results are presented to validate analytical results.
Concurrency-oriented verification and coverage of system-level designs
Authors: Sen Alper
Published: October 2011

Correct concurrent System-on-Chips (SoCs) are very hard to design and reason about. In this work, we develop an automated framework complete with concurrency-oriented verification and coverage techniques for system-level designs. Our techniques are different from traditional simulation-based reliability techniques, since concurrency information is often lost in traditional techniques. We preserve concurrency information to obtain unique verification techniques that allow us to predict potential errors (formulated as transaction-level assertions) from error-free simulations. In order to do this, we exploit the inherent concurrency in the designs to generate and analyze novel partial-order simulation traces. Additionally, to evaluate the confidence on verification results and the gauge progress of verification, we develop novel mutation testing based on concurrent coverage metrics. Mutation testing is a fault insertion-based simulation technique that has been successfully applied in software testing. We present a comprehensive list of mutation operators for SystemC, similar to behavioral fault models, and show the effectiveness of these operators by relating them to actual bug patterns. We have successfully applied our verification and coverage techniques on industrial systems and demonstrated that current verification test suites need to be improved for concurrent designs, and we have found errors in systems that were tested previously.
'Natural' search user interfaces
Authors: Hearst Marti A.
Published: October 2011

Users will speak rather than type, watch video rather than read, and use technology socially rather than alone.
Sol-Gel-Hydrothermal Synthesis of the HeterostructuredTiO2/N-Bi2WO6Composite with High-Visible-Light- and Ultraviolet-Light-Induced Photocatalytic Performances
Authors: Zhang Jiang , Huang Zheng-Hong , Xu Yong , Kang Feiyu
Published: October 2011

The heterostructured TiO2/N-Bi2WO6composites were prepared by a facile sol-gel-hydrothermal method. The phase structures, morphologies, and optical properties of the samples were characterized by using X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM), energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS), and UV-vis diffuse reflectance spectroscopy. The photocatalytic activities for rhodamine B of the as-prepared products were measured under visible and ultraviolet light irradiation at room temperature. The TiO2/N-Bi2WO6composites exhibited much higher photocatalytic performances than TiO2as well as Bi2WO6. The enhancement in the visible light photocatalytic performance of the TiO2/N-Bi2WO6composites could be attributed to the effective electron-hole separations at the interfaces of the two semiconductors, which facilitate the transfer of the photoinduced carriers.
DEVS-FIRE: design and application of formal discrete event wildfire spread and suppression models
Authors: Hu Xiaolin , Sun Yi , Ntaimo Lewis
Published: October 2011

DEVS-FIRE is a discrete event system specification (DEVS) model for simulating wildfire spread and suppression. It employs a cellular space model to simulate fire spread and agent models that interact with the cellular space to simulate fire suppression with realistic tactics. The complex interplay among forest cells and agents calls for formal treatment of the fire spread and fire suppression models to verify the correctness of DEVS-FIRE. This paper gives formal design specifications of fire spread and suppression agent models used in DEVS-FIRE and applies DEVS-FIRE to both artificially generated and real topography, fuels and weather data for a study area located in the US state of Texas. The paper also develops a new method, called pre_Schedule, for scheduling ignition events of forest cells more efficiently than the original onTime_Schedule event scheduling method used in DEVS-FIRE. Simulation results show the performance improvement of the new method, and demonstrate the utility of DEVS-FIRE as a viable discrete event model for wildfire simulations.
A Review of the Current Evidence Regarding Industrial Wind Turbines and Property Values From a Homeowner’s Perspective
Authors: Gulden Wayne E.
Published: October 2011

As more wind energy projects are constructed and placed into operation, their potential downsides are becoming more apparent to a larger number of people. One of the most contentious issues is that of the potential loss of property values for those who happen to own homes close to these projects. This issue may be more parochial and therefore seemingly less important than larger global issues, such as energy independence, sustainability, or global warming. But for those most directly affected by these projects, it can serve as a single proxy for all the other local concerns with wind turbines, such as noise, visual pollution, and health. Moreover, rural homeowners vote in high numbers, and in those locations where there is still local control of wind energy projects, the local politicians will eventually reflect those concerns. The wind energy industry counters these concerns by quoting from a series of industry and government studies that claim to show that proximity to wind turbines does not materially affect home prices. However, their efforts at allaying the concerns of the local homeowners have not been very successful. This article discusses some of the reasons why the industry has been unsuccessful at quelling these concerns, including an evaluation of the evidence from both sides of the wind energy debate as a homeowner might see it and ends with suggestions on how the industry might allay these concerns.
Development of a high-speed two-colour system and its application to in-cylinder diesel combustion temperature and soot measurements with split injections
Authors: Díez Á , Zhao H , Carrozzo T , Catania A E , Spessa E
Published: October 2011

In the present study, a high-speed two-colour system was developed in order simultaneously to investigate the temporal and spatially resolved flame temperature and soot concentration (the KL factor) in the combustion chamber of a diesel engine during the same engine cycle. The new two-colour system features a high-speed video camera and a high-repetition image intensifier. It is capable of capturing images at a high sampling frequency, so as to allow the possibility of investigating the flame temperature and soot distribution throughout a complete engine cycle. The system was calibrated against a tungsten ribbon lamp and tested on a Ricardo Hydra single-cylinder diesel engine for the in-cylinder diesel combustion temperature and soot diagnostics. Videos of combustion were taken through the optical access to the combustion chamber, and the radiation intensity was correlated with the analysed calibration data. The two-colour method was used to study the influence of the injection timing on the nitrogen oxide and soot emissions and the relation between the time histories of the local flame temperature, the soot concentration (the KL factor), and the exhaust emissions.
Calcium signals in the nucleus accumbens: Activation of astrocytes by ATP and succinate
Authors: Molnár Tünde , Dobolyi Árpád , Nyitrai Gabriella , Barabás Péter , Héja László , Emri Zsuzsa , Palkovits Miklós , Kardos Julianna
Published: October 2011

Background

Accumulating evidence suggests that glial signalling is activated by different brain functions. However, knowledge regarding molecular mechanisms of activation or their relation to neuronal activity is limited. The purpose of the present study is to identify the characteristics of ATP-evoked glial signalling in the brain reward area, the nucleus accumbens (NAc), and thereby to explore the action of citric acid cycle intermediate succinate (SUC).

Results

We described the burst-like propagation of Ca2+ transients evoked by ATP in acute NAc slices from rat brain. Co-localization of the ATP-evoked Ca2+ signalling with immunoreactivities of the astroglia-specific gap junction forming channel protein connexin43 (Cx43) and the glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) indicated that the responsive cells were a subpopulation of Cx43 and GFAP immunoreactive astrocytes. The ATP-evoked Ca2+ transients were present under the blockade of neuronal activity, but were inhibited by Ca2+ store depletion and antagonism of the G protein coupled purinergic P2Y1 receptor subtype-specific antagonist MRS2179. Similarly, Ca2+ transients evoked by the P2Y1 receptor subtype-specific agonist 2-(Methylthio)adenosine 5'-diphosphate were also blocked by MRS2179. These characteristics implied that intercellular Ca2+ signalling originated from the release of Ca2+ from internal stores, triggered by the activation of P2Y1 receptors. Inhibition by the gap junction blockers carbenoxolone and flufenamic acid and by an antibody raised against the gating-associated segment of Cx43 suggested that intercellular Ca2+ signalling proceeded through gap junctions. We demonstrated for the first time that extracellular SUC also evoked Ca2+ transients (EC50 = 50-60 μM) in about 15% of the ATP-responsive NAc astrocytes. By contrast to glial cells, electrophysiologically identified NAc neurons surrounded by ATP-responsive astrocytes were not activated simultaneously.

Conclusions

We concluded, therefore, that ATP- and SUC-sensitive Ca2+ transients appear to represent a signalling layer independent of NAc neurons. This previously unrecognised glial action of SUC, a major cellular energy metabolite, may play a role in linking metabolism to Ca2+ signalling in astrocytic networks under physiological and pathological conditions such as exercise and metabolic diseases.
The evidence for Shiatsu: a systematic review of Shiatsu and acupressure
Authors: Robinson Nicola , Lorenc Ava , Liao Xing
Published: October 2011

Background

Shiatsu, similar to acupressure, uses finger pressure, manipulations and stretches, along Traditional Chinese Medicine meridians. Shiatsu is popular in Europe, but lacks reviews on its evidence-base.

Methods

Acupressure and Shiatsu clinical trials were identified using the MeSH term 'acupressure' in: EBM reviews; AMED; BNI; CINAHL; EMBASE; MEDLINE; PsycARTICLES; Science Direct; Blackwell Synergy; Ingenta Select; Wiley Interscience; Index to Theses and ZETOC. References of articles were checked. Inclusion criteria were Shiatsu or acupressure administered manually/bodily, published after January 1990. Two reviewers performed independent study selection and evaluation of study design and reporting, using standardised checklists (CONSORT, TREND, CASP and STRICTA).

Results

Searches identified 1714 publications. Final inclusions were 9 Shiatsu and 71 acupressure studies. A quarter were graded A (highest quality). Shiatsu studies comprised 1 RCT, three controlled non-randomised, one within-subjects, one observational and 3 uncontrolled studies investigating mental and physical health issues. Evidence was of insufficient quantity and quality. Acupressure studies included 2 meta-analyses, 6 systematic reviews and 39 RCTs. Strongest evidence was for pain (particularly dysmenorrhoea, lower back and labour), post-operative nausea and vomiting. Additionally quality evidence found improvements in sleep in institutionalised elderly. Variable/poor quality evidence existed for renal disease symptoms, dementia, stress, anxiety and respiratory conditions. Appraisal tools may be inappropriate for some study designs. Potential biases included focus on UK/USA databases, limited grey literature, and exclusion of qualitative and pre-1989 studies.

Conclusions

Evidence is improving in quantity, quality and reporting, but more research is needed, particularly for Shiatsu, where evidence is poor. Acupressure may be beneficial for pain, nausea and vomiting and sleep.
Identification, characterization and antigenicity of the Plasmodium vivax rhoptry neck protein 1 (Pv RON1)
Authors: Moreno-Perez Darwin A , Montenegro Marjorie , Patarroyo Manuel E , Patarroyo Manuel A
Published: October 2011

Background

Plasmodium vivax malaria remains a major health problem in tropical and sub-tropical regions worldwide. Several rhoptry proteins which are important for interaction with and/or invasion of red blood cells, such as Pf RONs, Pf 92, Pf 38, Pf 12 and Pf 34, have been described during the last few years and are being considered as potential anti-malarial vaccine candidates. This study describes the identification and characterization of the P. vivax rhoptry neck protein 1 (Pv RON1) and examine its antigenicity in natural P. vivax infections.

Methods

The Pv RON1 encoding gene, which is homologous to that encoding the P. falciparum apical sushi protein (ASP) according to the plasmoDB database, was selected as our study target. The pvron1 gene transcription was evaluated by RT-PCR using RNA obtained from the P. vivax VCG-1 strain. Two peptides derived from the deduced P. vivax Sal-I Pv RON1 sequence were synthesized and inoculated in rabbits for obtaining anti-Pv RON1 antibodies which were used to confirm the protein expression in VCG-1 strain schizonts along with its association with detergent-resistant microdomains (DRMs) by Western blot, and its localization by immunofluorescence assays. The antigenicity of the Pv RON1 protein was assessed using human sera from individuals previously exposed to P. vivax malaria by ELISA.

Results

In the P. vivax VCG-1 strain, RON1 is a 764 amino acid-long protein. In silico analysis has revealed that Pv RON1 shares essential characteristics with different antigens involved in invasion, such as the presence of a secretory signal, a GPI-anchor sequence and a putative sushi domain. The Pv RON1 protein is expressed in parasite's schizont stage, localized in rhoptry necks and it is associated with DRMs. Recombinant protein recognition by human sera indicates that this antigen can trigger an immune response during a natural infection with P. vivax.

Conclusions

This study shows the identification and characterization of the P. vivax rhoptry neck protein 1 in the VCG-1 strain. Taking into account that Pv RON1 shares several important characteristics with other Plasmodium antigens that play a functional role during RBC invasion and, as shown here, it is antigenic, it could be considered as a good vaccine candidate. Further studies aimed at assessing its immunogenicity and protection-inducing ability in the Aotus monkey model are thus recommended.
Improvement for detection of microcalcifications through clustering algorithms and artificial neural networks
Authors: Quintanilla-Domínguez Joel , Ojeda-Magaña Benjamín , Marcano-Cedeño Alexis , Cortina-Januchs María G , Vega-Corona Antonio , Andina Diego
Published: October 2011

A new method for detecting microcalcifications in regions of interest (ROIs) extracted from digitized mammograms is proposed. The top-hat transform is a technique based on mathematical morphology operations and, in this paper, is used to perform contrast enhancement of the mi-crocalcifications. To improve microcalcification detection, a novel image sub-segmentation approach based on the possibilistic fuzzy c-means algorithm is used. From the original ROIs, window-based features, such as the mean and standard deviation, were extracted; these features were used as an input vector in a classifier. The classifier is based on an artificial neural network to identify patterns belonging to microcalcifications and healthy tissue. Our results show that the proposed method is a good alternative for automatically detecting microcalcifications, because this stage is an important part of early breast cancer detection.
miR-124 function during Ciona intestinalis neuronal development includes extensive interaction with the Notch signaling pathway
Authors: Chen Jerry S. , Pedro Matthew San , Zeller Robert W.
Published: October 2011

The nervous system-enriched microRNA miR-124 is necessary for proper nervous system development, although the mechanism remains poorly understood. Here, through a comprehensive analysis of miR-124 and its gene targets, we demonstrate that, in the chordate ascidian Ciona intestinalis, miR-124 plays an extensive role in promoting nervous system development. We discovered that feedback interaction between miR-124 and Notch signaling regulates the epidermal-peripheral nervous system (PNS) fate choice in tail midline cells. Notch signaling silences miR-124 in epidermal midline cells, whereas in PNS midline cells miR-124 silences Notch, Neuralized and all three Ciona Hairy/Enhancer-of-Split genes. Furthermore, ectopic expression of miR-124 is sufficient to convert epidermal midline cells into PNS neurons, consistent with a role in modulating Notch signaling. More broadly, genome-wide target extraction with validation using an in vivo tissue-specific sensor assay indicates that miR-124 shapes neuronal progenitor fields by downregulating non-neural genes, notably the muscle specifier Macho-1 and 50 Brachyury-regulated notochord genes, as well as several anti-neural factors including SCP1 and PTBP1. 3′UTR conservation analysis reveals that miR-124 targeting of SCP1 is likely to have arisen as a shared, derived trait in the vertebrate/tunicate ancestor and targeting of PTBP1 is conserved among bilaterians except for ecdysozoans, while extensive Notch pathway targeting appears to be Ciona specific. Altogether, our results provide a comprehensive insight into the specific mechanisms by which miR-124 promotes neuronal development.
Reprogramming capacity of Nanog is functionally conserved in vertebrates and resides in a unique homeodomain
Authors: Theunissen Thorold W. , Costa Yael , Radzisheuskaya Aliaksandra , van Oosten Anouk L. , Lavial Fabrice , Pain Bertrand , Castro L. Filipe C. , Silva José C. R.
Published: October 2011

Pluripotency is a developmental ground state that can be recreated by direct reprogramming. Establishment of pluripotency is crucially dependent on the homeodomain-containing transcription factor Nanog. Compared with other pluripotency-associated genes, however, Nanog shows relatively low sequence conservation. Here, we investigated whether Nanog orthologs have the capacity to orchestrate establishment of pluripotency in Nanog–/– somatic cells. Mammalian, avian and teleost orthologs of Nanog enabled efficient reprogramming to full pluripotency, despite sharing as little as 13% sequence identity with mouse Nanog. Nanog orthologs supported self-renewal of pluripotent cells in the absence of leukemia inhibitory factor, and directly regulated mouse Nanog target genes. Related homeodomain transcription factors showed no reprogramming activity. Nanog is distinguished by the presence of two unique residues in the DNA recognition helix of its homeodomain, and mutations in these positions impaired reprogramming. On the basis of genome analysis and homeodomain identity, we propose that Nanog is a vertebrate innovation, which shared an ancestor with the Bsx gene family prior to the vertebrate radiation. However, cephalochordate Bsx did not have the capacity to replace mouse Nanog in reprogramming. Surprisingly, the Nanog homeodomain, a short sequence that contains the only recognizable conservation between Nanog orthologs, was sufficient to induce naive pluripotency in Nanog–/– somatic cells. This shows that control of the pluripotent state resides within a unique DNA-binding domain, which appeared at least 450 million years ago in a common ancestor of vertebrates. Our results support the hypothesis that naive pluripotency is a generic feature of vertebrate development.
FAT10 mediates the effect of TNF-α in inducing chromosomal instability
Authors: Ren Jianwei , Wang Yu , Gao Yun , Mehta Shalin B. K. , Lee Caroline G. L.
Published: October 2011

Tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) plays important roles in chronic inflammation-associated tumorigenesis but the mechanisms involved remain poorly understood. Previously, we reported that high levels of FAT10 led to chromosomal instability that is mediated by an abbreviated mitotic phase. Here, we show that TNF-α induces FAT10 gene expression through TNF receptor 1 (TNFR1) and activates the NF-κB pathway in HCT116 and SW620 cells. TNF-α treatment also leads to an abbreviated mitotic phase that can be reversed by inhibiting FAT10 expression. This abbreviated mitotic phase is correlated with a TNF-α-induced reduction in the kinetochore localization of MAD2 during prometaphase which, again, can be reversed by inhibiting FAT10 gene expression. There is greater variability of chromosome numbers in HCT116 and SW620 cells treated with TNF-α than in untreated cells, which can be reversed by the introduction of short hairpin RNA (shRNA) against FAT10. The more stable chromosome numbers in HCT116 cells expressing FAT10 shRNA can revert to greater variability with the addition of a mutant FAT10 that is not recognized by the FAT10 shRNA. Upon TNF-α stimulation, higher cell death is observed when FAT10 expression is inhibited by shRNA. These data strongly suggest that FAT10 plays an important role in mediating the function of TNF-α during tumorigenesis by inducing cell cycle deregulation and chromosomal instability, and by inhibiting apoptosis.
Tracking Decision Makers under Uncertainty
Authors: Arieli Amos , Ben-Ami Yaniv , Rubinstein Ariel
Published: October 2011

Eye tracking is used to investigate the procedures that participants employ in choosing between two lotteries. Eye movement patterns in problems where the deliberation process is clearly identified are used to substantiate an interpretation of the results. The data provide little support for the hypothesis that decision makers rely exclusively upon an expected utility type of calculation. Instead eye patterns indicate that decision makers often compare prizes and probabilities separately. This is particularly true when the multiplication of sums and probabilities is laborious to compute. (JEL D81, D87)
In vitro antibacterial activity of nanoconjugated vancomycin against plasmid mediated intraspecies and interspecies transfer of vancomycin resistance
Authors: Chakraborty Subhankari Prasad , Pramanik Panchanan , Roy Somenath
Published: October 2011

Background: The aim of the present study was to observe the plasmid mediated intraspecies and interspecies transfer of vancomycin resistance, and possible antibacterial activity of nanoconjugated vancomycin against such resistant.

Methods: Plasmids were isolated from a chosen vancomycin resistant Staphylococcus aureus strain (MMC-17). The obtained 890 bp plasmid was then transferred to vancomycin sensitive S. aureus (MMC-6) and Escherichia coli (RGK 26) strains.

Results: The vancomycin sensitive S. aureus and E. coli developed vancomycin resistance. Plasmid analysis of the transformed MMC-6 and RGK 26 revealed that it contains 890 bp plasmid corresponding to the donor S. aureus, which may harbor the vanA gene. Nanoconjugated vancomycin shows its efficient drug action through transport of vancomycin into transformed MMC-6 and RGK 26.

Conclusions: Plasmid mediated intraspecies and interspecies transfer of vancomycin resistance is accomplished by the vanA gene. Nanoconjugated vancomycin shows effective drug delivery in plasmid mediated vancomycin resistance in S. aureus and E. coli.
Reducing Bloodstream Infections in Pediatric Rehabilitation Patients Receiving Parenteral Nutrition
Authors: Castello Frank Vincent , Maher Anne , Cable Gregory
Published: October 2011

OBJECTIVE:

To report our quality improvement efforts to reduce total parenteral nutrition (TPN)-associated bloodstream infections, and the results of those efforts, during the period including the first quarter of 2004 through the third quarter of 2010.

METHODS:

A variant on failure modes and effect analysis and existing guidelines were used to develop and modify interventions. Effectiveness of the interventions was assessed by using a graphical depiction of interrupted time-series data on TPN-associated infections per 1000 TPN-days, aggregated across quarters within intervention periods.

RESULTS:

Although initial interventions yielded limited reductions in infection rates, it was not until the implementation of a multifaceted “maintenance intervention bundle” that rates strongly responded. After this key intervention revision, the TPN-associated infection rate decreased between implementation in the first quarter of 2008 from 26.1 to 4.8 per 1000 TPN-days during the 8 quarters aggregated comprising the first quarter of 2008 through the fourth quarter of 2009. The final addition of an alcohol-swab cap resulted in a reduction of rates to 0 for the first three-quarters of 2010.

CONCLUSIONS:

Our evidence suggests that iterative design/redesign of interventions using failure modes and effect analysis has directly reduced TPN-associated bloodstream infections.
Experimental Evidence of Super Densification of Adsorbed Hydrogen by in-situ Small Angle Neutron Scattering (SANS)
Authors: Saha Dipendu , He Lilin , Contescu Cristian I. , Gallego Nidia C. , Melnichenko Yuri B.
Published: October 2011

Entrapping hydrogen molecules within the nanopores of solid adsorbents serves as a unique alternative for on-board storing of hydrogen for transportation purposes. The key advantage of the physisorption process for hydrogen storage is the higher density values achieved with the adsorbed gas, compared to that of the compressed phase, translating into higher storage capacities at lower pressures. The necessary condition for effective adsorption is the presence of narrow micropores of < 2 nm in width which provide the most suitable environment of hydrogen adsorption. Despite numerous theoretical calculations or indirect experimental estimations, there has not been a direct experimental measurement of the density of adsorbed hydrogen as a function of pressure and/or pore size. In the present study, we report on the use of in-situ small angle neutron scattering (SANS) to study the phase behavior of hydrogen confined in narrow micropores. We provide for the first time direct experimental measurements of the effect of pore size and pressure on hydrogen adsorbed on a polyfurfuryl alcohol-derived activated carbon (PFAC), at room temperature and pressures up to 207 bar. SANS studies were carried out at the General-Purpose Small-Angle Neutron Scattering spectrometer of the High Flux Isotope Reactor at Oak Ridge National Laboratory. The measurements covered the Q-range from 0.01 to 0.8 Å-1, covering the pores in the range of 9 to 34 Å of the PFAC material. Initial results suggest that the density of adsorbed hydrogen is higher than the density of bulk hydrogen gas and increases with decreasing pore size.
Characterization of AgInSbTe-SiO2 Nanocomposite Thin Film for Hydrogen Gas Sensor Applications
Authors: Wang Ching-Hung , Chiang Kuo-Chang , Hsieh Tsung-Eong
Published: October 2011

Hydrogen (H2) sensing property of AgInSbTe (AIST)-SiO2 nanocomposite thin film prepared by target-attachment sputtering method was investigated in this work. The sample subjected to a 400°C-annealing for 90 sec exhibits a significant sensitivity (58.9 %) and short response time (75 sec) upon the exposure to an ambient containing 200 ppm H2 at 75°C. The gas sensing capability is ascribed to the presence of antimony oxides, e.g., Sb2O3 and Sb2O5, in nanocomposite layer which provide the charge carriers for sensing reactions. Moreover, the high specific-surface-area (SSA) feature of AIST nanocrystals in nanocomoposite layer provided numerous sites for reduction/oxidation reactions and thus a good H2 gas sensing property can be achieved.
Analysis of Hydrogen Adsorption in Microporous Adsorbents at Room Temperature and High Pressures
Authors: Voskuilen Tyler G. , Pourpoint Timothée L.
Published: October 2011

An experimental study of hydrogen adsorption in a variety of high-surface area adsorbent materials has been conducted at room temperature and pressures up to 500 bar on high surface area activated carbons, zeolite templated carbons (ZTC), and metal organic frameworks (MOFs). For all materials, excess hydrogen adsorption isotherms were measured up to 500 bar and have been analyzed in terms of the BET surface area and pore size distribution. The materials were also evaluated for their increase in hydrogen storage density over compressed gas. It was determined that, due to the lower excess adsorption and skeletal densities for the microstructured materials, MOF-177 and ZTC have worse storage densities than compressed gas at most pressures, even when assuming a bed compaction factor of two, while the activated carbons offer marginal increases in storage density over the pressure range investigated.
Treatment of Fever After Stroke: Conflicting Evidence
Authors: Wrotek Sylwia E. , Kozak Wieslaw E. , Hess David C. , Fagan Susan C.
Published: October 2011

Approximately 50% of patients hospitalized for stroke develop fever. In fact, experimental evidence suggests that high body temperature is significantly correlated to initial stroke severity, lesion size, mortality, and neurologic outcome. Fever occurring after stroke is associated with poor outcomes. We investigated the etiology of fever after stroke and present evidence evaluating the efficacy and safety of interventions used to treat stroke‐associated fever. Oral antipyretics are only marginally effective in lowering elevated body temperature in this population and may have unintended adverse consequences. Nonpharmacologic approaches to cooling have been more effective in achieving normothermia, but whether stroke outcomes can be improved remains unclear. We recommend using body temperature as a biomarker and a catalyst for aggressive investigation for an infectious etiology. Care must be taken not to exceed the new standard of a maximum acetaminophen dose of 3 g/day to avoid patient harm.
Extension of the River Water Quality Model No. 1 with the fate of pesticides
Authors: De Schepper Veerle C. J. , Holvoet Katrijn M. A. , Benedetti Lorenzo , Seuntjens Piet , Vanrolleghem Peter A.
Published: October 2011

The existing River Water Quality Model No. 1 (RWQM1) was extended with processes determining the fate of non-volatile pesticides in the water phase and sediments. The exchange of pesticides between the water column and the sediment is described by three transport processes: diffusion, sedimentation and resuspension. Burial of sediments is also included. The modified model was used to simulate the concentrations of diuron and chloridazon in the river Nil. A good agreement was found between the simulated pesticide concentrations and measured values resulting from a four-month intensive monitoring campaign. The simulation results indicate that pesticide concentrations in the bulk water are not sensitive to the selected biochemical model parameters. It seems that these concentrations are mainly determined by the imposed upstream concentrations, run-off and direct losses. The high concentrations in the bulk water were not observed in the sediment pore water due to a limited exchange between the water column and the sediment. According to a sensitivity analysis, the observed pesticide concentrations are highly sensitive to the diffusion and sorption coefficients. Therefore, model users should determine these parameters with accuracy in order to reduce the degree of uncertainty in their results.
A methodology for processing raw LiDAR data to support urban flood modelling framework
Authors: Abdullah A. F. , Vojinovic Z. , Price R. K. , Aziz N. A. A.
Published: October 2011

An assessment has been carried out to study the performance of seven different LiDAR filtering algorithms and to evaluate their suitability for urban flood modelling applications. It was found that none of these algorithms can be regarded as fully suitable to support such work in its present form. The paper presents the augmentation of an existing Progressive Morphological filtering algorithm for processing raw LiDAR data to support a 1D/2D urban flood modelling framework. The existing progressive morphological filtering algorithm was modified to incorporate buildings with basement, passage buildings and solid buildings and its value was demonstrated on a case study from Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. The model results were analysed and compared against recorded data in terms of flood depths, flood extents and flood velocities. The difference in flood depths of approximately 40% was observed between a model that uses a DTM modified by the progressive morphological filtering algorithm and the predictions of other models. The overall results suggest that incorporation of building basements within the DTM can lead to a significant difference in the model results with a tendency towards overestimation for those models which do not incorporate such a feature.
Hybrid Pareto archived dynamically dimensioned search for multi-objective combinatorial optimization: application to water distribution network design
Authors: Asadzadeh Masoud , Tolson Bryan
Published: October 2011

Pareto archived dynamically dimensioned search (PA-DDS) has been modified to solve combinatorial multi-objective optimization problems. This new PA-DDS algorithm uses discrete-DDS as a search engine and archives all non-dominated solutions during the search. PA-DDS is also hybridized by a general discrete local search strategy to improve its performance near the end of the search. PA-DDS inherits the simplicity and parsimonious characteristics of DDS, so it has only one algorithm parameter and adjusts the search strategy to the user-defined computational budget. Hybrid PA-DDS was applied to five benchmark water distribution network design problems and its performance was assessed in comparison with NSGAII and SPEA2. This comparison was based on a revised hypervolume metric introduced in this study. The revised metric measures the algorithm performance relative to the observed performance variation across all algorithms in the comparison. The revised metric is improved in terms of detecting clear differences between approximations of the Pareto optimal front. Despite its simplicity, Hybrid PA-DDS shows high potential for approximating the Pareto optimal front, especially with limited computational budget. Independent of the PA-DDS results, the new local search strategy is also shown to substantially improve the final NSGAII and SPEA2 Pareto fronts with minimal additional computational expense.
Retention of heavy metals by stormwater filtration systems: breakthrough analysis
Authors: Hatt B. E. , Steinel A. , Deletic A. , Fletcher T. D.
Published: October 2011

Biofiltration systems are widely used to mitigate the impacts of stormwater on receiving waters, however their long-term capacity to retain heavy metals has not previously been assessed. Accelerated-dosing laboratory experiments were used to assess the likelihood of breakthrough occurring for three different types of soil-based filter media that are commonly used in stormwater biofilters. In all cases, breakthrough of zinc (Zn) was observed, but not of cadmium (Cd), copper (Cu) and lead (Pb). If biofiltration systems are sized so that they are large relative to their catchment (at least 2–3% of its area) or have a deep filter layer (at least 0.5 m deep), then breakthrough will not occur for at least ten years and probably longer. However, after the equivalent of 12–15 years of operation, Cd, Cu and Zn had accumulated in the filter media to levels that exceeded human health and/or ecological guidelines. Further, depending on the design, it is possible that spent filter media may be classified as contaminated soil and thus require special disposal.
Impediments to the adoption of alternative sewerage in South African urban informal settlements
Authors: Ashipala N. , Armitage N. P.
Published: October 2011

In recent decades South Africa has witnessed a substantial growth in its urban population. This growth has been accompanied by the mushrooming of informal settlements (shantytowns) flanking more formal development. The lack of adequate urban drainage in many of these informal settlements has resulted in extremely polluted environments which add to the disease burden of the poor people who live there. In many instances, informal settlements in South Africa are established on marginal land that is inherently difficult to service using conventional gravity sewerage. International experience has shown that various alternative wastewater collection systems may present more appropriate ways of providing water-borne sewerage in areas that are difficult to service by conventional means. Alternative sewerage schemes have however had a poor record of success in South African informal settlements – primarily stemming from the implementing agencies' failure to adequately address various social and institutional factors. In this paper, a review of South African experiences with simplified sewerage, settled sewerage and vacuum sewerage in urban informal settlements is used to highlight the key constraints that currently impede the application of these technologies.
Pedicle Screw Surgery in the UK and Ireland: A Questionnaire Study
Authors: Patel P.S.D , Aspinwall E.M , Fennell A.J , Trotman S.G , Shepherd D.E.T , Hukins D.W.L
Published: October 2011

Pedicle screw (PS) malpositioning rates are high in spine surgery. This has resulted in the use of computed navigational aids to reduce the rate of malposition; but these are often expensive and limited in availability. A simple mechanical device to aid PS insertion might overcome some of these disadvantages. The purpose of this study was to determine the demand and design criteria for a simple device to aid PS placement, as well as to collect opinions and experiences on PS surgery in the UK and Ireland. A postal questionnaire was sent to 422 spinal surgeons in the UK and Ireland. 101 questionnaires were received; 67 of these (16% of total sent) contained useful information. 78% of surgeons experienced problems with PS placement. The need for a simple mechanical device to aid PS placement was expressed by 59% of respondent surgeons. The proportion of respondents that inserted PSs in the cervical spine was 14%; PSs are mainly inserted in the thoracic, lumbar and sacral spine, but potential exists for a PS placement aid for the cervical and thoracic spine. From the experiences of these 67 surgeons, there is evidence to suggest that surgeons would prefer a pedicle aid that is multiple use, one-piece, hand-held, radiolucent, unilateral and uses the line of sight principle in traditional open surgery. Based on the experiences of 67 surgeons, there is evidence to suggest that computed navigational aids are not readily used in PS surgery and that a simple mechanical device could be a better option. This paper provides useful data for improving the outcomes of spinal surgery.