bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A NADH Sensor Based on 1,2‐Naphththoquinone Electropolymerized on Multi‐walled Carbon Nanotubes Modified Glassy Carbon Electrode
Authors: Liu Suqin , Dai Gaopeng , Yuan Ling , Zhao Yanping
Published: June 2012

A new carbon nanotubes modified electrode (poly‐Nq‐MWCNTs/GCE) was fabricated by electropolymerization of 1,2‐naphththoquinone to the surface of multi‐walled carbon nanotubes modified electrode by casting method. The morphology of the nanocomposite was characterized by scanning electron microscopy. Cyclic voltammetry and chronoamperometry were applied to investigate the electrochemical properties of the poly‐Nq‐MWCNTs nanocomposite modified electrode. The result of electrochemical experiments showed that such modified electrode had a favorable catalytic ability to oxidation of β‐nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NADH). The resulted sensor was sensitiveness to NADH and achieved 95β of the steady‐state current within 5s. Furthermore, the anodic peak current was linear to the concentration of NADH for the range from 1.0 μM to 0.14 mM. The linear equation was: I(μA) = 0.3987 + 0.1035c (μmol/L), the correlation coefficient r = 0.9962, the detect limit is down to 1 × 10−7 M (S/N = 3) and the sensitivity is 0.1035 μA/mmol. The well catalytic activity of the sensor was ascribed to the synergistic effect role played by MWCNTs and poly‐Nq. Moreover, the based sensor possesses good stability and reproducibility.
Probing the Adhesion of Hepatocellular Carcinoma HepG2 and SK‐Hep‐1 Cells
Authors: Hsieh Shuchen , Lin Pei‐Ying , Hsieh Chiung‐Wen , Li I‐Tin , Hsieh Shu‐Ling , Wu Chih‐Chung , Huang Yun‐Shan , Wang Huay‐Min , Tu Li‐Wei , Cheng Kuang‐Hung , Wang Hay‐Yan Jack , Wu Deng‐Chyang
Published: June 2012

Carcinoma cell differentiation stage is an important indicator of cell behavior. For example, cell mobility is much higher for poorly‐differentiated hepatocellular carcinoma SK‐Hep‐1 cells than for well‐differentiated HepG2 cells. In this study, we have cultured HepG2 and SK‐Hep‐1 cells on chemically patterned polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) substrates to observe differences in the adhesion properties and cell structure that occur due to the patterns. Both cell lines showed a preference for the hydrophobic regions on the patterned PDMS surface with SK‐Hep‐1 cells achieving a higher density than HepG2 for the same cell‐count solutions. Further, SK‐Hep‐1 cells adopted the square or hexagonal shape of the surface patterns while HepG2 cells maintained their more rounded shape. AFM force measurement arrays were also performed on the cell surfaces to measure and map adhesion values between the tip and cell surface membrane. These results demonstrate that, in addition to cell shape and size, adhesion expression in hepatocellular carcinoma cells is differentiation stage dependent. Further, the ability of the SK‐Hep‐1 cells to adopt the shape of the substrate pattern indicates they are more structurally labile, which may contribute to their higher mobility.
Myricetin attenuates lipopolysaccharide‐stimulated activation of mouse bone marrow‐derived dendritic cells through suppression of IKK/NF‐κB and MAPK signalling pathways
Authors: Fu Ru‐Huei , Liu Shih‐Ping , Chu Ching‐Liang , Lin Ya‐Hsien , Ho Yu‐Chen , Chiu Shao‐Chih , Lin Wei‐Yong , Shyu Woei‐Cherng , Lin Shinn‐Zong
Published: June 2012

BACKGROUND: Myricetin is a naturally occurring flavonoid that is found in many fruits, vegetables, teas and medicinal herbs. It has been demonstrated to have anti‐inflammatory properties, but, to date, no studies have described the immunomodulatory effects of myricetin on the functions of dendritic cells (DCs). The aim of this study was to evaluate the potential for myricetin to modulate lipopolysaccharide (LPS)‐stimulated activation of mouse bone marrow‐derived DCs.

RESULTS: Our experimental data showed that treatment with myricetin up to 10 µg mL−1 does not cause cytotoxicity in cells. Myricetin significantly decreased the secretion of tumour necrosis factor‐α, interleukin‐6 and interleukin‐12p70 by LPS‐stimulated DCs. The expression of LPS‐induced major histocompatibility class II, CD40 and CD86 on DCs was also inhibited by myricetin, and the endocytic and migratory capacity of LPS‐stimulated DCs was blocked by myricentin. In addition, LPS‐stimulated DC‐elicited allogeneic T‐cell proliferation was reduced by myricetin. Moreover, our results confirmed that myricetin attenuates the responses of LPS‐stimulated activation of DCs via suppression of IκB kinase/nuclear factor‐κB and mitogen‐activated protein kinase‐dependent pathways.

CONCLUSION: Myricetin has novel immunopharmacological activity, and modulation of DCs by myricetin may be an attractive strategy for the treatment of inflammatory and autoimmune disorders, and for transplantation. Copyright © 2012 Society of Chemical Industry
Extended DLVO calculations expose the role of the structural nature of the adsorbent beads during chromatography
Authors: Aasim Muhammad , Bibi Noor Shad , Vennapusa Rami Reddy , Fernandez‐Lahore Marcelo
Published: June 2012

Protein adsorption onto hydrophobic interaction chromatography supports was studied by a surface‐thermodynamics approach. To gather relevant experimental information, contact angle measurements and zeta potential determinations were performed on three different commercial adsorbent beads, Phenyl Sepharose 6 Fast Flow, Toyopearl Phenyl 650‐C and Source 15 Phenyl, having soft to rigid backbone structure. Similar information was obtained for a collection of model proteins, lysozyme, bovine serum albumin (BSA), polygalacturonase, aminopeptidase, chymosin, aspartic protease, beta‐galactosidase, human immunoglobulin G, and lactoferrin, were evaluated in the hydrated and in the dehydrated state. Based on the mentioned experimental data, calculations were performed to obtain the (interfacial) energy versus distance profiles of nine individual (model) proteins on (commercial) beads of three different types. All of these beads harbored the phenyl‐ligand onto a matrix of differentiated chemical nature. Extended Derjaguin, Landau, Verwey, and Overbeek (DLVO) calculations were correlated with actual chromatographic behavior. Typical chromatography conditions were employed. The population of model proteins utilized in this study could be segregated into two groups, according to the minimum values observed for the resulting interaction energy pockets and the corresponding retention volumes (or times) during chromatography. Moreover, trends were also identified as a function of the type of adsorbent bead under consideration. This has revealed the influence of the physicochemical nature of the bead structure on the adsorption process and consequently, on the expected separation behavior.
Separation of polystyrenes by means of open tubular capillary chromatography
Authors: Korolev Alexander A. , Viktorova Elena N. , Orekhov Vladimir A. , Kanatyeva Anastasiya Yu. , Kurganov Alexander A.
Published: June 2012

Simulating polymer separation in flow‐through channels of monolithic columns, separation of a mixture of polystyrene standards was investigated using open tubular capillary column of 2 μm inner diameter. High column efficiency was observed for polymers of molar mass ranged from few tens to few hundred kDas. Column efficiency significantly decreased for polymers with molar mass larger than 500 kDa nevertheless preserving value of few tens of thousands theoretical plates. Calibration curve observed for open capillary column is rather steep and can be well described by simple equation without quadratic term. In spite of low selectivity, capillary columns were able in separating wide range of polystyrene standards due to column high efficiency and in such a way supported an idea of hydrodynamic mechanism of polymer separation in flow‐through channel of monolithic packings.
In vitro metabolism of corydaline in human liver microsomes and hepatocytes using liquid chromatography‐ion trap mass spectrometry
Authors: Ji Hye Young , Lee Hyeri , Kim Jeong‐Han , Kim Ki Hyun , Lee Kang Ro , Shim Hyun Joo , Son Miwon , Lee Hye Suk
Published: June 2012

Corydaline is a pharmacologically active isoquinoline alkaloid isolated from Corydalis tubers. It exhibits the antiacetylcholinesterase, antiallergic, antinociceptive, and gastric emptying activities. The purposes of this study were to establish in vitro metabolic pathways of corydaline in human liver microsomes and hepatocytes by identification of their metabolites using liquid chromatography‐ion trap mass spectrometry. Human liver microsomal incubation of corydaline in the presence of an NADPH‐generating system resulted in the formation of nine metabolites, namely, four O‐desmethylcorydaline [M1 (yuanhunine), M2 (9‐O‐desmethylcorydaline), M3 (isocorybulbine), and M4 (corybulbine)], three di‐O‐desmethylcorydaline [M5 (9,10‐di‐O‐desmethylcorydaline), M6 (2,10‐di‐O‐desmethylcorydaline), and M7 (3,10‐di‐O‐desmethylcorydaline)], M8 (hydroxyyuanhunine), and M9 (hydroxycorydaline). Incubation of corydaline in human hepatocytes produced four metabolites including M1, M5, M6, and M9. O‐Demethylation and hydroxylation were the major metabolic pathways for the metabolism of corydaline in human liver microsomes and hepatocytes.
Photodynamic therapy of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia 1–3 and human papilloma virus (HPV) infection with methylaminolevulinate and hexaminolevulinate—A double‐blind, dose‐finding study
Authors: Soergel Philipp , Dahl Gunn Fallås , Onsrud Mathias , Hillemanns Peter
Published: June 2012

Introduction

Cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) 1–3 is the precursor of invasive cervical cancer and associated with human papillomavirus infection. Standard treatment is surgical and may be associated with subsequent pregnancy complications. Photodynamic therapy (PDT) of CIN may be an interesting alternative.

Material and Methods

Patients were treated by PDT using hexaminolevulinate (HAL) and methylaminolevulinate in six dose and light groups and two incubation periods in a double‐blind setting. Follow‐up examinations were performed after 3, 6, and 12 months with histology, cytology, and HPV testing.

Results

We included eight patients with CIN1, 23 with CIN2, and 36 with CIN3. Treatment was well tolerated. HAL 40 mM with 3‐hour application turned out to be the most‐effective group with 67% (10/15) complete response rate. The combined complete and partial response for patients with CIN2 was 83% (20/24).

Conclusion

PDT with CIN may be a safe and effective procedure for CIN treatment. Lasers Surg. Med. 44: 468–474, 2012. © Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Differential effect of dopa and subthalamic stimulation on vestibular activity in Parkinson's disease
Authors: Pötter‐Nerger Monika , Reich Martin M. , Colebatch James G. , Deuschl G. , Volkmann Jens
Published: June 2012

Postural disturbances in advanced Parkinson's disease are less responsive to therapy than other cardinal motor signs. The vestibulocollic reflex represents one brain‐stem neuronal circuit involved in postural adjustments. The objective of this study was to investigate the vestibulocollic reflex in parkinsonian patients and the effects of subthalamic stimulation and dopa by recording vestibular‐evoked myogenic potentials. After overnight withdrawal of medication, 20 patients with Parkinson's disease with (6 men, 4 women; mean age, 64.4 ± 2.2 years) or without (8 men, 2 women; mean age, 62.7 ± 3.9 years) implanted subthalamic electrodes in different treatment conditions were compared with 10 age‐matched controls (5 men, 5 women; mean age, 59.6 ± 2.4 years). Vestibular‐evoked myogenic potentials were recorded by electromyographic surface electrodes applied to both sternocleidomastoid muscles (band‐pass filter, 8–1600 Hz; sampling rate, 5 kHz) and averaged in response to bilateral auditory tone bursts (120 dB SPL; sine waves, 7 ms; 1000 Hz) applied through earphones. Adjusted vestibular‐evoked myogenic potential amplitudes were significantly smaller in parkinsonian patients than in controls, in particular in patients without surgery. Administration of dopa, but not subthalamic stimulation, significantly increased amplitudes. Onset latencies were similar for all groups and treatment conditions. Decreased vestibular‐evoked myogenic potential amplitudes in parkinsonian patients suggest reduced vestibular nuclei excitability within the brain stem, which is modulated by dopa but not by subthalamic stimulation. This suggests different pathways for the action of both treatment modalities in Parkinson's disease and may explain clinical differences in terms of postural disturbances. © 2012 Movement Disorder Society
Impairment of brain vessels may contribute to mortality in patients with Parkinson's disease
Authors: Rektor Ivan , Goldemund David , Bednařík Petr , Sheardová Kateřina , Michálková Zuzana , Telecká Sabina , Dufek Michal , Rektorová Irena
Published: June 2012

Background:

The effect of brain‐vessel pathology on mortality in 57 consecutive PD patients was studied.

Methods:

Baseline clinical, neuropsychological, ultrasonographic (US), and MR data obtained from patients who died (n = 18) during a 4‐year follow‐up period were compared with the data of patients who survived.

Results:

US/MRI data displayed a more‐severe vascular impairment in deceased patients. Differences were significant between both groups with respect to age, clinical and cognitive status, intima‐media thickness, and resistance index (indicators of large and small vessel impairment). The sum score of white‐matter hyperintensities was significantly higher among decedents. A cluster analysis displayed two clusters that differed in the two parameters (i.e. in age and in sum score).

Conclusions:

This study provides evidence that comorbid atherosclerosis and otherwise subclinical impairment of brain vessels may contribute to mortality in PD. The vascular pathology may act in association with other comorbidities on the terrain of progressive neurodegenerative pathology. © 2012 Movement Disorder Society
Changes on brief cognitive instruments over time in Parkinson's disease
Authors: Lessig Stephanie , Nie Dong , Xu Ronghui , Corey‐Bloom Jody
Published: June 2012

Two hundred and twenty‐one subjects with Parkinson's disease (PD) were examined using the Mini–Mental Status Examination (MMSE) and Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA), with a subset of these (n = 98) examined on repeat testing up to 3 years. The MoCA was more sensitive in identifying cognitive deficit, specifically in the domains of visuospatial abilities, language, and memory. In longitudinal study, the MMSE changed significantly over time, particularly in patients with disease duration of >10 years. The MoCA, however, did not change significantly, even when subjects were stratified by age, MMSE score, and disease duration. This suggests that the MoCA may be more sensitive for detecting early cognitive change in PD, but that the MMSE, and not the MoCA, may be better for tracking cognitive decline. © 2012 Movement Disorder Society
Complex B1 mapping and electrical properties imaging of the human brain using a 16‐channel transceiver coil at 7T
Authors: Zhang Xiaotong , de Moortele Pierre‐Francois Van , Schmitter Sebastian , He Bin
Published: June 2012

The electric properties of biological tissue provide important diagnostic information within radio and microwave frequencies, and also play an important role in specific absorption rate calculation which is a major safety concern at ultrahigh field. The recently proposed electrical properties tomography (EPT) technique aims to reconstruct electric properties in biological tissues based on B1 measurement. However, for individual coil element in multichannel transceiver coil which is increasingly utilized at ultrahigh field, current B1‐mapping techniques could not provide adequate information (magnitude and absolute phase) of complex transmit and receive B1 which are essential for electrical properties tomography, electric field, and quantitative specific absorption rate assessment. In this study, using a 16‐channel transceiver coil at 7T, based on hybrid B1‐mapping techniques within the human brain, a complex B1‐mapping method has been developed, and in vivo electric properties imaging of the human brain has been demonstrated by applying a logarithm‐based inverse algorithm. Computer simulation studies as well as phantom and human experiments have been conducted at 7T. The average bias and standard deviation for reconstructed conductivity in vivo were 28% and 67%, and 10% and 43% for relative permittivity, respectively. The present results suggest the feasibility and reliability of proposed complex B1‐mapping technique and electric properties reconstruction method. Magn Reson Med, 2013. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
A B‐spline approach to phase unwrapping in tagged cardiac MRI for motion tracking
Authors: Chiang Patricia , Cai Yiyu , Mak Koon Hou , Zheng Jianmin
Published: June 2012

A novel B‐Spline based approach to phase unwrapping in tagged magnetic resonance images is proposed for cardiac motion tracking. A bicubic B‐spline surface is used to model the absolute phase. The phase unwrapping problem is formulated as a mixed integer optimization problem that minimizes the sum of the difference between the spatial gradients of absolute and wrapped phases, and the difference between the rewrapped and wrapped phases. In contrast to the existing techniques for motion tracking, the proposed approach can overcome the limitation of interframe half‐tag displacement and increase the robustness of motion tracking. The article further presents a hybrid harmonic phase imaging‐B‐spline method to take the advantage of the harmonic phase imaging method for small motion and the efficiency of the B‐Spline approach for large motion. The proposed approach has been successively applied to a full set of cardiac MRI scans in both long and short axis slices with superior performance when compared with the harmonic phase imaging and quality guided path‐following methods. Magn Reson Med, 2013. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
4‐T 7Li 3D MR spectroscopy imaging in the brains of bipolar disorder subjects
Authors: Lee Jing‐Huei , Adler Caleb , Norris Matthew , Chu Wen‐Jang , Fugate Elizabeth M. , Strakowski Stephen M. , Komoroski Richard A.
Published: June 2012

This work demonstrates the first whole brain “high spatial resolution” 7Li MR spectroscopy imaging in bipolar disorder subjects. The in vivo quantification is validated by a phantom containing 5 mM lithium salt using the identical radiofrequency sequence and imaging protocol. This study is the first demonstration of the 7Li distribution in the brain of bipolar disorder patients on lithium therapy using a 3D MR spectroscopy imaging approach. The results show that brain lithium level is strongly correlated with serum lithium concentration. The brain‐to‐serum lithium ratios for the average brain and the local maximum were 0.39 ± 0.08 (r = 0.93) and 0.92 ± 0.16 (r = 0.90), respectively. The lithium distribution is found to be nonuniform throughout the brain for all patients, which is somewhat unexpected and highly intriguing. This uneven distribution is more evident in subjects at a higher therapeutic serum lithium level. This finding may suggest that lithium targets specific brain tissues and/or certain enzymatic and macromolecular sites that are associated with therapeutic effect. Further investigations of bipolar disorder patients on lithium therapy using 3D 7Li MR spectroscopy imaging are warranted. Magn Reson Med, 2012. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Immobilization of metal nanoparticles on polyurethane membranes: synthesis and electrical properties
Authors: Valodkar Mayur , Rathore Puran Singh , Sharma Poonam , Kanchan Dinesh , Patel Mehul , Thakore Sonal
Published: June 2012

Ag and Cu nanoparticles were immobilized into crosslinked polyurethane (PU) membranes by taking advantage of the swelling characteristics of the membranes. The formation, shape and size of the nanoparticles inside the post‐swollen PU membranes were observed by transmission electron microscopy and atomic force microscopy. X‐ray diffraction indicated the presence of the pure Ag and Cu embedded in the amorphous PU matrix. Because of their compatibility, the nanoparticles improved the thermal stability and increased the glass transition temperature of PU. The membranes exhibited interesting conducting behavior with increasing temperature. The metal immobilization increased the ionic conductivity which further increased with temperature, with an activation energy of 0.15 eV indicating a thermally activated conduction mechanism. The optical and electrical properties of these starch‐based membranes can be utilized in the development of novel sensors for biomedical applications. Copyright © 2012 Society of Chemical Industry
Crystallization behavior and morphology of double crystalline poly(trimethylene terephthalate)/poly(ethylene oxide terephthalate) copolymers
Authors: Chen Zhenming , Liu Yan , Yao Chenguang , Yang Guisheng
Published: June 2012

Double crystalline poly(trimethylene terephthalate)/poly(ethylene oxide terephthalate) copolymers (PTT/PEOT), with PTT content ranging from 16.5 to 65.5 wt%, were synthesized by melt copolycondensation. The morphological transformation of samples from microphase separation to macrophase separation was investigated by gel permeation chromatography and transmission electron microscopy. Differential scanning calorimetry and in situ wide‐angle X‐ray diffraction suggested that all copolycondensation samples displayed double crystalline behavior. The melt‐crystallization peak temperatures (Tm, c values) of PTT chains monotonously increased with increasing PTT content and were higher than that of homo‐PTT when the content of PTT was above 30.6 wt%. Interestingly, Tm, c values of PEOT chains were also increased with increasing PTT content. Polarized optical microscopy revealed that all copolycondensation samples studied could form ring‐banded spherulites and band spacing increased with increasing Tc values. In addition, band spacing decreased with increasing PTT content at a given Tc. Strangely, although PEOT was the main component in all copolycondensation samples, spherulitic morphology formed by the advance crystallization of PTT did not change after PEOT crystallization. Only a subtle change of quadrant tones was detected. © 2012 Society of Chemical Industry
Curriculum as motivation for gifted students
Authors: Little Catherine A.
Published: June 2012

Curriculum is the framework around which much of students' school experience is structured; it represents expectations for growth and learning and demonstrates what is valued within the learning environment. The degree to which curriculum is motivating for gifted students depends in part on the individual student and how his or her goals and values align with those in the environment. This article explores the interplay between the school curriculum and the motivations of gifted students to engage with it. Key concepts include achievement goal orientation, challenge and meaningfulness in the curriculum, and boredom and interest, with attention to the interplay among all of these concepts. A summary of recommendations regarding appropriate curriculum for advanced learners is provided. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Characterization of Pyrogenic Powders with Conventional Particle Sizing Technique: II. Experimental Data
Authors: Babick Frank , Vorbau Manuel , Stintz Michael
Published: June 2012

When the impact of an aggregate's structure on its physical properties is adequately accounted for, it is possible to use those properties for quantifying the structure. A recent paper [1] has discussed such structure‐property‐relationships for pyrogenic powders. Based on them a calculation scheme is proposed that allow the analysis of size distributions from Dynamic Light Scattering (DLS) and Optical Centrifugation Analysis (OCA) with regard to the translational hydrodynamic diameter, the diameter of gyration and the aggregation number. The scheme includes the conversion from optically weighted to number weighted distributions. The performance of this calculation scheme is tested for different grades of fumed silica, which were analyzed by two DLS and one OCA instrument. A fairly good agreement is observed with regard to medians of the distribution functions. The paper shows that differences in size distributions obtained by different measurement techniques may not only explained qualitatively but can even quantitatively traced back to distribution functions of structural aggregate parameters.
Lymphomatoid granulomatosis: A rare cause of cavitatory lung disease in an HIV positive child
Authors: Gray Taryn C. , van Wyk Abraham C. , Goussard P. , Gie Robert P.
Published: June 2012

We present an unusual cause of lung cavitation and a neck mass in an HIV positive child, initially thought to be tuberculosis. This case report illustrates that the cause for cavitatory lung disease in immunosuppressed children has a large number of possibilities and careful investigation to determine the etiological agent is warranted. Pediatr Pulmonol. 2013; 48:202–205. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Null genotypes at the GSTM1 and GSTT1 genes and the risk of benign prostatic hyperplasia: A case–control study and a meta‐analysis
Authors: Choubey Vimal Kumar , Sankhwar Satya Narayan , Tewari Reshu , Sankhwar Pushplata , Singh Bhupendra Pal , Rajender Singh
Published: June 2012

BACKGROUND

Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is an age related non‐malignant disease diagnosed as lower urinary tract symptoms and prostatic enlargement. Null genotypes in drug detoxification glutathione‐S‐transferase genes/enzymes, such as GSTT1 and GSTM1 have been reported to increase risk of several cancers including prostate. Meta‐analysis on PC also suggested significant impact of GSTM1 null genotype but not that of GSTT1; however, BPH data have not been subjected to meta‐analysis.

METHODS

We investigated GSTT1 and GSTM1 genotypes in 429 subjects which included 244 BPH, 51 prostate cancer (PC) patients, and 134 control subjects to find if null genotype in any of the two genes increased the risk of BPH/PC. We also performed a quantitative meta‐analysis on 888 BPH cases and 793 controls for GSTM1 and on 890 BPH cases and 793 controls for GSTT1 to assess overall consensus about the impact of null genotypes on BPH risk.

RESULTS

We did not find any significant difference in the distribution of genotypes of either of the two genes between BPH/PC cases and controls; however, double deletion (GSTM1 null + GSTT1 null) increased BPH risk, significantly. Upon meta‐analysis, null genotype of GSTM1 but not that of GSTT1 appeared to strongly affect BPH risk.

CONCLUSIONS

In our population, null genotypes of either GSTM1 or GSTT1 do not appear to affect BPH risk; however, the double deletion was significantly associated with BPH. Meta‐analysis suggested significant influence of GSTM1 null genotype but not that of GSTT1 on BPH risk. Prostate 73: 146–152, 2013. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Controlling model error of underdamped forecast models in sparse observational networks using a variance‐limiting Kalman filter
Authors: Mitchell Lewis , Gottwald Georg A.
Published: June 2012

The problem of controlling covariance overestimation due to underdamped forecast models and sparsity of the observational network in an ensemble Kalman filter setting is considered. It is shown in a variational setting that limiting the analysis‐error covariance to stay below the climatological value and driving the mean towards the climatological mean for the unobserved variables can significantly improve analysis skill over standard ensemble Kalman filters. These issues are explored for a Lorenz‐96 system. It is shown that, for large observation intervals, the climatological information assures that the statistical properties of the unobserved variables are recovered, providing superior analysis skill. This skill improvement is increased for larger observational noise. Copyright © 2012 Royal Meteorological Society
Forest energy procurement: state of the art in Finland and Sweden
Authors: Routa Johanna , Asikainen Antti , Björheden Rolf , Laitila Juha , Röser Dominik
Published: June 2012

The EU should produce 20% of their energy from renewable sources, including bioenergy, by 2020. Each member state has their own target, for example, Finland should produce 38% and Sweden 49% of their energy from renewable sources by 2020. In this context, the development of forest energy utilization and more effective and economic supply systems plays an important role in both countries. The Nordic countries are the world leaders in the utilization of forest biomass for energy production. This paper provides a short overview of the driving forces behind the current technical solutions of forest energy procurement systems in Finland and Sweden and some perspectives on possible future developments. At the moment, the by‐products from forest industries (e.g., sawdust, black liquor) have a high degree of utilization in both countries. Additional raw materials for energy production include logging residues, stump and root wood, small diameter wood, and other wood not in demand by the traditional forest industries. Forest energy supply chains may be characterized based on the location of comminution into roadside comminution, terminal comminution, or comminution at a plant. The productivity of the generally highly sophisticated and costly procurement machinery is, to a large extent, dependent on the operator's skills and thus new technological solutions should be developed to improve their usability and consequently efficiency.

This article is categorized under:

Bioenergy > Economics and Policy
Tissue-Specific Temporal Exome Capture Revealed Muscle-Specific Genes and SNPs in Indian Buffalo (Bubalus Bubalis)
Authors: Jakhesara Subhash J. , Ahir Viral B. , Padiya Ketan B. , Koringa Prakash G. , Rank Dharamshibhai N. , Joshi Chaitanya G.
Published: June 2012

Whole genome sequencing of buffalo is yet to be completed, and in the near future it may not be possible to identify an exome (coding region of genome) through bioinformatics for designing probes to capture it. In the present study, we employed in solution hybridization to sequence tissue specific temporal exomes (TST exome) in buffalo. We utilized cDNA prepared from buffalo muscle tissue as a probe to capture TST exomes from the buffalo genome. This resulted in a prominent reduction of repeat sequences (up to 40%) and an enrichment of coding sequences (up to 60%). Enriched targets were sequenced on a 454 pyro-sequencing platform, generating 101,244 reads containing 24,127,779 high quality bases. The data revealed 40,100 variations, of which 403 were indels and 39,218 SNPs containing 195 nonsynonymous candidate SNPs in protein-coding regions. The study has indicated that 80% of the total genes identified from capture data were expressed in muscle tissue. The present study is the first of its kind to sequence TST exomes captured by use of cDNA molecules for SNPs found in the coding region without any prior sequence information of targeted molecules.
Brand Performances in Social Media
Authors: Singh Sangeeta , Sonnenburg Stephan
Published: June 2012

The branding literature has long recognized the power of storytelling to provide meaning to the brand and practitioners have used storytelling to enhance consumers’ connections with brands. The premise of brand storytelling has been that the story and its content, production, and distribution are the brand owner's realm and the consumer primarily a listener. The emergence of social media has changed the consumers’ role in storytelling from that of a passive listener to a more active participant. Our paper uses the metaphor of improvisation (improv) theater to show that in social media brand owners do not tell brand stories alone but co-create brand performances in collaboration with the consumers. The first and foremost contribution of such a conceptualization is that it offers a semantic framework that resolves issues in storytelling, demonstrates the necessity of co-creation in storytelling, and identifies the core of an inspiring story. The improv theater metaphor also helps identify the following three propositions relevant for branding in social media: (i) the process of improvisation is more important than the output, (ii) managing brands is about keeping the brand performance alive, and (iii) understanding the audience and its roles is the prerequisite for a successful brand performance.
Walk‐In Counselling Services: Making the Most of One Hour
Authors: Slive Arnold , Bobele Monte
Published: June 2012

This article describes walk‐in single session counselling, a form of service delivery that enables clients to receive one session of counselling without the usual hurdles of intake and wait times. We distinguish between walk‐in counselling and single session therapy by appointment. We describe a mindset for therapists that supports walk‐in work. We also describe the workings of a walk‐in session using a transcript, with commentary, of an actual session. Benefits and possible applications of the walk‐in counselling concept are discussed.
Single Session Social Work in Hospitals
Authors: Gibbons Jill , Plath Debbie
Published: June 2012

This paper reports on three complementary research studies that set out to examine the incidence and nature of single sessions in hospital social work practice. The first study was a data‐mining exercise that used statistics recorded by practitioners in nine public hospitals over a 12‐month period to establish the extent of single session work, the clinical areas in which it occurred, and the types of issues it covered. This quantitative information was enhanced with the qualitative findings of the two subsequent studies: the first with hospital social workers; and the second with singlesession clients. We concluded that single session work has not been sufficiently acknowledged in social work education and literature, and that it needs to become a more legitimate part of social work practice and training. At best, it represents social work at its highest level of skill, requiring expertise in quickly building rapport, assessment, and knowledge about sources of practical aid and information.
Reflections and Learning From an Agency‐Wide Implementation of Single Session Work in Family Therapy
Authors: O'Neill Imogen , Rottem Naomi
Published: June 2012

In November 2009, the Bouverie Centre, a centre for training, research, and clinical family therapy in Melbourne, Australia, embarked on a 12‐month trial involving the implementation of single session work as our main model of service provision for all new family appointments. We were interested in evaluating clients' and therapists' experiences of this change in our clinical service delivery. This article discusses some clinical dilemmas that arose for staff in this process, and how they were addressed. Clients' responses to single session work are outlined, followed by a discussion of outcomes of the implementation for our organisation.
Mining microarray datasets in nutrition: expression of the GPR120 (n-3 fatty acid receptor/sensor) gene is down-regulated in human adipocytes by macrophage secretions
Authors: Trayhurn Paul , Denyer Gareth
Published: June 2012

Microarray datasets are a rich source of information in nutritional investigation. Targeted mining of microarray data following initial, non-biased bioinformatic analysis can provide key insight into specific genes and metabolic processes of interest. Microarrays from human adipocytes were examined to explore the effects of macrophage secretions on the expression of the G-protein-coupled receptor (GPR) genes that encode fatty acid receptors/sensors. Exposure of the adipocytes to macrophage-conditioned medium for 4 or 24 h had no effect on GPR40 and GPR43 expression, but there was a marked stimulation of GPR84 expression (receptor for medium-chain fatty acids), the mRNA level increasing 13·5-fold at 24 h relative to unconditioned medium. Importantly, expression of GPR120, which encodes an n-3 PUFA receptor/sensor, was strongly inhibited by the conditioned medium (15-fold decrease in mRNA at 24 h). Macrophage secretions have major effects on the expression of fatty acid receptor/sensor genes in human adipocytes, which may lead to an augmentation of the inflammatory response in adipose tissue in obesity.
Increased salience of gainsversusdecreased associative learning differentiate bipolar disorder from schizophrenia during incentive decision making
Authors: Brambilla P. , Perlini C. , Bellani M. , Tomelleri L. , Ferro A. , Cerruti S. , Marinelli V. , Rambaldelli G. , Christodoulou T. , Jogia J. , Dima D. , Tansella M. , Balestrieri M. , Frangou S.
Published: June 2012

Background

Abnormalities in incentive decision making, typically assessed using the Iowa Gambling Task (IGT), have been reported in both schizophrenia (SZ) and bipolar disorder (BD). We applied the Expectancy–Valence (E–V) model to determine whether motivational, cognitive and response selection component processes of IGT performance are differentially affected in SZ and BD.

Method

Performance on the IGT was assessed in 280 individuals comprising 70 remitted patients with SZ, 70 remitted patients with BD and 140 age-, sex- and IQ-matched healthy individuals. Based on the E–V model, we extracted three parameters, ‘attention to gains or loses’, ‘expectancy learning’ and ‘response consistency’, that respectively reflect motivational, cognitive and response selection influences on IGT performance.

Results

Both patient groups underperformed in the IGT compared to healthy individuals. However, the source of these deficits was diagnosis specific. Associative learning underlying the representation of expectancies was disrupted in SZ whereas BD was associated with increased incentive salience of gains. These findings were not attributable to non-specific effects of sex, IQ, psychopathology or medication.

Conclusions

Our results point to dissociable processes underlying abnormal incentive decision making in BD and SZ that could potentially be mapped to different neural circuits.
Epiphanius of Salamis and the Scotti: New Evidence for Late Roman-Irish Relations
Authors: Rance Philip
Published: June 2012

A survey of the written evidence for attacks by Scotti on fourth-century Roman Britain provides a historical context for the introduction of two hitherto overlooked references to Scotti in the works of Epiphanius, Bishop of Salamis on Cyprus (c.a.d. 315–403). Examination of Epiphanius'AncoratusandPanarionconfirms that he inserted the ethnonym Σκόττοι into patristic source-material in the early 370s. These passages claim attention as unique testimony to the Scotti in Greek literature and the second earliest witness to this term in Roman sources. Their date prompts the conjecture that thebarbarica conspiratiothat beset Britain ina.d. 367–68/9 was a widely reported event even before its significance was magnified by Theodosian dynastic propaganda.
Real-Time Integrity Monitoring of a Dead Reckoning Personal Navigator Using a Two-Stage Neural Kalman Filter
Authors: Moafipoor S. , Grejner-Brzezinska D. A. , Toth C. K.
Published: June 2012

The basic idea of a dead reckoning personal navigator is to integrate incremental motion information in the forms of step length and step direction over time. Considering that the displacement components are estimated for each step-cycle, it is essential to monitor the integrity of these parameters; otherwise, the error accumulation may render the system unstable. In this paper, a two-stage Kalman Filter (KF) augmented by a neural network is developed to facilitate integrity monitoring. The preliminary results, obtained from several tests performed on simulated and real-word data, indicate an 80% success rate in integrity monitoring.
Nasal carriage of Streptococcus pneumoniae serotypes and Staphylococcus aureus in Streptococcus pneumoniae-vaccinated and non-vaccinated young children
Authors: DUKERS-MUIJRERS N. H. T. M. , STOBBERINGH E. , BEISSER P. , BOESTEN R. C. H. , JACOBS P. , HOEBE C. J. P. A.
Published: June 2012

Since the implementation of Streptococcus pneumoniae (SPn) conjugate vaccination (PCV), non-vaccine types have prevailed in invasive pneumococcal disease (IPD), and an increase in Staphylococcus aureus (SA) burden has been suggested. Here, we assess the epidemiology of SA and SPn nasal carriage in 620 children at day-care centres; 141 of these children had received 1–4 PCV7 doses. A higher vaccine dosage was associated with non-vaccine-type SPn carriage. Of all SPn isolates, 45% were PCV7 types, 1% were additional PCV10 types and 22% were the three additional PCV13 types. SA carriage was inversely associated with vaccine-type SPn carriage. SPn serotype 19A showed higher SA co-carriage rates compared to other SPn serotypes. PCV7 implementation does not prevent children from being part of the IPD-related SPn transmission chain. These results contribute to the monitoring of SA- and SPn-related disease and add to the debate on the current national vaccination policy that recently included a change from PCV7 to PCV10.
Distal Sensory Polyneuropathy is Associated with Neuropsychological Test Performance among Persons with HIV
Authors: Fellows Robert P. , Byrd Desiree A. , Elliott Kathryn , Robinson-Papp Jessica , Mindt Monica Rivera , Morgello Susan
Published: June 2012

While distal sensory polyneuropathy (DSP) is the most common neurological condition associated with HIV, causing nerve damage in upper and lower extremities, its impact on neuropsychological test performance is unclear. In this study, we analyzed baseline data for 278 HIV-infected participants with comprehensive neurological and neurocognitive evaluations to examine the contribution of DSP and anatomic distribution of neuropathic signs (upper extremity or lower extremity) on standardized domain scores. We found that participants with DSP performed significantly worse in multiple domains containing timed psychomotor tests (i.e., motor, information processing speed and executive functioning). With regard to executive functioning, differences were limited to a test with a motor component (Trail Making Test, Part B). The group with clinically detectable neuropathic signs in the upper extremities and the group with signs limited to the lower extremities both performed worse in the motor domain than the group without DSP. Participants with DSP demonstrated a unique pattern of impairment limited to neuropsychological domains with timed psychomotor tests. These results suggest that caution should be used in interpretation of neuropsychological tests in patients with DSP, as some abnormalities may be exacerbated by peripheral nervous system pathology. (JINS, 2012,19, 1–10)
Parental education and frequency of food consumption in European children: the IDEFICS study
Authors: Fernández-Alvira Juan Miguel , Mouratidou Theodora , Bammann Karin , Hebestreit Antje , Barba Gianvincenzo , Sieri Sabina , Reisch Lucia , Eiben Gabriele , Hadjigeorgiou Charalampos , Kovacs Eva , Huybrechts Inge , Moreno Luis A
Published: June 2012

Objective

To assess the relationship between parental education level and the consumption frequency of obesity-related foods in European children.

Design

The analysis was based on data from the cross-sectional baseline survey of a prospective cohort study. The effects of parental education on food consumption were explored using analysis of covariance and logistic regression.

Setting

Primary schools and pre-schools of selected regions in Italy, Estonia, Cyprus, Belgium, Sweden, Hungary, Germany and Spain.

Subjects

Participants (n 14 426) of the IDEFICS baseline cohort study aged 2 to 9 years.

Results

Parental education level affected the intake of obesity-related foods in children. Children in the low and medium parental education level groups had lower odds of more frequently eating low-sugar and low-fat foods (vegetables, fruits, pasta/noodles/rice and wholemeal bread) and higher odds of more frequently eating high-sugar and high-fat foods (fried potatoes, fruits with sugar and nuts, snacks/desserts and sugared beverages; P < 0·001). The largest odds ratio differences were found in the low category (reference category: high) for vegetables (OR = 0·56; 95 % CI 0·47, 0·65), fruits (OR = 0·56; 95 % CI 0·48, 0·65), fruits with sugar and nuts (OR = 2·23; 95 % CI 1·92, 2·59) and sugared beverages (OR = 2·01; 95 % CI 1·77, 2·37).

Conclusions

Low parental education level was associated with intakes of sugar-rich and fatty foods among children, while high parental education level was associated with intakes of low-sugar and low-fat foods. These findings should be taken into account in public health interventions, with more targeted policies aiming at an improvement of children's diet.
Environmental Transmission Electron Microscopy in an Aberration-Corrected Environment
Authors: Hansen Thomas W. , Wagner Jakob B.
Published: June 2012

The increasing use of environmental transmission electron microscopy (ETEM) in materials science provides exciting new possibilities for investigating chemical reactions and understanding both the interaction of fast electrons with gas molecules and the effect of the presence of gas on high-resolution imaging. A gaseous atmosphere in the pole-piece gap of the objective lens of the microscope alters both the incoming electron wave prior to interaction with the sample and the outgoing wave below the sample. Whereas conventional TEM samples are usually thin (below 100 nm), the gas in the environmental cell fills the entire gap between the pole pieces and is thus not spatially localized. By using an FEI Titan environmental transmission electron microscope equipped with a monochromator and an aberration corrector on the objective lens, we have investigated the effects on imaging and spectroscopy caused by the presence of the gas.
Subsurface structure of the Solfatara volcano (Campi Flegrei caldera, Italy) as deduced from joint seismic‐noise array, volcanological and morphostructural analysis
Authors: Petrosino Simona , Damiano Norma , Cusano Paola , Di Vito Mauro Antonio , de Vita Sandro , Del Pezzo Edoardo
Published: June 2012

The joint application of different seismological techniques for seismic noise analysis, and the results of a volcanological and morphostructural survey, have allowed us to obtain a detailed and well constrained image of the shallow crustal structure of the Solfatara volcano (Campi Flegrei caldera, Italy). Horizontal‐to‐vertical spectral ratios, inversion of surface wave dispersion curves and polarization analysis provided resonance frequencies and peak amplitudes, shear wave velocity profiles and polarization pattern of coherent ambient noise. These results, combined in a unique framework, indicate that the volcanic edifice is characterized by lateral and vertical discontinuities and heterogeneities in terms of shear wave velocity, lithological contrasts and structural setting. The interpretation of the seismological results, with the volcanological and morphostructural constraints, supports the hypothesis that the volcano has been characterized by a complex and intense activity, with the alternation of constructive and destructive phases, during which magmatic and phreatomagmatic explosions built a complex tuff‐cone, later reworked by atmospheric agents and altered by hydrothermal activity. The differences in the velocity structure between the central and eastern parts of the crater have been interpreted as resulting from a possible eastward migration of the eruptive vent along the deformational features affecting the area, and to the presence of viscous lava and lithified tuff bodies within the feeding conduits, which are buried under a covering of reworked materials of variable thickness. The observed fault and fracture systems, partially inherited from regional structural setting and exhumed during volcanism and ground deformation episodes also seems to strongly control wave propagation, affecting the noise polarization properties.