bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
'Pork' Spending, Place Names, and Political Stature in West Virginia
Authors: Hagen Joshua
Published: November 2007

As a longtime member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, Senator Robert C. Byrd has earned a reputation for successfully procuring supplemental federal spending for West Virginia. Indeed, Byrd has become nearly synonymous with 'pork barrel' spending in both the national and West Virginia press. This article attempts to elucidate the connections between pork spending, honorary place names, and political stature by focusing on Senator Byrd's efforts since 1989. After describing illustrative spending projects related to transportation and higher education, this article suggests how these expenditures may affect economic growth, electoral results, and political stature. While the economic impact of pork in this case is debatable, it is likely that its political significance, especially the practice of naming projects after Senator Byrd, plays a more substantive role.
Ten People Can't Run This City Anymore: Neoliberalism and Governance Change in Nashville, Tennessee
Authors: Johansson Ola
Published: November 2007

In an increasingly geographically and economically interdependent urban system, the coherence and dominance of traditional political and economic urban elites in Nashville is challenged. The influx of new capital, new industries, and nationwide neoliberal policies offers changing imperatives of how local capital should be organized to maximize its efficiency. This study indicates that Nashville has shifted from a political system characterized by the dominance of a closed, exclusive power group to broader, inclusive (although still elite dominated) institutions that stress greater concern for strategic planning and long-term growth. In an era of governance rescaling, cities have to adapt their governance institutions to fit the neoliberal paradigm.
Spinning a New Geography of Vernacular Regional Identity: Florida in the Twenty-First Century
Authors: Lamme Ary J. , Oldakowski Raymond K
Published: November 2007

A quarter century ago we surveyed Florida residents in an attempt to locate vernacular regions. Since that time place scholarship and survey methods have changed, and so has the state. This study uses a telephone survey to gauge citizen perceptions of regions. In addition, we use web imagery for representation of the results. This representational mode is chosen in response to the need for an understanding of place that is dynamic, contested and multi-faceted. Our cartographic representation of survey results is intended to give a visual impression of the fibrous nature of perception among Floridians.
Rubbing Elbows in the Big Easy: The Dynamics of Residential Segregation Among Racial and Ethnic Groups in New Orleans, Louisiana, 1990-2000
Authors: Strait John B , Gong Gang , Williams Cherisha N
Published: November 2007

Despite civil rights advances, widespread suburbanization and the increased presence of racial/ethnic minorities within the middle class, most U.S. metropolitan areas remain highly segregated residentially. This research provides an analysis of residential segregation in New Orleans, Louisiana, by investigating changes in two dimensions of segregation evident among the four main racial and/or ethnic groups from 1990 to 2000. Measures of residential exposure were decomposed in order to investigate the relative impacts of metropolitan-wide compositional change and intra-urban redistributive change on segregation. During the 1990s, all non-white groups became increasingly segregated from whites and increasingly integrated with one another. Evidence suggests that whites, Hispanics and Asians exhibited some degree of "ethnic (or racial) self-selectivity" that functioned to concentrate these groups residentially, although these forces were generally overwhelmed by other redistributive and compositional changes. The evidence further suggests that the degree of isolation experienced by African-Americans were strongly impacted by the residential behavior of whites and Hispanics. African-Americans and Asians, however, did increasingly share the same neighborhoods over time.
The Effects of Digital Video Quality on Learner Comprehension in an American Sign Language Assessment Environment
Authors: Hooper Simon , Miller Charles , Rose Susan , Veletsianos George
Published: November 2007

The effects of digital video frame rate and size on American Sign Language (ASL) learner comprehension were investigated. Fifty-one students were randomly assigned to one of three video-size treatment groups: 480×360, 320×240, and 240×180 pixels. Within each treatment, three 30-second videos of signed narratives at frame rates of 6, 12, and 18 frames per second were presented to students. Participants used ASL to retell each story, while a digital video camera captured their performances and archived them for evaluation. Three ASL experts evaluated the video performances and generated a fluency score for each student. The results indicate that frame rate and the interaction between frame rate and ASL level had significant effects on learner comprehension, but video size did not significantly affect comprehension. These results were used to generate frame rate and video-size recommendations for displaying and recording student performance and instructor feedback videos in an ASL performance assessment software environment.
A Look at Teaching Standards in ASL Teacher Preparation Programs
Authors: Jacobowitz E. Lynn
Published: November 2007

As an American Sign Language instructor working with ASL majors at Gallaudet University for twenty years, I became piqued by a few questions: Are there enough ASL teacher preparation programs in the country, and how prepared are their graduates? This article addresses these topics.
Sign Language Acquisition and Use by Single-Generation Deaf Adults in Australia Who Attended Specific Educational Settings for Deaf and Hard of Hearing Children
Authors: Winn Stephen Lamar
Published: November 2007

This article examines the acquisition and use of Australian Sign Language (Auslan) by 53 profoundly deaf adults (31 male, 22 female) who attended educational units for deaf and hard of hearing children. The results indicate that, regardless of age, the acquisition of sign language, particularly Auslan, by deaf people occurred primarily through association with other deaf individuals. Participants reported that little (if any) specific teaching of sign language occurred in these special schools. This had had an impact on the quality of their signing and possibly the extent of their signing lexicon since they would have used home signs and school signs. This study concludes that schools must provide comprehensive instruction in sign language and that it must be taught by qualified teachers who are fluent in Auslan.
Analytical Validation of Serum Proteomic Profiling for Diagnosis of Prostate Cancer: Sources of Sample Bias
Authors: McLerran Dale , Grizzle William E , Feng Ziding , Bigbee William L , Banez Lionel L , Cazares Lisa H , Chan Daniel W , Diaz Jose , Izbicka Elzbieta , Kagan Jacob , Malehorn David E , Malik Gunjan , Oelschlager Denise , Partin Alan , Randolph Timothy , Rosenzweig Nicole , Srivastava Shiv , Srivastava Sudhir , Thompson Ian M , Thornquist Mark , Troyer Dean , Yasui Yutaka , Zhang Zhen , Zhu Liu , Semmes O John
Published: November 2007

Background: This report and a companion report describe a validation of the ability of serum proteomic profiling via SELDI-TOF mass spectrometry to detect prostatic cancer. Details of this 3-stage process have been described. This report describes the development of the algorithm and results of the blinded test for stage 1.

Methods: We derived the decision algorithm used in this study from the analysis of serum samples from patients with prostate cancer (n = 181) and benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) (n = 143) and normal controls (n = 220). We also derived a validation test set from a separate, geographically diverse set of serum samples from 42 prostate cancer patients and 42 controls without prostate cancer. Aliquots were subjected to randomization and blinded analysis, and data from each laboratory site were subjected to the decision algorithm and decoded.

Results: Using the data collected from the validation test set, the decision algorithm was unsuccessful in separating cancer from controls with any predictive utility. Analysis of the experimental data revealed potential sources of bias.

Conclusion: The ability of the decision algorithm to successfully differentiate between prostate cancer, BPH, and control samples using data derived from serum protein profiling was compromised by bias.
Excretion of Methamphetamine and Amphetamine in Human Sweat Following Controlled Oral Methamphetamine Administration
Authors: Barnes Allan J , Smith Michael L , Kacinko Sherri L , Schwilke Eugene W , Cone Edward J , Moolchan Eric T , Huestis Marilyn A
Published: November 2007

Background: Understanding methamphetamine (MAMP) and amphetamine (AMP) excretion in sweat is important for interpreting sweat and hair testing results in judicial, workplace, and drug treatment settings.

Methods: Participants (n = 8) received 4 10-mg (low) oral doses of sustained-release S-(+)-MAMP HCl (d-MAMP HCl) within 1 week in a double-blind, institutional review board–approved study. Five participants also received 4 20-mg (high) doses 3 weeks later. PharmChek sweat patches (n = 682) were worn for periods of 2 h to 1 week during and up to 3 weeks after dosing. The mass of MAMP and AMP in each patch was measured by GC-MS, with a limit of quantification of 2.5 ng/patch.

Results: MAMP was measurable in sweat within 2 h of dosing. After low and high doses, 92.9% and 62.5% of weekly sweat patches were positive, with a median (range) MAMP of 63.0 (16.8–175) and 307 (199–607) ng MAMP/patch, respectively; AMP values were 15.5 (6.5–40.5) and 53.8 (34.0–83.4) ng AMP/patch. Patches applied 2 weeks after the drug administration week had no measurable MAMP following the low doses, and only 1 positive result following the high doses. Using criteria proposed by the Substance Abuse Mental Health Services Administration, 85.7% (low) and 62.5% (high) weekly sweat patches from the dosing week were positive for MAMP, and all patches applied after the dosing week were negative.

Conclusions: These data characterize the excretion of MAMP and AMP after controlled MAMP administration and provide a framework for interpretation of MAMP sweat test results in clinical and forensic settings.
Reactivity of Urinary Albumin (Microalbumin) Assays with Fragmented or Modified Albumin
Authors: Sviridov Denis , Drake Steven K , Hortin Glen L
Published: November 2007

Background: Controversy exists regarding occurrence and measurement of structural variants of albumin in urine. In this study, we examined cross-reactivity of in vitro modified albumins in assays for urine albumin (microalbumin).

Methods: We analyzed albumin modified by reagents, trypsin, or physical treatments or differing in primary sequence (animal albumins) with an immunoturbidimetric assay (Beckman LX20) using goat antiserum and a competitive immunoassay (Siemens Immulite) using a monoclonal antibody. We assessed occurrence of albumin fragments in urine by use of Western blotting of 24 specimens.

Results: Chemical modification, modest sequence substitution (gorilla albumin), or cleavage of albumin by cyanogen bromide (CNBr) had little effect on reactivity in the LX20 assay. Albumin extensively cleaved with trypsin retained partial reactivity. The Immulite assay generally was affected more severely by albumin modifications and sequence changes. Western blots of fresh urine specimens or specimens stored at −80 °C showed little albumin fragmentation, but some specimens stored for 3 years at −20 °C had extensively fragmented albumin that was detected by the LX20 but not the Immulite assay.

Conclusions: Nearly equivalent reactivity of intact albumin and CNBr fragments in the immunoturbidimetric assay indicates reactivity of antibodies with multiple epitopes throughout albumin. Therefore, it is difficult to abolish reactivity of albumin in this type of urine albumin assay. Differential sensitivity of 2 assays to albumin modification identifies a potential source of assay nonequivalence in measuring urinary albumin, particularly for specimens stored at −20 °C.
Association of Cystic Fibrosis Transmembrane Conductance Regulator (CFTR) Mutation/Variant/Haplotype and Tumor Necrosis Factor (TNF) Promoter Polymorphism in Hyperlipidemic Pancreatitis
Authors: Chang Yu-Ting , Chang Ming-Chu , Su Ta-Chen , Liang Po-Chin , Su Yi-Ning , Kuo Chun-Hung , Wei Shu-Chen , Wong Jau-Min
Published: November 2007

Background: The mechanism by which hypertriglyceridemia (HTG) leads to pancreatitis is not clear. We sought to determine whether the genes involved in pancreatic ductal or acinar cell injury, including the cationic trypsinogen gene [protease, serine, 1 (trypsin 1) (PRSS1)], the pancreatic secretory trypsin inhibitor gene [serine peptidase inhibitor, Kazal type 1 (SPINK1)], the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator gene [cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (ATP-binding cassette subfamily C, member 7) (CFTR)], and inflammation genes such as tumor necrosis factor [tumor necrosis factor, TNF superfamily, member 2 (TNF)] are associated with hyperlipidemic pancreatitis (HLP) in patients with HTG.

Methods: We performed genetic analysis of 126 HTG patients in Taiwan (46 with HLP and 80 without HLP). The entire coding and intronic regions of the PRSS1, SPINK1, and CFTR genes were identified by heteroduplex analysis techniques and were confirmed by sequencing analysis. The presence of 125G/C, 1001 + 11C>T, 1540A>G (Met470Val), 2694T>G, and 4521G>A in CFTR, the presence of 272C>T in SPINK1, and TNF promoter polymorphisms (nucleotide positions 1031, 863, 857, 308, and 308) were measured by direct sequencing.

Results: Of the 126 HTG patients, 13 (10.3%) carried a CFTR mutation. No PRSS1 or SPINK1 mutations were detected in our patients or in HTG controls. The CFTR gene mutation rates in HTG with and without HLP were 26.1% (12 of 46) and 1.3% (1 of 80), respectively (P <0.0001). The CFTR gene mutations were all Ile556Val. A multivariate analysis of HTG patients indicated that triglycerides, CFTR 470Val, and TNF promoter 863A were independent risk markers for HLP.

Conclusions: This genetic study is the first one to address the association of HLP with the CFTR mutation/variant/haplotype and TNF promoter polymorphism in a Chinese HTG population. The results suggest that the occurrence of HLP is multifactorial and polygenic.
Quadruplex Genotyping of F5, F2, and MTHFR Variants in a Single Closed Tube by High-Resolution Amplicon Melting
Authors: Seipp Michael T , Pattison David , Durtschi Jacob D , Jama Mohamed , Voelkerding Karl V , Wittwer Carl T
Published: November 2007

Background: Multiplexed amplicon melting is a closed-tube method for genotyping that does not require probes, real-time analysis, asymmetric PCR, or allele-specific PCR; however, correct differentiation of homozygous mutant and wild-type samples by melting temperature (Tm) analysis requires high-resolution melting analysis and controlled reaction conditions.

Methods: We designed 4 amplicons bracketing the F5 [coagulation factor V (proaccelerin, labile factor)] 1691G>A, MTHFR (NADPH) 1298A>C, MTHFR 677C>T, and F2 [coagulation factor II (thrombin)] 20210G>A gene variants to melt at different temperatures by varying amplicon length and adding GC- or AT-rich 5′ tails to selected primers. We used rapid-cycle PCRs with cycles of 19–23 s in the presence of a saturating DNA dye and temperature-correction controls and then conducted a high-resolution melting analysis. Heterozygotes were identified at each locus by curve shape, and homozygous genotypes were assigned by Tm. We blinded samples previously genotyped by other methods before analysis with the multiplex melting assay (n = 110).

Results: All samples were correctly genotyped with the exception of 7 MTHFR 1298 samples with atypical melting profiles that could not be assigned. Sequencing revealed that these 5 heterozygotes and 2 homozygotes contained the unexpected sequence variant MTHFR 1317T>C. The use of temperature-correction controls decreased the Tm SD within homozygotes by a mean of 38%.

Conclusion: Rapid-cycle PCR with high-resolution melting analysis allows simple and accurate multiplex genotyping to at least a factor of 4.
Haptocorrin in humans
Authors: Morkbak Anne L. , Poulsen Steen S. , Nexo Ebba
Published: November 2007

Clin Chem Lab Med 2007;45:1751–9.
Measuring subclinical atherosclerosis: is homocysteine relevant?
Authors: Sarwar Ahmad B. , Sarwar Ammar , Rosen Boaz D. , Nasir Khurram
Published: November 2007

Clin Chem Lab Med 2007;45:1667–77.
Synergism between AT1 receptor and hyperhomocysteinemia during vascular remodeling
Authors: Sen Utpal , Herrmann Markus , Herrmann Wolfgang , Tyagi Suresh C.
Published: November 2007

Clin Chem Lab Med 2007;45:1771–6.
Compliance With Antihypertensive Medication in Chinese Immigrants: Cultural Specific Issues and Theoretical Application
Authors: Li Wen-Wen , Stotts Nancy A. , Froelicher Erika Sivarajan
Published: November 2007

This paper presents a theoretical framework to study medication compliance in Chinese immigrants with hypertension (HTN). The framework was developed from (a) literature review of medication compliance and Chinese cultural belief/practices and (b) critique of major models of health behaviors in persons with chronic illness. Four constructs shape the model: motivation, cultural health perceptions, modifying factors, and cultural health care activities. Among these constructs, cultural health perceptions and health care activities are especially important because these address how Chinese immigrants perceive HTN and antihypertensive treatments and how they manage HTN. Using a culturally sensitive model is important to guide studies of medication compliance in this population and to assist health care providers to support compliance with antihypertensive treatments for Chinese immigrants.
Disciplinary Perspectives on Evidence-Based Practice: The More the Merrier
Authors: Singleton Joanne K. , Levin Rona F. , Keefer Jeffrey
Published: November 2007

A Google search on June 14, 2007, produced 59,700,000 hits for the term evidence based practice. While this is a popular term today in health care, it is most interesting that the use of this term crosses disciplinary boundaries. With the current trend toward interdisciplinary approaches to our work, the question arises: What does evidence-based practice mean and how is it defined and used by various disciplines?
Respecting Culture and Honoring Diversity in Community Practice
Authors: Racher Frances E. , Annis Robert C.
Published: November 2007

Nurses work with individuals, families, groups, and communities where lives are enriched and challenged by cultural diversity. The purpose of this article is to discuss challenges and strategies for respecting culture and honoring diversity. This article diverges from the traditional nursing practice of working with individuals to working with collectives, to community practice beyond individuals and families, beyond community as context, to community as client. Culture and ethnicity are defined to set the stage for discussion of theory and its application to practice. Acculturation theory is explored through comparisons of the Canadian mosaic and American melting pot. Cultural competence, cultural attunement, and cultural humility are examined, and recommendations for effective community practice in working with groups and organizations are shared.
Knowledge Development, Quality Improvement, and Research Ethics
Authors: Redman Richard W.
Published: November 2007

Significant contributions to the improvement of health care have been made through research and quality improvement activities. Scientists are involved in knowledge generation and new forms of evidence as they test or reshape theory. Clinicians more typically are involved in identifying ways to improve the quality of practice and patient care in their practice environments. These types of activities often are referred to as quality improvement projects. While quality improvement and research projects both rely on powerful and precise measurement, the lines between these domains and how they may relate to each other have been blurred (Grady, 2007). Recent insights have helped to clarify the contributions of quality improvement activities as well as some of the challenges those types of projects may face from an ethical perspective.
A Situation-Specific Theory of Migration Transition for Migrant Farmworker Women
Authors: Clingerman Evelyn
Published: November 2007

This article proposes a situation-specific theory of migration transition for migrant farm worker women (MFW). The following themes were identified: (a) migration patterns, (b) awareness of critical markers, (c) time between awareness and engagement, (d) decision making, (e) differences between expected and actual transition experiences, and (f) personal identities. Participants identified conditions that supported and prevented a healthy migration transition including personal identities, family support, faith-based and community health outreach services, immigration/documentation status, and respect. Women recognized a sense of peace as a healthy transition response. The proposed theory offers an understanding of migration transition and provides a practical theoretical perspective for nurses and other health care professionals who implement and coordinate health care for MFW.
Tailored Biobehavioral Interventions: A Literature Review and Synthesis
Authors: Richards Kathy C. , Enderlin Carol A. , Beck Cornelia , McSweeney Jean C. , Jones Tammy C. , Roberson Paula K.
Published: November 2007

This article presents a metasynthesis of the literature from 1996 through 2005 on randomized clinical or controlled trials comparing effects of tailored interventions to those of control conditions or other interventions. A search was conducted for publications written in English using the terms “patient-centered interventions,” “tailored interventions,” and “individualized interventions,” using Ovid and Elton B. Stephens Company (EBSCO) Host databases. A total of 245 publications were located after deleting duplicates. An additional six studies were identified from two syntheses of intervention research. A total of 63 studies met the inclusion criteria, and 49 of these reported that tailored interventions were superior to control conditions for one or more of the main outcomes. The evidence strongly supports the efficacy of tailored behavioral interventions and provides beginning support for the efficacy of tailored psychosocial and biological interventions.
Morphological Responses of Sugarcane to Long‐Term Flooding
Authors: Gilbert Robert A. , Rainbolt Curtis R. , Morris Dolen R. , Bennett Andrew C.
Published: November 2007

Sugarcane (Saccharum spp.) in south Florida is often subjected to flooding due to intense summer rainfall or tropical storms. While there has been considerable research on the response of sugarcane cultivars to high water tables, there is a lack of information on cultivar morphological adaptation to long‐term flooding. An experiment was established in Belle Glade, FL to examine: (i) effects of a July–September flood on the morphological characters of cv. CP 80‐1743 and CP 72‐2086 and (ii) significant flood × cultivar interactions that could be used to screen sugarcane germplasm. Sugarcane leaf, stem, primary root, adventitious root, and aerenchyma development were measured in the plant cane (2003) and second ratoon crops (2005). Morphological changes in response to flooding were similar in both years, with flooding leading to a 38% reduction in leaf weight, 4 to 15 times greater adventitious root development, 108% greater aerenchyma pipe extension, and 115% greater aerenchyma pipe diameter. Both cultivars responded to flooding by producing aboveground adventitious roots at the expense of belowground primary root biomass. A significant cultivar × flood interaction on aerenchyma extension and diameter was noted. Under nonflooded conditions, CP 72‐2086 produced constitutive aerenchyma more than halfway up the stalk, whereas CP 80‐1743 produced aerenchyma only 10% up the stalk. Aerenchyma development up the stalk may be a useful screening tool to identify flood‐tolerance in sugarcane cultivars.
Protein Changes during Heat Stress in Three Kentucky Bluegrass Cultivars Differing in Heat Tolerance
Authors: He Yali , Huang Bingru
Published: November 2007

Supraoptimal temperature limits growth and metabolic activities of cool‐season turfgrasses. Understanding genetic variations and mechanisms in turfgrass heat tolerance would facilitate breeding and management programs to improve turf quality under summer stress. The objective of this study was to investigate protein changes associated with heat tolerance in three Kentucky bluegrass (Poa pratensisL.) cultivars. Plants of ‘Brilliant’, ‘Midnight’, and ‘Eagleton’ were subjected to 20°C (day/night, control) or 40°C (day/night, heat stress) in growth chambers. Eagleton maintained higher chlorophyll content and fewer yellow leaves than Brilliant, while Midnight was intermediate for both parameters at 28 d of heat stress. The content of cytoplasmic and membrane proteins declined during heat stress, to a greater extent in Brilliant than in Midnight and Eagleton. The content of both types of proteins in Brilliant were significantly lower than in Eagleton, but not different from that in Midnight. The sodium dodecyl sulfate‐polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS‐PAGE) analysis revealed that Brilliant exhibited more severe protein degradation than other two cultivars. Heat stress induced expression of several heat shock proteins (HSPs) in the cytoplasm (64, 78, and 85 kDa) and membranes (39, 45, and 66 kDa) in all three cultivars, but the induction occurred 7 to 14 d earlier in Eagleton or Midnight than in Brilliant. An additional membrane protein of 68 kDa was induced in Midnight under heat stress. The results suggested that better heat tolerance in the Kentucky bluegrass was associated with induction of HSPs during the early phase of heat stress and maintenance of higher protein content and less severe protein degradation during prolonged periods of heat stress.
Frequency of a Loss‐of‐Function Mutation in Oleoyl‐PC Desaturase (ahFAD2A) in the Mini‐Core of the U.S. Peanut Germplasm Collection
Authors: Chu Y. , Ramos L. , Holbrook C. C. , Ozias‐Akins P.
Published: November 2007

High oleic acid to linoleic acid ratios (high O/L) in tetraploid peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.) are controlled by the activity of oleoyl‐PC desaturase, which is encoded by two homeologous genes (ahFAD2A and ahFAD2B). In a naturally occurring high O/L peanut, a spontaneous mutation (G‐to‐A at position 448 resulting in a D150N amino acid substitution) has been found in ahFAD2A, which resulted in a dysfunctional desaturase. In normal × high O/L crosses, segregation ratios for high:normal O/L are either 1:3 or 1:15 suggesting that one gene in some normal O/L lines may be mutated. We designed a cleaved amplified polymorphic sequence (CAPS) marker to differentiate the mutant and wild‐type ahFAD2A alleles at the critical point mutation. The mutant allele was present in 31.6% of the accessions from the mini‐core collection of peanut germplasm and was confirmed by DNA sequence analysis. The mutant allele was frequent among subspecies hypogaea accessions but absent from subspecies fastigiata accessions and the putative diploid, A‐genome progenitor of peanut, Arachis duranensis These data will be useful to breeders who would like to transfer disease resistance traits from mini‐core accessions to high oleic acid cultivars.
The Effect of Wastewater Treatment on Antibiotic Resistance in Escherichia coli and Enterococcus sp
Authors: Garcia Sarah , Wade Bradley , Bauer Carrie , Craig Carri , Nakaoka Karen , Lorowitz William
Published: November 2007

The effects of wastewater treatment on the proportion of Escherichia coli and Enterococcus sp. resistant to specific antibiotics were investigated at two facilities in Davis County, Utah, one of which received hospital waste. Samples were taken from the influent, effluent before disinfection, and secondary anaerobic sludge digester effluent. There was very little difference in antibiotic resistance among E. coli in the inflow waters of the plants but the plant receiving hospital waste had a significantly higher proportion of antibiotic resistant Enterococcus. The effect of wastewater treatment on antibiotic resistance was more pronounced on enterococci than E. coli. Although some increases in antibiotic resistance were observed, the general trend seemed to be a decrease in resistance, especially in the proportion of multidrug resistant Enterococcus sp.
Nitrogen Removal from Urban Stormwater Runoff Through Layered Bioretention Columns
Authors: Hsieh Chi‐hsu , Davis Allen P. , Needelman Brian A.
Published: November 2007

Bioretention is a low‐impact technology used for the treatment of stormwater runoff in developed areas. The fates of mineral nitrogen compounds in two bioretention columns (RP1 and RP2) with different media‐layering characteristics were investigated under multiple loadings of simulated urban runoff. The immediate capture of nitrogen was evaluated, with nitrogen transformation reactions that occurred during the drying periods between rainfall events. A greater proportion of ammonium was removed from runoff in RP2 (68 ± 16%), which had a high permeability layer over a lower permeability layer, than in RP1 (12 ± 6%), which had the inverse configuration. Both column systems demonstrated nitrate export (9 ± 32% and 54 ± 22% greater than input for RP1 and RP2, respectively), attributed to washout of nitrate resulting from nitrification processes between runoff loading events. Bioretention media with a less permeable bottom soil layer could form an anoxic/anaerobic zone for promoting nitrification/denitrification processes.
Biological Solids Reduction Using the Cannibal Process
Authors: Novak John T. , Chon Dong H. , Curtis Betty‐Ann , Doyle Mike
Published: November 2007

A laboratory study of the Cannibal process was undertaken to determine if the Cannibal system would generate less sludge compared with a conventional activated sludge system. Side‐by‐side sequencing batch reactors were operated—one using the Cannibal configuration and the other as conventional activated sludge. It was found that the Cannibal process generated 60% less solids than the conventional activated sludge system, without any negative effect on the effluent quality or the settling characteristics of the activated sludge. The oxygen uptake rate for the centrate from the Cannibal bioreactor showed that readily biodegradable organic matter was released from the recycled biomass in the Cannibal bioreactor. It is proposed that the mechanism for reduced solids from the Cannibal system is that, in the Cannibal bioreactor, iron is reduced, releasing iron‐bound organic material into solution. When the Cannibal biomass is recirculated back to the aeration basin, the released organic material is rapidly degraded.
Synthesis of Polyhydroxyalkanoates in Municipal Wastewater Treatment
Authors: Coats Erik R. , Loge Frank J. , Wolcott Michael P. , Englund Karl , McDonald Armando G.
Published: November 2007

Biologically derived polyesters known as polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs) represent a potentially “sustainable” replacement to fossil‐fuel‐based thermoplastics. However, current commercial practices that produce PHA with pure microbial cultures grown on renewable, but refined, feedstocks (i.e., glucose) under sterile conditions do not represent a sustainable commodity. Here, we report on PHA production with a mixed microbial consortium indigenous to an activated sludge process on carbon present in municipal wastewaters. Reactors operated under anaerobic/aerobic and aerobic‐only mode and fed primary solids fermenter liquor maintained a mixed microbial consortium capable of synthesizing PHA at 10 to 25% (w/w), while reducing soluble COD by approximately 62 to 71%. More critically, an aerobic batch reactor seeded from the anaerobic/aerobic reactor and fed fermenter liquor achieved approximately 53% PHA (w/w). Results presented suggest that environmentally benign production of biodegradable polymers is feasible. We further used PHA‐rich biomass to produce a natural fiber‐reinforced thermoplastic composite that can be used to offset advanced wastewater treatment costs.
Effects of Sludge Properties on the Thickening and Dewatering of Waste Activated Sludge
Authors: Merlo Rion P. , Trussell R. Shane , Hermanowicz Slawomir W. , Jenkins David
Published: November 2007

The thickening and dewatering of waste activated sludge, from a pilot‐scale submerged membrane bioreactor and two bench‐scale, complete‐mix activated sludge reactors (high‐shear and low‐shear aeration) treating the same municipal primary effluent, were investigated. Solids settling and compaction were measured using the diluted sludge volume index (DSVI) analysis and a batch centrifugation analysis, respectively. Elevated levels of filamentous microorganisms resulted in higher DSVI values and lower centrifuged pellet concentration. Elevated levels of nocardioform bacteria resulted in lower solids float concentrations, and higher colloidal material reduced solids recovery in batch flotation experiments. Sludge filterability, measured as time‐to‐filter, was shown to be a function of extracelluar polymeric substances and colloidal material, where higher levels of either reduced sludge filterability. Additional research is necessary to confirm these results using full‐ or demonstration‐scale thickening and dewatering units.
Determination of Growth Rate and Yield of Nitrifying Bacteria by Measuring Carbon Dioxide Uptake Rate
Authors: Blackburne Richard , Vadivelu Vel M. , Yuan Zhiguo , Keller Jürg
Published: November 2007

Nitrifier growth parameters—the maximum growth rate (μ Amax) and yield (Y A)—were estimated by measuring the rate of carbon dioxide uptake and additional rates of oxygen uptake and ammonia (or nitrite) use. Batch tests in a combined titrimetric and offgas analyzer with enriched Nitrobacter and Nitrosomonas cultures and an activated sludge sample were performed. The measured μ Amax values for the Nitrobacter and Nitrosomonas cultures were 0.67 ± 0.03 day −1 and 0.54 ± 0.09 day −1, while the Y A values were 0.072 ± 0.01 g volatile suspended solids (VSS) · g nitrogen (N) −1 and 0.14 ± 0.02 gVSS · gN −1, respectively. For the activated sludge sample, μ Amax was observed to increase with pH (μ Amax = 0.72 · 3.3 (pH‐7.1)) over the range 6.8 to 7.1. All μ Amax and Y A values determined by this method were similar to those previously reported. Compared with other μ Amax and Y A estimation methods, this method allows for unique μ Amax and Y A estimations for given conditions from a single experiment.
Enhanced Removal of Lead(II) and Cadmium(II) from Water in Alum Coagulation by Ferrate(VI) Pretreatment
Authors: Liang Yong‐mei , Jun Ma , Liu Wei
Published: November 2007

A laboratory study demonstrated that ferrate pretreatment significantly enhanced lead and cadmium removal in alum coagulation, under the conditions of natural surface water. The enhancement of lead removal was approximately 21 to 37% by ferrate pretreatment at a dosage of 1 to 5 mg/L. The enhanced removal of cadmium by ferrate pretreatment at a dosage of 1 to 5 mg/L exceeded the removal by alum coagulation alone 2‐ to 12‐fold. Cadmium is much more difficult to remove than lead in alum coagulation. The performance of ferrate in enhancing the removal of lead and cadmium in alum coagulation was better than that of ferric chloride. The removal of lead and cadmium was highly pH‐dependent, following the general trend of higher pH being related to higher removal. Satisfactory removal of cadmium could be expected by ferrate pretreatment combined with adjusting the pH of the water.
Screening for Mercury in Aqueous Environmental Samples and Urine Samples Using Thin Layer Chromatography
Authors: Agarwal Rakhi , Behari Jai Raj
Published: November 2007

A method for screening based on thin layer chromatography (TLC) comprising silica gel ‘G’ as a stationary phase and benzene as a mobile phase was found to be most suitable for the detection of mercury in aqueous samples and spiked human urine, without digesting the samples. A broad range for the detection of mercury, from 20 μg/L (20 ppb) to 1000 mg/L (1000 ppm), was established, by optimizing the experimental conditions. In urine samples, mercury could be detected also, at levels as low as 50 μg/L (50 ppb) or above. Mercury was detected by complexation with dithizone followed by TLC, also in the presence of other heavy metals, including arsenic, cadmium, lead, copper, iron, zinc, and nickel. The method is simple, cheap, and has no interference of the matrix present in the natural water and aqueous industrial effluent samples obtained from the field. Further, no sophisticated instrument is needed for the detection of mercury.
A Bayesian Method for Studying DIF: A Cautionary Tale Filled With Surprises and Delights
Authors: Wang Xiaohui , Bradlow Eric T. , Wainer Howard , Muller Eric S.
Published: November 2007

In the course of screening a form of a medical licensing exam for items that function differentially (DIF) between men and women, the authors used the traditional Mantel-Haenszel (MH) statistic for initial screening and a Bayesian method for deeper analysis. For very easy items, the MH statistic unexpectedly often found DIF where there was none. The Bayesian method did not lead the results astray. In this article, the authors describe one possible Bayesian approach for the study of DIF, illustrate its use on this data set, demonstrate situations in which the MH test can be misleading, explore these issues through a sequence of simulation studies, and offer a plausible explanation and advice for those who wish to study DIF.
Accuracy in the Diagnostic Prediction of Acute Appendicitis Based on the Bayesian Network Model
Authors: Sakai S. , Kobayashi K. , Nakamura J. , Toyabe S. , Akazawa K.
Published: November 2007

Objectives
: The diagnosis of acute appendicitis is difficult, and a diagnostic error will often lead to either a perforation or the removal of a normal appendix. In this study, we constructed a Bayesian network model for the diagnosis of acute appendicitis and compared the diagnostic accuracy with other diagnostic models, such as the naive Bayes model, an artificial neural network model, and a logistic regression model.

Methods
: The data from 169 patients, who suffered from acute abdominal pain and who were suspected of having an acute appendicitis, were analyzed in this study. Nine variables were used for the evaluation of the accuracy of the four models for the diagnosis of an acute appendicitis. The naive Bayes model, the Bayesian network model, an artificial neural network model, and a logistic regression model were used i this study for the diagnosis of acute appendicitis. These four models were validated by using the “632 + bootstrap method” for resampling. The levels of accuracy of the four models for diagnosis were compared by the error rates and by the areas under the receiver operating characteristic curves.

Results
: Through the course of illness, 50.9% (86 of 169) of the patients were diagnosed as having an acute appendicitis. The error rate was the lowest in the Bayesian network model, as compared with the other diagnostic models. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve analysis also showed that the Bayesian network model provided the most reliable results.

Conclusion
: The Bayesian network model provided the most accurate results in comparison to other models for the diagnosis of acute appendicitis.
The Development of the Asymmetric Nozaki–Hiyama–Kishi Reaction
Authors: Hargaden Gráinne C. , Guiry Patrick J.
Published: November 2007

This review collates the literature to date on the development of the Nozaki–Hiyama–Kishi (NHK) reaction into an important chromium‐mediated, carbon‐carbon bond forming process. The initial research employed stoichiometric quantities of chromium and this was exploited in the key steps of a range of total syntheses. Thereafter, the NHK reaction was further developed with the discovery of the catalytic variant. The focus of recent investigations is on the application of this reaction in asymmetric synthesis. The asymmetric NHK typically employed a range of salen‐ and oxazoline‐derived chiral ligands and tethered bis(8‐quinolinato)‐chromium complexes. To date, good to high enantioselectivities have been obtained in a variety of NHK‐type processes, including allylation, crotylation, methallylation, allenylation, propargylation and vinylation of a range of aldehydes, with limited examples employing ketones as substrates. Selected examples of the asymmetric NHK in total synthesis will also be described.
Aktivierung von Wasserstoff durch ungesättigte gemischte Metallcluster und ‐komplexe
Authors: Adams Richard D. , Captain Burjor
Published: November 2007

Als Folge des ständig steigenden Energiekonsums besteht ein wiederauflebendes Interesse an der Chemie des Wasserstoffs. Jüngste Studien haben elektronisch ungesättigte mehrkernige Metallkomplexe mit sperrigen Liganden hervorgebracht, die eine Vielzahl von Reaktionen mit Wasserstoff eingehen, so auch die einfache Addition und Eliminierung unter milden Bedingungen. Materialien, die große Wasserstoffmengen reversibel absorbieren, sind für die Wasserstoffspeicherung und die katalytische Hydrierung äußerst interessant. Dieser Kurzaufsatz fasst neuere Untersuchungen zu Reaktionen von Wasserstoff mit ungesättigten gemischten Metallclustern und ‐komplexen mit Platinzentren und sperrigen Phosphanliganden zusammen. Einige verwandte Studien zur Kooperativität in Dimetallkomplexen und zur Synthese von Trimetallnanopartikeln auf mesoporösen Trägern als hoch aktive und selektive Hydrierungskatalysatoren werden ebenfalls diskutiert.
Upper bound for ruin probabilities under optimal investment and proportional reinsurance
Authors: Liang Zhibin , Guo Junyi
Published: November 2007

In this paper, we consider the optimal investment and reinsurance from an insurer's point of view to maximize the adjustment coefficient. We obtain the explicit expressions for the optimal results in the diffusion approximation (D‐A) case as well as in the jump‐diffusion (J‐D) case. Furthermore, we derive a sharper bound on the ruin probability, from which we conclude that the case with investment is always better than the case without investment. Some numerical examples are presented to show that the ruin probability in the D‐A case sometimes underestimates the ruin probability in the J‐D case. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The speed of adjustment of financial ratios: A hierarchical Bayesian approach using mixtures
Authors: Gargallo Pilar , Salvador Manuel , Gallizo José Luis
Published: November 2007

This paper presents a hierarchical Bayesian analysis of the partial adjustment model of financial ratios using mixture models, an approach that allows us to estimate the distribution of the adjustment coefficients. More particularly, it enables us to analyse speed of reaction in the presence of shocks affecting financial ratios objectives as a basis to establish homogenous groups of firms. The proposed methodology is illustrated by examining a set of ratios for a sample of firms operating in the U.S. manufacturing sector. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Simulated microgravity activates MAPK pathways in fibroblasts cultured on microgrooved surface topography
Authors: Loesberg W. A. , Walboomers X. F. , van Loon J. J. W. A. , Jansen J. A.
Published: November 2007

This study evaluated in vitro the differences in morphological behaviour between fibroblast cultured on smooth and microgrooved substrata (groove depth: 0.5 μm, width: 1 μm), which were subjected to simulated microgravity. The aim of the study was to clarify which of these parameters was more dominant to determine cell behaviour. Morphological characteristics were investigated using scanning electron microscopy and fluorescence microscopy in order to obtain qualitative information on cell alignment. Expression of collagen type I, and α1‐, β1‐, β3‐integrin were investigated by QPCR. Finally, immunoblotting was applied to visualise MAPK signalling pathways. Microscopy and image analysis showed that the fibroblasts aligned along the groove direction on all textured surfaces. On the smooth substrata, cells had spread out in a random fashion. The alignment of cells cultured on grooved surfaces under simulated microgravity, after 48 h of culturing appeared similar to those cultured at 1g, although cell shape was different. Analysis of variance proved that all main parameters: topography, gravity force, and time were significant. In addition, gene levels were reduced by simulated microgravity particularly those of β3‐integrin and collagen, however alpha‐1 and beta‐1 integrin levels were up‐regulated. ERK1/2 was reduced in RPM, however, JNK/SAPK and p38 remained active. The members of the small GTPases family were stimulated under microgravity, particularly RhoA and Cdc42. The results are in agreement that application of microgravity to fibroblasts promotes a change in their morphological appearance and their expression of cell‐substratum proteins through the MAPK intracellular signalling pathways. Cell Motil. Cytoskeleton 2007. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Nebulette interacts with filamin C
Authors: Holmes William B. , Moncman Carole L.
Published: November 2007

The actin‐binding proteins, nebulette, and nebulin, are comprised of a four‐domain layout containing an acidic N‐terminal region, a repeat domain, a serine‐rich‐linker region, and a Src homology‐3 domain. Both proteins contain homologous N‐terminal regions that are predicted to be in different environments within the sarcomere. The nebulin acidic N‐terminal region is found at the distal ends of the thin filaments. Nebulette, however, is predicted to extend 150 nm from the center of the Z‐line. To dissect out the functions of the N‐terminal domain of nebulette, we have performed a yeast two‐hybrid screen using nebulette residues 1–86 as bait. We have identified filamin‐C, ZASP‐1, and tropomyosin‐1 as binding partners. Characterization of the nebulette‐filamin interaction indicates that filamin‐C predominantly interacts with the modules. These data suggest that filamin‐C, a known component of striated muscle Z‐lines, interacts with nebulette modules. Cell Motil. Cytoskeleton 2007. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
On sparse reconstruction from Fourier and Gaussian measurements
Authors: Rudelson Mark , Vershynin Roman
Published: November 2007

This paper improves upon best‐known guarantees for exact reconstruction of a sparse signal f from a small universal sample of Fourier measurements. The method for reconstruction that has recently gained momentum in the sparse approximation theory is to relax this highly nonconvex problem to a convex problem and then solve it as a linear program. We show that there exists a set of frequencies Ω such that one can exactly reconstruct every r‐sparse signal f of length n from its frequencies in Ω, using the convex relaxation, and Ω has size

A random set Ω satisfies this with high probability. This estimate is optimal within the log logn and log3r factors. We also give a relatively short argument for a similar problem with k(r, n) ≈ r[12 + 8 log(n/r)] Gaussian measurements. We use methods of geometric functional analysis and probability theory in Banach spaces, which makes our arguments quite short. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.