bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Nuclear magnetic resonance-based metabolomics with machine learning for predicting progression from prediabetes to diabetes
Authors: Li Jiang , Yu Yuefeng , Sun Ying , Fu Yanqi , Shen Wenqi , Cai Lingli , Tan Xiao , Wang Ningjian , Lu Yingli , Wang Bin
Published: July 2024

Identification of individuals with prediabetes who are at high risk of developing diabetes allows for precise interventions. We aimed to determine the role of nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR)-based metabolomic signature in predicting the progression from prediabetes to diabetes.This prospective study included 13,489 participants with prediabetes who had metabolomic data from the UK Biobank. Circulating metabolites were quantified via NMR spectroscopy. Cox proportional hazard (CPH) models were performed to estimate the associations between metabolites and diabetes risk. Supporting vector machine, random forest, and extreme gradient boosting were used to select the optimal metabolite panel for prediction. CPH and random survival forest (RSF) models were utilized to validate the predictive ability of the metabolites.During a median follow-up of 13.6 years, 2,525 participants developed diabetes. After adjusting for covariates, 94 of 168 metabolites were associated with risk of progression to diabetes. A panel of nine metabolites, selected by all three machine learning algorithms, was found to significantly improve diabetes risk prediction beyond conventional risk factors in the CPH model (area under the receiver operating characteristic curve [AUROC], 1-year: 0.823 for risk factors + metabolites vs 0.759 for risk factors, 5-year: 0.830 vs 0.798, 10-year: 0.801 vs 0.776, all
P
<0.05). Similar results were observed from the RSF model. Categorization of participants according to the predicted value thresholds revealed distinct cumulative risk of diabetes.Our study lends support for use of the metabolite markers to help determine individuals with prediabetes who are at high risk of progressing to diabetes and inform targeted and efficient interventions.Shanghai Municipal Health Commission (2022XD017). Innovative Research Team of High-level Local Universities in Shanghai (SHSMU-ZDCX20212501). Shanghai Municipal Human Resources and Social Security Bureau (2020074). Clinical Research Plan of Shanghai Hospital Development Center (SHDC2020CR4006).

CPH, Cox proportional hazard; NMR, nuclear magnetic resonance; RF, random forest; RSF, Random survival forest; SVM, supporting vector machine; XGBoost, extreme gradient boosting.
A lytic transglycosylase connects bacterial focal adhesion complexes to the peptidoglycan cell wall
Authors: Carbo Carlos Ramirez , Faromiki Olalekan G , Nan Beiyan
Published: July 2024

The Gram-negative bacterium
Myxococcus xanthus
glides on solid surfaces. Dynamic bacterial focal adhesion complexes (bFACs) convert proton motive force from the inner membrane into mechanical propulsion on the cell surface. It is unclear how the mechanical force transmits across the rigid peptidoglycan (PG) cell wall. Here we show that AgmT, a highly abundant lytic PG transglycosylase homologous to
Escherichia coli
MltG, couples bFACs to PG. Coprecipitation assay and single-particle microscopy reveal that the gliding motors fail to connect to PG and thus are unable to assemble into bFACs in the absence of an active AgmT. Heterologous expression of
E. coli
MltG restores the connection between PG and bFACs and thus rescues gliding motility in the
M. xanthus
cells that lack AgmT. Our results indicate that bFACs anchor to AgmT-modified PG to transmit mechanical force across the PG cell wall.
Intestinal microbiome dysbiosis increases Mycobacteria pulmonary colonization in mice by regulating the Nos2-associated pathways
Authors: Han MeiQing , Wang Xia , Su Lin , Pan Shiqi , Liu Ningning , Li Duan , Liu Liang , Cui JunWei , Zhao Huajie , Yang Fan
Published: July 2024

Increasing researches reveal gut microbiota was associated with the development of tuberculosis. How to prevent or reduce
Mycobacterium tuberculosis
colonization in the lungs is a key measure to prevent tuberculosis. However, the data on gut microbiota preventing
Mycobacterium
colonization in the lungs were scarce. Here, we established the clindamycin-inducing intestinal microbiome dysbiosis and fecal microbial transplantation models in mice to identify the effect of gut microbiota on the colonization of
Mycobacterium
in the mouse lungs and to explore its potential mechanisms. The results showed that clindamycin treatment altered the diversity and composition of the intestinal bacterial and fungal microbiome, weakened the trans-kingdom network interactions between bacteria and fungi, and induced gut microbiome dysbiosis in the mice. Gut microbiota dysbiosis increases intestinal permeability and enhances the susceptibility of
Mycobacterium
colonization in the lungs of mice. The potential mechanisms were gut microbiota dysbiosis altered the lung transcriptome and increased
Nos2
expression through the “gut-lung axis”.
Nos2
high expression disrupts the intracellular antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory environment by increasing the concentration of NO, decreasing the levels of ROS and
Defb1
in the cells, and resulting in promoting
Mycobacteria
colonization in the lungs of mice. The present study raises a potential strategy for reducing the risks of
Mycobacteria
infections and transmission by regulating the gut microbiome balance.
The Moscow–Tartu Semiotic School and Soviet Art History
Authors: Zlydneva Nataliya ,   Culture History Department at the Institute for Slavic Studies, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russian Federation
Published: July 2024

Although the problems of art history did not form the core of the Moscow–Tartu semiotic school’s interests, its members often turned to the material of visual art within the framework of general and specific studies of sign systems. In turn, Soviet art history in general did not show interest in semiotics. Meanwhile, the selection of problems and the approach to them in art history (mainly of the Moscow school) indicated that the reflections of art historians and philologists starting from a certain time (in the late 1960s and into the 1970s) began to develop in parallel veins. The present article provides an overview of the main problems of visual art in the works of representatives of the Moscow–Tartu school (Lotman, Uspenskij, Ivanov, Toporov and others), as well as of the adepts of semiotics from the side of art history (Paperny, Daniel, Zlydneva). In addition, the article shows how despite not accepting the semiotic mode of thinking, in their texts art historians approached the semiotic problematics of art raised by philologists (in particular, interest in the problem of the border-zone and marginalia, correlation between a word and an image in visual art, and the poetics of the historical avant-garde, etc.). This antinomic (non-)meeting of semiotics and art history in the realm of Soviet humanities in the 1970s can serve as the manifestation of the power of the unified scientific episteme of the era.
Wearable accelerometers reveal objective assessment of walking symmetry and regularity in idiopathic scoliosis patients
Authors: Gan Xiaopeng , Liu Xin , Cai Danxian , Zhang Rongbin , Li Fanqiang , Fang Haohuang , Huang Jingrou , Qiu Chenguang , Zhan Hongrui
Published: July 2024

Background

Scoliosis is a multifaceted three-dimensional deformity that significantly affects patients’ balance function and walking process. While existing research primarily focuses on spatial and temporal parameters of walking and trunk/pelvic kinematics asymmetry, there remains controversy regarding the symmetry and regularity of bilateral lower limb gait. This study aims to investigate the symmetry and regularity of bilateral lower limb gait and examine the balance control strategy of the head during walking in patients with idiopathic scoliosis.

Methods

The study involved 17 patients with idiopathic scoliosis of Lenke 1 and Lenke 5 classifications, along with 17 healthy subjects for comparison. Three-dimensional accelerometers were attached to the head and L5 spinous process of each participant, and three-dimensional motion acceleration signals were collected during a 10-meter walking test. Analysis of the collected acceleration signals involved calculating five variables related to the symmetry and regularity of walking: root mean square (RMS) of the acceleration signal, harmonic ratio (HR), step regularity, stride regularity, and gait symmetry.

Results

Our analysis reveals that, during the walking process, the three-dimensional motion acceleration signals acquired from the lumbar region of patients diagnosed with idiopathic scoliosis exhibit noteworthy disparities in the RMS of the vertical axis (RMS-VT) and the HR of the vertical axis (HR-VT) when compared to the corresponding values in the healthy control (RMS-VT: 1.6 ± 0.41 vs. 3 ± 0.47, P < 0.05; HR-VT: 3 ± 0.72 vs. 3.9 ± 0.71, P < 0.05). Additionally, the motion acceleration signals of the head in three-dimensional space, including the RMS in the anterior-posterior and vertical axis, the HR-VT, and the values of step regularity in both anterior-posterior and vertical axis, as well as the values of stride regularity in all three axes, are all significantly lower than those in the healthy control group (P < 0.05).

Conclusion

The findings of the analysis suggest that the application of three-dimensional accelerometer sensors proves efficacious and convenient for scrutinizing the symmetry and regularity of walking in individuals with idiopathic scoliosis. Distinctive irregularities in gait symmetry and regularity manifest in patients with idiopathic scoliosis, particularly within the antero-posterior and vertical direction. Moreover, the dynamic balance control strategy of the head in three-dimensional space among patients with idiopathic scoliosis exhibits a relatively conservative nature when compared to healthy individuals.
Irredundant and Almost Irredundant Sets in \(\mathbb{M}_2\)(\(\mathbb{C}\))
Authors: Hida Clayton Suguio
Published: July 2024

We consider irredundant and almost irredundant subsets in the *-algebra \(\mathbb{M}_2\)(\(\mathbb{C}\)) of all 2 X 2 matrices with coefficients in \(\mathbb{C}\). We prove that the largest size of an irredundant subset is two, and that \(\mathbb{M}_2\)(\(\mathbb{C}\)) has an infinite almost irredundant subset.
Synthesis, Characterization and Evaluation of Antibacterial activity of Amine-Boranes
Authors: Jayakumar S. Venkatesan
Published: July 2024

Amine-Boranes (AB) are an elite class of reagent and belongs to the Borane-Lewis family, has found extensive use in chemical synthesis. Interesting aspect of AB reagents are to display chemo selectivity among the functional groups. The present investigation highlights on the innovative, green synthesis and characterization of the three of unique AB complexes, including triethylamine-borane (aliphatic), aniline-borane (aromatic), and (aromatic substituted) N,N-dimethylaniline-borane (DMAB) under an open air condition. The 11B NMR technique was used to characterize the synthesized AB reagents. The chemical shift values obtained were in accordance with the results of previous research studies, and it's interesting to note that there is a difference in 11B-NMR chemical shift values between the borane complexes of aromatic and aliphatic amines. The antibacterial efficacy of three AB reagents has been stated for the first instance by using disc diffusion method against four bacterial strains: Escherichia coli, Salmonella typhimurium, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Staphylococcus aureus. When compared to other AB complexes, the DMAB reagent demonstrated significant antibacterial properties against the four different bacterial species.
Assessing the Sustainability and Performance of Hempcrete
Authors: Parmar Nidhi , Vats Aditi , Devi Vaneeta , Kwatra Seema , Srivastava R.K. , Singh S.B.
Published: July 2024

Aim: Traditional construction materials like cement, concrete, glass, asphalt, and steel require more energy in the manufacturing process, which results in high GHG emissions. Therefore, researchers from all over the world are focusing on solutions to tackle carbon emissions, with hempcrete emerging as a less polluting construction material. Hempcrete is a bio-composite comprising a woody core of hemp stem and hydrated lime. The objective of the study is to find out the physical and mechanical properties of hemp-lime concrete. 
Study Design: The present research paper is part of the ongoing study on hempcrete at G.B. Pant University of Agriculture & Technology, Pantnagar, Uttarakhand, India. The present study chose an experimental research design. 
Methodology: The study presents its results in two parts: performance and sustainability. The first part investigates the performance of hempcrete in terms of its physical and mechanical characteristics. The researcher conducted numerous trials to fix mix designs, focusing on their workability. Cubes of size 10 cm were cast manually for five distinct mix designs. The second part of the paper examines the sustainability aspect of hemp-lime concrete via a relevant literature review.
Results: During the specified time intervals of 28, 56, 84, and 112 days, the cubes exhibited a range in weight density from 506 to 674 kg/m3. In parallel, the compression test results demonstrated varying values, spanning from 0.510 Mpa to 0.810 Mpa across the same time points. Results show that there is a negative correlation between density and compressive strength and a positive correlation between density and water absorption rate.
Conclusion: The results pertaining to weight density highlight the lightweight nature of hempcrete, to the extent that the cubes have the propensity to float in water. Due to its relatively low compressive strength values, hempcrete is deemed suitable for non-load-bearing applications within building construction.
Performance of Different Aglaonema (Aglaonema commutatum) Varieties under Prayagraj Agro-climatic Conditions
Authors: S Alby , Fatmi Urfi
Published: July 2024

The present investigation was undertaken in the Department of Horticulture, Sam Higginbottom University of Agriculture, Technology And Sciences, Prayagraj, during August, 2023 to April, 2024. The experiment was laid out in completely randomized design with eight different aglaonema varieties viz., Dove, Earnest Round Leaf, Watson Dwarf, Butterfly, Ice, Red Lipstick, Nitidum and Rotundum, replicated thrice and carried out under 50% shade net conditions. Variety Butterfly reported significantly better performance compared to other varieties in terms of growth parameters like plant height (48.6 cm), number of leaves (5.4), plant spread (31.2 cm2), stem girth (5.7 cm), leaf area (129.6 cm2), minimum leaf production interval (12.6 days), number of new sprouts (7), chlorophyll content (21.6), plant growth index based on height of the plants (7.5), plant growth index based on number of leaves (12.6) and survival percentage (100%).
Effect of Different Levels of NPK, Biochar and Azotobacter on Physico-chemical Properties of Soil on Cowpea (Vigna unguiculata)
Authors: Choudhary Manish , Thomas Tarence , Swaroop Narendra , Vinay  , Thomas Ashima
Published: July 2024

In light of this, the following goals are present in the experiment "Effect of Different Levels of NPK and Biochar, Azotobacter on Physico-chemical Properties of Soil and Yield Attributes of Cowpea to calculate the impact of various NPK, Biochar, and Azotobacter dosages on the physical-chemical characteristics of soil. An excavated soil sample from the experimental site revealed that the land topography ranged from nearly level to sloped by 1% to 6%, with soil area falling into the Inceptisol order. The soil texture was sandy loam, with sand percentages of 62.65%, silt percentages of 21.09, and clay percentages of 16.26. The pH of soil was 6.89, and its electrical conductivity (EC) was non-saline (0.42 ds m-1). Organic carbon content was low to medium, available nitrogen was low to medium (280.78 kg ha-1), available phosphorus was 17.34 kg ha-1, and available potassium was 168.16 kg ha-1. Two factors with three levels of @NPK 0, 50, and 100% ha-1, three levels of @Biochar 0, 50, and 100% ha-1, and a randomized block design were used in the statistical analysis. During field testing, nine different treatments were used; the best outcomes were significant. The results indicate that the physical and chemical parameters of the soil, including the cumulative mean values for bulk density (1.39 and 1.41 mg m-3), particle density (2.46 and 2.47 mg m-3), and soil pH (6.89 and 6.91), attained their maximum in T1 (Absolute control) at depths of 0-15 cm and 15-30 cm, respectively. Additionally, the percentage pore space was found to be 48.22% and 47.39%, and the water holding capacity was found to be 44.14% and 45.34%), electrical conductivity (EC) was measured at 0.49 ds m-1 and 0.52 ds m-1, the percentage of organic carbon was determined to be 0.40%), and the available nitrogen was found to be (299.78 kg ha-1 and 295.76 kg ha-1, available phosphorus was (23.78 kg ha-1 and 21.98 kg ha-1), and the available potassium was (179.25 kg ha-1 and 176.56 kg ha-1).
Effect of Different Levels of NPK, Vermicompost and Sulphur on Growth, Yield and Economics Attributes of Mustard (Brassica juncea L.) var. Giriraj
Authors: Chahar Krishana , Swaroop Narendra , Thomas Tarence , Kumar Harsh , Poonia Rajnesh , Yadav Shankar Lal
Published: July 2024

A field experiment was conducted at Research farm, Department of Soil Science and Agricultural Chemistry, Naini Agricultural Institute, SHUATS, Prayagraj (U.P.) during the Rabi season of 2023-24 with the objective to differentiate levels of NPK, Vermicompost and Sulphur on yield attributes of Mustard (Brassica juncea L.) var. Giriraj. The experiment was laid out in a Randomized Block Design with nine treatment combinations, consisting of three N, P and K levels (0, 50 and 100%), Vermicompost (0, 50 and 100%) and Sulphur (0, 50 and 100%). It was observed that the treatment of the application of 100% @ (NPK) +100% @ VC + 100 % @ S (T9) was best in terms of      growth parameters in maximum plant height (124.01 cm), Number of branches (12.28), No. of leaves (75.96), number of silique plant-1 (168.67), test weight (4.24) and total yield was highest i.e. (19.90 qha-1).
Path Coefficient Analysis and Character Association of Yield and Yield Contributing Traits of Rice Landraces
Authors: Gautam Ravi , Singh Yogendra , Singh Sanjay Kumar , Sharma Stuti , Tiwari Shweta , Pani D. R.
Published: July 2024

An experiment was carried out during Kharif 2020 to estimate the direct and indirect effects of various independent characteristics on the dependent character and to assess the degree of relationship between yield and yield contributing traits of rice landraces. The experimental material consists of 188 landraces including two checks IR-64 and Jeerashankar and these genotypes were planted in Randomized Block Design with three replications. Based on correlation and path analysis studies, significant positive correlation and high direct positive effect on grain yield per plant were found for traits flag leaf length, number of tillers, number of effective tillers, panicle weight, harvesting index, panicle index, fertile spikelet per panicle and biological yield per plant. Itdepicted that during the formulation of criterion in the rice improvement program as well as for plant ideotype, these traits would be of significant relevance.
Advancing Sustainable Ecosystem Development
Authors: Khattra Satinder Kaur , Balaut Ankush , Dogra Ritu
Published: July 2024

Ecosystem management integrates natural and human systems, but understanding early stages remains a challenge. Remote sensing aids in monitoring endangered ecosystems. Ecological growth theories and models offer insights, while energy-related tendencies contribute to succession understanding. Collaboration drives sustainable development, alongside social-ecological system understanding. Adaptive management navigates ecosystem transformation, while resource management ensures sustainable use. Engaging communities, leveraging innovative technologies, and effective governance are crucial for long-term sustainability. Conserving biodiversity is essential for ecosystem health, requiring focused actions like habitat restoration and preservation. Addressing climate change impacts strengthens ecosystem resilience and secures sustainable futures. Promoting environmental education and awareness cultivates community involvement and supports conservation efforts. Incorporating economic incentives and valuing ecosystem services encourages sustainable resource management. Effective policy integration across agriculture, forestry and urban planning sectors is crucial for comprehensive and sustainable ecosystem management.
A multicomponent snapshot of pharmaceuticals and pesticides in the river Meuse basin
Authors: Houtman Corine J. , ten Broek Rob , de Jong Kevin , Pieterse Bart , Kroesbergen Jan
Published: September 2013

The river Meuse serves as a drinking-water source for more than 6 million people in France, Belgium, and The Netherlands. Pharmaceuticals and pesticides, both designed to be biologically active, are important classes of contaminants present in this river. The variation in the presence of pharmaceuticals in time and space in the Dutch part of the Meuse was studied using a multicomponent analytical method for pharmaceuticals combined with univariate and multivariate statistical analyses of the results. Trends and variation in time in the presence of pharmaceuticals were investigated in a dead-end side stream of the Meuse that serves as an intake point for the production of drinking water, and 93% of the selected compounds were detected. Highest concentrations were found for the antidiabetic metformin. Furthermore, a spatial snapshot of the presence of pharmaceuticals and pesticides was made along the river Meuse. Principal component analysis was successfully applied to reveal that wastewater-treatment plant effluent and water composition at the Belgian border were the main factors determining which compounds are found at different locations. The Dutch part of the river basin appeared responsible for approximately one-half of the loads of pharmaceuticals and pesticides discharged by the Meuse into the North Sea. The present study showed that multicomponent monitoring in combination with principal component analysis is a powerful tool to provide insight into contamination patterns in surface waters. Environ Toxicol Chem 2013;32:2449–2459. © 2013 SETAC
Organic thin‐film transistor fabricated between flexible films by thermal lamination
Authors: Sakai M. , Okamoto T. , Yamazaki Y. , Hayashi J. , Yamaguchi S. , Kuniyoshi S. , Yamauchi H. , Sadamitsu Y. , Hamada M. , Kudo K.
Published: September 2013

We propose a novel and complementary method for fabrication of flexible electronics. This method is not based on conventional printing using inks, but is based on the application of a toner‐based method such as Xerox or laser printing, followed by a lamination process. The lamination method is a solvent‐free and material‐saving process that simultaneously seals the devices, and the fabricated flexible devices have structural durability against bending. We have also shown that thermal lamination has an oriented growth effect, and the electrical characteristics of flexible organic field‐effect transistors did not degrade under a bending radius of 1 mm.

magnified image

In our thermal lamination method, organic thin film transistors are fabricated by a desktop laminator, like making plastic laminated cards.

(© 2013 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Sexual Activity During Pregnancy in Taiwan: A Qualitative Study
Authors: Liu Hsin-Li , Hsu Pohan , Chen Kuang-Ho
Published: September 2013

Background

Pregnancy is a special period in a woman's life that involves physical and mental changes. These changes are influenced by cultural, social, religious, and emotional factors among others.

Aim

The aims of this article were to gather information, to describe the changes and behavior of sexual experiences in pregnancy, and to identify the reasons why pregnant women from central Taiwan decrease coital frequency during pregnancy.

Methods

This phenomenological qualitative research was intended to respond to open-ended questions that allowed the respondents to elaborate on the individuals' experiences. We collected data from in-depth, tape-recorded, and semi-structured interviews conducted in a cross-sectional study of 62 healthy pregnant women. The investigation ended when three consecutive interviewed subjects could not offer any new activities, which indicated that the study had reached its saturation point.

Main Outcome Measures

We performed data collection and content analysis to ensure standards of rigor and reliability. Credibility was enhanced by prolonged engagement, triangulation, referential adequacy, member checking, and expert review; we categorized meaningful unit-codes in a mutually exclusive and exhaustive manner into perceptions, experiences, and practices such that common themes were grouped into categories.

Results

Three themes emerged: negative aspects of sexual experiences; stress and emotional responses; and changes in sexual practices. The majority of the women stopped engaging in coital activities during pregnancy. We determined that in most cases, the 62 participants obtained information regarding sexual activity during pregnancy from postpartum women and the Internet.

Conclusions

The current evidence-based findings encourage the provision of sexuality education to newlyweds and the discussion of sex-related issues during pregnancy. We propose developing strategies for increasing sexual knowledge and focusing on emotional support to decrease pregnant women's anxiety regarding sexuality in Taiwan.
Minimum Distraction Gap: How Much Ankle Joint Space is Enough in Ankle Distraction Arthroplasty?
Authors: Fragomen Austin T. , McCoy Thomas H. , Meyers Kathleen N. , Rozbruch S. Robert
Published: September 2013

Background

The success of ankle distraction arthroplasty relies on the separation of the tibiotalar articular surfaces.

Question/Purpose

The purpose of this study was to find the minimum distraction gap needed to ensure that the tibiotalar joint surfaces would not contact each other with full weight-bearing while under distraction.

Methods

Circular external fixators were mounted to nine cadaver ankle specimens. Each specimen was then placed into a custom-designed load chamber. Loads of 0, 350, and 700N were applied to the specimen. Radiographic joint space was measured and joint contact pressure was monitored under each load. The external fixator was then sequentially distracted, and the radiographic joint space was measured under the three different loads. The experiment was stopped when there was no joint contact under 700N of load. The radiographic joint space was measured and the initial (undistracted) radiographic joint space was subtracted from it yielding the distraction gap. The minimum distraction gap (mDG) that would provide total unloading was calculated.

Results

The average mDG was 2.4 mm (range, 1.6 to 4.0 mm) at 700N of load, 4.4 mm (range, 3.7 to 5.8 mm) at 350N of load, and 4.9 mm (range, 3.7 to 7.0 mm) at 0N of load.

Conclusion

These results suggest that if the radiographic joint space of on a standing X-ray of an ankle undergoing distraction arthroplasty shows a minimum of 5.8 mm of DG, then there will be no contact between joint surfaces during full weight-bearing. Therefore, 5 mm of radiographic joint space, as recommended historically, may not be adequate to prevent contact of the articular surfaces during weight-bearing.
Gemcitabine-loaded PLGA-PEG immunonanoparticles for targeted chemotherapy of pancreatic cancer
Authors: Aggarwal Sahil , Gupta Swati , Pabla Dilrose , Murthy R. S. R.
Published: September 2013

The aim of the present study was the direct covalent coupling of the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR)-specific monoclonal antibody (mAb) to the surface of poly(lactide)-co-glycolide (PLGA)-polyethylene glycol (PEG) nanoparticles in order to achieve a cell type-specific drug carrier system against pancreatic cancer. The PLGA-PEG-NH2 diblock copolymer was synthesized by coupling reaction via amide linkage between PEG-diamine and activated PLGA. PLGA and PLGA-PEG-NH2 nanoparticles loaded with gemcitabine were prepared using the double-emulsion solvent evaporation method. PLGA-PEG immunonanoparticles were prepared by glutaraldehyde mediated cross-linking method. The conjugated antibody was analysed by transmission electron microscopy and sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (PAGE) analysis. Cell viability study was performed using 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide assay and cell uptake study was performed on fluorescein isothiocyanate-loaded formulations using confocal microscopy. The PAGE results indicated that mAb integrity was remained intact in the formulations after conjugation. Biological activity was confirmed under cell culture conditions: antibody-conjugated nanoparticles showed specific targeting to EGFR-overexpressing MIA PaCa-2 cell lines as shown in fluorescence image using confocal microscopy. The obtained data provide the basis for the development of stable and biologically active carrier systems for direct targeting of tumour cells using antibody-conjugated PLGA-PEG nanoparticles. Direct covalent coupling of antibodies to nanoparticles using glutaraldehyde as a cross-linker is an appropriate method to achieve cell type-specific drug carrier systems based on PLGA-PEG nanoparticles and the anti-EGFR-decorated PLGA-PEG nanoparticles have potentials to be applied for targeted chemotherapy against EGFR positive cancers.
mTOR: more targets of resveratrol?
Authors: Widlund Anne L. , Baur Joseph A. , Vang Ole
Published: September 2013

Resveratrol (RSV) is a natural polyphenol produced by plants and is proposed to have multiple beneficial effects on health. In recent years, the interest in this molecule has increased nearly exponentially following the major findings that RSV (I) is chemo-preventive in some cancer models, (II) is cardio-protective and (III) has positive effects on metabolism in mammals and increases lifespan in lower organisms. Mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR) is a central controller of cell growth, proliferation, metabolism and angiogenesis. As a part of the mTORC1 and mTORC2 complexes, the mTOR kinase plays a key role in several pathways involved in cancer and metabolic diseases. Recent studies suggest that modulation of the mTOR signalling pathway could play an important role in mediating the beneficial effects of RSV. Therefore, this review summarises the current findings regarding RSV and its inhibition/activation of the proteins in the mTOR pathway, and thereby propose the proteins of the mTOR cascade to be primary targets for RSV. RSV affects many different targets related to mTOR, and it is not clear which is most relevant. However, most frequently, RSV is found to inhibit the activity of the mTOR pathway proteins, and to activate AMPK and LKB1, which can suppress mTOR signalling. Thus, it appears that RSV plays a role in modulation of proteins of the mTOR pathway although more research is still needed to fully understand the interaction.
Nonlinear waves on the surface of a fluid covered by an elastic sheet
Authors: Deike Luc , Bacri Jean-Claude , Falcon Eric
Published: September 2013

We experimentally study linear and nonlinear waves on the surface of a fluid covered by an elastic sheet where both tension and flexural waves occur. An optical method is used to obtain the full space–time wave field, and the dispersion relation of the waves. When the forcing is increased, a significant nonlinear shift of the dispersion relation is observed. We show that this shift is due to an additional tension of the sheet induced by the transverse motion of a fundamental mode of the sheet. When the system is subjected to a random-noise forcing at large scales, a regime of hydroelastic wave turbulence is observed with a power-law spectrum of the scale, in disagreement with the wave turbulence prediction. We show that the separation between relevant time scales is well satisfied at each scale of the turbulent cascade as expected theoretically. The wave field anisotropy, and finite size effects are also quantified and are not at the origin of the discrepancy. Finally, the dissipation is found to occur at all scales of the cascade, contrary to the theoretical hypothesis, and could thus explain this disagreement.
Toward second-moment closure modelling of compressible shear flows
Authors: Gomez Carlos A. , Girimaji Sharath S.
Published: September 2013

Compressibility profoundly affects many aspects of turbulence in high-speed flows, most notably stability characteristics, anisotropy, kinetic–potential energy interchange and spectral cascade rate. We develop a unified framework for modelling pressure-related compressibility effects by characterizing the role and action of pressure in different speed regimes. Rapid distortion theory is used to examine the physical connection between the various compressibility effects leading to model form suggestions for pressure–strain correlation, pressure–dilatation and dissipation evolution equations. The closure coefficients are established using fixed-point analysis by requiring consistency between model and DNS asymptotic behaviour in compressible homogeneous shear flow. The closure models are employed to compute high-speed mixing layers and boundary layers. The self-similar mixing-layer profile, increased Reynolds stress anisotropy and diminished mixing-layer growth rates with increasing Mach number are all well captured. High-speed boundary-layer results are also adequately replicated even without the use of advanced thermal-flux models or low-Reynolds-number corrections.
Optimal control of dissimilar heat and momentum transfer in a fully developed turbulent channel flow
Authors: Yamamoto A. , Hasegawa Y. , Kasagi N.
Published: September 2013

Sustained friction drag reduction and heat transfer augmentation are simultaneously achieved in a fully developed channel flow where the averaged transport equations and wall boundary conditions for momentum and heat have identical form. Zero-net-mass-flux wall blowing and suction is assumed as a control input and its spatio-temporal distribution is determined based on optimal control theory. When the root-mean-square value of the control input is 5 % of the bulk mean velocity, the friction drag is decreased by 24 % from the uncontrolled value, whereas the heat transfer is more than doubled. Optimizations with different amplitudes of the control input and different Reynolds numbers reveal that the optimal control inputs commonly exhibit the property of a downstream travelling wave, whose wavelength is ∼250 in wall units and phase velocity is ∼30 % of the bulk mean velocity. Detailed analyses of the controlled velocity and thermal fields show that the travelling wave input contributes to dissimilar heat transfer enhancement through two distinct mechanisms, i.e. direct modification of the coherent velocity and thermal fields and an indirect effect on the random fields. The present results show that the divergence-free velocity vector and the conservative scalar are essentially different, and this is a key to achieving dissimilar heat transfer enhancement in turbulent shear flows.
A nonlinear model for indirect combustion noise through a compact nozzle
Authors: Huet Maxime , Giauque Alexis
Published: September 2013

The present paper deals with the generation of sound by the passage of acoustic or entropy perturbations through a nozzle in the nonlinear regime and in the low-frequency limit. The analytical model of Marble and Candel for compact nozzles (J. Sound Vib., vol. 55, 1977, pp. 225–243), initially developed for excitations in the linear regime, is rederived and extended to the nonlinear domain. Full nonlinear and second-order models are written for both subcritical and supercritical nozzles in the absence of shock and a detailed methodology is provided for the resolution of the second-order system. The accuracy of the second-order model is assessed for entropy forcings. It is shown to be accurate for all waves, with the exception of the upstream generated wave for subcritical diverging geometries where higher-order nonlinear contributions cannot be neglected. In the context of indirect combustion noise, the phenomenon of regime change of the nozzle due to an incoming entropy fluctuation is also addressed. Regime change is related to a Mach number modification induced by temperature and velocity fluctuations. In the present study, it translates into a limitation of the maximum amplitude of the incoming entropy forcing. Such limitations are to be considered for subcritical nozzles with significant inlet or outlet Mach numbers, where the flow transition is observed even for very low-amplitude entropy excitations. With the constraint of those limitations, the analytical extended nozzle describing functions representing the full nonlinear response for indirect combustion noise are validated through detailed comparisons with numerical simulations.
The dissipation and shear dispersion of entropy waves in combustor thermoacoustics
Authors: Morgans Aimee S. , Goh Chee Su , Dahan Jeremy A.
Published: September 2013

This paper considers the effect of flow advection on entropy waves. The interest is in whether entropy waves persist in gas turbine combustors, between the flame, where they are generated, and the combustor exit, where their acceleration generates acoustic waves (known as ‘entropy noise’ or ‘indirect combustion noise’). Entropy wave advection within a simplified fully developed turbulent channel-flow simulation is investigated. Entropy wave dissipation is found to be negligible, with loss of entropy wave strength caused predominantly by mean flow shear dispersion. The impulse response of entropy perturbations downstream of where they are generated is shown to be well modelled by a Gaussian profile in time. This yields a (different) Gaussian form for the inlet–outlet transfer function of entropy perturbations. For representative gas turbine flows, the magnitude of this transfer function is such that significant entropy wave strength will remain at the combustor exit, confirming that entropy-generated acoustic waves are likely to be important.
‘As His was Not a Surgical Case it was Not MyDutyto Attend Him’: The Surgeon’s Role in the Nineteenth-Century Royal Dockyards
Authors: Biddle Richard
Published: September 2013

Despite a varied historical literature on the nineteenth-century royal dockyards, very little has been written about the health issues associated with naval shipbuilding or the healthcare facilities that were provided for dockworkers in the period. This article focuses mainly on the latter. Drawing on archival sources from the home dockyards, an examination is made of the duties and responsibilities of dockyard surgeons. These are found to have expanded considerably as healthcare provision became steadily more comprehensive. It is argued that as providers to a civilian workforce, the naval authorities were in the vanguard when it came to implementing perceived advances in medical practice. It is also contended, however, that while many dockworkers benefited as a result, this positive appraisal needs to be set against the more ambiguous aspects of the surgeon’s role. Although surgeons treated the sick and injured, their growing prominence in other dockyard matters, such as retirement and the policing of sickness, is shown to have created tension in their relationship with the workforce.
Positive Complementarity and the Law Enforcement Network: Drawing Lessons from the Ad Hoc Tribunals' Completion Strategy
Authors: Soares Patrícia Pinto
Published: September 2013

The International Criminal Court (ICC) Prosecutorial Strategy 2009–12 reaffirmed the commitment of the Office of the Prosecutor (OTP) to positive complementarity. The Prosecutor recognised the inability of the ICC to deal with all cases of mass atrocities and the importance of relying on national systems if international criminal justice is to be effective. The article first proposes a two-pronged approach to complementarity that distinguishes between its legal and policy dimensions. On the basis of the analysis of the situations in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Uganda and Colombia, it will be argued that the OTP has taken controversial decisions from the viewpoint of complementarity stricto sensu and positive complementarity that may undermine filling the impunity gap as well as the legitimacy of the ICC. Attention is then drawn to the common substratum of the ad hoc tribunals' completion strategy and positive complementarity. It is explained how the experience of the completion strategy offers a valuable cluster of lessons to be applied within the spectrum of positive complementarity. In concluding, the article suggests measures for the execution of positive complementarity and the Law Enforcement Network, with the intention of optimising efforts and resources within the ICC system.
VARIATION IN SUBJECT PRONOMINAL EXPRESSION IN L2 CHINESE
Authors: Li Xiaoshi
Published: September 2013

This study investigates subject pronominal expression in second language Chinese and compares learner usage with patterns found in their first language. The results show that (a) overt pronouns are used more for singular, +animate subjects than plural, –animate ones; (b) switch in subject surface form favors overt pronouns; (c) English and Russian speakers use overt pronouns more than Korean and Japanese speakers; (d) statements favor overt pronouns most, followed by questions and then imperatives; (e) females use overt pronouns more than males; (f) conversations slightly favor overt pronouns, whereas narratives favor null pronouns; (g) higher proficiency learners across language groups use more null subject referents than do lower proficiency learners; and (h) nonspecific subject referents promote null subjects. Comparison results show that learner patterns are similar to those of their native speaker peers on most dimensions explored except that they tend to overuse overt pronouns. That is, the learners have acquired the subject pronoun use pattern in Chinese rather successfully but need to further develop their sociolinguistic competence regarding null pronoun usage.
Helicopter Accident Analysis
Authors: Nascimento Felipe A.C. , Majumdar Arnab , Ochieng Washington Y.
Published: September 2013

Analysis of helicopter accidents is fundamental to the development of effective mitigation measures. However, there are significant weaknesses in the current methods. This paper proposes a new structured framework for the analysis of accidents in helicopter operations, which includes the determination of the appropriate timeframe for analysis, establishment of terminological definitions, identification of the relevant accident variables and data sources, and the execution of a three-fold statistical analysis strategy. It is implemented in the context of worldwide offshore helicopter operations, enabling the identification of a number of areas for priority intervention including the need for a global harmonisation of accident data capture and dissemination, causal factor-based metrics for the calculation of accident rates, better pilot support for night-time and arrival operations, and a new safety paradigm to mitigate rare accidents. The framework is recommended for the analysis of helicopter accidents and incidents to support safety improvement.
Improvement to Multi-resolution Collective Detection in GNSS Receivers
Authors: Li Li , Cheong Joon Wayn , Wu Jinghui , Dempster Andrew G.
Published: September 2013

Collective detection is a promising approach to positioning in a weak signal environment, in which the navigation solution is directly obtained by acquisition search in a multi-dimensional position and common clock bias uncertainty space. By combining the correlation values from multiple satellites and fully utilizing the coherence between them, the detectable C/N0 of individual satellites can be lowered. However, the lack of a computationally efficient optimization algorithm due to high dimensionality and complexity has hindered its application. A multi-resolution collective detection is therefore proposed to be a coarse-to-fine searching approach to solve for the position and common clock bias estimation. Although it reduces the computation time of collective detection, there is a gap in the efficiency study, which is the contribution of this research. The features of different levels of search in a multi-resolution algorithm are investigated. For a coarse search with large horizontal position step size, a smaller common clock bias step size is proposed instead of an averaging correlogram to reduce computation complexity as well as to obtain high time resolution. For the fine search with small horizontal space step size, a 3-D Dichotomous searching scheme is designed and applied to reduce the number of searching grids. Computer simulation results using experimental raw data are provided, to demonstrate the performance improvement against the conventional methods.
Polymorphisms in the oxytocin receptor gene are associated with the development of psychopathy
Authors: Dadds Mark R. , Moul Caroline , Cauchi Avril , Dobson-Stone Carol , Hawes David J. , Brennan John , Urwin Ruth , Ebstein Richard E.
Published: September 2013

The co-occurrence of child conduct problems (CPs) and callous–unemotional (CU) traits confers risk for psychopathy. The oxytocin (OXT) system is a likely candidate for involvement in the development of psychopathy. We tested variations in the OXT receptor gene (OXTR) in CP children and adolescents with varying levels of CU traits. Two samples of Caucasian children, aged 4–16 years, who met DSM criteria for disruptive behavior problems and had no features of autism spectrum disorder, were stratified into low versus high CU traits. Measures were the frequencies of nine candidate OXTR polymorphisms (single nucleotide polymorphisms). In Sample 1, high CU traits were associated with single nucleotide polymorphism rs1042778 in the 3′ untranslated region of OXTR and the CGCT haplotype of rs2268490, rs2254298, rs237889, and rs13316193. The association of rs1042778 was replicated in the second rural sample and held across gender and child versus adolescent age groups. We conclude that polymorphic variation of the OXTR characterizes children with high levels of CU traits and CPs. The results are consistent with a hypothesized role of OXT in the developmental antecedents of psychopathy, particularly the differential amygdala activation model of psychopathic traits, and add genetic evidence that high CU traits specify a distinct subgroup within CP children.