bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Role of Dietary Fiber in the Bioaccessibility and Bioavailability of Fruit and Vegetable Antioxidants
Authors: Palafox‐Carlos Hugo , Ayala‐Zavala Jesús Fernando , González‐Aguilar Gustavo A.
Published: January 2011

Abstract:  Antioxidants are abundant compounds primarily found in fresh fruits and vegetables, and evidence for their role in the prevention of degenerative diseases is continuously emerging. However, the bioaccessibility and bioavailability of each compound differs greatly, and the most abundant antioxidants in ingested fruit are not necessarily those leading to the highest concentrations of active metabolites in target tissues. Fruit antioxidants are commonly mixed with different macromolecules such as carbohydrates, lipids, and proteins to form a food matrix. In fruits and vegetables, carbohydrates are the major compounds found, mainly in free and conjugated forms. Dietary fiber, the indigestible cell wall component of plant material, is considered to play an important role in human diet and health. Most studies on antioxidant bioavailability are focused on foods and beverages from which antioxidants are easily released. There is evidence indicating that food microstructure affects the bioaccessibility and bioavailability of several nutrients, referring mostly to antioxidants. Nevertheless, the specific role of dietary fiber in the absorption of antioxidants has not been widely discussed. In this context, the purpose of the present review is to compile and analyze evidence relating to the association between dietary fiber and antioxidants, and the physical and chemical interactions that modulate their release from the chyme in the gastrointestinal tract.
Wheat Bread Enrichment with Hard‐to‐Cook Bean Extruded Flours: Nutritional and Acceptance Evaluation
Authors: Batista Karla A. , Prudêncio Sandra H. , Fernandes Kátia F.
Published: January 2011

Abstract:  This study describes the enrichment of wheat bread with hard‐to‐cook black bean (BBEF) and cowpea (CEF) extruded flours. Breads containing 10% BBEF and 10% CEF presented increase of, respectively, 9% and 10% in protein content. In addition the fiber content was 2.6 higher in 10% BBEF bread and 2.2 higher in 10% CEF bread in comparison with standard bread. Despite protein and fiber increasing, the energetic value of substituted breads remained unchanged. An increase in the substitution to 15% resulted in decrease of specific volume and density of the breads. Results of sensory analysis to 10% BBEF bread presented overall appearance scores higher than standard bread and overall flavor acceptance very similar to standard. A total of 10% CEF bread presented similar appearance to those standard bread and 73% overall flavor acceptance. It is interesting to point out that distribution of 10% CEF bread overall flavor scores showed 3 distinct levels of consumer's sensibility.

Practical Application:  Breads enriched with extruded bean flours presented fiber and protein content improved and a very good consumer's acceptance. These results indicate that extruded bean flours constitute ingredients nutritionally and economically viable for technological application in breads elaboration, conferring improvement of nutritional characteristics without changing sensory attributes.
Agroenvironmental Determinants Associated with the Presence of Antimicrobial‐resistant Escherichia coli in Beach Waters in Quebec, Canada
Authors: Turgeon P. , Michel P. , Levallois P. , Chevalier P. , Daignault D. , Crago B. , Irwin R. , McEwen S. A. , Neumann N. F. , Louie M.
Published: January 2011

Exposure to microorganisms resistant to antimicrobials may constitute a health risk to human populations. It is believed that one route of exposure occurs when people engage in recreational activities in water contaminated with these microorganisms. The main objective of this study was to explore population‐level and environmental determinants specifically associated with the presence of antimicrobial resistant (AMR) generic Escherichia coli isolated from recreational waters sampled from beaches located in southern Quebec, Canada. Water samples originated from the Quebec provincial beach surveillance program for the summers of 2004 and 2005. This study focused on three classes of determinants, namely: agricultural, population‐level and beach characteristics for a total of 19 specific factors. The study was designed as a retrospective observational analysis and factors were assessed using logistic regression methods. From the multivariable analysis, the data suggested that the percentage of land used for spreading liquid manure was a significant factor associated with the presence of AMR E. coli (OR = 27.73). Conceptually, broad factors potentially influencing the presence of AMR bacteria in water must be assessed specifically in addition to factors associated with general microbial contamination. Presence of AMR E. coli in recreational waters from beaches in southern Quebec may represent a risk for people engaging in water activities and this study provides preliminary evidence that agricultural practices, specifically spreading liquid manure in agricultural lands nearby beaches, may be linked to the contamination of these waters by AMR E. coli.
Goodness and Justice*
Authors: BRADLEY BEN
Published: January 2011

In Goodness and Justice, Joseph Mendola defends three related views in normative ethics: a novel form of consequentialism, a Bentham‐style hedonism about “basic” value, and a maximin principle about the value of a world. In defending these views he draws on his views in metaethics, action theory, and the philosophy of mind. It is an ambitious and wide‐ranging book. I begin with a quick explanation of Mendola’s views, and then raise some problems.
Knowing when the camera lies: Judicial instructions mitigate the camera perspective bias
Authors: Elek Jennifer K. , Ware Lezlee J. , Ratcliff Jennifer J.
Published: January 2011

Purpose.  Videotaped confession evidence elicits harsher evaluations against a defendant if initially recorded with the camera focused primarily on the suspect, compared with other presentation formats. Unfortunately, most videotaped confession evidence employs this biasing suspect‐focus camera perspective format, leaving defendants with no recourse. The present study examined the utility of judicial instructions in mitigating the effects of the camera perspective bias on individual juror verdicts.

Methods.  Through random assignment, 156 mock jurors did or did not receive explicit instructions to correct for the camera perspective bias prior to viewing a video recording of an authentic true or false confession.

Results.  As expected, mock jurors who received instructions to correct for the camera perspective bias reported more lenient judgments of confessor guilt after viewing a suspect‐focus confession recording compared to those who did not receive such instructions. However, this relative leniency emerged only in response to false, and not true, confessions.

Conclusions.  Results demonstrated that judicial instructions used in the present research mitigated the effect of camera perspective on mock‐juror judgments of suspect guilt.
An Approach to Masonry Structural Analysis by the No-Tension Assumption—Part II: Load Singularities, Numerical Implementation and Applications
Authors: Baratta Alessandro , Corbi Ottavia
Published: January 2011

The present note follows the previous one, part I, where theoretical tools for analyzing structures made by no-tension (NT) material are presented in extensive form. Some significant results are presented in this part II of the note, ranging from the highlight of problems related to the treatment of singularities possibly occurring in the modeling of loads that burden on NT structures, and the development of tools for their treatment, to the specialization of general problems to planar and spatial structures, with the related ad hoc conceived analytical set up, original numerical tools, and noncommercial software. The implementation of the problems, deriving from the set up of the constrained optimization presented in part I of the note, is developed together with a number of applications, also providing, in some cases, the comparison of numerical, experimental, and/or field evidence referred to masonry structures, which finally validates the applicability of the adopted approach for the analysis of masonry constructions.
Complex Diel Cycles of Gene Expression in Coral-Algal Symbiosis
Authors: Levy O. , Kaniewska P. , Alon S. , Eisenberg E. , Karako-Lampert S. , Bay L. K. , Reef R. , Rodriguez-Lanetty M. , Miller D. J. , Hoegh-Guldberg O.
Published: January 2011

Rhythmically expressed genes in reef-building corals may be required to deal with oxidative stress and the coral-algal symbiosis.
Lessons from Earth's Past
Authors: Kiehl Jeffrey
Published: January 2011

What can be learned from Earth's past to guide our understanding of life in a warming world?
Boosting Minorities in Science
Authors: Hrabowski Freeman A.
Published: January 2011

Many countries are increasing investments in Science and Technology to improve their economies and the well-being of their citizens. For the United States, this priority was emphasized in the influential National Academies 2005 report
Rising Above the Gathering Storm
, which called for new funding to bolster education in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). But this past September, the Academies reported in
Expanding Underrepresented Minority Participation
that the United States faces a major obstacle in fulfilling this goal.
*
Because the minority groups underrepresented in science and engineering are the most rapidly growing in the U.S. population, the country must develop strategies to harness this resource to grow a robust science and engineering workforce and remain globally competitive.
Google Books, Wikipedia, and the Future of Culturomics
Authors: Bohannon John
Published: January 2011

As a follow-up to the quantitative analysis of data obtained from Google Books published online in
Science
on 16 December 2010 and in this week's issue on page 176, one of the study's authors has been using Wikipedia to analyze the fame of scientists whose names appear in books over the centuries.
Carrier Testing for Severe Childhood Recessive Diseases by Next-Generation Sequencing
Authors: Bell Callum J. , Dinwiddie Darrell L. , Miller Neil A. , Hateley Shannon L. , Ganusova Elena E. , Mudge Joann , Langley Ray J. , Zhang Lu , Lee Clarence C. , Schilkey Faye D. , Sheth Vrunda , Woodward Jimmy E. , Peckham Heather E. , Schroth Gary P. , Kim Ryan W. , Kingsmore Stephen F.
Published: January 2011

Carrier testing for 448 severe childhood recessive diseases by next-generation sequencing has good predictive value and suggests that every individual carries about three disease mutations.
Molecular Technologies Open New Clinical Genetic Vistas
Authors: Jackson Laird , Pyeritz Reed E.
Published: January 2011

New genome sequencing technologies show clinical potential for preconception carrier screening and noninvasive prenatal genetic diagnosis.
Dad’s Diet and Baby’s Metabolism
Authors: Bremer Andrew A.
Published: January 2011

Paternal diet affects lipid and cholesterol metabolism in the offspring.
V
H
3 Antibody Response to Immunization with Pneumococcal Polysaccharide Vaccine in Middle-Aged and Elderly Persons
Authors: Serpa Jose A. , Valayam Josemon , Musher Daniel M. , Rossen Roger D. , Pirofski Liise-anne , Rodriguez-Barradas Maria C.
Published: January 2011

Pneumococcal disease continues to cause substantial morbidity and mortality among the elderly. Older adults may have high levels of anticapsular antibody after vaccination, but their antibodies show decreased functional activity. In addition, the protective effect of the pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine (PPV) seems to cease as early as 3 to 5 years postvaccination. Recently, it was suggested that PPV elicits human antibodies that use predominantly V
H
3 gene segments and induce a repertoire shift with increased V
H
3 expression in peripheral B cells. Here we compared V
H
3-idiotypic antibody responses in middle-aged and elderly subjects receiving PPV as initial immunization or revaccination. We studied pre- and postvaccination sera from 36 (18 vaccine-naïve and 18 previously immunized subjects) middle-aged and 40 (22 vaccine-naïve and 18 previously immunized subjects) elderly adults who received 23-valent PPV. Concentrations of IgGs to four individual serotypes (6B, 14, 19F, and 23F) and of V
H
3-idiotypic antibodies (detected by the monoclonal antibody D12) to the whole pneumococcal vaccine were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). PPV elicited significant IgG and V
H
3-idiotypic antibody responses in middle-aged and elderly subjects, regardless of whether they were vaccine naïve or undergoing revaccination. Age did not influence the magnitude of the antibody responses, as evidenced by similar postvaccination IgG and V
H
3 antibody levels in both groups, even after stratifying by prior vaccine status. Furthermore, we found similar proportions (around 50%) of elderly and middle-aged subjects experiencing 2-fold increases in V
H
3 antibody titers after vaccination. Age or repeated immunization does not appear to affect the V
H
3-idiotypic immunogenicity of PPV among middle-aged and elderly adults.
Evaluation of Serological Diagnostic Methods for the 2009 Pandemic Influenza A (H1N1) Virus
Authors: Papenburg Jesse , Baz Mariana , Hamelin Marie-Ève , Rhéaume Chantal , Carbonneau Julie , Ouakki Manale , Rouleau Isabelle , De Serres Gaston , Boivin Guy
Published: January 2011

Serology improves influenza diagnosis by capturing cases missed by reverse transcriptase PCR (RT-PCR). We prospectively evaluated microneutralization and hemagglutination inhibition assays for 2009 influenza A (H1N1) virus diagnosis among 24 RT-PCR-confirmed cases and 98 household contacts. Compared to hemagglutination inhibition, microneutralization demonstrated a higher level of concordance with RT-PCR (kappa = 0.69 versus kappa = 0.60) and greater sensitivity (83% versus 71%;
P
= 0.016).
Identification of HACEK Clinical Isolates by Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption Ionization–Time of Flight Mass Spectrometry
Authors: Couturier Marc Roger , Mehinovic Elvina , Croft Ann C. , Fisher Mark A.
Published: January 2011

Matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization–time of flight (MALDI-TOF) mass spectrometry is a rapid and accurate tool for the identification of many microorganisms. We assessed this technology for the identification of 103
Haemophilus parainfluenzae
,
Aggregatibacter aphrophilus
,
Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans
,
Cardiobacterium hominis
,
Eikenella corrodens
, and
Kingella kingae
(HACEK) clinical isolates and 20
Haemophilus influenzae
clinical isolates. Ninety-three percent of HACEK organisms were identified correctly to the genus level using the Bruker database, and 100% were identified to the genus level using a custom database that included clinical isolates.
Feasibility of Flow Cytometry for Measurements of Plasmodium falciparum Parasite Burden in Studies in Areas of Malaria Endemicity by Use of Bidimensional Assessment of YOYO-1 and Autofluorescence
Authors: Campo Joseph J. , Aponte John J. , Nhabomba Augusto J. , Sacarlal Jahit , Angulo-Barturen Iñigo , Jiménez-Díaz María Belén , Alonso Pedro L. , Dobaño Carlota
Published: January 2011

The detection and quantification of
Plasmodium falciparum
in studies of malaria endemicity primarily relies upon microscopy. High-throughput quantitative methods with less subjectivity and greater reliability are needed for investigational studies. The staining of parasitized erythrocytes with YOYO-1 for flow cytometry bears great potential as a tool for assessing malaria parasite burden. Capillary blood was collected from children presenting to the pediatric ward of the Manhiça District Hospital in Mozambique for parasitemia assessment by thick and thin blood films, flow cytometry (YOYO-1
530/585
), and quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR). Whole blood was fixed and stained with YOYO-1 for acquisition on a cytometer to assess the frequency of infected erythrocyte events. qRT-PCR was used as the gold standard for the detection of
P. falciparum
. The YOYO-1
530/585
method was as sensitive and specific as conventional microscopy (area under the receiver operating characteristic, 0.9 for both methods). The interrater mean difference for YOYO-1
530/585
was near zero. Parasite density using flow cytometry and complete blood counts returned density estimates with a mean difference 2.2 times greater than results by microscopy (confidence interval, 1.46 to 3.60) but with limits of agreement between 10 times lower and 50 times higher than those of microscopy. The YOYO-1
530/585
staining pattern was established exactly as demonstrated in animal models, but the assay was limited by the lack of appropriate negative-control samples for establishing background levels and the definition of positives in areas in which malaria is endemic. YOYO-1
530/585
is a high-throughput tool with great potential if the limitations of negative controls and heterogeneous levels of background signal can be overcome.
Conserved Residues in Lassa Fever Virus Z Protein Modulate Viral Infectivity at the Level of the Ribonucleoprotein
Authors: Capul Althea A. , de la Torre Juan Carlos , Buchmeier Michael J.
Published: January 2011

Arenaviruses are negative-strand RNA viruses that cause human diseases such as lymphocytic choriomeningitis, Bolivian hemorrhagic fever, and Lassa hemorrhagic fever. No licensed vaccines exist, and current treatment is limited to ribavirin. The prototypic arenavirus, lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus (LCMV), is a model for dissecting virus-host interactions in persistent and acute disease. The RING finger protein Z has been identified as the driving force of arenaviral budding and acts as the viral matrix protein. While residues in Z required for viral budding have been described, residues that govern the Z matrix function(s) have yet to be fully elucidated. Because this matrix function is integral to viral assembly, we reasoned that this would be reflected in sequence conservation. Using sequence alignment, we identified several conserved residues in Z outside the RING and late domains. Nine residues were each mutated to alanine in Lassa fever virus Z. All of the mutations affected the expression of an LCMV minigenome and the infectivity of virus-like particles, but to greatly varying degrees. Interestingly, no mutations appeared to affect Z-mediated budding or association with viral GP. Our findings provide direct experimental evidence supporting a role for Z in the modulation of the activity of the viral ribonucleoprotein (RNP) complex and its packaging into mature infectious viral particles.
Vesicular Stomatitis Virus as a Vector To Deliver Virus-Like Particles of Human Norovirus: a New Vaccine Candidate against an Important Noncultivable Virus
Authors: Ma Yuanmei , Li Jianrong
Published: January 2011

Human norovirus (HuNoV) is a major causative agent of food-borne gastroenteritis worldwide. Currently, there are no vaccines or effective therapeutic interventions for this virus. Development of an attenuated vaccine for HuNoV has been hampered by the inability to grow the virus in cell culture. Thus, a vector-based vaccine may be ideal. In this study, we constructed a recombinant vesicular stomatitis virus (rVSV-VP1) expressing VP1, the major capsid protein of HuNoV. Expression of the capsid protein by VSV resulted in the formation of HuNoV virus-like particles (VLPs) that are morphologically and antigenically similar to native virions. Recombinant rVSV-VP1 was attenuated in cultured mammalian cells as well as in mice. Mice inoculated with a single dose of rVSV-VP1 through intranasal and oral routes stimulated a significantly stronger humoral and cellular immune response than baculovirus-expressed VLP vaccination. Moreover, we demonstrated that mice inoculated with rVSV-VP1 triggered a comparable level of fecal and vaginal IgA antibody. Taken together, the VSV recombinant system not only provides a new approach to generate HuNoV VLPsin vitrobut also a new avenue for the development of vectored vaccines against norovirus and other noncultivable viruses.
Structural Analysis of a Viral Ovarian Tumor Domain Protease from the Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic Fever Virus in Complex with Covalently Bonded Ubiquitin
Authors: Capodagli Glenn C. , McKercher Marissa A. , Baker Erica A. , Masters Emily M. , Brunzelle Joseph S. , Pegan Scott D.
Published: January 2011

Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever (CCHF) virus is a tick-borne, negative-sense, single-stranded RNA [ssRNA(−)] nairovirus that produces fever, prostration, and severe hemorrhages in humans. With fatality rates for CCHF ranging up to 70% based on several factors, CCHF is considered a dangerous emerging disease. Originally identified in the former Soviet Union and the Congo, CCHF has rapidly spread across large sections of Europe, Asia, and Africa. Recent reports have identified a viral homologue of the ovarian tumor protease superfamily (vOTU) within its L protein. This protease has subsequently been implicated in downregulation of the type I interferon immune response through cleavage of posttranslational modifying proteins ubiquitin (Ub) and the Ub-like interferon-simulated gene 15 (ISG15). Additionally, homologues of vOTU have been suggested to perform similar roles in the positive-sense, single-stranded RNA [ssRNA(+)] arteriviruses. By utilizing X-ray crystallographic techniques, the structure of vOTU covalently bound to ubiquitin propylamine, a suicide substrate of the enzyme, was elucidated to 1.7 Å, revealing unique structural elements that define this new subclass of the OTU superfamily. In addition, kinetic studies were carried out with aminomethylcoumarin (AMC) conjugates of monomeric Ub, ISG15, and NEDD8 (neural precursor cell expressed, developmentally downregulated 8) substrates in order to provide quantitative insights into vOTU's preference for Ub and Ub-like substrates.
Cooperative Cleavage of the R Peptide in the Env Trimer of Moloney Murine Leukemia Virus Facilitates Its Maturation for Fusion Competence
Authors: Löving Robin , Kronqvist Malin , Sjöberg Mathilda , Garoff Henrik
Published: January 2011

The spike protein of murine leukemia virus, MLV, is made as a trimer of the Env precursor. This is primed for receptor-induced activation of its membrane fusion function first by cellular furin cleavage in the ectodomain and then by viral protease cleavage in the endodomain. The first cleavage separates the peripheral surface (SU) subunit from the transmembrane (TM) subunit, and the latter releases a 16-residue-long peptide (R) from the TM endodomain. Here, we have studied the distribution of R peptide cleavages in the spike TM subunits of Moloney MLV preparations with partially R-peptide-processed spikes. The spikes were solubilized as trimers and separated with an R peptide antibody. This showed that the spikes were either uncleaved or cleaved in all of its TM subunits. Further studies showed that R peptide cleavage-inhibited Env mutants, L
649
V and L
649
I, were rescued by wild-type (wt) Env in heterotrimeric spikes. These findings suggested that the R peptide cleavages in the spike are facilitated through positive allosteric cooperativity; i.e., the cleavage of the TM subunit in one Env promoted the cleavages of the TMs in the other Envs. The mechanism ensures that protease cleavage in newly released virus will generate R-peptide-cleaved homotrimers rather than heterotrimeric intermediates. However, using a cleavage site Env mutant, L
649
R, which was not rescued by wt Env, it was possible to produce virus with heterotrimers. These were shown to be less fusion active than the R-peptide-cleaved homotrimers. Therefore, the cooperative cleavage will speed up the maturation of released virus for fusion competence.
The Herpes Simplex Virus 1 IgG Fc Receptor Blocks Antibody-Mediated Complement Activation and Antibody-Dependent Cellular CytotoxicityIn Vivo
Authors: Lubinski John M. , Lazear Helen M. , Awasthi Sita , Wang Fushan , Friedman Harvey M.
Published: January 2011

Herpes simplex virus 1 (HSV-1) glycoprotein E (gE) mediates cell-to-cell spread and functions as an IgG Fc receptor (FcγR) that blocks the Fc domain of antibody targeting the virus or infected cell. Efforts to assess the functions of the HSV-1 FcγRin vivohave been hampered by difficulties in preparing an FcγR-negative strain that is relatively intact for spread. Here we report the FcγR and spread phenotypes of NS-gE264, which is a mutant strain that has four amino acids inserted after gE residue 264. The virus is defective in IgG Fc binding yet causes zosteriform disease in the mouse flank model that is only minimally reduced compared with wild-type and the rescue strains. The presence of zosteriform disease suggests that NS-gE264 spread functions are well maintained. The HSV-1 FcγR binds the Fc domain of human, but not murine IgG; therefore, to assess FcγR functionsin vivo, mice were passively immunized with human IgG antibody to HSV. When antibody was inoculated intraperitoneally 20 h prior to infection or shortly after virus reached the dorsal root ganglia, disease severity was significantly reduced in mice infected with NS-gE264, but not in mice infected with wild-type or rescue virus. Studies of C3 knockout mice and natural killer cell-depleted mice demonstrated that the HSV-1 FcγR blocked both IgG Fc-mediated complement activation and antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity. Therefore, the HSV-1 FcγR promotes immune evasion from IgG Fc-mediated activities and likely contributes to virulence at times when antibody is present, such as during recurrent infections.
Multimodal endovascular therapy of traumatic and spontaneous carotid cavernous fistula using coils, n-BCA, Onyx and stent graft
Authors: Zaidat Osama O , Lazzaro Marc A , Niu Tianyi , Hong Sang Hun , Fitzsimmons Brian-Fred , Lynch John R , Sinson Grant P
Published: January 2011

Background and purpose

Carotid cavernous fistula (CCF) can be classified as either direct or indirect according to the arterial feeder source. The current standard treatment for CCF is endovascular embolization. In this case series, 21 CCF (direct and indirect) embolization procedures were treated with multimodal endovascular therapy to explore safety, technique and clinical efficacy.

Method and patients

The neurointerventional database was reviewed for all cases of CCF. Demographic information, indications for the procedure, presenting symptoms, endovascular therapy types, complications and procedure angiographic and clinical efficacy were collected.

Results

21 CCF embolization procedures were performed using multimodal therapy on 15 patients (eight females and seven males) with a mean age of 56.4±22.4 years (15–90 years), with 60% traumatic CCF and 40% spontaneous CCF presenting mainly with typical visual symptoms. 10 patients were treated in one session, four patients underwent two sessions and one required three sessions of endovascular therapy. Complete fistula occlusion was achieved in 10/15 patients (73.3%) in one session and in 14/15 (93.3%) patients after two or more sessions. One patient's symptoms (case No 15) improved dramatically after the second session despite incomplete obliteration of the CCF. No periprocedural complications were reported. Long term follow-up showed one recurrence of the CCF with a mean follow-up time of 201±17.2 months (range 1–56 months). Patient No 6 was lost to follow-up.

Conclusion

Multimodal endovascular embolization of CCF appears to be safe with a high success rate of complete obliteration. This case series demonstrates complete occlusion in 73.3% of the patients after one session and in 93.3% after the second session.
Team training: a safer future for neurointerventional practice
Authors: Miguel Karen , Hirsch Joshua A , Sheridan Robert M
Published: January 2011

As medical errors and patient harm mount in today's healthcare arena, healthcare administrators have turned to high efficiency, high reliability, and high risk industries for strategies and guidance. By adopting elements of Crew Resource Management (CRM), healthcare teams have been shown to work more effectively together, allowing for earlier recognition of medical errors and catching them before they cause serious patient harm.
The neurointerventional procedure room of the future: predicting likely innovations in design and function
Authors: Norbash Alexander , Klein Lloyd W , Goldstein James , Haines David , Balter Stephen , Fairobent Lynne , Miller Donald L
Published: January 2011

The Multispecialty Occupational Health Group, as part of their work, have considered likely characteristics of the neurointerventional surgery operating room of tomorrow. Such rooms will be distinguished by certain architectural features and markedly increased information technology features. The novel architectural features will include system proximities, such as embedding the procedure room next to traditional operating rooms, anesthesia recovery units, intensive care units or the emergency department. Novel features will likely also include distinct, contained, open sided control areas for technical and medical staff, integrated modular multimodality capability for non-ionizing extravascular and endovascular imaging and therapeutic tools, and various additional described distinct features. Information technology features will permit importation of multiple imaging datastreams, quality and performance monitoring, measuring and exportation, and utilization trajectory matched automated inventory systems. Additional needs will likely include streaming imaging and physiologic information channels, in selected instances supplemental cross sectional and metabolic imaging equipment, robotic intermediaries and more formally designated stations for datastream and scrub technologists.
Simulated mammal browsing and host gender effects on dual mycorrhizal Salix repens
Authors: Saravesi Karita , Markkola Annamari , Rautio Pasi , Tuomi Juha
Published: January 2011

We studied effects of simulated browsing and host plant gender on mycorrhizal status of dioecious Salix repens, forming both ectomycorrhizal (ECM) and arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) symbioses. Owing to their lower biomass production, AM fungi may require less carbon from the host and have a competitive advantage over ECM fungi when carbon availability is reduced. Further, in dioecious plants, females have generally higher reproduction costs than males. Hence, herbivory may be especially detrimental to female plants and their ECM symbionts in favour of AM symbionts. Fifty percent shoot clipping increased the number of vegetative shoots but reduced the proportion of flowering shoots equally in male and female hosts. Despite clipping, ECM and AM colonization remained unchanged. However, slightly reduced soil fungal biomass was found in clipped patches of male S. repens. Our novel finding of AM spores occurring in the ECM fungal mantle of S. repens roots suggests that both mycorrhizal partners may coexist in the same root segment. Since no interaction between gender and clipping in fungal parameters was detected, we conclude that female and male S. repens are equally preferable hosts for fungal symbionts, even when carbohydrate availability has been decreased because of herbivory.
Spatial patterns in defoliation and the expression of clonal traits in grazed meadows
Authors: Benot Marie-Lise , Bonis Anne , Rossignol Nicolas , Mony Cendrine
Published: January 2011

Clonal plant species dominate meadow vegetation where grazing can generate spatial heterogeneity at different scales and can select for species that express particular sets of clonal traits. This in situ study aimed to characterize fine-grained spatial patterns of defoliation (<1 m) induced by contrasting cattle grazing intensities and to link these spatial patterns with the abundance of species-specific clonal traits. Using correlogams and synthetic spatio-temporal indices, the heterogeneity of vegetation height and leaf damage was monitored along a cattle grazing gradient. Species were identified and their clonal traits retrieved from the database CLO-PLA3. Under moderate grazing, fine-grained spatial patterns of defoliation were not stable over time. Defoliation was heterogeneous during the first months of the grazing season and then became homogeneous. Intensive grazing generated homogeneous defoliation, regardless of the date. In the study meadow, grazing gave rise to communities containing a greater abundance of annual species. However, clonal traits assumed to enable clonal fragments to benefit from heterogeneity do not seem advantageous. Increasing grazing intensity promoted species with clonal traits expected to minimize costs associated with clonality (aboveground clonal growth forms, short-distance lateral spread, and (or) short-lived connections). Ungrazed conditions favoured species with clonal traits associated with a high competitive ability.
The ecology of Canada Yew (Taxus canadensisMarsh.): A review
Authors: Windels Steve K. , Flaspohler David J.
Published: January 2011

Canada yew (Taxus canadensis Marsh.) is a shade-tolerant evergreen shrub native to the understories of the boreal and deciduous forests of northeastern North America. Canada yew has a relatively unique growth form, with low sprawling branches capable of forming dense clusters of stems. Historic accounts suggest that before Euro-American settlement, Canada yew was a common plant across its range in many forest types and that it was locally abundant or dominant in 5%–20% of forest stands in the northern part of its range. Canada yew’s range has declined during the last century as a result of browsing by native ungulates, fire, intensive forest management, and clearing of land for agriculture and other development. It is considered uncommon throughout most of its present North American range, except for often isolated populations in areas that remain free from heavy browsing pressure by moose and deer (e.g., islands, areas with heavy snow cover, or areas naturally low in ungulate abundance). Its decline has likely resulted in changes to abiotic and biotic conditions, including structure and composition of understory vegetation and concomitant effects on understory vertebrates. Increasing white-tailed deer populations and reduced snowfall as a result of climate change in eastern North America threaten to extirpate this species from additional parts of its range in the next century. Suggestions for future research are discussed.
INFORMATION QUANTIFICATION OF EMPIRICAL MODE DECOMPOSITION AND APPLICATIONS TO FIELD POTENTIALS
Authors: MEHBOOB ZAREEN , YIN HUJUN
Published: January 2011

The empirical mode decomposition (EMD) method can adaptively decompose a non-stationary time series into a number of amplitude or frequency modulated functions known as intrinsic mode functions. This paper combines the EMD method with information analysis and presents a framework of information-preserving EMD. The enhanced EMD method has been exploited in the analysis of neural recordings. It decomposes a signal and extracts only the most informative oscillations contained in the non-stationary signal. Information analysis has shown that the extracted components retain the information content of the signal. More importantly, a limited number of components reveal the main oscillations presented in the signal and their instantaneous frequencies, which are not often obvious from the original signal. This information-coupled EMD method has been tested on several field potential datasets for the analysis of stimulus coding in visual cortex, from single and multiple channels, and for finding information connectivity among channels. The results demonstrate the usefulness of the method in extracting relevant responses from the recorded signals. An investigation is also conducted on utilizing the Hilbert phase for cases where phase information can further improve information analysis and stimulus discrimination. The components of the proposed method have been integrated into a toolbox and the initial implementation is also described.
RECURRENCE-BASED ESTIMATION OF TIME-DISTORTION FUNCTIONS FOR ERP WAVEFORM RECONSTRUCTION
Authors: IHRKE MATTHIAS , SCHROBSDORFF HECKE , HERRMANN J. MICHAEL
Published: January 2011

We introduce an approach to compensate for temporal distortions of repeated measurements in event-related potential research. The algorithm uses a combination of methods from nonlinear time-series analysis and is based on the construction of pairwise registration functions from cross-recurrence plots of the phase-space representations of ERP signals. The globally optimal multiple-alignment path is approximated by hierarchical cluster analysis, i.e. by iteratively combining pairs of trials according to similarity. By the inclusion of context information in form of externally acquired time markers (e.g. reaction time) into a regularization scheme, the extracted warping functions can be guided near paths that are implied by the experimental procedure. All parameters occurring in the algorithm can be optimized based on the properties of the data and there is a broad regime of parameter configurations where the algorithm produces good results. Simulations on artificial data and the analysis of ERPs from a psychophysical study demonstrate the robustness and applicability of the algorithm.
GEOMETRIC KdV FLOWS, MOTIONS OF CURVES AND THE THIRD-ORDER SYSTEM OF THE AKNS HIERARCHY
Authors: DING QING , WANG YOUDE
Published: January 2011

By applying the concept of geometric KdV flows into Kähler and para-Kähler manifolds, we give a unified geometric interpretation for the four typical integrable equations in the third-order system of the AKNS hierarchy. That is: the KdV equation, the mKdV equation, the complex mKdV- equation and the complex mKdV+ equation are, respectively, equivalent to the first kind reduction, the second kind reduction of the geometric KdV flow of maps from R1 to the de Sitter two-space S1,1 ↪ R2,1 (regarded as a para-Kähler manifold), the geometric KdV flow of maps from R1 to the hyperbolic two-space H2 ↪ R2,1 (regarded as a Kähler manifold of noncompact type) and the geometric KdV flow of maps from R1 to the two-sphere S2 ↪ R3 (regarded as a Kähler manifold of compact type). This is an application of the general geometric KdV flows.
ON THE THERMODYNAMIC GEOMETRY OF HOT QCD
Authors: BELLUCCI STEFANO , CHANDRA VINOD , TIWARI BHUPENDRA NATH
Published: January 2011

We study the nature of the covariant thermodynamic geometry arising from the free energy of hot QCD. We systematically analyze the underlying equilibrium thermodynamic configurations of the free energy of two- and three-flavor hot QCD with or without the inclusion of thermal fluctuations in the neighborhood of the QCD transition temperature. We show that there exists a well-defined thermodynamic geometric notion for the QCD thermodynamics. The geometry thus obtained has no singularity as an intrinsic Riemannian manifold. We further show that there is a close connection of this geometric approach with the existing studies of correlations and quark number susceptibilities.
THE REVIVAL OF (0, 2) SIGMA MODELS
Authors: McORIST JOCK
Published: January 2011

Compactifications of the heterotic string are a viable route to phenomenologically realistic vacua and interesting new mathematics. While supergravity aspects of heterotic compactifications are largely well-understood their worldsheet description remains largely unexplored. We review recent work in developing linear sigma model techniques aimed at elucidating the underlying worldsheet description.
SOLITARY WAVENUMBER-FREQUENCY FORMULATION USING AN ANCIENT CHINESE ARITHMETIC
Authors: HE JI-HUAN , YANG QIN
Published: January 2011

A solitary wavenumber-frequency formulation is suggested using an ancient Chinese arithmetic. The nonlinear Schrödinger equation is used as an example to show the effectiveness of the formulation.
TWO HIERARCHIES OF NONLINEAR SOLITON EQUATIONS, NEW INTEGRABLE SYMPLECTIC MAP AND DISCRETE INTEGRABLE COUPLINGS
Authors: SUN YE-PENG , ZHAO HONG-QING
Published: January 2011

Two hierarchies of nonlinear soliton equations are derived from a discrete spectral problem. It is shown that the hierarchies are completely integrable Hamiltonian systems. Moreover, a new integrable symplectic map is obtained using the binary nonlinearization method. With the help of semi-direct sum of Lie algebra, discrete integrable couplings are constructed.
LARGE EDDY SIMULATION OF HYDROELASTIC VIBRATION USING THE FINITE ELEMENT METHOD
Authors: WANG W. Q. , ZHANG L. X. , HE X. Q. , GUO Y.
Published: January 2011

This work is concerned with modeling the interaction of fluid flow with flexible solid structures. An improving spring smooth analogy and an improved constant volume transfer (ICVT) are used to provide fluid mesh control and transfer the information on the interfaces between fluid and structure, respectively. The time integrating algorithm is based on the predictor multi-corrector algorithm (PMA).

An important aspect of this work is that we present a directly coupled approach, in which a large eddy simulation (LES) fluid solver and a structure solver have been coupled together to solve a hydroelasticity problem using the finite element method. To demonstrate the performance of the proposed approach, two working examples were used. One is the vibration of a beam immersed in incompressible fluid, another is the hydroelastic behavior of an ideal guide vane in a hydro turbine passage. The numerical results show the validity of the proposed approach.
INTERFACE STATES-INDUCED-CHANGE IN THE ENERGY BAND DIAGRAM AND CAPACITANCE–VOLTAGE CHARACTERISTICS OF ISOTYPE ZnTe/CdTe HETEROJUNCTIONS
Authors: ALFARAMAWI K. , SWEYLLAM A. , ABBOUDY S. , IMAM N. G. , MOTAWEH H. A.
Published: January 2011

Epitaxial layers of ZnTe have been grown on a (111) oriented CdTe single crystal substrate by thermal evaporation technique at 180°C and a pressure of 10-6 Torr. X-ray diffraction pattern indicated a highly oriented crystallographic growth of ZnTe (111) layer on CdTe (111) substrate. C–V measurements are carried out at frequencies of 10 kHz and 100 kHz. 1/C2 versus the forward bias voltage gave a straight line in the voltage range from 1 to 3 V. Extrapolation of 1/C2 → 0 led to an estimated value of the built-in potential of about 0.58 V. The calculated charge carrier concentration in the lightly doped over-grown layer, ZnTe , has been found to be p = 1.7 × 1016 cm -3. It was found that energy band diagram constructed according to the electron affinity model is not the adequate one to explain the capacitance–voltage behavior. Therefore, one should take into account the effect of interface states on the energy band diagram. The interface states density has been estimated to be ~1013 cm -2 for (111) ZnTe /(111) CdTe heterojunction system. The interface states were identified as hole traps for the ZnTe / CdTe heterojunction. Accordingly, a band bending downward both materials, and a depletion zone in both of them are expected.
MODIFIED HOMOTOPY PERTURBATION METHOD FOR SOLVING INTEGRAL EQUATIONS
Authors: SABERI-NADJAFI JAFAR , TAMAMGAR MOHAMADREZA
Published: January 2011

This paper proposes a modified homotopy perturbation method to solve Fredholm and Volterra integral equations. Comparison of the obtained results with those obtained by the standard homotopy perturbation method shows that the proposed method is very effective and simple.
RECENT DEVELOPMENTS IN BIAXIAL LIQUID CRYSTALS: AN NMR PERSPECTIVE
Authors: DONG RONALD Y.
Published: January 2011

A survey of recent studies of biaxial liquid crystals (LCs), whose nematic and/or smectic-A phases do not possess optical uniaxiality (viz., more than one optical axis exists), is given in this review. In particular, we emphasize on how Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) spectroscopy can help to advance the understanding of phase biaxiality in general, and to examine recent debates on the existence of biaxial nematic phase reported in low molecular mass bent-core or V-shaped mesogens. A general discussion of orientational order parameters is detailed, particularly in smectic-C (SmC) and biaxial nematic phases. How these orientational order parameters can be determined by various techniques such as NMR, IR absorbance and Raman scattering studies, will be mentioned. Recent X-ray observations of SmC clusters in the nematic phase of V-shaped mesogens are highlighted and contrasted with probable theory. Moreover, deuterium and carbon-13 NMR techniques are briefly reviewed, and their possible utilization to identify phase biaxiality in these biaxial LC systems is explored.
EXACT ANALYTICAL EXPRESSIONS AND NUMERICAL VALUES OF MARVIN'S RADIAL INTEGRALS OF THE SPIN-ORBIT INTERACTIONS OF ELECTRONS OF THE TYPE ${{\rm MF}}_k^{(\mu, \nu)}(1;2)$ AND ${{\rm MG}}_k^{(\mu, \nu)}(1, 2)$ WITH THE KERNEL $\frac{r_{ < }^{k+\mu}}{r_{ > }^{k+\nu}}\left(r_{ < }\frac{\partial}{\partial r_{ > }}+r_{ > }\frac{\partial}{\partial r_{ < }}\right)$ FOR ARBITRARY nl-STATES OF H-LIKE ATOMS (AS μ ≥ 0 IS AN EVEN, ν-μ = 3, 5, …, k ≥ 0, Z ≤ 137) BY MEANS OF GAUSS'S 2F1(z) FUNCTIONS
Authors: TARASOV V. F.
Published: January 2011

In this article, new formulae for Marvin's radial integrals of the so-called exchange MGk(1, 2) and direct Coulomb MFk(1, 2) integrals of spin-orbit interactions of electrons are first given. Exact numerical values of these integrals in the form of the regular rational fractions for simplest cases of nl-states are given in Tables 1 and 2. (The author has all values of these integrals for arbitrary nl-states of H-like atoms, k ≥ 0 and Z ≤ 137, i.e., actually for the whole Mendeleev's table).
COMPARATIVE STUDY OF THE STRUCTURAL AND ELECTRONIC PROPERTIES OF BN(5, 5) AND C(5, 5) NANOTUBES UNDER PRESSURE
Authors: HE KAIHUA , ZHENG GUANG , CHEN GANG , CHEN QILI , WAN MIAO , JI GUANGFU
Published: January 2011

The structural and electronic properties of BN(5, 5) and C(5, 5) nanotubes under pressure are studied by using first principles calculations. In our study range, BN(5, 5) undergoes obvious elliptical distortion, while for C(5, 5) the cross section first becomes an ellipse and then, under further pressure, is flattened. The band gap of BN(5, 5) decreases with increasing pressure, which is inverse to that of zinc blende BN, whereas for C(5, 5) the metallicity is always preserved under high pressure. The population of charge density indicates that intertube bonding is formed under pressure. We also find that BN(5, 5) may collapse, and a new polymer material based on C(5, 5) is formed by applying pressure.
BRANCHING STRUCTURE FOR THE TRANSIENT (1, R)-RANDOM WALK IN RANDOM ENVIRONMENT AND ITS APPLICATIONS
Authors: HONG WENMING , ZHANG LIN
Published: January 2011

An intrinsic multi-type branching structure within the transient (1, R)-RWRE is revealed. The branching structure enables us to specify the density of the absolutely continuous invariant measure for the Markov chain of environments seen from the particle and reprove the LLN with a drift explicitly in terms of the environment.
ARITHMETIC PROPERTIES OF TRACES OF SINGULAR MODULI ON CONGRUENCE SUBGROUPS
Authors: KANG SOON-YI , KIM CHANG HEON
Published: January 2011

After Zagier proved that the traces of singular moduli are Fourier coefficients of a weakly holomorphic modular form, various arithmetic properties of the traces of singular values of modular functions mostly on the full modular group have been found. The purpose of this paper is to generalize the results for modular functions on congruence subgroups with arbitrary level.