bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Diseño para el conocimiento reglado de acceso libre a través de Internet
Authors: Morillo Balsera M. C. , Sebastian Lorente L. , Casado Fuente M. L.
Published: February 2012

El impacto de las tecnologías de la información y la comunicación, TIC, ha abierto, un campo de posibilidades casi ilimitadas para comunicar y compartir la información. Entre las iniciativas creadas merece destacarse la de “OpenCourseWare (OCW)” movimiento de la iniciativa OCW-MIT, la cual proporciona un acceso libre, sencillo y coherente a los materiales docentes para educadores con carácter no lucrativo, a estudiantes y autodidactas de todo el mundo. Existen muchas razones para afirmar que la mejora del acceso libre a la creación y a la comunicación de la información, es positiva para los seres humanos como en Floridi, 2002. Este artículo, recoge varios años de trabajo en la enseñanza del Álgebra y la Geometría para ingenieros. Todo esto se enmarca dentro de la tecnología de un aprendizaje invisible. Bajo este enfoque, se busca la creación de futuros relevantes aplicados a las matemáticas, fomentando la creación, ampliación y accesibilidad en un entorno informacional como en Cobo y Moravec, 2011.
¿Existen alternativas a las clases magistrales? Una experiencia en Fisiología Ocular del grado de Óptica y Optometría
Authors: Abadía Valle Ana Rosa , Muñoz Gonzalvo María Jesús , Soteras Abril Fernando
Published: February 2012

En este artículo exponemos cómo aplicando la metodología del Aprendizaje Basado en Problemas (ABP) y un sistema de evaluación continua a alumnos de primer curso del grado de Óptica en la asignatura de Fisiología Ocular han mejorado, con carácter general, las calificaciones finales de los alumnos.
Gestión eficiente de la evaluación continua del alumnado. La integración del trabajo de escritorio con Moodle
Authors: Querol E. , Perez-Benedito J. L. , García-Martínez M. J. , Segarra Catasús P.
Published: February 2012

Se presenta una aplicación desarrollada en Visual Basic para Microsoft Excel 2010 con el propósito de ofrecer una herramienta que ayude al profesorado en las labores de calificación de pruebas de evaluación continua a lo largo de un curso en conjunción con la plataforma Moodle. Se describe también su aplicación a una asignatura concreta.
Diferencias en los niveles de motivación por sexo, curso y tipo de centro educativo en el aprendizaje estratégico de la lengua extranjera
Authors: De la Morena Taboada Marián , Sánchez Burón Adolfo , Poveda Fernández Martín M.
Published: February 2012

La investigación realiza una revisión de los principales modelos motivacionales aplicados al aprendizaje de idiomas y se centra en la identificación de aquellas variables motivacionales que más inciden en el aprendizaje estratégico de una lengua extranjera. Para ello, se aplicó el Cuestionario de Autoeficacia y Motivación Académica a una muestra de 564 sujetos (309 varones y 254 mujeres) pertenecientes a 3.º (41,030%) y 4.º (28,597%) de ESO y 1.º de Bachillerato (30,373%) de dos centros educativos de la CM (41,7%, centro público y 58,3%, centro privado). Los resultados muestran que las puntuaciones en los ítems que indican motivación instrumental (motivos profesionales y de reconocimiento social) son los más altos. Las mujeres obtienen puntuaciones más altas en todos los factores así como el centro privado, salvo en la variable Habilidad Percibida, que es superior en el centro público.
Experiencia innovadora en la docencia de las asignaturas del grado de ingeniería de diseño industrial y desarrollo de producto basada en actividades multidisciplinares
Authors: Miralbes Ramón , Auria José Manuel , Tardío Enrique , López Ignacio
Published: February 2012

El objetivo de este artículo es la presentación de los resultados obtenidos y de la metodología desarrollada durante un proyecto de innovación docente cuyo objetivo era la definición, desarrollo e implantación de un proyecto de multidisciplinar que aglutine las diversas asignaturas de un cuatrimestre y en el que se desarrollen los conocimientos adquiridos en cada una de ellas. Se pretende con esta metodología que todas las asignaturas participen en la consecución de unos objetivos globales.
Una plataforma internacional de apoyo a la docencia basada en noticias
Authors: Palomo Jesús , Montalvo Soto
Published: February 2012

En el nuevo contexto educativo definido por el Espacio Europeo de Educación Superior (EEES) se potencia el trabajo autónomo del estudiante, lo que requiere nuevas herramientas que faciliten el acceso a la información. En este trabajo presentamos iCollege, una plataforma educativa capaz de recopilar información de actualidad relevante de diferentes fuentes internacionales y presentarla clasificada por asignaturas y temas; aliviando así la carga de trabajo de docentes y alumnos. Además, permite fomentar el hábito de lectura en otras lenguas, facilita la integración de alumnos visitantes extranjeros y muestra los distintos puntos de vista que los medios de comunicación internacionales publican sobre un mismo asunto. Gracias a la integración con Campus Virtual o CMS se fomenta el trabajo colaborativo de los estudiantes y facilita la supervisión y evaluación por parte de los docentes.
Estilos de aprendizaje y estilos de pensamiento en estudiantes universitarios. Aprender a aprender y aprender a pensar
Authors: Allueva Torres Pedro , Bueno García Concepción
Published: February 2012

Con el fin de poder determinar con qué estilos de aprendizaje y estilos de pensamiento llegan los estudiantes a las distintas titulaciones a la Universidad de Zaragoza, se les pasó, a una muestra de estudiantes de 1.º curso, el Cuestionario Honey-Alonso de Estilos de Aprendizaje (CHAEA) y el Cuestionario de Estilos de Pensamiento de Sternberg-Wagner. Asimismo, se realizaron análisis de los datos para estudiar las posibles correlaciones existentes entre los Estilos de Aprendizaje y los Estilos de Pensamiento de dichos cuestionarios. El conocimiento de los estilos de aprendizaje y pensamiento por parte de los estudiantes les facilitará el conocimiento metacognitivo, así como, que aprendan a aprender y aprendan a pensar, facilitando así el proceso de aprendizaje de las distintas materias y el desarrollo de habilidades de aprendizaje y del pensamiento.
Auto-evaluación previa a las prácticas de laboratorio químico: introducción al auto-aprendizaje
Authors: Noguera Murray Patricia , Tortajada Genaro Luis Antonio , Atienza Boronat Julia , Herrero Villén M. Asunción
Published: February 2012

En este trabajo se muestra una estrategia para mejorar los resultados de aprendizaje en las prácticas de laboratorio en una asignatura de Química del Grado en Ingeniería Agroalimentaria y del Medio Rural realizando cuestionarios previos temporizados usando la plataforma e-learning PoliformaT. De este modo, se ha permitido la auto-evaluación de los alumnos antes de realizar una sesión de prácticas, fomentando la preparación y el interés del alumno en su realización y consiguiendo un mayor aprovechamiento de los recursos. La eficacia de esta estrategia se ha establecido a partir del análisis de datos recogidos durante la aplicación y realizando un sondeo de opinión. La aplicación de estos cuestionarios ha permitido un cambio de actitud en los alumnos, fomentando una actitud activa (y positiva) hacia las prácticas y consiguiendo un mayor aprovechamiento de las mismas.
Realidad jurídico-laboral en el aula. Guías de trabajo autónomo con medios audiovisuales
Authors: Moya Amador R. , Serrano Falcón C. , Tomás Jiménez N.
Published: February 2012

Este artículo pretende mostrar un proyecto innovador en la enseñanza de asignaturas jurídicas, en su vertiente procesal o de carácter formal, para que el alumno pueda realizar, una vez que conoce el derecho sustantivo, un completo diagnóstico de un caso concreto, y ser capaz de dar la orientación jurídica adecuada a la práctica jurídica. El objetivo es que interrelacionen los conocimientos teóricos que van adquiriendo en el aula con su aplicación efectiva a la realidad práctica, persiguiéndose la convergencia con el Espacio Europeo de Educación Superior. Contribuye a la promoción del trabajo autónomo y autoaprendizaje del alumno, fortaleciendo además la necesaria innovación y actualización en metodologías de enseñanza-aprendizaje, utilizando las nuevas tecnologías de la información y la comunicación aplicadas a la docencia, consistentes en grabaciones reales de materias en relación a la asignatura a la que lo hemos empezado a aplicar, el Proceso Laboral.
Monitoring Western Snowy Plover Nests with Remote Surveillance Systems in San Francisco Bay, California
Authors: Demers Scott A. , Robinson-Nilsen Catilin W.
Published: February 2012

The western snowy plover Charadrius nivosus nivosus is listed as threatened under the U.S. Endangered Species Act of 1973 due to long-term population declines related, in part, to nest predation and human disturbance. In San Francisco Bay, California, numbers of predators of western snowy plovers and the potential for recreation-based human disturbances have increased during the past few decades and will likely increase for the foreseeable future. In an attempt to increase the reproductive success of western snowy plovers, managers have dedicated considerable resources to management practices including predator removal and habitat enhancement projects in San Francisco Bay. The unequivocal identification of western snowy plover nest predators and information regarding the behavioral responses of nesting plovers to human disturbance would inform management practices for this species. Therefore, we examined the efficacy of using a digital video surveillance system to identify nest predators of western snowy plovers in former salt evaporation ponds in San Francisco Bay and to assess its potential for use in behavioral studies. This system was designed to minimize disturbance to nesting plovers and limit predator bias at breeding sites that had little or no cover to camouflage or protect the equipment. The system included a small camera with infrared lights placed approximately 20 m from nests and a continuously operating recording unit and power supply that was positioned up to 300 m from nests. The system could be deployed within 20 min, run continuously for up to 5 d, and data could be retrieved without disturbing nesting birds. During a 2-y study period, we recorded six species depredating plover eggs and chicks: red-tailed hawk Buteo jamaicensis, common raven Corvus corax, California gull Larus californicus, northern harrier Circus cyaneus, ruddy turnstone Arenaria interpres, and gray fox Urocyon cinereoargenteus. Our results suggest that this surveillance system was effective for identifying western snowy plover nest predators, and the presence of the camera did not influence nesting success of monitored nests. This system could be integrated into conservation programs intended to improve reproductive success of this species and could be useful for conducting behavioral studies of western snowy plovers and other species.
Computational Fluid Dynamics–Computational Structural Dynamics Rotor Coupling Using an Unstructured Reynolds-Averaged Navier–Stokes Methodology
Authors: Abras Jennifer N. , Lynch C. Eric , Smith Marilyn J.
Published: February 2012

The focus of this paper is to discuss the unique challenges introduced through the use of unstructured grids in rotorcraft computational fluid dynamics (CFD)–computational structural dynamics (CSD) coupling. The use of unstructured grid methodology in CFD has been expanding because
of the advantages in grid generation and modeling of complex configurations. However, the resulting amorphous distribution of the grid points on the rotor blade surface provides no information with regard to the orientation of the blade, in direct contrast to structured grid methodology that
can take advantage of the ordered mapping of points to identify the orientation as well as simplifying airloads integration. A methodology has been developed and is described here, which now permits unstructured methods to be utilized for elastic rotary-wing simulations. This methodology is
evaluated through comparison of the UH60A rotor with available flight test data for forward flight.
Comprehensive Nonlinear Modeling of a Miniature Unmanned Helicopter
Authors: Cai Guowei , Chen Ben M. , Lee Tong H. , Lum Kai-Yew
Published: February 2012

A nonlinear flight dynamics model that can be adopted by small-scale unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) helicopters is presented. To minimize structural complexity, the proposed nonlinear model contains only four essential components, i.e., kinematics, rigid-body dynamics, main rotor flapping
dynamics, and yaw rate feedback controller dynamics. A five-step parameter determination procedure is proposed to estimate the unknown parameters of the flight dynamics model. Based on the time-domain evaluations conducted, the nonlinear model is proven to be accurate in capturing the flight
dynamics of our UAV helicopter platform over a wide envelope.
Central Arctic atmospheric summer conditions during the Arctic Summer Cloud Ocean Study (ASCOS): contrasting to previous expeditions
Authors: Tjernström M. , Birch C. E. , Brooks I. M. , Shupe M. D. , Persson P. O. G. , Sedlar J. , Mauritsen T. , Leck C. , Paatero J. , Szczodrak M. , Wheeler C. R.
Published: February 2012

Abstract. Understanding the rapidly changing climate in the Arctic is limited by a lack of understanding of underlying strong feedback mechanisms that are specific to the Arctic. Progress in this field can only be obtained by process-level observations; this is the motivation for intensive ice-breaker-based campaigns such as that described in this paper: the Arctic Summer Cloud-Ocean Study (ASCOS). However, detailed field observations also have to be put in the context of the larger-scale meteorology, and short field campaigns have to be analysed within the context of the underlying climate state and temporal anomalies from this. To aid in the analysis of other parameters or processes observed during this campaign, this paper provides an overview of the synoptic-scale meteorology and its climatic anomaly during the ASCOS field deployment. It also provides a statistical analysis of key features during the campaign, such as some key meteorological variables, the vertical structure of the lower troposphere and clouds, and energy fluxes at the surface. In order to assess the representativity of the ASCOS results, we also compare these features to similar observations obtained during three earlier summer experiments in the Arctic Ocean, the AOE-96, SHEBA and AOE-2001 expeditions. We find that these expeditions share many key features of the summertime lower troposphere. Taking ASCOS and the previous expeditions together, a common picture emerges with a large amount of low-level cloud in a well-mixed shallow boundary layer, capped by a weak to moderately strong inversion where moisture, and sometimes also cloud top, penetrate into the lower parts of the inversion. Much of the boundary-layer mixing is due to cloud-top cooling and subsequent buoyant overturning of the cloud. The cloud layer may, or may not, be connected with surface processes depending on the depths of the cloud and surface-based boundary layers and on the relative strengths of surface-shear and cloud-buoyancy turbulence generation. The latter also implies a connection between the cloud layer and the free troposphere through entrainment at cloud top.
Temperature profiles with bi-static Doppler-RASS and their accuracy
Authors: Hennemuth B. , Peters G. , Kirtzel H.-J.
Published: February 2012

Abstract. The technique of atmospheric temperature profiling by Doppler-RASS is discussed. The set up with bi-static (separated transmit and receiving) antennas implies a range dependent scattering angle. The retrieval scheme developed by Kon for such antenna geometry is reviewed and its limits of validity are discussed. Empirical tuning of the efficient antenna aperture is proposed to fit the retrieved temperature profiles to reality. Examples of application of the measuring technique for atmospheric boundary layer characterization are presented.
Sensitivity analysis of the GEMS soil organic carbon model to land cover land use classification uncertainties under different climate scenarios in senegal
Authors: Dieye A. M. , Roy D. P. , Hanan N. P. , Liu S. , Hansen M. , Touré A.
Published: February 2012

Abstract. Spatially explicit land cover land use (LCLU) change information is needed to drive biogeochemical models that simulate soil organic carbon (SOC) dynamics. Such information is increasingly being mapped using remotely sensed satellite data with classification schemes and uncertainties constrained by the sensing system, classification algorithms and land cover schemes. In this study, automated LCLU classification of multi-temporal Landsat satellite data were used to assess the sensitivity of SOC modeled by the Global Ensemble Biogeochemical Modeling System (GEMS). The GEMS was run for an area of 1560 km2 in Senegal under three climate change scenarios with LCLU maps generated using different Landsat classification approaches. This research provides a method to estimate the variability of SOC, specifically the SOC uncertainty due to satellite classification errors, which we show is dependent not only on the LCLU classification errors but also on where the LCLU classes occur relative to the other GEMS model inputs.
Progress on quantitative assessment methods of biological aerosols in the atmosphere
Authors: Liang L. , He K. , Duan F.
Published: February 2012

Abstract. Biological aerosol is one of the most important pollutants in the air, not only influencing public health, and air quality, but also playing an important role in climate change and both chemical and physical processing regulations in the atmosphere. Therefore, the quantification of biological aerosols in the air needs to be more accurate. This article reviews the progress on quantitative assessment methods of biological aerosols in the atmosphere as well as those related merits that each method used.
Reconstruction of southeast Tibetan Plateau summer climate using tree ring δ18O: moisture variability over the past two centuries
Authors: Shi C. , Daux V. , Zhang Q.-B. , Risi C. , Hou S.-G. , Stievenard M. , Pierre M. , Li Z. , Masson-Delmotte V.
Published: February 2012

Abstract. A tree-ring δ18O chronology of Linzhi spruce, spanning from AD 1781 to 2005, was developed in Bomi, Southeast Tibetan Plateau (TP). During the period with instrumental data (AD 1961–2005), this record is strongly correlated with regional CRU (Climate Research Unit) summer cloud data, which is supported by a precipitation δ18O simulation conducted with the isotope-enabled atmospheric general circulation model LMDZiso. A reconstruction of a regional summer cloud index, based upon the empirical relationship between cloud and diurnal temperature range, was therefore achieved. This index reflects regional moisture variability in the past 225 yr. The climate appears drier and more stable in the 20th century than previously. The drying trend in late 19th century of our reconstruction is consistent with a decrease in the TP glacier accumulation recorded in ice cores. An exceptional dry decade is documented in the 1810s, possibly related to the impact of repeated volcanic eruptions on monsoon flow.
Skewness as measure of the invariance of instantaneous renormalized drop diameter distributions – Part 2: Orographic precipitation
Authors: Ignaccolo M. , De Michele C.
Published: February 2012

Abstract. Here we use the skewness parameter, and the procedure developed in the companion paper (Ignaccolo and De Michele, 2012), to investigate the variability of instantaneous renormalized spectra of rain drop diameter in presence of orographic precipitation. Disdrometer data, available at Bodega Bay and Cazadero, California, are analyzed either as a whole, or as divided (using the bright band echo) in precipitation intervals weakly and strongly influenced by orography, and compared to results obtained at Darwin, Australia. We find that also at Bodega Bay and Cazadero exists a most common distribution of the skewness values of instantaneous spectra of drop diameter, but peaked at values greater than 0.64, found at Darwin. No appreciable differences are found in the skewness distributions of precipitation weakly and strongly influenced by orography. However the renormalized drop diameter spectra of precipitation with strong orographic component have fatter right tail than precipitation with a weaker orographic component. The differences between orographic and non-orographic precipitation are investigated within the parametric space represented by number of drops, mean value and standard deviation of drop diameter. A filter is developed which is able to identify 1 min time intervals during which precipitation is mostly of orographic origin.
Pressure-Wave Energy Relationship during IABP Counterpulsation in a Mock Circulation: Changes with Angle and Assisting Frequency
Authors: Biglino Giovanni , Kolyva Christina , Khir Ashraf W.
Published: February 2012

Purpose

Despite decades of successful clinical use of the Intra-Aortic Balloon Pump (IABP), certain aspects of its operation are not yet fully understood. This work aims to investigate in vitro the mechanism underlying balloon inflation and deflation with varying assisting frequency and operating angle with respect to the horizontal, by studying the corresponding pressure and wave energy changes.

Methods

A mock circulatory system (MCS), with physiological distribution of peripheral resistance and compliance, presented a controllable test bed. We used Wave Intensity Analysis (WIA) to identify balloon-generated waves and quantify their energy. Conventional hemodynamic parameters were also calculated. Tests were repeated at varying operating angles (0°-45°), resembling the semi-recumbent position in the ICU, and at different assisting frequencies (1:1, 1:2, 1:3). Two balloons (25 cc and 40 cc in volume) were tested.

Results

The main waves associated with counterpulsation were identified as a backward compression wave associated with balloon inflation and a backward expansion wave associated with balloon deflation. Results showed that the IABP inflation and deflation benefits are reduced with increasing angle, in terms of the size of the inflation and deflation waves as well as in terms of diastolic pressure augmentation and end-diastolic pressure reduction. Both WIA findings and pressure parameters indicated 1:1 as the most effective mode of pumping.

Conclusions

This study shows that, in vitro, a greater benefit of counterpulsation can be achieved in the horizontal position at 1:1 assisting frequency, with a good correlation between wave and pressure results.
Combined Radiologic-Urologic Procedure for the Placement of Ureteral Stent in a Case of Bilateral Iatrogenic Ureteral Lesion
Authors: Ricci Carmelo , Cini Marco , Ceccherini Claudio , Vigni Francesco , Leonini Sara , Barbanti Gabriele
Published: February 2012

Introduction

Iatrogenic ureteral lesions are well-known complications of abdominal and pelvic surgery. A combined radiologic-urologic approach might be necessary to repair these lesions.

Materials and Methods

A 69-year-old woman underwent bilateral hysteroannessectomy for endometrial cancer. She then became anuric. A CT scan showed multiple urinomas caused by bilateral ureteral lesions. The continuity of the two urinary tracts was restored using ureteral stents in a combined urologic and radiologic procedure.

Results

The patient improved clinically and the renal function returned within normal limits.

Conclusions

The combined antegrade-retrograde approach is an effective technique to solve iatrogenic ureteral lesions.
Low Cost Water Disinfectant System Using Solar Energy
Authors: Fatima Anees , Hany Omm-e , Shahzad Atif , Siddiqui Sara Umair
Published: February 2012

Solar disinfection unit is unsophisticated, efficient and reasonably priced water treatment process appropriate for use in developing countries. Water was filtered through cloth, net and coconut husk to remove any suspended particles in water which would directly increase the efficiency of solar disinfection. The filtered water is then transferred in solar disinfection unit. Water with Escherichia coli as indicator organism was filled in the solar disinfection unit comprising of four polyethylene terepthalate (PET) plastic bottles joined together with PVC pipes. These bottles were kept in direct sunlight for 12-48 hours. Weather conditions and solar radiation were obtained using different programs. Solar radiations and elevated temperature destroyed the indicator organism efficiently. Health peril of chemical released in water was well thought-out and was determined to be safe with respect to human consumption. The efficiency of solar disinfection was augmented by use of semi-conductor titanium dioxide (TiO2) which reduced the time for exposure up to 90%. The temperature increase and dissolved oxygen decrease in the disinfection process which was overcome by retaining this water in traditional earthenware water storage vessels (mutka). Allowing accessibility to better life through improved quality of water.
A Class of Flows for Couple Stress Fluids
Authors: Naeem Rana Khalid
Published: February 2012

Exact solutions are derived for a class of two dimensional couple stress flows. This class consists of flows for which the vorticity distribution is characterized by the Eq. (12). The solutions are obtained by introducing the functions Ψ, H and the canonical transformation. The effects of the parameters K, m, U, A, B, D, E, L, and M on velocity components u and v are discussed and streamlines for the various values of the parameters are also presented.
Clinical Profile of Child and Adolescent (≤16 years) Psychotic Disorders at a Tertiary Care Centre In India
Authors: Sagar Rajesh , Pattanayak Raman Deep , Mehta Manju
Published: February 2012

Background: Over past two decades, there is an increasing recognition that the psychotic disorders can begin in children at a very young age.Only a few prior studies from India have explored the clinical profile of non-affective psychotic disorders at a younger age. Aims:The study aims to describe the clinical profile of child and adolescent (≤16 years) psychotic disorders. Methods:The study was conducted as a three-year descriptive, retrospective review. All the patients aged ≤16 years, with a diagnosis of Schizophrenia and other psychotic disorders as per Diagnostic and Statistical Manual, 4th edition Text Revision (DSM-IV TR) criteria who presented to the weekly child and adolescent psychiatry clinic at All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi were included. Relevant information was retrieved on a semi-structured datasheet. Results:The clinic prevalence for schizophrenia and other psychotic disorders was found to be 2.47% (40/1618), of which five patient records were either unavailable or inadequate for inclusion. The mean age was 13.97(±1.46) years with an equal representation of males and females. A very early-onset (≤12 years) was present in 48.3% of the sample. Median duration of psychotic illness was 12 months (0.1-48 months) and majority (94.3%) had a continuous course. Family history was positive for psychiatric illness in 22.9%, while an identifiable psychosocial stressor was temporally related in 17.1% of sample. A comorbid psychiatric disorder was present in 14.5%, commonest being subnormal intellectual functioning. Auditory hallucinations appeared to be a common (51.5%) symptom, however these were evident primarily from patient’s behavior rather than self-report in over half of them. Visual hallucinations with ghost or animal theme were present in 17.1% and delusions were manifested by 40% of sample. Disorganized speech and catatonia were less frequent. Nearly 17.1% of sample left school after onset of psychosis and all patients showed some disruption in social, inter-personal and academic functioning. Conclusion: The present study adds to the limited literature on clinical presentation and phenomenology of early-onset psychotic disorders in Indian population.
Sex Differences in Drug Metabolism
Authors: Chang Thomas K. H. , Waxman David J.
Published: February 2012

Sex differences in drug metabolism are recognized as a major determinant of sex differences in pharmacokinetics and an important contributor to interindividual differences in drug metabolism and, in some cases, drug action. Sex differences in human drug metabolism have also been observed with a variety of drugs. The biochemical basis of sex differences in hepatic drug metabolism was largely unknown until the 1980s when it was discovered that the expression of many drug‐metabolizing enzymes, including several members of the cytochrome P450 (CYP) superfamily, is sex dependent in rat and mouse liver. Well‐studied examples include rat enzymes CYP2C11, which is male specific in its expression, and CYP2C12 (female specific) and CYP2A1 (female predominant). The major gonadal hormones, testosterone and estradiol, regulate the sex‐dependent expression of rat hepatic CYP enzymes indirectly, through their effects on the hypothalamus and its regulation of the sexually dimorphic, ultradian rhythm of pituitary growth hormone (GH) secretion, which ultimately dictates the sex‐dependent patterns of expression of these CYPs and certain other drug‐metabolizing enzymes. In male rats, the intermittent, pulsatile pattern of GH secretion stimulates the expression of male‐specific liver enzymes, whereas the more continuous pattern of GH release in females suppresses the expression male‐specific enzymes while inducing female‐specific enzymes. The current view is that the transcription factors STAT5b and HNF4α coordinately regulate the action of GH and its resultant effect on the sex‐dependent expression of hepatic CYP genes and thus provide a molecular basis for sex differences in drug metabolism.
Age‐Dependent Expression of Human Drug‐Metabolizing Enzymes
Authors: Hines Ronald N.
Published: February 2012

Changes in hepatic drug‐metabolizing enzyme expression during development are substantial and can affect the risk of adverse events in the fetus and child. In contrast, modest changes, if any, in the expression of these enzymes occur in the elderly, suggesting observed decreases in metabolic ability, which are more likely attributed to changes in physiological parameters. Increased knowledge of drub‐metabolizing enzyme ontogeny, combined with knowledge regarding life‐stage‐dependent changes in physiological parameters, has permitted the development of robust physiological pharmacokinetic models and improved capability to predict drug disposition.
Imaging Mass Spectrometry
Authors: van Remoortere Alexandra , Jones Emrys A. , Deelder André M. , McDonnell Liam A.
Published: February 2012

Imaging mass spectrometry is a rapidly developing technique that uses spatially resolved proteomic and metabolomic techniques to simultaneously trace the distributions of hundreds of biomolecules directly from patient tissue samples. Using essentially the same technology, peptides, proteins, pharmaceuticals, and metabolites can be analyzed, without a label and without prior knowledge. The driving force behind the high and increasing popularity of imaging mass spectrometry is its demonstrated potential for the determination of new diagnostic/prognostic biomarkers, across several chemical domains, including pathologies of overlapping/identical morphology that cannot be distinguished using established histopathological methods as well as identifying patient subgroups with differential prognosis or response to treatment. In this chapter, we review the methodology of imaging mass spectrometry, detailing its essential elements and how it may be applied in a clinical and pharmacological setting.
Metabolism of Psychotropic Drugs
Authors: Stingl Julia , Oesterheld Jessica , Turpeinen Miia
Published: February 2012

In this chapter, the metabolism of psychotropic drugs is explained. The most important enzymes are the polymorphic cytochrome P450 enzymes CYP2D6, CYP2C19, and CYP2C9. The functional impact of other drug‐metabolizing enzymes including CYP1A2, CYP2A6, CYP2B6, CYP3A4, CYP3A5, and CYP3A7 or phase II enzymes in psychopharmacology is less, but some agents are cleared predominantly by the latter pathways. The clinical importance of drug metabolism is mainly determined by alteration of the individual activity of a relevant drug‐metabolizing enzyme. This is frequently the case in drug–drug interactions leading to enzyme inhibition or enzyme induction. Alternatively, individual patient factors such as pharmacogenetic polymorphisms may contribute to variability in CYP isozyme activity. In this chapter, specific metabolism of antidepressant and antipsychotic drugs is presented for the main CYP enzymes CYP2D6, CYP2C19, CYP2C9, and CYP1A2 and the impact of genetic polymorphisms in these enzymes is pointed out. As many psychotropic drugs are metabolized to equally active metabolites, more than one CYP isoform may be important in metabolism and exposure data of both metabolite and parent drug have to be taken into account. For many antidepressants or antipsychotic drugs, therapeutic drug monitoring is practiced regularly.
Bluetongue Virus (BTV): Propagation, Quantification, and Storage
Authors: K.K. Li Joseph
Published: February 2012

As an obligate intracellular parasite, the genome of the Bluetongue virus (BTV) contains ten double‐stranded RNA segments which are encapsidated by viral proteins, forming “transport vesicles” that can transmit the viral progeny cell‐to‐cell efficiently and that can also be transmitted animal‐to‐animal by a biting midge. BTV is a cytoplasmic virus, and its five major steps of viral infection: attachment, entry, uncoating, assembly, and release, occur only in the cytosol within the infected host cell. Viral replication, suppression of cellular processes, and subsequent pathological damage disrupt many cellular pathways, leading to cellular apoptosis. All of these steps are under very rapid, tight, and efficient control. BTV infects both domestic and wild ruminants, especially sheep, but not humans. BTV is also the prototype in the Orbivirus genus of the Reoviridae family, and has been studied very extensively for the last 25 years. The experimental protocols presented here describe most of the methods that have been used routinely and reproducibly in our lab for our studies of the BTV biosystems. Curr. Protoc. Microbiol. 24:15C.1.1‐15C.1.18. © 2012 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Evaluation of cardiovascular risk in patients with rheumatoid arthritis: Do cardiovascular biomarkers offer added predictive ability over established clinical risk scores?
Authors: Finckh Axel , Courvoisier Delphine S. , Pagano Sabrina , Bas Sylvette , Chevallier‐Ruggeri Paola , Hochstrasser Denis , Roux‐Lombard Pascale , Gabay Cem , Vuilleumier Nicolas
Published: February 2012

Objective

To determine whether adding C‐reactive protein, anti–cyclic citrullinated peptide antibodies, rheumatoid factor, N‐terminal pro–brain natriuretic peptide (NT‐proBNP), oxidized low‐density lipoprotein (ox‐LDL), or anti–apolipoprotein A‐I (anti–Apo A‐I) IgG to the Framingham 10‐year cardiovascular (CV) risk score (FRS) could improve its CV prognostic accuracy in rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

Methods

We performed an ancillary study derived from a prospective single‐center cohort consisting of 118 RA patients without CV disease at baseline. The FRS and the various biomarkers were assessed at enrollment and their prognostic accuracy was determined using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis. The incremental predictive ability of biomarkers was assessed using the integrated discrimination improvement (IDI) statistics.

Results

During a median followup period of 9 years, the incidence of CV events was 16%. Both the FRS and 3 of the biomarkers (NT‐proBNP, ox‐LDL, and anti–Apo A‐I) were significant predictors of subsequent CV events (area under the ROC curve [AUC] between 0.68 and 0.73). Anti–Apo A‐I was the only biomarker to significantly improve the prognostic ability of the FRS, with AUCs increasing from 0.72 to 0.81 and the IDI improving by 175% (P < 0.001).

Conclusion

Among the biomarkers tested, only anti–Apo A‐I significantly improved the FRS predictive ability.
In Situ Studies of Ion Transport in Microporous Supercapacitor Electrodes at Ultralow Temperatures
Authors: Korenblit Yair , Kajdos Adam , West William C. , Smart Marshall C. , Brandon Erik J. , Kvit Alexander , Jagiello Jacek , Yushin Gleb
Published: February 2012

The ability to quickly store and deliver a significant amount of electrical energy at ultralow temperatures is critical for the energy‐efficient operation of high altitude aircraft and spacecraft, exploration of natural resources in polar regions and extreme altitudes, and astronomical observatories exposed to ultralow temperatures. Commercial high‐power electrochemical capacitors fail to operate at temperatures below –40 °C. According to conventional wisdom, mesoporous electrochemical capacitor electrodes with pores large enough to accommodate fully solvated ions are needed for sufficiently rapid ion transport at lower temperatures. It is demonstrated that strictly microporous carbon electrodes with much higher volumetric capacitance can be efficiently used at temperatures as low as –70 °C. The critical parameters, with respect to electrolyte properties and electrode porosity and microstructure, needed for achieving both rapid ion transport and efficient ion electroadsorption in porous carbons are discussed. As an example, the fabrication of an electrochemical capacitor with an outstanding performance at temperatures as low as –60 and –70 °C is demonstrated. At such low temperatures the capacitance of the synthesized electrodes is up to 123 F g−1 (≈76 F cm−3), which is 50–100% higher than that of the most common commercial electrochemical capacitor electrode at room temperature. At –60 °C selected cells based on ≈0.2 mm electrodes exhibited characteristic charge–discharge time constants of less than 9 s, which is faster than the majority of commercial devices at room temperature. The achieved combination of high energy and power densities at such ultralow temperatures is unprecedented and extremely promising for the advancement of energy storage systems.
The neurologic findings in Taybi–Linder syndrome (MOPD I/III): Case report and review of the literature
Authors: Pierce Melinda J. , Morse Richard P.
Published: February 2012

Taybi–Linder syndrome, also known as microcephalic osteodysplastic primordial dwarfism types I and III, is a rare disorder with presumed autosomal recessive inheritance. It is characterized by intrauterine growth retardation, distinctive bone dysplasia, and central nervous system malformations. We present two siblings with Taybi–Linder syndrome, with an emphasis on the neurological profile in this disease, which includes brain malformations, intractable epilepsy, sensory deficits, profound cognitive deficits, and neuroendocrine dysfunction. We also present distinctive correlative neuroimaging (MRI) and electroencephalographic (EEG) findings. Increased knowledge of the neurological profile of Taybi–Linder syndrome may be helpful for clinicians and genetic counselors managing these patients. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
First reported case of interstitial 15 q15.3‐q21.3 deletion diagnosed prenatally and characterized with array CGH in a fetus with an isolated short femur
Authors: Abdelhedi Fatma , Corcos Johanna , Cuisset Laurence , Tsatsaris Vassilis , Tantau Julia , Le Tessier Dominique , Lebbar Aziza , Dupont Jean‐Michel
Published: February 2012

We report on a fetus with an isolated short femur detected by ultrasound and a de novo interstitial deletion of chromosome 15. The deletion was diagnosed prenatally by karyotype and further mapped by fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) and array comparative genomic hybridization (array‐CGH) to bands 15q15.3 to 15q21.3 with a size of 11.11 Mb. Fetal autopsy showed characteristic minor anomalies, urinary abnormalities, and delayed bone maturation, but neither craniosynostosis, nor congenital heart defects as observed in previously reported cases. Despite the existence of ultrasound abnormalities, all five cases reported so far were diagnosed after birth. This is the first case of an interstitial deletion involving chromosomal band 15q15.3‐q21.3 diagnosed prenatally and characterized at the molecular level. Our observation suggests the absence of imprinted genes in the area of 15q15–q22 and strengthens the hypothesis that a critical region for craniosynostosis may be mapped outside the deleted region in the present patient. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Radiological clues to the early diagnosis of hypochondroplasia in the neonatal period: Report of two patients
Authors: Saito Tomoko , Nagasaki Keisuke , Nishimura Gen , Takagi Masaki , Hasegawa Tomonobu , Uchiyama Makoto
Published: February 2012

Hypochondroplasia (HCH) is the mildest phenotype among fibroblast growth factor receptor 3 (FGFR3)‐associated skeletal dysplasias. Affected individuals usually presents with mild short stature in preschool age. It was uncommon that a diagnosis of HCH is made in young affected children. Recently, however, prenatal ultrasound (US) has increased likelihood of detecting in utero mild short limbs. There have been a few reports on the early diagnosis of HCH in the neonatal period preceded by a suspicion of skeletal dysplasia on fetal US. However, the proper diagnosis of HCH is hampered by absence of the radiological criteria relevant to age, particularly those in the neonatal period. We report on the clinical and radiological findings in two HCH children with a FGFR3 mutation. In both children, fetal US showed short femora and relatively increased biparietal diameter (BPD). However, postnatal assessment failed to make a specific diagnosis in the neonatal period. The correct diagnosis of HCH was accomplished by reassessment after exacerbation of postnatal short stature. In retrospective radiological review, the radiological findings relevant to HCH were discernible more easily in the neonatal period than at age of 3 years. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Chromosome 4q deletion syndrome: Narrowing the cardiovascular critical region to 4q32.2–q34.3
Authors: Xu Wenbo , Ahmad Ayesha , Dagenais Susan , Iyer Ramaswamy K. , Innis Jeffrey W.
Published: February 2012

The 4q deletion syndrome is a rare chromosome deletion syndrome with a wide range of clinical phenotypes. There is limited clinical phenotype and molecular correlation for congenital heart defects (CHDs) reported so far for this region primarily because many cases are large deletions, often terminal, and because high‐resolution array has not been reported in the evaluation of this group of patients. CHDs are reported in about 60% of patients with 4q deletion syndrome, occurring in the presence or absence ofdHANDdeletion, implying the existence of additional genes in 4q whose dosage influences cardiac development. We report an 8‐month‐old patient with a large mid‐muscular to outlet ventricular septal defect (VSD), moderate‐sized secundum‐type atrial septal defect (ASD), thickened, dysplastic pulmonary valve with mild stenosis and moderate pulmonic regurgitation, and patent ductus arteriosus (PDA). Illumina CytoSNP array analysis disclosed a de novo, heterozygous, interstitial deletion of 11.6 Mb of genomic material from the long arm of chromosome 4, at 4q32.3–q34.3 (Chr4:167236114–178816031; hg18). The deleted region affects 37 RefSeq genes (hg18), including two provisional microRNA stemloops. Three genes in this region, namelyTLL1(Tolloid‐like‐1),HPGD(15‐hydroxyprostaglandin dehydrogenase), andHAND2(Heart and neural crest derivatives‐expressed protein 2), are known to be involved in cardiac morphogenesis. This report narrows the critical region responsible for CHDs seen in 4q deletion syndrome. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
The inhomogeneous extended Bose‐Hubbard model: A mean‐field theory
Authors: Kurdestany J.M. , Pai R.V. , Pandit R.
Published: February 2012

We develop an inhomogeneous mean‐field theory for the extended Bose‐Hubbard model with a quadratic, confining potential. In the absence of this potential, our mean‐field theory yields the phase diagram of the homogeneous extended Bose‐Hubbard model. This phase diagram shows a superfluid (SF) phase and lobes of Mott‐insulator (MI), density‐wave (DW), and supersolid (SS) phases in the plane of the chemical potential µ and on‐site repulsion U; we present phase diagrams for representative values of V, the repulsive energy for bosons on nearest‐neighbor sites. We demonstrate that, when the confining potential is present, superfluid and density‐wave order parameters are nonuniform; in particular, we obtain, for a few representative values of parameters, spherical shells of SF, MI, DW, and SS phases. We explore the implications of our study for experiments on cold‐atom dipolar condensates in optical lattices in a confining potential.
Charge susceptibility in Kondo systems at half filling: DMRG study
Authors: Schmitteckert P. , Evers F.
Published: February 2012

In this brief communication, the charge susceptibility, χc,imp, is calculated for the single impurity Anderson model in the Kondo regime with the density matrix renormalization group theory (DMRG). Excellent agreement with the Bethe‐Ansatz (BA) results is found in the appropriate limit where the (effective) level broadening Γ☆ and the charging energy, U, are much smaller than the conduction electron bandwidth, D. Deviations occur for large interactions U>D, where we find that χc,imp decays faster, approximately by a factor D/U, as compared to the BA‐prediction. Our work is of methodological relevance, e.g., for studies of the Kondo‐effect in molecular systems, in the sense that it prepares treatments of (spinful) few‐orbital models in the Kondo regime.
TiO2 Nanoparticles prepared by MOCVD: effect of temperature, flowrate, and precursor
Authors: Othman Siti Hajar , Abdul Rashid Suraya , Mohd. Ghazi Tinia Idaty , Abdullah Norhafizah
Published: February 2012

Titanium dioxide nanoparticles were produced by metal organic chemical vapour deposition method. The effect of deposition temperatures (400–900 °C), flowrates of the carrier gas (200–600 mL/min), and the precursors [titanium (IV) butoxide (TBOT) and titanium tetraisopropoxide (TTIP)] on the particle size, surface area, crystallinity, and photocatalytic activity of the samples were investigated. The results showed that the particle size decreased and the surface area increased with increasing deposition temperature from 400 to 700 °C. However, particle size increased and surface area decreased with increasing temperature from 700 to 900 °C because of sintering effects. The phase transition from anatase to rutile occurred at temperatures above 700 °C. Increasing flowrate of carrier gas reduced particle size, increased surface area, and enhanced crystallinity of the titanium dioxide nanoparticles. Sample produced at 900 °C has the best photocatalytic activity compared with other samples including the commercial Degussa P25. Crystallinity was found to have a more significant role on photocatalytic activity in contrast to particle size. It is noteworthy that for samples deposited at 700 °C, the TBOT precursor was found to produce smaller and more uniform particle size compared with the TTIP precursor. However, it is easier to form crystalline phase using TTIP than TBOT. © 2012 Curtin University of Technology and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.