bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Deglacial history of the Champlain Sea basin and implications for urbanization
Authors: Russell H A J , Brooks G R , Cummings D
I
Published: December 2011

The Champlain Sea was an inland arm of the Atlantic Ocean that inundated the St. Lawrence Lowland following retreat of the Laurentide Ice Sheet. The fine-grained sediments deposited in this sea have important implications for urbanization (e.g. slope stability,
foundation design, seismic hazard assessment) of the National Capital Region. This two-day field trip reviews aspects of the deglacial landforms and deposits of the area, the Champlain Sea deposits, and reviews the societal implications from the perspectives of hydrogeology and natural hazards. On
day one, a visit to the Vars-Winchester esker and environs provides the setting for discussing eskers and Champlain Sea deposits and the importance of these features with respect to regional hydrogeological issues. On day two, the focus shifts to natural hazards, with visits to a cluster of
earth-flow scars at Breckenridge, Quebec, and an earth flow near Notre-Dame-de-la-Salette, Quebec, that was triggered by an earthquake on June 23, 2010. Discussion will focus on the seismicity of the earthquake and issues of seismic amplification due to variations in local
geology.
Adaptive Trial Design: Could We Use This Approach to Improve Clinical Trials in the Field of Global Health?
Authors: Lang Trudie
Published: December 2011

We need more clinical trials in the world's poorest regions to evaluate new drugs and vaccines, and also to find better ways to manage health issues. Clinical trials are expensive, time consuming, and cumbersome. However, in wealthier regions these limiting factors are being addressed to make trials less administrative and improve the designs. A good example is adaptive trial design. This innovation is becoming accepted by the regulators and has been taken up by the pharmaceutical industry to reduce product development times and costs. If this approach makes trials easier and less expensive surely we should be implementing this approach in the field of tropical medicine and international health? As yet this has rarely been proposed and there are few examples. There is a need for raising the awareness of these design approaches because they could be used to make dramatic improvements to clinical research in developing countries.
Community Case Management of Childhood Diarrhea in a Setting with Declining Use of Oral Rehydration Therapy: Findings from Cross-Sectional Studies among Primary Household Caregivers, Kenya, 2007
Authors: Olson Christine K. , Blum Lauren S. , Patel Kinnery N. , Oria Prisca A. , Feikin Daniel R. , Laserson Kayla F. , Wamae Annah W. , Bartlett Alfred V. , Breiman Robert F. , Ram Pavani K.
Published: December 2011

We sought to determine factors associated with appropriate diarrhea case management in Kenya. We conducted a cross-sectional survey of caregivers of children < 5 years of age with diarrhea in rural Asembo and urban Kibera. In Asembo, 61% of respondents provided oral rehydration therapy (ORT), 45% oral rehydration solution (ORS), and 64% continued feeding. In Kibera, 75% provided ORT, 43% ORS, and 46% continued feeding. Seeking care at a health facility, risk perception regarding death from diarrhea, and treating a child with oral medications were associated with ORT and ORS use. Availability of oral medication was negatively associated. A minority of caregivers reported that ORS is available in nearby shops. In Kenya, household case management of diarrhea remains inadequate for a substantial proportion of children. Health workers have a critical role in empowering caregivers regarding early treatment with ORT and continued feeding. Increasing community ORS availability is essential to improving diarrhea management.
Severe Typhus Group Rickettsiosis Complicated by Pulmonary Edema in a Returning Traveler from Indonesia
Authors: Stockdale Alexander J. , Weekes Michael P. , Kiely Bridget , Lever Andrew M. L.
Published: December 2011

We report a severe case of typhus group rickettsiosis in a returning traveler from Indonesia. This typically mild illness was characterized by progressive pulmonary edema and prolonged fever, with defervescence 4 days after the commencement of doxycycline.
Validation of routine continuous airborne CO2 observations near the Bialystok Tall Tower
Authors: Chen H. , Winderlich J. , Gerbig C. , Katrynski K. , Jordan A. , Heimann M.
Published: December 2011

Abstract. Since 2002 in situ airborne measurements of atmospheric CO2 mixing ratios have been performed regularly aboard a rental aircraft near Bialystok (53°08' N, 23°09' E), a city in northeastern Poland. Since August 2008, the in situ CO2 measurements have been made by a modified commercially available and fully automated non-dispersive infrared (NDIR) analyzer system. The response of the analyzer has been characterized and the CO2 mixing ratio stability of the associated calibration system has been fully tested, which results in an optimal calibration strategy and allows for an accuracy of the CO2 measurements within 0.2 ppm. Besides the in situ measurements, air samples have been collected in glass flasks and analyzed in the laboratory for mixing ratios of CO2, CO, CH4, N2O, H2, SF6 and for isotopic ratios of δ13C and δ18O in CO2. To validate the in situ CO2 measurements against reliable discrete flask measurements, we developed weighting functions that mimic the temporal averaging of the flask sampling process. Comparisons between in situ and flask CO2 measurements demonstrate that these weighting functions can compensate for atmospheric variability, and provide an effective method for validating airborne in situ CO2 measurements. In addition, we show the nine-year records of flask CO2 measurements, from which the CO2 increase rates are computed for the 300 m level (1.59 ± 0.21 ppm yr−1) and for the 2500 m level (1.77 ± 0.08 ppm yr−1). The new system, automated since August 2008, has eliminated the need for manual in-flight calibrations, and thus enables an additional vertical profile, 20 km away, to be sampled at no additional cost in terms of flight hours. This sampling strategy provides an opportunity to investigate both temporal and spatial variability on a regular basis.
Optimisation of quasi-3D electrical resistivity imaging – application and inversion for investigating heterogeneous mountain permafrost
Authors: Schwindt D. , Kneisel C.
Published: December 2011

Abstract. This study aimed to optimise the application, efficiency and interpretability of quasi-3D resistivity imaging for investigating the heterogeneous permafrost distribution at mountain sites by a systematic forward modelling approach. A three dimensional geocryologic model, representative for most mountain permafrost settings, was developed. Based on this geocryologic model quasi-3D models were generated by collating synthetic orthogonal 2D arrays, demonstrating the effects of array types and electrode spacing on resolution and interpretability of the inversion results. The effects of minimising the number of 2D arrays per quasi-3D grid were tested by enlarging the spacing between adjacent lines and by reducing the number of perpendicular tie lines with regard to model resolution and loss of information value. Synthetic and measured quasi-3D models were investigated with regard to the lateral and vertical resolution, reliability of inverted resistivity values, the possibility of a quantitative interpretation of resistivities and the response of the inversion process on the validity of quasi-3D models. Results show that setups using orthogonal 2D arrays with electrode spacings of 2 m and 3 m are capable of delineating lateral heterogeneity with high accuracy and also deliver reliable data on active layer thickness. Detection of permafrost thickness, especially if the permafrost base is close to the penetration depth of the setups, and the reliability of absolute resistivity values emerged to be a weakness of the method. Quasi-3D imaging has proven to be a promising tool for investigating permafrost in mountain environments especially for delineating the often small-scale permafrost heterogeneity, and therefore provides an enhanced possibility for aligning permafrost distribution with site specific surface properties and morphological settings.
Enrichment of circulating interleukin‐17–secreting interleukin‐23 receptor–positive γ/δ T cells in patients with active ankylosing spondylitis
Authors: Kenna Tony J. , Davidson Stuart I. , Duan Ran , Bradbury Linda A. , McFarlane Janelle , Smith Malcolm , Weedon Helen , Street Shayna , Thomas Ranjeny , Thomas Gethin P. , Brown Matthew A.
Published: December 2011

Objective

Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) is a common inflammatory arthritis affecting primarily the axial skeleton. IL23R is genetically associated with AS. This study was undertaken to investigate and characterize the role of interleukin‐23 (IL‐23) signaling in AS pathogenesis.

Methods

The study population consisted of patients with active AS (n = 17), patients with psoriatic arthritis (n = 8), patients with rheumatoid arthritis, (n = 9), and healthy subjects (n = 20). IL‐23 receptor (IL‐23R) expression in T cells was determined in each subject group, and expression levels were compared.

Results

The proportion of IL‐23R–expressing T cells in the periphery was 2‐fold higher in AS patients than in healthy controls, specifically driven by a 3‐fold increase in IL‐23R–positive γ/δ T cells in AS patients. The proportions of CD4+ and CD8+ cells that were positive for IL‐17 were unchanged. This increased IL‐23R expression on γ/δ T cells was also associated with enhanced IL‐17 secretion, with no observable IL‐17 production from IL‐23R–negative γ/δ T cells in AS patients. Furthermore, γ/δ T cells from AS patients were heavily skewed toward IL‐17 production in response to stimulation with IL‐23 and/or anti‐CD3/CD28.

Conclusion

Recently, mouse models have shown IL‐17–secreting γ/δ T cells to be pathogenic in infection and autoimmunity. Our data provide the first description of a potentially pathogenic role of these cells in a human autoimmune disease. Since IL‐23 is a maturation and growth factor for IL‐17–producing cells, increased IL‐23R expression may regulate the function of this putative pathogenic γ/δ T cell population.
The expression and function of microRNAs in chondrogenesis and osteoarthritis
Authors: Swingler Tracey E. , Wheeler Guy , Carmont Virginia , Elliott Hannah R. , Barter Matthew J. , Abu‐Elmagd Muhammad , Donell Simon T. , Boot‐Handford Raymond P. , Hajihosseini Mohammad K. , Münsterberg Andrea , Dalmay Tamas , Young David A. , Clark Ian M.
Published: December 2011

Objective

To use an in vitro model of chondrogenesis to identify microRNAs (miRNAs) with a functional role in cartilage homeostasis.

Methods

The expression of miRNAs was measured in the ATDC5 cell model of chondrogenesis using microarray and was verified using quantitative reverse transcription–polymerase chain reaction. MicroRNA expression was localized by in situ hybridization. Predicted miRNA target genes were validated using 3′‐untranslated region‐Luc reporter plasmids containing either wild‐type sequences or mutants of the miRNA target sequence. Signaling through the Smad pathway was measured using a (CAGA)12‐Luc reporter.

Results

The expression of several miRNAs was regulated during chondrogenesis. These included 39 miRNAs that are coexpressed with miRNA‐140 (miR‐140), which is known to be involved in cartilage homeostasis and osteoarthritis (OA). Of these miRNAs, miR‐455 resides within an intron of COL27A1 that encodes a cartilage collagen. When human OA cartilage was compared with cartilage obtained from patients with femoral neck fractures, the expression of both miR‐140‐5p and miR‐455‐3p was increased in OA cartilage. In situ hybridization showed miR‐455‐3p expression in the developing limbs of chicks and mice and in human OA cartilage. The expression of miR‐455‐3p was regulated by transforming growth factor β (TGFβ) ligands, and miRNA regulated TGFβ signaling. ACVR2B, SMAD2, and CHRDL1 were direct targets of miR‐455‐3p and may mediate its functional impact on TGFβ signaling.

Conclusion

MicroRNA‐455 is expressed during chondrogenesis and in adult articular cartilage, where it can regulate TGFβ signaling, suppressing the Smad2/3 pathway. Diminished signaling through this pathway during the aging process and in OA chondrocytes is known to contribute to cartilage destruction. We propose that the increased expression of miR‐455 in OA exacerbates this process and contributes to disease pathology.
Requirement of myeloid cell–specific Fas expression for prevention of systemic autoimmunity in mice
Authors: Cuda Carla M. , Agrawal Hemant , Misharin Alexander V. , Haines G. Kenneth , Hutcheson Jack , Weber Evan , Schoenfeldt Joseph A. , Mohan Chandra , Pope Richard M. , Perlman Harris
Published: December 2011

Objective

The death receptor Fas is a critical mediator of the extrinsic apoptotic pathway, and its role in mediating lymphoproliferation has been extensively examined. The present study was undertaken to investigate the impact of myeloid cell–specific loss of Fas.

Methods

Mice with Fas flanked by loxP sites (Fasflox/flox) were crossed with mice expressing Cre under control of the murine lysozyme M gene promoter (CreLysM), which functions in mature lysozyme‐expressing cells of the myelomonocytic lineage. The genotype for CreLysMFasflox/flox mice was verified by polymerase chain reaction and flow cytometric analysis. Flow cytometric analysis was also used to characterize myeloid, dendritic, and lymphoid cell distribution and activation in bone marrow, blood, and spleen. Luminex‐based assays and enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assays were used to measure serum cytokine/chemokine and immunoglobulin levels. Renal damage or dysfunction was examined by immunohistochemical and immunofluorescence analysis.

Results

CreLysMFasflox/flox mice exhibited a systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE)–like disease that included leukocytosis, splenomegaly, hypergammaglobulinemia, antinuclear autoantibody and proinflammatory cytokine production, and glomerulonephritis. Loss of Fas in myeloid cells increased levels of both Gr‐1low and Gr‐1intermediate blood monocytes and splenic macrophages and, in a paracrine manner, incited activation of conventional dendritic cells and lymphocytes in CreLysMFasflox/flox mice.

Conclusion

Taken together, these results suggest that loss of Fas in myeloid cells is sufficient to induce inflammatory phenotypes in mice, reminiscent of an SLE‐like disease. Thus, Fas in myeloid cells may be considered a suppressor of systemic autoimmunity.
Decreased Th17 and antigen‐specific humoral responses in CX3CR1‐deficient mice in the collagen‐induced arthritis model
Authors: Tarrant Teresa K. , Liu Peng , Rampersad Rishi R. , Esserman Denise , Rothlein Lisa R. , Timoshchenko Roman G. , McGinnis Marcus W. , Fitzhugh David J. , Patel Dhavalkumar D. , Fong Alan M.
Published: December 2011

Objective

CX3CR1 is a chemokine receptor that uniquely binds to its ligand fractalkine (CX3CL1) and has been shown to be important in inflammatory arthritis responses, largely due to its effects on cellular migration. This study was undertaken to test the hypothesis that genetic deficiency of CX3CR1 is protective in the chronic inflammatory arthritis model collagen‐induced arthritis (CIA). Because CX3CR1 is expressed on T cells and antigen‐presenting cells, we also examined adaptive immune functions in this model.

Methods

Autoantibody formation, clinical, histologic, T cell proliferative, and cytokine responses were evaluated in wild‐type and CX3CR1‐deficient DBA/1J mice after immunization with heterologous type II collagen (CII).

Results

CX3CR1−/−mice had an ∼30% reduction in arthritis severity compared to wild‐type mice, as determined by 2 independent measures, paw swelling (P< 0.01) and clinical disease score (P< 0.0001). Additionally, compared to wild‐type mice, CX3CR1−/−mice had an ∼50% decrease in anti‐CII autoantibody formation (P< 0.05), decreased Th17 intraarticular cytokine expression (P< 0.01 for interleukin‐17 [IL‐17] andP< 0.001 for IL‐23), and decreased total numbers of Th17 cells in inflamed joints (P< 0.05).

Conclusion

Our findings indicate that CX3CR1 deficiency is protective in inflammatory arthritis and may have effects that extend beyond migration that involve adaptive immune responses in autoimmune disease.
Best Practice und Worst Case? Der Umgang mit der Hochschulzeitgeschichte an der Universität Jena und der Humboldt‐Universität: ein exemplarischer Vergleich
Authors: Hechler Daniel , Pasternack Peer
Published: December 2011

Best Practice vs. Worst Case? How East German Universities Deal with their Contemporary History: the Humboldt University of Berlin and the University of Jena. East German universities are often criticized for a lack of efforts to come to terms with their own history in the GDR. Two universities are regularly compared to illustrate the chances and shortcomings in this field: while the University of Jena is considered as very active in dealing with their own contemporary history the Humboldt University of Berlin is claimed to have substantial deficits. As a part of a general survey of the efforts of East German universities concerning their own contemporary history this contrastive picture is examined. It can be shown that the main differences between the two universities are less the intensity of historical self‐reflection but rather the thematic focus and the forms of presentation.
Carboxylation of Arene CH Bonds with CO2: A DFT‐Based Approach to Catalyst Design
Authors: Uhe Andreas , Hölscher Markus , Leitner Walter
Published: December 2011

A prototypical catalytic cycle for the direct carboxylation of unactivated arene CH bonds with CO2 based on ruthenium(II) pincer complexes as catalysts is proposed and investigated by density functional theory (DFT) methods. The energetic span model is used to predict the turnover frequency (TOF) of various potential catalysts, evaluating their efficiency for this reaction. In addition to modifications of the catalyst structure, we also investigated the effect of the substrate, the solvent, and the influence of a base on the thermodynamics and kinetics of the reaction. Turnover frequencies in the range of 105–107 h−1 are predicted for the best systems. Alternative reaction pathways that might prevent the reaction are also investigated. In all cases, either the respective intermediates are found to be unstable or activation barriers are found to be very high, thereby indicating that these alternative pathways will not interfere with the proposed catalytic cycle. As a result, several ruthenium pincer complexes are suggested as very promising candidates for experimental investigation as catalysts for the carboxylation of arene CH bonds with CO2.
The versatile synthesis method for hierarchical micro‐ and mesoporous zeolite: An embedded nanocarbon cluster approach
Authors: Wattanakit Chularat , Warakulwit Chompunuch , Pantu Piboon , Sunpetch Boonruen , Charoenpanich Metta , Limtrakul Jumras
Published: December 2011

In this work, we are reporting for the first time the synthesis of hierarchical micro‐ and mesoporous zeolite using silica–carbon (SiO2/C) composites prepared by pyrolysis of carbonaceous gases in the presence of silica gel. The pyrolysis effectively yielded carbon deposited onto the raw silica material. The obtained SiO2/C composites were utilised as a bifunctional material, mesoporous template and silica source, for the zeolite synthesis. Tetrapropylammonium hydroxide (TPAOH) was used as a microporous template. The combination of the obtained composites and the TPAOH for the hydrothermal synthesis resulted in the formation of hierarchical micro‐ and mesoporous ZSM‐5. The results from the SEM, TEM, and N2 adsorption/desorption isotherms, and 27Al MAS NMR characterisations of the synthesised samples obtained after the removal of the templates confirmed the successful formation of the micro‐ and mesoporous zeolites. The mesoporosity of the zeolites could be controlled by adjusting the carbon content in the SiO2/C composites while the carbon content could be controlled by varying the deposition time and the concentration of the carbonaceous gases used. This controllable and efficient synthesis method is considered to be a promising method for creating hierarchical micro‐ and mesoporous zeolites. © 2011 Canadian Society for Chemical Engineering
Deuteration of a molecular probe for DNP hyperpolarization – a new approach and validation for choline chloride
Authors: Allouche‐Arnon Hyla , Lerche Mathilde H. , Karlsson Magnus , Lenkinski Robert E. , Katz‐Brull Rachel
Published: December 2011

The promising dynamic nuclear polarization (DNP) for hyperpolarized 13C‐MRI/MRS of real‐time metabolism in vivo is challenged by the limited number of agents with the required physical and biological properties. The physical requirement of a liquid‐state T1 of tens of seconds is mostly found for 13C‐carbons in small molecules that have no direct protons attached, i.e. carbonyl, carboxyl and certain quaternary carbons. Unfortunately, such carbon positions do not exist in a large number of metabolic agents, and chemical shift dispersion often limits detection of their chemical evolution. We have previously shown that direct deuteration of protonated carbon positions significantly prolongs the 13C T1 in the liquid state and provides potential 13C‐labeled agents with differential chemical shift with respect to metabolism. The Choline Molecular Probe [1,1,2,2‐D4, 2‐13C]choline chloride (CMP2) has recently been introduced as a means of studying choline metabolism in a hyperpolarized state. Here, the biophysical properties of CMP2 were characterized and compared with those of [1‐13C]pyruvate to evaluate the impact of molecular probe deuteration. The CMP2 solid‐state polarization build‐up time constant (30 min) and polarization level (24%) were comparable to those of [1‐13C]pyruvate. Both compounds' liquid state T1 increased with temperature. The high‐field T1 of CMP2 compared favorably with [1‐13C]pyruvate. Thus, a deuterated agent demonstrated physical properties comparable to a hyperpolarized compound of already proven value, whereas both showed chemical shift dispersion that allowed monitoring of their metabolism. It is expected that the use of deuterated carbon‐13 positions as reporting hyperpolarized nuclei will substantially expand the library of agents for DNP‐MR. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Generation of mice with conditional null allele for GdX/Ubl4A
Authors: Wang Yangmeng , Wang Dianjun , Ren Fangli , Zhang Yuanjiang , Lin Fuyu , Hou Ning , Cheng Xuan , Zhang Peng , Wang Yinyin , Jia Baoqing , Yang Xiao , Chang Zhijie
Published: December 2011

GdX (also named Ubl4A) is a house‐keeping gene located on the X chromosome and encodes a protein harboring an ubiquitin‐like domain in human and mouse. Although identified in 1988, the function of GdX remains unknown. To elucidate the role of GdX in vivo, we generated a conditional GdX knockout mouse in which Exon 2 was flanked by two loxP sites. We obtained viable and fertile mice with homozygous GdXflox/flox or GdXflox/Y allele. Germ‐line transmission was confirmed by crossing the mouse bearing conditionally targeted allele with an EIIα‐Cre transgenic mouse. GdX was successfully depleted in tissues of EIIα‐Cre‐GdX‐null mice. GdX−/− and GdX−/Y mice are viable and exhibit normal development compared with wild‐type littermates within 6 months during our observation. We also observed that GdX knockout male mice were functionally normal in the reproductive system where Ubl4B was specifically expressed. GdXflox/flox and GdXflox/Y conditional mice provide a tool for further tissue‐specific function analysis of the GdX protein under different conditions. genesis 50:534–542, 2012. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Downregulation of MUC1 expression and its recognition by CD8+ T cells on the surface of malignant pleural mesothelioma cells treated with HDACi
Authors: Roulois David , Blanquart Christophe , Panterne Clarisse , Gueugnon Fabien , Grégoire Marc , Fonteneau Jean‐François
Published: December 2011

Research into new treatments against malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM) is of great interest, as this aggressive cancer is often resistant to conventional therapies. One potential strategy is the use of epigenetic drugs, such as 5‐aza‐2′‐deoxycytidine (5‐azaCdR), a DNA‐hypomethylating drug, and valproate (VPA), a histone deacetylase inhibitor (HDACi). Indeed, these drugs not only trigger MPM cell death, but also induce the expression of cancer testis antigens recognized by CD8+ T cells, such as New York‐esophageal cancer‐1 (NY‐ESO‐1). The objective of this study was to assess effects of these drugs on the expression and recognition by CD8+ T cells of Mucin1 (MUC1), a tumor‐associated antigen that is overexpressed by MPM. MPM tumor cell lines were treated with epigenetic drugs, alone or in combination. MUC1 expression by MPM cells, and its recognition by a MUC1‐specific CD8+ T‐cell clone, was downregulated by HDACi when used alone or in combination with 5‐azaCdR. This effect was not due to a blocking of the HLA class I presentation pathway in treated MPM cells, as NY‐ESO‐1 induced by 5‐azaCdR alone, or with VPA, was recognized by a NY‐ESO‐1‐specific T‐cell clone. This study suggests that the choice of tumor antigens could be critical for strategies combining epigenetic drugs with immunotherapy.
TMSOTf‐Catalyzed Silylation: Streamlined Regioselective One‐Pot Protection and Acetylation of Carbohydrates
Authors: Joseph A. Abragam , Verma Ved Prakash , Liu Xin‐Yi , Wu Chia‐Hui , Dhurandhare Vijay M. , Wang Cheng‐Chung
Published: December 2011

A highly efficient TMSOTf‐catalyzed HMDS silylation of sugars, which can easily be integrated with subsequent reactions in one‐pot fashion, has been developed. Its usefulness was demonstrated by applications to streamlined regioselective one‐pot protection and nonenzymatic acetylation of unprotected sugars. Monosaccharide and trehalose building blocks with orthogonally well‐differentiated hydroxy groups were efficiently prepared starting with free sugars in one‐pot fashion without the need for prior per‐O‐silylation.
Convenient Synthesis of a Galacturonic Acid Based Macrocycle with Potential Copper‐Complexation Ability
Authors: Allam Anas , Dupont Laurent , Behr Jean‐Bernard , Plantier‐Royon Richard
Published: December 2011

A convenient approach to the construction of a galacturonic acid based macrocycle containing an amide group and a triazole ring has been achieved. The key step relies on the efficient formation of a 16‐membered ring by a copper‐catalysed intramolecular cycloaddition reaction applied to analkyne‐azide galacturonate. Depending on the reaction conditions, the outcome of the 1,3‐dipolar cycloaddition varied; the expected intramolecular 1,4‐triazole was obtained as well as a C2‐symmetric dimer in different ratios. A preliminary study of the complexation properties of this macrocycle towards CuII cations revealed the formation of cryptates in a 1:1 metal/ligand ratio.
Growing trend of CE at the omics level: The frontier of systems biology – An update
Authors: Ban Eunmi , Park Soo Hyun , Kang Min‐Jung , Lee Hyun‐Jung , Song Eun Joo , Yoo Young Sook
Published: December 2011

Omics is the study of proteins, peptides, genes, and metabolites in living organisms. Systems biology aims to understand the system through the study of the relationship between elements such as genes and proteins in biological system. Recently, systems biology emerged as the result of the advanced development of high‐throughput analysis technologies such as DNA sequencers, DNA arrays, and mass spectrometry for omics studies. Among a number of analytical tools and technologies, CE and CE coupled to MS are promising and relatively rapidly developing tools with the potential to provide qualitative and quantitative analyses of biological molecules. With an emphasis on CE for systems biology, this review summarizes the method developments and applications of CE for the genomic, transcriptomic, proteomic, and metabolomic studies focusing on the drug discovery and disease diagnosis and therapies since 2009.
Collaborative algebraic decoding of interleaved Reed–Solomon codes
Authors: Shayegh Farnaz , Reza Soleymani M.
Published: December 2011

We derive and analyse an algorithm for collaborative decoding of heterogeneous interleaved Reed–Solomon (IRS) codes. They are generated by interleaving several codewords from different Reed–Solomon codes with the same length over the same Galois field. The basis of the decoding algorithm is similar to the Guruswami–Sudan (GS) decoding method. However, here multivariate interpolation is used to decode all the codewords of the interleaved scheme simultaneously. In the presence of burst errors, we show that the error‐correction capability of this algorithm is larger than that of independent decoding of each codeword using the standard GS method. In the latter case, the error‐correction capability is equal to the decoding radius of the GS algorithm for the Reed–Solomon code with the largest dimension. Also, concatenated codes using IRS codes as their outer codes and binary linear block codes as their inner codes are considered. Assuming maximum likelihood decoding of the inner code, we derive upper and lower bounds for the word error probability of concatenated codes over additive white Gaussian noise channel with binary phase‐shift keying modulation for both cases of independent and collaborative decoding of the outer IRS codes. We show that collaborative decoding provides considerable coding gain compared with independent decoding. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Improvement strategies for the tools and techniques of quality improvement: Utilization of a performance evaluation matrix in the taiwanese high‐tech industry
Authors: Chen Shun‐Hsing
Published: December 2011

This study integrates importance–performance analysis (IPA) and Slack's IPA matrix to provide a more comprehensive performance‐evaluation matrix for prioritizing improvement actions with regard to the tools and techniques of quality improvement. The study undertakes a review of the literature to identify the tools and techniques most widely used by high‐tech businesses in Taiwan. Following a survey of 394 managers and technicians, these tools and techniques are then placed on the integrated performance‐evaluation matrix to determine appropriate priorities for improvement actions. The study finds that “new seven” total quality management tools are used less often than “old seven” total quality management tools, and that education, training, and the efficient use of corporate resources are required to improve the frequency of utilization and the performance of the tools and techniques of quality improvement. © 2011Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Macroinvertebrate Assemblages of an Andean High‐Altitude Tropical Stream: The Importance of Season and Flow
Authors: Ríos‐Touma Blanca , Encalada Andrea C. , Prat Fornells Narcís
Published: December 2011

We studied the Piburja stream, a high‐altitude tropical stream in Ecuador. Our main goals were to determine whether the macroinvertebrate community composition and abundance differed between seasons, reaches and velocity patches. Likewise, we aimed to examine the importance of the hydrological regime in determining these differences. Flow was significantly higher in the wet season, but the stability of flow was higher in the dry season. There was a strong increase in macroinvertebrate community metrics (richness, density and diversity) in the dry season. Seasons and velocity patches better explained the community composition. Reaches did not show differences at the community level, but some taxa showed significant differences among reaches. Our findings differed from those published in previous studies that have suggested that mountain tropical streams are non‐seasonal. (© 2011 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Life History Traits of the Endangered Endemic Amphipod Echinogammarus cari (Crustacea, Gammaridae) from the Dinaric Karst
Authors: Žganec Krešimir , Đurić Petra , Gottstein Sanja
Published: December 2011

The life history of the endemic amphipod Echinogammarus cari, endangered by damming, was studied at a site on the Gojačka Dobra River which was flooded after closure of a large dam (D5) and at a site in an intact tributary (B2). Four replicate samples in moss microhabitats were collected over twelve months. Site B2 had a lower range and mean water temperature (10.8 °C) and higher concentration of calcium ions. The population sampled at this site showed continuous reproduction, very high densities and a cohort life span of 6–7 months. Site D5 showed higher summer temperatures (max. recorded: 21.0 °C), and the population at this site had a reproductive resting stage in September and October, a lower density and a cohort life span of 7–12 months. Growth of cohorts was faster during the colder period of the year at both sites, while higher summer temperatures at D5 inhibited growth. These results show that the proximate cause of the restricted distribution of the species is adaptation to relatively colder conditions with higher calcium content. The presented results provide a better understanding of the damming impact on the species and will contribute to the development of conservation plans to ensure its future survival. (© 2011 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
EURO CORPORATE BOND RISK FACTORS
Authors: Castagnetti Carolina , Rossi Eduardo
Published: December 2011

This paper investigates the determinants of credit spread changes in euro‐denominated bonds. We adopt a factor model framework, inspired by the credit risk structural approach, as credit spread changes can be easily viewed as an excess return on corporate bonds over Treasury bonds. We try to assess the relative importance of market and idiosyncratic factors as an explanation of movements in credit spreads. We adopt a heterogeneous panel with a multifactor error model and propose a two‐step estimation procedure, which yields consistent estimates of unobserved factors. The analysis is carried out with a panel of monthly redemption yields on a set of corporate bonds for a time span of 3 years. Our results suggest that the euro corporate market is driven by observable and unobservable factors. The unobservable factors are identified through a consistent estimation of individual and common observable effects. The empirical results suggest that an unobserved common factor has a significant role in explaining the systematic changes in credit spreads. However, in contrast to evidence regarding US credit spread changes, it cannot be identified as a market factor. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
QCT measures of bone strength at the thoracic and lumbar spine: The Framingham study
Authors: Samelson Elizabeth J , Christiansen Blaine A , Demissie Serkalem , Broe Kerry E , Louie-Gao Qiong , Cupples L Adrienne , Roberts Benjamin J , Manoharam Rajaram , D'Agostino John , Lang Thomas , Kiel Douglas P , Bouxsein Mary L
Published: December 2011

We used volumetric quantitative computed tomography (QCT) scans to evaluate volumetric bone density (vBMD), geometry, and strength in the thoracic (T8 to T10) and lumbar (L3 to L5) spine and determined how these parameters varied with age, sex, and spinal region. Participants included 690 participants of the Framingham Study, 40 to 87 years old (mean, 61 years). In both women and men, trabecular vBMD declined with age similarly for lumbar and thoracic regions, whereas cortical vBMD and integral vBMD, vertebral strength, and compressive force declined more at the lumbar spine than thoracic spine (interaction, p < 0.01). Notably, in men, cortical vBMD increased (β = 0.0004, p = 0.01), and vertebral strength did not change (β = 1.9305, p = 0.66) at the thoracic spine with age. In both women and men, vertebral cross-sectional area increased less and the factor-of-risk increased more with age at the lumbar than at the thoracic region (interaction, p < 0.01). For example, in women, the factor-of-risk for forward flexion increased (worsened) with age 6.8-fold more in the lumbar spine (β = 0.0157), compared with the thoracic spine (β = 0.0023). vBMD and vertebral strength declined more and the factor-of-risk increased more with age in women than men (interaction, p < 0.01). For instance, integral vBMD for the lumbar spine declined 36% from 40 to 75 years of age in women compared with 18% in men. There was little or no age-related change in the forces applied to the thoracic vertebrae in either women or men. Age-related changes were greater in the lumbar spine than in the thoracic region and greater in women than men. Whereas women lost bone density and strength at both the thoracic and lumbar spine, in men, vertebral strength declined only at the lumbar spine. Our study confirms the importance of evaluating determinants of vertebral strength in both the thoracic and lumbar spine and in both women and men to understand mechanisms underlying the structural failure of vertebral bodies with aging. © 2012 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research.
Molecular characterization of Bacillus thuringiensis isolated from diverse habitats of India
Authors: Patel Ketan D. , Chudasama Chaitanyasinh J. , Ingle Sanjay S.
Published: December 2011

Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) strains were isolated from 94 samples from different geographical regions. Novel types of crystalline inclusion bodies were observed from some of the isolates. Crystalline inclusions of bipyramidal, spherical and cuboidal morphology were found produced by most of the isolates. Isolate GS12 showed crystal on one side of spore while isolate GM108 formed crystals on both termini of spore. Isolate GN31 produced large sized bipyramidal crystals. SDS‐PAGE analysis of the spore crystal suspension showed major protein bands in the range of 29 and 140 kDa. Two new serovars of Bt viz. GS4 and GN24 having H3abce and H3ab serotype respectively were isolated. Toxicity comparable to the reference strain Bacillus thuringiensis subs. kurstaki (Btk) HD‐1 was observed for the isolates GM20, GM17 and MP3 against larvae of Helicoverpa armigera. Some of the isolates harboring cry genes like cry1Ac and cry2 did not show any toxicity towards H. armigera while most of the isolates were harboring cry1, cry1Ac and cry2 gene. (© 2012 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Characterization of an anti‐listerial enterocin from wheat silage based Enterococcus faecium
Authors: Bal Emel Banu Buyukunal , Isevi Taner , Bal Mehmet Ali
Published: December 2011

Two Enterococcus faecium and one E. faecalis strains isolated and identified from wheat silage were characterized based on plasmid content, hemolytic activity, antibiotic resistance patterns, bacteriocin production potential, and presence of enterocin structural genes (entA, entB, entP, entL50B). Among the isolates, only the E. faecium U7 strain exhibited bacteriocin activity against Listeria monocytogenes ATCC 7644, and vancomycin resistant Enterococcus spp. (VRE). A combination of three structural genes (entA, entB, and entP) was detected in E. faecium U7. A relationship between the presence of enterocin structural genes, and bacteriocin activity was detected in E. faecium U7; therefore partially purified enterocin (PPE) was further investigated from the isolate. Several bands of different molecular weights were expressed from PPE extracts following tricine SDS‐PAGE analysis. However, the only band showing bacteriocin activity was in an approximate 4‐kDa region. PPE treatment with proteinase K, lysozyme, and α ‐amylase caused complete loss of bacteriocin activity. PPE heat treatment at various temperatures resulted in a notable reduction in bacteriocin expression. Enterocin U7 was relatively heat stable, and presumably exhibits a glucoprotein nature with distinct inhibitory properties. Specific bacterial inhibitory activity of enterocin U7, and the producer strain absence of β ‐hemolysis and vancomycin susceptibility features deserves further investigation to evaluate its potential application in silage inoculation and food preservation. (© 2012 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Modelling the effect of environmental factors on the hyphal growth of the basidiomycete Physisporinus vitreus
Authors: Fuhr M. J. , Stührk C. , Schubert M. , Schwarze F. W. M. R. , Herrmann H. J.
Published: December 2011

The present work investigated the effects of environmental factors on the growth of fungal colonies of the white‐rot basidiomycetes Physisporinus vitreus using a lattice‐free discrete modeling approach called the fungal growth model (FGM), in which hyphae and nutrients are considered as discrete structures. A discrete modeling approach enables the underlying mechanistic rule concerning the basic architecture and dynamics of fungal networks to be studied on the scale of a single colony. By comparing simulations of the FGM with laboratory experiments of fungal colonies growing on malt extract agar we show that the combined effects of water activity, temperature and pH on the radial growth rate of fungal mycelia on the macroscopic scale may be explained by a power law for the costs of hyphal maintenance and expansion on the microscopic scale. Information about the response of the fungal mycelium at the micro‐ scopic level to environmental conditions is essential for simulating its behavior in complex structure substrates such as wood, where the effect of the fungus on the wood (i.e. the degradation of the cell wall) changes the local environmental condition (e.g. the permeability of the substrate and therefore the water activity in a colonized wood cell lumen). Using a combination of diffusion and moisture processes with the FGM may increase our understanding of the colonization strategy of P. vitreus and help to optimize its growth behavior for biotechnological applications such as bioincising. (© 2012 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Monitoring site occupancy for American mink in its native range
Authors: Schooley Robert L. , Cotner Lisa A. , Ahlers Adam A. , Heske Edward J. , Levengood Jeffrey M.
Published: December 2011

American mink (Neovison vison) are secretive, semi‐aquatic carnivores that often require noninvasive methods based on field signs such as tracks and scat for determining their spatial distribution. Most previous assessments of survey methods for American mink have been conducted in the United Kingdom where mink are an invasive species. We evaluated survey techniques for American mink in riparian habitat in its native range in the midwestern United States. We used occupancy modeling to compare detection rates between walking surveys and mink raft surveys, and we evaluated the potential for environmental covariates and observer bias to influence detectability from walking surveys. Per‐survey detection probabilities were greater for walking surveys (0.72) than for mink rafts (0.39). Walking surveys also were cheaper and easier to conduct in small streams prone to flooding when compared to mink raft surveys. However, detection probabilities from walking surveys were affected by observer bias, recent rainfall, substrate, and date. We recommend walking surveys for determining the distribution of American mink in riparian habitat in the Midwest if occupancy modeling is applied to adjust for environmental and observer effects on detectability. We used such an approach to demonstrate occupancy dynamics of mink were related to variable water depths, which has implications for how this carnivore might be influenced by climate change. Mink rafts standardize the substrate for recording mink tracks and reduce the likelihood of observer effects. For studies using many volunteers, we recommend mink rafts for determining site occupancy by American mink. © 2011 The Wildlife Society.
Landscape‐level correlates of mallard duckling survival: Implications for conservation programs
Authors: Bloom Pauline M. , Clark Robert G. , Howerter David W. , Armstrong Llwellyn M.
Published: December 2011

Despite recent work, uncertainty remains concerning how abiotic and biotic factors affect duckling survival. Additionally, upland habitat characteristics may affect duckling survival rates but this potential relationship has largely been ignored. We evaluated several unresolved hypotheses about causes of mallard (Anas platyrhynchos) duckling survival variation, with an emphasis on assessing effects of managed and remnant natural upland habitats. During 1993–2000, 617 radio‐marked females provided information about brood habitat use and duckling survival on 27 sites in prairie Canada. We contrasted a priori and exploratory models that incorporated effects of upland, wetland, weather, female, and brood‐related variables on duckling survival rates. Survival was highest for ducklings when a greater proportion of their surrounding landscape (i.e., within a 500‐m radius buffer around the brood) was comprised of wetlands characterized by a central expanse of open water and a peripheral ring of flooded emergent vegetation. Cold and wet weather in the first week of life resulted in lower duckling survival. In a post hoc analysis, duckling survival (of older ducklings) was negatively related to increasing proportions of managed hayland. © 2011 The Wildlife Society.
Factors influencing detection of nesting crested caracaras
Authors: Dwyer James F. , Morrison Joan L. , Fraser James D.
Published: December 2011

Management of crested caracaras (Caracara cheriway), focuses on nests identified during surveys. If no nests are found, management can be suspended. Thus, false negatives can have substantial consequences. We surveyed 49 breeding territories to assess factors with the potential to cause false negatives in detecting nests of crested caracaras and in observing adult birds. The probability that a nest would be detected on any given visit increased by about 0.5% for each hour of observer experience up to about 70 hours (our maximum). Experience did not affect the probability of observing an adult. The probability of detecting a caracara nest or observing an adult caracara decreased by 2.0–3.5% each hour after sunrise that a visit began. If visibility during any portion of a visit was obscured by fog or rain, the probability of detecting a nest decreased by as much as 60%, and the probability of observing an adult caracara decreased by about 50%. We provide a tool managers can use to calculate the likelihood of successful surveys. We recommend that managers disregard negative results from surveys conducted under conditions that are unlikely to yield positive results, and repeat those surveys under better conditions. © 2011 The Wildlife Society.
Correlation between single‐trial visual evoked potentials and the blood oxygenation level dependent response in simultaneously recorded electroencephalography–functional magnetic resonance imaging
Authors: Fuglø Dan , Pedersen Henrik , Rostrup Egill , Hansen Adam E. , Larsson Henrik B. W.
Published: December 2011

To compare different electroencephalography (EEG)‐based regressors and their ability to predict the simultaneously recorded blood oxygenation level dependent response during blocked visual stimulation, simultaneous EEG–functional magnetic resonance imaging in 10 healthy volunteers was performed. The performance of different single‐trial EEG regressors was compared in terms of predicting the measured blood oxygenation level dependent response. The EEG‐based regressors were the amplitude and latency of the primary positive (P1) and negative (N2) peaks of the visual evoked potential, the combined P1–N2 amplitude, and the alpha power. Apart from peak latencies, all regressors showed significant positive or negative correlation with the blood oxygenation level dependent response in visual cortex. In addition, several EEG‐based regressors were found to predict blood oxygenation level dependent variations in different occipital and extraoccipital cortical areas not explained by the boxcar regressor. The results suggest that the P1–N2 regressor is the best EEG‐based regressor to model the visual paradigm, but when looking for additional effects like habituation or attention modulation that cannot be modeled by the boxcar regressor, it is better to include regressors based on individual peaks or alpha power. Magn Reson Med, 2012. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.