bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Environmental radon: Health aspects and present status in northern India
Authors: Mehta Vimal , Chauhan R. P. , Mudahar G. S.
Published: September 2013

Following the discovery of high levels of indoor radon in various parts of the world, every environmental protection agency is determined to address the potential radon problem. In India, many research groups are determined to characterize the problem as it might exist in Indian dwellings, where poor ventilation and mud structures are common. Not only radon but also its progeny are radioactive. Being a gas radon can disperse and its progeny can attach to aerosols/dust particles to be transmitted in indoor environments. Radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer in North America and the leading cause of lung cancer for individuals who have never smoked. Due to potential public health implications of exposure to high levels of radon, the characterization of radon problem in India must also be complemented with the development of a program to educate the public regarding radon. This paper is an attempt to provide awareness about the environmental radon, its origin, health concerns, present status of radon concentrations in dwellings of Northern India and some remedial actions for protection from radiation. The estimated indoor radon levels are looked into as recommended by the International Commission on Radiological Protection, 2009.
Will closing the achievement gap solve the problem? An analysis of primary and secondary effects for indigenous university entry
Authors: Parker Philip D. , Bodkin-Andrews Gawaian , Marsh Herbert W. , Jerrim John , Schoon Ingrid
Published: September 2013

Effective intervention into educational inequalities is dependent on having an accurate understanding of the factors which predict it. Research on the educational attainment gap between Indigenous and non-Indigenous youth in Australia has typically focused on closing the academic achievement gap in the hope that this will resolve the issue. However, recent research is beginning to find that Indigenous youth also have significantly different choice behaviours and resources. Using the work of Boudon, the current research used a Bayesian logistic regression model to explore the extent to which differences in university entry rates are due to achievement differentials (primary effects) versus differences in choice behaviours and resources (secondary effects) for Indigenous and non-Indigenous youth in Australia. This was applied to 10,000 Australian youth, followed over eight years. Results suggest that primary effects were predominant, however, a moderate proportion of the Indigenous university entrance rate gap is due to secondary effects.
Using southern theory: Decolonizing social thought in theory, research and application
Authors: Connell Raewyn
Published: September 2013

Recent work in social science challenges managerial assumptions about homogenous knowledge domains, and traces the effects of a world economy of knowledge structured by the history of colonialism and current north-south global inequalities. The differentiation of knowledge rests on the very different histories and situations of metropolitan, creole, colonized and post-colonial intelligentsias. Different knowledge projects have been constructed in global space, which feed back on our understanding of knowledge itself. Less recognized, but increasingly important, are uses of southern and postcolonial perspectives in applied social science, in areas ranging from education to urban planning. Some implications of these applications are discussed: southern theory is not a fixed set of propositions but a challenge to develop new knowledge projects and new ways of learning with globally expanded resources.
The neoliberalisation of strategic spatial planning
Authors: Olesen Kristian
Published: September 2013

Strategic spatial planning practices have recently taken a neoliberal turn in many northwestern European countries. This neoliberalisation of strategic spatial planning has materialised partly in governance reforms aiming to reduce or abolish strategic spatial planning at national and regional scales, and partly through the normalisation of neoliberal discourses in strategic spatial planning processes. This article analyses the complex relationship, partly of unease and partly of coevolution, between neoliberalism and strategic spatial planning. Furthermore, this article discusses the key challenges for strategic spatial planning in the face of neoliberalism and argues for a need to strengthen strategic spatial planning’s critical dimension.
Plasma from rheumatoid arthritis patients promotes pro-atherogenic cholesterol transport gene expression in THP-1 human macrophages
Authors: Voloshyna Iryna , Modayil Sony , Littlefield Michael J , Belilos Elise , Belostocki Kristina , Bonetti Lois , Rosenblum Gary , Carsons Steven E , Reiss Allison B
Published: September 2013

Immunologic derangements in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients likely contribute to premature atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (CVD). Traditional CVD risk factors do not reliably identify at-risk RA patients, probably because disease-associated mechanisms are not taken into account. The purpose of this study was to determine whether plasma from subjects with RA exhibits atheroma-promoting properties leading to disruption of cholesterol homeostasis in human monocytes/macrophages. Twenty-one healthy controls (HC) and 22 RA patients were enrolled in an IRB approved study at Winthrop University Hospital. Naïve THP-1 macrophages were exposed to plasma from each HC and RA patient. Following incubation, RNA and protein were isolated. QRT-PCR and Western blotting techniques were then used to measure expression of proteins responsible for cholesterol efflux (ATP binding cassette transporter (ABC)A1, ABCG1, 27-hydroxylase) and cholesterol uptake (CD36, ScR-A1, lectin oxidized low density lipoprotein receptor (LOX)-1, CXCL16). To confirm the pro-atherogenic effects of RA plasma on macrophages, foam cell formation was quantified. Results showed that RA plasma downregulates cholesterol efflux proteins and upregulates scavenger receptors CD36, LOX1 and CXCL16. These pro-atherogenic changes in gene expression in the presence of RA plasma are associated with augmented lipid accumulation and foam cell formation by THP-1 macrophages. RA plasma induces macrophage cholesterol overload. Demonstration of disrupted cholesterol homeostasis mediated by RA plasma provides further evidence of the involvement of the immune system in atherogenesis. Our data suggest that chronic exposure to RA plasma adversely affects the capacity of monocytes/macrophages in the arterial wall to metabolize cholesterol and maintain lipid homeostasis, thereby contributing to the development of premature atherosclerosis.
Total endovascular management of ruptured aortocaval fistula: Technical challenges and case report
Authors: ElKassaby Mohammed , Alawy Mahmoud , Zaki Mohamed , Hynes Niamh , Tawfick Wael , Sultan Sherif
Published: September 2013

Purpose

Primary aortocaval fistula (ACF) is a rare complication of ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysms (rAAA). Endovascular repair for rAAA (REVAR) provides an efficient, elegant and safe option, minimizing the risk of massive bleeding with open repair.

Case report

Case 1: An 84-year-old man presented with a rAAA and ACF. He exhibited manifestations of congestive heart failure, pulmonary and renal impairment. An endovascular aortic aneurysm repair was undertaken and a bifurcated stent graft was deployed to treat the aneurysm and a second stent graft was deployed within the inferior vena cava to simultaneously seal the rAAA and the ACF. Case 2: A 73-year-old male patient presented with a rAAA and ACF. He exhibited manifestations of congestive heart failure and renal impairment with haematuria. REVAR was the plan for management. A bifurcated stent graft was used to treat the aneurysm and another bifurcated stent graft was placed within the inferior vena cava to seal the rAAA and the ACF.

Conclusion

Here in, we report the first two cases in the English literature of rAAA with ACF successfully managed with simultaneous endovascular stent-grafting of both the aorta and the inferior vena cava.
Development of omics-based clinical tests for prognosis and therapy selection: The challenge of achieving statistical robustness and clinical utility
Authors: McShane Lisa M , Polley Mei-Yin C
Published: September 2013

Background

Many articles have been published in biomedical journals reporting on the development of prognostic and therapy-guiding biomarkers or predictors developed from high-dimensional data generated by omics technologies. Few of these tests have advanced to routine clinical use.

Purpose

We discuss statistical issues in the development and evaluation of prognostic and therapy-guiding biomarkers and omics-based tests.

Methods

Concepts relevant to the development and evaluation of prognostic and therapy-guiding clinical tests are illustrated through discussion and examples. Some differences between statistical approaches for test evaluation and therapy evaluation are explained. The additional complexities introduced in the evaluation of omics-based tests are highlighted.

Results

Distinctions are made between clinical validity of a test and clinical utility. To establish clinical utility for prognostic tests, it is explained why absolute risk should be evaluated in addition to relative risk measures. The critical role of an appropriate control group is emphasized for evaluation of therapy-guiding tests. Common pitfalls in the development and evaluation of tests generated from high-dimensional omics data such as model overfitting and inappropriate methods for test performance evaluation are explained, and proper approaches are suggested.

Limitations

The cited references do not comprise an exhaustive list of useful references on this topic, and a systematic review of the literature was not performed. Instead, a few key points were highlighted and illustrated with examples drawn from the oncology literature.

Conclusions

Approaches for the development and statistical evaluation of clinical tests useful for predicting prognosis and selecting therapy differ from standard approaches for therapy evaluation. Proper evaluation requires an understanding of the clinical setting and what information is likely to influence clinical decisions. Specialized expertise relevant to building mathematical predictor models from high-dimensional data is helpful to avoid common pitfalls in the development and evaluation of omics-based tests.
Leadership in Disadvantaged Primary Schools
Authors: Oswald Marietjie , Engelbrecht Petra
Published: September 2013

Research has indicated that schools should be developed as inclusive learning communities that would support collaborative learning and problem solving in order to address learner diversity more effectively. This article explores school leadership as one determining factor which either affords or constrains collaborative teacher learning for inclusion in the work place. The theoretical framework of cultural-historical activity theory (CHAT) provided the broad platform from which we engaged in the study. Engeström’s triangle model was employed to explore leadership in the two research schools. Leadership was framed within the democratic distributed approach to leadership: this resonates with inclusive education’s strong emphasis on equality, equity and voice. A critical activity-theoretical ethnographic research design was employed from which the findings were drawn regarding school leadership. A qualitative methodology – incorporating multiple methods of data generation – informed the study. The data was organized by employing three dimensions of the two schools as activity systems: rules, community and division of labour. The findings provided irrefutable evidence that school leadership in the two historically disadvantaged primary schools profoundly affected teacher learning for inclusion.
Emotional States from Affective Dynamics
Authors: Cunningham William A. , Dunfield Kristen A. , Stillman Paul E.
Published: September 2013

Psychological constructivist models of emotion propose that emotions arise from the combinations of multiple processes, many of which are not emotion specific. These models attempt to describe both the homogeneity of instances of an emotional “kind” (why are fears similar?) and the heterogeneity of instances (why are different fears quite different?). In this article, we review the iterative reprocessing model of affect, and suggest that emotions, at least in part, arise from the processing of dynamical unfolding representations of valence across time. Critical to this model is the hypothesis that affective trajectories—over time—provide important information that helps build emotional states.
Emotions Emerge from More Basic Psychological Ingredients: A Modern Psychological Constructionist Model
Authors: Lindquist Kristen A.
Published: September 2013

Over a century ago, William James outlined the first psychological constructionist model of emotion, arguing that emotions are phenomena constructed of more basic psychological parts. In this article, I outline a modern psychological constructionist model of emotion. I first explore the history of psychological construction to demonstrate that psychological constructionist models have historically emerged in an attempt to explain variability in emotion that cannot be accounted for by other approaches. I next discuss the modern psychological constructionist model of emotion that I take in my own research, outlining its hypotheses, existing empirical support, and areas of future research. I conclude by arguing that psychological constructionist models can help scientists better understand the human mind.
Three-layered coextruded cast films based on conventional and metallocene poly(ethylene/α-olefin) copolymers
Authors: Scarfato Paola , Di Maio Luciano , Garofalo Emilia , Incarnato Loredana
Published: September 2013

Multilayer films of a conventional linear low-density poly(ethylene/α-octene) (LLDPE) and a metallocene linear low-density poly(ethylene/α-hexene) (mLLDPE) copolymers were produced by cast co-extrusion process. Coextruded films were obtained by varying the position and the relative thicknesses of the two polymers. Mechanical (tensile and impact) tests, permeability, haze and hot tack measurements were carried out on the produced films in order to verify the effect of layer composition and position on the performances of the coextruded samples. Thermal and atomic force microscopy characterizations of the three-layer structures were also performed to correlate the resulting morphology with the film properties. The experiments demonstrated that, at fixed composition, the structures having the mLLDPE copolymer as external layers exhibit generally better mechanical performances and a widening in the sealability temperature window due to a lowering of 5℃ in the seal-initiation temperature, with only a small increase (max 3.5%) in the film haze percentages. The oxygen permeability values do not seem to be significantly affected by the structure composition and layout.
A feasibility study and pilot randomised trial of a tailored prevention program to reduce falls in older people with mild dementia
Authors: Wesson Jacqueline , Clemson Lindy , Brodaty Henry , Lord Stephen , Taylor Morag , Gitlin Laura , Close Jacqueline
Published: September 2013

Background

People with dementia have a disproportionately high rate of falls and fractures and poorer outcomes, yet there is currently no evidence to guide falls prevention in this population.

Methods

A randomised trial design was used to test feasibility of study components and acceptability of a home hazard reduction and balance and strength exercise fall prevention program. The program was tailored to participant’s individual cognitive levels and implemented as a carer-supported intervention. Feasibility of recruitment, retention and implementation of intervention were recorded through observation and documented in field notes. Adherence, carer burden and use of task simplification strategies were also monitored. Outcome measures, collected at 12 weeks included physiological, fear of falling, cognitive and functional measures.

Results

Recruitment was achievable but may be more challenging in a multisite trial. Twenty two dyads of persons with mild dementia and their carers were randomised to intervention or usual care control group. Of 38 dyads referred to the study, there was a high rate of willingness to participate, with 6 (16%) declining and 10 (26%) not meeting inclusion criteria. The intervention was well received by participants and carers and adherence to both program components was very good. All participants implemented some home safety recommendations (range 19-80%) with half implementing 50% or more. At the end of 12 weeks, 72% of the intervention group were exercising. Both the rate of falling and the risk of a fall were lower in the intervention group but these findings were not significant (RR= 0.50 (95% CI 0.11-2.19). There were no differences in physiological outcome measures between the control and intervention groups. However results were influenced by the small study size and incomplete data primarily in the intervention group at follow up.

Conclusions

The pilot study was feasible and acceptable to people with mild dementia and their carers. The lessons learnt included: recruitment for a larger trial will require multiple approaches; home safety recommendations should provide a greater emphasis on environmental use compared with behavioural change; strategies to ensure an adequate dosage of exercise should be further explored. We recommend that intervention delivery incorporate an integrated occupational therapy and physiotherapy approach and that carers be provided with an individualised session to enhance dementia-specific skills in management and communication. A refined intervention should be tested in a randomised trial with an adequately powered sample size.

Trial registration

Australia and New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry 126100001049066
Chromobacterium haemolyticum-induced bacteremia in a healthy young man
Authors: Okada Megumi , Inokuchi Ryota , Shinohara Kazuaki , Matsumoto Akinori , Ono Yuko , Narita Masashi , Ishida Tokiya , Kazuki Chiba , Nakajima Susumu , Yahagi Naoki
Published: September 2013

Background

The genus Chromobacterium consists of 7 recognized species. Among those, only C. violaceum, commonly found in the soil and water of tropical and subtropical regions, has been shown to cause human infection. Although human infection is rare, C. violaceum can cause life-threatening sepsis, with metastatic abscesses, most frequently infecting those who are young and healthy.

Case presentation

We recently identified a case of severe bacteremia caused by Chromobacterium haemolyticum infection in a healthy young patient following trauma and exposure to river water, in Japan. The patient developed necrotizing fasciitis that was successfully treated with a fasciotomy and intravenous ciprofloxacin and gentamicin.

Conclusions

C. haemolyticum should be considered in the differential diagnosis of skin lesions that progressively worsen after trauma involving exposure to river or lake water, even in temperate regions. Second, early blood cultures for the isolation and identification of the causative organism were important for initiating proper antimicrobial therapy.
Localizing chronic Q fever: a challenging query
Authors: Barten Dennis G , Delsing Corine E , Keijmel Stephan P , Sprong Tom , Timmermans Janneke , Oyen Wim JG , Nabuurs-Franssen Marrigje H , Bleeker-Rovers Chantal P
Published: September 2013

Background

Chronic Q fever usually presents as endocarditis or endovascular infection. We investigated whether 18F-FDG PET/CT and echocardiography were able to detect the localization of infection. Also, the utility of the modified Duke criteria was assessed.

Methods

Fifty-two patients, who had an IgG titre of ≥ 1024 against C. burnetii phase I ≥ 3 months after primary infection or a positive PCR ≥ 1 month after primary infection, were retrospectively included. Data on serology, the results of all imaging studies, possible risk factors for developing proven chronic Q fever and clinical outcome were recorded.

Results

According to the Dutch consensus on Q fever diagnostics, 18 patients had proven chronic Q fever, 14 probable chronic Q fever, and 20 possible chronic Q fever. Of the patients with proven chronic Q fever, 22% were diagnosed with endocarditis, 17% with an infected vascular prosthesis, and 39% with a mycotic aneurysm. 56% of patients with proven chronic Q fever did not recall an episode of acute Q fever. Ten out of 13 18F-FDG PET/CT-scans in patients with proven chronic Q fever localized the infection. TTE and TEE were helpful in only 6% and 50% of patients, respectively.

Conclusions

If chronic Q fever is diagnosed, 18F-FDG PET/CT is a helpful imaging technique for localization of vascular infections due to chronic Q fever. Patients with proven chronic Q fever were diagnosed significantly more often with mycotic aneurysms than in previous case series. Definite endocarditis due to chronic Q fever was less frequently diagnosed in the current study. Chronic Q fever often occurs in patients without a known episode of acute Q fever, so clinical suspicion should remain high, especially in endemic regions.
The economic costs of malaria in children in three sub-Saharan countries: Ghana, Tanzania and Kenya
Authors: Sicuri Elisa , Vieta Ana , Lindner Leandro , Constenla Dagna , Sauboin Christophe
Published: September 2013

Background

Malaria causes significant mortality and morbidity in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), especially among children less than five years of age (U5 children). Although the economic burden of malaria in this region has been assessed previously, the extent and variation of this burden remains unclear. This study aimed to estimate the economic costs of malaria in U5 children in three countries (Ghana, Tanzania and Kenya).

Methods

Health system and household costs previously estimated were integrated with costs associated with co-morbidities, complications and productivity losses due to death. Several models were developed to estimate the expected treatment cost per episode per child, across different age groups, by level of severity and with or without controlling for treatment-seeking behaviour. Total annual costs (2009) were calculated by multiplying the treatment cost per episode according to severity by the number of episodes. Annual health system prevention costs were added to this estimate.

Results

Household and health system costs per malaria episode ranged from approximately US$ 5 for non-complicated malaria in Tanzania to US$ 288 for cerebral malaria with neurological sequelae in Kenya. On average, up to 55% of these costs in Ghana and Tanzania and 70% in Kenya were assumed by the household, and of these costs 46% in Ghana and 85% in Tanzania and Kenya were indirect costs. Expected values of potential future earnings (in thousands) lost due to premature death of children aged 0–1 and 1–4 years were US$ 11.8 and US$ 13.8 in Ghana, US$ 6.9 and US$ 8.1 in Tanzania, and US$ 7.6 and US$ 8.9 in Kenya, respectively. The expected treatment costs per episode per child ranged from a minimum of US$ 1.29 for children aged 2–11 months in Tanzania to a maximum of US$ 22.9 for children aged 0–24 months in Kenya. The total annual costs (in millions) were estimated at US$ 37.8, US$ 131.9 and US$ 109.0 nationwide in Ghana, Tanzania and Kenya and included average treatment costs per case of US$ 11.99, US$ 6.79 and US$ 20.54, respectively.

Conclusion

This study provides important insight into the economic burden of malaria in SSA that may assist policy makers when designing future malaria control interventions.
Application of ATC/DDD methodology to eveluate of antibiotic use in a general hospital in Turkey
Authors: Sözen Hamdi , Gönen Ibak , Sözen Ayse , Kutlucan Ali , Kalemci Serdar , Sahan Murat
Published: September 2013

Background

The aim of this study is to evaluate in-house antibiotic use in a state hospital in Turkey with its cost, using the ATC/DDD index, which is an accepted standard method.

Methods

This study was performed as a point prevalence study in a state hospital with 372 beds. All in-house patients using antibiotics on July 19, 2011 were included in the study. Indications for antibiotic use and information about the patients were recorded on special forms. Antibiotic use and cost analysis were evaluated using the ATC/DDD index, which is also suggested by the WHO to be used in similar studies.

Findings

147 patients out of 308 patients who were in-house were identified to use antibiotics with appropriate indications for prophylaxis or treatment in 61% of the patients. The rate of appropriate antibiotic use was identified to be in 78%, while this rate was 38.9% in surgical clinics. The daily cost of the antibiotics consumed on the date of the study was calculated as 4104.79 TL (=2476.80 USD).

Discussion

The rate of inappropriate use of antibiotics seems to be high in our hospital. This will result in both increased costs and also increased nosocomial infection rates with resistant species. Infectious disease specialists should take more active roles in the in-house antibiotic use, hospitals should prepare and implement their own principles of antibiotic use, and microbiology laboratories should be used more effectively. These measures would decrease the conspicuous shortcomings in the antibiotic use.
Magnetoelectricity in CoFe2O4 nanocrystal-P(VDF-HFP) thin films
Authors: Liu Xiaohua , Liu Shuangyi , Han Myung-Geun , Zhao Lukas , Deng Haiming , Li Jackie , Zhu Yimei , Krusin-Elbaum Lia , O’Brien Stephen
Published: September 2013

Transition metal ferrites such as CoFe2O4, possessing a large magnetostriction coefficient and high Curie temperature (T
c > 600 K), are excellent candidates for creating magnetic order at the nanoscale and provide a pathway to the fabrication of uniform particle-matrix films with optimized potential for magnetoelectric coupling. Here, a series of 0–3 type nanocomposite thin films composed of ferrimagnetic cobalt ferrite nanocrystals (8 to 18 nm) and a ferroelectric/piezoelectric polymer poly(vinylidene fluoride-co-hexafluoropropene), P(VDF-HFP), were prepared by multiple spin coating and cast coating over a thickness range of 200 nm to 1.6 μm. We describe the synthesis and structural characterization of the nanocrystals and composite films by XRD, TEM, HRTEM, STEM, and SEM, as well as dielectric and magnetic properties, in order to identify evidence of cooperative interactions between the two phases. The CoFe2O4 polymer nanocomposite thin films exhibit composition-dependent effective permittivity, loss tangent, and specific saturation magnetization (M
s). An enhancement of the effective permittivity and saturation magnetization of the CoFe2O4-P(VDF-HFP) films was observed and directly compared with CoFe2O4-polyvinylpyrrolidone, a non-ferroelectric polymer-based nanocomposite prepared by the same method. The comparison provided evidence for the observation of a magnetoelectric effect in the case of CoFe2O4-P(VDF-HFP), attributed to a magnetostrictive/piezoelectric interaction. An enhancement of M
s up to +20.7% was observed at room temperature in the case of the 10 wt.% CoFe2O4-P(VDF-HFP) sample.
Size-regulated group separation of CoFe2O4 nanoparticles using centrifuge and their magnetic resonance contrast properties
Authors: Kang Jongeun , Lee Hyunseung , Kim Young-Nam , Yeom Areum , Jeong Heejeong , Lim Yong Taik , Hong Kwan Soo
Published: September 2013

Magnetic nanoparticle (MNP)-based magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) contrast agents (CAs) have been the subject of extensive research over recent decades. The particle size of MNPs varies widely and is known to influence their physicochemical and pharmacokinetic properties. There are two commonly used methods for synthesizing MNPs, organometallic and aqueous solution coprecipitation. The former has the advantage of being able to control the particle size more effectively; however, the resulting particles require a hydrophilic coating in order to be rendered water soluble. The MNPs produced using the latter method are intrinsically water soluble, but they have a relatively wide particle size distribution. Size-controlled water-soluble MNPs have great potential as MRI CAs and in cell sorting and labeling applications. In the present study, we synthesized CoFe2O4 MNPs using an aqueous solution coprecipitation method. The MNPs were subsequently separated into four groups depending on size, by the use of centrifugation at different speeds. The crystal shapes and size distributions of the particles in the four groups were measured and confirmed by transmission electron microscopy and dynamic light scattering. Using X-ray diffraction analysis, the MNPs were found to have an inverse spinel structure. Four MNP groups with well-selected semi-Gaussian-like diameter distributions were obtained, with measured T2 relaxivities (r
2) at 4.7 T and room temperature in the range of 60 to 300 mM−1s−1, depending on the particle size. This size regulation method has great promise for applications that require homogeneous-sized MNPs made by an aqueous solution coprecipitation method. Any group of the CoFe2O4 MNPs could be used as initial base cores of MRI T2 CAs, with almost unique T2 relaxivity owing to size regulation. The methodology reported here opens up many possibilities for biosensing applications and disease diagnosis.

PACS

75.75.Fk, 78.67.Bf, 61.46.Df
Thermodynamic analysis of marine bacterial attachment to oligo(ethylene glycol)-terminated self-assembled monolayers
Authors: Ista Linnea K , López Gabriel P
Published: September 2013

Colloidal models are frequently used to model the thermodynamics of bacterial attachment to surfaces. The most commonly used of such models is that proposed by van Oss, Chaudhury and Good, which includes both non-polar and polar (including hydrogen bonding) interactions between the attaching bacterium, the attachment substratum and the aqueous environment. We use this model to calculate the free energy of adhesion, ∆Gadh, for attachment of the marine bacterium Cobetia marina to well defined attachment substrata that systematically vary in their chemistry and their ability to attach bacteria, namely a series of oligo(ethylene glycol) (OEG) terminated self-assembled monolayers that vary in the number of OEG moieties. For this system, the values of ∆Gadh calculated using VCG do not correlate with observed attachment profiles. We examine the validity of a number of assumptions inherent in VCG and other colloidal models of adhesion, with special attention paid to those regarding bacterial surfaces.
A 10-state model for an AMC scheme with repetition coding in mobile wireless networks
Authors: Quoc-Tuan Nguyen , Nguyen Dinh-Thong , Cong Lam Sinh
Published: September 2013

In modern broadband wireless access systems such as mobile worldwide interoperability for microwave access (WiMAX) and others, repetition coding is recommended for the lowest modulation level, in addition to the mandatory concatenated Reed-Solomon and convolutional code data coding, to protect vital control information from deep fades. This paper considers repetition coding as a time-diversity technique using maximum ratio combining (MRC) and proposes techniques to define and to calculate the repetition coding gain G
r and its effect on bit error rate (BER) under the two fading conditions: correlated lognormal shadowing and composite Rayleigh-lognormal fading also known as Suzuki fading. A variable-rate, variable-power 10-state finite-state Markov channel (FSMC) model is proposed for the implementation of the adaptive modulation and coding (AMC) scheme in mobile WiMAX to maximize its spectral efficiency under constant power constraints in the two fading mechanisms. Apart from the proposed FSMC model, the paper also presents two other significant contributions: one is an innovative technique for accurate matching of moment generating functions, necessary for the estimation of the probability density function of the combiner's output signal-to-noise ratio, and the other is efficient and fast expressions using Gauss-Hermite quadrature approximation for the calculation of BER of QPSK signal using MRC diversity reception.
Abscisic acid induced freezing tolerance in chilling-sensitive suspension cultures and seedlings of rice
Authors: Shinkawa Reiko , Morishita Aiko , Amikura Kumiko , Machida Rika , Murakawa Hiroki , Kuchitsu Kazuyuki , Ishikawa Masaya
Published: September 2013

Background

The role of abscisic acid (ABA) as a possible activator of cold acclimation process was postulated since endogenous levels of ABA increase temporarily or constitutively during cold-hardening. Exogenous application of ABA has been known to induce freezing tolerance at ambient temperatures in in vitro systems derived from cold hardy plants. Yet, some cell cultures acquired much greater freezing tolerance by ABA than by cold whilst maintaining active growth. This raises questions about the relationships among ABA, cold acclimation and growth cessation. To address this question, we attempted to 1) determine whether exogenous ABA can confer freezing tolerance in chilling-sensitive rice suspension cells and seedlings, which obviously lack the mechanisms to acquire freezing tolerance in response to cold; 2) characterize this phenomenon by optimizing the conditions and compare with the case of cold hardy bromegrass cells.

Results

Non-embryogenic suspension cells of rice suffered serious chilling injury when exposed to 4°C. When incubated with ABA at the optimal conditions (0.5-1 g cell inoculum, 75 μM ABA, 25-30°C, 7–10 days), they survived slow freezing (2°C/h) to −9.0 ~ −9.3°C (LT50: 50% killing temperature) while control cells were mostly injured at −3°C (LT50: -0.5 ~ −1.5°C). Ice-inoculation of the cell suspension at −3°C and survival determination by regrowth confirmed that ABA-treated rice cells survived extracellular freezing at −9°C. ABA-induced freezing tolerance did not require any exposure to cold and was best achieved at 25-30°C where the rice cells maintained high growth even in the presence of ABA. ABA treatment also increased tolerance to heat (43°C) as determined by regrowth. ABA-treated cells tended to have more augmented cytoplasm and/or reduced vacuole sizes compared to control cultures with a concomitant increase in osmolarity and a decrease in water content. ABA-treated (2–7 days) in vitro grown seedlings and their leaves survived slow freezing to −3°C with only marginal injury (LT50: -4°C) whereas untreated seedlings were killed at −3°C (LT50: -2°C).

Conclusions

The results indicate that exogenous ABA can induce some levels of freezing tolerance in chilling-sensitive rice cells and seedlings, probably by eliciting mechanisms different from low temperature-induced cold acclimation.
Mice with RyR1 mutation (Y524S) undergo hypermetabolic response to simvastatin
Authors: Knoblauch Mark , Dagnino-Acosta Adan , Hamilton Susan L
Published: September 2013

Background

Statins are widely used drugs for the treatment of hyperlipidemia. Though relatively safe, some individuals taking statins experience rhabdymyolysis, muscle pain, and cramping, a condition termed statin-induced myopathy (SIM). To determine if mutations in the skeletal muscle calcium (Ca2+) release channel, ryanodine receptor type 1 (RyR1), enhance the sensitivity to SIM we tested the effects of simvastatin, the statin that produces the highest incidence of SIM in humans, in mice with a mutation (Y524S, ‘YS’) in RyR1. This mutation is associated with malignant hyperthermia in humans. Exposure of mice with the YS mutation to mild elevations in environmental temperature produces a life-threatening hypermetabolic response (HMR) that is characterized by increased oxygen consumption (VO2), sustained muscle contractures, rhabdymyolysis, and elevated core body temperature.

Methods

We assessed the ability of simvastatin to induce a hypermetabolic response in the YS mice using indirect calorimetry and to alter Ca2+ release via RyR1 in isolated flexor digitorum brevis (FDB) fibers from WT and YS mice using fluorescent Ca2+ indicators. We also tested the ability of 5-aminoimidazole-4-carboxamide ribonucleoside (AICAR) to protect against the simvastatin effects.

Results

An acute dose of simvastatin triggers a hypermetabolic response in YS mice. In isolated YS muscle fibers, simvastatin triggers an increase in cytosolic Ca2+ levels by increasing Ca2+ leak from the sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR). With higher simvastatin doses, a similar cytosolic Ca2+ increase occurs in wild type (WT) muscle fibers. Pre-treatment of YS and WT mice with AICAR prevents the response to simvastatin.

Conclusions

A mutation in RyR1 associated with malignant hyperthermia increases susceptibility to an adverse response to simvastatin due to enhanced Ca2+ release from the sarcoplasmic reticulum, suggesting that RyR1 mutations may underlie enhanced susceptibility to statin-induced myopathies. Our data suggest that AICAR may be useful for treating statin myopathies.
DFT/NBO study of Nanotube and Calixarene with anti-cancer drug
Authors: Zare Karim , Shadmani Nasim , Pournamdari Elham
Published: September 2013

Nowadays use of calixarenes and nanotubes are widely spread in the pharmaceutical industry. In this work, interaction of between calix[4]arene and nanotube (6, 6) with Fluorouracil drug are investigated. The DFT calculations have been performed using the Gauss view and Gaussian98 in B3LYP method and 6-31G (d) standard basis set at 298.15K. There are calculated length bond (Å), bond angel (deg), dihedral angel (deg), energy hyperconjucation, and total energy (KJ mol-1), moment dipole (Debye), occupancy between nanotube (6, 6) and calix[4]arene with anticancer drug in B3LYP/6-31G (d) method. These cases and medicines show that complex1 is more stable than complex1. The parameter ofE2, gap energy and∆E°in composite of nanotube- Fluorouracil are higher than calix[4]arene-Fluororacil; therefore, complex1is more stable.
Minimum wages, earnings, and migration
Authors: Boffy-Ramirez Ernest
Published: September 2013

Does increasing a state’s minimum wage induce migration into the state? Previous literature has shown mobility in response to welfare benefit differentials across states, yet few have examined the minimum wage as a cause of mobility. Focusing on low-skilled immigrants, this paper empirically examines the effect of minimum wages on location decisions within the United States. This paper expands upon minimum wage and immigration literatures by demonstrating that the choice of destination is sensitive to minimum wage changes, and that the effects are highly dependent on the number of years an immigrant has resided in the U.S.

JEL classification codes: J15, J61
Spatial and visual data fusion for capturing, retrieval, and modeling of as-built building geometry and features
Authors: Zhu Zhenhua , Donia Sara
Published: September 2013

Background

As-built building information, including building geometry and features, is useful in multiple building assessment and management tasks. However, the current process for capturing, retrieving, and modeling such information is labor-intensive and time-consuming.

Methods

In order to address these issues, this paper investigates the potentials of fusing visual and spatial data for automatically capturing, retrieving, and modeling as-built building geometry and features. An overall fusion-based framework has been proposed. Under the framework, pairs of 3D point clouds are progressively registered through the RGB-D (Red, Green, Blue plus Depth) mapping. Meanwhile, building elements are recognized based on their visual patterns. The recognition results can be used to label the 3D points, which could facilitate the modeling of building elements.

Results

So far, two pilot studies have been performed. The results show that a high degree of automation could be achieved for the registration of building scenes captured from different scans and the recognition of building elements with the proposed framework.

Conclusions

The fusion of spatial and visual data could significantly facilitate the current process of retrieving, modeling, and visualizing as-built information.
Biodegradation behaviors and water adsorption of poly(vinyl alcohol)/starch/carboxymethyl cellulose/clay nanocomposites
Authors: Taghizadeh Mohammad Taghi , Sabouri Narges
Published: September 2013

The focus of this work is to study the effect of sodium montmorillonite (MMT-Na) clay content on the rate and extent of enzymatic hydrolysis polyvinyl alcohol (PVA)/starch (S)/carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) blends using enzyme cellulase. The rate of glucose production from each nanocomposite substrates was most rapid for the substrate without MMT-Na and decreased with the addition of MMT-Na for PVA/S/CMC blend (51.5 μg/ml h), PVA/S/CMC/1% MMT (45.4 μg/ml h), PVA/S/CMC/3% MMT (42.8 μg/ml h), and PVA/S/CMC/5% MMT (39.2 μg/ml h). The results of this study have revealed that films with MMT-Na content at 5 wt.% exhibited a significantly reduced rate and extent of hydrolysis. Enzymatic degradation behavior of MMT-Na containing nanocomposites of PVA/S/CMC was based on the determinations of weight loss and the reducing sugars. The degraded residues have been characterized by various analytical techniques, such as Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, scanning electronic microscopy, and UV-vis spectroscopy.
miR-31 controls osteoclast formation and bone resorption by targeting RhoA
Authors: Mizoguchi Fumitaka , Murakami Yousuke , Saito Tetsuya , Miyasaka Nobuyuki , Kohsaka Hitoshi
Published: September 2013

Introduction

Increased activity of osteoclasts is responsible for bone loss and joint destruction in rheumatoid arthritis. For osteoclast development and bone resorption activity, cytoskeletal organization must be properly regulated. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are endogenous small noncoding RNAs that suppress expression of their target genes. This study was conducted to identify crucial miRNAs to control osteoclasts.

Methods

miRNA expression in the bone marrow-derived macrophages (BMM) with or without receptor activator of nuclear factor κB ligand (RANKL) stimulation was analyzed by miRNA array. To examine the role of specific miRNAs in osteoclast formation, bone resorption activity and actin ring formation, the BMM were retrovirally transduced with miRNA antagomirs. To confirm whether the suppressive effects on osteoclastogenesis by miR-31 inhibition were mediated by targeting RhoA, osteoclast formation was analyzed in the presence of the RhoA inhibitor, exoenzyme C3.

Results

miR-31 was identified as one of the highly upregulated miRNAs during osteoclast development under RANKL stimulation. Inhibition of miR-31 by specific antagomirs suppressed the RANKL-induced formation of osteoclasts and bone resorption. Phalloidin staining of osteoclasts revealed that actin ring formation at the cell periphery was severely impaired by miR-31 inhibition, and clusters of small ringed podosomes were observed instead. In these osteoclasts, expression of RhoA, one of the miR-31 target genes, was upregulated by miR-31 inhibition in spite of the impaired osteoclastogenesis. Treatment with the RhoA inhibitor, exoenzyme C3, rescued the osteoclastogenesis impaired by miR-31 inhibition.

Conclusions

miR-31 controls cytoskeleton organization in osteoclasts for optimal bone resorption activity by regulating the expression of RhoA.
A guided tour of multiparameter full-waveform inversion with multicomponent data: From theory to practice
Authors: Operto S. , Gholami Y. , Prieux V. , Ribodetti A. , Brossier R. , Metivier L. , Virieux J.
Published: September 2013

Building high-resolution models of several physical properties of the subsurface by multiparameter full waveform inversion (FWI) of multicomponent data will be a challenge for seismic imaging for the next decade. The physical properties, which govern propagation of seismic waves in visco-elastic media, are the velocities of the P- and S-waves, density, attenuation, and anisotropic parameters. Updating each property is challenging because several parameters of a different nature can have a coupled effect on the seismic response for a particular propagation regime (from transmission to reflection). This is generally referred to as trade-off or crosstalk between parameters. Moreover, different parameter classes can have different orders of magnitude or physical units and footprints of different strength in the wavefield, which can make the inversion poorly conditioned if it is not properly scaled.
The structure of sally modules and Buchsbaumness of associated graded rings
Authors: Ozeki Kazuho
Published: September 2013

Let A be a Noetherian local ring with the maximal ideal m, and let I be an m-primary ideal in A. This paper examines the equality on Hilbert coefficients of I first presented by Elias and Valla, but without assuming that A is a Cohen–Macaulay local ring. That equality is related to the Buchsbaumness of the associated graded ring of I.
A note on thick subcategories of stable derived categories
Authors: Krause Henning , Stevenson Greg
Published: September 2013

For an exact category having enough projective objects, we establish a bijection between thick subcategories containing the projective objects and thick subcategories of the stable derived category. Using this bijection, we classify thick subcategories of finitely generated modules over strict local complete intersections and produce generators for the category of coherent sheaves on a separated Noetherian scheme with an ample family of line bundles.
Signal detection in pathological skin picking. Findings from non – clinical sample
Authors: Prochwicz Katarzyna , Kałużna - Wielobób Alina , Starowicz-Filip Anna
Published: September 2013

Aim of the study

The present study investigated the role of general impulsivity in pathological skin picking (PSP).

Subject or material and methods

Three groups of participants: university students who pick their skin and experience distress and/or functional impairment caused by picking (n = 27), students who pick their skin but do not experience distress and/or functional impairment caused by picking (n = 19), and students without history of skin picking (n = 43) were administered the task based on the search for the emotionally neutral signal hidden among distractors. It was predicted that individuals suffering from PSP should present an impulsive reaction style, i.e. they should search for the signal faster than individuals without history of PSP and should react to irrelevant stimuli rather than missing the correct reaction.

Results

Participants with severe picking performed as quickly and correctly as controls, thus not revealing an impulsive reaction pattern. Students with milder forms of picking reacted more slowly than the others gradually diminishing their performance as the task was extended.

Discussion

Individuals with severe PSP symptoms are not characterized by general impulsiveness defined as a tendency to react quickly and carelessly. Skin picking behaviors of different severity may be associated with different signal detection patterns.

Conclusions

The results of the current study indicate that skin picking is not a homogeneous condition. They also provide that skin picking behavior in ‘severe’ pickers and non – ‘severe’ ones may have different underlying psychological mechanisms.