bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Efficacy and tolerability of rasagiline in daily clinical use – a post‐marketing observational study in patients with Parkinson’s disease
Authors: Reichmann H. , Jost W. H.
Published: March 2010

Background:  The MAO‐B inhibitor rasagiline is indicated for the treatment of idiopathic Parkinson’s disease (PD), and its use is supported by evidence from large‐scale, controlled clinical studies. The post‐marketing observational study presented here investigated the efficacy and tolerability of rasagiline treatment (monotherapy or combination therapy) in daily clinical practice.

Methods:  The study included patients with idiopathic PD who received rasagiline (recommended dose 1 mg, once daily) as monotherapy or combination therapy. The treatment and observation period was approximately 4 months. Outcome measures included the change from baseline in the Columbia University Rating Scale (CURS), the Unified PD Rating Scale fluctuation subscale, daily OFF time (patient home diaries) and the PD Questionnaire‐39. Adverse drug reactions/adverse events (ADRs/AEs) and the physician’s global judgement of tolerability and efficacy were also examined.

Results:  Overall, 754 patients received rasagiline during the study. Patients treated with rasagiline (monotherapy or combination therapy) showed significant improvements from baseline in symptom severity (including classical motor and non‐classical motor/non‐motor symptoms) and quality of life (QoL). Patients receiving combination therapy also experienced significant reductions in daily OFF time. Tolerability was rated as good/very good in over 90% of patients.

Conclusions:  In daily clinical practice, monotherapy or combination therapy with rasagiline is able to improve PD symptoms, reduce OFF time, and improve QoL, whilst demonstrating favourable tolerability. In addition, rasagiline has a simple dosing schedule of one tablet, once daily, with no titration. These results are consistent with the pivotal rasagiline clinical studies (TEMPO, LARGO and PRESTO).
Dysfunctional kynurenine pathway metabolism in the R6/2 mouse model of Huntington’s disease
Authors: Sathyasaikumar Korrapati V. , Stachowski Erin K. , Amori Laura , Guidetti Paolo , Muchowski Paul J. , Schwarcz Robert
Published: March 2010

J. Neurochem. (2010) 113, 1416–1425.

Elevated concentrations of neurotoxic metabolites of the kynurenine pathway (KP) of tryptophan degradation may play a causative role in Huntington’s disease (HD). The brain levels of one of these compounds, 3‐hydroxykynurenine (3‐HK), are increased in both HD and several mouse models of the disease. In the present study, we examined this impairment in greater detail using the R6/2 mouse, a well‐established animal model of HD. Initially, mutant and age‐matched wild‐type mice received an intrastriatal injection of 3H‐tryptophan to assess the acute, local de novo production of kynurenine, the immediate bioprecursor of 3‐HK, in vivo. No effect of genotype was observed between 4 and 12 weeks of age. In contrast, intrastriatally applied 3H‐kynurenine resulted in significantly increased neosynthesis of 3H‐3‐HK, but not other tritiated KP metabolites, in the R6/2 striatum. Subsequent ex vivo studies in striatal, cortical and cerebellar tissue revealed substantial increases in the activity of the biosynthetic enzyme of 3‐HK, kynurenine 3‐monooxygenase and significant reductions in the activity of its degradative enzyme, kynureninase, in HD mice starting at 4 weeks of age. Decreased kynureninase activity was most evident in the cortex and preceded the increase in kynurenine 3‐monooxygenase activity. The activity of other KP enzymes showed no consistent brain abnormalities in the mutant mice. These findings suggest that impairments in its immediate metabolic enzymes jointly account for the abnormally high brain levels of 3‐HK in the R6/2 model of HD.
Dynamic cellular translocation of caldendrin is facilitated by the Ca2+‐myristoyl switch of recoverin
Authors: Fries Ramona , Reddy Pasham Parameshwar , Mikhaylova Marina , Haverkamp Silke , Wei Tao , Müller Michael , Kreutz Michael R. , Koch Karl‐Wilhelm
Published: March 2010

J. Neurochem. (2010) 113, 1150–1162.

Caldendrin and recoverin are Ca2+‐sensor proteins operating in neuronal systems. In a search for novel binding partners of recoverin, we employed an affinity column and identified caldendrin as a possible interaction partner. Caldendrin and recoverin co‐localized in the retina in a subset of bipolar cells and in the pineal gland as revealed by immunofluorescence studies. The binding process was controlled by Ca2+ as revealed by pull‐down assays, and surface plasmon resonance studies. Importantly, caldendrin existed as a Ca2+‐independent homodimer whereas a complex of recoverin and caldendrin formed with low to moderate affinity in the presence of Ca2+. Co‐transfection of COS‐7 cells with plasmids harboring the gene for fluorescently labeled recoverin and caldendrin was used to study the cellular distribution by time‐lapse fluorescence microscopy. Apparently, the increase of intracellular Ca2+ facilitates the translocation of caldendrin to intracellular membranes, which is under control of complex formation with recoverin.
Change in posture control after recent knee anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction?
Authors: Dauty Marc , Collon Sylvie , Dubois Charles
Published: March 2010

The aim of this study was to compare statical postures of a knee anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR) population with a healthy control population. Thirty‐five patients (age 25·5 ± 5·8 years) were compared at 15 days after an anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction with 35 healthy, age and sex‐matched subjects. Bilateral and unilateral postures were studied according to various stances, knee extension and 20 degrees knee flexion with opened and closed eyes, using a stabilometric platform. A comparison with the non‐ACLR limb and the healthy limbs of the control population was carried out. The ACLR subjects present with the following: (i) a significant change in two‐legged stance, i.e. distances covered by the centre of pressure projection are significantly increased; (ii) a postural alteration during the ACLR one‐legged stance with knee extension and opened eyes in comparison with the non‐ACLR limb; (iii) an incapacity for certain ACLR subjects to perform one‐legged stance on the non‐ACLR limb when there is no visual compensation. Only 11·4% (95% CI: 0·9–21·9%) and 42·8% (95% CI: 26·3–59·3%) of ACLR subjects are capable of maintaining correctly a one‐legged stance posture with closed eyes on both sides (knee extension and flexion, respectively). The identification of the ACLR knee limb is possible from the one‐legged stance postural test in knee extension and opened eyes condition. Because of a change in two‐legged balance and of the incapacity for certain ACLR subjects to maintain one‐legged stance with closed eyes, a central origin explaining the abnormalities of postural control is suggested.
Fast track surgery: A clinical audit
Authors: CARTER Jonathan , SZABO Rebecca , SIM Wee Wee , PATHER Selvan , PHILP Shannon , NATTRESS Kath , COTTERELL Stephen , PATEL Pinki , DALRYMPLE Chris
Published: March 2010

Background:  Fast track surgery is a concept that utilises a variety of techniques to reduce the surgical stress response, allowing a shortened length of stay, improved outcomes and decreased time to full recovery.

Aims:  To evaluate a peri‐operative Fast Track Surgical Protocol (FTSP) in patients referred for abdominal surgery.

Methods:  All patients undergoing a laparotomy over a 12‐month period were entered prospectively on a clinical database. Data were retrospectively analysed.

Results:  Over the study period, 72 patients underwent a laparotomy. Average patient age was 54 years and average weight and BMI were 67.2 kg and 26 respectively. Sixty three (88%) patients had a vertical midline incision (VMI). There were no intraoperative blood transfusions. The median length of stay (LOS) was 3.0 days. Thirty eight patients (53%) were discharged on or before post op day 3, seven (10%) of whom were discharged on postoperative day 2. On stepwise regression analysis, the following were found to be independently associated with reduced LOS: able to tolerate early enteral nutrition, good performance status, use of COX inhibitor and transverse incision. In comparison with colleagues at the SGOG not undertaking FTS for their patients, the authors’ LOS was lower and the RANZCOG modified Quality Indicators (QI’s) did not demonstrate excess morbidity.

Conclusions:  Patients undergoing fast track surgery can be discharged from hospital with a reduced LOS, without an increased readmission rate and with comparative outcomes to non‐fast tracked patients.
Evaluating therapeutic effect in symptoms of moderate‐to‐severe premenstrual syndrome with Vitex agnus castus (BNO 1095) in Chinese women
Authors: MA Linlin , LIN Shouqing , CHEN Rong , ZHANG Ying , CHEN Fengling , WANG Xiuli
Published: March 2010

Objectives:  To assess therapeutic effect of an extract of Vitex agnus castus (VAC, BNO 1095) in premenstrual syndrome (PMS) in Chinese women.

Design:  It was a prospective, randomised, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled study carried out in China. Eligible patients were treated with VAC extract or placebo for three cycles. Symptoms were documented with PMS diary (PMSD), a daily rating scale with 17 items. Main efficacy variable was the reduction percentage of 17 symptom score documented in PMSD during the luteal phase of the third treatment cycle.

Results:  A total of 67 patients were enrolled and randomly assigned to VAC group or placebo group. Of these, 64 patients completed the study (31 vs. 33). All the 17 symptoms showed a significantly greater improvement with VAC than placebo (P < 0.05) except lower abdominal cramping (P > 0.05).

Conclusion:  Vitex agnus castus is more effective than placebo in the treatment of moderate‐to‐severe PMS in Chinese women, especially in symptoms of negative effect and insomnia.
The Tortilla Curtain: War on the Table of the Poor
Authors: Pérez‐Álvarez Eliseo
Published: March 2010

Abstract:  This essay approaches the concept of borders from a geopolitical perspective, focusing particularly on the dividing curtain between the USA and Mexico. Corn serves not only as Ariadne's thread but also as a symbol of food in general, to be problematized and not taken for granted. The author highlights God's imperative for us to take the side of the poor: to satiate their hunger and quench their thirst. This stands in clear contradiction to the current evil economic system that has reduced food to a weapon of mass destruction, through the simultaneous overproduction of food and hunger.
Living in the Borderlands—An Identity and a Proposal
Authors: Grant Ken A.
Published: March 2010

Abstract:  We live in the borderlands, a place not of separation but of coming together, of connection. The continuing efforts to discern what it means to express who we are as religious people, and what it means regarding the religious identity of those who live in the borderlands is the focus of this study. In many ways, this identity is one that is in the process of being restored, renewed, and reaffirmed after many years of a combination of benign neglect and overt suppression.
Cue Integration With Categories: Weighting Acoustic Cues in Speech Using Unsupervised Learning and Distributional Statistics
Authors: Toscano Joseph C. , McMurray Bob
Published: March 2010

During speech perception, listeners make judgments about the phonological category of sounds by taking advantage of multiple acoustic cues for each phonological contrast. Perceptual experiments have shown that listeners weight these cues differently. How do listeners weight and combine acoustic cues to arrive at an overall estimate of the category for a speech sound? Here, we present several simulations using a mixture of Gaussians models that learn cue weights and combine cues on the basis of their distributional statistics. We show that a cue‐weighting metric in which cues receive weight as a function of their reliability at distinguishing phonological categories provides a good fit to the perceptual data obtained from human listeners, but only when these weights emerge through the dynamics of learning. These results suggest that cue weights can be readily extracted from the speech signal through unsupervised learning processes.
Space and Time in the Child’s Mind: Evidence for a Cross‐Dimensional Asymmetry
Authors: Casasanto Daniel , Fotakopoulou Olga , Boroditsky Lera
Published: March 2010

What is the relationship between space and time in the human mind? Studies in adults show an asymmetric relationship between mental representations of these basic dimensions of experience: Representations of time depend on space more than representations of space depend on time. Here we investigated the relationship between space and time in the developing mind. Native Greek‐speaking children watched movies of two animals traveling along parallel paths for different distances or durations and judged the spatial and temporal aspects of these events (e.g., Which animal went for a longer distance, or a longer time?). Results showed a reliable cross‐dimensional asymmetry. For the same stimuli, spatial information influenced temporal judgments more than temporal information influenced spatial judgments. This pattern was robust to variations in the age of the participants and the type of linguistic framing used to elicit responses. This finding demonstrates a continuity between space‐time representations in children and adults, and informs theories of analog magnitude representation.
Maternal Death Following Cardiopulmonary Collapse After Delivery: Amniotic Fluid Embolism or Septic Shock Due to Intrauterine Infection?
Authors: Romero Roberto , Kadar Nicholas , Vaisbuch Edi , Hassan Sonia S.
Published: March 2010

Citation Romero R, Kadar N, Vaisbuch E, Hassan SS. Maternal death following cardiopulmonary collapse after delivery: amniotic fluid embolism or septic shock due to intrauterine infection? Am J Reprod Immunol 2010; 64: 113–125

Problem  The amniotic fluid embolism (AFE) syndrome is a catastrophic complication of pregnancy frequently associated with maternal death. The causes and mechanisms of disease responsible for this syndrome remain elusive.

Method of study  We report two cases of maternal deaths attributed to AFE: (1) one woman presented with spontaneous labor at term, developed intrapartum fever, and after delivery had sudden cardiovascular collapse and disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC), leading to death; (2) another woman presented with preterm labor and foul‐smelling amniotic fluid, underwent a Cesarean section for fetal distress, and also had postpartum cardiovascular collapse and DIC, leading to death.

Results  Of major importance is that in both cases, the maternal plasma concentration of tumor necrosis factor‐α at the time of admission to the hospital and when patients had no clinical evidence of infection was in the lethal range (a lethal range is considered to be above 0.1 ng/mL).

Conclusion  We propose that subclinical intraamniotic infection may be a cause of postpartum cardiovascular collapse and DIC and resemble AFE. Thus, some patients with the clinical diagnosis of AFE may have infection/systemic inflammation as a mechanism of disease. These observations have implications for the understanding of the mechanisms of disease of patients who develop cardiovascular collapse and DIC, frequently attributed to AFE. It may be possible to identify a subset of patients who have biochemical and immunological evidence of systemic inflammation at the time of admission, and before a catastrophic event occurs.
Isolation, polymorphism and expression study of two distinct major histocompatibility complex class II B genes from half‐smooth tongue sole (Cynoglossus semilaevis)
Authors: Li C. , Yu Y. , Sun Y. , Li S. , Zhong Q. , Wang X. , Wang Z. , Qi J. , Zhang Q.
Published: March 2010

Major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class II antigens are important in vertebrate immune system, which present peptides to CD4+ T cells. In the present study, cDNAs encoding MHC class II B gene were isolated from the cDNA library of half‐smooth tongue sole (Cynoglossus semilaevis), and the full length cDNA sequences were got by rapid amplification of cDNA ends polymerase chain reaction. The polymorphism of its open reading frame, 3′ untranslated region and intron 1 was studied. Nineteen class II B alleles were identified from nine individuals and clustered into two groups, designated as Cyse‐DAB and Cyse‐DBB. The deduced amino acid sequences among Cyse‐DAB and Cyse‐DBB alleles shared identities from 94.0% to 99.6% and 92.4% to 99.6%, respectively, while the identities between Cyse‐DAB and Cyse‐DBB genes varied from 85.1% to 92.0%. Three Cyse‐DAB alleles and one Cyse‐DBB allele were observed in each of two individuals, and three Cyse‐DBB alleles and one Cyse‐DAB allele in another individual, which indicated at least two loci existed in each gene. Two different 3′ UTR sequences were identified and one belonged to Cyse‐DAB, the other belonged to Cyse‐DBB. Both five Cyse‐DAB and five Cyse‐DBB intron 1 sequences were identified from genomic sequences, among which two sequences of each gene were identified in a single individual, which suggested the existence of at least two Cyse‐DAB and two Cyse‐DBB loci. Both the two genes’‐specific tissue and developmental stage expression were studied by reverse‐transcription polymerase chain reaction, which showed that the two genes had similar expression patterns in tissue study with high expression in spleen and kidney, low expression in liver, gill and ovary, moderate expression in brain, heart, intestine and testis. While in developmental analysis, Cyse‐DBB had higher expression than Cyse‐DAB in early developmental stages, which indicated that the two genes might have different functions in those stages. Therefore, in half‐smooth tongue sole, two different MHC class II B genes exist and could differentiate from each other whether by sequence analysis or by developmental stage expression study.
Influenza and respiratory disease surveillance: the US military’s global laboratory‐based network
Authors: Jeremy Sueker J. , Blazes David L. , Johns Matthew C. , Blair Patrick J. , Sjoberg Paul A. , Tjaden Jeffrey A. , Montgomery Joel M. , Pavlin Julie A. , Schnabel David C. , Eick Angelia A. , Tobias Steven , Quintana Miguel , Vest Kelly G. , Burke Ronald L. , Lindler Luther E. , Mansfield Jay L. , Erickson Ralph Loren , Russell Kevin L. , Sanchez Jose L. ,   for the DoD Influenza Working Group
Published: March 2010

Please cite this paper as: Jeremy Sueker et al. (2010) Influenza and respiratory disease surveillance: the US military’s global laboratory‐based network. Influenza and Other Respiratory Viruses 4(3), 155–161.

The US Department of Defense influenza surveillance system now spans nearly 500 sites in 75 countries, including active duty US military and dependent populations as well as host‐country civilian and military personnel. This system represents a major part of the US Government’s contributions to the World Health Organization’s Global Influenza Surveillance Network and addresses Presidential Directive NSTC‐7 to expand global surveillance, training, research and response to emerging infectious disease threats. Since 2006, the system has expanded significantly in response to rising pandemic influenza concerns. The expanded system has played a critical role in the detection and monitoring of ongoing H5N1 outbreaks worldwide as well as in the initial detection of, and response to, the current (H1N1) 2009 influenza pandemic. This article describes the system, details its contributions and the critical gaps that it is filling, and discusses future plans.
What type of hedgerows do Brown hairstreak (Thecla betulaeL.) butterflies prefer? Implications for European agricultural landscape conservation
Authors: MERCKX THOMAS , BERWAERTS KOEN
Published: March 2010

Abstract. 1. Agricultural intensification is the main driver of global biodiversity loss. Agri‐environment schemes (AES) are policy tools to counter this, but they need to be made more effective.

2. Here, we focus on the resource quality of hedgerows and woodland edges, which are widespread elements of most agricultural landscapes in Europe. We analyse a set of structural factors and assess their relative importance for the Brown hairstreak butterfly. This species suffered severe declines because of agricultural intensification that may be indicative of changes for other widespread insect species that use hedgerows as resources.

3. Egg‐deposition preferences were assessed by comparing egg densities among hostplant sections in two study landscapes. All sections were systematically searched during four consecutive years, resulting in 745 observed eggs.

4. We demonstrate that the ground plan outline and aspect of landscape elements, the relative position within landscape elements, and the amount of young hostplant growth are particularly relevant in explaining observed egg densities, and we link their importance with the butterfly’s behavioural biology.

5. Our study provides evidence that management focused on providing ample young growth, and transforming the landscape element ground plan outline from linear to a scalloped pattern, would benefit ectothermic species by providing more sheltered micro‐climates when they use these structural resources for breeding, feeding and moving through typically exposed agricultural landscapes. We believe that integrating such management options within general AES would translate into effective, large‐scale conservation measures for Brown hairstreaks and other species alike.
Patch connectivity and sand dynamics affect dispersal‐related morphology of the blue‐winged grasshopperOedipoda caerulescensin coastal grey dunes
Authors: HEIDINGER INA MONIKA MARGRET , HEIN SILKE , BONTE DRIES
Published: March 2010

Abstract. 1. Anthropogenic land use leads to increasing habitat fragmentation and habitat loss for many species. Exchange of individuals between and recolonisation of habitat patches is essential for the stability and long‐term survival of populations in fragmented landscapes. Inter‐patch dispersal depends on the dispersal ability of species and on landscape structure.

2. In this study, we analysed the influence of patch size, patch connectivity and sand dynamics on thorax‐ and wing length as proxies for dispersal ability of the blue‐winged grasshopperOedipoda caerulescensin coastal grey dunes.

3. Our study revealed that sand dynamics and patch configuration had clear though sex‐specific effects on dispersal‐related morphology. Males were smaller and had shorter wings if patches became larger and less connected. In addition, both sexes were larger in habitat patches with high sand dynamics compared to those in patches with lower dynamics. Investments in wing length were only larger in connected populations when sand dynamics were low, indicating that both landscape and patch‐related environmental factors are of importance.

4. The observed effect of landscape characteristics on morphology agrees with predictions from theoretical models on the evolution of dispersal in metapopulations. However, as effects appear to be less pronounced in females, it is possible that selection pressures act differently on both sexes. An alternative explanation, however, would be that the observed patterns could be due to sex‐specific phenotypic plasticity. The presented results add to the evidence that dispersal‐related morphology varies according to expectations on dispersal evolution in recently structured populations at small spatial scales.
FROM THE SCRAPBOOK OF A TEACHER OF SCIENCE
Authors: Roller Duane
Published: March 2010

Being some observations of the great and the near‐great on the nature of the several sciences and on the art of living in general, preserved occasionally without prejudice but reproduced always with mental reservations.
FROM THE SCRAPBOOK OF A TEACHER OF SCIENCE
Authors: Roller Duane
Published: March 2010

Being some observations of the great and near‐great on the nature of the several sciences and on the art of living in general, preserved occasionally without prejudice but reproduced always with mental reservations.
Problem Department
Authors: Willerding Margaret F.
Published: March 2010

This department aims to provide problems of varying degrees of difficulty which will interest anyone engaged in the study of mathematics.

All readers are invited to propose problems and to solve problems here proposed. Drawings to illustrate the problems should be well done in India ink. Problems and solutions will be credited to their authors. Each solution or proposed problem sent the Editor should have the author's name introducing the problem or solution as on the following pages.

The Editor of the Department desires to serve her readers by making it interesting and helpful to them. Address suggestions and problems to Margaret F. Willerding, San Diego State College, San Diego, Calif., 92115.
Problem Department
Authors: Willerding Margaret F.
Published: March 2010

This department aims to provide problems of varying degrees of difficulty which will interest anyone engaged in the study of mathematics.

All readers are invited to propose problems and to solve problems here proposed. Drawings to illustrate the problems should be well done in India ink. Problems and solutions will be credited to their authors. Each solution or proposed problem sent the Editor should have the author's name introducing the problem or solution as on the following pages.

The Editor of the Department desires to serve her readers by making it interesting and helpful to them. Address suggestions and problems to Margaret F. Willerding, Mathematics Dept., California State University, San Diego, Calif. 92115.
The Effect of Process Approach Instruction upon Changing Pre‐Service Elementary Teachers' Attitudes Toward Science
Authors: Kennedy Thomas G.
Published: March 2010

The responsibility of and the challenge to every teacher of science were never greater. At the same time the pleasure, the excitement, and the importance of teaching science grow in direct proportion to increasing responsibilities and challenge. It is absolutely essential that pre‐service and in‐service teacher education programs be the best possible—a goal attainable only if all those interested in science, in teaching and in the public welfare offer to assist teachers and contribute their special talents to the improvement of teacher education. (1)
Book Reviews
Authors: Shroyer Gail
Published: March 2010

Book reviewed in this article:

The Computer in the Science Curriculum, Janet J. Woemer, Robert H. Rivers, Edward L. Vockell

Women in the Field: America's Pioneering Women Naturalists, Marcia Myers Bonta

On Location series, Kathy Darling
Diagnostic investigation and surgical management of an oesophageal mural inclusion cyst in a pony yearling
Authors: Woodford N. S. , Randle T. J. L. , McCluskie L. K.
Published: March 2010

The purpose of this paper is to provide a concise illustrative description of the diagnostic techniques and surgical treatment of an oesophageal mural inclusion cyst in a pony.
Laryngeal paralysis secondary to lead toxicosis
Authors: Allen K. J.
Published: March 2010

A 13‐year‐old Irish Draught cross gelding was referred for abnormal respiratory noise at low level exercise. Bilateral laryngeal paralysis was observed during the resting endoscopic examination. Blood samples revealed lead toxicosis and subsequent soil analysis confirmed high lead levels. Treatment with the lead chelating agent calcium disodium ethylenediamine tetraacetic acid was successful in rapidly reducing blood lead levels; however, complications were observed during this treatment. Despite bilateral laryngeal paralysis, the horse maintained a good quality of life and following placement of a tracheostomy tube was able to continue ridden exercise. Two years after treatment right sided laryngeal function appeared normal; however, agrade 5(of 5) left laryngeal hemiplegia was still present. Prolonged time periods are required for improvements in peripheral neuropathy subsequent to lead toxicosis to occur.
Using Linear Control Theory for Parameterization of a Controller for a SOFC/GT Hybrid Power Plant
Authors: Wächter Christian , Lunderstädt Reinhart , Joos Franz
Published: March 2010

The purpose of the current work is to develop an appropriate control system for a solid oxide fuel cell/gas turbine hybrid system. The main focus lies on the usage of linear control theory for the parameterization of the controller structure. The studies are carried out with a control oriented simplified dynamic model of a 25 MWe hybrid system based on a conceptual design previously presented in literature. As a specific feature additional firing of the gas turbine combustor is used as an extra actuating variable offering several advantages. Foregoing necessary investigations deal with calculating the on- and off-design behavior of the sample system and with defining a reasonable part-load operating curve taking into account several constraints like efficiency, stack temperature, surge margin, etc. Also, preliminary studies of the transient open loop behavior are performed. They reveal that the input variables should be changed with specific care to avoid critical situations during load change. As a precondition for linear control theory a low-order linear model is deduced and validated. With consideration of the transient simulation results and of the properties of the linear model a proper control strategy is suggested, which consists of a proportional output feedback taking into account the multi-input-multi-output character of the system and three distributed proportional-integral controllers that define the requested load point onto the operating curve. Lastly, the controllers are parameterized based on linear control theory and verified.
Recent Development of Microceramic Reactors for Advanced Ceramic Reactor System
Authors: Suzuki Toshio , Yamaguchi Toshiaki , Fujishiro Yoshinobu , Awano Masanobu , Funahashi Yoshihiro
Published: March 2010

Ceramic reactors, which convert materials and energy electrochemically, are expected to solve various environmental problems, and the use of a microreactor design was shown to realize a high performance reactor with high thermal durability, operable at lower temperatures. Our research project, “Advanced Ceramic Reactor,” supported by the New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization, targets to develop new fabrication technology for such microreactors and modules using conventional, commercially available materials. In this study, fabrication technology of microtubular ceramic reactors have been investigated for aiming solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) applications such as small distributed power generators, auxiliary power units for vehicles, and portable power sources. So far, microtubular SOFCs under a diameter of 1 mm using doped ceria electrolyte, and Ni–ceria based cermet for tubular support has been successfully developed and evaluated. The single microtubular SOFC showed a cell performance of 0.46 W/cm2 (at 0.7 V) at 550°C with H2 fuel. The bundle design for such tubular cell was also proposed and fabricated. The discussion will cover the fabrication technology of a single tubular SOFC and bundle, and the optimization of the cell and bundle design by considering gas pressure loss and current collecting loss.
Design, Simulation and Control of a 100 MW-Class Solid Oxide Fuel Cell Gas Turbine Hybrid System
Authors: Mueller Fabian , Tarroja Brian , Maclay James , Jabbari Faryar , Brouwer Jacob , Samuelsen Scott
Published: March 2010

A 100 MW-class planar solid oxide fuel cell synchronous gas turbine hybrid system has been designed, modeled, and controlled. The system is built of 70 functional fuel cell modules, each containing 10 fuel cell stacks, a blower to recirculate depleted cathode air, a depleted fuel oxidizer, and a cathode inlet air recuperator with bypass. The recuperator bypass serves to control the cathode inlet air temperature, while the variable speed cathode blower recirculates air to control the cathode air inlet temperature. This allows for excellent fuel cell thermal management without independent control of the gas turbine, which at this scale will most likely be a synchronous generator. In concept the demonstrated modular design makes it possible to vary the number of cells controlled by each fuel valve, power electronics module, and recirculation blower, so that actuators can adjust to variations in the hundreds of thousands of fuel cells contained within the 100 MW hybrid system for improved control and reliability. In addition, the modular design makes it possible to take individual fuel cell modules offline for maintenance while the overall system continues to operate. Parametric steady-state design analyses conducted on the system reveal that the overall fuel-to-electricity conversion efficiency of the current system increases with increased cathode exhaust recirculation. To evaluate and demonstrate the conceptualized design, the fully integrated system was modeled dynamically in MATLAB-SIMULINK®. Simple proportional feedback with steady-state feed-forward controls for power tracking, thermal management, and stable gas turbine operation were developed for the system. Simulations of the fully controlled system indicate that the system has a high efficiency over a large range of operating conditions, decent transient load following capability, fuel and ambient temperature disturbance rejection, and the capability to operate with a varying number of fuel cell modules. The efforts here build on prior work and combine the efforts of system design, system operation, component performance characterization, and control to demonstrate hybrid transient capability in large-scale coal synthesis gas-based applications through simulation. Furthermore, the use of a modular fuel cell system design, the use of blower recirculation, and the need for integrated system controls are verified.
An X-Ray Tomography Based Lattice Boltzmann Simulation Study on Gas Diffusion Layers of Polymer Electrolyte Fuel Cells
Authors: Rama Pratap , Liu Yu , Chen Rui , Ostadi Hossein , Jiang Kyle , Zhang Xiaoxian , Fisher Rosemary , Jeschke Michael
Published: March 2010

This work reports a feasibility study into the combined full morphological reconstruction of fuel cell structures using X-ray computed micro- and nanotomography and lattice Boltzmann modeling to simulate fluid flow at pore scale in porous materials. This work provides a description of how the two techniques have been adapted to simulate gas movement through a carbon paper gas diffusion layer (GDL). The validation work demonstrates that the difference between the simulated and measured absolute permeability of air is 3%. The current study elucidates the potential to enable improvements in GDL design, material composition, and cell design to be realized through a greater understanding of the nano- and microscale transport processes occurring within the polymer electrolyte fuel cell.
Results Using Processed Acetylene Fuel Stream in Solid Oxide Fuel Cell Stack
Authors: Burke A. Alan , Carreiro Louis G. , Urian R. Craig
Published: March 2010

Preliminary results indicate that acetylene and hydrogen peroxide are viable reactants for a solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) system. Acetylene was hydrogenated and reformed to a suitable feed at the anode while hydrogen peroxide was decomposed to provide oxygen to the cathode. Roughly 45% fuel and oxidant utilization were demonstrated on a SOFC stack manufactured by Delphi Corporation (Troy, MI). These reactants offer high energy storage as well as an entirely self-contained power system with no exhaust streams. Such attributes are favorable for undersea vehicles and perhaps other applications that require a self-contained or air-independent power system.
Numerical Modeling and Experimental Analysis of Air-Droplet Interaction in the Channel of a Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cell
Authors: Esposito Angelo , Motello Aaron , Pianese Cesare , Guezennec Yann G.
Published: March 2010

An accurate low order model (mean value model) that captures main water transport mechanisms through the components of a PEM fuel cell was developed. Fast simulation time was achieved through a lumped approach in modeling the space-dependent phenomena. Evaporation and capillarity were assumed to be the predominant mechanisms of water flow through the gas diffusion media. The innovative features of the model are not only to simulate the water transport inside the porous media with relative simplicity, but also to simulate the water transport at the interface between the gas diffusion layer and gas flow channel. In order to preserve a light computational burden, the complex air flow-droplet interaction was modeled with several simplifying assumptions, and with the support of measured data. The physics that characterizes the single droplet-air flow interaction was analyzed with an experimental apparatus constructed to study the droplet growth and detachment process. Furthermore, the experimental findings were exploited to feed the numerical model with the missing theoretical information, and empirical submodels to guarantee accuracy. Thanks to the followed fast computational time of the mean value approach, the model is suitable for fuel cell design and optimization, as well as diagnosis and control strategies development studies.
Finding New Cures for Neurological Disorders: A Possible Fringe Benefit of Biodefense Research?
Authors: Jett David A.
Published: March 2010

Drugs developed to treat exposure to toxic chemicals might help cure
conditions such as stroke, epilepsy, and neurodegenerative diseases.
Stiff and Tight Skin: A Rear Window into Fibrosis Without Inflammation
Authors: Avvedimento Enrico V. , Gabrielli Armando
Published: March 2010

Mutations in the
fibrillin-1
gene that cause a rare
congenital form of scleroderma called stiff skin syndrome shed light on
a common fibrotic condition, systemic sclerosis.
Bitter Melon: Adding Zing to Breast Cancer Treatment
Authors: Hansel Donna E.
Published: March 2010

Extracts of a bitter melon reduce tumor growth in breast cancer cells.
Protein Cocktail Nourishes New Vessels
Authors: Lavine Marc
Published: March 2010

Cytokine-packed microparticles prompt a burst of blood vessel growth when mixed with cells in a gel.
Phosphorylation of MgrA and Its Effect on Expression of the NorA and NorB Efflux Pumps of
Staphylococcus aureus
Authors: Truong-Bolduc Que Chi , Hooper David C.
Published: March 2010

MgrA is a global regulator in
Staphylococcus aureus
that controls the expression of diverse genes encoding virulence factors and multidrug resistance (MDR) efflux transporters. We identified
pknB
, which encodes the (Ser/Thr) kinase PknB, in the
S. aureus
genome. PknB was able to autophosphorylate as well as phosphorylate purified MgrA. We demonstrated that
rsbU
, which encodes a Ser/Thr phosphatase and is involved in the activation of the SigB regulon, was able to dephosphorylate MgrA-P but not PknB-P. Serines 110 and 113 of MgrA were found to be phosphorylated, and Ala substitutions at these positions resulted in reductions in the level of phosphorylation of MgrA. DNA gel shift binding assays using
norA
and
norB
promoters showed that MgrA-P was able to bind the
norB
promoter but not the
norA
promoter, a pattern which was the reverse of that for unphosphorylated MgrA. The double mutant MgrA
S110A-S113A
bound to the
norA
promoter but not the
norB
promoter. The double mutant led to a 2-fold decrease in
norA
transcripts and a 2-fold decrease in the MICs of norfloxacin and ciprofloxacin in strain RN6390. Thus, phosphorylation of MgrA results in loss of binding to the
norA
promoter, but with a gain of the ability to bind the
norB
promoter. Loss of the ability to phosphorylate MgrA by Ala substitution resulted in increased repression of
norA
expression and in reductions in susceptibilities to NorA substrates.
Promoters forChlamydiaType III Secretion Genes Show a Differential Response to DNA Supercoiling That Correlates with Temporal Expression Pattern
Authors: Case Elizabeth Di Russo , Peterson Ellena M. , Tan Ming
Published: March 2010

Type III secretion (T3S) is important for the establishment and maintenance of a chlamydial infection. The genes encoding T3S components inChlamydiaare transcribed as separate temporal classes, but the mechanisms that regulate the timing of their expression are not understood. In this study, we demonstrate that promoters for 10 predicted T3S transcriptional units are each transcribedin vitroby the major form of chlamydial RNA polymerase but not by an alternative form of RNA polymerase containing σ28. Since changes in DNA supercoiling during chlamydial development have been proposed as a mechanism for temporal gene regulation, we examined thein vitroresponse of T3S promoters to altered superhelical density. Promoters for three T3S genes that are upregulated at mid times were activated in response to increased DNA supercoiling. In contrast, promoters for three late T3S genes were not sensitive to changes in superhelical density. This differential response to changes in DNA topology is similar to the pattern that has been reported for representative mid and late chlamydial genes that are unrelated to the T3S system. Based on these results, we propose that the temporal expression of T3S genes inChlamydiais controlled by general mechanisms that regulate σ66-dependent gene expression during the developmental cycle. Our results are consistent with a model in which T3S genes that are upregulated in mid cycle are activated together with other mid genes in response to increased DNA supercoiling.
Quorum-Sensing Regulation of a Copper Toxicity System in
Pseudomonas aeruginosa
Authors: Thaden Joshua T. , Lory Stephen , Gardner Timothy S.
Published: March 2010

The LasR/LasI quorum-sensing system in
Pseudomonas aeruginosa
influences global gene expression and mediates pathogenesis. In this study, we show that the quorum-sensing system activates, via the transcriptional regulator
PA4778
, a copper resistance system composed of 11 genes. The quorum-sensing global regulator LasR was recently shown to directly activate transcription of
PA4778
, a
cueR
homolog and a MerR-type transcriptional regulator. Using molecular genetic methods and bioinformatics, we verify the interaction of LasR with the
PA4778
promoter and further demonstrate the LasR binding site. We also identify a putative PA4778 binding motif and show that the protein directly binds to and activates five promoters controlling the expression of 11 genes—
PA3519
to -
15
,
PA3520
,
mexPQ-opmE
,
PA3574.1
, and
cueA
, a virulence factor in a murine model. Using gene disruptions, we show that
PA4778
, along with 7 of 11 gene targets of PA4778, increases the sensitivity of
P. aeruginosa
to elevated copper concentrations. This work identifies a cellular function for
PA4778
and four other previously unannotated genes (
PA3515
,
PA3516
,
PA3517
, and
PA3518
) and suggests a potential role for copper in the quorum response. We propose to name
PA4778 cueR
.
Interactions of the RNA-Binding Protein Hfq withcspAmRNA, Encoding the Major Cold Shock Protein
Authors: Hankins J. S. , Denroche H. , Mackie G. A.
Published: March 2010

CspA, a small protein that is highly induced by cold shock, is encoded by a monocistronic mRNA of 428 nucleotides (nt) whose half-life and abundance are greatly increased following cold shock. We show here thatin vitro cspAmRNA can bind multiple copies of Hfq, a hexameric Sm-like protein which promotes a variety of RNA-RNA interactions. Binding of the first Hfq hexamer occurs with an apparentKd(dissociation constant) of <40 nM; up to seven additional hexamers can bind sequentially at higher concentrations. Known ligands of Hfq, including the small regulatory RNA, RyhB, compete withcspAmRNA. Several experiments suggest that the first binding site to be occupied by Hfq is located at or near the 3′ end ofcspAmRNA. The consequences of limited Hfq bindingin vitroinclude nearly total inhibition of RNase E cleavage at a site ∼35 nt from the 3′ end of the mRNA, stimulation of polyadenylation by poly(A) polymerase 1, and subsequent exonucleolytic degradation by polynucleotide phosphorylase. We propose that Hfq may play a facilitating role in the metabolism ofcspAmRNA.
Exopolysaccharides Produced by
Streptococcus mutans
Glucosyltransferases Modulate the Establishment of Microcolonies within Multispecies Biofilms
Authors: Koo H. , Xiao J. , Klein M. I. , Jeon J. G.
Published: March 2010

Streptococcus mutans
is a key contributor to the formation of the extracellular polysaccharide (EPS) matrix in dental biofilms. The exopolysaccharides, which are mostly glucans synthesized by streptococcal glucosyltransferases (Gtfs), provide binding sites that promote accumulation of microorganisms on the tooth surface and further establishment of pathogenic biofilms. This study explored (i) the role of
S. mutans
Gtfs in the development of the EPS matrix and microcolonies in biofilms, (ii) the influence of exopolysaccharides on formation of microcolonies, and (iii) establishment of
S. mutans
in a multispecies biofilm
in vitro
using a novel fluorescence labeling technique. Our data show that the ability of
S. mutans
strains defective in the
gtfB
gene or the
gtfB
and
gtfC
genes to form microcolonies on saliva-coated hydroxyapatite surfaces was markedly disrupted. However, deletion of both
gtfB
(associated with insoluble glucan synthesis) and
gtfC
(associated with insoluble and soluble glucan synthesis) is required for the maximum reduction in EPS matrix and biofilm formation.
S. mutans
grown with sucrose in the presence of
Streptococcus oralis
and
Actinomyces naeslundii
steadily formed exopolysaccharides, which allowed the initial clustering of bacterial cells and further development into highly structured microcolonies. Concomitantly,
S. mutans
became the major species in the mature biofilm. Neither the EPS matrix nor microcolonies were formed in the presence of glucose in the multispecies biofilm. Our data show that GtfB and GtfC are essential for establishment of the EPS matrix, but GtfB appears to be responsible for formation of microcolonies by
S. mutans
; these Gtf-mediated processes may enhance the competitiveness of
S. mutans
in the multispecies environment in biofilms on tooth surfaces.
[18F]FDG PET/CT imaging of colorectal cancer: a pictorial review
Authors: Chowdhury Fahmid U , Shah Nehal , Scarsbrook Andrew F , Bradley Kevin M
Published: March 2010

Integrated positron emission tomography/CT (PET/CT) with 2-[18F]fluoro-2-deoxy-d-glucose (FDG) is a hybrid imaging modality which has recently become established in the staging, restaging and therapy response assessment of oncology patients. FDG PET/CT has several recognised applications in colorectal cancer (CRC) imaging including preoperative evaluation of apparently limited metastatic disease, detection of disease recurrence, clarification of equivocal lesions at initial staging, investigation of unexplained rising tumour markers, and incidental detection of occult primary colonic tumours. With a constantly advancing body of evidence and increasing availability, applications of PET/CT in CRC are likely to emerge in therapy response assessment, radiotherapy planning, use of novel tracers and ‘one-stop’ imaging techniques such as iodinated contrast-enhanced PET/CT. With the use of illustrative clinical examples, this article reviews the utility of FDG PET/CT in the management of CRC, discussing its role and limitations in the multimodality imaging of these patients.