bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Impact of caloric and dietary restriction regimens on markers of health and longevity in humans and animals: a summary of available findings
Authors: Trepanowski John F , Canale Robert E , Marshall Kate E , Kabir Mohammad M , Bloomer Richard J
Published: October 2011

Considerable interest has been shown in the ability of caloric restriction (CR) to improve multiple parameters of health and to extend lifespan. CR is the reduction of caloric intake - typically by 20 - 40% ofad libitumconsumption - while maintaining adequate nutrient intake. Several alternatives to CR exist. CR combined with exercise (CE) consists of both decreased caloric intake and increased caloric expenditure. Alternate-day fasting (ADF) consists of two interchanging days; one day, subjects may consume foodad libitum(sometimes equaling twice the normal intake); on the other day, food is reduced or withheld altogether. Dietary restriction (DR) - restriction of one or more components of intake (typically macronutrients) with minimal to no reduction in total caloric intake - is another alternative to CR. Many religions incorporate one or more forms of food restriction. The following religious fasting periods are featured in this review: 1) Islamic Ramadan; 2) the three principal fasting periods of Greek Orthodox Christianity (Nativity, Lent, and the Assumption); and 3) the Biblical-based Daniel Fast. This review provides a summary of the current state of knowledge related to CR and DR. A specific section is provided that illustrates related work pertaining to religious forms of food restriction. Where available, studies involving both humans and animals are presented. The review includes suggestions for future research pertaining to the topics of discussion.
Rapid generation of long tandem DNA repeat arrays by homologous recombination in yeast to study their function in mammalian genomes
Authors: Noskov Vladimir N , Lee Nicholas CO , Larionov Vladimir , Kouprina Natalay
Published: October 2011

We describe here a method to rapidly convert any desirable DNA fragment, as small as 100 bp, into long tandem DNA arrays up to 140 kb in size that are inserted into a microbe vector. This method includesrolling-circle phi29amplification (RCA) of the sequencein vitroand assembly of the RCA productsin vivoby homologous recombination in the yeastSaccharomyces cerevisiae. The method was successfully used for a functional analysis of centromeric and pericentromeric repeats and construction of new vehicles for gene delivery to mammalian cells. The method may have general application in elucidating the role of tandem repeats in chromosome organization and dynamics. Each cycle of the protocol takes ~ two weeks to complete.
An analytical model for the intercell interference power in the downlink of wireless cellular networks
Authors: Pijcke Benoit , Zwingelstein-Colin Marie , Gazalet Marc , Gharbi Mohamed , Corlay Patrick
Published: October 2011

In this paper, we propose a methodology for estimating the statistics of the intercell interference power in the downlink of a multicellular network. We first establish an analytical expression for the probability law of the interference power when only Rayleigh multipath fading is considered. Next, focusing on a propagation environment where small-scale Rayleigh fading as well as large-scale effects, including attenuation with distance and lognormal shadowing, are taken into consideration, we elaborate a semi-analytical method to build up the histogram of the interference power distribution. From the results obtained for this combined small- and large-scale fading context, we then develop a statistical model for the interference power distribution. The interest of this model lies in the fact that it can be applied to a large range of values of the shadowing parameter. The proposed methods can also be easily extended to other types of networks.
Well-posedness for parametric strong vector quasi-equilibrium problems with applications
Authors: Li Qiu-ying , Wang San-hua
Published: October 2011

In this article, we generalize the concept of well-posedness to the parametric strong vector quasi-equilibrium problem. Under some suitable conditions, we establish some characterizations of well-posedness for parametric strong vector quasi-equilibrium problems. The corresponding concept of well-posedness in the generalized sense is also investigated for the parametric strong vector quasi-equilibrium problem. As applications, we investigate the well-posedness for strong vector quasi-variational inequality problems and strong vector quasi-optimization problems.

2000 Mathematics subject classification: 49K40; 90C31.
Elevated Krüppel-like factor 4 transcription factor in canine mammary carcinoma
Authors: Chu Pei-Yi , Hsu Nicholas Chung-Heng , Liao Albert Taiching , Yeh Kun-Tu , Hou Ming-Feng , Liu Chen-Hsuan
Published: October 2011

Background

Krüppel-like factors (KLFs) are critical regulators of biological and physiological systems and have been extensively studied for their roles in cell proliferation, differentiation and survival in the context of cancer. Among the KLFs, KLF4 is highly expressed in human breast cancers and plays an oncogenic role. The present study examined the expression of KLF4 and assessed its significance in canine mammary carcinoma.

Results

Immunohistochemistry was employed to investigate the expression of KLF4 in 142 cases of canine mammary tumor. 75 of the 142 (52.8%) cases were histologically confirmed as mammary carcinoma. Quantification of immunohistochemistry was carried out using Quick score which multiply the staining intensity by the percentage of positive cells. High KLF4 expression was identified in 44 of the 75 (59%) dogs with mammary carcinoma and none in the benign cases. High KLF4 expression occurred only in the tumor cells and not the adjacent normal cells in mammary carcinoma (P < 0.001). Moreover, the high expression level of KLF4 expression was statistically associated with poor grade, late stage, histological subtypes of simple and complex carcinoma, and shorter 24-month survival. The Kaplan-Meier survival analysis also indicated that dogs with high nuclear KLF4 expression had a significantly shorter survival than those with low/moderate KLF4 expression (P = 0.011).

Conclusions

KLF4 is highly and frequently expressed in canine mammary carcinoma and correlates with a more aggressive phenotype.
Experience with telehealth for sleep monitoring and sleep laboratory management
Authors: Spaulding Ryan , Stevens Damien , Velasquez Sarah E
Published: October 2011

In 2009, we established a pilot telehealth service to a sleep laboratory in Garden City, Kansas, approximately 600 km from the Kansas University Medical Center. Videoconferencing was used for polysomnography (PSG) study follow-up, patient monitoring and sleep laboratory medical management. It allowed the sleep specialist to treat patients and collaborate with sleep laboratory personnel from a distance without extensive travel. In the first six months the telemedicine clinic was held on six occasions. There were 18 new patient evaluations and four follow up visits. The most common diagnosis was obstructive sleep apnoea. The videoconferencing equipment and the intraoral camera worked well. Interviewing and examining patients via telemedicine was very similar to doing it in-person. Telemedicine was effective for the physician-patient interaction and for visualizing airway structures. Although more research is needed, the use of videoconferencing for sleep study follow-up and laboratory oversight appears very promising.
Triage and patient satisfaction among callers in Swedish computer-supported telephone advice nursing
Authors: Rahmqvist Mikael , Ernesäter Annica , Holmström Inger
Published: October 2011

We investigated satisfaction with a Swedish telenursing service and the health-care-seeking behaviour among callers who received a less urgent level of health care than they expected. A postal questionnaire was sent to a random selection of callers ( n = 273) to Swedish Healthcare Direct in October 2008. The ‘cases’ were 18 callers where the telenurse recommended a lower level of health care than the caller expected and who were not in complete agreement with the nurse. The ‘controls’ were 22 callers who either received a lower recommendation, or were in disagreement with the recommendation. There were no differences between cases, controls and other callers regarding background factors or the telenurse classification of emergency. However, both cases and controls considered their need for health care as more urgent than the other callers. An independent test of the nurses' reception, ability to listen and to take notice of the callers' health problem, showed that nurses who had served cases, had received a significantly lower rating than other nurses. For nurses who had served controls, there was no such difference in rating. Cases and controls had fewer subsequent care visits than other callers, in the three days following the call, although the proportion of emergency visits was higher among cases and controls compared to other callers. If the caller and the nurse disagree about the nurse's recommendations, the consequence can be a dissatisfied caller and more visits to unnecessary high levels of health care. Further training of the nurses may improve the telenurse service.
Teledermatology in pharmacies: a pilot study
Authors: Manahan Melissa N , Soyer H Peter , Nissen Lisa M
Published: October 2011

We investigated community pharmacists' management of skin conditions in order to identify a need for further educational support. Twenty community pharmacists in Queensland completed a questionnaire regarding their management of skin conditions and their opinions regarding the usefulness of a potential teledermatology service. The pharmacists' accuracy in managing skin conditions was tested by a dermatologist who reviewed the pharmacists' advice in 33 cases obtained by 14 pharmacists. Overall agreement between the pharmacists and the dermatologist was moderate, with a kappa statistic of 0.58 ( P < 0.05) The uptake of a potential teledermatology service was investigated in one pharmacy over one month. Five patients were offered the teledermatology service. Of these, two patients consented and three refused. All pharmacists ( n = 20) indicated a desire for further education and supported the idea of a teledermatology service.
Searching for New Biomarkers of Renal Diseases through Proteomics
Authors: Konvalinka Ana , Scholey James W , Diamandis Eleftherios P
Published: October 2011

BACKGROUND

Technological advances have resulted in a renaissance of proteomic studies directed at finding markers of disease progression, diagnosis, or responsiveness to therapy. Renal diseases are ideally suited for such research, given that urine is an easily accessible biofluid and its protein content is derived mainly from the kidney. Current renal prognostic markers have limited value, and renal biopsy remains the sole method for establishing a diagnosis. Mass spectrometry instruments, which can detect thousands of proteins at nanomolar (or even femtomolar) concentrations, may be expected to allow the discovery of improved markers of progression, diagnosis, or treatment responsiveness.

CONTENT

In this review we describe the strengths and limitations of proteomic methods and the drawbacks of existing biomarkers, and provide an overview of opportunities in the field. We also highlight several proteomic studies of biomarkers of renal diseases selected from the plethora of studies performed.

It is clear that the field of proteomics has not yet fulfilled its promise. However, ongoing efforts to standardize sample collection and preparation, improve study designs, perform multicenter validations, and create joint industry–regulatory bodies offer promise for the recognition of novel molecules that could change clinical nephrology forever.
Diabetes Antibody Standardization Program: First Proficiency Evaluation of Assays for Autoantibodies to Zinc Transporter 8
Authors: Lampasona Vito , Schlosser Michael , Mueller Patricia W , Williams Alistair JK , Wenzlau Janet M , Hutton John C , Achenbach Peter ,   Participating Laboratories
Published: October 2011

BACKGROUND

Zinc transporter 8 (ZnT8) is a recently identified major autoantigen in type 1 diabetes, and autoantibodies to ZnT8 (ZnT8A) are new markers for disease prediction and diagnosis. Here we report the results of the first international proficiency evaluation of ZnT8A assays by the Diabetes Antibody Standardization Program (DASP).

METHODS

After a pilot workshop in 2007, an expanded ZnT8A workshop was held in 2009, with 26 participating laboratories from 13 countries submitting results of 63 different assays. ZnT8A levels were measured in coded sera from 50 patients with newly diagnosed type 1 diabetes and 100 blood donor controls. Results were analyzed comparing area under the ROC curve (ROC-AUC), sensitivity adjusted to 95% specificity (AS95), concordance of sample ZnT8A positive or negative designation, and autoantibody levels.

RESULTS

ZnT8A radio binding assays (RBAs) based on combined immunoprecipitation of the 2 most frequent ZnT8 COOH-terminal domain polymorphic variants showed a median ROC-AUC of 0.848 [interquartile range (IQR) 0.796–0.878] and a median AS95 of 70% (IQR 60%–72%). These RBAs were more sensitive than assays using as antigen either 1 ZnT8 variant only or chimeric constructs joining NH2- and COOH-terminal domains, assays based on immunoprecipitation and bioluminescent detection, or assays based on immunofluorescent staining of cells transfected with full-length antigen.

CONCLUSIONS

The DASP workshop identified immunoprecipitation-based ZnT8A assays and antigen constructs that achieved both a high degree of sensitivity and specificity and were suitable for more widespread clinical application.
Urinary Excretion Kinetics of 3,4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA, Ecstasy) and Its Phase I and Phase II Metabolites in Humans following Controlled MDMA Administration
Authors: Schwaninger Andrea E , Meyer Markus R , Barnes Allan J , Kolbrich-Spargo Erin A , Gorelick David A , Goodwin Robert S , Huestis Marilyn A , Maurer Hans H
Published: October 2011

BACKGROUND

3,4-Methylendioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) is excreted in human urine as unchanged drug and phase I and II metabolites. Previous urinary excretion studies after controlled oral MDMA administration have been performed only after conjugate cleavage. Therefore, we investigated intact MDMA glucuronide and sulfate metabolite excretion.

METHODS

We used LC–high-resolution MS and GC-MS to reanalyze blind urine samples from 10 participants receiving 1.0 or 1.6 mg/kg MDMA orally. We determined median Cmax, tmax, first and last detection times, and total urinary recovery; calculated ratios of sulfates and glucuronides; and performed in vitro–in vivo correlations.

RESULTS

Phase II metabolites of 3,4-dihydroxymethamphetamine (DHMA), 4-hydroxy-3-methoxymethamphetamine (HMMA), 3,4-dihydroxyamphetamine (DHA), and 4-hydroxy-3-methoxyamphetamine were identified, although only DHMA sulfates, HMMA sulfate, and HMMA glucuronide had substantial abundance. Good correlation was observed for HMMA measured after acid hydrolysis and the sum of unconjugated HMMA, HMMA glucuronide, and HMMA sulfate (R2 = 0.87). More than 90% of total DHMA and HMMA were excreted as conjugates. The analyte with the longest detection time was HMMA sulfate. Median HMMA sulfate/glucuronide and DHMA 3-sulfate/4-sulfate ratios for the first 24 h were 2.0 and 5.3, respectively, in accordance with previous in vitro calculations from human liver microsomes and cytosol experiments.

CONCLUSIONS

Human MDMA urinary metabolites are primarily sulfates and glucuronides, with sulfates present in higher concentrations than glucuronides. This new knowledge may lead to improvements in urine MDMA and metabolite analysis in clinical and forensic toxicology, particularly for the performance of direct urine analysis.
When High-Similarity Copycats Lose and Moderate-Similarity Copycats Gain: The Impact of Comparative Evaluation
Authors: Van Horen Femke , Pieters Rik
Published: October 2011

Copycats imitate features of leading brands to free ride on their equity. The prevailing belief is that the more similar copycats are to the leader brand, the more positive their evaluation is, and thus the more they free ride. Three studies demonstrate when the reverse holds true: Moderate-similarity copycats are actually evaluated more positively than high-similarity copycats when evaluation takes place comparatively, such as when the leader brand is present rather than absent. The results demonstrate that blatant copycats can be less and subtle copycats can be more perilous than is commonly believed. This finding has implications for marketing theory and practice and trademark law.
The Metre in the poems of Christopher Mitylenaios
Authors: De Groote Marc
Published: October 2011

The poetical corpus of 11th-c. Christopher Mitylenaios, such as it is found in manuscript No. Z α XXIX (13th c.) of the Biblioteca della Badia Greca in Grottaferrata, consists of 145 poems and 2856 verses. Of these carmina 123 are written in jambic trimeters, 18 in dactylic hexameters, three in elegiac distichs, and one in an Anacreontic metre. In the first part of the article outer metric is discussed; among other things one learns that the Anacreontic poem 75 forms metrically a case of its own as it consists of eight strophes of four verses each, whereby the even strophes are followed by two so-called koukoullia, that the dactylic hexameters use 28 out of 32 possible schemes, thus contrasting with the Callimachean and Nonnian types, and that in the dodecasyllables the so-called Binnenschluss after the 5th foot is overwhelmingly present while in no less than 16 hexameters the poet uses a caesura after the 3rd foot. In the second part (inner metric) the numerous transgressions of metrical laws are investigated, as well as verse end and accentuation, and prosody; this last item concerns long and short vowels, diphthongs and dichrona, correptio Attica and hiatus. The text ends with a twofold appendix about caesurae.
Organization, Market Structure and Modus Operandi of the Guild-Organized Leather Manufacturing Industry in Tenth-Century Constantinople
Authors: Maniatis George C.
Published: October 2011

This article provides an in depth analysis of the organization, technology employed and functioning of the guild-organized leather manufacturing industry in the capital during the tenth century. Emphasis is placed on the internai organization and operations of the establishments; the technical processes employed; their business organization form and governing rules; the implications of the guild's occupational exclusivity; the likely market structure, degree of exercisable market power, and their impact on price competition. The scale of operations and growth of firms was determined by entrepreneurial decisions based on market signais. Prices and wages were set by market forces – not by the guild. Pro-competitive regulations and unimpeded new entry fostered correct business conduct and maintained a level playing field. Occupational exclusivity did flot ensure market monopoly, as the guiid system did not aim to promote the members' economic interests, thwart intra-guild and extemal competition, or achieve equality of economic resuits.
Sulle Nere Ali dei Sogni. Costantino Manasse e L'ambiguitá Onirica
Authors: Pizzone Aglae M. V.
Published: October 2011

Moving from four fragments of Aristander and Callithea (47, 103, 115, 152), this article explores the narrative and ideological meaning of dreams in Constantine Manasses' narrative. Fr. 47, in particular, encloses a quotation from Euripides (Hecuba 72), which has been put in connection with the commentary on Aristotle's work De divinatione per somnia written by Michael of Ephesus. Nevertheless the arguments for a direct connection between the two texts are not cogent. On the contrary there is a wide range of patristic, theological and philosophical texts showing a strong and ongoing interest in Byzantine culture for the psychological aspects of the oneiric processes. This background is reflected both in Constantine's novel and in his Chronicle, where he reworks and adapts the contemporary debates for narrative purposes.
Two Praises of the Emperor Manuel II Palaiologos: Problems of Authorship
Authors: Polemis Ioannis
Published: October 2011

An anonymous oration, praising the emperor Manuel II Palaiologos, has been recently published by Ch. Dendrinos, who treats it as a funeral oration. However, it is evident that the emperor was still alive at the time of the composition of that text, so we can safely assume that it was intended as a an encomium of the ruling emperor, and it was written some time after the death of the emperor's nephew John VII Palaiologos (1408). On the basis of some textual parallels between that anonymous text and the works of Makarios we put forward the hypothesis that the text published by Dendrinos was written by Makres himself. Finally an anonymous text praising Manuel II Palaiologos, attributed to Isidore of Kiev by G. Mercati, is published for the first time. That piece of oratory was composed shortly after Manuel's return from the West (1403).
Sustainable wheat production in a changing climate
Authors: Harnos N. , Erdélyi É.
Published: October 2011

The dependence of winter wheat production on spring temperature and precipitation was analysed on the basis of historical meteorological data. Production was found to be a linear function of temperature, so increasing temperatures resulted in lower yields. The dependence of yield on precipitation could be described with a quadratic function, and the yield decreased above the optimal precipitation amount. The results of regression analysis are presented using 30-year data for Fejér County. Simulation modelling was used to analyse the suitability of future climates for growing winter wheat in Hungary. The locations chosen were heterogeneous in terms of meteorological conditions, but were all relatively flat and of great importance for Hungarian winter wheat production: Győr-Moson-Sopron County in W. Hungary, which is well supplied with precipitation, Hajdú-Bihar County in the east, where the weather is warmer and drier, and Pest County in the middle of the country. Evaluations were made using the Ceres-Wheat model and a modified version of AFRCWHEAT2. An analysis of the simulation results revealed that agricultural productivity is close to the upper limit of what can be achieved using conventional methods, so decreased yields and an increase in production risks are probable in the future in all three regions.
Effect of CO2 enrichment on canopy photosynthesis, water use efficiency and early development of tomato and pepper hybrids
Authors: Bencze S. , Keresztényi I. , Varga B. , Kőszegi B. , Balla K. , Gémesné-Juhász A. , Veisz O.
Published: October 2011

The effect of CO2enrichment on the rate of photosynthesis and the water use efficiency (WUE) of young pepper and tomato plants was studied in the phytotron. A CO2level of 1000 ppm significantly increased the net assimilation rate in the upper foliage, while the increase was even more considerable in the lower layers of the canopy, with values of up to 100%. The 1500 ppm CO2level caused a further substantial increase in CO2assimilation and at least doubled (in tomato) or tripled (in pepper) the water use efficiency on a leaf area basis compared to the ambient values. Although the response in terms of photosynthesis and WUE was not variety-specific, there were differences between the pepper hybrids in the biomass components, exceeding 100% for the total biomass at the 1500 ppm CO2level. In tomato, however, there was no significant variation in the total biomass of the three hybrids investigated in this early phase of development at either CO2level.
Effectiveness of major resistance genes and identification of new sources for disease resistance in wheat
Authors: Vida G. , Cséplő M. , Gulyás G. , Karsai I. , Kiss T. , Komáromi J. , László E. , Puskás K. , Wang Z. , Pace C. , Bedő Z. , Láng L. , Veisz O.
Published: October 2011

Among the factors which determine yield reliability an important role is played by disease resistance. One of the breeding aims in the Martonvásár institute is to develop wheat varieties with resistance to major diseases. The winter wheat varieties bred in Martonvásár are examined in artificially inoculated nurseries and greenhouses for resistance to economically important pathogens. The effectiveness of designated genes for resistance to powdery mildew and leaf rust has been monitored over a period of several decades. None of the designated major resistance genes examined in greenhouse tests is able to provide complete resistance to powdery mildew; however, a number of leaf rust resistance genes provide full protection against pathogen attack (Lr9, Lr19, Lr24, Lr25, Lr28 and Lr35). In the course of marker-assisted selection, efficient resistance genes (Lr9, Lr24, Lr25 and Lr29) have been incorporated into Martonvásár wheat varieties. The presence of Lr1, Lr10, Lr26, Lr34 and Lr37 in the Martonvásár gene pool was identified using molecular markers. New sources carrying alien genetic material have been tested for powdery mildew and leaf rust resistance. Valuable Fusarium head blight resistance sources have been identified in populations of old Hungarian wheat varieties. Species causing leaf spots (Pyrenophora tritici-repentis, Septoria tritici and Stagonospora nodorum) have gradually become more frequent over the last two decades. Tests on the resistance of the host plant were begun in Martonvásár four years ago and regular greenhouse tests on seedlings have also been initiated.
Distribution of dwarfing genes (Rht-B1b and Rht-D1b) in Martonvásár wheat breeding materials
Authors: Gulyás G. , Bognár Z. , Láng L. , Rakszegi M. , Bedő Z.
Published: October 2011

A total of 266 Martonvásár (Mv) wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) accessions, including varieties and advanced lines, were examined using the “Perfect” molecular markers to detect the Rht-B1b (formerly Rht1) and Rht-D1b (formerly Rht2) semi-dwarfing genes. The gene Rht-B1b was detected in a total of 221 (83.5%) accessions. The Rht-D1b allele was found in fewer accessions. Overall 24 genotypes (9%) contained this allele. The analysis of the development date of the genotypes revealed that the introduction of the dwarfing genes into Martonvásár breeding programmes started in the early 1970s, and they were widely utilized from the 1980s. The Rht-B1b allele was the main source for reducing plant height, while the Rht-D1b allele played only a minor role in the Martonvásár breeding programme.Characterizing accessions using various molecular markers allows us to create a database offering relevant marker information about genotypes. Such a database could be very helpful for selection, allowing breeders to include varieties giving positive results in specific breeding programmes.
Composition of Fusarium species causing natural spike infection in wheat
Authors: László E. , Varga B. , Veisz O.
Published: October 2011

Numerous Fusarium species have been associated with the Fusarium head blight (FHB) disease of wheat, barley and other small-grain cereals, reducing worldwide cereal crop yields and, as a consequence of their mycotoxin production in the cereal grain, having an impact on both human and animal health.The year 2010 was extremely favourable for Fusarium head blight pathogens. Over a hundred symptomatic wheat heads were collected from various locations in Hungary. The aim was to determine the diversity of the Fusarium species infecting winter wheat ears. A total of 86 Fusarium spp. were morphologically identified from diseased kernels. F. sambucinum was found to be present in two of the Martonvásár samples. This pathogen had only previously been detected extremely sporadically. The species F. culmorum and F. verticillioides were found at a much lower rate than expected, while none of the isolates were identified as F. poae. On the basis of the results, 95% of the isolates belonged to the Fusarium graminearum species complex.
Neural Cell Attachment on Metal Ion Implanted Glass Surfaces
Authors: Sokullu-Urkac Emel , Oztarhan Ahmet , Deliloglu-Gurhan Ismet , Gulce-Iz Sultan , Ozdal-Kurt Feyzan , Brown Ian G.
Published: October 2011

We have explored the application of ion implantation as a tool for the enhancement of neural cell growth on glass surfaces. Glass substrates were ion implanted with gold and with carbon using a metal vapor vacuum arc (MEVVA) ion source-based implantation system at Ege University Surface Modification Laboratory. The implantation dose was varied over the range 1014 – 1017 ions/cm2 and the ion energy spanned the range 20 – 80 keV. B35 neural cells were seeded and incubated on the implanted substrates for 48h at 37°C. After 2-days in culture the cell attachment behavior was characterized using phase contrast microscopy. The adhesion and direct contact of neural cells on these ion implanted glass surfaces were observed
Separation of species of a binary fluid mixture confined in a channel in presence of a strong transverse magnetic field
Authors: Sharma Bishwaram , Sing Niroj , Gogoi Rupam , Nath Kabita
Published: October 2011

Effects of a transverse magnetic field on separation of a binary mixture of
incompressible viscous thermally and electrically conducting fluids confined
between two stationary parallel plates are examined. Both the plates are
maintained at constant temperatures. It is assumed that one of the
components, which is rarer and lighter, is present in the mixture in a very
small quantity. The equations governing the motion, temperature and
concentration in Cartesian coordinate are solved analytically. The solution
obtained for concentration distribution is plotted against the width of the
channel for various values of non-dimensional parameters. It is found that
the effect of transverse magnetic field is to separate the species of rarer
and lighter component by contributing its effect directly to the temperature
gradient and the pressure gradient. The effects of increase in the values of
Hartmann number, magnetic Reynolds number, barodiffusion number, thermal
diffusion number, electric field parameter and the product of Prandtl number
and Eckert number are to collect the rarer and lighter component near the
upper plate and throw away the heavier component towards the lower plate.
The problem discussed here derives its application in the basic fluid
dynamics separation processes to separate the rare component of the
different isotopes of heavier molecules where electromagnetic method of
separation does not work.
Electrophoretic and zymographic techniques for production monitoring of two lipase forms from Candida antarctica DSM 70725
Authors: Dimitrijevic Aleksandra , Velickovic Dusan , Jankov Ratko , Milosavic Nenad
Published: October 2011

Yeast Candida antarctica produces two lipase forms, which are widely used as
catalysts in variety of organic reactions, many of which are applied on a
large scale. In this work, production of two forms of lipase from C.
antarctica DSM 70725 (CAL A and CAL B) was monitored during seven days of
cultivation in the optimal medium using different electrophoretic and
zymographic techniques. According to electrophoresis after silver staining,
C. antarctica lipase A (molecular mass 45 kDa) was produced starting from the
second day of cultivation. C. antarctica lipase B (CAL B) was also produced
starting from the second day, but protein was present in the fermentation
broth predominantly as dimer (molecular weight 66 kDa), while presence of
monomeric form of CAL B (molecular weight of 33 kDa) was observed starting
from the fourth day of cultivation. Both types of zymograms (based on
hydrolysis and synthesis reactions) were used for detection of lipase
activity in the fermentation broth. C. antarctica lipase A showed activity
only in hydrolytic zymogram, when ?-naphtyl butyrate was used as substrate.
In the same zymogram, with ?-naphtyl acetate as substrate no CAL A activity
was detected. Similarly, CAL A showed no activity in synthesis based
zymograms towards oleic acid and octanol as substrates, indicating that CAL A
is not active towards very short or long-chain substrates. As opposite of CAL
A, both monomeric and dimeric form of CAL B were detected in the all
zymograms, suggesting that CAL B is active towards wide range of substrates,
regardless to the chain length. Thus, zymogram based on hydrolysis of
?-naphtyl butyrate represents a simple method for monitoring the production
of two forms of lipase from C. antarctica, that greatly differ in their
characteristics.
Application of ICP-MS and various computational methods for drinking water quality assessment from the Silesian District (Southern Poland)
Authors: Skorek Robert , Jablonska Magdalena , Polowniak Marzena , Kita Andrzej , Janoska Piotr , Buhl Franciszek
Published: October 2011

In this study, more than 200 samples of drinking water from taps in the Silesian District (southern Poland) were analyzed. Concentrations of As, Bi, Cd, Co, Cr, Mo, Ni, Pb, Rb, Sb, Se, Te, Tl and V were measured using inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry technique (ICP-MS). The levels of the tested elements generally met European Union regulations. All analytical results were processed using computational methods, including the Pearson and Gini coefficients with the Lorenz curves, one-way ANOVA, the Kruskal-Wallis one-way analysis of variance, the Mann-Whitney U test, the variance correlation test and the Spearman’s test. In addition, Principal Component Analysis (PCA) with Varimax and Cluster Analysis with Ward’s Method were applied. It was shown, that some parameters (e.g. hardness and alkalinity) were highly correlated. The score plot described the degree of mineralization of water samples, so the origin of water could be easily determined. In turn, based on the created dendrogram, the division of samples into several groups (with soft, medium and highly mineralized water) could be deduced.
Erratum to: “Subnormal, permutable, and embedded subgroups in finite groups”
Authors: Beidleman James , Ragland Mathew
Published: October 2011

The original version of the article was published in Central European Journal of Mathematics, 2011, 9(4), 915–921, DOI: 10.2478/s11533-011-0029-8. Unfortunately, the original version of this article contains a mistake: Lemma 2.1 (2) is not true. We correct Lemma 2.2 (2) and Theorem 1.1 in our paper where this lemma was used.
The nonlinear optical susceptibility and electro-optic tensor of ferroelectrics: first-principle study
Authors: Cabuk Suleyman
Published: October 2011

The nonlinear optical properties of some ABO3 materials (BaTiO3, KNbO3, LiTaO3 and LiNbO3) are studied by density functional theory (DFT) in the local density approximation (LDA) expressions based on first-principle calculations. Our goals are to give the details of the calculations for linear and nonlinear optical properties, including the linear electro-optic (EO) tensor for some ABO3 structures with oxygen octahedral structures using first-principles methods. These results can then be used in the study of the physics of ferroelectrics, specifically, we present calculations of the second harmonic generation response coefficient X
ijk(2) (−2ω, ω, ω) over a large frequency range for ABO3 crystals. The electronic linear EO susceptibility X
ijk(2) (−ω, ω,0) is also evaluated below the band gap. These results are based on a series of the LDA calculations using DFT. Results for X
ijk(2) (−ω, ω,0) are in agreement with experiments below the band gap. The results are compared with the theoretical calculations and the available experimental data.
Jejunogastric intussusception as complication of gastric surgery
Authors: Canovic Dragan , Mitrovic Slobodanka , Radovanovic Dragce , Milosavljevic Milos , Zivic Ziva , Lazić Dejan
Published: October 2011

Intussusception in adults is a very rare entity that occurs in only 5% of all intestinal obstructions. Most often, in 66% of cases, intussusception is localized to the small intestine, while jejunogastric intussusception is very rare and occurs in 0,1%. Since the first case of jejunogastric intussusception after gastrojejunostomy was described by Bozzi in 1914, fewer than 200 isolated cases of postoperative intussusception after gastric surgery have been reported.

Here we present a case of anterograde jejunogastric intussusception, 15 years after radical subtotal gastrectomy with Billroth II anastomosis in a 71-year-old man.
Wettability of polypropylene capillary membranes during the membrane distillation process
Authors: Gryta Marek
Published: October 2011

Studies of membrane wettability in the membrane distillation process were performed with the application of hydrophobic capillary membranes made of polypropylene. Three kinds of Accurel PP membranes (Membrana GmbH, Germany) differing in the diameter of capillaries and pores as well as in the wall thickness were used. It was confirmed that membranes with lower wall thickness and larger pore size provide higher yields of the process. The studies demonstrated that the pores of used membranes located close to the external surface of capillaries are several times larger than those located inside the membrane wall. Based on air permeability measurements it was found that external surface of the membranes with such large pores was completely wetted by water after 50–80 h of membrane distillation. However, the pores located inside the wall with the diameter below 1 μm were not wetted and electrical conductivity of the obtained distillate was maintained at the level of 3–6 μS cm−1.
Micro integration of optical components for the fabrication of active optical cables
Authors: Merchán F. , Wohlfeld D. , Brenner K.-H.
Published: October 2011

Optical interconnects have become very interesting for short reach data transfer. We examine a new concept for integration and miniaturization of such systems based on recent experiments. The application of these designs is an active optical cable. The advantages of the concept and the employed technologies are presented.
Spectral properties for 1D multilayer systems and application to super resolution
Authors: Mandatori A. , Bertolotti M.
Published: October 2011

The spectral properties of one-dimensional multilayer structures for the two polarizations TE and TM are investigated and a physical explanation for the large spatial transmission band that can be obtained with this kind of system is given together with a discussion of the correlated super resolution effect. A designing approach to build 1D metal-dielectric multilayer structures that have super resolution is also suggested.
Modelling adapted to manufacturing aspects of holographic grating structures
Authors: Sandfuchs O. , Schwanke C. , Burkhardt M. , Wyrowski F. , Gatto A. , Brunner R.
Published: October 2011

The diffraction efficiencies of modified sinusoidal and blazed gratings are investigated in the high spatial frequency regime by rigorous numerical methods and are compared to experimentally manufactured gratings. The introduced modifications take actual technological induced variations of the profile geometries, such as specific corner rounding, into account. The high spatial frequency regime (resonance regime) is characterized by a local grating period, g, to wavelength, λ, ratio of 0.7 ≤ g/λ ≤ 4 and shows an important relevance for applications in spectroscopy and diffractive imaging. The investigations are carried out for both reflection on metallic surfaces and transmission of dielectric structures over a broad range of grating periods and incidence angles. It was found that near the grating resonance, the more simply producible sine gratings can compete in diffraction efficiency with sawtooth structures. Additionally, for certain application conditions, holographically modified sine structures achieve higher efficiencies than the ideal sine profile. It is also shown that holographic sinusoidal-like profiles measured by AFM can be fitted to a super-Gaussian shape, which is then used to inversely reconstruct the structure profiles from efficiency data.
Optimal pulses for arbitrary dispersive media
Authors: Alonso M. A. , Setälä T. , Friberg A. T.
Published: October 2011

A variational procedure is given for finding the pulses for which the initial temporal rms width and the rate of increase of this width are jointly minimized for propagation in non-absorbing media with arbitrary dispersive properties. We show that, while in linearly dispersive media the optimal pulses are Gaussian, in other situations such as a hollow metallic waveguide or for purely cubic dispersion departures from Gaussian behavior become evident. An interpretation of the results in terms of suitable phase-space representations is also given.
Clinical Guidelines for the Physical Care of Mental Health Consumers: A Comprehensive Assessment and Monitoring Package for Mental Health and Primary Care Clinicians
Authors: Stanley Susanne H. , Laugharne Jonathan D. E.
Published: October 2011

Objectives: People with a mental illness are more likely to experience poor physical health as compared to the general population. Currently, Australian mental health patients experience a relatively low level of physical health appraisal, prompting the development of the Clinical guidelines for the physical care of mental health consumers assessment and monitoring package.

Method: The Clinical guidelines package takes an holistic approach, with a focus on the key dimensions of medication effects, lifestyle, existing or developing physical disorders, alcohol and illicit drug use, and psychosocial factors.

Results: The package consists of a metabolic syndrome algorithm wall chart, a Clinician handbook, a Psychosocial assessment booklet, and a set of three screening forms.

Conclusions: By taking a user-friendly, flexible, evidence-based approach, the resource can be used by all clinicians involved in the healthcare of people with a mental illness.
Surgery at Cranio-vertebral (CV) Junction: Our Experience of 32 Cases
Authors: Chowdhury FH , Haque MR , Chowdhury NKSM , Islam MS , Raihan Z , Sarkar MH
Published: October 2011

Cranio vertebral (CV) junction is one of the critical sites for surgery. It's anatomy, physiological aspects and pathological involvement varies in a wide range of margins. Common problems are developmental anomalies, traumatic involvement, inflammatory, infective and neoplastic lesion. Management of these problems varies a lot from each other. Aim of the article is to overview the pathologies in this area and to study presentations, investigations, surgical procedures and results of these pathologies. We prospectively analyzed 32 cases of Cranio-vertebral (CV) region surgery in the Department of Neurosurgery Dhaka Medical College Hospital and Mitford Hospital, Dhaka, from 2000 to 2008. In our series, male and female ratio was 7.2:1. Pathologies were atlanto- axial dislocation (AAD), Chiari malformation type –I, schwannoma, meningioma, hydatid cyst and tuberculosis. Common clinical findings were- neck pain, quadriparesis, quadriplegia, hand atrophy, autonomic dysfunction and hypertension. Various types of surgical procedures were done in this series according to the pathology. Death was in 01 case, neurological deterioration seen in one case, 2 cases were neurologically stable and 28 cases (87.5%) improved neurologically where one was non useful improvement (Frankel grade-C). Complete pre operative radiological study is a very important adjunct for a successful surgical result. Proper evaluation of patients with selection of appropriate surgical procedures along with safe surgical techniques are the necessary things for successful surgery in this area. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/jbcps.v29i2.7952 (J Bangladesh Coll Phys Surg 2011; 29: 78-84)
Review on Treatment of Gout & Hyperuricemia
Authors: Chowdhury MR , Hassan MM , Hakim F , Haq SA
Published: October 2011

In the last few decades, both hyperuricemia and gout have increased markedly. Recent studies show new concept into the transporters that handle uric acid in the kidney as well as possible links between these transporters & hyperuricemia. There are changes in the treatment of established hyperuricemia. Febuxostat and PEGuricase are two novel treatments that have been evaluated and shown to be highly effective in the management of hyperuricemia. Monosodium urate (MSU) crystals are the inducers of inflammation. Within the joint, they trigger a local inflammatory reaction, neutrophil recruitment, and the production of proinflammatory cytokines as well as other inflammatory mediators. The uptake of MSU crystals by monocytes involves interactions with components of the innate immune system. The inflammatory effects of MSU are IL-1-dependent and can be blocked by IL-1 inhibitors. These advances in the understanding of hyperuricemia and gout provide new therapeutic targets for the future. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/jbcps.v29i2.7953 (J Bangladesh Coll Phys Surg 2011; 29: 85-95)
Images in Medical Practice: A Patient with Rare Cause of Restricted Mouth Opening
Authors: Sadat SM Anwar , Rita Sufia Nasrin , Khan Mahfujul Haq
Published: October 2011

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/jbcps.v29i2.7958 (J Bangladesh Coll Phys Surg 2011; 29: 109-110)
College News Vol.29(2)
Authors: Editor The
Published: October 2011

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/jbcps.v29i2.7960 (J Bangladesh Coll Phys Surg 2011; 29: 112-117)
Formation of SiC nanoparticles in an atmospheric microwave plasma
Authors: Vennekamp Martin , Bauer Ingolf , Groh Matthias , Sperling Evgeni , Ueberlein Susanne , Myndyk Maksym , Mäder Gerrit , Kaskel Stefan
Published: October 2011

We describe the formation of SiC nanopowder using an atmospheric argon microwave plasma with tetramethylsilane (TMS) as precursor. The impact of several process conditions on the particle size of the product is experimentally investigated. Particles with sizes ranging from 7 nm to about 20 nm according to BET and XRD measurements are produced. The dependency of the particle size on the process parameters is evaluated statistically and explained with growth-rate equations derived from the theory of Ostwald ripening. The results show that the particle size is mainly influenced by the concentration of the precursor material in the plasma.
Les conséquences socio-spatiales des politiques de la vieillesse en milieu rural dans la région pays de la Loire
Authors: Blanchet Mickaël , Pihet Christian
Published: October 2011

L’étude menée en 2011 sur les impacts géographiques des politiques de la vieillesse dans la région Pays de la Loire 1  indique que la prise en charge des personnes âgées dans les espaces à dominante rurale observés repose sur les structures médico-sociales héritées et demeure en marge des mutations sectorielles et économiques qui affectent l’action gérontologique. Il en résulte une moindre concentration et spécialisation de l’offre qui modèle les rapports entre les personnes âgées, les familles et les professionnels et tend à restreindre localement les trajectoires des personnes âgées en besoin.
Les retraités : acteurs de la création d'activités
Authors: Blasquiet-Revol Hélène , Sabau Clovis , Lenain Marie-Anne , Mandy Jean-François , Glénat Mélanie , Gaudemer Caroline , Koch-Mathian Marine
Published: October 2011

En nous appuyant sur le triptyque de co-création proposé par le programme de recherche CreActE qui s'intéresse à la création d'activités nouvelles et d'emplois, nous proposons d'éclairer la situation et les dynamiques de création d'activités par les retraités (âgés de 60 ans ou plus). En effet, la localisation et le profil de ces retraités-créateurs sont mal connus et relativement sous-estimés. À partir d'une enquête postale transmise à 3336 retraités-créateurs de service, grâce au concours du RSI, sur huit départements des régions Rhône-Alpes et Auvergne, nous identifions les caractéristiques de ces retraités qui créent ou reprennent une activité à leur retraite, les motivations qui les poussent à créer, ainsi que les facteurs ayant freiné ou favorisé leur création. Nous dressons également deux portraits-types de retraités-créateurs : le retraité-créateur urbain autochtone et le retraité-créateur migrant vers le rural, qui peuvent constituer des opportunités de développement économique selon le profil du territoire concerné.