bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Enzymatic and molecular characterisation of leucine aminopeptidase of Burkholderia pseudomallei
Authors: Liew Siew Mun , Tay Sun Tee , Puthucheary Savithiri D
Published: May 2013

Background

Leucine aminopeptidase (LAP) has been known to be a housekeeping protease, DNA-binding protein and repressor or activator in the operon regulation of virulence-associated genes in several bacterial species. LAP activity was consistently detected in overnight cultures ofBurkholderia pseudomallei,the causative agent of melioidosis and this enzyme was partially purified and characterised in this study. The intra- and inter-species nucleotide and deduced amino acid sequence variation of LAP encoding gene (pepA) was determined. ApepA/PCR-RFLP assay was designed to facilitate the identification of major LAP sequence types amongst clinical and environmental isolates ofB. pseudomallei.

Results

LAP activity was detected inB. pseudomalleiculture supernantants by zymographic analysis. Optimum activity was at pH 9 and stable at 50°C. Enhanced enzymatic activity was observed in the presence of metallic ions Mg2+, Ca2+, Na+and K+. LAP activity was inhibited by EDTA, 1,10-phenanthroline, amastatin, Mn2+and Zn2+. Sequence analysis of the complete nucleotide and deduced amino acid sequences of LAP-encoding (pepA) gene showed close genetic relatedness toB. mallei(similarity 99.7%/99.6%), but not withB. thailandensis(96.4%/96.4%). EightpepA sequence types were identified by comparison with a 596 bp DNA fragment encompassing central regions of thepepA gene. ApepA/PCR-RFLP was designed to differentiatepepA sequence types. Based on restriction analysis withStuI andHincII enzymes of the amplifiedpepA gene, clinical and environmental isolates showed different predominant RFLP types. Type I was the most predominant type amongst 73.6% (67/91) of the clinical isolates, while Type II was predominant in 55.6% (5/9) of the environmental isolates.

Conclusions

This study showed that LAP is a secretory product ofB. pseudomalleiwith features similar to LAP of other organisms. Identification of major LAP sequence types ofB. pseudomalleiwas made possible based on RFLP analysis of thepepA gene. The high LAP activity detected in bothB. pseudomalleiandB. thailandensis, suggests that LAP is probably a housekeeping enzyme rather than a virulence determinant.
Oxidized eicosapentaenoic acids more potently reduce LXRα-induced cellular triacylglycerol via suppression of SREBP-1c, PGC-1β and GPA than its intact form
Authors: Nanthirudjanar Tharnath , Furumoto Hidehiro , Hirata Takashi , Sugawara Tatsuya
Published: May 2013

Dietary polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA), especially eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), improve lipid metabolism and contribute to the prevention of vascular diseases such as atherosclerosis. However, EPA in the diet is easily oxidized at room temperature and several types of oxidized EPA (OEPA) derivatives are generated. To compare the efficiencies of OEPAs on lipid metabolism with EPA, human hepatocellular liver carcinoma cell line (HepG2) was treated with EPA or OEPAs and their effects on lipid metabolism related genes were studied. OEPAs more potently suppressed the expression of sterol-responsive element-binding protein (SREBP)-1c, a major transcription factor that activates the expression of lipogenic genes, and its downstream target genes than did EPA under conditions of lipid synthesis enhanced by T0901317, a synthetic liver X receptor (LXR) agonist. Furthermore, PGC-1β, a coactivator of both LXRα and SREBP-1, was markedly down-regulated by OEPAs compared with EPA. The treatment of OEPAs also significantly down-regulated the expression of glycerol-3-phosphate acyltransferase (GPA), the initiating enzyme in triacylglycerol (TG) synthesis, more than EPA. Therefore, the advantageous effects of OEPAs on cardiovascular diseases might be due to their SREBP-1c, PGC-1β and GPA mediated ameliorating effects.
Low expression of LOC285194 is associated with poor prognosis in colorectal cancer
Authors: Qi Peng , Xu Mi-die , Ni Shu-juan , Huang Dan , Wei Ping , Tan Cong , Zhou Xiao-yan , Du Xiang
Published: May 2013

Background

The long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) study has gradually become one of the hot topics in the field of RNA biology. One lncRNA which has attracted attention is LOC285194, a lncRNA demonstrated the potential tumor-suppressor role in osteosarcoma. The aim of this study was to examine the expression of LOC285194 in colorectal cancer (CRC) patients and to investigate the relationship between this lncRNA levels and existing clinicopathologic parameters and patient survival.

Methods

The expression of LOC285194 was detected by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction in pairs of tumorous and adjacent normal tissues of 81 colorectal cancer patients with a follow-up of 5 years, as well as in three colorectal cancer cell lines and normal intestinal mucous cell line. Then, we analyzed the potential relationship between this lncRNA levels in tumor tissues and existing clinicopathological features of CRC, and clinical outcome.

Results

The relative expression levels of LOC285194 was significantly lower in tumor tissues (p < 0.001) and colorectal cancer cell lines compared with adjacent normal tissues and normal intestinal mucous cell line. In addition, low expression of LOC285194 was correlated with larger tumor size (p = 0.015), higher tumor stage (p = 0.034), and more distant metastasis (p = 0.046). Kaplan-Meier analysis indicated that patients with low LOC285194 expression had a poor disease free survival (p = 0.010). Moreover, multivariate analysis showed that decreased expression of LOC285194 was an independent predictor of disease-specific survival.

Conclusion

Our data indicate that LOC285194 might be a novel prognostic indicator in colorectal cancer and may be a potential target for diagnosis and gene therapy.
‘Laser chemistry’ synthesis, physicochemical properties, and chemical processing of nanostructured carbon foams
Authors: Seral-Ascaso Andrés , Garriga Rosa , Sanjuán María Luisa , Razal Joselito M , Lahoz Ruth , Laguna Mariano , de la Fuente Germán F , Muñoz Edgar
Published: May 2013

Laser ablation of selected coordination complexes can lead to the production of metal-carbon hybrid materials, whose composition and structure can be tailored by suitably choosing the chemical composition of the irradiated targets. This ‘laser chemistry’ approach, initially applied by our group to the synthesis of P-containing nanostructured carbon foams (NCFs) from triphenylphosphine-based Au and Cu compounds, is broadened in this study to the production of other metal-NCFs and P-free NCFs. Thus, our results show that P-free coordination compounds and commercial organic precursors can act as efficient carbon source for the growth of NCFs. Physicochemical characterization reveals that NCFs are low-density mesoporous materials with relatively low specific surface areas and thermally stable in air up to around 600°C. Moreover, NCFs disperse well in a variety of solvents and can be successfully chemically processed to enable their handling and provide NCF-containing biocomposite fibers by a wet-chemical spinning process. These promising results may open new and interesting avenues toward the use of NCFs for technological applications.
Fabrication of nanostructured ZnO film as a hole-conducting layer of organic photovoltaic cell
Authors: Kim Hyomin , Kwon Yiseul , Choe Youngson
Published: May 2013

We have investigated the effect of fibrous nanostructured ZnO film as a hole-conducting layer on the performance of polymer photovoltaic cells. By increasing the concentration of zinc acetate dihydrate, the changes of performance characteristics were evaluated. Fibrous nanostructured ZnO film was prepared by sol-gel process and annealed on a hot plate. As the concentration of zinc acetate dihydrate increased, ZnO fibrous nanostructure grew from 300 to 600 nm. The obtained ZnO nanostructured fibrous films have taken the shape of a maze-like structure and were characterized by UV-visible absorption, scanning electron microscopy, and X-ray diffraction techniques. The intensity of absorption bands in the ultraviolet region was increased with increasing precursor concentration. The X-ray diffraction studies show that the ZnO fibrous nanostructures became strongly (002)-oriented with increasing concentration of precursor. The bulk heterojunction photovoltaic cells were fabricated using poly(3-hexylthiophene-2,5-diyl) and indene-C60 bisadduct as active layer, and their electrical properties were investigated. The external quantum efficiency of the fabricated device increased with increasing precursor concentration.
Facile approach to prepare multi-walled carbon nanotubes/graphene nanoplatelets hybrid materials
Authors: Jia Yuchen , Yu Kejing , Qian Kun
Published: May 2013

A facile approach was developed to prepare multi-walled carbon nanotubes/graphene nanoplatelets hybrid materials through covalent bond formation. First, poly(acryloyl chloride) was grafted onto oxidized multi-walled carbon nanotubes through the reaction between the acyl chloride groups of poly and the hydroxyl groups of oxidized multi-walled carbon nanotubes. Second, the remaining acyl chloride groups of poly were allowed to react with the hydroxyl groups of hydroxylated graphene nanoplatelets. Scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy data showed that the multi-walled carbon nanotubes and graphene nanoplatelets were effectively connected with each other. And Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy data indicated the formation of covalent bonds between carbon nanotubes and graphene nanoplatelets. Conformational changes were monitored by Raman spectroscopy. This novel kind of carbon hybrid materials may have the potential application in a wide field, especially in increasing the toughness and strength of the matrix resin.
Effect of chiropractic and lumbar exercise program on lumbar muscle strength and Cobb's angle in patients with scoliosis for u-Healthcare
Authors: Cheon Minwoo , Park Jaeyong , Lee Yangsun , Lee Jungchul
Published: May 2013

This study aimed to find the effects of 12-week chiropractic and lumbar exercise program on the lumbar muscle strength and Cobb's angle in 16 adolescent students with scoliosis. The patients with scoliosis did not have neurological symptoms and surgery experience. Each group of eight subjects received chiropractic and lumbar exercises three times a week. Subjects' lumbar muscle strength measurement showed a statistically significant temporal difference in the chiropractic group (CG) and chiropractic with exercise group (EG) and had interaction effects. However, no significant difference was found between the two groups. Changes in the Cobb's angle in each group had a significant difference both temporally and between group in both CG and EG, and interaction effects were also significant. As suggested in this study, mutual application of exercise therapy program and chiropractic treatments was found to have a positive effect on lumbar muscle strength and Cobb's angle in patients with scoliosis.
Co-treatment with arsenic trioxide and ganciclovir reduces tumor volume in a murine xenograft model of nasopharyngeal carcinoma
Authors: Sides Mark D , Sosulski Meredith L , Luo Fayong , Lin Zhen , Flemington Erik K , Lasky Joseph A
Published: May 2013

We have previously shown that disruption of promyelocytic leukemia nuclear bodies (PML NBs) is sufficient to activate the EBV lytic cycle thus making infected cells susceptible to ganciclovir (GCV) mediated killingin vitro. Here we show that co-administration of GCV and arsenic trioxide (ATO), a PML NB disruptor, reduces tumor volume in a xenograft model of nasopharyngeal carcinoma utilizing CNE1 cells. When administered at pharmacologic levels, both GCV and ATO reduced tumor growth while co-treatment with GCV + ATO resulted in a diminution of tumor volume. Treatment with GCV or ATO individually resulted in an increased number of apoptotic cells while co-treatment with GCV + ATO synergistically induced apoptosis. Treatment with ATO or co-treatment with GCV + ATO resulted in expression of EBV lytic proteins. These data suggest that co-treatment with GCV + ATO may provide an effective treatment for nasopharyngeal carcinoma patients.
Initiation of human astrovirus type 1 infection was blocked by inhibitors of phosphoinositide 3-kinase
Authors: Tange Shoichiro , Zhou Yan , Nagakui-Noguchi Yuko , Imai Takeshi , Nakanishi Akira
Published: May 2013

Background

Upon initial contact with a virus, host cells activate a series of cellular signaling cascades that facilitate viral entry and viral propagation within the cell. Little is known about how the human astrovirus (HAstV) exploits signaling cascades to establish an infection in host cells. Recent studies showed that activation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2) is important for HAstV infection, though the involvement of other signaling cascades remains unclear.

Methods

A panel of kinase blockers was used to search for cellular signaling pathways important for HAstV1 infection. To determine their impact on the infectious process, we examined viral gene expression, RNA replication, and viral RNA and capsid protein release from host cells.

Results

Inhibitors of phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K) activation interfered with the infection, independent of their effect on ERK 1/2 activation. Activation of the PI3K signaling cascade occurred at an early phase of the infection, judging from the timeframe of Akt phosphorylation. PI3K inhibition at early times, but not at later times, blocked viral gene expression. However, inhibiting the downstream targets of PI3K activation, Akt and Rac1, did not block infection. Inhibition of protein kinase A (PKA) activation was found to block a later phase of HAstV1 production.

Conclusions

Our results reveal a previously unknown, essential role of PI3K in the life cycle of HAstV1. PI3K participates in the early stage of infection, possibly during the viral entry process. Our results also reveal the role of PKA in viral production.
Development of a checklist to assess the quality of reporting of knowledge translation interventions using the Workgroup for Intervention Development and Evaluation Research (WIDER) recommendations
Authors: Albrecht Lauren , Archibald Mandy , Arseneau Danielle , Scott Shannon D
Published: May 2013

Background

Influenced by an important paper by Michie et al., outlining the rationale and requirements for detailed reporting of behavior change interventions now required by Implementation Science, we created and refined a checklist to operationalize the Workgroup for Intervention Development and Evaluation Research (WIDER) recommendations in systematic reviews. The WIDER recommendations provide a framework to identify and provide detailed reporting of the essential components of behavior change interventions in order to facilitate replication, further development, and scale-up of the interventions.

Findings

The checklist was developed, applied, and improved over the course of four systematic reviews of knowledge translation (KT) strategies in a variety of healthcare settings conducted by Scott and associates. The checklist was created as one method of operationalizing the work of the WIDER in order to facilitate comparison across heterogeneous studies included in these systematic reviews. Numerous challenges were encountered in the process of creating and applying the checklist across four stages of development. The resulting improvements have produced a ‘user-friendly’ and replicable checklist to assess the quality of reporting of KT interventions in systematic reviews using the WIDER recommendations.

Conclusions

With journals, such as Implementation Science, using the WIDER recommendations as publication requirements for evaluation reports of behavior change intervention studies, it is crucial to find methods of examining, measuring, and reporting the quality of reporting. This checklist is one approach to operationalize the WIDER recommendations in systematic review methodology.
Enantioselective hydrolyzation and photolyzation of dufulin in water
Authors: Zhang Kankan , Hu Deyu , Zhu Huijun , Yang Jinchuan , Wu Jian , He Ming , Jin Linhong , Yang Song , Song Baoan
Published: May 2013

Background

Dufulin is a novel, highly effective antiviral agent that activatives systemic acquired resistance of plants. This compound is widely used in China to prevent and control viral diseases in tobacco, vegetable and rice. Dufulin can treat plants infected by the tobacco mosaic virus and the cucumber mosaic virus. However, the achiral analysis and residue determination of dufulin remain underdeveloped because of its high enantioselectivity rates and high control costs. The enantioselectivity of an antiviral compound is an important factor that should be considered when studying the effect of chiral pesticides on the environment. The enantioselective degradation of dufulin in water remains an important objective in pesticide science.

Results

The configuration of dufulin enantiomers was determined in this study based on its circular dichroism spectra. The S-(+)-dufulin and R-(−)-dufulin enantiomers were separated and identified using an amylose tris-(3,5-dimethylphenylcarbamate) chiral column by normal phase high-performance liquid chromatography. The degradation of the rac-dufulin racemate and its separate enantiomers complied with first-order reaction kinetics and demonstrated acceptable linearity. The enantioselective photolysis of rac-dufulin allowed for the faster degradation of R-(−)-dufulin, as compared with S-(+)-dufulin. However, S-(+)-dufulin was hydrolyzed faster than its antipode.

Conclusion

The photolysation and hydrolyzation of dufulin in water samples normally complied with the first-order kinetics and demonstrated acceptable linearity (R
2>0.66). A preferential photolysation of the R-(−)-enantiomer was observed in water samples. Moreover, the S-(+)-enantiomer was hydrolyzed faster than its antipode.
Seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii in slaughtered horses and donkeys in Liaoning province, northeastern China
Authors: Yang Na , Mu Ming-Yang , Yuan Gao-ming , Zhang Guo-xin , Li Hong-Kui , He Jian-Bin
Published: May 2013

Background

Toxoplasma gondii is an important zoonotic pathogen infecting humans and almost all warm-blooded animals. The most common sources of human infection are ingestion of tissue cysts in raw or undercooked meat. However, limited information is available about T. gondii infection in horses and donkeys in China. In the present study, we report the seroprevalence of T. gondii infection in horses and donkeys in Liaoning province, northeastern China.

Methods

Serum samples were collected from 711 and 738 slaughtered horses and donkeys, respectively, in 13 regions of Liaoning province. The modified agglutination test (MAT) was used to test the specific antibodies to T. gondii.

Results

In this study, 178 of 711 (25.0%) horses were seropositive for T. gondii with titers of 1:25 in 81, 1:50 in 62, 1:100 in 33, and 1:200 in 2, and seroprevalence of T. gondii infection from 13 regions ranged from 8.2% to 37.0%. Antibodies to T. gondii were found in 174 of 738 (23.6%) donkeys with titers of 1:25 in 66, 1:50 in 54, 1:100 in 49, and 1:200 in 5, and seroprevalence varied in 13 different regions, ranging from 9.1% to 32.6%.

Conclusions

The results of the present study indicated that the rate of infection with T. gondii in horses and donkeys is a little high in Liaoning province, northeastern China in comparison to other surveys in China, which suggests that consumption of horse and donkey meat in this area may represent a potential source for human infection with T. gondii.
Field transmission intensity of Schistosoma japonicum measured by basic reproduction ratio from modified Barbour’s model
Authors: Gao Shu-Jing , He Yu-Ying , Liu Yu-Jiang , Yang Guo-Jing , Zhou Xiao-Nong
Published: May 2013

Background

Schistosomiasis japonica, caused by infection withSchistosoma japonicum,is still recognized as a major public health problem in the Peoples’ Republic of China. Mathematical modelling of schistosomiasis transmission has been undertaken in order to assess and project the effects of various control strategies for elimination of the disease. Seasonal fluctuations in transmission may have the potential to impact on the population dynamics of schistosomiasis, yet no model ofS. japonicumhas considered such effects. In this paper, we characterize the transmission dynamics ofS. japonicumusing a modified version of Barbour’s model to account for seasonal variation (SV), and investigate the effectiveness of the control strategy adopted in Liaonan village of Xingzi county, Jiangxi Province.

Methods

We use mathematical tools for stability analysis of periodic systems and derive expressions for the basic reproduction ratio ofS. japonicumin humans; we parameterise such expressions with surveillance data to investigate the conditions for persistence or elimination of the disease in the study village. We perform numerical simulations and parametric sensitivity analysis to understand local transmission conditions and compare values of the basic reproductive ratio with and without seasonal fluctuations.

Results

The explicit formula of the basic reproduction ratio for the SV-modified Barbour’s model is derived. Results show that the value of the basic reproduction ratio,R0, of Liaonan village, Xingzi county is located between 1.064 and 1.066 (very close to 1), for schistosomiasis transmission during 2006 to 2010, after intensification of control efforts.

Conclusions

Our modified version of the Barbour model to account for seasonal fluctuations in transmission has the potential to provide better estimations of infection risk than previous models. Ignoring seasonality tends to underestimateR0values albeit only marginally. In the absence of simultaneousR0estimations for villages not under control interventions (such villages do not currently exist in China), it is difficult to assess whether control strategies have had a substantial impact on levels of transmission, as the parasite population would still be able to maintain itself at an endemic level, highlighting the difficulties faced by elimination efforts.
Use of black carp (Mylopharyngodon piceus) in biological control of intermediate host snails of fish-borne zoonotic trematodes in nursery ponds in the Red River Delta, Vietnam
Authors: Hung Nguyen M , Duc Nguyen V , Stauffer Jay R , Madsen Henry
Published: May 2013

Background

The risks of fish-borne zoonotic trematodes (FZT) to human health constitute an important problem in Vietnam. The infection of humans with these trematodes, such as small liver trematodes (Clonorchis sinensis and Opisthorchis viverrini), intestinal trematodes (Heterophyidae) and others is often thought to be linked to fish culture in areas where the habit of eating raw fish is common. Juvenile fish produced in nurseries are often heavily infected with FZT and since fishes are sold to aquaculture facilities for growth, control of FZT in these fishes should be given priority. Controlling the first intermediate host (i.e., freshwater gastropods), would be an attractive approach, if feasible. The black carp, Mylopharyngodon piceus, is a well-known predator of freshwater snails and is already used successfully for biological control of snails in various parts of the world including Vietnam. Here we report the first trials using it for biological control of intermediate host snails in nursery ponds stocked with 1-week old fry (10–12 mm in length) of Indian carp, Labeo rohita.

Methods

Semi-field and field experiments were set up to test the effect of black carp on snail populations. In the semi-field experiment a known quantity of snails was initially introduced into a pond which was subsequently stocked with black carp. In the field trial in nursery ponds, density of snails was estimated prior to a nursing cycle and at the end of the cycle (after 9 weeks).

Results

The results showed that black carp affect the density of snail populations in both semi-field and field conditions. The standing crop of snails in nursery ponds, however, was too high for 2 specimens to greatly reduce snail density within the relatively short nursing cycle.

Conclusions

We conclude that the black carp can be used in nursery ponds in Northern Vietnam for snail control. Juvenile black carp weighing 100 - 200g should be used because this size primarily prey on intermediate hosts of FZT and other studies have shown that it does not prey on fish fry of other species. It may be necessary to use a high stocking density of black carp or to reduce snail density in the nursery ponds using other measures (e.g. mud removal) prior to stocking fry in order for the black carp to keep the density of intermediate host snails at a very low level.
Novel agents for chronic lymphocytic leukemia
Authors: Wu Mei , Akinleye Akintunde , Zhu Xiongpeng
Published: May 2013

Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) is a heterogeneous group of B-cell neoplasm. CLL is typically sensitive to a variety of cytotoxic agents, but relapse frequently occurs with conventional approaches. The treatment of CLL is evolving rapidly with the introduction of novel drugs, such as bendamustine, ofatumumab, lenalidomide, ibrutinib, idelalisib, veltuzumab, XmAb5574, navitoclax, dasatinib, alvespimycin, and TRU-016. This review summarizes the most current clinical experiences with these agents in the treatment of CLL.
Polymorphisms of Toll-like receptor-4 and CD14 in systemic lupus erythematosus and rheumatoid arthritis
Authors: Dhaouadi Tarak , Sfar Imen , Haouami Youssra , Abdelmoula Leila , Turki Sami , Hassine Lamia Ben , Zouari Rafik , Khedher Adel , Khalfallah Narjess , Abdallah Taieb Ben , Gorgi Yousr
Published: May 2013

Background

Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) and its co-receptor CD14 play a major role in innate immunity by recognizing PAMPs and signal the activation of adaptive responses. These receptors can recognize endogenous ligands mainly auto-antigens. In addition, TLR4 (Asp299Gly) and CD14 (C/T -159) polymorphisms (SNPs) may modify qualitatively and/or quantitatively their expression. Therefore, they could be implied in autoimmune diseases and can influence both susceptibility and severity of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

Patients and methods

TLR4 (Asp299Gly) and CD14 (C/T -159) SNPs were genotyped using polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-RFLP in 127 SLE patients, 100 RA patients, and 114 healthy controls matched in age and gender.

Results

CD14*T allele was significantly more frequent in SLE patients (0.456) comparatively to controls (0.355), p = 0.02 OR (95% CI) = 1.53 [1.04-2.24]. In RA patients, the higher frequency of CD14*T allele (0.405) failed to reach significance, p = 0.28. Investigation of the TLR4 (Asp299Gly) SNP showed no significant association neither with SLE nor with RA.

Analysis of these SNPs according to clinical and biological features showed a significant higher frequency of arthritis in SLE patients carrying CD14*T/T genotype (92%) comparatively to those with C/C and C/T genotypes (72.5%), p = 0.04. Moreover, SLE patients carrying CD14*T/T/TLR4*A/A haplotype had significantly more arthritis (91.3%) than the rest of SLE group (73%), p = 0,044 and confirmed by multivariable analysis after adjustment according to age and gender, p = 0.01.

Conclusion

The CD14 (-159)*T allele seems to be associated with susceptibility to SLE and arthritis occurrence.
Phase II monitoring of auto-correlated linear profiles using linear mixed model
Authors: Narvand A , Soleimani P , Raissi Sadigh
Published: May 2013

In many circumstances, the quality of a process or product is best characterized by a given mathematical function between a response variable and one or more explanatory variables that is typically referred to as profile. There are some investigations to monitor auto-correlated linear and nonlinear profiles in recent years. In the present paper, we use the linear mixed models to account autocorrelation within observations which is gathered on phase II of the monitoring process. We undertake that the structure of correlated linear profiles simultaneously has both random and fixed effects. The work enhanced a Hotelling’s T

2
statistic, a multivariate exponential weighted moving average (MEWMA), and a multivariate cumulative sum (MCUSUM) control charts to monitor process. We also compared their performances, in terms of average run length criterion, and designated that the proposed control charts schemes could effectively act in detecting shifts in process parameters. Finally, the results are applied on a real case study in an agricultural field.
Evolution of the Quality Oncology Practice Initiative Supportive Care Quality Measures Portfolio and Conformance at a Veterans Affairs Medical Center
Authors: Nipp Ryan D. , Kelley Michael J. , Williams Christina D. , Kamal Arif H.
Published: May 2013

Most Quality Oncology Practice Initiative quality measures assess diagnosis or treatment processes of care and not supportive care. The authors demonstrate the necessity for standardized documentation methods and quality improvement efforts that remain commensurate with the increasing portfolio of supportive care measures.
ASCO's Approach to a Learning Health Care System in Oncology
Authors: Sledge George W. , Hudis Clifford A. , Swain Sandra M. , Yu Peter M. , Mann Joshua T. , Hauser Robert S. , Lichter Allen S.
Published: May 2013

ASCO's CancerLinQ, a learning information network for quality, collects clinical data in real time, analyzing and comparing it with existing guidelines and feeding that information back to participating physicians, driving higher quality and value and improving outcomes for our patients.
Envisioning Watson As a Rapid-Learning System for Oncology
Authors: Malin Jennifer L.
Published: May 2013

The authors discuss what oncology might look like when supported by omniscient megacomputers like IBM Watson.
Quality Assessment Across A National Cancer Network
Authors: Simeone William J. , Bingham John , Burke Thomas W. , Pisters Peter W.T.
Published: May 2013

Quality management with the ability to benchmark quality metrics remains a cornerstone of the authors' overarching strategy to maintain consistent high-quality care throughout our national network.
The Last Temptation of Faustus: Contested Rites and Eucharistic Representation in Doctor Faustus
Authors: Zysk Jay
Published: May 2013

Situating Marlowe’s Doctor Faustus within the contexts of liturgical history and sacramental theology, this essay argues that the Eucharist provided an influential aesthetic resource for English dramatists in the wake of the Reformation. Drawing on Eucharistic theology, liturgical books, and the ritual of the Mass, Marlowe’s play reveals the early modern theater as a venue for “contested rites” where liturgical and theological debates could be waged. The essay establishes connections between magic and the Mass by analyzing the “affective textuality” and liturgical rubrics in both necromantic books and liturgical books. It then proceeds to scenes in which Faustus draws on the efficacious language of sacraments, the doctrine of transubstantiation, as well as topoi like Eucharistic gazing and blood sacrifice. In this analysis, conventional oppositions such as parody and piety, medieval and early modern, Catholic and Protestant, and word and flesh are shown to be mutually constitutive at each of the drama’s captivating turns.
Travel in Time: Local Travel Writing and Seventeenth-Century English Almanacs
Authors: Ambrose Laura Williamson
Published: May 2013

This article focuses on almanac travel diaries, exploring both how and why seventeenth-century English readers used books of time as books of space. It seeks to broaden studies in early modern travel writing by examining the unique, nonnarrative marginalia that typify the almanac genre. As domestic travel writers, seventeenth-century almanac users such as Lady Isabella Twysden and Anthony Wood were remarkably uninterested in discourses of nationhood or the paradigm of self/other so widely featured in other genres of travel writing. Instead, the unique structural arrangement of the almanac page as well as the almanac’s integration of spatial and temporal systems of measurement produced a distinctive style of travel notation. Both the form and content of these marginalia, I suggest, highlight an additional, understudied discourse of mobility in the early modern period, one that is shaped less by tales of encounter and discovery than by systems of placement and tabulation.
Titan Tholins as Amino Acid Precursors and Their Solubility in Possible Titan Liquidospheres
Authors: Kawai Jun , Jagota Seema , Kaneko Takeo , Obayashi Yumiko , Khare Bishun N , McKay Christopher P , Kobayashi Kensei
Published: May 2013

Experimental simulations have previously shown that tholins (complex solid organics) can be abundantly formed in Titan’s atmosphere and that they contain precursors of amino acids. In this study, we investigated their relevance to possible chemical evolution toward the generation of life in various potential Titan environments (liquidospheres), using tholins synthesized by plasma discharge at low pressure (LP, 26 Pa) and high pressure (HP, 133 Pa). We focused our study on composition of amino acids recovered from LP and HP tholins, as well as on the solubility of these tholins in solvents such as hexane, acetonitrile, ethanol, methanol, water, and ammonia water. Both hydrolyzed extracts of LP and HP tholins were composed of a wide variety of amino acids. Tholins were dissolved more easily in polar solvents than in nonpolar ones: Ammonia water, simulating a potential Titan subsurface ocean, could dissolve tholins quite efficiently. These results show thus the possibility of starting chemical evolution toward life’s origin in Titan’s environment.
Single-crystal Field-effect Transistors with a Furan-containing Organic Semiconductor Having a Twisted π-Electronic System
Authors: Nakahara Katsumasa , Mitsui Chikahiko , Okamoto Toshihiro , Yamagishi Masakazu , Miwa Kazumoto , Sato Hiroyasu , Yamano Akihito , Uemura Takafumi , Takeya Jun
Published: May 2013

We focus on aggregated structures and charge-transporting properties in semiconductor assemblies of a new-type twisted π-conjugated molecule, dinaphtho[2,1-b:1′,2′-d]furan (DNF-U). Single crystals were successfully grown by physical vapor transport to form a two-dimensional herringbone packing structure, which is advantageous for intermolecular charge transport. Based on the packing structure, relatively large transfer integrals were theoretically calculated to be 20 and 57 meV for C–H···π and π···π direction, respectively. The single-crystal field-effect transistors exhibited notable hole mobility of up to 1.0 cm2 V−1 s−1.
Role of arterial stiffness in cardiovascular disease
Authors: Cecelja Marina , Chowienczyk Phil
Published: May 2013

Propagation of the pressure wave along the arterial tree (pulse wave velocity [PWV]) is related to the intrinsic elasticity of the arterial wall. PWV is increased in stiffer arteries and, when measured over the aorta, is an independent predictor of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Given the predictive power of PWV, identifying strategies that prevent or reduce stiffening may be important in prevention of cardiovascular events. One view is that aortic stiffness occurs as a result of atherosclerosis along the aorta. However, there is little or no association between PWV and classical risk factors for atherosclerosis, other than age and blood pressure. Furthermore, PWV does not increase during early stages of atherosclerosis, as measured by intima-media thickness and noncalcified atheroma, but it does increase in the presence of aortic calcification that occurs within advanced atherosclerotic plaque. Age-related widening of pulse pressure is the major cause of age-related increase in prevalence of hypertension and has been attributed to arterial stiffening. This review summarizes the methods of measuring aortic stiffness in humans, the pathophysiological mechanisms leading to aortic stiffness, including its association with atherosclerosis, and the haemodynamic consequences of increased aortic stiffness.
Crystal structure of bis(3-phenylpyridine-κN)bis(thiocyanato-κS) palladium(II), C24H18N4PdS2
Authors: Ha Kwang
Published: May 2013

C24H18N4PdS2, monoclinic, P21/n (no. 14), a = 9.954(2) Å, b = 5.257(1) Å, c = 21.566(4) Å, β = 102.691(4)°, V = 1101.0 Å3, Z = 2, Rgt(F) = 0.0343, wRref(F2) = 0.0892, T = 200 K.
Crystal structure of bromido(2-phenylpyridine-κN)[2-(2-pyridyl)phenyl- κ2N,C]platinum(II), C22H17BrN2Pt
Authors: Ha Kwang
Published: May 2013

C22H17BrN2Pt, monoclinic, P21/c (no. 14), a = 11.971(1) Å, b = 9.522(1) Å, c = 16.987(2) Å, β = 104.757(2)°, V = 1872.4 Å3, Z = 4, Rgt(F) = 0.0224, wRref(F2) = 0.0542, T = 200 K.
Regulation of the osterix (Osx, Sp7) promoter by osterix and its inhibition by parathyroid hormone
Authors: Barbuto Richard , Mitchell Jane
Published: May 2013

Osterix (Osx, Sp7) is a zinc-finger transcription factor belonging to the specificity protein (Sp) family expressed in cells of the osteoblast lineage in the developing skeleton where it regulates expression of a number of osteoblastic genes. We previously reported inhibition of osterix mRNA and protein by parathyroid hormone (PTH) stimulation of cAMP in osteoblasts. We here show that Osx expression in osteoblasts is regulated by Sp proteins as demonstrated by mithramycin A inhibition of Osx mRNA and OSX protein levels. Mutation of putative transcription factor binding sites within the Osx promoter demonstrated a tandem repeat sequence that selectively binds OSX but not other Sp factors expressed in osteoblasts (Sp1, Sp3, or Tieg (Klf10)). Mutation of either or both the repeat sequences inhibited 90% of the promoter activity and also abrogated some of the PTH-mediated inhibition of the promoter. Previous studies have shown growth factor regulation of Osx expression by MAPK proteins, particularly p38 phosphorylation of OSX that increases its transcriptional activity. PTH stimulation of osteoblasts inhibits MAPK components (ERK, JNK, and p38) but inhibition of Osx mRNA and protein expression by PTH was selectively mimicked by p38 inhibition and expression of constitutively active MKK6, which stimulates p38, blocked PTH inhibition of OSX. Together, our studies suggest that OSX autoregulation is a major mechanism in osteoblasts and that PTH stimulation inhibits osterix by inhibition of p38 MAPK regulation of OSX.
Research skills in translation studies: What we need training in
Authors: Pym Anthony
Published: May 2013

This paper reports on evaluative comments made over some ten years on research by students in the doctoral program in Translation and Intercultural Studies at the Universitat Rovira i Virgili in Tarragona, Spain. The vast majority of the comments are found to involve general shortcomings that do not particularly concern Translation Studies. This would suggest that research trainees do not really need a doctoral program in Translation Studies. Other weaknesses stem from the relatively undeveloped intellectual position of Translation Studies as a discipline, especially with regard to unstable terminology, the attribution of authority to other disciplines, and tendencies to disappear into philosophical aporias, into indiscriminate data-gathering, and into the uncritical extension of vocational values or professional best practices. Some shortcomings, however, would seem more germane to the nature of translation as an object of knowledge. This particularly concerns the problems of describing translation quality and attempts to position the researcher as being external to the intercultural processes being investigated. Translation researchers, it is argued, are necessarily interpreting language in a way similar to translators, operating on the borders between stabilizing systems. That special position, which is specific in terms of degree rather than kind, makes hermeneutic work and self-reflection basic parts of translation research, and trainees need to develop the corresponding awareness. On the other hand, to limit oneself to empirical and often positivistic methodologies from other disciplines would be to de-intellectualize the way researchers engage socially and politically with translation.
Translator respect for source text information structure: A parallel investigation of causal connectors
Authors: Vandepitte Sonia , Denturck Kathelijne , Willems Dominique
Published: May 2013

What is the translator’s impact on the information structure (IS) of causal expressions? This study proposes a description method for the internal IS of causal expressions with connectors and their translations. We implement Lambrecht’s view (1990) that IS relates to interlocutors’ ‘mental states’ and look upon information structuring as a cognitive patterning of linguistic elements with varying degrees of manifestness. These degrees are hypothesized to be determined by a set of at least five different features, three of which have been investigated in a parallel corpus of Dutch, French and English causal expressions: the presence of a causal connector, clause status and clause position. Primary results indicate that about one fifth of explicit causal constructions in the Dutch source texts have been rendered without their explicit causal connector in the target texts both in French and in English. In addition, the internal clause manifestness in causal sequences turns out to show more differences between the Dutch source texts and the English target texts than between the Dutch source texts and the French target texts, which mirror the Dutch source texts more closely.
Fuel Cell Membranes Based on Polymer-Modified Silica Colloidal Crystals and Glasses: Proton Conductivity and Fuel Cell Performance
Authors: Khabibullin Amir , Zharov Ilya
Published: May 2013

We describe a hybrid organic-inorganic fuel cell membrane material based on silica colloidal crystal and using EEMA/SPM co-polymers. We demonstrate that there is an S-shaped dependence of proton conductivity on the amount of sulfonyl groups in the copolymer for the copolymer-modified membranes and that there is no significant increase in proton conductivity with increasing amount of sulfonated monomer content above 60%. The studies of fuel cell potential dependence on the degree of sulfonation show that the presence of non-ionic moieties improves the performance of fuel cell, likely due to the reduction of methanol cross-over through the membrane. The fuel cells using the polymer-modified silica colloidal membranes perform better than Nafion 117.
TRIP Steel Deformation Behavior by Neutron Diffraction
Authors: Harjo Stefanus , Tsuchida Noriyuki , Gong Wu , Abe Jun , Aizawa Kazuya
Published: May 2013

Deformation behaviors of two TRIP-type multiphase steels with different carbon contents were studied by in situ neutron diffraction measurement during tensile deformation at RT. The tensile test was conducted in a step-load controlling manner during the elastic region, and in a continuous manner with a constant crosshead speed by an initial strain rate of 1.8×10-5 s-1 during the plastic region. Austenite grains were observed to bear higher phase stresses than ferrite grains in both steels. Austenite peak intensities started to decrease at the onsets of plastic deformation in both steels, showing the occurrence of stress induced martensitic transformations. Martensite peaks were carefully analyzed to estimate phase strains, and as the results martensite grains were found to bear largest phase stresses during plastic deformation.
Magnetic Polyolefin-based Nanocomposites
Authors: He Qingliang , Wei Suying , Guo Zhanhu
Published: May 2013

Magnetic polyolefin-based nanocomposites were fabricated through a facile one-pot thermal decomposition of organo-metallic precursor, i.e. Fe(CO)5 in polymer-solvent solution condition. The whole fabrication includes dissolution of polyolefin-based hosting matrix in refluxing organic solvent followed by the injection of metallic precursor to perform the in-situ thermal decomposition step. The particle sizes, morphology and dispersion quality of these in-situ synthesized magnetic nanoparticles were investigated by transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Room temperature mössbauer spectrum analysis was used to determine the species of these magnetic nanoparticles. Room temperature magnetic property investigation was utilized to further reveal the magnetic behaviors of these nanocomposites by specifying the saturation magnetization and coercive forces. Thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA) was used to determine the thermal stability of these as-prepared nanocomposites and the particle loadings. The formation mechanisms of these magnetic particles were proposed from the evidence of TEM observations and detailed evolutions are detailed as well.
Low Temperature Syntheses of Transition Metal Bronzes with an Open Structure for High Rate Energy Storage
Authors: Pétrissans X. , Augustyn V. , Giaume D. , Barboux P. , Dunn B.
Published: May 2013

Development of devices storing and delivering high-energy power such as supercapacitors is necessary to assist intermittent sources of energy. Most of the commercial systems are carbon-based, but due to their high surface charge, oxides offer a valuable alternative for high-rate energy storage. Among them, layered transition metal oxides with mixed valence properties present both good electronic and ionic conductivities suitable for application to electrochemical applications intermediate between capacitors and batteries. This work focuses on lamellar oxide bronzes based on cobalt MxCoO2 and vanadium MxV2O5 (M = H, Li, Na or K). A low temperature synthesis leads to high specific area particles (above 100 m2/g). Hydrated and anhydrous NaxCoO2 are promising cathode materials for aqueous supercapacitors, with a high capacity of more than 100 mAh/g obtained under 20 mV/s for the hydrated NaxCoO2. The MxV2O5 bronzes appear to be good candidates for organic supercapacitors, especially the LixV2O5 bronze, which shows a high stable capacity above 100 mAh/g (at 20 mV/s ie a charging time of 125 s).
The consulting engineer and corporate manslaughter risk
Authors: Ndekugri Issaka
Published: May 2013

Consulting engineers now run the risk of a criminal conviction under the UK Corporate Manslaughter and Corporate Homicide Act 2007. Surviving the financial impact and inevitable reputational damage from a corporate manslaughter conviction would be a huge challenge to most consulting engineers. Unfortunately, there is a dearth of literature that imparts knowledge and understanding of this risk. As a contribution to the necessary remedial action, this paper applies legal analysis and research methods to the Act, case law and construction industry practice. It assesses the likely impact of the Act on the consulting engineer with respect to five preconditions of a corporate manslaughter conviction: (a) the organisation charged with it is one to which the legislation applies; (b) the organisation owed the victim a ‘relevant duty of care’; (c) the way in which the activities were managed or organised amounts to a ‘gross breach’ of that duty of care; (d) the way in which the organisation’s activities were managed or organised caused the death of the victim; and (e) ‘the way in which the organisation’s activities were managed or organised by its senior management was a substantial element’ in the gross breach of duty.