bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Angle‐sensitive MRI for quantitative analysis of fiber‐network deformations in compressed cartilage
Authors: Garnov Nikita , Busse Harald , Gründer Wilfried
Published: May 2013

Purpose

To demonstrate the feasibility of a novel experimental method to quantitatively analyze fiber‐network deformation in compressed cartilage by angle‐sensitive magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of cartilage.

Methods

Three knee cartilage samples of an adult sheep were imaged in a high‐resolution MRI scanner at 7 T. Main fiber orientation and its “offset” from the direction perpendicular to the bone‐cartilage boundary were derived from MR images taken at different orientations with respect to B0. Bending of the collagen fibers was determined from weight‐bearing MRI with the load (up to 1.0 MPa) applied over the whole sample surface. A “fascicle” model of the cartilage ultrastructure was assumed to analyze characteristic intensity variations in T2‐weighted images under load.

Results

T2‐weighted MR images showed a strong variation of the signal intensities with sample orientation. In the T2‐weighted weight‐bearing series, regions of high signal intensity underwent shifts from the lateral to the central parts in all three cartilage samples. The bending of the collagen fibers was determined to be 27.2°, 35.4°, and 40.0° per MPa, respectively.

Conclusion

Assuming a “fascicle” model, the presented MRI method provides quantitative measures of structural adjustments in compressed cartilage. Our preliminary analysis suggests that cartilage fiber deformation includes both bending and crimping.
Immigrant assimilation and BMI and waist size: A longitudinal examination among hispanic and chinese participants in the multi‐ethnic study of atherosclerosis
Authors: Albrecht Sandra S. , Roux Ana V. Diez , Kandula Namratha R. , Osypuk Theresa L. , Ni Hanyu , Shrager Sandi
Published: May 2013

Objective

US birth and longer length of US residence among the foreign‐born have been linked to higher anthropometric measures. However, previous studies have been cross sectional and few have examined heterogeneity by ethnic group. Cross‐sectional findings that show immigrant weight converging to US‐born levels with longer time in the United States imply that immigrants' weight is increasing at a faster rate relative to US‐born individuals. Prospective studies are necessary to confirm this pattern.

Design and Methods

Using longitudinal data from 1,486 Hispanic and 802 Chinese adults aged 45‐84 years in the Multi‐ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis, we examined whether foreign‐born participants experienced greater increases in BMI and waist circumference (WC) than the US‐born over a median follow‐up of 5 years. We also investigated heterogeneity in these associations by Hispanic subgroup.

Results

Among Hispanics and Chinese, the foreign‐born had a lower adjusted mean BMI and WC at baseline than the US‐born, but there were no significant differences in BMI or WC change over time. There was heterogeneity by Hispanic subgroup: despite small baseline nativity differences in WC, foreign‐born Mexican Hispanics had a greater annual mean increase in WC over time compared to US‐born Mexican Hispanics (mean difference in annual change = 0.28 cm, P = 0.03). There were no nativity differences in the rate of WC increase over time among non‐Mexican Hispanics. Foreign‐born Mexican Hispanics also experienced a faster rate of WC increase compared to foreign‐born non‐Mexican Hispanics (mean difference in annual change = 0.24 cm, P = 0.01).

Conclusions

Longer time in the United States, examined prospectively, may only be linked to adverse anthropometric changes in some immigrant groups.
Longitudinal measurement of fetal thigh soft tissue parameters and its role in the prediction of birth weight
Authors: O'Connor Clare , Farah Nadine , O'Higgins Amy , Segurado Ricardo , Fitzpatrick Chris , Turner Michael J. , Stuart Bernard , Kennelly Máireád M.
Published: May 2013

Objective

The aim of this study was to profile longitudinal changes in thigh muscle and fat with gestation and to determine whether thigh measurements can improve the prediction of birth weight (BW).

Methods

A prospective longitudinal study of subcutaneous soft tissue measurements was conducted in 328 singleton fetuses at 28 and 37 weeks gestation. Estimated fetal weight (EFW) was calculated using abdominal circumference, femur length, biparietal diameter, and head circumference.

Results

The fetal abdominal subcutaneous tissue (FAST) and thigh muscle and fat show an increase with gestation. At 28 weeks gestation, the abdominal circumference, thigh fat, FAST, and EFW percentile were found to be significant predictors of BW. A combination of EFW percentile and thigh fat were found to be the optimal multivariate model at 28 weeks for predicting BW. At 37 weeks, BW prediction using EFW percentile, FAST, and thigh fat was the most accurate. The results revealed acceptable reproducibility for fetal thigh muscle and fat.

Conclusion

This study provides reference ranges for thigh fat and muscle at 28 and 37 weeks gestation. The inclusion of fetal thigh fat in the algorithm improves the predictive power for birth weight. This information is important to explore the role of fetal thigh in the detection of aberrant growth. © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Hexamethylenetetramine Dinitrate (HDN): The Precursor for RDX Production by Bachmann Process
Authors: Turhan Hamza , Atalar Taner , Erdem Nilüfer , Özden Canpolat , Din Bahaddin , Gül Nebi , Yildiz Emel , Türker Lemi
Published: May 2013

Hexamethylenetetramine dinitrate (HDN) is a rather weak explosive but is used as a precursor for the synthesis of RDX, one of the most important secondary nitramine explosives. HDN has limited application because of its hygroscopic character. This paper reports on the synthesis and characterization of HDN in high yield and purity by the reaction of hexamine with nitric acid at temperatures below 15 °C. It was characterized by FTIR and 1H NMR spectroscopy, Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and Liquid Chromatography/Mass Spectrometry (LC/MS) measurements. The thermal characteristics of HDN were determined by DSC and TG/DTA. The DSC curve of HDN shows an endothermic peak at 170.5 °C corresponding to the melting point of HDN, followed by two exothermic peaks at 174.0 °C and 200.5 °C due to the decomposition. The differences in the thermal behavior of HDN samples, which were thermally aged at 50 °C, 100 °C, and 150 °C in a nitrogen atmosphere were examined. Additionally, some quantum chemical properties of the nitration of hexamethylenetetramine were calculated.
An exemplar‐based learning approach for detection and classification of malicious network streams in honeynets
Authors: Abbasi Fahim H. , Harris Richard , Marsland Stephen , Moretti Giovanni
Published: May 2013

Variants of malware and exploits are emerging globally at an ever‐increasing rate. There is a need to automate their detection by observing their footprints over network streams, but signature‐based intrusion detection systems alone cannot cope with the dynamic nature of modern security threats. In this paper, we approach intrusion detection as a classification problem and describe a system using exemplar‐based learning to correctly classify known classes of malware and to detect, learn and classify unknown malicious streams into classes. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Strategies of network coding against nodes conspiracy attack
Authors: Du Rong , Zhao Chenglin , Zhao Feng , Li Shenghong
Published: May 2013

Network coding has emerged some exciting future because of its smart technology in wireless sensor networks. At the same time, it is facing security attacks, especially conspiracy Attack. Most existing security strategies are concentrated on coding design, there has been almost no consideration from topological structure. In this background, a weakly‐secure scheme is proposed from the perspective of topology. Considering the performance of this scheme, an advanced scheme is put forward later. Simulations show that the two strategies can prevent cooperative eavesdroppers from acquiring any useful information transmitted from source node to sink node and the performance of advanced scheme is better. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Towards pattern‐based architectures for event processing systems
Authors: Bruns Ralf , Dunkel Jürgen
Published: May 2013

Recently, event processing (EP) has gained considerable attention as an individual discipline in computer science. From a software engineering perspective, EP systems still lack the maturity of well‐established software architectures. For the development of industrial EP systems, generally accepted software architectures based on proven design patterns and principles are still missing. In this article, we introduce a catalog of design patterns that supports the development of event‐driven architectures (EDAs) and complex EP systems. The design principles originate from experiences reported in publications as well as from our own experiences in building EP systems with industrial and academic partners. We present several patterns on different layers of abstractions that define the overall structure as well as the building blocks for EP systems. Architectural patterns that determine the top‐level structure of an EDA can be distinguished from design patterns that specify the basic mechanisms of EP. The practical application of the catalog of patterns is described by the pattern‐based design of a sample EDA for a sensor‐based energy control system. Finally, we propose a coherent and general reference architecture for EP derived from the proposed patterns.Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Modeling hyporheic exchange with unsteady stream discharge and bedform dynamics
Authors: Boano Fulvio , Revelli Roberto , Ridolfi Luca
Published: May 2013

Water exchange between streams and hyporheic zones is highly dynamic, and its temporal variation is related to the hydrologic fluctuations of stream discharge and groundwater levels. Unfortunately, predictions of temporal patterns of exchange are difficult due to the many hydrodynamic and morphodynamic processes that are involved and also to their complex nonlinear interactions. Examples of these processes include the evolution of streambed morphology in response to changing streamflow as well as the feedback on surface flow induced by drag resistance due to evolving bed forms. In this work, we have employed a stochastic method to analyze the temporal dynamics of bed form‐driven hyporheic exchange in a stream characterized by subcritical flow and daily discharge variations. The method is an extension of previous studies that includes current‐induced alterations of bedform size and celerity and their effect on water exchange. The modeling results show that during high flows, stream water penetrates deeper and for longer times in the sediments. At the same time, the predicted rate of water exchange per unit streambed area decreases because the streambed area occupied by each bed form increases faster than the volumetric rate of stream water exchange induced by the same bed form. This reduction can be compensated by the increase in wetted area with discharge, which may provide additional streambed area for water exchange. One the main finding of the study is that the time‐averaged values of exchange flux and depths are quite similar to those modeled for a steady mean discharge, while residence times are somewhat lower. Predicted temporal variations of exchange depths and times around their time‐averaged values are moderate compared to steady state values.
A finite volume approach for shallow water flow accounting for high‐resolution bathymetry and roughness data
Authors: Volp N. D. , van Prooijen B. C. , Stelling G. S.
Published: May 2013

This study presents a finite volume hydrodynamic model for shallow water flow that computes on a coarse grid, but accounts for high‐resolution bathymetry and roughness variations on a subgrid. The detailed information can be incorporated by using the assumption of a uniform flow direction and a uniform friction slope within a part of a coarse‐grid cell. It is shown in two examples that the results of coarse‐grid simulations become as good as high‐resolution results, but at much lower computational cost.
Electrochemical and Biological Studies on Reactivity of [VO(oda)(H2O)2], [Co(oda)(H2O)2]·H2O, and [Ni(oda)­(H2O)3]·1.5H2O Towards Superoxide Free Radicals
Authors: Wyrzykowski Dariusz , Inkielewicz‐Stępniak Iwona , Czupryniak Justyna , Jacewicz Dagmara , Ossowski Tadeusz , Woźniak Michal , Chmurzyński Lech
Published: May 2013

The reactivity of superoxide free radicals (O2·–) generated electrochemically towards the oxydiacetate metal complexes, namely [VO(oda)(H2O)2], [Co(oda)(H2O)2]·H2O, and [Ni(oda)(H2O)3]·1.5H2O (oda = oxydiacetate) was examined by cyclic voltammetry. The measurements were carried out in DMSO solution using a platinum electrode. Based on the height of the anodic peak Ea that corresponds to electrochemical oxidation O2·– → O2 + e, in the absence and in the presence of the compounds in the mixture, their O2·– scavenge ability was assessed. The influence of the type of the complex was briefly discussed. H2O2 was used to induce cellular injury in a mouse hippocampal cell line (HT22). The cytoprotection of chemical compounds was tested at the mitochondrial (MTT test) and plasma membrane level (LDH leakage). Dose‐dependent effect (10 and 100 μM of the complex) of investigated compounds was observed.
Fetal growth restriction caused by MIMT1 deletion alters brain transcriptome in cattle
Authors: Venhoranta Heli , Bauersachs Stefan , Taponen Juhani , Lohi Hannes , Taira Tomi , Andersson Magnus , Kind Alexander , Schnieke Angelika , Flisikowski Krzysztof
Published: May 2013

We examined levels of gene expression in the brains of bovine fetuses carrying a truncated MIMT1 allele, MIMT1Del, shown to cause late abortion and stillbirth as a result of fetal growth restriction. MIMT1 is a non‐protein coding gene that forms part of the imprinted PEG3 (paternally expressed gene 3) domain. Microarray analysis of brain cortex samples from mid‐gestation MIMT1Del/WT bovine fetuses and wild‐type siblings was performed to study the effect of fetal growth restriction on brain gene expression. Statistical analysis revealed 134 genes with increased mRNA levels and 22 with reduced levels in MIMT1Del/WT fetuses. Gene set enrichment analysis identified a relatively small number of significant functional clusters representing three major biological processes: response to oxidative stress, angiogenesis, and epithelial cell proliferation. Gene expression microarray analyses identified increased expression of VIPR2, HTRA1, S100A4 and MYH8 in fetuses carrying the deletion and decreased expression of DRD2, ADAM18, miR345, ZNF585A. ADAM18, DRD2 and S100A4 are known to be involved in prenatal brain development. ZNF585A, miR‐345, VIPR2, HTRA1, and MYH8 are known to be involved in cell growth and differentiation, but any role in neural developmental has yet to be elucidated.
Urinary excretion of B-group vitamins reflects the nutritional status of B-group vitamins in rats
Authors: Shibata Katsumi , Sugita Chisa , Sano Mitsue , Fukuwatari Tsutomu
Published: May 2013

We have reported previously that the urinary excretion of B-group vitamins reflects recent dietary intakes of these vitamins. We also proposed reference values for the urinary levels of B-group vitamins for human subjects, and used these for evaluating human nutritional status. However, the question arises as to whether the urinary excretion of B-group vitamins in animals or human subjects decreases immediately before they become B-group vitamin insufficient or when fed a diet low in vitamins. In the present study, rats were fed a vitamin-free diet for 5 d, and changes in the levels of B-group vitamins in urine and blood were monitored. Urinary excretion of vitamin B1, vitamin B2, 4-pyridoxic acid (a catabolite of vitamin B6), pantothenic acid, folate and biotin steeply decreased, and all of the values reached zero within 1–2 d. With respect to blood, the concentrations of only three of the eight B-group vitamins (vitamin B1, pyridoxal phosphate and biotin) decreased to 15 % (P < 0·0001), 7 % (P < 0·0001) and 2 % (P < 0·0001) on day 5, respectively, compared with the values at the beginning of the experiment. The decrease was more rapid and the changes were greater in the urine samples than in the blood samples. The present data complement our previous proposal that the urinary excretion of B-group vitamins reflects the nutritional status of these vitamins.
A comparison of cognitive functioning in acute schizophrenia and depression
Authors: Gooren Tina , Schlattmann Peter , Neu Peter
Published: May 2013

Objective

Even though cognitive deficits are well recognised in schizophrenia and depression, direct comparisons between the disorders are scarce in literature. This study aims to assess specificity and degree of cognitive deficits in inpatients with acute schizophrenia and unipolar major depression.

Methods

A neuropsychological test battery was administered to 76 schizophrenic patients, 102 patients with unipolar major depression and 85 healthy controls (HCs), assessing verbal learning [Rey Auditory Verbal Learning Test (RAVLT)], processing speed (Trail Making Test), verbal fluency and visual memory (Wechsler Memory Scale-Revised test).

Results

Both patient groups were significantly impaired compared with HCs with regard to all test outcomes. The schizophrenia group (SG) performed significantly worse in the Wechsler Memory Scale and verbal fluency than the depression group (DG). The DG reached significantly lower scores than the SG in the RAVLT delayed recall subtest. No significant group difference between SG and DG was found for the Trail Making Test and the RAVLT direct recall trails.

Conclusion

Our results indicate that cognitive impairment is present in both disorders. Schizophrenic patients performed worse than patients with unipolar depression in only two of the administered tests. Differences in cognitive performance between the groups are not as general as often assumed. Therefore, during the acute phase of illness, a diagnostic classification on the grounds of the patients’ neurocognitive performance has to be done with caution.
Dances with worms: the ecological and evolutionary impacts of deworming on coinfecting pathogens
Authors: FENTON ANDY
Published: May 2013

Parasitic helminths are ubiquitous in most host, including human, populations. Helminths often alter the likelihood of infection and disease progression of coinfecting microparasitic pathogens (viruses, bacteria, protozoa), and there is great interest in incorporating deworming into control programmes for many major diseases (e.g. HIV, tuberculosis, malaria). However, such calls are controversial; studies show the consequences of deworming for the severity and spread of pathogens to be highly variable. Hence, the benefits of deworming, although clear for reducing the morbidity due to helminth infection per se, are unclear regarding the outcome of coinfections and comorbidities. I develop a theoretical framework to explore how helminth coinfection with other pathogens affects host mortality and pathogen spread and evolution under different interspecific parasite interactions. In all cases the outcomes of coinfection are highly context-dependent, depending on the mechanism of helminth-pathogen interaction and the quantitative level of helminth infection, with the effects of deworming potentially switching from beneficial to detrimental depending on helminth burden. Such context-dependency may explain some of the variation in the benefits of deworming seen between studies, and highlights the need for obtaining a quantitative understanding of parasite interactions across realistic helminth infection ranges. However, despite this complexity, this framework reveals predictable patterns in the effects of helminths that may aid the development of more effective, integrated management strategies to combat pathogens in this coinfected world.
Effects of laser profiles on fast electron generation under the same laser energy
Authors: Hata M. , Sakagami H. , Johzaki T. , Nagatomo H.
Published: May 2013

In fast ignition, optimization of laser profile for core heating is one approach to ignite the core. However, the profile is not so optimized and its effects on fast electron characteristics are not fully clarified yet. The laser profile is optimized under the condition of same laser energy because laser energy is restricted in experiments. Therefore, we investigate effects of laser profile on fast electron generation under the condition of same laser energy. In this paper, each effect of laser temporal and spatial profile is estimated independently using two-dimensional Particle-In-Cell simulations. We conclude that lower intensity laser suitable for fast ignition under the limit of simulated parameters when energy of laser is same because efficient core-heating electrons are much generated and divergence angle is smaller in low-intensity case compared to high-intensity case.
Kleptoparasitism in the endemic gecko Phelsuma inexpectata: pollen theft from foraging honeybees on Réunion
Authors: Clémencet Johanna , Aubert Cyril , Blottière Doriane , Sanchez Mickaël
Published: May 2013

Interspecific kleptoparasitism (the stealing of already-procured items from other species) has received little attention in tropical reptiles. We report here the second case of kleptoparasitism in tropical lizards, and the first known case of pollen theft by a vertebrate species. Phelsuma inexpectata, a gekkonid lizard endemic to Réunion, was observed robbing pollen pellets from honeybees (Apis mellifera) foraging on Latania lontaroides flowers. Video-records were used to obtain reliable information on gecko-honeybee interactions occurring on L. lontaroides inflorescences. During the 19 observation periods (total duration 140 min) a total of 78 attempts were recorded, at least 40% were successful. Both males and females displayed kleptoparasitic behaviour. A high level of gecko kleptoparasitism occurred, with an average one-robbery attempt every 2 min. Behaviour of both the kleptoparasitic P. inexpectata and its host A. mellifera are described.
How do habitat and climate variation affect phenology of the Amazonian palm, Mauritia flexuosa?
Authors: Khorsand Rosa Roxaneh , Barbosa Reinaldo Imbrozio , Koptur Suzanne
Published: May 2013

Although the dioecious palm, Mauritia flexuosa plays a pivotal role in Amazonian ecology and economy, little is known about its flowering and fruiting patterns. We investigated the role of habitat and inter-annual precipitation in the phenology of M. flexuosa. We calculated sex ratios and recorded phenology for 20 mo in four populations (N = 246) of savanna–forest ecotone (two sites) and forest (two sites) habitat in Roraima, Brazilian Amazonia. Sex ratios were significantly female-biased, and >98% of females set fruit. No significant relationship was found between habitat and sex. Flowering occurred at the wet/dry season interface (August–November), and fruit maturation occurred during the wet season (May–August). Males and females flowered synchronously, and neither the onset nor termination of flowering differed significantly between habitats. Flowering was negatively associated with present precipitation and positively correlated with prior precipitation (3 mo). Fruiting was positively associated with present precipitation and unrelated to prior precipitation (3 mo). We conclude that habitat has an insignificant effect, although short-term climatic variation may influence phenology of this species in northern Amazonia. These results highlight the need for long-term studies relating flowering and fruiting events, and inter-annual climatic variation.
Epidemiology and estimated costs of a large waterborne outbreak of norovirus infection in Sweden
Authors: LARSSON C. , ANDERSSON Y. , ALLESTAM G. , LINDQVIST A. , NENONEN N. , BERGSTEDT O.
Published: May 2013

A large outbreak of norovirus (NoV) gastroenteritis caused by contaminated municipal drinking water occurred in Lilla Edet, Sweden, 2008. Epidemiological investigations performed using a questionnaire survey showed an association between consumption of municipal drinking water and illness (odds ratio 4·73, 95% confidence interval 3·53–6·32), and a strong correlation between the risk of being sick and the number of glasses of municipal water consumed. Diverse NoV strains were detected in stool samples from patients, NoV genotype I strains predominating. Although NoVs were not detected in water samples, coliphages were identified as a marker of viral contamination. About 2400 (18·5%) of the 13 000 inhabitants in Lilla Edet became ill. Costs associated with the outbreak were collected via a questionnaire survey given to organizations and municipalities involved in or affected by the outbreak. Total costs including sick leave, were estimated to be ∼8 700 000 Swedish kronor (∼€0·87 million).
Urban social space and the development of public dance hall culture in Vienna, 1780–1814
Authors: KORHONEN JOONAS JUSSI SAKARI
Published: May 2013

This article seeks to understand how the emergence of public dance hall culture affected the consumption of dance music among different social classes in Vienna between the years 1780 and 1814, when the number of dance halls more than tripled. Using mainly contemporary eyewitness accounts as sources, this article argues that social distinctions, rather than disappearing, were reinforced after the commercialization of the Viennese dance halls. As turn-of-the-century Vienna was a major city with a heterogeneous population, the diversity of social classes was reflected in its ballroom culture. This is because the Viennese elite, the nobility and the higher bourgeoisie, was very reluctant to share social space with the lower classes. Although to some degree the amount of social space expanded in the city at the time, the use of the space, however, remained socially diverse.
Sustainability or the measurement of wealth?
Authors: Cairns Robert D.
Published: May 2013

The theoretical definitions of sustainability proposed inEDE's recent symposium,Sustainability and the Measurement of Wealth, are useful for measuring national wealth but not for measuring sustainability. Moreover, because they are based on market prices and extensions to them, the empirical estimates are not indicators of sustainability. Sustainable development is defined and a theoretic indicator is proposed using maximin theory.
Certified quality systems and farming practices in olive growing: The case of integrated production in Andalusia
Authors: Hinojosa-Rodríguez Ascensión , Parra-López Carlos , Carmona-Torres Carmen , Sayadi Samir , Gallardo-Cobos Rosa
Published: May 2013

The competitiveness of the olive agrofood sector depends heavily on its ability to adapt to the current scenario of increasingly internationalized interchanges, segmentation of markets, differentiation of consumption behaviors, and changing public support for agriculture. Quality differentiation and certification through a Certified Quality System (CQS) ensure the quality of products and services beyond mandatory levels and generate a competitive advantage for certified firms. In the Andalusian olive-growing sector, the largest in the world, integrated production (IP) plays an important role. IP certifies a higher quality of the product and production process by guaranteeing the implementation of farming practices that are hypothetically more sustainable, environmentally friendly, profitable, fair for farmers, and healthy for consumers. This paper investigates the underlying factors that have conditioned the diffusion of IP and tries to confirm the differential and higher quality provided by this CQS. A survey of 400 farmers from the main olive-growing provinces of Andalusia was carried out in 2010/2011 on the basis of face-to-face interviews following a structured questionnaire. The results corroborate low levels of knowledge and adoption of most of the available CQSs in the sector. They also confirm the higher quality of IP olive products and processes since farmers adopting this CQS are implementing better farming practices from an agronomic, environmental and economic point of view. The better practices are especially those related to soil management, irrigation, phytosanitation and harvesting. Otherwise, olive farmers in general seem to be entrenched in a relatively closed information system where ‘contagion’ of information among themselves and from close sources is the main diffusion driver, with no significant influence from external sources such as public and private R&D institutions. Moreover, a lack of orientation of farmers toward satisfying customers’ requirements when innovating was detected. Strengthening the diffusion of IP would require bringing information closer to farmers in an accessible manner. The work of R&D institutions is essential in this context. Special emphasis should be placed on the medium- to long-term economic benefits and improved competitiveness associated with IP, these being the main concerns of farmers. Improved access to credit would also probably encourage its adoption. It is also necessary to convince farmers of the environmental and social benefits associated with IP. Reinforcing public policies promoting the professionalization of the sector and training in marketing are also necessary measures.
Signal Transduction in Cerebral Arteries after Subarachnoid Hemorrhage—A Phosphoproteomic Approach
Authors: Parker Benjamin L , Larsen Martin Røssel , Edvinsson Lars IH , Povlsen Gro Klitgaard
Published: May 2013

After subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH), pathologic changes in cerebral arteries contribute to delayed cerebral ischemia and poor outcome. We hypothesize such changes are triggered by early intracellular signals, targeting of which may prevent SAH-induced vasculopathy. We performed an unbiased quantitative analysis of early SAH-induced phosphorylations in cerebral arteries and evaluated identified signaling components as targets for prevention of delayed vasculopathy and ischemia. Labeled phosphopeptides from rat cerebral arteries were quantified by high-resolution tandem mass spectrometry. Selected SAH-induced phosphorylations were validated by immunoblotting and monitored over a 24-hour time course post SAH. Moreover, inhibition of key phosphoproteins was performed. Major SAH-induced phosphorylations were observed on focal adhesion complexes, extracellular regulated kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2), calcium calmodulin-dependent kinase II, signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT3) and c-Jun, the latter two downstream of ERK1/2. Inhibition of ERK1/2 6-hour post SAH prevented increases in cerebrovascular constrictor receptors, matrix metalloprotease-9, wall thickness, and improved neurologic outcome. STAT3 inhibition partially mimicked these effects. The study shows that quantitative mass spectrometry is a strong approach to study in vivo vascular signaling. Moreover, it shows that targeting of ERK1/2 prevents delayed pathologic changes in cerebral arteries and improves outcome, and identifies SAH-induced signaling components downstream and upstream of ERK1/2.
Dissociated Expression of Mitochondrial and Cytosolic Creatine Kinases in the Human Brain: A New Perspective on the Role of Creatine in Brain Energy Metabolism
Authors: Lowe Matthew TJ , Kim Eric H , Faull Richard LM , Christie David L , Waldvogel Henry J
Published: May 2013

The phosphocreatine/creatine kinase (PCr/CK) system in the brain is defined by the expression of two CK isozymes: the cytosolic brain-type CK (BCK) and the ubiquitous mitochondrial CK (uMtCK). The system plays an important role in supporting cellular energy metabolism by buffering adenosine triphosphate (ATP) consumption and improving the flux of high-energy phosphoryls around the cell. This system is well defined in muscle tissue, but there have been few detailed studies of this system in the brain, especially in humans. Creatine is known to be important for neurologic function, and its loss from the brain during development can lead to mental retardation. This study provides the first detailed immunohistochemical study of the expression pattern of BCK and uMtCK in the human brain. A strikingly dissociated pattern of expression was found: uMtCK was found to be ubiquitously and exclusively expressed in neuronal populations, whereas BCK was dominantly expressed in astrocytes, with a low and selective expression in neurons. This pattern indicates that the two CK isozymes are not widely coexpressed in the human brain, but rather are selectively expressed depending on the cell type. These results suggest that the brain cells may use only certain properties of the PCr/CK system depending on their energetic requirements.
Proteolytic processing of QSOX1A ensures efficient secretion of a potent disulfide catalyst
Authors: Rudolf Jana , Pringle Marie A. , Bulleid Neil J.
Published: May 2013

QSOX1 (quiescin sulfhydryl oxidase 1) efficiently catalyses the insertion of disulfide bonds into a wide range of proteins. The enzyme is mechanistically well characterized, but its subcellular location and the identity of its protein substrates remain ill-defined. The function of QSOX1 is likely to involve disulfide formation in proteins entering the secretory pathway or outside the cell. In the present study, we show that this enzyme is efficiently secreted from mammalian cells despite the presence of a transmembrane domain. We identify internal cleavage sites and demonstrate that the protein is processed within the Golgi apparatus to yield soluble enzyme. As a consequence of this efficient processing, QSOX1 is probably functional outside the cell. Also, QSOX1 forms a dimer upon cleavage of the C-terminal domain. The processing of QSOX1 suggests a novel level of regulation of secretion of this potent disulfide catalyst and producer of hydrogen peroxide.
Apport de la reconstruction tridimensionnelle à l’aide du logiciel 3DNEO® dans le traitement chirurgico-orthodontique des dents incluses
Authors: Messaoudi Yassine , Coudert Jean-Loup , Aknin Jean-Jacques
Published: May 2013

Contexte : Dans le traitement chirurgico-orthodontique des dents incluses, le diagnostic et l’élaboration d’une solution thérapeutique peuvent être difficiles à réaliser avec les méthodes conventionnelles de radiographie. Objectif : Le but de cet article sera de présenter et d’évaluer les perspectives d’aide apportée au diagnostic et à la thérapeutique par un logiciel de reconstruction tridimensionnelle (3DNEO®, 3DNEOVISION) dans le cadre de la chirurgie mini-invasive et du traitement orthodontique assisté par informatique. Matériels et méthodes : Les données radiologiques d’une série de patients présentant des dents incluses sont analysées à l’aide d’un logiciel basé sur un algorithme utilisant la « croissance de région » et permettant la création d’une scène 3D. Résultats : L’utilisation de ce logiciel nous permet d’obtenir des reconstructions tridimensionnelles de type surfacique et ainsi d’entrevoir de nombreuses applications cliniques : localiser et visualiser précisément les rapports de la dent incluse avec les éléments anatomiques adjacents sous l’angle de vue désiré, associer/dissocier les différents éléments de la scène 3D, mesurer les distances, calculer les axes de traction, matérialiser le chemin de traction et le point optimal de collage de l’attache orthodontique, préparer dans le virtuel le geste chirurgical et le plan de traitement orthodontique, pouvoir transférer les étapes et les dimensions du virtuel au réel. Conclusion : L’utilisation de tels logiciels 3D nous permet d’améliorer le diagnostic et d’affiner le plan de traitement des dents incluses, dans le but de réduire le risque d’échec des tractions et de prodiguer des soins à la fois plus confortables et de meilleure qualité à nos patients.
Relation entre la chirurgie orthognatique et les dysfonctionnements de l’appareil manducateur. Revue de la littérature
Authors: Chauvel-Lebret Dominique , Leroux Agathe , Sorel Olivier
Published: May 2013

Les dysfonctionnements de l’appareil manducateur (DAM) correspondent aux douleurs et aux troubles du fonctionnement de l’appareil manducateur en rapport avec une anomalie musculo-squelettique. Le caractère multifactoriel des étiologies est maintenant reconnu. Parmi les étiologies, le rôle de la chirurgie orthodontique est encore discuté. L’analyse de la littérature de 2000 à 2011 révèle, pour la plupart des auteurs, une diminution de la fréquence et de l’intensité des signes cliniques après la chirurgie, en particulier les douleurs et les claquements. Certains facteurs de risque pourraient influencer les résultats post-chirurgicaux. Les études concernant les facteurs de risque liés au patient comme l’âge, le sexe, le type de dysmorphose ne permettent pas de conclure. Les techniques chirurgicales et le mode opératoire utilisé pourraient avoir une influence sur l’évolution des signes cliniques des dysfonctionnements de l’appareil manducateur post-chirurgicaux.
A self-referencing biosensor based upon a dual-mode external cavity laser
Authors: Zhang Meng , Ge Chun , Lu Meng , Zhang Zhixiong , Cunningham Brian T.
Published: May 2013

To improve the ability of an external cavity laser (ECL) biosensor to more easily distinguish true signals caused by biomolecular binding from a variety of sources of background noise, two photonic crystal (PC) resonant reflectors were incorporated into a single flow cell, with one of the PCs performing the detection function and the other one serving as a reference sensor. The ECL-based sensor system simultaneously emits at two distinct wavelengths corresponding to two different longitudinal cavity modes selected by the sensing and reference PC reflectors. The surface of the sensing PC filter was functionalized by a biomolecule recognition layer and exhibited narrowband reflection with the peak reflection wavelength at 856 nm. The reference PC was untreated and had the peak reflection wavelength at 859 nm. The PCs were bond to the upper and lower surfaces of a thin chamber frame, forming a flow cell. Utilizing the reference external cavity mode, the dual-mode ECL sensor system eliminated common-mode noise sources, including thermal drift, refractive index variations of the analyte solution, and nonspecific biomolecule binding.
Dielectric relaxation in weakly ergodic dilute dipole systems
Authors: Lerner Shimon E. , Mierzwa Michal , Paluch Marian , Feldman Yuri , Ishai Paul Ben
Published: May 2013

We introduce a method for calculating dipole correlations in systems containing hopping processes exhibiting weak ergodicity breaking. Modeled after the original Kirkwood-Fröhlich theory, the new method provides a bridge extending Fröhlich's insights from the realm of rigid dipoles into weakly non-ergodic fluctuating virtual dipolar entities. Relevant for the investigation of any system containing transport processes, it provides a testable parameter derived primarily from the static dielectric parameters. Three examples of systems including porous silicon, porous glass, and ferroelectric crystals are brought to demonstrate the model's versatility, including direct confirmation of Fröhlich's original idea.
Data driven Langevin modeling of biomolecular dynamics
Authors: Schaudinnus Norbert , Rzepiela Andrzej J. , Hegger Rainer , Stock Gerhard
Published: May 2013

Based on a given time series, the data-driven Langevin equation proposed by Hegger and Stock [J. Chem. Phys. 130, 034106 (2009)10.1063/1.3058436] aims to construct a low-dimensional dynamical model of the system. Adopting various simple model problems of biomolecular dynamics, this work presents a systematic study of the theoretical virtues and limitations as well as of the practical applicability and performance of the method. As the method requires only local information, the input data need not to be Boltzmann weighted in order to warrant that the Langevin model yields correct Boltzmann-distributed results. Moreover, a delay embedding of the state vector allows for the treatment of memory effects. The robustness of the modeling with respect to wrongly chosen model parameters or low sampling is discussed, as well as the treatment of inertial effects. Given sufficiently sampled input data, the Langevin modeling is shown to successfully recover the correct statistics (such as the probability distribution) and the dynamics (such as the position autocorrelation function) of all considered problems.
Design length scales for carbon nanotube photoabsorber based photovoltaic materials and devices
Authors: Wu Meng-Yin , Jacobberger Robert M. , Arnold Michael S.
Published: May 2013

Semiconducting carbon nanotubes are attractive materials for harvesting light in photovoltaic solar cells and photodetectors. A crucial aspect of designing efficient photovoltaic devices using nanotubes is minimizing the length scale for the absorption of light (LA) and maximizing the length scale across which excitons diffuse (LD) in fibers and films of these materials. In order to facilitate the optimization of these parameters, here we model how LA and LD are affected by nanotube bandgap polydispersity, inter-nanotube coupling, film disorder, orientation, and defects. Our models are guided by previous experimental measurements of optical absorption spectra and exciton inter-nanotube transfer rates made on isolated and bundled nanotubes in conjunction with kinetic Monte Carlo simulations. Our results provide criteria for materials selection and the design of efficient carbon nanotube-based light harvesting devices, in various architectures.
Melting line of polymeric nitrogen
Authors: Yakub L. N.
Published: May 2013

We made an attempt to predict location of the melting line of polymeric nitrogen using two equations for Helmholtz free energy: proposed earlier for cubic gauche-structure and developed recently for liquid polymerized nitrogen. The P–T relation, orthobaric densities and latent heat of melting were determined using a standard double tangent construction. The estimated melting temperature decreases with increasing pressure, alike the temperature of molecular–nonmolecular transition in solid. We discuss the possibility of a triple point (solid–molecular fluid–polymeric fluid) at ∼80 GPa and observed maximum of melting temperature of nitrogen.
Ionic model for highly compressed solid hydrogen
Authors: Yakub E. S.
Published: May 2013

We propose a simple ionic model for high-pressure conducting phase IV of solid hydrogen observed recently at room temperature. It is based on an assumption of dissociative ionization of hydrogen molecules 3H2=2H2(+)+2H(−) induced by high compression. The proposed model predicts the first order transition of molecular hydrogen solid into partly ionic conducting phase at megabar pressures and describes the temperature dependence of resistivity at room temperature. Its predictions are consistent with high temperature shock-compression experiments which exhibit conductivity of multiply shocked hydrogen. The location of phase transition line, the volume change, and the ionization degree in solid phase IV are estimated.
Hydrogen at extreme pressures (Review Article)
Authors: Goncharov Alexander F. , Howie Ross T. , Gregoryanz Eugene
Published: May 2013

Here we review recent experimental and theoretical studies of hydrogen approaching metallization regime. Experimental techniques have made great advances over the last several years making it possible to reach previously unachievable conditions of pressure and temperature and to probe hydrogen at these conditions. Theoretical methods have also greatly improved; exemplified through the prediction of new structural and ordered quantum states. Recently, a new solid phase of hydrogen, phase IV, has been discovered in a high-pressure high-temperature domain. This phase is quite unusual structurally and chemically as it represents an intermediate state between common molecular and monatomic configurations. Moreover, it shows remarkable fluxional characteristics related to its quantum nature, which makes it unique among the solid phases, even of light elements. However, phase IV shows the presence of a band gap and exhibits distinct phonon and libron characteristic of classical solids. The quantum behavior of hydrogen in the limit of very high pressure remains an open question. Prospects of studying hydrogen at more extreme conditions by static and combined static-dynamic methods are also presented.
Screening properties of Gaussian electrolyte models, with application to dissipative particle dynamics
Authors: Warren Patrick B. , Vlasov Andrey , Anton Lucian , Masters Andrew J.
Published: May 2013

We investigate the screening properties of Gaussian charge models of electrolyte solutions by analysing the asymptotic behaviour of the pair correlation functions. We use a combination of Monte Carlo simulations with the hyper-netted chain integral equation closure, and the random phase approximation, to establish the conditions under which a screening length is well defined and the extent to which it matches the expected Debye length. For practical applications, for example, in dissipative particle dynamics, we are able to summarise our results in succinct rules-of-thumb which can be used for mesoscale modeling of electrolyte solutions. We thereby establish a solid foundation for future work, such as the systematic incorporation of specific ion effects.
Narrow bandpass cryogenic filter for microwave measurements
Authors: Ivanov B. I. , Klimenko D. N. , Sultanov A. N. , Il'ichev E. , Meyer H.-G.
Published: May 2013

An ultra-wide stopband hairpin bandpass filter with integrated nonuniform transmission lines was designed and fabricated for highly sensitive measurements at cryogenic temperatures down to millikelvin and a frequency range of 10 Hz–10 GHz. The scattering matrices of the filter were characterized at T = 4.2 K. The filter provides a stopband from 10 Hz to 2.2 GHz and from 2.3 GHz to 10 GHz with more than 50 dB and 40 dB of amplitude suppression, respectively. The center frequency of the passband is f0 = 2.25 GHz with a bandwidth Δf = 80 MHz. The maximum insertion loss in the passband is 4 dB. The filter has a 50 Ω input and output impedance, SubMiniature version A connector termination, and significantly reduced form factor. The wide stopband frequency range and narrow passband in conjunction with small dimensions make the filter suitable to use it as a part of a high sensitive readout for superconducting quantum circuits, such as superconducting quantum bits and cryogenic parametric amplifiers.
Self-standing quasi-mosaic crystals for focusing hard X-rays
Authors: Camattari Riccardo , Guidi Vincenzo , Bellucci Valerio , Neri Ilaria , Frontera Filippo , Jentschel Michael
Published: May 2013

A quasi mosaic bent crystal for high-resolution diffraction of X and γ rays has been realized. A net curvature was imprinted to the crystal thanks to a series of superficial grooves to keep the curvature without external devices. The crystal highlights very high diffraction efficiency due to quasi mosaic curvature. Quasi mosaic crystals of this kind are proposed for the realization of a high-resolution focusing Laue lens for hard X-rays.
Structure and phase transition peculiarities in solid nitrous oxide and attempts at their explanation
Authors: Drobyshev A. , Aldiyarov A. , Korshikov E. , Kurnosov V. , Sokolov D. , Tokmoldin N.
Published: May 2013

Cryogenic vacuum deposited films of nitrous oxide were studied for the following conditions: a mirror-like silver-coated copper substrate; deposition temperature 16 K; gas phase pressure during deposition 10−3 Pa. Analysis of IR-spectroscopic and thermal desorption data leads to the following conclusion. The transition from the amorphous to the crystalline state in the vicinity of 40 K proceeds in several steps that reflect the relaxation processes related to different molecular vibrations. The differences in the temperature intervals of the transitions are determined by the activation energies of the relevant vibrations. It was shown that cryocondensation at 16 K is accompanied by the appearance of flashes on the condensate surface. Based on the uniform nature of the observed processes, a model based on several possible isomorphic molecular states of nitrous oxide is suggested.