bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Treatment of saline, acidic, metal-contaminated groundwater from the Western Australian Wheatbelt
Authors: Franzmann P. D. , Plumb J. J. , Wylie J. T. , Robertson W. J. , Douglas G. B. , Bastow T. P. , Kaksonen A. H. , Puhakka J. A.
Published: December 2008

Managing acidic, metal-containing saline ground and drainage waters in the Wheatbelt of Western Australia is an environmental and economic challenge. Sulfate-reducing fluidised bed bioreactors are shown to be technically capable of treating high salt, low pH, metal containing waters from the town of Narembeen in the Wheatbelt so as to reduce acidity and to remove most of the undesirable metal contaminants. The hydraulic residence time (HRT) limit for a stable process with groundwater from the region of Narembeen was >16 hours. The maximal rate of sulfate reduction in the laboratory system treating Narembeen groundwater was similar to rates observed in comparable applications of the process at other sites, ca. 3 g sulfate (L-reactor)−1 day−1. Salts that are relatively free of metal contaminants can be produced from water that has been treated by the sulfate-reducing fluidised bed bioreactor. It is unlikely that metal precipitates, captured from Wheatbelt waters by the process, would be of economic value. If sulfate-reducing fluidised bed reactors were considered technologically appropriate at larger scale, the decision to use them would be based on the necessity to take action, the comparative effectiveness of competing technologies, and the relative costs of competing technologies.
Limitations of a membrane gradostat bioreactor designed for enzyme production from biofilms of Phanerochaete chrysosporium
Authors: Ntwampe S. K. O. , Sheldon M. S. , Volschenk H.
Published: December 2008

Growing interest has been shown in the continuous production of high-value products such as extracellular secondary metabolites used in the biotechnology, bioremediation and pharmaceutical industries. These high-value extracellular secondary metabolites are mostly produced in submerged fermentations. However, the use of continuous membrane bioreactors was determined to be highly productive. A novel membrane bioreactor, classified as a membrane gradostat reactor (MGR) was developed to immobilize biofilms to produce extracellular secondary metabolites continuously using an externally unskinned and internally skinned membrane. Anaerobic zones were identified in the MGR system when air was used for aeration. To improve the MGR system, limitations related to the performance of the bioreactor were determined using P. chrysosporium. A DO penetration depth of ±450 μm was identified after 264 h, with the anaerobic zone thickness reaching ∼1,943 μm in the immobilised biofilms. The penetration ratio, decreased from 0.42 after 72 h to 0.14 after 264 h. This led to the production of ethanol in the range of 10 to 56 mg/L in the MCMGR and 7 to 54 mg/L in SCMGR systems. This was attributed to an increase in β-glucan within immobilised biofilms when an oxygen enriched aeration source was used. Increasing lipid peroxidation and trace element accumulation was observed with the use of an oxygen enriched aeration source.
Inhomogeneous feed gas processing in industrial ozone generation
Authors: Krogh Fabio , Merz Reto , Gisler Rudolf , Müller Marco , Paolini Bernhard , Lopez Jose L. , Freilich Alfred
Published: December 2008

The synthesis of ozone by means of dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) is extensively used in industry. Ozone generators available on the market differ in ozone production capacities, electrode arrangements and working parameters, but operate with a uniformly distributed filamentary discharge plasma pattern.

In the presented work the benefits of inhomogeneous feed gas processing are explored. Causality between power induction, production efficiency and working parameters are investigated. Different electrode arrangements, evenly distributed within a given space parameter, were designed, simulated, manufactured and tested on a representative scale. A finite element model was utilized to simulate an inhomogeneous power induction pattern along the ozone generator tube. The simulation yielded the local power density, the local gas temperature gradient and the relative DBD packing density.

Results show that the degree of filamentation turns out to be decisive, indicating a new potential by means of plasma tailoring. An arrangement with a pronounced power induction at the inlet of the ozone generator revealed several advantages over homogeneous plasma processing arrangements, for which an increase in robustness and a reduction in electrical power consumption are achieved.
Runoff pollution impacts of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in street dusts from a stream network town
Authors: Zhao Hongtao , Yin Chengqing , Chen Meixue , Wang Weidong
Published: December 2008

Runoff with contaminated street dusts has an environmental risk to the aquatic environment. An assessment of the diffuse pollution of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) from a small town and their risks to the township stream network was conducted at Yangtze River delta. This assessment is based on measurements of 16 PAHs from the US EPA priority list by GC-MS in stream water during rainy and dry season, street dusts with different particle sizes, river sediments and suspended solids of urban runoff. The maximum level of PAHs in the stream water (2,323–4,948 ng L−1) were found during rainy season, while significantly lower PAHs concentrations (242–998 ng L−1) were measured during dry season. The total PAHs ranged from 1,629 to 8,986 μg kg−1 in the street dusts. Approximately 55% of the total PAHs were associated with street dust particles of diameters less than 250 μm and these accounted for 40% of the total. The town reaches sediments were rich in PAHs and it was suggested as the sink of street dusts. The research findings suggested that size of street dusts, the topographical and hydrological features of the landscape in the stream network were the important factors influencing PAH emitted to the receiving water. The contribution of urban surface runoff could significantly influence PAHs concentration in the stream water. To reduce the pollution of street dust into the stream network, the buffer zone along the hydrological pathway is suggested and the existing street cleaning methods should also be improved.
A probabilistic cellular automaton for two dimensional contaminant transport simulation in ground water
Authors: Palanichamy Jegathambal , Schüttrumpf Holger , Palani Sundarambal
Published: December 2008

In recent years evolutionary computing algorithms have been proposed to solve many engineering problems. Genetic algorithms, Neural Networks, and Cellular Automata are the branches of evolutionary computing techniques. In this study, it is proposed to simulate the contaminant transport in porous media using a Cellular Automaton. The physical processes and chemical reactions occurring in the ground water system are intricately connected at various scales of space, time, transport coefficients and molecular concentration. The validity of continuous approach for the simulation of chemical systems with low concentration of species and intracellular environments has become subtle. Due to the difference in scales of various processes that occur in the ground water system, the description of the system can be well defined in the intermediate scale called mesoscopic scale, which is in between microscopic and macroscopic description. Mesoscopic models provide the relationship between various parameters and their evolvement in time, thus establishing the contact between modeling at various scales at the interface. In this paper, a Probabilistic Cellular Automaton (PCA) model has been developed based on the transport and reaction probability values. The developed model was verified and validated for one, two dimensional transport systems and also for the simulation of BTEX transport in two dimensional system in ground water.
Learning Bayesian networks based diagnosis system for wastewater treatment process with sensor data
Authors: Cheon Seong-Pyo , Kim Sungshin , Kim Jongrack , Kim Changwon
Published: December 2008

Contemporary technical capabilities allow an operator to easily monitor and control several remote wastewater treatment processes simultaneously but an on-line automatic diagnostic system has not yet been installed. In this paper, an on-line diagnostic system is proposed, designed and implemented for the lab-scale five-stage step-feed Enhanced Biological Phosphorus Removal plant based upon a learning Bayesian network. In order to practically diagnose wastewater treatment processes, a lab-scale pilot plant was built and the proposed on-line diagnostic method was applied to evaluate the performance of the algorithm. In experimental results, real abnormal conditions occurred 21 times in a three month period. The suggested on-line diagnosis system made correct predictions 14 times and incorrect predictions 7 times. Moreover, a comparison of the prediction results of the Bayesian model and learning Bayesian model clearly show that learning algorithm became more effective as time passed.
An Energy Approach for the Placement of Controllers & Sensors in a Power System
Authors: Nguyen Toan Dang , Georges Didier , Tran Quoc Tuan
Published: December 2008

The paper presents an energy approach based on controllability and observability gramians for the optimal location of controllers/sensors in large-scale power systems. This approach consists of solving a stochastic optimization problem based on scenarios reflecting various operational situations (load changes, line tripping). This approach could be regarded as part of a structural optimization procedure aiming at defining some new control systems in the context of security improvements of large-scale power systems. Application to the "Two-area power system" gives very promising results.
Interleukin-18 Is a Strong Predictor of Cardiovascular Events in Elderly Men With the Metabolic Syndrome
Authors: Trøseid Marius , Seljeflot Ingebjørg , Hjerkinn Elsa M. , Arnesen Harald
Published: December 2008

OBJECTIVE—The aim of this study was to investigate the role of inflammatory markers as potential predictors of cardiovascular events in subjects with and without the metabolic syndrome.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS—This was a post hoc analysis from the Diet and Omega-3 Intervention Trial (DOIT), comprising 563 elderly men with (n = 221) and without (n = 342) metabolic syndrome. Circulating inflammatory markers were measured.

RESULTS—During 3 years, 68 cardiovascular events were recorded. In the total population, C-reactive protein (CRP) (P < 0.001), interleukin-18 (IL-18) (P = 0.008), and IL-6 (P = 0.003) were elevated in subjects with events. In subjects with metabolic syndrome, IL-18 was the strongest predictor (adjusted odds ratio 2.9 [95% CI 1.1–7.8]). In subjects without metabolic syndrome, only CRP seemed to be an independent predictor (3.3 [1.5–7.3]). There was a significant interaction between fasting glucose and IL-18 (P = 0.008) and IL-6 (P = 0.024) but not CRP. Elevated fasting glucose (>6.2 mmol/l) markedly increased the predictive power of inflammatory markers (IL-18: 5.5 [1.4–21.1], IL-6: 3.5 [1.0–11.8], and CRP: 3.5 [1.0–11.9]). For IL-18, there was a stepwise increase in event rate by quartiles of fasting glucose.

CONCLUSIONS—IL-18 was an independent predictor of cardiovascular events in subjects with metabolic syndrome and even more so in the presence of elevated fasting glucose. Our findings suggest a mutually potentiating effect of hyperglycemia and inflammation in cardiovascular risk prediction.
On the Ricci operator of locally homogeneous Lorentzian 3-manifolds
Authors: Calvaruso Giovanni , Kowalski Oldrich
Published: December 2008

We determine the admissible forms for the Ricci operator of three-dimensional locally homogeneous Lorentzian manifolds.
Anabolic androgenic steroids effects on the immune system: a review
Authors: Marshall-Gradisnik Sonya , Green Rachel , Brenu Ekua , Weatherby Robert
Published: December 2008

Androgenic anabolic steroids (AAS) are synthetic derivatives of the male hormone testosterone. AAS are used by athletes and recreational users of all ages to enhance their athletic performance and/or physical appearance. While several adverse effects of AAS abuse have been described, their effect on the immune system has not been clearly elucidated. The literature generally indicates that supraphysiologic doses of AAS with an intact steroid nucleus are immunosuppressive, that is they reduce immune cell number and function. While those with alterations to the steroid nucleus are immunostimulatory as they induce the proliferation of T cells and other immune cells. Specifically, several common AAS have been shown to adversely influence lymphocyte differentiation and proliferation, antibody production, Natural Killer Cytotoxic activity and the production of certain cytokines, thereby altering the immune reaction. These effects may be profound and long lasting depending on the dosing regime, types or combinations of AAS used and the extent and duration of AAS abuse. Nevertheless, the effects of long term use of supraphysiologic doses of AAS on the immune system remain uncertain.
Toll-like receptors and their role in carcinogenesis and anti-tumor treatment
Authors: Wolska Anna , Lech-Marańda Ewa , Robak Tadeusz
Published: December 2008

Toll-like receptors (TLRs) have been described as major components of the innate immune system, recognizing the conserved molecular structures found in the large groups of pathogens called pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMPs). TLR expression is ubiquitous, from epithelial to immunocompetent cells. TLR ligation triggers several adapter proteins and downstream kinases, leading to the induction of key pro-inflammatory mediators but also anti-inflammatory and anti-tumor cytokines. The result of this activation goes beyond innate immunity to shape the adaptive responses against pathogens and tumor cells, and maintains host homeostasis via cell debris utilization. TLRs have already become potent targets in infectious disease treatment and vaccine therapy and in neoplastic disease treatment, due to their ability to enhance antigen presentation. However, some studies show the dual effect of TLR stimulation on malignant cells: they can be proapoptotic or promote survival under different conditions. It is therefore crucial to design further studies assessing the biology of these receptors in normal and transformed cells. The established role of TLRs in human disease therapy is based on TLR7 and TLR4 agonists, respectively for the novel treatment of some types of skin cancer and for the anti-hepatitis B virus vaccine. Some clinical trials involving TLR agonists as potent enhancers of the anti-tumor response in solid tumors have begun.
Calcium sulphate scaling in membrane distillation process
Authors: Gryta Marek
Published: December 2008

Formation of precipitates containing CaSO4 during membrane distillation, applied to the concentration of aqueous salt solutions, is discussed in this paper. It was found that the concentration of SO42− ions in such solutions should not exceed 600 mg L−1 when they are subjected to concentration. However, concentration of sulphates at the level of 800 mg L−1 in the feed is permissible provided that the excess of CaSO4 is removed in a crystallizer. Crystallisation of salts, mainly CaSO4 · 2H2O, on the surface and inside the membrane was observed at higher feed concentrations, causing damage of the module. Precipitation of calcium sulphate was also observed during the production of demineralised water when high values of the water recovery coefficient (above 90 %) were used. In this case, the formed precipitate also contained CaCO3, the co-precipitation of which significantly changed the properties of the scaling layer. The precipitate containing both CaSO4 and CaCO3 was formed mainly on the membrane surface and it could easily be removed by rinsing the module with a HCl solution.
Web 3D for Public, Environmental and Occupational Health: Early Examples from Second Life®
Authors: Kamel Boulos Maged  N. , Ramloll Rameshsharma , Jones Ray , Toth-Cohen Susan
Published: December 2008

Over the past three years (2006-2008), the medical/health and public health communities have shown a growing interest in using online 3D virtual worlds like Second Life® (http://secondlife.com/) for health education, community outreach, training and simulations purposes. 3D virtual worlds are seen as the precursors of ‘Web 3D’, the next major iteration of the Internet that will follow in the coming years. This paper provides a tour of several flagship Web 3D experiences in Second Life®, including Play2Train Islands (emergency preparedness training), the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention—CDC Island (public health), Karuna Island (AIDS support and information), Tox Town at Virtual NLM Island (US National Library of Medicine - environmental health), and Jefferson’s Occupational Therapy Center. We also discuss the potential and future of Web 3D. These are still early days of 3D virtual worlds, and there are still many more untapped potentials and affordances of 3D virtual worlds that are yet to be explored, as the technology matures further and improves over the coming months and years.
Vasorelaxant and Antioxidant Activities of Spilanthes acmella Murr.
Authors: Wongsawatkul Orapin , Prachayasittikul Supaluk , Isarankura-Na-Ayudhya Chartchalerm , Satayavivad Jutamaad , Ruchirawat Somsak , Prachayasittikul Virapong
Published: December 2008

This study reports the effect of Spilanthes acmella Murr. extracts on phenylephrine-induced contraction of rat thoracic aorta as well as their antioxidant activity. Results show that the extracts exert maximal vasorelaxations in a dose-dependent manner, but their effects are less than acetylcholine-induced nitric oxide (NO) vasorelaxation. Significant reduction of vasorelaxations is observed in both NG-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME) and indomethacin (INDO). In the presence of L-NAME plus INDO, synergistic effects are observed, leading to loss of vasorelaxation of both acetylcholine and the extracts. Similarly, the vasorelaxations of the extracts are completely abolished upon the removal of endothelial cells. This demonstrates that the extracts exhibit vasorelaxation via partially endothelium-induced NO and prostacyclin in a dose-dependent manner. Significantly, the ethyl acetate extract exerts immediate vasorelaxation (ED50 76.1 ng/mL) and is the most potent antioxidant (DPPH assay). The chloroform extract shows the highest vasorelaxation and antioxidation (SOD assay). These reveal a potential source of vasodilators and antioxidants.
Characterization of Hydrocortisone Biometabolites and 18S rRNA Gene in Chlamydomonas reinhardtii Cultures
Authors: Ghasemi Younes , Rasoul-Amini Sara , Morowvat Mohammad Hossein , Raee Mohammad Javad , Ghoshoon Mohammad Bagher , Nouri Fatemeh , Negintaji Narges , Parvizi Rezvan , Mosavi-Azam Seyed Bagher
Published: December 2008

A unicellular microalga, Chlamydomonas reinhardtii, was isolated from rice paddy-field soil and water samples and used in the biotransformation of hydrocortisone (1). This strain has not been previously tested for steroid bioconversion. Fermentation was carried out in BG-11 medium supplemented with 0.05% substrate at 25ºC for 14 days of incubation. The products obtained were chromatographically purified and characterized using spectroscopic methods. 11b,17b-Dihydroxyandrost-4-en-3-one (2), 11b-hydroxyandrost-4-en-3,17-dione (3), 11b,17a,20b,21-tetrahydroxypregn-4-en-3-one (4) and prednisolone (5) were the main products of the bioconversion. The observed bioreaction features were the side chain degradation of the substrate to give compounds 2 and 3 and the 20-ketone reduction and 1,2-dehydrogenation affording compounds 4 and 5, respectively. A time course study showed the accumulation of product 2 from the second day of the fermentation and of compounds 3, 4 and 5 from the third day. All the metabolites reached their maximum concentration in seven days. Microalgal 18S rRNA gene was also amplified by PCR. PCR products were sequenced to confirm their authenticity as 18S rRNA gene of microalgae. The result of PCR blasted with other sequenced microalgae in NCBI showed 100% homology to the 18S small subunit rRNA of two Chlamydomonas reinhardtii spp.
Fully-Non-Contact Masking-Based Holography Inspection on Dimensionally Responsive Artwork Materials
Authors: Tornari Vivi , Bernikola Eirini , Nevin Austin , Kouloumpi Eleni , Doulgeridis Michalis , Fotakis Costas
Published: December 2008

Environmental control in galleries and museums is a necessity and is informed by the knowledge of ongoing processes of deterioration which can threaten the integrity and stability of artworks. Invisible dimensional changes in many works of art occur following environmental fluctuations as materials respond to the changes in humidity and temperature. The constant influence of dimensional changes usually remains invisible until displacement generates visible deterioration and irreversible damage. This paper exploits fully non contact coherent interferometry in a sequential masking procedure for visualising and studying surface deformation which is the direct effect of dimensional alterations induced by humidity changes. Surface deformation during dimensional displacements of constituent materials may occur on any artwork within an unstable environment. In this context, the presented research study explores the diagnostic potential of fully non contact sensors for the direct structural assessment of environmental effects as they occur in real time on works of art. The method is employed to characterise material responses, complementing and improving understanding of material behaviour in unstable environments.
A Nonoxidative Electrochemical Sensor Based on a Self-Doped Polyaniline/Carbon Nanotube Composite for Sensitive and Selective Detection of the Neurotransmitter Dopamine: A Review
Authors: Ali Shah R. , Parajuli Rishi R. , Balogun Yetunde , Ma Yufeng , He Huixin
Published: December 2008

Most of the current techniques for in vivo detection of dopamine exploit the ease of oxidation of this compound. The major problem during the detection is the presence of a high concentration of ascorbic acid that is oxidized at nearly the same potential as dopamine on bare electrodes. Furthermore, the oxidation product of dopamine reacts with ascorbic acid present in samples and regenerates dopamine again, which severely limits the accuracy of the detection. Meanwhile, the product could also form a melanin-like insulating film on the electrode surface, which decreases the sensitivity of the electrode. Various surface modifications on the electrode, new materials for making the electrodes, and new electrochemical techniques have been exploited to solve these problems. Recently we developed a new electrochemical detection method that did not rely on direct oxidation of dopamine on electrodes, which may naturally solve these problems. This approach takes advantage of the high performance of our newly developed poly(anilineboronic acid)/carbon nanotube composite and the excellent permselectivity of the ion-exchange polymer Nafion. The high affinity binding of dopamine to the boronic acid groups of the polymer affects the electrochemical properties of the polyaniline backbone, which act as the basis for the transduction mechanism of this non-oxidative dopamine sensor. The unique reduction capability and high conductivity of single-stranded DNA functionalized single-walled carbon nanotubes greatly improved the electrochemical activity of the polymer in a physiologically-relevant buffer, and the large surface area of the carbon nanotubes increased the density of the boronic acid receptors. The high sensitivity and selectivity of the sensor show excellent promise toward molecular diagnosis of Parkinson's disease. In this review, we will focus on the discussion of this novel detection approach, the new interferences in this detection approach, and how to eliminate these interferences toward in vivo and in vitro detection of the neurotransmitter dopamine.
A Synthetic Lectin for O‐Linked β‐N‐Acetylglucosamine
Authors: Ferrand Yann , Klein Emmanuel , Barwell Nicholas P. , Crump Matthew P. , Jiménez‐Barbero Jesus , Vicent Cristina , Boons Geert‐Jan , Ingale Sampat , Davis Anthony P.
Published: December 2008

Changing employment: Receptor 1 binds β‐N‐acetylglucosaminyl (β‐GlcNAc) up to 100 times more strongly than it does glucose. This synthetic lectin shows affinities similar to wheat germ agglutinin (WGA), a natural lectin used to bind GlcNAc. Remarkably, 1 is more selective than WGA. It favors especially the glycoside unit in glycopeptide 2, a model of the serine‐O‐GlcNAc posttranslational protein modification.

magnified image
η3‐Diphosphavinylcarbene: A P2 Analogue of the Dötz Intermediate
Authors: Aktas Halil , Slootweg J. Chris , Ehlers Andreas W. , Lutz Martin , Spek Anthony L. , Lammertsma Koop
Published: December 2008

Do the twist: The reaction of in situ generated phosphinidenes with phosphaalkynes is a facile route to the new metal‐coordinated η3‐diphosphavinylcarbene 1, which shows facile ligand‐exchange reactions and undergoes an unprecedented rearrangement that involves phosphinidene complex 2 and η3‐phosphaalkenylphosphinidene complex 3, the 1,3 isomer of 1.

magnified image
Molecular analysis of juvenile hormone analog action in controlling the metamorphosis of the red flour beetle, Tribolium castaneum
Authors: Parthasarathy R. , Palli Subba R.
Published: December 2008

The juvenile hormone analogs (JHA) are known to disrupt insect development but the molecular mechanisms of their action have been studied only in a few model insects belonging to orders Diptera and Lepidoptera. Here, we investigated the mechanisms of JHA action in red flour beetle, Tribolium castaneum, belonging to the order Coleoptera. Application of JHA during penultimate and final instar larval stages blocked larval‐pupal metamorphosis and induced supernumerary larval molts. When compared to the control insects undergoing larval‐pupal molt, down‐regulation of expression of transcription factor, Broad, and up‐regulation of other genes involved in 20‐hydroxyecdysone (20E) action (FTZ‐F1, E74) were observed in JHA‐treated larvae undergoing supernumerary larval molts. The presence of JHA during the final instar larval stage blocked the midgut remodeling wherein programmed cell death (PCD) of larval cells and proliferation and differentiation of imaginal cells to pupal gut epithelium were impaired. The comparative analysis of 20E‐induced gene expression in the midguts of JHA‐treated and control insects revealed that JHA suppressed the expression of EcRA, EcRB, Broad, E74, E75A, and E75B, resulting in a block in PCD as well as proliferation and differentiation of imaginal cells. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Sex and racial differences in bladder cancer presentation and mortality in the US
Authors: Scosyrev Emil , Noyes Katia , Feng Changyong , Messing Edward
Published: December 2008

BACKGROUD:

Sex, race, and age at diagnosis have a significant impact on mortality from bladder cancer (BC). Women, African Americans of both sexes, and the elderly, all experience higher mortality rates. Tumor grade, stage, and histologic type at presentation also affect outcome. To determine whether age and tumor characteristics alone explain the excess hazard of death from BC observed in some demographic groups, the authors queried the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) limited‐use database for the presentations of and outcomes from BC between 1990 and 2005.

METHODS:

Tumors were characterized by grade, stage, and histologic type. Hazards rates for BC‐specific mortality were compared by race and sex using a piecewise Cox regression model, adjusting for factors (age, stage, grade, and histologic type) that differed significantly between the groups that were compared.

RESULTS:

Excess hazard of death from BC was present during the first 2 to 3 years of follow‐up among women and during the first 4 years of follow‐up among African Americans. Adjustment for age and tumor characteristics eliminated approximately 30% of this excess hazard in sex comparison among whites. In sex comparison among blacks and in racial comparisons within each sex, approximately 50% to 70% of excess hazard could be eliminated by adjustment.

CONCLUSIONS:

Significant differences in tumor characteristics and age at presentation did not fully account for the excess hazard of death from BC among women and African Americans. Other factors, such as choice and efficacy of therapies, differences within a given tumor characteristic group, and/or host factors, also may play important roles. Cancer 2009. © 2008 American Cancer Society.
Development of highly accurate global polygonal drainage basin data
Authors: Masutomi Yuji , Inui Yusuke , Takahashi Kiyoshi , Matsuoka Yuzuru
Published: December 2008

Highly accurate global polygonal drainage basin data (PDBD) was developed in this research. The PDBD was derived from digital elevation models (DEMs) at high‐resolution (about 100 m–1 km) by automatic and non‐automatic methods to suppress DEM errors which derive wrong PDBD. The automatic methods are ‘stream burning’ and ‘ridge fencing’, while the non‐automatic method is one which manually corrects DEM errors (‘manual correction’). For the derivation of the PDBD, we collected and used geographic basin and river data published from governments, institutes, publishers, and water‐related programs. The PDBD derived from the DEMs at high‐resolution can represent the boundaries of the basins in detail, and precise geographic and topographic information can be thus derived. These features are helpful for regional and global analysis, assessment, and management with hydrological models in water‐related studies. To assess the accuracy of the derived PDBD, we conducted two types of comparisons. Firstly, we geographically compared the derived PDBD with the collected basin data. The derived PDBD showed good geographic agreement with the collected basin data, and the geographic agreement of the derived PDBD was better than that of HYDRO1k. Secondly, we compared upstream areas and discharges based on the derived PDBD with the observed upstream areas and discharges. The upstream areas and discharges based on the derived PDBD showed good agreement with the observed upstream areas and discharges, and the agreement of the derived PDBD was better than that of HYDRO1k. These comparisons reveal that the derived PDBD are highly accurate and reliable. The derived PDBD are thus thought to offer the best information on the surface drainage of the earth. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Ensemble flood forecasting with stochastic radar image extrapolation and a distributed hydrologic model
Authors: Kim Sunmin , Tachikawa Yasuto , Sayama Takahiro , Takara Kaoru
Published: December 2008

A new attempt on ensemble flood forecasting is introduced by use of a radar image extrapolation along with a stochastic error field simulation, and a distributed hydrologic model. In contrast to the conventional ensemble simulation that uses initial condition control to obtain a statistical outcome, stochastic prediction error fields were externally generated to offer probable variations of deterministic predictions. Firstly, a radar extrapolation model provided deterministic rainfall prediction, and its prediction error structure was analysed by comparing the observed rainfall fields. Secondly, on the basis of the analysed error structure, spatially correlated error fields were simulated using a covariance matrix decomposition method on a real‐time basis. The simulated error fields enabled not only the production of probable rainfall field variations for ensemble simulation but also an improvement in prediction accuracy by offsetting the deterministic prediction error. Finally, the simulated error fields along with the deterministic fields were tested with a distributed hydrologic model to measure the validity of the ensemble runoff prediction. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Biocompatibility of poly(ethylene glycol)/poly(acrylic acid) interpenetrating polymer network hydrogel particles in RAW 264.7 macrophage and MG‐63 osteoblast cell lines
Authors: Yim Eugene S. , Zhao Betty , Myung David , Kourtis Lampros C. , Frank Curtis W. , Carter Dennis , Smith Robert L. , Goodman Stuart B.
Published: December 2008

Hydrogel polymers comprise a novel category of synthetic materials being investigated for use in cartilage replacement. One candidate compound, a poly(ethylene glycol)/poly(acrylic acid) (PEG/PAA) interpenetrating polymer network (IPN), was developed for use in corneal prostheses and was recently engineered for potential orthopedic use. The current study examined the effects of particles of this compound on two cell lines (MG‐63 osteoblast‐like cells and RAW 264.7 macrophages) over a 48‐h time course. To mimic the effects of wear debris, particles of the compound were generated and introduced to the cells. In the MG‐63 cell line, the particles had no significant effect on cell viability measured by PicoGreen assay and trypan blue exclusion. In contrast, a significant decrease in cell viability was detected in the Raw 264.7 macrophage cells at the final timepoint with the highest concentration of hydrogel (3.0% v:v). A concentration‐ and time‐dependent increase in TNF‐alpha release characteristic of other known biocompatible materials was also detected in RAW 264.7 cells, but nitric oxide and interleukin (IL)‐1beta showed no response. In addition, the MG‐63 cell line demonstrated no IL‐6 response. Particles of the PEG/PAA IPN thus seem to stimulate biological responses similar to those in other biocompatible materials. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res, 2009
Acoustic emission monitoring and 3D visualization of polymerization‐induced damage of acrylic polymer materials
Authors: Mavrogordato Mark , Taylor Mark , Taylor Andrew , Browne Martin
Published: December 2008

To improve the longevity of total hip replacements, techniques such as vacuum mixing have been developed to reduce the amount of porosity within the cement. However, data from the Swedish hip registry has demonstrated an increased risk of revision for vacuum‐mixed cemented devices in the first 5 years postoperatively. Theoretical and experimental evidence suggests that stresses induced by cement shrinkage during polymerization alone are sufficient to induce cracking. However, very little evidence of preload cracking is available due to the limitations of current inspection methods. The present work combines two forms of nondestructive evaluation technique to assess the state of an acrylic‐based polymer mantle both in real time during polymerization using the acoustic emission (AE) technique and immediately post polymerization using micro‐computed tomography (CT). AE data enabled the location, type, and chronology of events to be obtained. The use of micro‐CT in combination with a radiopaque dye‐penetrant was shown to be an effective method for highlighting preload polymerization cracking and verified the findings of the AE data. The AE data indicated that the first signs of damage occurred ∼3–6 min after the peak temperature obtained during exotherm, confirming that thermal contraction rather than pure volumetric shrinkage is the dominant factor in preload damage initiation. The methodology developed in this study enables detailed information on the condition of a cement mantle to be obtained without the need for serial sectioning. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater, 2009
A new method proposed for the determination of absolute configurations of α‐amino acids
Authors: Gómez Edison Díaz , Duddeck Helmut
Published: December 2008

Enantiopure α‐amino acids were converted to 4‐substituted 2‐aryl‐ and 2‐alkyl‐5(4H)‐oxazolones under partial racemization. These nonracemic mixtures were dissolved in CDCl3, an equimolar amount of the chiral dirhodium complex $Rh^{\rm (II)}_{2}$[(R)− (+)− MTPA]4 (MTPA‐H = Mosher's acid) was added, and the 1H NMR spectra of the resulting samples were recorded (dirhodium method). The relative intensities of 1H signals dispersed by the formation of diastereomeric adducts allow to determine the absolute configuration (AC) of the starting α‐amino acids. Binding atoms in the adducts were identified by comparing the 1H and 13C chemical shifts of the oxazolones in the absence and presence of $Rh^{\rm (II)}_{2}$[(R)− (+)− MTPA]4. Thereby, information about the scope and limits of this method can be extracted. A protocol how to use this method is presented. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Flexor Tenorrhaphy Tensile Strength: Reduction by Cyclic Loading
Authors: Gibbons C. E. R. , Thompson D. , Sandow M. J.
Published: December 2008

The integrity of the repair is critical to maintain coaptation of the severed flexor tendon end until healing has advanced sufficiently. In our hospital, we use a modified Savage repair (four-strand Adelaide technique) using 3–0 Ethibond (Ethicon, Somerville, NJ, USA) for acute flexor tenorrhaphy and an active postrepair mobilization protocol. To explain the apparent differences between the theoretical and actual repair strength of a multistrand repair in a single tension test and the reduced strength of a repair subjected to cyclic loading, we compared single and cyclical tensile loading with different suture in vitro configurations of 3–0 Ethibond (Ethicon, Somerville, NJ, USA; one, two, and four strands) and an ex vivo four-strand repair of freshly divided porcine tendon to calculate the ultimate tensile strength (UTS). Mechanical testing was repeated 15 times with both single tensile and cyclical loading for each suture configuration and porcine repair. In the in vitro model, the presence of a knot in a single strand reduced the UTS by 50%. The stiffness of a knotted strand was substantially less than the unknotted strand but became identical after cyclical loading. There was no statistical significance of the UTS between single and cyclical loading with different numbers of strands in this model. In the ex vivo four-strand porcine repair model, there was a significant reduction in UTS with cyclical loading, which equated to the number of strands times the strength of the knotted strand. This discrepancy can be explained by the change in stiffness of the knotted strand after cyclical loading and has important implications for previous studies of suture tendon repair using single tensile loading where the UTS may have been overestimated. We believe that cyclical loading is more representative of physiological loading after acute flexor tendon repair and should be the testing model of choice in suture tenorrhaphy studies.
Regulation of Transgene Expression in Tumor Cells by Exploiting Endogenous Intracellular Signals
Authors: Asai Daisuke , Kang Jeong-Hun , Toita Riki , Tsuchiya Akira , Niidome Takuro , Nakashima Hideki , Katayama Yoshiki
Published: December 2008

Recently, we have proposed a novel strategy for a cell-specific gene therapy system based on responses to intracellular signals. In this system, an intracellular signal that is specifically and abnormally activated in the diseased cells is used for the activation of transgene expression. In this study, we used protein kinase C (PKC)α as a trigger to activate transgene expression. We prepared a PKCα-responsive polymer conjugate [PPC(S)] and a negative control conjugate [PPC(A)], in which the phosphorylation site serine (Ser) was replaced with alanine (Ala). The phosphorylation for polymer/DNA complexes was determined with a radiolabel assay using [γ-32P]ATP. PPC(S)/DNA complexes were phosphorylated by the addition of PKCα, but no phosphorylation of the PPC(A)/DNA complex was observed. Moreover, after microinjection of polymer/GFP-encoding DNA complexes into HepG2 cells at cation/anion (C/A) ratios of 0.5 to 2.0, significant expression of GFP was observed in all cases using PPC(S)/DNA complexes, but no GFP expression was observed in the negative control PPC(A)/DNA complex-microinjected cells at C/A ratios of 1.0 and 2.0. On the other hand, GFP expression from PPC(S)/DNA complexes was completely suppressed in cells pretreated with PKCα inhibitor (Ro31-7549). These results suggest that our gene regulation system can be used for tumor cell-specific expression of a transgene in response to PKCα activity.
Time‐course of attentional bias for pain‐related cues in chronic daily headache sufferers
Authors: Liossi Christina , Schoth Daniel E. , Bradley Brendan P. , Mogg Karin
Published: December 2008

This study investigated attentional biases for linguistic pain‐related stimuli in individuals suffering from chronic headaches and healthy controls. Attentional bias was assessed using a visual probe (also reported as dot probe in previous investigations) task which presented pain‐related (sensory and affective) and neutral words at two exposure duration conditions, 500 and 1250ms. The results indicated that individuals suffering from chronic headaches showed a significantly greater attentional bias at 1250ms compared to the controls, which indicates a bias in maintained attention to pain cues in this group. No significant differences between groups were found in attentional bias scores at the shorter stimulus duration of 500ms, which instead correlated significantly with trait anxiety. Results are discussed in relation to research into pain‐related and anxiety‐related biases in initial orienting and maintained attention.
A pilot study of the safety and efficacy of amisulpride and risperidone in elderly psychotic patients
Authors: Riedel M. , Eich F.X. , Möller H.J.
Published: December 2008

Objective

The primary objective of this randomised, active–controlled, parallel group, double-blind study was to evaluate the tolerability of treatment with either amisulpride or risperidone in elderly patients with schizophrenia aged over 65 years; evaluation of efficacy was a secondary objective.

Methods

The study included patients of either sex aged 65 years or older fulfilling DSM IV-diagnostic criteria for psychotic disorders and who presented psychotic symptoms severe enough to require antipsychotic medication. Subjects were randomly allocated to a flexible dose of either amisulpride (100–400 mg/day) or risperidone (1–4 mg/day) for six weeks following a three- to six-day placebo wash-out period. Safety assessment involved adverse event reporting, physical examination, blood pressure, heart rate and ECG monitoring, and laboratory tests. Extrapyramidal symptoms were evaluated with the Simpson–Angus Scale, Barnes Akathisia Scale and the AIMS. Efficacy parameters were changes in score on the PANSS, BPRS, CDS and MMSE scores.

Results

Thirty-eight patients were randomised, 25 to amisulpride and 13 to risperidone. A total of 26 adverse events were experienced by 10 patients in the amisulpride group and five patients in the risperidone group. One patient in each group discontinued the study due to the emergence of a movement disorder. Changes in scores on the three measures of extrapyramidal symptoms were similar in the two groups. The PANSS total score decreased by 27.8% in the amisulpride group and by 29% in the risperidone group between inclusion and study end.

Conclusion

Amisulpride and risperidone are generally well tolerated in elderly patients with schizophrenia. Both drugs appeared to be efficacious in this study population, with no differences in efficacy being observed. However, the sample size was too low to reveal potential inter-group differences. Both these atypical antipsychotics thus appear to be suitable for the treatment of schizophrenia in the elderly.
Effect of month of birth on personality traits of healthy Japanese
Authors: Kamata Mitsuhiro , Suzuki Akihito , Matsumoto Yoshihiko , Togashi Hitoshi , Otani Koichi
Published: December 2008

The effect of month of birth on personality traits was investigated in 595 healthy Japanese. Personality traits were evaluated by the Temperament and Character Inventory (TCI). Statistical analyses were conducted in two steps. Firstly, months of the year were divided according to ambient temperature or photoperiod, and TCI scores were compared between month groups by analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) with age as a covariate. Secondly, multiple regression analysis was performed with TCI scores as dependent variables and ambient temperature and photoperiod at birth month and age as independent variables. Both analyses showed that higher ambient temperature at birth month was related to higher scores of self-directedness and persistence in females. Also, higher ambient temperature at birth month was related to lower body mass index (BMI) in females. These results suggest that month of birth affects self-directedness and persistence in healthy Japanese females, and these effects may be mediated by BMI changes associated with ambient temperature at birth month.
Correlations between cognitive performances and psychotic or schizotypal dimensions
Authors: Szöke Andrei , Méary Alexandre , Ferchiou Aziz , Trandafir Anca , Leboyer Marion , Schürhoff Franck
Published: December 2008

Objective

To test if specific correlations exist between cognitive measures and psychotic dimensions in schizophrenic subjects and if similar correlations, between cognition and schizotypal dimensions, are present in non-psychotic subjects.

Methods

We administered the same battery of cognitive tests (Source Monitoring, Verbal Fluency [VF] and Stroop tests) to schizophrenic subjects (N = 54), their first-degree relatives (N = 37) and controls (N = 41). Scores of negative, positive and disorganisation dimensions were derived from the Signs and Symptoms of Psychotic Illness scale in schizophrenic subjects, and from the Schizotypal Personality Questionnaire in relatives and controls.

Results

In schizophrenic subjects, as hypothesised, the negative dimension correlated with performance on VF and disorganisation with performance in the Stroop test. The positive dimension did not correlate with any cognitive measure.

With only one exception, the significant correlations observed in non-psychotic subjects did not match correlations seen in schizophrenic subjects. In non-psychotic subjects greater disorganisation was associated with more clustered words in VF suggesting that excessive automatic spreading of activation in semantic networks could underlie this dimension.

Conclusion

As a whole, data lent partial support to our hypothesis of specific cognitive–clinical correlations in schizophrenic subjects but did not support the existence of similar correlations in non-psychotic subjects.
Minor group human rhinovirus–receptor interactions: Geometry of multimodular attachment and basis of recognition
Authors: Querol-Audí Jordi , Konecsni Tuende , Pous Joan , Carugo Oliviero , Fita Ignasi , Verdaguer Nuria , Blaas Dieter
Published: December 2008

X‐ray structures of human rhinovirus 2 (HRV2) in complex with soluble very‐low‐density lipoprotein receptors encompassing modules 1, 2, and 3 (V123) and five V3 modules arranged in tandem (V33333) demonstrates multi‐modular binding around the virion's five‐fold axes. Occupancy was 60% for V123 and 100% for V33333 explaining the high‐avidity of the interaction. Surface potentials of 3D‐models of all minor group HRVs and K‐type major group HRVs were compared; hydrophobic interactions between a conserved lysine in the viruses and a tryptophan in the receptor modules together with coulombic attraction via diffuse opposite surface potentials determine minor group HRV receptor specificity.