bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Removal of iopromide from an aqueous solution using dielectric barrier discharge
Authors: Liu Yanan , Sun Yu , Hu Jinlong , He Jun , Mei Shufang , Xue Gang , Ognier Stéphanie
Published: June 2012

BACKGROUND: Both ionic and nonionic ICM are recalcitrant to ozone and traditional waste water treatment plants. In this study, the efficiency of one kind of ICM‐iopromide (IOPr) removal from an aqueous solution using a dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) method was investigated.

RESULTS: An energy density of 1.5E05 J L−1 resulted in the most significant removal (98.8%) of IOPr. At this energy density, no decrease in total organic carbon (TOC) was observed. Based on the IR spectra, degradation of the IOPr molecule involved hydroxylation, carbonylation and deiodination. BOD5/COD measurements indicated that the biodegradability of IOPr increased significantly as a result of DBD treatment. The byproducts of IOPr after DBD treatment were more polar and easily adsorbed and biodegraded by the activated sludge. The removal of IOPr from the solution followed first‐order kinetics, with Ks of 0.10 min−1, 0.11 min−1, 0.44 min−1 and 0.15 min−1 corresponding to energy densities of 1E + 05 J L−1, 1.3E + 05 J L−1, 1.5E + 05 J L−1 and 1.8E + 05 J L−1, respectively. The kinetics of the deiodination reactions were more complex due to subsequent iodide oxidation.

CONCLUSION: DBD is very effective as a pretreatment or advanced treatment method for increasing the recalcitrant chemical's biodegradability and making subsequent biological treatment more efficient. © 2012 Society of Chemical Industry
Characterisation of the volatile profile of coconut water from five varieties using an optimised HS‐SPME‐GC analysis
Authors: Prades Alexia , Assa Rebecca Rachel Ablan , Dornier Manuel , Pain Jean‐Pierre , Boulanger Renaud
Published: June 2012

BACKGROUND: Coconut (Cocos nucifera L.) water is a refreshing tropical drink whose international market has recently been growing. However, little is yet known about its physicochemical composition, particularly its aroma. This study set out to characterise the volatile profile of water from five coconut varieties.

RESULTS: Aroma compounds were characterised by headspace solid phase microextraction gas chromatography (HS‐SPME‐GC) analysis. An experimental design was established to optimise SPME conditions, leading to an equilibration time of 10 min followed by an extraction time of 60 min at 50 °C. Accordingly, immature coconut water from WAT (West African Tall), PB121 (MYD × WAT Hybrid), MYD (Malayan Yellow Dwarf), EGD (Equatorial Guinea Green Dwarf) and THD (Thailand Aromatic Green Dwarf) palms was analysed and described. Ketones were mainly present in the Tall and Hybrid varieties, whereas aldehydes were most abundant in the Dwarf palms. Tall coconut water was characterised by a high lactone content. THD exhibited a high ethyl octanoate level. The cluster analysis of the volatile fraction from the five coconut cultivars was found to be related to their genetic classification.

CONCLUSION: The volatile compounds of immature coconut water from five varieties were characterised for the first time. Volatile profile analysis could be a useful tool for the selection of Dwarf coconut varieties, which are mainly consumed as a beverage. Copyright © 2012 Society of Chemical Industry
Effects of hop varieties on ruminal fermentation and bacterial community in an artificial rumen (rusitec)
Authors: Narvaez Nelmy , Wang Yuxi , Xu Zhonjou , Alexander Trevor , Garden Scott , McAllister Tim
Published: June 2012

BACKGROUND: There is a growing interest in the use of hops (Humulus lupulus) as an alternative to antibiotics to manipulate ruminal fermentation. However, the effects of different hop varieties on ruminal fermentation and bacterial populations have not been studied. Here the effects of three hop varieties, Cascade (CAS), Millennium (MIL) and Teamaker (TM), at a level of 800 µg mL−1 inoculum on ruminal fermentation and microbial populations in an artificial rumen system (rusitec) fed a barley silage‐based total mixed ration were investigated. Bacterial populations were assessed using real‐time polymerase chain reaction and expressed as a percentage of total bacterial 16S rRNA gene copies.

RESULTS: All hops reduced (P < 0.001) total gas, methane and the acetate:propionate ratio. Liquid‐associated Fibrobacter succinogenes, Ruminococcus albus and Streptococcus bovis were reduced (P < 0.05) by MIL and TM. Feed particle‐associated S. bovis was reduced (P < 0.01) by MIL and TM, but TM and CAS increased (P < 0.01) Ruminobacter amylophilus and Prevotella bryantii respectively. Methanogens were decreased (P < 0.05) by MIL in both liquid and solid fractions and by CAS in the solid fraction. The total amount of α‐ and β‐acids in hops affected the ruminal fermentation.

CONCLUSION: Hop‐induced changes in fermentation and microbial populations may improve energy efficiency use in the rumen. Further research is needed to determine the effects of hops on in vivo ruminal fermentation, microbial populations and animal performance. Copyright © 2012 Society of Chemical Industry
Hydrodistillation and in situ microwave‐generated hydrodistillation of fresh and dried mint leaves: a comparison study
Authors: Orio Laura , Cravotto Giancarlo , Binello Arianna , Pignata Giuseppe , Nicola Silvana , Chemat Farid
Published: June 2012

BACKGROUND: Hydrodistillation (HD) has been used since ancient times for the extraction of essential oils (EO). Despite the intrinsic limitations of this technique, it remains the most common method both in the laboratory and on an industrial scale. The main drawbacks are the long extraction time involved and the risk of thermal degradation. Over the last decade, microwave‐assisted extraction (MAE) and in situ microwave‐generated hydrodistillation (MGH) have been shown to be the most promising techniques in improving plant extraction and hydrodistillation.

RESULTS: In this study we compare HD with MGH in the extraction of several mint species cultivated in Piedmont: Mentha spicata L. var. rubra, Mentha spicata L. var. viridis and Mentha piperita L. MGH requires either fresh plant or rehydrated material, it is extremely fast and allows a reduction in energy consumption and overall cost. All the EO have been analyzed by gas chromatography‐mass spectrometry. A mechanism of microwave‐generated essential oil extraction has been proposed to explain the differences in the composition of the oil obtained from this environmentally friendly technique.

CONCLUSIONS: The yields and composition percentages of the EO obtained by HD and in situ MGH of fresh and dried mint leaves lie in a relatively narrow range, although MGH is faster. MW polarization effects and the water solubility of the components influence extract composition Copyright © 2012 Society of Chemical Industry
Multiple headspace solid‐phase microextraction using a new fiber for avoiding matrix interferences in the quantitative determination of ethyl carbamate in pickles
Authors: Lei Fen‐Fen , Zhang Xue‐Na , Gao Yuan‐Li , Han Ya‐Hong , Li Xiu‐Juan , Pan Si‐Yi
Published: June 2012

Multiple headspace solid‐phase microextraction (HS‐SPME) using a novel fiber coated with anilino‐methyl triethoxy silicane‐methacrylic acid/terminated silicone oil has been introduced as a useful pretreatment technique coupled to gas chromatography–flame ionization detector for the detection of ethyl carbamate in pickles. Anilino‐methyl triethoxy silicane and methacrylic acid are put into use simultaneously with the aim to increase the hydrogen interaction strength between ethyl carbamate and the coating. In addition, the new fiber exhibits high thermal stability, good reproducibility, and long lifetime. Extraction temperature, extraction time, amount of desiccant, and amount of sample were well optimized to guarantee the suitability of multiple HS‐SPME. Significant matrix interference was observed among various types of pickles and the multiple HS‐SPME procedure was proved to be effective in avoiding the matrix effect by a complete recovery of the analyte. The method showed satisfactory linearity (0.1–100 mg kg−1), precision (4.25%, n = 5), and detection limit (0.038 mg kg−1). The accuracy of the method was evaluated by comparison with standard addition method and the results were statistically equivalent. The study indicates that the multiple HS‐SPME procedure is simple, convenient, accurate, and low‐cost, and most of all, can be used for quantitative analysis in complex matrix without matrix effect.
Automated prescription of oblique brain 3D magnetic resonance spectroscopic imaging
Authors: Ozhinsky Eugene , Vigneron Daniel B. , Chang Susan M. , Nelson Sarah J.
Published: June 2012

Two major difficulties encountered in implementing Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopic Imaging (MRSI) in a clinical setting are limited coverage and difficulty in prescription. The goal of this project was to automate completely the process of 3D PRESS MRSI prescription, including placement of the selection box, saturation bands and shim volume, while maximizing the coverage of the brain. The automated prescription technique included acquisition of an anatomical MRI image, optimization of the oblique selection box parameters, optimization of the placement of outer‐volume suppression saturation bands, and loading of the calculated parameters into a customized 3D MRSI pulse sequence. To validate the technique and compare its performance with existing protocols, 3D MRSI data were acquired from six exams from three healthy volunteers. To assess the performance of the automated 3D MRSI prescription for patients with brain tumors, the data were collected from 16 exams from 8 subjects with gliomas. This technique demonstrated robust coverage of the tumor, high consistency of prescription and very good data quality within the T2 lesion. Magn Reson Med 69:920–930, 2013. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
ISMRM workshop on fat–water separation: Insights, applications and progress in MRI
Authors: Hu Houchun Harry , Börnert Peter , Hernando Diego , Kellman Peter , Ma Jingfei , Reeder Scott , Sirlin Claude
Published: June 2012

Approximately 130 attendees convened on February 19–22, 2012 for the first ISMRM‐sponsored workshop on water–fat imaging. The motivation to host this meeting was driven by the increasing number of research publications on this topic over the past decade. The scientific program included an historical perspective and a discussion of the clinical relevance of water–fat MRI, a technical description of multiecho pulse sequences, a review of data acquisition and reconstruction algorithms, a summary of the confounding factors that influence quantitative fat measurements and the importance of MRI‐based biomarkers, a description of applications in the heart, liver, pancreas, abdomen, spine, pelvis, and muscles, an overview of the implications of fat in diabetes and obesity, a discussion on MR spectroscopy, a review of childhood obesity, the efficacy of lifestyle interventional studies, and the role of brown adipose tissue, and an outlook on federal funding opportunities from the National Institutes of Health. Magn Reson Med, 2012. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
The relationship between urinary bladder control and gait in women
Authors: Booth Joanne , Paul Lorna , Rafferty Danny , MacInnes Carolyn
Published: June 2012

Aims

Urinary incontinence and OAB are associated with increased falls risk in older people suggesting a potential relationship between bladder functioning and control of gait. To begin to understand the possible interaction between gait and bladder control this exploratory study aimed to examine the effects of controlling the bladder on gait parameters in healthy adult women.

Methods

Thirty‐six continent women (mean age 50.8 ± 15.8 years), participated in this observational cohort study. Subjects walked three times along an electronic walkway under three different bladder conditions; first desire to void (FDV), strong desire to void (SDV), and post void (PV). Spatial and temporal parameters of gait and continence status were recorded for each condition.

Results

A significant reduction in gait velocity (P < 0.025) was found at the SDV compared with the PV condition. Stride length decreased significantly (P < 0.001) at the SDV compared with the FDV and PV conditions. No significant differences were found between FDV and PV conditions. In addition, the variability of gait increased significantly with respect to cadence (P < 0.05) and stride times (P < 0.05) at the SDV compared to the PV condition. This was not observed between the FDV and the PV conditions, nor the FDV and the SDV.

Conclusion

In healthy continent women, speed and rhythmicity of gait are different when a strong desire to void is experienced. This suggests an interaction may exist between urinary bladder control and control of gait. Further investigation is necessary to understand this relationship and begin to explain the increased risk of falls associated with urinary bladder functioning. Neurourol. Urodynam. 32: 43–47, 2013. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
The epidemiology of hepatoblastoma
Authors: Spector Logan G. , Birch Jill
Published: June 2012

Few causes of hepatoblastoma have been conclusively identified, mainly due to the extreme rarity of the disease. Inherited conditions including Familial Adenomatous Polyposis and Beckwith–Wiedemann Syndrome dramatically raise risk of hepatoblastoma but account for few cases overall. A small number of case–control studies investigating risk factors for sporadic hepatoblastoma have been conducted to date. Although most of these studies feature fewer than 200 cases, several clues have emerged. Most notably there is a roughly 20‐fold increased risk of hepatoblastoma among children with very low birth weight (<1,500 g) and a doubling of risk among those with moderately low birth weight (1,500–2,500 g). A modicum of evidence points to a possible role of parental tobacco use prior to or during pregnancy in the causation of hepatoblastoma as well. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2012; 59: 776–779. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
On the structural and optical properties of gold–polyaniline nanocomposite synthesized via a novel route
Authors: Anand P. B. , Hasna K. , Anilkumar K. M. , Jayalekshmi S.
Published: June 2012

Gold nanoparticle embedded polyaniline (PANI) was synthesized by in situ oxidative polymerization of monomer aniline. X‐ray diffraction and Fourier transform IR techniques were used to establish the structure of the gold–PANI composite. UV–visible absorption studies have shown that, along with the normal absorption peak of polyaniline, the composite has an absorption peak characterized by surface plasmon resonance. The presence of surface plasmon resonance is a signature of the nano size of the gold particles embedded in the PANI. Energy‐dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy (EDS) has revealed the elemental composition of the composite sample quantitatively. Raman spectroscopy studies have strengthened the presence of plasmon resonance. Single‐beam Z‐scan results confirm the third‐order optical nonlinearity associated with the nanocomposite. The present investigations show that gold nanoparticle embedded PANI composite can be of potential application in the fields of both linear and nonlinear optics. Copyright © 2012 Society of Chemical Industry
Heterogeneous and homogeneous structure dextran–poly(methacrylic acid) interpenetrating network hydrogels: synthesis and an application study
Authors: Ekici Sema
Published: June 2012

pH‐sensitive dextran–poly(methacrylic acid) (Dext–pMeAc) full interpenetrating network hydrogels (INHs) were prepared by simultaneous radical polymerization of methacrylic acid monomer (MeAc) and Dext polymer chains in the presence of N,N‐methylenebisacrylamide (MBA) as crosslinker in aqueous solution. These hydrogels were investigated as a drug carrier. The influence of MeAc and MBA contents in the network hydrogels on the swelling behaviour and mechanical strength of prepared Dext–pMeAc INHs was evaluated. Dext–pMeAc INHs were characterized by Fourier transform IR spectroscopy, and kinetic swelling measurements were carried out in deionized water and in simulated gastric fluids (pH 1.1 and pH 7.4). Dext–pMeAc/1‐1, Dext–pMeAc/3‐1 and Dext–pMeAc/5‐1 hydrogels with molar ratios of nDext/nMeAc = 10 and nMBA/nDext = 10, 30 and 50 respectively showed a core–shell structure when they swelled. This phenomenon was not observed in Dext–pMeAc/5‐2, Dext–pMeAc/5‐3 and Dext–pMeAc/5‐5 hydrogels containing a higher amount of Dext in the gels. The swelling data proved the formation of INHs with pH‐sensitive behaviour. A drug release study was performed using Rhodamine 6G fluorescent dye as a model hydrophilic bioactive molecule. The in vitro release rate of Rhodamine 6G from Dext–pMeAc/5‐3 hydrogel was dependent on the pH of the release medium. Copyright © 2012 Society of Chemical Industry
Novel carbon‐nanotube‐based organogels as candidates for oil recovery
Authors: Pourjavadi Ali , Doulabi Malihe , Soleyman Rouhollah
Published: June 2012

A simple method for synthesis of novel organogels based on multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) is reported. Three classes of organogels were synthesized by crosslinking polymerization of dodecyl methacrylate with various weight percentages of 1,4‐butanediol dimethacrylate, vinyl‐group‐modified MWCNTs or pristine MWCNTs in the presence of 2,2‐azoisobutyronitrile as initiator. In this reaction, the carbon nanotubes (CNTs) served simultaneously as an adsorbent, a comonomer and a crosslinking agent. The oil‐absorbent containing CNTs showed much higher swelling capacity in oil and organic solvents compared with that without CNTs. Therefore, CNT‐based organogels can be introduced as a promising candidate for environmental protection and oil recovery. © 2012 Society of Chemical Industry
Characterization of Pyrogenic Powders with Conventional Particle Sizing Technique: I. Prediction of Measured Size Distributions
Authors: Babick Frank , Schießl Karin , Stintz Michael
Published: June 2012

Pyrogenic powders consist of fractal like aggregates with nanosized primary particles. The formation of such aggregates, their hydrodynamic behavior and their optical properties are in principle well understood. Even so, there is only little experience in interpreting results from particle sizing of such materials. Dramatic differences in size distribution obtained from different measurement techniques give frequently rise to confusion on the “true” aggregate size. However, such differences can be attributed to the different particle properties used for size measurement and to the different types of quantities, by which the frequency of the individual size fractions are weighted. For two conventional sizing techniques, Dynamic Light Scattering and Optical Centrifugation Analysis, the influence of the structural properties on the relevant optical and hydrodynamic aggregate properties is discussed on the basis of virtual aggregates as well as of empirical data for pyrogenic powders. Finally measurable size distributions are predicted in a case study.
The implicit communication of nature of science and epistemology during inquiry discussion
Authors: Oliveira Alandeom W. , Akerson Valarie L. , Colak Huseyin , Pongsanon Khemmawadee , Genel Abdulkadir
Published: June 2012

This study explores how elementary teachers and students use hedges (tentative words such as maybe) and boosters (expressions of certainty such as clearly and obviously) during science inquiry discussions. Drawing upon semiotic theory, we examine explicit thematic patterns (semantic meaning relations among science concepts) as well as hidden social, nature of science (NOS), and epistemological meanings co‐constructed and communicated by teachers and students. It was found that a kindergarten teacher's discussion was mostly unhedged and boosted (absolutely), with the use of hedges (may, might, could) limited to an unexpected encounter with an undeveloped egg toward the end of the lesson. In contrast, a fourth‐grade teacher's discussion was predominantly hedged, with the use of boosters limited to isolated episodes concerning the nature of scientific inquiry and experimental variables. Unhedged and boosted communication led to the co‐construction of an unproblematic or factual body of scientific knowledge (transitivity, circumstantial, and nominal meanings), whereas hedged communication produced a problematic or tentative body of scientific knowledge (logical and taxonomic meanings). It is emphasized that unproblematic knowledge communication may be paralleled by NOS miscommunication. We argue that teachers should be provided with professional development that can increase their awareness of the risk of NOS miscommunication. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Sci Ed 96:652–684, 2012
Thinking inside the box? Intellectual structure of the knowledge base of innovation research (1988–2008)
Authors: Shafique Muhammad
Published: June 2012

Innovation is becoming increasingly popular as a concept as well as a field of research. As a field, it has accumulated a significant amount of scientific knowledge. Based on bibliometric data from four major social science disciplines—economics, sociology, psychology, and management—this study presents a ‘global view’ of the field by combining longitudinal and structural perspectives. It identifies major research traditions in the field, determines the content and disciplinary composition of each tradition, and maps the changes in the intellectual structure of the field over time. The study suggests that innovation research is becoming increasingly compartmentalized between economics and management disciplines and each segment is becoming increasingly self‐contained. A strategy along with a framework is suggested for making research contribution to the field. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A novel particle swarm optimization method based on quantum mechanics computation for thermal economic load dispatch problem
Authors: Chakraborty Shantanu , Senjyu Tomonobu , Yousuf Saber Ahmed , Yona Atsushi , Funabashi Toshihisa
Published: June 2012

This paper presents an efficient strategy to solve the thermal economic load dispatch (ELD) problem by considering several aspects of ELD. ELD performs an important role in the economical operation of power system, which essentially involves nonlinearity according to the characteristics of the generators. The complexity is amplified when the generators' prohibited zones and valve‐point effect are considered, which makes ELD a nonconvex and nonsmooth problem. The strategy employs a mechanism involving a quantum mechanics‐inspired particle swarm optimization (QMPSO). The conventional PSO is modified by integrating quantum mechanical theory which redefines the particles' positions and velocities in a dynamic manner and therefore explores more search space. The QMPSO employs a multipopulation‐based scheme which ensures particle movement and avoids premature convergence at the same time. Moreover, in order to diversify the particles, a dynamic mutation operator is introduced in the proposed method. Such features deliver a fine balance between the local and global searching abilities. Simulations are carried out by considering several cases of thermal units of varying combinations of system configurations such as with and without the valve point, with and without network loss, and for one or several hours of load demand. The results are quite promising and effective compared with several benchmark methods. © 2012 Institute of Electrical Engineers of Japan. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Biohydrogen production by dark fermentation
Authors: Khanna Namita , Das Debabrata
Published: June 2012

Hydrogen has emerged as a promising alternative because it can be derived from a renewable energy sources and used in fuel cells with high efficiency and thus appears as the most promising alternative to fossil fuels. Among the various biological processes known to produce biohydrogen, dark fermentation offers an excellent potential for practical application such as treatment of organic wastes. However, commercialization of the process depends on advances in bioprocess design and optimization along with an understanding of the structure of biohydrogen producing communities and their improvement. The present paper highlights the major factors affecting biohydrogen production as well as the importance of consortium development and molecular understanding of the microorganisms involved in the process toward the realization of a stable hydrogen economy. Further, technological advancements based on improved bioreactor designs and integrated systems based on process economy have been discussed. Based on the recent research on dark fermentative hydrogen production, several new findings and achievements in the field have been highlighted.

This article is categorized under:

Bioenergy > Science and Materials

Bioenergy > Economics and Policy

Bioenergy > Systems and Infrastructure

Fuel Cells and Hydrogen > Science and Materials
MRI of the lung (1/3): methods
Authors: Wild J. M. , Marshall H. , Bock M. , Schad L. R. , Jakob P. M. , Puderbach M. , Molinari F. , Van Beek E. J. R. , Biederer J.
Published: June 2012

Proton magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has recently emerged as a clinical tool to image the lungs. This paper outlines the current technical aspects of MRI pulse sequences, radiofrequency (RF) coils and MRI system requirements needed for imaging the pulmonary parenchyma and vasculature. Lung MRI techniques are presented as a “technical toolkit”, from which MR protocols will be composed in the subsequent papers for comprehensive imaging of lung disease and function (parts 2 and 3). This paper is pitched at MR scientists, technicians and radiologists who are interested in understanding and establishing lung MRI methods. Images from a 1.5 T scanner are used for illustration of the sequences and methods that are highlighted.

Main Messages

• Outline of the hardware and pulse sequence requirements for proton lung MRI

• Overview of pulse sequences for lung parenchyma, vascular and functional imaging with protons

• Demonstration of the pulse-sequence building blocks for clinical lung MRI protocols
Implementing Single Session Family Consultation: A Reflective Team Approach
Authors: Fry Denise
Published: June 2012

Setting up and implementing a single session family consultation in a specialist child and adolescent mental health setting, which for a long time has been an organisation and culture that has undertaken a traditional detailed child and family assessment and treatment, brings with it challenges. This paper will look at the history of single session consultation within the field of child and family services and, in particular, child and family services in mental health. It will also look at the development and implementation of a single session therapy program, and associated research on the effectiveness of the program, at the Alfred Child and Youth Mental Health Service. Clinical examples will assist in illustrating the program and its model and structures. Lastly, it will review the research data and compare this with other research data in the field.
Greek Athletics as Roman Spectacle: the mosaics from Ostia and Rome
Authors: Newby Zahra
Published: June 2012

With the release in the year 2000 of the filmGladiator, and the exhibition ‘Gladiators and Caesars’ in Hamburg and London, Roman spectacular entertainments, never out of the public eye for long, have returned once again to the limelight. Chief among these entertainments are gladiatorial games and chariot races, exerting a pull on the modern imagination through the famous re-enactments of them in popular films — such asSpartacusor the famous chariot race inBen-Hur— as much as through our knowledge of their popularity in antiquity, often summed up in Juvenal's comment that the Romanplebswanted only ‘panem et circenses’. Yet there was more to Roman spectacle than gladiators and chariots, popular as these were. The aim of this paper is to use the visual evidence from mosaics in Ostia and Rome to investigate the Roman reactions to another type of public spectacle, Greek athletic contests. These were held in Rome periodically from 186 BC, and gained a new momentum in AD 86 with Emperor Domitian's institution of a permanent four-yearly festival on Greek lines in honour of the Capitoline triad (Suetonius,Domitian4).
Incidence and risk factors for H5 highly pathogenic avian influenza infection in flocks of apparently clinically healthy ducks
Authors: HENNING J. , MORTON J. M. , WIBAWA H. , YULIANTO D. , USMAN T. B. , PRIJONO W. , JUNAIDI A. , MEERS J.
Published: June 2012

A prospective longitudinal study was conducted on 96 smallholder duck farms in Indonesia over a period of 14 months in 2007 and 2008 to monitor bird- and flock-level incidence rates of H5 highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) infection in duck flocks, and to identify risk factors associated with these flocks becoming H5 seropositive. Flocks that scavenged around neighbouring houses within the village were at increased risk of developing H5 antibodies, as were flocks from which carcases of birds that died during the 2 months between visits were consumed by the family. Duck flock confinement overnight on the farm and sudden deaths of birds between visits were associated with lower risk of the flock developing H5 antibodies. Scavenging around neighbouring houses and non-confinement overnight are likely to be causal risk factors for infection. With this study we have provided insights into farm-level risk factors of HPAI virus introduction into duck flocks. Preventive messages based on these risk factors should be included in HPAI awareness programmes.
Comparison of a possession score and a poverty index in predicting anaemia and undernutrition in pre-school children and women of reproductive age in rural and urban Côte d'Ivoire
Authors: Rohner Fabian , Tschannen Andres B , Northrop-Clewes Christine , Kouassi-Gohou Valérie , Bosso Patrice E , Nicholas Mascie-Taylor C G
Published: June 2012

Objective

To determine whether a possession score or a poverty index best predicts undernutrition and anaemia in women of reproductive age (15–49 years; WRA) and children aged 6–59 months living in Côte d'Ivoire.

Design

Anthropometric measurements were converted to Z-scores to assess stunting, wasting and underweight in children, and converted to BMI in WRA. A venous blood sample was drawn, and Hb concentration and Plasmodium spp. infection were determined. A possession score was generated with categories of zero to four possessions. A five-point (quintile) poverty index using household assets was created using principal component analysis. These socio-economic measures were compared for their ability to predict anaemia and malnutrition.

Setting

Data were from a nationally representative survey conducted in Côte d'Ivoire in 2007.

Subjects

A sample of 768 WRA and 717 children aged 6–59 months was analysed.

Results

Overall, 74·9 % of children and 50·2 % of WRA were anaemic; 39·5 % of the children were stunted, 28·1 % underweight and 12·8 % wasted, while 7·4 % of WRA had BMI < 18·5 kg/m2. In general, there were more stunted and underweight children and thin WRA in rural areas. The poverty index showed a stronger relationship with nutritional status than the possession score; mean Hb difference between the poorest and wealthiest quintiles in children and WRA was 8·2 g/l and 6·5 g/l, respectively (13·9 % and 19·8 % difference in anaemia, respectively; P < 0·001), and Z-scores and BMI were significantly better in the wealthiest quintile (P < 0·001).

Conclusions

The poverty index was generally a better predictor of undernutrition in WRA and pre-school children than the possession score.
Long‐term variations of the nighttime electron density enhancement during the ionospheric midlatitude summer
Authors: Chen C. H. , Saito A. , Lin C. H. , Liu J. Y.
Published: June 2012

This study, for the first time, presented the long‐term variations of Midlatitude Summer Nighttime Anomaly (MSNA) in the two hemispheres by using 66 ground‐based ionosonde observations from 1957 to 2010. MSNA is characterized by the feature of higher nighttime electron density than daytime density in the midlatitude region during local summer months. Observations from 66 ionosonde stations were used to calculate the MSNA index which is defined by the difference between nighttime and noontime NmF2 values. The MSNA occurrence is determined by positive value of the MSNA index. The global distribution map of the MSNA index shows that there are three regions of intense MSNA. Three ionosonde stations in each of active MSNA regions were chosen to study the long‐term variation of MSNA covering longer than one solar cycle. One station in the southern hemisphere is AIJ6N (Argentine IS; 65.2°S, 64.3°W geographic) and two stations in the northern hemisphere are LN047 (Lannion; 48.8°N, −3.4°E geographic) and MG560 (Magadan; 60.0°N, 151.0°E geographic). Results show that there is a clear solar activity negative dependence of the MSNA index, high MSNA in the low solar activity condition and low MSNA in the high solar activity condition. The seasonal and solar activity variations of the MSNA index are explained by the combined effects of the vertical plasma drift induced by the neutral wind and photoionization during the nighttime.
Seismic investigation of the transition from continental to oceanic subduction along the western Hellenic Subduction Zone
Authors: Pearce F. D. , Rondenay S. , Sachpazi M. , Charalampakis M. , Royden L. H.
Published: June 2012

The western Hellenic subduction zone (WHSZ) exhibits well‐documented along‐strike variations in lithosphere density (i.e., oceanic versus continental), subduction rates, and overriding plate extension. Differences in slab density are believed to drive deformation rates along the WHSZ; however, this hypothesis has been difficult to test given the limited seismic constraints on the structure of the WHSZ, particularly beneath northern Greece. Here, we present high‐resolution seismic images across northern and southern Greece to constrain the slab composition and mantle wedge geometry along the WHSZ. Data from two temporary arrays deployed across Greece in a northern line (NL) and southern line (SL) are processed using a 2D teleseismic migration algorithm based on the Generalized Radon Transform. Images of P‐ and S‐wave velocity perturbations reveal N60E dipping low‐velocity layers beneath both NL and SL. The ∼8 km thick layer beneath SL is interpreted as subducted oceanic crust while the ∼20 km thick layer beneath NL is interpreted as subducted continental crust. The thickness of subducted continental crust inferred within the upper mantle suggests that ∼10 km of continental crust has accreted to the overriding plate. The relative position of the two subducted crusts implies ∼70–85 km of additional slab retreat in the south relative to the north. Overall, our seismic images are consistent with the hypothesis that faster sinking of the denser, oceanic portion of the slab relative to the continental portion can explain the different rates of slab retreat and deformation in the overriding plate along the WHSZ.
Inhibition of activation induced CD154 on CD4+ CD25− cells: a valid surrogate for human Treg suppressor function
Authors: Hill Danika , Eastaff‐Leung Nicola , Bresatz‐Atkins Suzanne , Warner Noel , Ruitenberg Joyce , Krumbiegel Doreen , Pederson Steve , McInnes Natasha , Brown Cheryl Y , Sadlon Timothy , Barry Simon C
Published: June 2012

Natural Regulatory T cells (Tregs) are defined by stable expression of the cell surface proteins CD4 and CD25, low surface expression of CD127 and expression of the transcription factor FOXP3. The contribution of Treg to the prevention of autoimmunity and the maintenance of immune homoestasis is the subject of ongoing interest, as alterations in Treg numbers and function are implicated in a wide range of diseases. The in vitro benchmark for determining Treg function is suppression of proliferation of unmatched effector T cells in a mixed lymphocyte reaction (MLR) over a 3–6‐day time period. As an alternative to this assay, we show that a 7‐h CD154 expression assay is rapid, simple and provides a reliable readout of suppressor function. Using multiple Treg‐like cell types including natural (n)Treg, inducible (i)Treg and Treg cell lines, we show that suppression of CD154 expression is a surrogate for suppression of proliferation. We propose this as a suitable alternative to the MLR assay, as it is rapid and may be more amenable to high‐throughput screening, analysing large cohorts of clinical samples or assaying transiently suppressive populations.
Human invariant chain isoform p35 restores thymic selection and antigen presentation in CD74‐deficient mice
Authors: Genève Laetitia , Chemali Magali , Desjardins Michel , Labrecque Nathalie , Thibodeau Jacques
Published: June 2012

The invariant chain (Ii) has pleiotropic functions and is a key factor in antigen presentation. Ii associates with major histocompatibility complex class II molecules in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) and targets the complex in the endocytic pathway to allow antigenic peptide loading. The human Iip35 isoform includes a cytoplasmic extension containing a di‐arginine motif causing ER retention. This minor isoform does not exist in mice and its function in humans has not been thoroughly investigated. We have recently generated transgenic mice expressing Iip35 and these were crossed with Ii‐deficient mice to generate animals (Tgp35/mIiKO) expressing exclusively the human isoform. In these mice, we show that Iip35 is expressed in antigen presenting cells and is inducible by interferon gamma (IFN‐γ). Despite the low constitutive expression of the protein and some minor differences in the Vβ repertoire of Tgp35/mIiKO mice, Iip35 restored thymic selection of CD4+ T cells and of invariant natural killer T cells. In vitro functional assays using purified primary macrophages treated with IFN‐γ showed that Iip35 allows presentation of an Ii‐dependent ovalbumin T‐cell epitope. Altogether, our results suggest that Iip35 is functional and does not require co‐expression of other isoforms for antigen presentation.
Low demand for nontraditional cookstove technologies
Authors: Mobarak Ahmed Mushfiq , Dwivedi Puneet , Bailis Robert , Hildemann Lynn , Miller Grant
Published: June 2012

Biomass combustion with traditional cookstoves causes substantial environmental and health harm. Nontraditional cookstove technologies can be efficacious in reducing this adverse impact, but they are adopted and used at puzzlingly low rates. This study analyzes the determinants of low demand for nontraditional cookstoves in rural Bangladesh by using both stated preference (from a nationally representative survey of rural women) and revealed preference (assessed by conducting a cluster-randomized trial of cookstove prices) approaches. We find consistent evidence across both analyses suggesting that the women in rural Bangladesh do not perceive indoor air pollution as a significant health hazard, prioritize other basic developmental needs over nontraditional cookstoves, and overwhelmingly rely on a free traditional cookstove technology and are therefore not willing to pay much for a new nontraditional cookstove. Efforts to improve health and abate environmental harm by promoting nontraditional cookstoves may be more successful by designing and disseminating nontraditional cookstoves with features valued more highly by users, such as reduction of operating costs, even when those features are not directly related to the cookstoves’ health and environmental impacts.
Reconstitution of abscisic acid activation of SLAC1 anion channel by CPK6 and OST1 kinases and branched ABI1 PP2C phosphatase action
Authors: Brandt Benjamin , Brodsky Dennis E. , Xue Shaowu , Negi Juntaro , Iba Koh , Kangasjärvi Jaakko , Ghassemian Majid , Stephan Aaron B. , Hu Honghong , Schroeder Julian I.
Published: June 2012

The plant hormone abscisic acid (ABA) is produced in response to abiotic stresses and mediates stomatal closure in response to drought via recently identified ABA receptors (pyrabactin resistance/regulatory component of ABA receptor; PYR/RCAR).
SLAC1
encodes a central guard cell S-type anion channel that mediates ABA-induced stomatal closure. Coexpression of the calcium-dependent protein kinase 21 (CPK21), CPK23, or the Open Stomata 1 kinase (OST1) activates SLAC1 anion currents. However, reconstitution of ABA activation of any plant ion channel has not yet been attained. Whether the known core ABA signaling components are sufficient for ABA activation of SLAC1 anion channels or whether additional components are required remains unknown. The Ca
2+
-dependent protein kinase CPK6 is known to function in vivo in ABA-induced stomatal closure. Here we show that CPK6 robustly activates SLAC1-mediated currents and phosphorylates the SLAC1 N terminus. A phosphorylation site (S59) in SLAC1, crucial for CPK6 activation, was identified. The group A PP2Cs ABI1, ABI2, and PP2CA down-regulated CPK6-mediated SLAC1 activity in oocytes. Unexpectedly, ABI1 directly dephosphorylated the N terminus of SLAC1, indicating an alternate branched early ABA signaling core in which ABI1 targets SLAC1 directly (down-regulation). Furthermore, here we have successfully reconstituted ABA-induced activation of SLAC1 channels in oocytes using the ABA receptor pyrabactin resistant 1 (PYR1) and PP2C phosphatases with two alternate signaling cores including either CPK6 or OST1. Point mutations in ABI1 disrupting PYR1–ABI1 interaction abolished ABA signal transduction. Moreover, by addition of CPK6, a functional ABA signal transduction core from ABA receptors to ion channel activation was reconstituted without a SnRK2 kinase.
Biased learning affects mate choice in a butterfly
Authors: Westerman Erica L. , Hodgins-Davis Andrea , Dinwiddie April , Monteiro Antónia
Published: June 2012

Early acquisition of mate preferences or mate-preference learning is associated with signal diversity and speciation in a wide variety of animal species. However, the diversity of mechanisms of mate-preference learning across taxa remains poorly understood. Using the butterfly
Bicyclus anynana
we uncover a mechanism that can lead to directional sexual selection via mate-preference learning: a bias in learning enhanced ornamentation, which is independent of preexisting mating biases. Naïve females mated preferentially with wild-type males over males with enhanced wing ornamentation, but females briefly exposed to enhanced males mated significantly more often with enhanced males. In contrast, females exposed to males with reduced wing ornamentation did not learn to prefer drab males. Thus, we observe both a learned change of a preexisting mating bias, and a bias in ability to learn enhanced male ornaments over reduced ornaments. Our findings demonstrate that females are able to change their preferences in response to a single social event, and suggest a role for biased learning in the evolution of visual sexual ornamentation.
Compressive fluorescence microscopy for biological and hyperspectral imaging
Authors: Studer Vincent , Bobin Jérome , Chahid Makhlad , Mousavi Hamed Shams , Candes Emmanuel , Dahan Maxime
Published: June 2012

The mathematical theory of compressed sensing (CS) asserts that one can acquire signals from measurements whose rate is much lower than the total bandwidth. Whereas the CS theory is now well developed, challenges concerning hardware implementations of CS-based acquisition devices—especially in optics—have only started being addressed. This paper presents an implementation of compressive sensing in fluorescence microscopy and its applications to biomedical imaging. Our CS microscope combines a dynamic structured wide-field illumination and a fast and sensitive single-point fluorescence detection to enable reconstructions of images of fluorescent beads, cells, and tissues with undersampling ratios (between the number of pixels and number of measurements) up to 32. We further demonstrate a hyperspectral mode and record images with 128 spectral channels and undersampling ratios up to 64, illustrating the potential benefits of CS acquisition for higher-dimensional signals, which typically exhibits extreme redundancy. Altogether, our results emphasize the interest of CS schemes for acquisition at a significantly reduced rate and point to some remaining challenges for CS fluorescence microscopy.
Distinct DNA methylomes of newborns and centenarians
Authors: Heyn Holger , Li Ning , Ferreira Humberto J. , Moran Sebastian , Pisano David G. , Gomez Antonio , Diez Javier , Sanchez-Mut Jose V. , Setien Fernando , Carmona F. Javier , Puca Annibale A. , Sayols Sergi , Pujana Miguel A. , Serra-Musach Jordi , Iglesias-Platas Isabel , Formiga Francesc , Fernandez Agustin F. , Fraga Mario F. , Heath Simon C. , Valencia Alfonso , Gut Ivo G. , Wang Jun , Esteller Manel
Published: June 2012

Human aging cannot be fully understood in terms of the constrained genetic setting. Epigenetic drift is an alternative means of explaining age-associated alterations. To address this issue, we performed whole-genome bisulfite sequencing (WGBS) of newborn and centenarian genomes. The centenarian DNA had a lower DNA methylation content and a reduced correlation in the methylation status of neighboring cytosine—phosphate—guanine (CpGs) throughout the genome in comparison with the more homogeneously methylated newborn DNA. The more hypomethylated CpGs observed in the centenarian DNA compared with the neonate covered all genomic compartments, such as promoters, exonic, intronic, and intergenic regions. For regulatory regions, the most hypomethylated sequences in the centenarian DNA were present mainly at CpG-poor promoters and in tissue-specific genes, whereas a greater level of DNA methylation was observed in CpG island promoters. We extended the study to a larger cohort of newborn and nonagenarian samples using a 450,000 CpG-site DNA methylation microarray that reinforced the observation of more hypomethylated DNA sequences in the advanced age group. WGBS and 450,000 analyses of middle-age individuals demonstrated DNA methylomes in the crossroad between the newborn and the nonagenarian/centenarian groups. Our study constitutes a unique DNA methylation analysis of the extreme points of human life at a single-nucleotide resolution level.
Impact of branching on the elasticity of actin networks
Authors: Pujol Thomas , du Roure Olivia , Fermigier Marc , Heuvingh Julien
Published: June 2012

Actin filaments play a fundamental role in cell mechanics: assembled into networks by a large number of partners, they ensure cell integrity, deformability, and migration. Here we focus on the mechanics of the dense branched network found at the leading edge of a crawling cell. We develop a new technique based on the dipolar attraction between magnetic colloids to measure mechanical properties of branched actin gels assembled around the colloids. This technique allows us to probe a large number of gels and, through the study of different networks, to access fundamental relationships between their microscopic structure and their mechanical properties. We show that the architecture does regulate the elasticity of the network: increasing both capping and branching concentrations strongly stiffens the networks. These effects occur at protein concentrations that can be regulated by the cell. In addition, the dependence of the elastic modulus on the filaments’ flexibility and on increasing internal stress has been studied. Our overall results point toward an elastic regime dominated by enthalpic rather than entropic deformations. This result strongly differs from the elasticity of diluted cross-linked actin networks and can be explained by the dense dendritic structure of lamellipodium-like networks.