bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The determinants of receiving social care in later life in England
Authors: VLACHANTONI A. , SHAW R. J. , EVANDROU M. , FALKINGHAM J.
Published: September 2013

Demographic change and policy changes in social care provision can affect the type of social care support received by older people, whether through informal, formal state or formal paid-for sources. This paper analyses the English Longitudinal Study of Ageing data (wave 4) in order to examine the relationship between demographic and socio-economic characteristics, and the receipt of support from different sources by older people who report difficulty with daily activities. The research outlines three key results with implications for the future organisation of social care for older people. Firstly, the number of instrumental activities of daily living (IADLs) an older person reports having difficulty with, followed by the number of activities of daily living (ADLs) are the strongest determinants of receiving support from any source. Secondly, there are significant gender differences in the factors associated with receiving support from different sources; for example, physical health is a strong determinant of informal support receipt by men, while mental health status is a strong determinant of informal support receipt by women. Finally, the research shows that different kinds of impediments in everyday life are associated with receiving support from different sources. This ‘link’ between particular types of difficulties and support receipt from particular sources raises questions about the way social care provision can or should be organised in the future.
A Comparison of Maritime Risk Perception and Accident Statistics in the Istanbul Straight
Authors: Aydogdu Yusuf Volkan
Published: September 2013

The Istanbul Strait is a challenging waterway for maritime traffic due to its rough topology, moderate to severe environmental conditions, and heavy local traffic. In particular, a total of 232 maritime accidents took place there between 2000 and 2011. In this study, generic fuzzy analytic hierarchy processes were used to assess the risk perception of stakeholders in the Istanbul Strait, including ship captains, maritime pilots and Vessel Traffic Services operators. These risk perceptions were then compared to the statistical maritime accident data, revealing a fundamental discrepancy between the risk perception and statistical data. Specifically, the area of the Straight with the highest number of accidents is perceived as relatively low-risk, whereas areas perceived as high-risk experience a lower number of accidents. Our results have implications for stakeholders as well as government agencies responsible for the safety of the Straight.
Age Differences in Hippocampus-Cortex Connectivity during True and False Memory Retrieval
Authors: Paz-Alonso Pedro M. , Gallego Pamela , Ghetti Simona
Published: September 2013

The present functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) study investigated developmental differences in functional connectivity associated with true and false memory retrieval. A sample of 8- to 9-year-olds and adults (N = 31) was assessed with the Deese/Roediger-McDermott (DRM) paradigm, known to induce high levels of false recognition of lures that are semantically associated with studied items. The strength of semantic association among list items was manipulated. Relative to children, adults correctly recognized more studied items and falsely recognized more critical lures. High-association lists resulted in higher recognition of both studied items and critical lures. Functional connectivity analysis revealed that, overall, true recognition was supported by coupling within two hippocampal-temporal and fronto-parietal set of regions; in contrast, coupling among more distributed hippocampal-temporal-parietal-frontal regions was observed during false recognition. Critically, adults, compared to children, exhibited stronger hippocampal/parietal coupling and stronger hippocampal/dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (PFC) coupling for veridical recognition of high-associative strength items. In contrast, children, compared to adults, exhibited stronger hippocampus/ventrolateral PFC coupling and stronger bilateral middle-temporal gyrus/ventrolateral PFC coupling for high-associative strength critical lures. Our results underscored a role for the anterior hippocampus in true and false recognition, showing different functional patterns as a function of age and association strength. (JINS, 2013, 19, 1–11)
Lone Star Pterosaurs
Authors: Andres Brian , Myers Timothy S.
Published: September 2013

The state of Texas has one of the greatest records of pterosaurs in the world, surpassing all other US states and most countries in the number of occurrences. Uniquely, this record extends over the entire 150+ million history of the Pterosauria. A review of this pterosaur record confirms at least 30 pterosaurs known from 13 occurrences, including five valid species. The holotypes of two of these species have been described before and are diagnosed and erected here as the new speciesRadiodactylus langstoni, gen. et sp. nov., named in honour of Dr. Wann Langston Jr, the father of Texas pterosaurology, andAlamodactylus byrdi, gen. et sp. nov.. Phylogenetic analysis of all Texas pterosaurs that can be coded for more than one character confirms that these species are distinct from others and occupy phylogenetic positions close to their original classifications.Radiodactylus langstoniis recovered as a non-azhdarchid azhdarchoid,Quetzalcoatlus northropias an azhdarchid,Alamodactylus byrdias a non-pteranodontoid pteranodontian,Aetodactylusas a pteranodontoid, andColoborhynchus wadleighias an ornithocheirid. The presence of eudimorphodontid, dsungaripterid, as well as other azhdarchid and pteranodontoid pterosaurs, is also confirmed in Texas.
The development of “modern” palaeontological laboratory methods: a century of progress
Authors: Brown Matthew A.
Published: September 2013

Vertebrate fossils have been converted from natural history objects into research specimens through the act of preparation for over 200 years. All of the basic techniques applied to specimens in the 21st Century were already in use in palaeontological laboratories by the first decade of the 1900s. It behoves any worker in the field to be intimately familiar with processes for treatment of specimens, as these procedures almost always permanently alter material available for interpretation. Historic treatments also complicate attempts to re-treat or re-prepare specimens. Sometimes this results in damage to fossils and loss of information, and often in wasted resources. Most palaeontologists are unaware of the historical evolution of laboratory methods through this time; much of the documentation of this process is considered to be obscure. However, there is in fact a robust body of literature that chronicles the development of procedures for the preparation of fossils. Awareness of the past development of methods is crucial to guiding future directions in the palaeontological laboratory. Regular reporting of laboratory methods in the technical literature at a pace matching that of other analytical methods is integral to the function of palaeontology as a science.
Herpetofaunas from the “overburden” (Quaternary) of western Canada
Authors: Jass Christopher N. , Gardner James D.
Published: September 2013

Quaternary herpetofaunas from eight palaeontological localities in western Canada (British Columbia: Bear Flat; Alberta: Eagle Cave, January Cave, Rat's Nest Cave, Hand/Wintering Hills, Fletcher Site, Stampede Site and Little Fish Lake) are described in detail for the first time. Identifications of taxa from these localities include frogs (Ranasp.,Bufosp., and Anura indet.), salamanders (cf.Ambystomasp.), and snakes (cf.Thamnophissp. and cf.Pituophissp.). Preglacial and postglacial herpetofaunas are distinctly separated by a boundary resulting from the advance and retreat of glacial ice across northern North America. The taxonomic records presented here represent a conservative, morphology-based approach to identification that resulted in less taxonomic resolution than is commonly found in literature on Quaternary herpetofaunas. Nonetheless, the resultant data set was useful for establishing a framework that is indicative of biogeographic stability in Quaternary reptiles and amphibians of western Canada. We hypothesise that the observed stability may be related to evolutionary adaptations (e.g. cold-tolerance) in specific lineages.
Information Measure for Long-Range Correlated Sequences: the Case of the 24 Human Chromosomes
Authors: Carbone A.
Published: September 2013

A new approach to estimate the Shannon entropy of a long-range correlated sequence is proposed. The entropy is written as the sum of two terms corresponding respectively to power-law (ordered) and exponentially (disordered) distributed blocks (clusters). The approach is illustrated on the 24 human chromosome sequences by taking the nucleotide composition as the relevant information to be encoded/decoded. Interestingly, the nucleotide composition of the ordered clusters is found, on the average, comparable to the one of the whole analyzed sequence, while that of the disordered clusters fluctuates. From the information theory standpoint, this means that the power-law correlated clusters carry the same information of the whole analysed sequence. Furthermore, the fluctuations of the nucleotide composition of the disordered clusters are linked to relevant biological properties, such as segmental duplications and gene density.
Integrated Chemistries for Analytical Simplification and Point of Care Testing
Authors: Vadgama Pankaj , Anastasova Salzitsa , Spehar‐Deleze Anna
Published: September 2013

With the convergence of immobilisation chemistries for complex biomolecules and reaction sequences with microfabrication and lamination technologies it is now possible to integrate bench‐level laboratory assays into miniaturised devices. Main‐frame laboratories analysers have retained soluble reagent system capable of high throughput assays by the incorporation of sophisticated fluidics, but the “miniaturised device” approval has seen considerable innovation and diversification in recent years for point of care (POC) diagnosis. It has empowered both patients and clinical staff to undertake timely sampling and analysis with the minimum of specimen manipulation and separation. Sample movement and separation through lateral flow and microfluidics have been a key first step with sample presentation in the right form to a detector or binding surface. There is no reaction product as outcome. A smart adaptation of label‐based assays is necessary and whilst the principles of this may not be new, their design, and means of miniaturised integration are definitely engineering advances. We have come a long way from the original dry reagent concept for extralaboratory testing, but with now more complex chemistries and the prospects of array technologies, POC testing is set to become a more prominent feature of the diagnostic scene.
The Diagnosis of Myelodysplastic Syndromes
Authors: Thomas Alison S. , McNamara Christopher
Published: September 2013

Myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) is a clonal haematopoietic stem‐cell disorder, characterised by peripheral blood cytopenias and a risk of progression to acute myeloid leukaemia. Diagnosis is made primarily on the basis of dysplastic morphology affecting at least 10% of cells in one or more myeloid lineage, following the exclusion of causes of nonclonal dysplasia. Cytogenetic and immunophenotyping data provide supporting evidence of the presence of a clonal abnormality and prognostic information. Whilst the current WHO classification is based on morphological features, increased understanding of the pathophysiology of myelodysplastic syndromes gained from molecular techniques is likely to see their increased use as diagnostic tools and incorporation into future revised classifications.
Crystal structure and morphology control of molybdenum carbide nanomaterials synthesized from an amine–metal oxide composite
Authors: Wan Cheng , Knight Nicole A. , Leonard Brian M.
Published: September 2013

Multiple phases of molybdenum carbide have been synthesized using a unique amine–metal oxide composite material.
GAPDH: the missing link between glycolysis and mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation?
Authors: Ramzan Rabia , Weber Petra , Linne Uwe , Vogt Sebastian
Published: September 2013

The main function of glycolysis and oxidative phosphorylation is to produce cellular energy in the form of ATP. In the present paper we propose a link between both of these energy-regulatory processes in the form of GAPDH (glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase) and CytOx (cytochrome c oxidase). GAPDH is the sixth enzyme of glycolysis, whereas CytOx is the fourth complex of the mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation system. In MS analysis, GAPDH was found to be associated with a BN-PAGE (blue native PAGE)-isolated complex of CytOx from bovine heart tissue homogenates. Both GAPDH and CytOx are highly regulated under normal energy metabolic conditions, but both of these enzymes are highly deregulated in the presence of oxidative stress. The interaction of GAPDH with CytOx could be the point of interest as it has already been shown that GAPDH protein damage results in a marked decrease in cellular ATP levels. On the other hand, decreasing the ATP/ADP ratio may ultimately result in switching off the allosteric ATP inhibition of CytOx leading to increased ROS (reactive oxygen species), cytochrome c release and apoptosis. Moreover, we have previously reported that allosteric ATP inhibition of CytOx is responsible for keeping the membrane potential at low healthy values, thus avoiding the production of ROS and this allosteric ATP inhibition is switched on at a high ATP/ADP ratio. So, in the present paper, we propose a scheme that could prove to be a link between these two enzymes and their role in the prevalence of diseases.
The alternative oxidases: simple oxidoreductase proteins with complex functions
Authors: Young Luke , Shiba Tomoo , Harada Shigeharu , Kita Kiyoshi , Albury Mary S. , Moore Anthony L.
Published: September 2013

The alternative oxidases are membrane-bound monotopic terminal electron transport proteins found in all plants and in some agrochemically important fungi and parasites including Trypansoma brucei, which is the causative agent of trypanosomiasis. They are integral membrane proteins and reduce oxygen to water in a four electron process. The recent elucidation of the crystal structure of the trypanosomal alternative oxidase at 2.85 Å (1 Å=0.1 nm) has revealed salient structural features necessary for its function. In the present review we compare the primary and secondary ligation spheres of the alternative oxidases with other di-iron carboxylate proteins and propose a mechanism for the reduction of oxygen to water.
Molecular mechanism and physiological role of active–deactive transition of mitochondrial complex I
Authors: Babot Marion , Galkin Alexander
Published: September 2013

The unique feature of mitochondrial complex I is the so-called A/D transition (active–deactive transition). The A-form catalyses rapid oxidation of NADH by ubiquinone (k ~104 min−1) and spontaneously converts into the D-form if the enzyme is idle at physiological temperatures. Such deactivation occurs in vitro in the absence of substrates or in vivo during ischaemia, when the ubiquinone pool is reduced. The D-form can undergo reactivation given both NADH and ubiquinone availability during slow (k ~1–10 min−1) catalytic turnover(s). We examined known conformational differences between the two forms and suggested a mechanism exerting A/D transition of the enzyme. In addition, we discuss the physiological role of maintaining the enzyme in the D-form during the ischaemic period. Accumulation of the D-form of the enzyme would prevent reverse electron transfer from ubiquinol to FMN which could lead to superoxide anion generation. Deactivation would also decrease the initial burst of respiration after oxygen reintroduction. Therefore the A/D transition could be an intrinsic protective mechanism for lessening oxidative damage during the early phase of reoxygenation. Exposure of Cys39 of mitochondrially encoded subunit ND3 makes the D-form susceptible for modification by reactive oxygen species and nitric oxide metabolites which arrests the reactivation of the D-form and inhibits the enzyme. The nature of thiol modification defines deactivation reversibility, the reactivation timescale, the status of mitochondrial bioenergetics and therefore the degree of recovery of the ischaemic tissues after reoxygenation.
Assembly of the Escherichia coli FoF1 ATP synthase involves distinct subcomplex formation
Authors: Deckers-Hebestreit Gabriele
Published: September 2013

The ATP synthase (FoF1) of Escherichia coli couples the translocation of protons across the cytoplasmic membrane by Fo to ATP synthesis or hydrolysis in F1. Whereas good knowledge of the nanostructure and the rotary mechanism of the ATP synthase is at hand, the assembly pathway of the 22 polypeptide chains present in a stoichiometry of ab2c10α3β3γδϵ has so far not received sufficient attention. In our studies, mutants that synthesize different sets of FoF1 subunits allowed the characterization of individually formed stable subcomplexes. Furthermore, the development of a time-delayed in vivo assembly system enabled the subsequent synthesis of particular missing subunits to allow the formation of functional ATP synthase complexes. These observations form the basis for a model that describes the assembly pathway of the E. coli ATP synthase from pre-formed subcomplexes, thereby avoiding membrane proton permeability by a concomitant assembly of the open H+-translocating unit within a coupled FoF1 complex.
Predicting affinity- and specificity-enhancing mutations at protein–protein interfaces
Authors: Sharabi Oz , Shirian Jason , Shifman Julia M.
Published: September 2013

Manipulations of PPIs (protein–protein interactions) are important for many biological applications such as synthetic biology and drug design. Combinatorial methods have been traditionally used for such manipulations, failing, however, to explain the effects achieved. We developed a computational method for prediction of changes in free energy of binding due to mutation that bring about deeper understanding of the molecular forces underlying binding interactions. Our method could be used for computational scanning of binding interfaces and subsequent analysis of the interfacial sequence optimality. The computational method was validated in two biological systems. Computational saturated mutagenesis of a high-affinity complex between an enzyme AChE (acetylcholinesterase) and a snake toxin Fas (fasciculin) revealed the optimal nature of this interface with only a few predicted affinity-enhancing mutations. Binding measurements confirmed high optimality of this interface and identified a few mutations that could further improve interaction fitness. Computational interface scanning of a medium-affinity complex between TIMP-2 (tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases-2) and MMP (matrix metalloproteinase) 14 revealed a non-optimal nature of the binding interface with multiple mutations predicted to stabilize the complex. Experimental results corroborated our computational predictions, identifying a large number of mutations that improve the binding affinity for this interaction and some mutations that enhance binding specificity. Overall, our computational protocol greatly facilitates the discovery of affinity- and specificity-enhancing mutations and thus could be applied for design of potent and highly specific inhibitors of any PPI.
Dynamic structural science: recent developments in time-resolved spectroscopy and X-ray crystallography
Authors: Trincao Jose , Hamilton Michelle L. , Christensen Jeppe , Pearson Arwen R.
Published: September 2013

To understand the mechanism of biological processes, time-resolved methodologies are required to investigate how functionality is linked to changes in molecular structure. A number of spectroscopic techniques are available that probe local structural rearrangements with high temporal resolution. However, for macromolecules, these techniques do not yield an overall high-resolution description of the structure. Time-resolved X-ray crystallographic methods exist, but, due to both instrument availability and stringent sample requirements, they have not been widely applied to macromolecular systems, especially for time resolutions below 1 s. Recently, there has been a resurgent interest in time-resolved structural science, fuelled by the recognition that both chemical and life scientists face many of the same challenges. In the present article, we review the current state-of-the-art in dynamic structural science, highlighting applications to enzymes. We also look to the future and discuss current method developments with the potential to widen access to time-resolved studies across discipline boundaries.
Rational design of FRET sensor proteins based on mutually exclusive domain interactions
Authors: Merkx Maarten , Golynskiy Misha V. , Lindenburg Laurens H. , Vinkenborg Jan L.
Published: September 2013

Proteins that switch between distinct conformational states are ideal to monitor and control molecular processes within the complexity of biological systems. Inspired by the modular architecture of natural signalling proteins, our group explores generic design strategies for the construction of FRET-based sensor proteins and other protein switches. In the present article, I show that designing FRET sensors based on mutually exclusive domain interactions provides a robust method to engineer sensors with predictable properties and an inherently large change in emission ratio. The modularity of this approach should make it easily transferable to other applications of protein switches in fields ranging from synthetic biology, optogenetics and molecular diagnostics.
Optobiology: optical control of biological processes via protein engineering
Authors: Kim Benjamin , Lin Michael Z.
Published: September 2013

Enabling optical control over biological processes is a defining goal of the new field of optogenetics. Control of membrane voltage by natural rhodopsin family ion channels has found widespread acceptance in neuroscience, due to the fact that these natural proteins control membrane voltage without further engineering. In contrast, optical control of intracellular biological processes has been a fragmented effort, with various laboratories engineering light-responsive properties into proteins in different manners. In the present article, we review the various systems that have been developed for controlling protein functions with light based on vertebrate rhodopsins, plant photoregulatory proteins and, most recently, the photoswitchable fluorescent protein Dronpa. By allowing biology to be controlled with spatiotemporal specificity and tunable dynamics, light-controllable proteins will find applications in the understanding of cellular and organismal biology and in synthetic biology.
The antiviral lectin cyanovirin-N: probing multivalency and glycan recognition through experimental and computational approaches
Authors: Woodrum Brian W. , Maxwell Jason D. , Bolia Ashini , Ozkan S. Banu , Ghirlanda Giovanna
Published: September 2013

CVN (cyanovirin-N), a small lectin isolated from cyanobacteria, exemplifies a novel class of anti-HIV agents that act by binding to the highly glycosylated envelope protein gp120 (glycoprotein 120), resulting in inhibition of the crucial viral entry step. In the present review, we summarize recent work in our laboratory and others towards determining the crucial role of multivalency in the antiviral activity, and we discuss features that contribute to the high specificity and affinity for the glycan ligand observed in CVN. An integrated approach that encompasses structural determination, mutagenesis analysis and computational work holds particular promise to clarify aspects of the interactions between CVN and glycans.
A long road towards the structure of respiratory complex I, a giant molecular proton pump
Authors: Sazanov Leonid A. , Baradaran Rozbeh , Efremov Rouslan G. , Berrisford John M. , Minhas Gurdeep
Published: September 2013

Complex I (NADH:ubiquinone oxidoreductase) is central to cellular energy production, being the first and largest enzyme of the respiratory chain in mitochondria. It couples electron transfer from NADH to ubiquinone with proton translocation across the inner mitochondrial membrane and is involved in a wide range of human neurodegenerative disorders. Mammalian complex I is composed of 44 different subunits, whereas the ‘minimal’ bacterial version contains 14 highly conserved ‘core’ subunits. The L-shaped assembly consists of hydrophilic and membrane domains. We have determined all known atomic structures of complex I, starting from the hydrophilic domain of Thermus thermophilus enzyme (eight subunits, nine Fe–S clusters), followed by the membrane domains of the Escherichia coli (six subunits, 55 transmembrane helices) and T. thermophilus (seven subunits, 64 transmembrane helices) enzymes, and finally culminating in a recent crystal structure of the entire intact complex I from T. thermophilus (536 kDa, 16 subunits, nine Fe–S clusters, 64 transmembrane helices). The structure suggests an unusual and unique coupling mechanism via long-range conformational changes. Determination of the structure of the entire complex was possible only through this step-by-step approach, building on from smaller subcomplexes towards the entire assembly. Large membrane proteins are notoriously difficult to crystallize, and so various non-standard and sometimes counterintuitive approaches were employed in order to achieve crystal diffraction to high resolution and solve the structures. These steps, as well as the implications from the final structure, are discussed in the present review.
Half a century of molecular bioenergetics
Authors: Junge Wolfgang
Published: September 2013

Molecular bioenergetics deals with the construction, function and regulation of the powerhouses of life. The present overview sketches scenes and actors, farsighted goals and daring hypotheses, meticulous tool-making, painstaking benchwork, lucky discovery, serious scepticism, emphatic believing and strong characters with weak and others with hard arguments, told from a personal, admittedly limited, perspective. Bioenergetics will blossom further with the search focused on both where there is bright light for ever-finer detail and the obvious dark spots for surprise and discovery.
Collaboration across the health care and education interface: what is it like for teachers of children with traumatic brain injury?
Authors: Massey Sarah , Fisher Karin , Croker Anne , Smith Tony
Published: September 2013

For those involved in supporting and educating children with traumatic brain injury, the interface between health care and education is complex. This paper reports the findings of a study exploring how teachers of children with traumatic brain injury experience collaboration with health-care professionals. A phenomenological approach was used to understand teachers’ experience of collaboration. Semi-structured interviews were undertaken with five teachers who taught children with traumatic brain injury in a regional area of Australia. The findings revealed that the experience of collaboration for teachers is characterised by moving through three notional spaces (starting out in the interactive space, moving into a collaborative space and embracing the collaborative space). As they move through these spaces, teachers widen their self-sufficient practice horizon to develop reciprocity with health-care professionals. The findings from this study highlight a need for health-care professionals to be sensitive to, and aware of, teachers’ familiarity with interdisciplinary collaboration, issues related to knowledge differentials and time constraints.
Verification of WRF modelled fire weather in the 2009–10 New Zealand fire season
Authors: Simpson C. C. , Pearce H. G. , Sturman A. P. , Zawar-Reza P.
Published: September 2013

The Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) mesoscale model was used to simulate the fire weather conditions for the 2009–10 wildland fire season in New Zealand. The suitability of WRF to simulate the high-end fire weather conditions for this period was assessed through direct comparison with observational data taken from 23 surface and two upper-air stations located across New Zealand. The weather variables and fire weather indices considered in the verification were the 1200 hours NZST air temperature, relative humidity, wind speed and direction, 24-h rainfall, New Zealand Fire Weather Index (FWI) and Continuous Haines Index (CHI). On observed high-end fire weather days, the model under-predicted the air temperatures and relative humidities, and over-predicted the wind speeds and 24-h rainfall at most weather stations. The results demonstrated that although WRF is suitable for modelling the air temperatures, there are issues with modelling the wind speeds and rainfall quantities. The model error in the wind speeds and 24-h rainfall contributed significantly towards the model under-prediction of the FWI on observed high-end fire weather days. In addition, the model was not suitable for predicting the number of high-end fire weather days at most weather stations, which represents a serious operational limitation of the WRF model for fire management applications. Finally, the modelled CHI values were only in moderate agreement with the observed values, principally due to the model error in the dew point depression at 850hPa.
Objective and perceived wildfire risk and its influence on private forest landowners’ fuel reduction activities in Oregon’s (USA) ponderosa pine ecoregion
Authors: Fischer A. Paige , Kline Jeffrey D. , Ager Alan A. , Charnley Susan , Olsen Keith A.
Published: September 2013

Policymakers seek ways to encourage fuel reduction among private forest landowners to augment similar efforts on federal and state lands. Motivating landowners to contribute to landscape-level wildfire protection requires an understanding of factors that underlie landowner behaviour regarding wildfire. We developed a conceptual framework describing landowners’ propensity to conduct fuel reduction as a function of objective and subjective factors relating to wildfire risk. We tested our conceptual framework using probit analysis of empirical data from a survey of non-industrial private forest landowners in the ponderosa pine (Pinus ponderosa) region of eastern Oregon (USA). Our empirical results confirm the conceptual framework and suggest that landowners’ perceptions of wildfire risk and propensity to conduct fuel treatments are correlated with hazardous fuel conditions on or near their parcels, whether they have housing or timber assets at risk, and their past experience with wildfire, financial capacity for conducting treatments and membership in forestry and fire protection organisations. Our results suggest that policies that increase awareness of hazardous fuel conditions on their property and potential for losses in residential and timber assets, and that enhance social networks through which awareness and risk perception are formed, could help to encourage fuel reduction among private forest landowners.
Beyond the Bundle: A Survey of Central Line–Associated Bloodstream Infection Prevention Practices Used in US and Canadian Pediatric Hospitals
Authors: Klieger Sarah B. , Potter-Bynoe Gail , Quach Caroline , Sandora Thomas J. , Coffin Susan E.
Published: September 2013

We surveyed US and Canadian pediatric hospitals about their use of central line-associated bloodstream infection (CLABSI) prevention strategies beyond typical insertion and maintenance bundles. We found wide variation in supplemental strategies across hospitals and in their penetration within hospitals. Future studies should assess specific adjunctive prevention strategies and CLABSI rates.
Characterization of local quadratic growth for strong minima in the optimal control of semi-linear elliptic equations
Authors: Bayen Térence , Bonnans J. Frédéric , Silva Francisco
Published: September 2013

In this article we consider an optimal control problem of a semi-linear elliptic equation, with bound constraints on the control. Our aim is to characterize local quadratic growth for the cost function

J
J

in the sense of strong solutions. This means that the function

J
J

grows quadratically over all feasible controls whose associated state is close enough to the nominal one, in the uniform topology. The study of strong solutions, classical in the Calculus of Variations, seems to be new in the context of PDE optimization. Our analysis, based on a decomposition result for the variation of the cost, combines Pontryagin’s principle and second order conditions. While these two ingredients are known, we use them in such a way that we do not need to assume that the Hessian of the Lagrangian of the problem is a Legendre form, or that it is uniformly positive on an extended set of critical directions.
Anorexia Nervosa
Authors: Eli Karin , Ulijaszek Stanley
Published: September 2013

With its multidimensional etiology, rich history, and increasingly complex epidemiology, anorexia nervosa (from here on, referred to as “anorexia”) has emerged as a biocultural disorder of significance for medical anthropology. Anthropological work on anorexia was first published in the 1980s, with these initial engagements examining the Western cultural context wherein anorexia was known to be expressed. Over the decades, paradigm shifts in medical anthropology—from culture-bound syndromes and explanatory models of disease to analyses of globalization and ethnographies of the body and self—transitioned the anthropological discussion of anorexia away from “culture” and toward the critical analysis of practice, experience, and subjectivity. But the anthropological narrative of anorexia is even richer, having been informed by more than a century of multidisciplinary work: a vast corpus that constitutes an unlikely gathering of disciplines, all searching for the key to anorexia’s causation and course. Since its clinical definition in the 1870s, anorexia—a disorder of ambiguous and complex causation, with striking psychological, social, physiological, and behavioral manifestations—has been subject to myriad interpretations. In fields ranging from biomedical (including genetic and neuro-) science to the many schools of psychology, history, and feminist social theory, scholars have offered interpretations of anorexia, each addressing a facet of this condition. With historical analyses tracing anorexia through the 1800s and to pre-Enlightenment times, feminist analyses positioning anorexia as the embodiment of sociopolitical thought, and evolutionary and genetic analyses suggesting anorexia is the possible expression of adaptive traits, multidisciplinary work on anorexia has captured a complexity that is yet to be fully understood. It is this complexity, blurring the boundaries of body, society, history, and self, that makes anorexia so relevant for medical anthropology, its enduring ambiguities evoking the wholeness of the human experience that anthropological research seeks to explain. Given the nature of the anorexia literature on which anthropological research draws, this article does not highlight genres of publication: journals and textbooks dedicated to eating disorders tend to be exclusively clinical, emphasizing biomedical research and quantitative data analyses (rather than clinical case reports), such that they would not provide the most-salient references for anthropologists. The works featured in this article are divided, therefore, according to the analytic perspectives they express. Emphasis is placed on the history of thought on anorexia, while drawing out the salience of specific works for contemporary anthropological research.
Prevalence of Epstein–Barr Virus in a population of patients with inflammatory bowel disease: a prospective cohort study
Authors: Linton M. S. , Kroeker K. , Fedorak D. , Dieleman L. , Fedorak R. N.
Published: September 2013

Background

The Epstein–Barr Virus (EBV) is truly prolific, with a prevalence of more than 90% in the adult human population. There are, however, little data available on the prevalence of EBV among patients with Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD), a population that is frequently immunosuppressed and thus at risk for severe, often fatal, primary infection.

Aim

To identify the prevalence of EBV in a population of patients with IBD and to compare it with that of the general population.

Methods

A database of 2500 IBD patients previously followed at the University of Alberta IBD Centre was queried; 60 of these patients were randomly chosen to participate. A total of 220 patients attending the IBD Centre for clinical appointment were also prospectively asked to participate. Participants completed serological testing for VCA‐IgM, VCA‐IgG and EBNA‐IgG, to determine prior EBV exposure.

Results

A total of 263 patients underwent testing. Results for EBV seroprevalence of specific age groups were as follows: 18–20 years (n = 17), 29% seronegative; 21–25 years (n = 31), 29% seronegative; 26–30 years (n = 35), 31–35 years (n = 18) and 36–40 years (n = 25), 100% seropositive. Finally, 3% of those older than 40 (n = 117) were seronegative. EBV seroprevalence was similar for Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis. Azathioprine was associated with seropositivity (P = 0.048).

Conclusion

The prevalence of EBV seronegativity in the IBD population aged 18–25 years was similar to that described in the general population, and above age 25 years, seropositivity approached 100%.
Textile Effluent Discoloration by Immobilized Phanerochaete Chrysosporium into PVA-Alginate-Sulfate Beads
Authors: Ahmad Nasir Nor Atikah Husna , Mohd Asri Nor Fadhilatul Shilla , Mohd Zain Nor Azimah , Suhaimi Mohd Suardi , Idris Ani
Published: September 2013

This paper presents preliminary research on immobilized Phanerochaete chrysosporium in PVA-alginate-sulfate beads to discolor textile effluents. It is an alternative technique from the current physico-chemicals. The main focus of this study was to determine the colour removal, Chemical oxygen deman (COD) removal and manganese peroxidase activity of the immobilized P.crysosporium. Immobilized P.crysosporium also confers advantages such as reusability and improved cell performance. Scanning electron microscope (SEM) was also performed to characterize the immobilization matrix. The immobilized results were compared with that of free cells. Immobilized cells were able to discolor 47.14% compared to free cells which recorded 10.78% colour removal. The COD removal of immobilized cell is more than 60% as compared to that of free cells, which could only reduced 30% of COD. Finally, the manganase peroxidase activities showed a slight difference between the immobilized and free cell at 0.15U/L and 0.13U/L respectively.
Enrichment of Anaerobic Ammonium Oxidation (Anammox) Bacteria for Biological Nitrogen Removal of Wastewater
Authors: Yusof Norjan , Abdullah Hanisom , Samsudin Syakirah , Hassan Mohd Ali
Published: September 2013

Anaerobic ammonium oxidation (anammox) bacteria enrichment was explored for the potential application of ammonium rich wastewater removal. Samples of sludge from mature and young landfill leachate treatment plants were screened and used as inocula for anammox enrichment cultures. Enrichments were monitored for N-NH3, N-NO2- and N-NO3- to detect anammox potential activity. Six of the twelve enrichment cultures showed anammox activity after more than five months of enrichment period. All enrichment cultures that gave positive results were obtained from bottom part of sequencing batch reactor (SBR) lagoon indicating localization of anammox bacteria in anaerobic condition.  Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) with specific primers targeting anammox and planctomycete were able to amplify the 16S rRNA sequence for anammox bacteria under PCR optimum condition. However, only three of six positive samples were successfully sequenced. DNA sequence analysis using NCBI (BLAST) and RDP showed that the anammox bacterial sequences of the investigated samples were identified as Candidatus Kuenenia stuttgartiensis with similarity of 100% (NCBI) and 99.3% (RDP).
Evaluation of Different EEG Source Localization Methods Using Testing Localization Errors
Authors: SaeidiAsl Leila , Ahmad Tahir
Published: September 2013

The ideas underlying the quantitative localization of the sources of the EEG review within the brain along with the current and emerging approaches to the problem. The ideas mentioned consist of distributed and dipolar source models and head models ranging from the spherical to the more realistic based on the boundary and finite elements. The forward and inverse problems in electroencephalography will debate. The inverse problem has non-uniqueness property in nature. More precisely, different combinations of sources can produce similar potential fields occur on the head. In contrast, the forward problem does have a unique solution. The forward problem calculates the potential field at the scalp from known source locations, source strengths and conductivity in the head, and it can be used to solve the inverse problem. In the final part of this paper, we compare the performance of three well–known EEG source localization techniques which applied to the underdetermined (distributed) source localization of the inverse problem. These techniques consist of LORETA, WMN and MN, which comparing by testing localization error.
Natural Convection Boundary Layer Flow Past a Sphere with Constant Heat Flux in Viscoelastic Fluid
Authors: Mohd Kasim Abdul Rahman , Mohammad Nurul Farahain , A. Aurangzaib , Shafie Sharidan
Published: September 2013

The steady natural convection boundary layer flow of a viscoelastic fluid over a solid sphere with constant heat flux is studied in this paper. The boundary layer equations of viscoelastic fluid are an order higher than those for the Newtonian (viscous) fluid. The adherence boundary conditions are insufficient to determine the solution of these equations completely. Thus, the augmentation an extra boundary condition is needed to perform the numerical computational. The governing boundary layer equations are first transformed into non–dimensional form by using special dimensionless variables and then solved by using an implicit finite difference scheme known as Keller box method. Numerical results for the velocity and temperature profiles, wall temperature, as well as skin friction are shown graphically for different values of viscoelastic parameters and Prandtl number. It is found that, when the viscoelastic parameter increased, the values of skin friction decreased while the values of wall temperature are increased.
Passive Sampling of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons in Johor Strait by Sol–gel Polydimethylsiloxane
Authors: Tung Cian Ying , Ismail Razali , Jaafar Jafariah
Published: September 2013

Passive sampling technique is an alternative technique in the monitoring of organic pollutants in aqueous environment. This technique is able to overcome several drawbacks of the conventional grab sampling technique. In this study, passive sampler consists of glass tubes coated with sol–gel polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) were fabricated in the laboratory. The passive samplers were used to study the level and distribution of 15 polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in Johor Strait. Performance of the passive sampler was tested in the laboratory with an exposure system that has similar flow rate, temperature and water salinity with Johor Strait. Then, the passive sampler was deployed to five sampling stations located in Johor Strait for 7 and 30 days to accumulate PAHs in seawater. High performance liquid chromatography with fluorescence detector was used to analyze PAHs in the samples. All PAHs spiked in the exposure system were found to accumulate in the PDMS coating. Mass of 15 PAHs extracted from the passive sampler after deployment to Johor Strait was in the range of 0.372–1.131 ng/PDMS glass tube. Findings obtained from passive sampling method and seawater analysis were comparable. Passive sampling technique is low cost, simple and less solvent consumption.
Thermochemical analysis of Palm Oil Wastes as fuel for Biomass Gasification
Authors: Nyakuma Bemgba Bevan , Johari Anwar , Ahmad Arshad
Published: September 2013

The production of palm oil in Malaysia generates large quantities of solid waste annually. A small fraction is currently utilized for steam and electricity production in palm oil mills. However, a large fraction is openly combusted or incinerated resulting in increased greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Gasification is considered to be a promising technology for converting bio waste into clean energy. It involves the partial oxidation of carbonaceous materials into gaseous products at high temperatures. This study is aimed at evaluating the thermal and physical properties of EFB, Shell and Fibre palm oil waste as gasification fuel. This is vital for the design, optimization and operation of biomass gasifiers. Consequently, the heating value (HHV), specific heat (c), combustion rate (CR), combustion heat (Q) of the wastes were determined. The results showed that the c, CR, Q displayed an increasing trend in the order EFB, Shell and Fibre. Furthermore, c, CR, Qwere significantly influenced by the organic and mineral content of the fuels. The results for heating value were EFB 17.97 MJ/kg, Fibre 18.71 MJ/kg and Shell 19.07 MJ/kg.
Forensic Analysis of Inorganic Anions from Post–Blast Pyrotechnic Residues
Authors: Ahmad Umi Kalthom , Liew Choon Yoong , Mohamed Huri Mohamad Afiq , Shaikh Abdullah Shaikh Abdul Adzis
Published: September 2013

Increase bombing activities in recent years have raised much awareness amongst forensic scientists of the importance of post–blast investigation. Analysis of post blast bomb residues is useful in identification of explosives and establishing link to its origin. The use of pyrotechnic in homemade explosives has emerged as a new threat to society. In this study, pre and post–blast inorganic anions from pyrotechnic residues were analyzed using ion chromatography with conductivity detection. Inorganic anions were separated using Metrosep A SUPP 5 anion column with NaHCO3 – Na2CO3 eluent. Eight anions (fluoride, chloride, nitrite, chlorate, nitrate, phosphate, sulfate and thiocyanate) were successfully separated within 40 min. Good linearity of calibration graph and LOD ranged from 4.8 to 21.0 ppb were achieved. Chemical anionic constituents of the fireworks were found to differ from each other. However, they were found to be common in nitrate and chlorate as oxidizer. Ratio of oxidizer was also found to be much higher than other anions. Post–blast samples showed drastic reduction in oxidizer concentration.
Parametric Evaluation of Microwave–Assisted Extraction of Phenolics from C. domestica Val.
Authors: Hadi Binta Jume , Sanagi Mohd Marsin , Wan Ibrahim Wan Aini , Jamil Shajarahtunnur , Mu’azu Mohammed Abdullahi
Published: September 2013

Conventional methods for the extraction of natural products from plant are characterised by the consumption of large volumes of solvent, energy, lengthy extraction procedures and the potentially deleterious degradation of labile compounds. In the last two decades there has been an increasing demand for new extraction techniques, amenable to automation, with shortened extraction times, reduced organic solvent consumption, prevention pollution in analytical laboratories and reducing sample preparation costs. Unmodified domestic microwave oven is used in the extraction of phenolicsfrom C. domestica Val. using water as solvent. The Microwave Assisted Extraction produced a better yield of crude extract of 48 mg compared to Soxhlet extraction methods with only an extraction yield 3.4 mg. Effects of extraction time, microwave power and solvent volume are evaluated on the extraction of phenolic compounds.