bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Antimicrobial Stewardship Pharmacist Interventions for Coagulase-Negative Staphylococci Positive Blood Cultures Using Rapid Polymerase Chain Reaction
Authors: Wong Jordan R , Bauer Karri A , Mangino Julie E , Goff Debra A
Published: November 2012

BACKGROUND:

No studies exist regarding the value of pharmacist interventions using rapid identification of coagulase-negative staphylococci (CoNS) by rapid polymerase chain reaction (rPCR) from blood cultures.

OBJECTIVE:

To evaluate the impact of interventions by infectious diseases pharmacists (ID PharmDs) on blood cultures positive for CoNS using rPCR and assess the duration of antistaphylococcal antibiotic therapy, hospital length of stay (LOS), and related costs.

METHODS:

A quasi-experimental, pre- and postintervention study of patients with positive blood cultures for CoNS, identified using rPCR, was conducted. Patients were included if there was a blood culture for CoNS from January 1, 2011, to March 31, 2011 (preintervention), or October 1, 2011, to January 18, 2012 (post-intervention). Exclusion criteria included age younger than 18 years or 89 years or older, neutropenia, incomplete records, and duplicate or mixed blood cultures. The setting was a 1200-bed academic medical center. The ID PharmD intervened on blood cultures identified in the postintervention group as CoNS after notification from the microbiology laboratory. The pre- and postintervention groups were compared to analyze the effect of the intervention. The primary outcome was time to discontinuation of antistaphylococcal antibiotics by the pharmacist intervention in patients with a positive blood culture for CoNS that was determined to be a contaminant.

RESULTS:

We analyzed 53 patients (31 preintervention, 22 postintervention) with CoNS blood culture contaminants. In the postintervention group, antistaphylococcal antibiotics were discontinued 32.0 hours sooner from time of rPCR result (median 57.7 vs 25.7 hours; p = 0.005), total antibiotic exposure decreased 43.5 hours (97.6 vs 54.1 hours; p = 0.011), infection-related LOS decreased 4.5 days (10 vs 5.5 days; p = 0.018), and infection-related costs decreased $8338 ($28,973 vs $20,635; p = 0.144). The pharmacist initiated vancomycin in 7 (21.9%) patients with CoNS bloodstream infections.

CONCLUSIONS:

Timely interventions by ID PharmDs using rPCR are required to impact the outcomes of patients with positive blood cultures for CoNS.
GALNT9 Gene Expression Is a Prognostic Marker in Neuroblastoma Patients
Authors: Berois Nora , Gattolliat Charles-Henry , Barrios Enrique , Capandeguy Laura , Douc-Rasy Sétha , Valteau-Couanet Dominique , Bénard Jean , Osinaga Eduardo
Published: November 2012

BACKGROUND

The enzymes encoded by the GALNT [UDP-N-acetyl-α-d-galactosamine:polypeptide N-acetylgalactosaminyltransferase (GALNAC-T)] gene family catalyze the first step of O-glycosylation. Little is known about the link between expression of the genes encoding GALNAC-T enzymes and tumor progression in neuroblastoma, a pediatric cancer that can be classified as either low or high risk. We assessed the expression of genes in the GALNT family in a large cohort of neuroblastoma patients and characterized members of this family that might be used as new prognostic markers.

METHODS

Reverse-transcription PCR analysis of 14 GALNT genes with a panel of neuroblastoma cell lines identified the GALNT9 gene as playing a potential role in disease progression. We used the log-rank test and the multivariable Cox proportional hazards model with a cohort of 122 neuroblastoma patients to analyze the relationship between GALNT9 expression and overall survival or disease-free survival.

RESULTS

In the high-risk neuroblastoma experimental model IGR-N-91, GALNT9 expression was present in neuroblasts derived from primary tumors but not in neuroblasts from metastatic bone marrow. Moreover, GALNT9 in neuroblastoma cell lines was expressed in substrate adherent (S)-type cell lines but not in neuronal (N)-type lines. In the tumor cohort, GALNT9 expression was associated with high overall survival, independent of the standard risk-stratification covariates. GALNT9 expression was significantly associated with disease-free survival for patients currently classified as at low risk (P < 0.0007).

CONCLUSIONS

GALNT9 expression correlates with both improved overall survival in low- and high-risk groups and an improved clinical outcome (overall and disease-free survival) in low-risk patients. Thus, the GALNT9 expression may be a prognostic marker for personalized therapy.
When Value Trumps Health in a Supersized World
Authors: Haws Kelly L. , Winterich Karen Page
Published: November 2012

Marketers often offer consumers the option to “supersize” a food purchase intended for immediate consumption. Supersized products may be attractive to consumers from the standpoint of the unit pricing because ordering a larger size of the same product results in a per-unit savings and offers consumers the opportunity to meet their value-based financial goals. In this article, the authors show that such pricing strategies not only lead to greater purchase and consumption but do so by affecting important consumer goals in unrelated domains—namely, by decreasing the importance placed on health goals. Although supersized pricing can have a powerful effect on purchase behavior, providing health cues can prevent the decreased focus on health. In addition, supersized pricing can be used to increase size choice of healthy foods. The authors discuss the study's contributions to theory, particularly for understanding decisions regarding the pursuit of multiple goals and, more specifically, those that lie at the intersection of health and finance. In addition, the results suggest both marketing and public policy implications, including those for the obesity epidemic and frequent use of supersized pricing strategies for unhealthy foods.
When Disfluency Signals Competence: The Effect of Processing Difficulty on Perceptions of Service Agents
Authors: Thompson Debora V. , Ince Elise Chandon
Published: November 2012

This research examines the effect of processing fluency on judgments of agent competence. In the context of service relationships, four studies reveal that the experience of processing difficulty, or disfluency, enhances expectations of agent-exerted effort and competence, which in turn increase expected service value. When reading information about a target service, consumers interpret the difficulty of processing information as a signal of the level of skill required to execute the task, which highlights the agent's expected utility. The authors explore several moderators of this positive effect of disfluency, showing that it is attenuated under conditions that decrease the relevance of consumers’ subjective experiences and it may be reversed on measures of experienced (vs. expected) service value.
Lens centering of aspheres for high-quality optics
Authors: Beier Matthias , Gebhardt Andreas , Eberhardt Ramona , Tünnermann Andreas
Published: November 2012

The assembly effort of optical systems can be reduced immensely by the use of appropriate manufacturing technologies. For refractive optical systems with a common axis of symmetry, lens centering allows a final system assembly with high accuracy and minimal effort, but is today mostly limited to spherical optical elements only. To overcome the current restrictions, a lens centering process for one-sided aspherical lenses was investigated both in theory and practice. The deviation of the rotational aspheric axis from a reference spindle axis is measured precisely with an electronic autocollimator and an additional distance sensor at the same time. Displacements can be minimized by a combination of lateral and rotational alignment motions, aiming at a coaxiality of both axes. In order to achieve a high performance of the entire optical system, the centered lens housings are machined with a diamond tool at their outer diameter, ground, and top surfaces. The feasibility of the complete process was proved by machining several aspherical lenses and measuring the final assemblies with a coordinate measuring machine. Thereby, a residual decenter <1 μm for the aspheric vertex and a tilt <0.5 arcmin between the aspheric axis and the axis of symmetry of the lens housing could be verified. The achievable manufacturing tolerances prove the practicability of the proposed lens-centering process for a majority of high-quality optical applications.
Plasma long pentraxin 3 (PTX3) concentration is a novel marker of disease activity in patients with community-acquired pneumonia
Authors: Kao Shang-Jyh , Yang Hui-Wen , Tsao Shih-Ming , Cheng Chao-Wen , Bien Mauo-Ying , Yu Ming-Chih , Bai Kuan-Jen , Yang Shun-Fa , Chien Ming-Hsien
Published: November 2012

Background:Long pentraxin 3 (PTX3) is an acute-phase protein secreted by various cells, including leukocytes and endothelial cells. Like C-reactive protein (CRP), it belongs to the pentraxin superfamily. The aim of this study was to investigate the differential changes in plasma levels of PTX3 between before and after antibiotic treatment in hospitalized adult patients with community-acquired pneumonia (CAP).

Methods:Plasma PTX3 levels were measured in 61 adult patients with CAP and 60 healthy controls using a commercial enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Upon initial hospitalization, APACHE II, CURB-65, and pneumonia severity index (PSI) scores were determined to assess CAP severity in patients.

Results:The results showed a decline in the number of white blood cells (WBCs) and neutrophils, and decreases in the concentrations of CRP and PTX3 observed after antibiotic treatment. The plasma concentration of PTX3, but not CRP, was correlated with the severity of CAP based on the PSI (r=0.290, p=0.023), CURB-65 (r=0.312, p=0.015), and APACHE II scores (r=0.427, p=0.001). The PTX3 level also exhibited a significant correlation with the length of hospital stay (r=0.500, p<0.0001).

Conclusions:PTX3 may be able to play a role in the diagnosis and clinical assessment of the severity of CAP, which could potentially guide the development of treatment strategies.
Time for a conceptual shift in assessment of internal quality control for whole blood or cell-based testing systems? An evaluation using platelet function and the PFA-100 as a case example
Authors: Favaloro Emmanuel J.
Published: November 2012

Internal quality control (IQC) is essential to good laboratory practice. IQC for certain tests are, however, limited due to inherent problems in providing stabilized IQC material, as applicable to many whole-blood and cell-based systems. Paradigmatic in the hemostasis field is platelet function testing, where IQC processes remain at their infancy, despite such tests being undertaken for decades. One example is the PFA-100, a popular primary hemostasis screening system used to evaluate pre-surgical bleeding risk, screen for possible von Willebrand disease and/or platelet function disorders, and assess desmopressin and anti-platelet therapy; whatever application, laboratories are required to ensure instruments are in optimal working condition, but currently available IQC is limited. Accordingly, a novel test process for IQC of the PFA-100 is explored as an example of potential development. In brief, IQC test systems were prepared to yield prolonged PFA closure times (CTs) (‘pathological QC’) after the addition of normal whole blood (which provided ‘normal QC’). Inter-run test systems coefficients of variation (CVs; range 3.1%–26.2%) were typically similar or better than normal baseline CTs (16.1%–19.2%). There was no evidence of deterioration in CTs over time, indicating at least several years test system stability, and Levey-Jennings plots, typically applied to IQC monitoring, could also be devised. This provides the first evidence of feasibility, or proof of concept, for IQC testing for the PFA-100 incorporating pathological test findings and Levey-Jennings plots. Such a concept is also potentially more broadly applicable to other platelet function, or whole blood or cell-based test systems.
The proinflammatory cytokines interleukin-1α and tumor necrosis factor α promote the expression and secretion of proteolytically active cathepsin S from human chondrocytes
Authors: Caglič Dejan , Repnik Urška , Jedeszko Christopher , Kosec Gregor , Miniejew Catherine , Kindermann Maik , Vasiljeva Olga , Turk Vito , Wendt K. Ulrich , Sloane Bonnie F. , Goldring Mary B. , Turk Boris
Published: November 2012

Osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis are destructive joint diseases that involve the loss of articular cartilage. Degradation of cartilage extracellular matrix is believed to occur due to imbalance between the catabolic and anabolic processes of resident chondrocytes. Previous work has suggested that various lysosomal cysteine cathepsins participate in cartilage degeneration; however, their exact roles in disease development and progression have not been elucidated. In order to study degradation processes under conditions resembling the in vivo milieu of the cartilage, we cultivated chondrocytes on a type II collagen-containing matrix. Stimulation of the cultivated chondrocytes with interleukin-1α and/or tumor necrosis factor α resulted in a time-dependent increase in cathepsin S expression and induced its secretion into the conditioned media. Using a novel bioluminescent activity-based probe, we were able to demonstrate a significant increase in proteolytic activity of cathepsin S in the conditioned media of proinflammatory cytokine-stimulated chondrocytes. For the first time, cathepsin S was demonstrated to be secreted from chondrocytes upon stimulation with the proinflammatory cytokines, and displayed proteolytic activity in culture supernatants. Its stability at neutral pH and potent proteolytic activity on extracellular matrix components mean that cathepsin S may contribute significantly to cartilage degradation and may thus be considered a potential drug target in joint diseases.
Magnetic plasmon induced transparency in three-dimensional metamolecules
Authors: Wu Pin Chieh , Chen Wei Ting , Yang Kuang-Yu , Hsiao Chih Ting , Sun Greg , Liu Ai Qun , Zheludev Nikolay I. , Tsai Din Ping
Published: November 2012

In a laser-driven atomic quantum system, a continuous state couples to a discrete state resulting in quantum interference that provides a transmission peak within a broad absorption profile the so-called electromagnetically induced transparency (EIT). In the field of plasmonic metamaterials, the sub-wavelength metallic structures play a role similar to atoms in nature. The interference of their near-field coupling at plasmonic resonance leads to a plasmon induced transparency (PIT) that is analogous to the EIT of atomic systems. A sensitive control of the PIT is crucial to a range of potential applications such as slowing light and biosensor. So far, the PIT phenomena often arise from the electric resonance, such as an electric dipole state coupled to an electric quadrupole state. Here we report the first three-dimensional photonic metamaterial consisting of an array of erected U-shape plasmonic gold nanostructures that exhibits PIT phenomenon with magnetic dipolar interaction between magnetic metamolecules. We further demonstrate using a numerical simulation that the coupling between the different excited pathways at an intermediate resonant wavelength allows for a π phase shift resulting in a destructive interference. A classical RLC circuit was also proposed to explain the coupling effects between the bright and dark modes of EIT-like electromagnetic spectra. This work paves a promising approach to achieve magnetic plasmon devices.
Compatibilization and toughening of immiscible ternary blends of polyamide 1010, polypropylene, and ABS resin
Authors: Zhang Jiamin , Li Yongfang , Zhu Yong , Cui Maojin , Jiang Xiaoying
Published: November 2012

The ternary blends of three versatile polymers of polyamide 1010 (PA1010), polypropylene (PP), and ABS resin (ABS) were studied. As a compatibilizer, PP was multimonomer melt grafted in the presence of maleic anhydride (MAH), styrene (St), and dicumyl peroxide. The effects of multimonomers melt grafting blends of MAH and St on the crystallization behavior, morphology, and mechanical properties of PA1010/ABS/PP blends were investigated. The results showed that the graft copolymer generated in situ by the anhydride groups of grafted PP (g-PP) and the amino end of PA1010 has reduced the interfacial tension of blends efficiently. The interaction of St groups of the graft copolymer with ABS was helpful to improve the compatibility of the three components during melt blending process. The size of dispersed phases in the blends was reduced remarkably and the mechanical pro­perties were greatly improved when the content of g-PP in PA1010/ABS/PP blends is increased to 10%. The tensile strength of the compatibilized PA1010/ABS/PP blends was improved by a factor of 11.7, whereas the impact strength and elongation at break were increased by 4 and 4.9 times, respectively. The introduction of multimonomer melt g-PP is shown to be an effective approach to modifying immiscible multipolymer blends, which have many potential applications.
Thermooxidative degradation and its kinetics of natural rubber coagulated by microwave radiation
Authors: Liao Lu-Sheng , Liao Jian-He , Li Yi-Min , Chen Yong-Ping , Zhao Yan-Fang , He Can-Zhong
Published: November 2012

The thermooxidative degradation of natural rubber (NR) coagulated by microwave radiation (NR-m) was investigated by thermogravimetry (TG) analysis, and compared with NR coagulated by acid (NR-a). It was found that the degradation process is not a one-step reaction, the main degradation process occurs at 300–400ºC, and the equilibrium degradation temperatures of NR-m are higher than those of NR-a. Different methods were used to find the most probable kinetic model and the Arrhenius para­meters (activation energy E and preexponential factor A) for the main stage of thermooxidative degradation of NR-m. The results show that the values of E and A, obtained from the Coats-Redfern method, are highly variable with the kinetic model chosen and the heating rate (β), and the apparent activation energy (E0) when β approaches zero for the Dn type kinetic model is in the range of 96.7–106.4 kJ ∙ mol-1. The mean values of E, calculated by the Friedman and Flynn-Wall-Ozawa (FWO) methods, are 113.8 and 83.3 kJ ∙ mol-1, respectively, suggesting E in the range of 83.3–113.8 kJ ∙ mol-1. Comparison of these two ranges indicates the most probable kinetic model to be Dn type kinetic models, corresponding to a diffusion-controlled mechanism.
Maternal Occupational Exposure to Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons and Risk of Oral Cleft-Affected Pregnancies
Authors: Langlois Peter H. , Hoyt Adrienne T. , Lupo Philip J. , Lawson Christina C. , Waters Martha A. , Desrosiers Tania A. , Shaw Gary M. , Romitti Paul A. , Lammer Edward J.
Published: November 2012

Objective

To evaluate whether there is an association between maternal occupational exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and oral clefts in offspring. This is the first human study of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and clefts of which the authors are aware.

Design

Case-control study.

Setting, Participants

Data for 1997 to 2002 from the National Birth Defects Prevention Study, a large population-based case-control study in the United States, were analyzed. Maternal telephone interviews yielded information on jobs held in the month before through 3 months after conception. Two industrial hygienists independently assessed occupational exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons; all jobs rated as exposed or with rating difficulty were reviewed with a third industrial hygienist to reach consensus on all exposure parameters. Logistic regression estimated crude and adjusted odds ratios with 95% confidence intervals for cleft lip with or without cleft palate and cleft palate alone.

Results

There were 2989 controls (3.5% exposed), 805 cases of cleft lip with or without cleft palate (5.8% exposed), and 439 cases of cleft palate alone (4.6% exposed). The odds of maternal occupational exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (any versus none) during pregnancy was increased for cleft lip with or without cleft palate cases as compared with controls (odds ratio, 1.69; 95% confidence interval, 1.18 to 2.40); the odds ratio was 1.47 (95% confidence interval 1.02 to 2.12) when adjusted for maternal education. There was a statistically significant adjusted exposure-response relationship for cleft lip with or without cleft palate ( Ptrend = .02). Odd ratios for cleft palate alone were not statistically significant.

Conclusions

Maternal occupational exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons was associated with increased risk of cleft lip with or without cleft palate in offspring.
Secondary railways: a review of effectiveness in two states
Authors: Scotney David
Published: November 2012

General railway specifications ensure safe and effective operations on ‘main routes’. However, there are ‘secondary routes’ that may gain by the use of railways but where it is not possible to afford to utilise ‘full specification’ railways and where the operational requirements may not need that level of provision. The states of Baroda (in British India) and Sachsen (in the German empire) were pioneer users of ‘lower specification’ secondary railways to help deliver the transport system that their decision-makers aspired to provide to help their development. A review of railway provision in the two states suggests that the use of secondary railways enabled a greater spread of provision than would have been possible with only ‘main route’ railways, at a slightly reduced service level. In terms of ‘outcome’, this helped to ensure that the two states matched the overall demographic growth across the respective empires within which they were included.
Impact of new tunnels on those from the industrial era in Spain
Authors: Rodríguez Rafael , Díaz Aguado María B. , García Mario
Published: November 2012

Tunnels have been constructed in Spain since Roman times, when they were constructed for both mining and water transmission purposes. Those tunnels were bored using the available tools for soils and soft rocks and with mining methods for hard rocks: the ‘fire setting’ technique and wooden wedges soaked with water to split the rock. Further tunnelling took place in the middle ages, but the advent of the nineteenth century industrial age heralded increased activity – for example, for railway network expansion, often mining related. These tunnels signal an important heritage, which must be protected through legislation and environmental awareness. Current plans for network expansion, in particular for the Asturias region, require appreciation and sensible protection of these old, mature tunnels right across the whole spectrum of the development process. This paper presents five different types of examples in which the presence of old tunnels has had an important impact on the solution chosen for further tunnelling with or without rehabilitation or reuse of an existing tunnel, and stresses how these solutions are or should be presented publicly.
Experimental creep behaviour and modelling of silicified sand
Authors: Becker Timothy S. , Dove Joseph E. , Dove Patricia M.
Published: November 2012

The stress–strain–time behaviour was investigated for sand that was treated by a new biologically inspired silicification process. This ground treatment method offers the potential to achieve similar performance as existing soil treatment methods using lower concentrations of environmentally benign component materials. This experimental study evaluated the influence of a polyelectrolyte pretreatment and test procedure on the fundamental strength of medium dense Ottawa 20/30 sand silicified with 20% sodium silicate. Samples were subjected to unconfined single-increment, unconfined incremental, and confined incremental creep tests. The results show that the creep behaviour of silicified samples is similar to the behaviour of traditionally treated sand. Fundamental strengths were approximately 50 kPa when unconfined, and ranged from 117 kPa to greater than 340 kPa when confined at 69 and 138 kPa, respectively. The data also show that incremental creep tests may be a more rapid means of determining parameters for creep modelling than the existing standardised single-increment test method. Parameters for modelling long-term deformation behaviour are consistent with published parameters for existing soil treatment methods even though compositional differences exist between the samples used in studies.
Treatment of collapse of gypseous soils by grouting
Authors: Fattah Mohammed Y. , Al-Ani Mohammad M. , Al-Lamy Mahmoud T A.
Published: November 2012

Gypseous soil is a collapsible soil, which causes large deformations in buildings that are constructed on it. Various methods have been used to minimise this effect, such as replacing the gypseous soil or using soil stabilisation (grouting or soil improvement). This study was carried out on four types of gypseous soils that have different properties and various gypsum contents. The testing was carried out on remoulded samples to evaluate the compressibility of gypseous soil under different conditions. The samples were grouted with acrylate liquid. The relationships between the injection pressure and the radius of flow, between time of injection and radius of flow, and between time and quantity of acrylate liquid are investigated on four soils. The treated samples showed that the acrylate liquid reduces the compressibility of the gypseous soil by more than 60–70%. This is attributed to the acrylate liquid film coating the gypsum particles and so isolating them from being subjected to the effect of water. The treated gypseous samples exhibited a low collapse potential, where acrylate liquid reduced the collapsibility of the gypseous soil by more than 50–60%. The acrylate liquid affects the shear strength parameters of the gypseous soil by increasing the cohesion and decreasing the angle of internal friction.
Consolidation settlement of floating-column-improved soft clayey deposit
Authors: Pongsivasathit Supasit , Chai Jinchun , Ding Wenqi
Published: November 2012

The interaction behaviour between a floating column and the surrounding soil, with or without a surface cement stabilised slab, has been investigated by laboratory model tests as well as finite-element analysis (FEA) using an axisymmetric unit cell model. Based on the test and the FEA results, a method for calculating the consolidation settlement–time curve of floating-column-improved soft clayey subsoil has been developed. This method has been modified from the earlier method of Chai and Pongsivasathit by treating a part of the column improved layer with a thickness of Hc as an unimproved layer in settlement calculation to consider the effect of possible penetration of the column into the soft soil layer below the column. An explicit equation for calculating the value of Hc has been proposed as a function of area improvement ratio (α), depth improvement ratio (β), load intensity (p) and the undrained shear strength (su) of the soft clayey soil. The validity of the method has been checked using the laboratory model test results as well as four field case histories in Japan.
Assessing the quality of sandstones for use as aggregate in concrete
Authors: Tugrul Atiye , Yılmaz Murat
Published: November 2012

Sandstones have been widely used as a source of concrete aggregates. Sandstones show a variety of textural, mineralogic and chemical characteristics that may affect their physico-mechanical properties as well as their use as a construction material. The aim of this paper is to assess the influence of the composition and texture of sandstones on aggregate properties. In this study, Ordovician sandstones were compared with Carboniferous, Devonian and Permo-Triassic sandstones used as concrete aggregates in Istanbul. The sandstone samples were tested to determine their petrographic, mineralogic and chemical characteristics and aggregate properties. Then, the testing concretes were prepared by using these aggregates, and hardened concrete properties were determined. According to the results obtained, although Ordovician sandstones have poor aggregate quality as compared to other sandstones, they were found to be suitable for use as coarse aggregate in low-strength concrete production.
Adding limestone fines to reduce heat generation of curing concrete
Authors: Chen Jia J. , Kwan Albert K. H.
Published: November 2012

It is well known that the heat generation of curing concrete may be reduced by decreasing the cement paste volume of the concrete. However, as the cement paste must be more than sufficient to fill the voids between aggregate particles, the cement paste volume should not be limitlessly decreased. Herein, it is proposed to add an inert filler, such as limestone fines, to fill into the voids between aggregate particles so that a smaller cement paste volume may be used and the heat generation of the concrete may be further reduced. To study the effectiveness of adding limestone fines in reducing the heat generation of curing concrete, a series of concrete mixes with water/cement ratios ranging from 0·35 to 0·60 and different amounts of limestone fines added were tested for their workability, strength and heat generation. The results revealed that the addition of limestone fines to decrease the cement paste volume would significantly increase the strength and, more importantly, substantially reduce the heat generation of the concrete.
Prediction of effective compressive strength of corner columns comprising weaker slab–column joint
Authors: Lee Joo-Ha , Yoon Young-Soo
Published: November 2012

This paper documents an experimental programme that was conducted on four isolated column specimens in order to investigate the transmission of their column loads through floor slabs. These specimens may simulate corner columns since the confining effect of slab for corner columns is not appreciable. The parameter examined in the experimental work was the type of material placed in the corner column–slab joint. The study investigated the effects of these parameters on the ability of the column to transmit column loads through slabs. This paper also presents a new prediction model for the effective compressive strength of corner columns, by making a comparison between the strength of column–slab connections of the specimens and that of brick masonry. The proposed prediction model is verified by comparison with experimental results and various prediction expressions.
Habitat corridors alter relative trophic position of fire ants
Authors: Resasco Julian , Levey Douglas J. , Damschen Ellen I.
Published: November 2012

Habitat fragmentation disrupts species movement, leading to local extinctions and altered community structure. Habitat corridors, which connect isolated patches of habitat and facilitate movement between patches, provide a potential solution to these negative impacts. However, most studies to date have examined the movement of species alone without considering emergent effects on the community (e.g., altered trophic structure). We use large‐scale, experimental landscapes and nitrogen stable isotopes ratios (δ15N) of a common generalist consumer (the fire ant, Solenopsis invicta) to determine how corridors affect trophic structure. Thus, because the fire ant is a species whose trophic position is flexible and whose diet typically reflects local prey availability, we assume that shifts in fire ants' trophic position between connected and isolated patches are likely to reflect shifts in patch trophic structure. We found that colonies in isolated patches had lower means and ranges of δ15N than colonies in otherwise similar connected patches, suggesting that corridors may increase fire ants' trophic position and breadth, respectively. Previous work in our landscapes documented higher species richness of plants in connected than unconnected patches. Patch means of ant δ15N were positively correlated with plant richness, suggesting that increased plant richness may influence the observed responses in fire ant δ15N. Together these results suggest that fragmentation may reduce trophic position and narrow trophic breadth of dietary generalists such as the fire ant. These shifts likely reflect an alteration of food webs in isolated patches. Our results suggest that corridors may be effective in preventing or reducing such alterations.
Influence of Dyslipidemia and Diabetes Mellitus on Chronic Periodontal Disease
Authors: Almeida Abdo Juliane , Cirano Fabiano Ribeiro , Casati Marcio Zaffalon , Ribeiro Fernanda Vieira , Giampaoli Viviana , Viana Casarin Renato Corrêa , Pimentel Suzana Peres
Published: November 2012

Background: Periodontal disease is closely related to certain systemic conditions, such as type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM2), and, as recently described, dyslipidemia, a condition with alterations in blood lipids levels. However, more than acting as disease modifiers, these conditions commonly occur as comorbidities, possibly synergically affecting periodontal tissues. The aim of the current study is to identify whether DM2 and dyslipidemia are related to the occurrence and severity of chronic periodontitis.

Methods: A total of 254 individuals participated: 56 were patients with DM2, 67 had dyslipidemia, 74 had DM2 and dyslipidemia, and 57 were systemically healthy individuals. The clinical examination included a full‐mouth evaluation of periodontal probing depth, plaque score, bleeding on probing, and clinical attachment level (CAL). Blood samples were taken to assess fasting plasma glucose, low‐density lipoprotein, high‐density lipoprotein, and triglyceride levels. These parameters, as well as other medical conditions (i.e., smoking habits and body mass index), were considered in multiple regression analyses for data analyses (α = 5%).

Results: Dyslipidemia was not related to periodontal disease (P >0.05). At the same time, DM2, age, and smoking showed a statistical and positive association, an increase in percentage of sites with CAL ≥3 and ≥5 mm. Regarding the percentage of sites presenting severe destruction (CAL ≥7 mm), only DM2 remained a significant risk factor (P <0.05).

Conclusions: It could be concluded that dyslipidemia did not influence periodontal conditions in participants with normal health or those with DM2. However, age, smoking habits, and especially DM2 were significantly associated with loss of CAL.
The implications of climate change on residential water use: a micro-scale analysis of Portland (OR), USA
Authors: Shandas Vivek , Rao Meenakshi , McGrath Moriah McSharry
Published: November 2012

Social and behavioral research is crucial for securing environmental sustainability and improving human living environments. Although the majority of people now live in urban areas, we have limited empirical evidence of the anticipated behavioral response to climate change. Using empirical data on daily household residential water use and temperature, our research examines the implications of future climate conditions on water conservation behavior in 501 households within the Portland (OR) metropolitan region. We ask whether and how much change in ambient temperatures impact residential household water use, while controlling for taxlot characteristics. Based on our results, we develop a spatially explicit description about the changes in future water use for the study region using a downscaled future climate scenario. The results suggest that behavioral responses are mediated by an interaction of household structural attributes, and magnitude and temporal variability of weather parameters. These findings have implications for the way natural resource managers and planning bureaus prepare for and adapt to future consequences of climate change.
Hydrologic response to climate change: a case study for the Be River Catchment, Vietnam
Authors: Khoi Dao Nguyen , Suetsugi Tadashi
Published: November 2012

The Be River Catchment was studied to quantify the potential impact of climate change on the streamflow using a multi-model ensemble approach. Climate change scenarios (A1B and B1) were developed from an ensemble of four GCMs (general circulation models) (CGCM3.1 (T63), CM2.0, CM2.1 and HadCM3) that showed good performance for the Be River Catchment through statistical evaluations between 15 GCM control simulations and the corresponding time series of observations at annual and monthly levels. The Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT) was used to investigate the impact on streamflow under climate change scenarios. The model was calibrated and validated using daily streamflow records. The calibration and validation results indicated that the SWAT model was able to simulate the streamflow well, with Nash–Sutcliffe efficiency exceeding 0.78 for the Phuoc Long station and 0.65 for the Phuoc Hoa station, for both calibration and validation at daily and monthly steps. Their differences in simulating the streamflow under future climate scenarios were also investigated. The results indicate a 1.0–2.9 °C increase in annual temperature and a −4.0 to 0.7% change in annual precipitation corresponding to a change in streamflow of −6.0 to −0.4%. Large decreases in precipitation and runoff are observed in the dry season.
Positive C4d Immunostaining of Placental Villous Syncytiotrophoblasts Supports Host-Versus-Graft Rejection in Villitis of Unknown Etiology
Authors: Rudzinski Erin , Gilroy Meghan , Newbill Colin , Morgan Terry
Published: November 2012

Chronic villitis of unknown etiology (VUE) occurs in 5% of placentas submitted to pathology and is characterized by lymphohistiocytic infiltration of chorionic villi. VUE is associated with fetal growth restriction, preterm birth, and recurrent pregnancy loss. Accumulating evidence indicates that VUE may represent a host-versus-graft reaction analogous to transplant rejection. Pathologists routinely screen for antibody-mediated rejection in transplant biopsies by immunostaining for C4d, which highlights the recognition of donor cells by the host immune system. Since the hemochorial placenta is bathed in maternal blood, we hypothesized that cases of VUE may show C4d deposition onto villous syncytiotrophoblasts (STB). Chronic villitis was diagnosed in 82 of 1986 (4%) singleton placentas submitted to our department from 2007 through 2011. Forty randomly selected cases were gestational age-matched with 40 negative controls. Patient charts were reviewed and representative placental sections were immunostained for C4d. A positive C4d result was defined as circumferential immunostaining of the STB around at least one villous, or strong staining of fetal endothelial cells in the chorionic plate or stem villi. Our data indicate that VUE usually occurs in the 3rd trimester (37 ± 0.5 weeks) and is associated with significantly reduced placental weight ( P = 0.006). Positive C4d staining of STB was more common in VUE (35/40, 88%) compared with negative controls (2/40, 5%) ( P < 0.0001). It was also more common in multiparous (35/66, 53%) than primiparous (2/14, 14%) women ( P < 0.01). Although the precise mechanism remains to be determined, our data support the hypothesis that VUE may represent host-versus-graft rejection by the mother.
Annotating Cancer Variants and Anti-Cancer Therapeutics in Reactome
Authors: Milacic Marija , Haw Robin , Rothfels Karen , Wu Guanming , Croft David , Hermjakob Henning , D'Eustachio Peter , Stein Lincoln
Published: November 2012

Reactome describes biological pathways as chemical reactions that closely mirror the actual physical interactions that occur in the cell. Recent extensions of our data model accommodate the annotation of cancer and other disease processes. First, we have extended our class of protein modifications to accommodate annotation of changes in amino acid sequence and the formation of fusion proteins to describe the proteins involved in disease processes. Second, we have added a disease attribute to reaction, pathway, and physical entity classes that uses disease ontology terms. To support the graphical representation of “cancer” pathways, we have adapted our Pathway Browser to display disease variants and events in a way that allows comparison with the wild type pathway, and shows connections between perturbations in cancer and other biological pathways. The curation of pathways associated with cancer, coupled with our efforts to create other disease-specific pathways, will interoperate with our existing pathway and network analysis tools. Using the Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor (EGFR) signaling pathway as an example, we show how Reactome annotates and presents the altered biological behavior of EGFR variants due to their altered kinase and ligand-binding properties, and the mode of action and specificity of anti-cancer therapeutics.
Is Cholesterol Sulfate Deficiency a Common Factor in Preeclampsia, Autism, and Pernicious Anemia?
Authors: Seneff Stephanie , Davidson Robert , Liu Jingjing
Published: November 2012

In a recent paper, we proposed that a contributing factor in autism is a deficiency in cholesterol sulfate supply. In this paper, we investigate a link between preeclampsia and subsequent autism in the child, and we hypothesize that both conditions can be attributed to a severe depletion of cholesterol sulfate. Through studies on the Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS) database, we demonstrate a strong statistical relationship among the signs and symptoms associated with autism and those associated with preeclampsia, pernicious anemia, and serious adverse reactions to vaccines. We show that VAERS reports associated with symptoms typical of pernicious anemia produce both a set of symptoms that are highly correlated with preeclampsia and another set highly correlated with autism. We explain this observation via an argument that, in a severe reaction, the cascade of events subsequent to vaccination reflects a profuse production of nitric oxide (NO) and consequential destruction of both red blood cells (RBCs) and cobalamin. This may explain the diverse signs and symptoms associated with both preeclampsia and severe vaccine adverse reactions. We argue that excess NO synthesis, induced by the aluminum and antigen in vaccines, results in hemolysis of RBCs, which allows hemoglobin to scavenge the excess NO, converting it to nitrate. The NO is also scavenged by cobalamin, leading to its inactivation and contributing to subsequent pernicious anemia. Finally, we demonstrate that severe adverse reactions to vaccines can be associated with life-threatening conditions related to the heart and brain, as well as stillbirth, when the vaccine is administered to a woman in the third-trimester of pregnancy, as demonstrated by statistical analysis of the Gardasil records.
Analytical Investigation and Control System Set-up of Medium Scale PV Plants for Power Flow Management
Authors: Di Tommaso Antonino Oscar , Genduso Fabio , Miceli Rosario
Published: November 2012

In the field of photovoltaic (PV) plants and energy conversion from renewable sources, a large part of the technical literature is more devoted to practical aspects (new solar cells, electrically driven PV panels, safety, reduction of parasitic currents, etc.) than to theoretical investigations. Despite this tendency, this paper presents a mathematical analysis of a medium scale photovoltaic power generation system connected to the distribution network and of its control system. In such a system, the conversion stage is unique due to the absence of a boost chopper. The conducted analysis leads to the interesting conclusion that the inverter used in the plant presents two degrees of freedom, easy to exploit in a control system in which the inverter simultaneously realizes the interconnection to the grid and the MPPT control. The structure of the control system is then presented, discussed and validated by means of numerical simulations.
Computer Solution to the Game of Pure Strategy
Authors: Rhoads Glenn C. , Bartholdi Laurent
Published: November 2012

We numerically solve the classical "Game of Pure Strategy" using linear programming. We notice an intricate even-odd behaviour in the results of our computations that seems to encourage odd or maximal bids.
Facile Synthesis of Calcium Borate Nanoparticles and the Annealing Effect on Their Structure and Size
Authors: Erfani Maryam , Saion Elias , Soltani Nayereh , Hashim Mansor , Abdullah Wan , Navasery Manizheh
Published: November 2012

Calcium borate nanoparticles have been synthesized by a thermal treatment method via facile co-precipitation. Differences of annealing temperature and annealing time and their effects on crystal structure, particle size, size distribution and thermal stability of nanoparticles were investigated. The formation of calcium borate compound was characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Fourier Transform Infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), Transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and Thermogravimetry (TGA). The XRD patterns revealed that the co-precipitated samples annealed at 700 °C for 3 h annealing time formed an amorphous structure and the transformation into a crystalline structure only occurred after 5 h annealing time. It was found that the samples annealed at 900 °C are mostly metaborate (CaB2O4) nanoparticles and tetraborate (CaB4O7) nanoparticles only observed at 970 °C, which was confirmed by FTIR. The TEM images indicated that with increasing the annealing time and temperature, the average particle size increases. TGA analysis confirmed the thermal stability of the annealed samples at higher temperatures.
Role of Key Residues at the Flavin Mononucleotide (FMN):Adenylyltransferase Catalytic Site of the Bifunctional Riboflavin Kinase/Flavin Adenine Dinucleotide (FAD) Synthetase from Corynebacterium ammoniagenes
Authors: Serrano Ana , Frago Susana , Velázquez-Campoy Adrián , Medina Milagros
Published: November 2012

In mammals and in yeast the conversion of Riboflavin (RF) into flavin mononucleotide (FMN) and flavin adenine dinucleotide (FAD) is catalysed by the sequential action of two enzymes: an ATP:riboflavin kinase (RFK) and an ATP:FMN adenylyltransferase (FMNAT). However, most prokaryotes depend on a single bifunctional enzyme, FAD synthetase (FADS), which folds into two modules: the C-terminal associated with RFK activity and the N-terminal associated with FMNAT activity. Sequence and structural analysis suggest that the 28-HxGH-31, 123-Gx(D/N)-125 and 161-xxSSTxxR-168 motifs from FADS must be involved in ATP stabilisation for the adenylylation of FMN, as well as in FAD stabilisation for FAD phyrophosphorolysis. Mutants were produced at these motifs in the Corynebacterium ammoniagenes FADS (CaFADS). Their effects on the kinetic parameters of CaFADS activities (RFK, FMNAT and FAD pyrophosphorilase), and on substrates and product binding properties indicate that H28, H31, N125 and S164 contribute to the geometry of the catalytically competent complexes at the FMNAT-module of CaFADS.