bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Statistical Fluctuations of Temperature and Conversion at the Catalytic CO Oxidation in an Adiabatic Packed Bed Reactor
Authors: Onken H. U. , Wicke E.
Published: July 2012

The oxidation of CO with air at a Pt/γ‐Al2O3 supported catalyst employed in an adiabatic fixed‐bed reactor, is accompanied by nonperiodic variations of CO2 concentration and temperature at the reactor exit. The occurrence of these variations is confined to the region of bifurcation from monostable to bistable behaviour of the fixed‐bed reactor. The variations originate from small temporal and local fluctuations of the reaction rate—and hence the temperature—in the entrance cross‐section of the catalyst bed. In the bifurcation region the temperature humps of these fluctuations (ΔT ≈ 0.5 K) are strongly amplified and finally form reaction zones (ΔT ≈ 120 K) which move to the reactor exit with velocities of 3.5 to 11 mm/min. Measurements at a cluster of 10 catalyst pellets exposed to the CO/air gas stream showed that the fluctuations at the entrance of the fixed bed can be attributed to kinetic oscillations occurring in the regime of descending reaction rate with increasing CO feed. By periodic variations of the CO feed the reaction can be forced to show harmonic or subharmonic resonance. In the latter case, the quasiperiodic Fourier spectrum of the unperturbed reaction turns to a spectrum with a sextet at the subharmonic frequency.
A New Model for Oscillatory Behaviour in Closed Systems: The Autocatalator
Authors: Gray Peter , Scott Stephen K.
Published: July 2012

In closed systems, chemical oscillations cannot go on for ever, but must die away. This paper presents a new/simple, self consistent prototype for such non‐stationary behaviour. No self‐heating is involved: conditions are isothermal. Matter is conserved. The model scheme is:

It is centred on cubic autocatalysis (I), in which the catalyst itself decays slowly (2); there is a small contribution from a direct step (3). There is a precursor, initially in excess, that slowly generates the intermediate A.—This scheme describes a reaction that begins and ends in a monotonic way yet has a finite set of oscillatory excursions in between. There is no multiplicity and no stationary state until reaction is completed, and there are no limit cycles. Reaction follows a unique path.
Modelling of Turbulent Methane‐Air Diffusion Flames: The Laminar‐Flamelet Model
Authors: Rogg B. , Behrendt F. , Warnatz J.
Published: July 2012

An extended laminar diffusion flamelet model of turbulent non‐premixed combustion is applied to an open methane‐air jet diffusion flame. The structure of the laminar flamelets is determined numerically in the counterflow geometry using a detailed mechanism for the methane‐air system consisting of more than 250 elementary reactions of 39 chemical species. The results of the laminar‐flamelet calculations are incorporated into a detailed computation of the turbulent flow field using a k–ε turbulence model. Results from both the laminar and the turbulent flame predictions are compared to experimental data available from the literature.
Comparison of CARS Measurements and Calculations of the Structure of Laminar Methane‐Air Counterflow Diffusion Flames
Authors: Dreier T. , Lange B. , Wolfrum J. , Zahn M. , Behrendt F. , Warnatz J.
Published: July 2012

Information on the structure of laminar diffusion flames under the influence of the strain of an inhomogeneous velocity field is essential for the understanding of turbulent diffusion flames.—To simulate the structure of the stagnation‐point flame the corresponding governing equations for enthalpy, momentum, and chemical species are to be solved. By boundary layer approximations and a coordinate transformation these equations are transformed into a one dimensional form, which is integrated with a finite differences method. Transport is described by a simplified multicomponent model. The detailed reaction mechanism consists of more than 250 elementary steps and 39 chemical species.—For comparison with the numerical results Coherent Anti‐Stokes Raman Scattering (CARS) is used to determine temperature and concentration profiles in an atmospheric pressure CH4/air counterflow diffusion flame. First a comparison between thermocouple and CARS measurements is done in a high temperature furnace up to 2000 K. The temperature dependent CARS spectra of N2 and O2 are evaluated by a computer program. Agreement between both techniques is obtained within 40 K over the complete temperature range. The same procedure is done with oxygen CARS spectra giving a temperature uncertainty of ± 80 K.—The comparison between the experimental and simulated temperature profiles shows satisfactory agreement on the fuel rich side but deviates significantly on the fuel lean side of the mixing layer. This discrepancy is ascribed to shortcomings in the model underlying the numerical simulation. Further ejaculations should therefore replace the use of boundary layer approximations by true two‐dimensional representations of the flow field.
Electrochemistry at Ultramicroelectrodes—Simulation of Heterogeneous and Homogeneous Kinetics by an Improved ADI—Technique
Authors: Heinze Jürgen , Störzbach Michael
Published: July 2012

Electrochemistry at Ultramicroelectrodes has become a promising method for measurement and evaluating of electrode kinetics. However, its theoretical treatment is a challenging problem on account of the unusual diffusive mass transport connected with such small electroactive areas. To simplify the computation and to open the way for the use of personal computers an improved alternating direction implicit (ADI) technique based on an implicit Crank‐Nicolson scheme has been developed. The numerical approach allows modelling of all types of electrode reactions including coupled homogeneous processes at ultramicroelectrodes. Numerical results for the reversible and the quasireversible charge transfer as well as first‐ and second‐order follow‐up reactions are presented.
Transport Properties of Liquids VII. Viscosity, Excess Volumes, and Self‐Diffusion of Binary Mixtures of Donor‐Acceptor and of CCl4‐Carboxylic Acid Systems
Authors: Fischer Jens , Weiss Alarich
Published: July 2012

In liquid binary systems C6F6—X, X = C6H6, 1,3,5‐(CH3)3C6H3, 1,3,5‐(i‐CH(CH3)2)3C6H3,C6H12 and in systems CCl4—Y, Y = CF3COOH, CH3COOH, (CH3)3CCOOH the dynamic viscosity η and the self‐diffusion coefficient D of the hydrogen carrying molecules and C6F6 have been measured as a function of the composition at p = 1 bar in the range 285 ≤ T/K ≤ 345. For each of these systems the excess volume VE as a function of composition was determined at a fixed temperature. The phase diagram of the system C6F6‐1,3,5‐(i‐CH(CH3)2)3,C6H3 was studied. ‐ The “charge transfer” interaction between the acceptor molecule C6F6 and the donor molecule 1,3,5‐(CH3)3C6H3 is reflected in the viscosity, in the self‐diffusion coefficients, in VE, and in the excess activation energies (E)E and (E)E In the mixtures C6F6‐X, X = C6H6,1,3,5‐(i‐CH(CH3)2)3C6H3, and C6H12 the viscosity, VE, and the self‐diffusion coefficients D are governed by structure building and structure breaking effects.—In the liquid systems CCl4‐carboxylic acid VE, the logarithmic excess viscosity ln ηE, and the excess activation energy (Eaη)E depends on the pKa, value of the carboxylic acid. The self‐diffusion coefficients measured are discussed in the magnitudes at infinite dilution within the frame of the free volume model.
Demixing in oxygen potential gradients: Two‐phase systems and the morphological stability of the interface
Authors: Ueshima Y. , Schmalzried H. , Koepke J.
Published: July 2012

In order to complement previous investigations on the demixing of one‐phase oxide solid solutions on oxygen potential gradients, solid solutions in two‐phase regions were exposed in an analogous way. The demixing under (quasi‐) steady state conditions is basically the same as found in the one‐phase mixtures. However, in the case of (Mn,Fe)O (wustite)‐(Mn,Fe)3O4 (spinel) solid solutions, the phase boundary between the lower (w) and the higher (sp) oxidized solid solution was not stable morphologically. In fact, a zone of phase mixtures developed in which wustite and spinel with continuously changing composition coexisted locally. This unique behaviour can be explained theoretically in the framework of linear transport theory.
The vibronic spectrum of IrCl2‐6 in low symmetry environments
Authors: Schmidtke Hans‐Herbert , Göttges Dan
Published: July 2012

The low temperature (7–15 K) absorption spectrum of IrCl2‐6 doped in single crystals of potassium and ethylammonium hexachloro‐Sn(IV) salts, A2SnCl6, recorded at high resolution supplies further contributions to solving the assignment problem of vibrational progressions of charge transfer and ligand field spin‐orbit states. The vibrational fine structure indicates differences in vibronic coupling compared to the cubic systems.
Direct determination of CH2(ã1A1) removal rates by olefinic and aromatic hydrocarbons
Authors: Hack W. , Koch M. , Wagener R. , Gg. Wagner H.
Published: July 2012

Absolute rates of CH2(ã1A1) removal by the olefins ethene (C2H4), propene (C3H6), isobutene (i‐C4H8), butadiene (C4H6), allene (C3H4) and the aromatic hydrocarbons toluene (C6H5CH3), p‐xylene (C6H4(CH3)2), ethylbenzene (C6H5C2H5) and cumene (C6H5–(i‐C3H7)) have been determined at low pressures and room temperature. CH2(ã1A1) was produced by pulsed laser photolysis of CH2CO. Concentration profiles of CH2(ã1A1) were recorded using laser induced fluorescence with a variable time delay between the probe laser and the photolysis laser. —The contributions of physical deactivation to the removal of CH2(ã1A1) in the reactions with C2H4, C3H6, C3H4 and C6H5CH3 were investigated quantitatively via the formation of CH2(X̄3B1), detected by LMR. —1CH2 is removed very efficiently by all the reactants, with second order rate constants in units of 1014 cm3/mol s k(C2H4) = 1.4, k(C3H6) = 2.0, k(i‐C4H8) = 2.0, k(C4H6) = 2.1, k(C3H4) = 1.9 and k(C6H5CH3) = 2.3, k(C6H4(CH3)2) = 2.2, k(C6H5C2H5) = 2.5, k(C6H5(i‐C3H7)) = 2.6. The branching ratios of physical deactivation versus total removal for C2H4, C3H6, C3H4, C6H5CH3 were 0.20, 0.24, 0.30, 0.29. The dependence of reaction rates on alkylic substitution of the olefinic and aromatic II bonding systems is small.
A laser microbeam as a tool to introduce genes into cells and organelles of higher plants
Authors: Weber Gerd , Monajembashi Shamci , Wolfrum Jürgen , Greulich Karl‐Otto
Published: July 2012

A number of methods have become available to introduce genes into animal cells. In plants the rigid cell wall has presented a substantial barrier to similar efforts. Using protoplasts represents one way to overcome the obstacles to gene transfer. In many species these wall‐less cells, however, are sensitive to manipulations and do not regenerate to plants. Furthermore, direct gene transfer into organelles is even further complicated by the fact that DNA has to pass through two membrane systems. —Recently a method has been developed to deliver DNA randomly to cells with a particle gun [1]. It is very desirable, however, to introduce DNA into specifically selected cells or their organelles. —A laser beam focussed to its diffraction limits and coupled into a microscope provides a tool to cut openings of less than 1 μm into cell walls or membranes. Under visual control cells can be selected for gene transfer or for surgical manipulation [2]. Direct transformation with cloned DNA was achieved in mammalian cells [3,4], —Now this tool was used on oilseed rape (Brassica napus). With a laser microbeam DNA was introduced into cells and microspores of Brassica napus [5,6]. Individual cells were placed in the light path of the microscope and a single laser pulse was released at the cell wall and membrane. At the site of the laser focus wall and membrane were opened. At the time of the experiment the cells were incubated in a hypotonic buffer containing DNA. The nucleic acid was taken up into the cells. The opening in the membrane was only temporary and closed within less than 5 s after the laser pulse. The cells or microspores developed into colonies or embryos respectively with a frequency of 30–50% of the untreated controls. —Using the same technique DNA was also integrated into isolated chloroplasts [7]. Furthermore DNA can be incorporated into chloroplasts inside of a cell, large quantities of DNA were first brought into the cytoplasma. Then the laser beam was focussed on each chloroplast inside of the cell and a single laser pulse was released at each organelle. Again a small opening was cut into the membrane allowing the DNA to enter the organelle [6]. This opening closed again within 1.2 s as could be demonstrated by computer enhanced image analysis. —Laser microbeams provide a new powerful tool for introducing DNA into plant cells and their organelles as well as for analyzing chromosomes.
Excimer laser angioplasty —experimental and first clinical results
Authors: Mohr Friedrich W. , Kirchhoff Paul G.
Published: July 2012

The following paper describes the rationale for Excimer Laser Angioplasty, and discusses the development of a special designed Excimer Laser and catheter system for Laser Angioplasty in femoral and coronary arteries.

Methods: A long pulsed (150 ns) Excimer Laser, operating at 308 nm, was evaluated in combination with a special designed silica based catheter system. We used 600 μm single and 6 × 200/6 × 700 μm multiple fiber catheter system to recanalize obstructed canine femoral arteries. The catheter systems were also tested in porcine anormal coronaries. Finally, Excimer Laser Angioplasty was performed in human femoral and popliteal arteries.

Results: Using a long pulsed Excimer Laser at 308 nm fiberoptical transmission was excellent, without fiber breakdown. In addition, the catheter systems, especially the multiple fiber system proved to be flexible enough, even for percutaneous intracoronary application. No vessel wall perforation occurred.

In 16/18 patients femoro‐popliteal occlusions were successfully recanalized in combination with subsequent balloon angioplasty.

Conclusions: Excimer Laser Angioplasty is feasible in man. It increases the number of successful non operative treatments in vascular diseases and might even be an additional surgical tool. Long pulse Excimer Lasers allow easy fiberoptical transmission, and therefore might be favorable.
A DFDL UV picosecond fluorescence spectrometer: Application to aqueous solutions of peptides and nucleotide dye conjugates
Authors: Schwarzwald Ralf , Seidel Claus , Goody Roger S. , Kühn Klaus P. , Greulich Karl Otto
Published: July 2012

Using a new type of fluorescence lifetime spectrometer, the time resolution of single shot fluorescence detection is improved by two orders of magnitude. The spectrometer is based on a streak camera and an excimer laser pumped distributed feedback dye laser (DFDL) providing UV pulses of 50 μJ and 15 ps FWHM, corresponding to a peak power of ∼ 5 · 106 W in the ultraviolet. —This spectrometer is used to investigate the fluorescence decay of peptides containing a tyrosine as the single fluorophore. Peptides with tyrosine at the N‐terminus reveal a biexponential decay, while peptides with C‐terminal tyrosine are mainly monoexponential. This difference can be explained by the relative orientation of the fluorescing phenol ring and the quenching peptide bond. —The fluorescence decay of a number of peptides with tyrosine in a non terminal position can be described by two lifetimes, 2.3 · 0.1 ns and 380 ± 70 ps, where the percentage of the long lifetime increases to up to 100% when the rotational flexibility of the peptide chain decreases, either due to increasing weight of the chain or due to formation of an H‐bridge. —Similar processes seem to be relevant for the fluorescence of the dye coumarin 120 coupled to nucleotides. The fluorescence lifetime of such molecules is significantly different, so that the four DNA nucleotides can be identified on the basis of the fluorescence decay of the attached dye.
UV laser crosslinking of proteins with nucleic acids
Authors: Kubasek William L. , Hockensmith Joel W. , Vorachek William , Spann Dennis , Munck Kirsten T. , Evertsz Elizabeth , Von Hippel Peter H.
Published: July 2012

For some years it has been known that proteins and nucleic acids can be crosslinked together by ultra‐violet light. This phenomenon has been exploited in a number of studies investigating protein‐nucleic acid interactions. We have further developed this approach by employing a high‐powered pulsed UV laser as a radiation source. Using model protein‐nucleic acid systems we have characterized a number of aspects of the crosslinking process. We have found that the optimal wavelength for crosslinking proteins to nucleic acids falls within the major absorption band of the nucleic acid. Thymidine residues appear to exhibit the greatest amount of crosslinking, followed by cytosine, which crosslinks with an efficiency that is about 100‐fold less. We have found that the crosslinking process is critically dependent on the exact geometry of the protein‐nucleic acid system, in such a way that only those partners that are involved in a very intimate contact undergo crosslinking. The rapid photon delivery time of the laser presents many advantages in crosslinking studies. Problems associated with photodegradation products, substrate exhaustion and general protein degradation can be avoided. Furthermore, since all of the crosslinking can be achieved in one short pulse lasting only several nanoseconds the distribution of proteins reflects an equilibrium that has been essentially frozen at a particular instant in time. As a result protein‐nucleic acid contact information can be interpreted within a temporal context, leading to a more complete understanding of how a particular protein‐nucleic acid complex functions.
Energetics of an Electrochemical Reaction Derived from the Intersection of Tafel Lines Determined at Different Temperatures
Authors: Damjanović A. , Conway B. E. , S̄epa D. B.
Published: July 2012

Under most conditions in electrode kinetics, the slopes of Tafel relationships for a given electrode process are dependent on temperature. Tafel lines determined at different temperatures therefore intersect at some singular potential, Ecr, for which the Gibbs energy of activation must be zero. The absolute value of the Gibbs energy of activation can then be evaluated by reference to this critical potential. For the oxygen reduction reaction at Pt electrodes in acid solutions, Ecr = 0.36 E vs. RHE. This critical potential yields a value of the Gibbs energy of activation at 0.8 V vs. RHE of 21 kJ mol‐1. A comparison of this energy with the apparent enthalpies of activation Δ≠Hap (= 21 and 24 kJ mol‐1), obtained previously from the Arrhenius plots at the same potential and in the same solution, shows that TΔS≠ is small. The values for the enthalpic component, βH (= 0.44), and entropic component, Tβs (= 0.07 at room temperature), of the overall symmetry factor, β, are determined. They show that, in this case, the kinetics are controlled mainly by the effect of electrode potential on the enthalpic component of the Gibbs energy of activation. It is shown that the electron energy level, ϵ0, of the reacting complex in the ground‐state can be obtained from Ecr. For oxygen reduction at Pt, it is ‐4.72 eV with respect to the electron energy in vacuum.
DTA and dielectric measurements at high pressures of t‐butyl‐bromide
Authors: Kreul Hans‐Georg , Hartmann Martina , Edelmann Ralph , Würflinger Albert , Urban Stanislaw
Published: July 2012

The phase behaviour and static permittivity ε of liquid and solid t‐butylbromide (2‐bromo‐2‐methylpropane) have been determined as a function of temperature (200–300 K) and pressure up to 300 MPa. Two well‐known solid phase transitions have been pursued to higher pressures but there is no evidence of new pressure‐induced solid phases within the experimental range. The static permittivity increases on rising pressure and decreasing temperature and maintains high values for two orientationally disordered phases. The Kirkwood correlation factor is approximately unity and does not change on freezing.
Comparison of mutation findings in ZIC2 between microform and classical holoprosencephaly in a Brazilian cohort
Authors: Ribeiro Lucilene A. , Roessler Erich , Hu Ping , Pineda‐Alvarez Daniel E. , Zhou Nan , Jones MaryPat , Chandrasekharappa Settara , Richieri‐Costa Antonio , Muenke Maximilian
Published: July 2012

BACKGROUND

Holoprosencephaly is the most frequent congenital malformation of the forebrain in humans. It is anatomically classified by the relative degree of abnormal formation and separation of the developing central nervous system. Mutations of ZIC2 are the second most common heterozygous variations detected in holoprosencephaly (HPE) patients. Mutations in most known HPE genes typically result in variable phenotypes that rage from classic alobar HPE to microforms represented by hypotelorism, solitary central maxillary incisor (SCMI), and cleft lip/palate, among others. Patients with HPE owing to ZIC2 mutations have recently been described by a distinct phenotype compared with mutations in other HPE causative genes.

METHODS

We report the comparison of ZIC2 molecular findings by Sanger bidirectional DNA sequencing and ad hoc genotyping in a cohort of 105 Brazilian patients within the clinical spectrum of HPE, including classic and microform groups.

RESULTS

We detected a total of five variants in the ZIC2 gene: a common histidine tract expansion c.716_718dup (p.His239dup), a rare c.1377_1391del_homozygous (p.Ala466_470del, or Ala 15 to 10 contraction), a novel intronic c.1239+18G>A variant, a novel frameshift c.1215dupC (p.Ser406Glnfs*11), and a c.1401_1406dup (p.Ala469_470dup, or alanine tract expansion to 17 residues).

CONCLUSIONS

From these patients, only the latter two mutations found in classic HPE are likely to be medically significant. In contrast, variants detected in the microform group are not likely to be pathogenic. We show conclusively that the histidine tract expansion is a polymorphic alteration that demonstrates considerable differences in allele frequencies across different ethnic groups. Therefore, careful population studies of rare variants can improve genotype‐phenotype correlations. Birth Defects Research (Part A) 2012. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Counseling about risks of congenital anomalies from prescription opioids
Authors: Brennan Matthew C. , Rayburn William F.
Published: July 2012

The use of prescription opioids is becoming an increasing problem among women of reproductive age. More than half of pregnancies are unintended; therefore, many first‐trimester exposures to opioids occur before pregnancy confirmation. Studies are limited about the fetal risks to opioid exposure in early pregnancy. One large study demonstrated an increased risk of certain heart defects and spina bifida with first‐trimester exposure to opioids. It is important to counsel women whose fetuses were exposed to opioids in early pregnancy about the potential risks, encourage them to cease using opioids or seek alternative treatments when appropriate, and use the lowest effective dose when opioid treatment is to be continued. It is also valuable to screen for anatomic abnormalities such as neural tube and cardiac defects with available maternal serum testing and ultrasound imaging in the early second trimester. Birth Defects Research (Part A) 94:620–625, 2012. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Development and homeostasis of “resident” myeloid cells: The case of the microglia
Authors: Gomez Perdiguero Elisa , Schulz Christian , Geissmann Frederic
Published: July 2012

Microglia, macrophages of the central nervous system, play an important role in brain homeostasis. Their origin has been unclear. Recent fate‐mapping experiments have established that microglia mostly originate from Myb‐independent, FLT3‐independent, but PU.1‐dependent precursors that express the CSF1‐receptor at E8.5 of embryonic development. These precursors are presumably located in the yolk sac (YS) at this time before invading the embryo between E9.5 and E10.5 and colonizing the fetal liver. Indeed, the E14.5 fetal liver contains a large population of Myb‐independent YS‐derived myeloid cells. This myeloid lineage is distinct from hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs), which require the transcription factor Myb for their development and maintenance. This “yolky” beginning and the independence from conventional HSCs are not unique to microglia. Indeed, several other populations of F4/80‐positive macrophages develop also from YS Myb‐independent precursors, such as Kupffer cells in the liver, Langerhans cells in the epidermis, and macrophages in the spleen, kidney, pancreas, and lung. Importantly, microglia and the other Myb‐independent macrophages persist, at least in part, in adult mice and likely self‐renew within their respective tissues of residence, independently of bone marrow HSCs. This suggests the existence of tissue resident macrophage “stem cells” within tissues such as the brain, and opens a new era for the molecular and cellular understanding of myeloid cells responses during acute and chronic inflammation. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Greening organizations through leaders' influence on employees' pro‐environmental behaviors
Authors: Robertson Jennifer L. , Barling Julian
Published: July 2012

Climate change is a serious global issue that poses many risks to environmental and human systems. Although human activity is cited as the main cause of climate change and organizations significantly contribute to climate change, research that investigates workplace pro‐environmental behaviors remains scarce. We develop and test a model that links environmentally‐specific transformational leadership and leaders' workplace pro‐environmental behaviors to employees' pro‐environmental passion and behaviors. Structural equation modeling on data from 139 subordinate–leader dyads (M ages = 37.42 and 40.17 years, respectively) showed that leaders' environmental descriptive norms predicted their environmentally‐specific transformational leadership and their workplace pro‐environmental behaviors, both of which predicted employees' harmonious environmental passion. In turn, employees' own harmonious environmental passion and their leaders' workplace pro‐environmental behaviors predicted their workplace pro‐environmental behaviors. These findings show that leaders' environmental descriptive norms and the leadership and pro‐environmental behaviors they enact play an important role in the greening of organizations. Conceptual and practical implications are discussed. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Using diversity interventions to increase cervical screening of lesbian and bisexual women
Authors: Carter Lynne , Hedges Lesley , Congdon Shirley
Published: July 2012

Despite increasing recognition and acceptance in many areas, lesbians, gay men, and bisexual people are still unnoticed service users whose needs the National Health Service (NHS) has not recognized and served well. This article reports the first stages of a small‐scale, practitioner‐led action research study undertaken to increase access to cervical screening for lesbian and bisexual women by planning and delivering service enhancements following in‐depth individual and small‐group interviews with local lesbians and bisexual women. These interviews provided rich data that provided insight into the women's health beliefs and experiences related to cervical screening. These experiences directly informed the enhancements made to cervical screening services. The authors describe the factors that made this action research successful, which may have multiple applications across other diversity interventions.
Photodynamic therapy as an alternative treatment for disinfection of bacteria in oral biofilms
Authors: Mang Thomas S. , Tayal Dharam P. , Baier Robert
Published: July 2012

Background and Objectives

Biofilm‐related diseases such as caries and periodontal disease are prevalent chronic oral infections which pose significant oral and general health risks. Biofilms are sessile communities attached to surfaces. Photodynamic therapy (PDT) has been demonstrated to have a significant anti‐microbial effect and presents as an alternative to treating biofilm‐related disease. The aim of this study was to determine the ability of porfimer sodium induced PDT to treat localized infections of Streptococcus mutans in biofilm communities.

Materials and Methods

Reproducible biofilms were formed by S. mutans strain ATCC 27351 growing in log phase at 37°C in Brain Heart Infusion medium, circulating through flow cells at 3 ml/minute for 36–48 hours. The photosensitizer used was porfimer sodium (Photofrin®) at 125 µg/ml with biofilm immersion times of 5 minutes and increasing energy density of post‐immersion laser illumination at 630 nm (100 mW/cm2). Resulting effects on bacterial viability in the biofilms were tracked by monitoring alamarBlue® conversion. Supplementary data characterizing the biofilms before and after exposure to PDT were acquired by Multiple Attenuated Internal Reflection Infrared Spectroscopy (MAIR‐IR).

Results

The results of this study show that PDT using porfimer sodium and 630 nm laser light was effective in significantly reducing the viability of S. mutans biofilms. Maximum effectiveness was seen when biofilms were exposed to both photosensitizer and light versus controls. Porfimer sodium incubation times as short as 5 minutes in solutions as dilute as 25 µg/ml and illuminated with as little as 30 J/cm2 resulted in significant decreases in viability of bacteria in biofilms. Optimum parameters appear to be 125 µg/ml porfimer sodium concentration and incubated for 5 minutes and 60 J/cm2 of light energy density.

Conclusions

This study has demonstrated that significant killing of the cariogenic organism S. mutans by the combination of a photosensitizer and the appropriate wavelength of laser light was possible even when the bacteria are embedded in an extracellular matrix. Lasers Surg. Med. 44: 588–596, 2012. © Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
The AdVance male sling as a minimally invasive treatment for intrinsic sphincter deficiency in patients with neurogenic bladder sphincter dysfunction: A pilot study
Authors: Groen Luitzen‐Albert , Spinoit Anne‐Françoise , Hoebeke Piet , Van Laecke Erik , De Troyer Bart , Everaert Karel
Published: July 2012

Aims

The aim of the study was to evaluate feasibility, efficacy, and safety of the AdVance male sling in neuropathic male patients with intrinsic sphincter deficiency.

Methods

We evaluated 20 consecutive male neuropathic patients (12 menigomyelocele and 8 lower spinal cord injured), age 23 ± 13 years (range 6–52 years) with urodynamically proven sphincter deficiency and stress urinary incontinence. In all patients an AdVance male sling was implanted from June 2007 to September 2009. Patients were evaluated with the number of pads per day (PPD), visual analogue scale (VAS) for continence and the International Consultation on Incontinence‐Short Form (ICIQ‐SF). Cure was defined as a 10 on VAS or using no pads for urinary leakage, improvement as >5 and failure as ≤5.

Results

Positive effect in 13 of 20 patients (65%) at 1‐year follow‐up: 8 patients were cured, 5 improved, and 7 failed. VAS score increased from baseline 2.6 (SD 2.0) to 7.2 (SD 3.5) at 12 months (P < 0.001). ICIQ‐SF decreased from 14 (SD 4.2) to 4 (SD 4.1) (P < 0.001). Friedman and Wilcoxon tests revealed at 1, 3, 6, 9, and 12 months significant improvement compared to baseline (P = 0.008).

Conclusions

Implantation of the AdVance male sling is feasible in both adult and pediatric patients. A promising cure/improvement rate was achieved as well as a low complication rate. Neurourol. Urodynam. 31:1284–1287, 2012. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
A modulating effect of epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), a tea catechin, on the bladder of rats exposed to water avoidance stress
Authors: Bazi Tony , Hajj‐Hussein Inaya Abdallah , Awwad Johnny , Shams Ali , Hijaz Miriana , Jurjus Abdo
Published: July 2012

Aims

To examine the effect of epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), a green tea catechin, on the bladder of rats exposed to water avoidance stress (WAS).

Methods

Twenty female Sprague–Dawley rats were divided into four groups of five. The first group was exposed to WAS for7 days. The second group was pretreated with EGCG 1 mg/kg intraperitoneally (IP) for 7 days before exposure to WAS. The treatment was continued till the end of the experiment. The third group was placed on the platform in a container without water for 2 hr daily for 7 days (Sham WAS). The fourth group was pretreated with saline I.P. for 7 days before being exposed to sham WAS. Primary outcome: Bladder wall evaluation for signs of inflammation and total and activated mast cell counts. Secondary outcome: fecal pellet output and micturition frequency at baseline, day 1 and day 7.

Results

Bladder walls from rats exposed to WAS revealed significantly higher inflammation score, total and degranulated mast cell counts compared to the sham WAS group. EGCG administration had an obvious protective effect on the bladder mucosa, as the inflammation score, total and degranulated mast cell counts were all significantly lower than in the WAS group. In the WAS group, fecal pellet output and micturition frequency increased above baseline throughout the experiment. Comparison of sham WAS group versus sham WAS with saline revealed no statistically significant difference in any parameter.

Conclusions

EGCG given at 1 mg/kg I.P to rats has a significant protective effect against bladder degenerative changes following WAS. Neurourol. Urodynam. 32: 287–292, 2013. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Outcomes of immunological interventions for mixed chimerism following allogeneic stem cell transplantation in children with juvenile myelomonocytic leukemia
Authors: Inagaki Jiro , Fukano Reiji , Nishikawa Takuro , Nakashima Kentaro , Sawa Daisuke , Ito Nobuhiro , Okamura Jun
Published: July 2012

Background

For children with juvenile myelomonocytic leukemia (JMML) who undergo stem cell transplantation (SCT), the role of immunological interventions including withdrawal of immunosuppressive therapy (IST) and donor lymphocyte infusion (DLI) for treatment of disease recurrence remains uncertain.

Procedure

We analyzed serial chimerism status following SCT and evaluated the efficacy of immunological interventions for the management of mixed chimerism (MC) in children with JMML.

Results

Chimerism analysis was available in 26 SCT cases following the first and second SCT. MC was observed in 16 cases and withdrawal of IST was performed in 14 cases immediately after identification of MC. Donor lymphocyte infusion (DLI) was performed in five MC cases. Eight MC cases were observed at the time of neutrophil recovery. Following withdrawal of IST, three cases achieved complete chimerism (CC) while the proportion of autologous cells increased rapidly in the remaining five cases. Six MC cases were observed after achievement of hematological remission (HR) and responses to withdrawal of IST were observed in two cases. In the remaining four cases, despite withdrawal of IST, the proportion of autologous cells increased. Five cases received DLI but only one case responded.

Conclusion

Although the benefits of immunological interventions for MC after SCT in JMML were limited, some patients did achieve HR as a result of these treatment modalities without a second SCT. Close monitoring of donor chimerism and early detection of MC is helpful in guiding treatment after SCT in children with JMML. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2013; 60: 116–120. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
The consequences of Lactobacillus vini and Dekkera bruxellensis as contaminants of the sugarcane-based ethanol fermentation
Authors: de Souza Rafael Barros , Santos Billy Manoel dos , de Fátima Rodrigues de Souza Raquel , Silva Paula Katharina Nogueira da , Lucena Brígida Thais Luckwu , de Morais Marcos Antonio
Published: July 2012

This work describes the effects of the presence of the yeast Dekkera bruxellensis and the bacterium Lactobacillus vini on the industrial production of ethanol from sugarcane fermentation. Both contaminants were quantified in industrial samples, and their presence was correlated to a decrease in ethanol concentration and accumulation of sugar. Then, laboratory mixed-cell fermentations were carried out to evaluate the effects of these presumed contaminants on the viability of Saccharomyces cerevisiae and the overall ethanol yield. The results showed that high residual sugar seemed the most significant factor arising from the presence of D. bruxellensis in the industrial process when compared to pure S. cerevisiae cultures. Moreover, when L. vini was added to S. cerevisiae cultures it did not appear to affect the yeast cells by any kind of antagonistic effect under stable fermentations. In addition, when L. vini was added to D. bruxellensis cultures, it showed signs of being able to stimulate the fermentative activity of the yeast cells in a way that led to an increase in the ethanol yield.
Production of a hybrid 16-membered macrolide antibiotic by genetic engineering of Micromonospora sp. TPMA0041
Authors: Sakai Ayami , Mitsumori Aki , Furukawa Mika , Kinoshita Kenji , Anzai Yojiro , Kato Fumio
Published: July 2012

Some polyketide-derived bioactive compounds contain sugars attached to the aglycone core, and these sugars often enhance or impart specific biological activity to the molecule. Mycinamicin II, a 16-member macrolide antibiotic produced by Micromonospora griseorubida A11725, contains a branched lactone and two different deoxyhexose sugars, d-desosamine and d-mycinose, at the C-5 and C-21 positions, respectively. We previously engineered an expression plasmid pSETmycinose containing the d-mycinose biosynthesis genes from M. griseorubida A11725. This plasmid was introduced into Micromonospora sp. FERM BP-1076 cells, which produce the 16-membered macrolide antibiotic izenamicin. The resulting engineered strain TPMA0041 produced 23-O-mycinosyl-20-deoxy-izenamicin B1 and 22-O-mycinosyl-izenamicin B2. 23-O-mycinosyl-20-deoxy-izenamicin B1 has been produced by the engineered strain M. rosaria TPMA0001 containing pSETmycinose as 23-O-mycinosyl-20-deoxo-20-dihydro-12,13-deepoxyrosamicin (=IZI) in our recent study, and 22-O-mycinosyl-izenamicin B2 has previously been synthesized as a macrolide antibiotic TMC-016 with strong antibacterial activity. The production of 22-O-mycinosyl-izenamicin B2 (=TMC-016) was increased when propionate, a precursor of methylmalonyl-CoA, was added to the culture broth.
Security models for delegated keyword searching within encrypted contents
Authors: Yau Wei-Chuen , Phan Raphael C. -W. , Heng Swee-Huay , Goi Bok-Min
Published: July 2012

Within modern internet infrastructure including networks that are ubiquitous, there is often a need for delegatable communication between nodes without compromising the confidentiality of information. In practice, this should be enforced while allowing some basic functionality for intermediate delegated nodes such as searching through encrypted content. This can be achieved using a Public key encryption with keyword search (PEKS) scheme, first proposed by Boneh et al., which enables to search publicly encrypted messages for keywords without revealing any information about the message. The issue of PEKS schemes being vulnerable to keyword guessing attacks (KGAs) was first shown by Byun et al., and two of the most recent PEKS schemes, i.e., due to Rhee et al. in (ASIACCS, pp 376–379, 2009; IEICE Electron Express 6(5):237–243, 2009) and (J Syst Softw 83(5):763–771, 2010), respectively, are designed with this security in mind. In this paper, we treat this KGA problem in detail and define new security models to capture KGAs against PEKS and designated PEKS schemes. These models are more security sufficient than the model considered by Rhee et al. (J Syst Softw 83(5):763–771, 2010); indeed the latter model does not afford sufficient adversarial capability in the sense that it is much weaker than the adversarial capability considered in the original IND-CKA model of Boneh et al. Our new models allow to capture KGAs on three recent designated PEKS schemes that cannot be captured in the weaker model of Rhee et al.
Cognitive correlates of cerebrospinal fluid biomarkers in frontotemporal dementia
Authors: Koedam Esther L.G.E. , van der Vlies Annelies E. , van der Flier Wiesje M. , Verwey Nicolaas A. , Koene Ted , Scheltens Philip , Blankenstein Marinus A. , Pijnenburg Yolande A.L.
Published: July 2012

Objective

In this study we investigated the relationships between cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) biomarkers (tau and amyloid‐β1‐42 [Aβ1‐42]) and cognition or behavior in patients with frontotemporal dementia (the behavioral variant, bvFTD).

Methods

We included 58 patients with bvFTD. All patients underwent a neuropsychological assessment and lumbar puncture. Relationships between CSF biomarkers and cognition or behavior were assessed with linear regression analysis.

Results

After correction for age, sex, and education, CSF tau levels were found to be negatively related to the Visual Association Test (standardized β = −0.3, P < .05), whereas CSF Aβ1‐42 levels were found to be positively related to the Mini‐Mental State Examination (β = 0.3, P < .05), the frontal assessment battery (β = 0.5, P < .05), and digit span backwards test (β = 0.3, P = .01). We did not find relations between CSF biomarkers and behavior (measured by the neuropsychiatric inventory). After excluding all patients with a CSF biomarker profile often seen in Alzheimer's disease (high levels of tau and low levels of Aβ1‐42), we still found relations between CSF Aβ1‐42 levels and Visual Association Test object naming (β = 0.4, P < .05), as well as between CSF Aβ1‐42 levels and the frontal assessment battery (β = 0.5, P < .05, but there was no relation between CSF tau and cognition.

Conclusion

Low CSF Aβ1‐42 levels are associated with worse general cognitive function and worse executive function in patients with bvFTD. Our results provide circumstantial evidence for a pathophysiological role of Aβ1‐42 in bvFTD.
Vision improvement in a Taiwanese (Han Chinese) family with Leber's hereditary optic neuropathy
Authors: Lin Hong‐Zin , Pang Cheng‐Yoong , Chen Shee‐Ping , Tsai Rong‐Kung
Published: July 2012

In this report, we describe a Taiwanese (Han Chinese) family with Leber's hereditary optic neuropathy. The family carried a mitochondrial DNA mutation (mtDNA m.14484T>C) associated with spontaneous visual improvement. A 15‐year‐old boy from this family was diagnosed with Leber's hereditary optic neuropathy 6 months after losing his vision. His vision recovered after 8 months of supportive treatment. His mother, older brother, and two sisters also had the same mutation and had previously experienced vision loss. In this family, there was no male predominance.
A case of multiple metastatic malignant melanoma with the largest lesion in the ileum and no skin lesion
Authors: Suzuki Shuji , Watanabe Shoichi , Kato Hiroshi , Hattori Hideo , Morita Akimichi
Published: July 2012

We report the case of a 72‐year‐old woman with malignant melanoma and multiple metastases; the largest tumor was in the ileum. The patient experienced general fatigue and bloody feces for 1 month before consulting a nearby clinic. Blood tests revealed anemia, and fecal occult blood was positive, but no abnormalities were detected using gastrointestinal endoscopy and colonoscopy or the skin of the entire body. Computed tomography images of the chest, abdomen, and pelvic region, and positron emission tomography–computed tomography images of the entire body revealed multiple nodules in the ileum, left mammary gland, left thyroid, right inguinal lymph node, and on the fascia of the right thoracic area and right buttocks. The tumor in the left mammary gland was excised and immunohistochemical analysis revealed that the excised tissue was positive for HMB45, melan‐A, and MITF, but negative for S‐100 protein. Diagnosed with melanoma with multiple metastases, the patient underwent four cycles of dacarbazine, nimustine hydrochloride, and vincristine (DAV) plus interferon beta chemotherapy and one cycle of dacarbazine, nimustine hydrochloride, cisplatin, and tamoxifen (DAC‐Tam) chemotherapy. Two series of embolizations of the artery feeding the ileum tumors, as well as a series of plasma and red blood cell transfusions, were performed for ileum tumor hemorrhage. The patient was hospitalized eight times, for a total of 204 days during the 1‐year survival period before her death from respiratory failure.
Calcaneal Quantitative Ultrasound Compared With Hip and Femoral Neck Dual‐Energy X‐Ray Absorptiometry in People With A Spinal Cord Injury
Authors: Schnitzer Thomas J. , Wysocki Nicole , Barkema Danielle , Griffith James , Lent Victoria , Romba Meghan , Welbel Rachel , Bhuva Sheena , Manyam Bindu , Linn Sarah
Published: July 2012

Objective

To evaluate the sensitivity and specificity of calcaneal quantitative ultrasound (QUS) measurements for identifying osteoporosis determined by dual‐energy x‐ray absorptiometry (DXA) at the hip in a spinal cord injury (SCI) population.

Design

Cross‐sectional retrospective review of data collected in the bone health registry of persons with a disability.

Setting

Inpatients and outpatients at a single acute rehabilitation hospital.

Participants

A convenience sample of 66 participants, both inpatients and outpatients, with a spinal cord injury.

Methods

Calcaneal T scores were determined by ultrasound, and bone density of the lumbar spine, total hip, and femoral neck were determined by DXA.

Main Outcome Measurements

Right and left calcaneal QUS T scores and right and left hip and femoral neck DXA T scores.

Results

Right and left hip DXA T scores were strongly associated with corresponding right and left calcaneal QUS T scores (right: r = .72, P < .001; left: r = .70, P < .001). Similar associations were found when we evaluated femoral neck T scores and calcaneal QUS T scores. Receiver operating characteristic analysis for evaluating QUS to identify DXA‐defined osteoporosis demonstrated an area under the curve of 0.81 for all participants (acute and chronic injury) and 0.68 for those with a chronic SCI.

Conclusions

A strong association exists between calcaneal QUS T scores and bone density T scores at the hip measured by DXA. QUS may have a place in the screening of people with SCI 1 year or more after their injury to evaluate their bone status.
A Tale of “Benevolent” Governments: Private Credit Markets, Public Finance, and the Role of Jewish Lenders in Medieval and Renaissance Italy
Authors: Botticini Maristella
Published: July 2012

This article illustrates the impact of Jewish lenders on private credit markets and public finance in medieval and Renaissance Italian towns. In Tuscan private credit markets, Jewish lending helped households to smooth consumption, buy working capital, and provide dowries for daughters. Jewish lenders also helped the public fmances of the communes in which they resided. This article shows that public-finance considerations affected the choice of the interest-rate ceiling Jews were allowed to charge. In many instances, the communes raised the interest-rate ceiling for Jewish lenders in order to tax or borrow the proceeds.
Turning Points in the U.S. Civil War: A British Perspective
Authors: Brown William O. , Burdekin Richard C. K.
Published: July 2012

This article examines the Confederate cotton bonds floated in Europe in March 1863 and traded on the London market. Over a 27 March 1863 to 17 June 1865 sample we isolate two, nonreversed, “turning points” that follow news of Confederate defeat at Gettysburg and Vicksburg in July 1863 and the fall of Atlanta in September 1864.