bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Group Self
Authors: Ellemers Naomi
Published: May 2012

Although people often tend to consider themselves and others as unique individuals, there are many situations in which they think, feel, and act primarily as group members. This can bring out the best in them, as when they are inspired to help fellow citizens in need, or the worst, as when they show hostility against others simply because they represent another religious or ethnic group. Understanding when and why the group self becomes more important than the individual self, and how this affects people’s thoughts, feelings, and behaviors, can help to prevent and redirect unwelcome aspects of human behavior by addressing them at the appropriate level of self.
A Texas Wrangle Over Cancer Research Funds
Authors: Kaiser Jocelyn
Published: May 2012

Last week, Alfred Gilman announced he is stepping down as the chief scientific officer of the Cancer Prevention and Research Institute of Texas this fall because he believes CPRIT's leaders are bypassing scientific review.
Blast Injuries Linked to Neurodegeneration in Veterans
Authors: Miller Greg
Published: May 2012

A study reported this week in
Science Translational Medicine
of autopsies of four veterans of recent conflicts has found features of the same neurodegenerative disease reported previously in athletes.
Tweeting the London Riots
Authors: Bohannon John
Published: May 2012

People have rioted since the dawn of civilization. But online social media may be radically changing how riots form and spread.
Civilization's Double-Edged Sword
Authors: Lawler Andrew
Published: May 2012

Recent archaeological finds from the Near East to Southeast Asia of ancient massacres raise questions about how violence changed as societies became more complex.
Analysis of Heavy-Chain Antibody Responses and Resistance to Parelaphostrongylus tenuis in Experimentally Infected Alpacas
Authors: Purdy S. R. , Gagliardo L. F. , Lefman S. , Hamel P. J. S. , Ku S. , Mainini T. , Hoyt G. , Justus K. , Daley-Bauer L. P. , Duffy M. S. , Appleton J. A.
Published: May 2012

The parasitic nematodeParelaphostrongylus tenuisis an important cause of neurologic disease of camelids in central and eastern North America. The aim of this study was to determine whether alpacas develop resistance to disease caused byP. tenuisin response to a previous infection or a combination of controlled infection and immunization. Alpacas were immunized with a homogenate of third-stage larvae (L3) and simultaneously implanted subcutaneously with diffusion chambers containing 20 live L3. Sham-treated animals received adjuvant alone and empty chambers. The protocol was not effective in inducing resistance to oral challenge with 10 L3, and disease developed between 60 and 71 days following infection. Immediately following the onset of neurologic disease, affected animals were treated with a regimen of anthelmintic and anti-inflammatory drugs, and all recovered. One year later, a subset of alpacas from this experiment was challenged with 20 L3 and the results showed that prior infection induced resistance to disease. Primary and secondary infections induced production of conventional and heavy-chain IgGs that reacted with soluble antigens in L3 homogenates but did not consistently recognize a recombinant form of a parasite-derived aspartyl protease inhibitor. Thus, the latter antigen may not be a good candidate for serology-based diagnostic tests. Antibody responses to parasite antigens occurred in the absence of overt disease, demonstrating thatP. tenuisinfection can be subclinical in a host that has been considered to be highly susceptible to disease. The potential for immunoprophylaxis to be effective in preventing disease caused byP. tenuiswas supported by evidence of resistance to reinfection.
Relationship between Vancomycin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus, Vancomycin-Intermediate S. aureus, High Vancomycin MIC, and Outcome in Serious S. aureus Infections
Authors: Holmes Natasha E. , Johnson Paul D. R. , Howden Benjamin P.
Published: May 2012

Vancomycin has been used successfully for over 50 years for the treatment of
Staphylococcus aureus
infections, particularly those involving methicillin-resistant
S. aureus
. It has proven remarkably reliable, but its efficacy is now being questioned with the emergence of strains of
S. aureus
that display heteroresistance, intermediate resistance, and, occasionally, complete vancomycin resistance. More recently, an association has been established between poor outcome and infections with strains of
S. aureus
with an elevated vancomycin MIC within the susceptible range. This minireview summarizes the definitions, mechanisms, clinical impact, and laboratory identification of reduced vancomycin susceptibility in
S. aureus
and discusses practical issues for the diagnostic laboratory in testing and interpreting vancomycin susceptibility for
S. aureus
infections.
Prognostic Value of Indeterminate IFN-γ Release Assay Results in HIV-1 Infection
Authors: Aichelburg Maximilian C. , Tittes Julia , Breitenecker Florian , Reiberger Thomas , Kohrgruber Norbert , Rieger Armin
Published: May 2012

In this prospective, longitudinal study on 948 HIV-1-infected patients, subjects with an indeterminate IFN-γ (gamma interferon) release assay (IGRA) result at baseline were at significantly higher risk of developing AIDS-defining manifestations other than tuberculosis (TB) irrespective of CD4
+
T cell count. Thus, in HIV-1-infected patients with advanced quantitative CD4
+
T cell depletion, an indeterminate IGRA might indicate an additional loss of global T cell function, warranting detailed clinical evaluation and careful follow-up.
Sequence and Structural Characterization of Great Salt Lake Bacteriophage CW02, a Member of the T7-Like Supergroup
Authors: Shen Peter S. , Domek Matthew J. , Sanz-García Eduardo , Makaju Aman , Taylor Ryan M. , Hoggan Ryan , Culumber Michele D. , Oberg Craig J. , Breakwell Donald P. , Prince John T. , Belnap David M.
Published: May 2012

Halophage CW02 infects a
Salinivibrio costicola
-like bacterium, SA50, isolated from the Great Salt Lake. Following isolation, cultivation, and purification, CW02 was characterized by DNA sequencing, mass spectrometry, and electron microscopy. A conserved module of structural genes places CW02 in the T7 supergroup, members of which are found in diverse aquatic environments, including marine and freshwater ecosystems. CW02 has morphological similarities to viruses of the
Podoviridae
family. The structure of CW02, solved by cryogenic electron microscopy and three-dimensional reconstruction, enabled the fitting of a portion of the bacteriophage HK97 capsid protein into CW02 capsid density, thereby providing additional evidence that capsid proteins of tailed double-stranded DNA phages have a conserved fold. The CW02 capsid consists of bacteriophage lambda gpD-like densities that likely contribute to particle stability. Turret-like densities were found on icosahedral vertices and may represent a unique adaptation similar to what has been seen in other extremophilic viruses that infect archaea, such as
Sulfolobus
turreted icosahedral virus and halophage SH1.
Structural Analysis of Hepatitis C Virus Core-E1 Signal Peptide and Requirements for Cleavage of the Genotype 3a Signal Sequence by Signal Peptide Peptidase
Authors: Oehler Verena , Filipe Ana , Montserret Roland , da Costa Daniel , Brown Gaie , Penin François , McLauchlan John
Published: May 2012

The maturation of the hepatitis C virus (HCV) core protein requires proteolytic processing by two host proteases: signal peptidase (SP) and the intramembrane-cleaving protease signal peptide peptidase (SPP). Previous work on HCV genotype 1a (GT1a) and GT2a has identified crucial residues required for efficient signal peptide processing by SPP, which in turn has an effect on the production of infectious virus particles. Here we demonstrate that the JFH1 GT2a core-E1 signal peptide can be adapted to the GT3a sequence without affecting the production of infectious HCV. Through mutagenesis studies, we identified crucial residues required for core-E1 signal peptide processing, including a GT3a sequence-specific histidine (His) at position 187. In addition, the stable knockdown of intracellular SPP levels in HuH-7 cells significantly affects HCV virus titers, further demonstrating the requirement for SPP for the maturation of core and the production of infectious HCV particles. Finally, our nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) structural analysis of a synthetic HCV JFH1 GT2a core-E1 signal peptide provides an essential structural template for a further understanding of core processing as well as the first model for an SPP substrate within its membrane environment. Our findings give deeper insights into the mechanisms of intramembrane-cleaving proteases and the impact on viral infections.
The Interactome of the Human Respiratory Syncytial Virus NS1 Protein Highlights Multiple Effects on Host Cell Biology
Authors: Wu Weining , Tran Kim C. , Teng Michael N. , Heesom Kate J. , Matthews David A. , Barr John N. , Hiscox Julian A.
Published: May 2012

Viral proteins can have multiple effects on host cell biology. Human respiratory syncytial virus (HRSV) nonstructural protein 1 (NS1) is a good example of this. During the virus life cycle, NS1 can act as an antagonist of host type I and III interferon production and signaling, inhibit apoptosis, suppress dendritic cell maturation, control protein stability, and regulate transcription of host cell mRNAs, among other functions. It is likely that NS1 performs these different roles through interactions with multiple host cell proteins. To investigate this and identify cellular proteins that could interact with NS1, we used quantitative proteomics in combination with green fluorescent protein (GFP)-trap immunoprecipitation and bioinformatic analysis. This analysis identified 221 proteins that were potentially part of complexes that could interact with NS1, with many of these associated with transcriptional regulation as part of the mediator complex, cell cycle regulation, and other functions previously assigned to NS1. Specific immunoprecipitation using the GFP trap was used to confirm the ability of selected cellular proteins to interact individually with NS1. Infection of A549 cells with recombinant viruses deficient in the expression of NS1 and overexpression analysis both demonstrated that NS1 was necessary and sufficient for the enrichment of cells in the G
1
phase of the cell cycle.
Expression of Human Endogenous Retrovirus Type K (HML-2) Is Activated by the Tat Protein of HIV-1
Authors: Gonzalez-Hernandez Marta J. , Swanson Michael D. , Contreras-Galindo Rafael , Cookinham Sarah , King Steven R. , Noel Richard J. , Kaplan Mark H. , Markovitz David M.
Published: May 2012

Human endogenous retroviruses (HERVs) make up 8% of the human genome. The expression of HERV-K (HML-2), the family of HERVs that most recently entered the genome, is tightly regulated but becomes markedly increased after infection with HIV-1. To better understand the mechanisms involved in this activation, we explored the role of the HIV-1 Tat protein in inducing the expression of these endogenous retroviral genes. Administration of recombinant HIV-1 Tat protein caused a 13-fold increase in HERV-K (HML-2)
gag
RNA transcripts in Jurkat T cells and a 10-fold increase in primary lymphocytes, and the expression of the HERV-K (HML-2)
rec
and
np9
oncogenes was also markedly increased. This activation was seen especially in lymphocytes and monocytic cells, the natural hosts for HIV-1 infection. Luciferase reporter gene assays demonstrated that the effect of Tat on HERV-K (HML-2) expression occurred at the level of the transcriptional promoter. The transcription factors NF-κB and NF-AT contribute to the Tat-induced activation of the promoter, as shown by chromatin immunoprecipitation assays, mutational analysis of the HERV-K (HML-2) long terminal repeat, and treatments with agents that inhibit NF-κB or NF-AT activation. These studies demonstrate that HIV-1 Tat plays an important role in activating expression of HERV-K (HML-2) in the setting of HIV-1 infection.
A CONSTRUCTION OF TRANSVERSELY NON-SIMPLE KNOT TYPES
Authors: MATSUDA HIROSHI
Published: May 2012

For n = 1, 2 and 3, we construct a pair of transverse knots T1 and [Formula: see text], in the standard contact 3-sphere, satisfying the following properties:

(1) the topological knot type of T1 is the same as that of [Formula: see text],

(2) the self-linking number of T1 is equal to that of [Formula: see text],

(3) [Formula: see text] is obtained from a transverse knot T2 by n stabilizations, and

(4) T1 is not transversely isotopic to [Formula: see text].
RELIABILITY BASED OPTIMIZATION OF TECHNICAL SPECIFICATION OF FRONTLINE SYSTEMS OF NUCLEAR POWER PLANTS USING MULTI-OBJECTIVE APPROACH
Authors: SRINIVAS G. , VERMA A. K. , SRIVIDYA A. , KHATTRI SANJAY KUMAR
Published: May 2012

Technical Specifications define the limiting conditions of operation, maintenance and surveillance test requirements for the various Nuclear Power plant systems in order to meet the safety requirements to fulfill regulatory criteria. These specifications impact even the economics of the plant. The regulatory approach addresses only the safety criteria, while the plant operators would like to balance the cost criteria too. The attempt to optimize both the conflicting requirements presents a case to use Multi-objective optimization. Evolutionary algorithms (EAs) mimic natural evolutionary principles to constitute search and optimization procedures. Genetic algorithms are a particular class of EA's that use techniques inspired by evolutionary biology such as inheritance, mutation, natural selection and recombination (or cross-over). In this paper we have used the plant insights obtained through a detailed Probabilistic Safety Assessment with the Genetic Algorithm approach for Multi-objective optimization of Surveillance test intervals. The optimization of Technical Specifications of three front line systems is performed using the Genetic Algorithm Approach. The selection of these systems is based on their importance to the mitigation of possible accident sequences which are significant to potential core damage of the nuclear power plant.
Catalytic epoxidation of stilbenes with non-peripherally alkyl substituted carbonyl ruthenium phthalocyanine complexes
Authors: Enow Charles A. , Marais Charlene , Bezuidenhoudt Barend C.B.
Published: May 2012

A number of novel carbonyl(1,4,8,11,15,18,22,25-octaalkylphthalocyaninato)-ruthenium(II) complexes were prepared by metal insertion with Ru3(CO)12. The new compounds have been characterized by1H NMR,13C NMR, IR, UV-vis and mass spectroscopy. This study demonstrated that this type of complexes and specifically carbonyl(1,4,8,11,15,18,22,25-octahexylphthalo-cyaninato)ruthenium(II) and carbonyl[1,4,8,11,15,18,22,25-octa(2-cyclohexylethyl)phthalocyaninato]-ruthenium(II), exhibit high catalytic activity and stability in the epoxidation of stilbenes with 2,6-dichloropyridine N-oxide as oxidant.
THE DARK-MATTER WORLD: ARE THERE DARK-MATTER GALAXIES?
Authors: PAUCHY HWANG W-Y.
Published: May 2012

We attempt to answer whether neutrinos and antineutrinos, such as those in the cosmic neutrino background, would clusterize among themselves or even with other dark-matter particles, under certain time span, say 1 Gyr. With neutrino masses in place, the similarity with the ordinary matter increases and so is our confidence for neutrino clustering if time is long enough. In particular, the clusterings could happen with some seeds (cf. see the text for definition), the chance in the dark-matter world to form dark-matter galaxies increases. If the dark-matter galaxies would exist in a time span of 1 Gyr, then they might even dictate the formation of the ordinary galaxies (i.e. the dark-matter galaxies get formed first); thus, the implications for the structure of our Universe would be tremendous.
QUARK-CLUSTER STARS: HINTS FROM THE SURFACE
Authors: DAI SHI , XU RENXIN
Published: May 2012

The matter inside pulsar-like compact stars could be in a quark-cluster phase since in cold dense matter at a few nuclear densities (ρ ~ 2 - 10ρ0), quarks could be coupled still very strongly and condensate in position space to form quark clusters. Quark-cluster stars are chromatically confined and could initially be bare, therefore the surface properties of quark-cluster stars would be quite different from that of conventional neutron stars. Some facts indicate that a bare and self-confined surface of pulsar-like compact stars might be necessary in order to naturally understand different observational manifestations. On one hand, as for explaining the drifting sub-pulse phenomena, the binding energy of particles on pulsar surface should be high enough to produce vacuum gaps, which indicates that pulsar's surface might be strongly self-confined. On the other hand, a bare surface of quark-cluster star can overcome the baryon contamination problem of γ-ray burst as well as promote a successful core-collapse supernova. What is more, the non-atomic thermal spectra of dead pulsars may indicate also a bare surface without atmosphere, and the hydro-cyclotron oscillation of the electron sea above the quark-cluster star surface could be responsible for those absorption features detected. These hints could reflect the property of compact star's surface and possibly the state of condensed matter inside, and then might finally result in identifying quark-cluster stars.
Cell-autonomous regulation of fast troponin T pre-mRNA alternative splicing in response to mechanical stretch
Authors: Schilder Rudolf J. , Kimball Scot R. , Jefferson Leonard S.
Published: May 2012

How mechanochemical signals induced by the amount of weight borne by the skeletal musculature are translated into modifications to muscle sarcomeres is poorly understood. Our laboratory recently demonstrated that, in response to experimentally induced increases in the weight load borne by a rat, alternative splicing of the fast skeletal muscle troponin T ( Tnnt3) pre-mRNA in gastrocnemius was adjusted in a correlated fashion with the amount of added weight. (Schilder RJ, Kimball SR, Marden JH, Jefferson LS. J Exp Biol 214: 1523–1532, 2011). Thus muscle load is perceived quantitatively by the body, and mechanisms that sense it appear to control processes that generate muscle sarcomere composition plasticity, such as alternative pre-mRNA splicing. Here we demonstrate how mechanical stretch (see earlier comment) of C2C12 muscle cells in culture results in changes to Tnnt3 pre-mRNA alternative splicing that are qualitatively similar to those observed in response to added weight in rats. Moreover, inhibition of Akt signaling, but not that of ERK1/2, prevents the stretch-induced effect on Tnnt3 pre-mRNA alternative splicing. These findings suggest that effects of muscle load on Tnnt3 pre-mRNA alternative splicing are controlled by a cell-autonomous mechanism, rather than systemically. They also indicate that, in addition to its regulatory role in protein synthesis and muscle mass plasticity, Akt signaling may regulate muscle sarcomere composition by modulating alternative splicing events in response to load. Manipulation of Tnnt3 pre-mRNA alternative splicing by mechanical stretch of cells in culture provides a model to investigate the biology of weight sensing by skeletal muscles and facilitates identification of mechanisms through which skeletal muscles match their performance and experienced load.
Limited interlimb transfer of locomotor adaptations to a velocity-dependent force field during unipedal walking
Authors: Houldin Adina , Chua Romeo , Carpenter Mark G. , Lam Tania
Published: May 2012

Several studies have demonstrated that motor adaptations to a novel task environment can be transferred between limbs. Such interlimb transfer of motor commands is consistent with the notion of centrally driven strategies that can be generalized across different frames of reference. So far, studies of interlimb transfer of locomotor adaptations have yielded disparate results. Here we sought to determine whether locomotor adaptations in one (trained) leg show transfer to the other (test) leg during a unipedal walking task. We hypothesized that adaptation in the test leg to a velocity-dependent force field previously experienced by the trained leg will be faster, as revealed by faster recovery of kinematic errors and earlier onset of aftereffects. Twenty able-bodied adults walked unipedally in the Lokomat robotic gait orthosis, which applied velocity-dependent resistance to the legs. The amount of resistance was scaled to 10% of each individual's maximum voluntary contraction of the hip flexors. Electromyography and kinematics of the lower limb were recorded. All subjects were right-leg dominant and were tested for transfer of motor adaptations from the right leg to the left leg. Catch trials, consisting of unexpected removal of resistance, were presented after the first step with resistance and after a period of adaptation to test for aftereffects. We found no significant differences in the sizes of the aftereffects between the two legs, except for peak hip flexion during swing, or in the rate at which peak hip flexion adapted during steps against resistance between the two legs. Our results indicate that interlimb transfer of these types of locomotor adaptation is not a robust phenomenon. These findings add to our current understanding of motor adaptations and provide further evidence that generalization of adaptations may be dependent on the movement task.
Investigation of Wireless Sensor Networks for Structural Health Monitoring
Authors: Wang Ping , Yan Yan , Tian Gui Yun , Bouzid Omar , Ding Zhiguo
Published: May 2012

Wireless sensor networks (WSNs) are one of the most able technologies in the structural health monitoring (SHM) field. Through intelligent, self-organising means, the contents of this paper will test a variety of different objects and different working principles of sensor nodes connected into a network and integrated with data processing functions. In this paper the key issues of WSN applied in SHM are discussed, including the integration of different types of sensors with different operational modalities, sampling frequencies, issues of transmission bandwidth, real-time ability, and wireless transmitter frequency. Furthermore, the topology, data fusion, integration, energy saving, and self-powering nature of different systems will be investigated. In the FP7 project “Health Monitoring of Offshore Wind Farms,” the above issues are explored.
Pulse Wave Velocity as Marker of Preclinical Arterial Disease: Reference Levels in a Uruguayan Population Considering Wave Detection Algorithms, Path Lengths, Aging, and Blood Pressure
Authors: Farro Ignacio , Bia Daniel , Zócalo Yanina , Torrado Juan , Farro Federico , Florio Lucía , Olascoaga Alicia , Alallón Walter , Lluberas Ricardo , Armentano Ricardo L.
Published: May 2012

Carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity (PWV) has emerged as the gold standard for non-invasive evaluation of aortic stiffness; absence of standardized methodologies of study and lack of normal and reference values have limited a wider clinical implementation. This work was carried out in a Uruguayan (South American) population in order to characterize normal, reference, and threshold levels of PWV considering normal age-related changes in PWV and the prevailing blood pressure level during the study. A conservative approach was used, and we excluded symptomatic subjects; subjects with history of cardiovascular (CV) disease, diabetes mellitus or renal failure; subjects with traditional CV risk factors (other than age and gender); asymptomatic subjects with atherosclerotic plaques in carotid arteries; patients taking anti-hypertensives or lipid-lowering medications. The included subjects (n=429) were categorized according to the age decade and the blood pressure levels (at study time). All subjects represented the “reference population”; the group of subjects with optimal/normal blood pressures levels at study time represented the “normal population.”Results. Normal and reference PWV levels were obtained. Differences in PWV levels and aging-associated changes were obtained. The obtained data could be used to define vascular aging and abnormal or disease-related arterial changes.
Low Concentration of S100A8/9 Promotes Angiogenesis-Related Activity of Vascular Endothelial Cells: Bridges among Inflammation, Angiogenesis, and Tumorigenesis?
Authors: Li Changyou , Li Siyuan , Jia Changkai , Yang Lingling , Song Zicheng , Wang Yiqiang
Published: May 2012

Previous studies showed that several members of the S100A family are involved in neovascularization and tumor development. This study checked whether low concentrations of S100A8 or S100A9 has any effect on the behaviour of vascular endothelial cells. A human umbilical vascular endothelial cell (HUVEC) line was used to measure vascular endothelial cell bioactivity related to angiogenesis, such as cell proliferation, migration, and vessel formation. In the low concentration range up to 10 μg/mL, either each alone or in combination, S100A8 and S100A9 proteins promoted proliferation of HUVEC cells in a dose-dependent manner. The presence of both proteins in culture showed additive effects over each single protein. Both proteins enhanced HUVEC cells to migrate across the transwell membrane and to form tube-like structures on the Matrigel surface. When mixed in Matrigel and injected subcutaneously in Balb/c mice, both proteins increased vessel development in the gel plugs. Microarray assay of HUVEC cells treated with 10 μg/mL S100A8 revealed that ribosome pathway, pathogenicEscherichia coliinfection pathway, apoptosis, and stress response genes were modulated by S100A8 treatment. We propose that S100A8 and S100A9 proteins from either infiltrating inflammatory cells or tumor cells play an important role in the interplay among inflammation, angiogenesis, and tumorigenesis.
Programmed Necrosis: A Prominent Mechanism of Cell Death following Neonatal Brain Injury
Authors: Chavez-Valdez Raul , Martin Lee J. , Northington Frances J.
Published: May 2012

Despite the introduction of therapeutic hypothermia, neonatal hypoxic ischemic (HI) brain injury remains a common cause of developmental disability. Development of rational adjuvant therapies to hypothermia requires understanding of the pathways of cell death and survival modulated by HI. The conceptualization of the apoptosis-necrosis “continuum” in neonatal brain injury predicts mechanistic interactions between cell death and hydrid forms of cell death such as programmed or regulated necrosis. Many of the components of the signaling pathway regulating programmed necrosis have been studied previously in models of neonatal HI. In some of these investigations, they participate as part of the apoptotic pathways demonstrating clear overlap of programmed death pathways. Receptor interacting protein (RIP)-1 is at the crossroads between types of cellular death and survival and RIP-1 kinase activity triggers formation of the necrosome (in complex with RIP-3) leading to programmed necrosis. Neuroprotection afforded by the blockade of RIP-1 kinase following neonatal HI suggests a role for programmed necrosis in the HI injury to the developing brain. Here, we briefly review the state of the knowledge about the mechanisms behind programmed necrosis in neonatal brain injury recognizing that a significant proportion of these data derive from experiments in cultured cell and some from in vivo adult animal models. There are still more questions than answers, yet the fascinating new perspectives provided by the understanding of programmed necrosis in the developing brain may lay the foundation for new therapies for neonatal HI.
Layer‐by‐Layer Self‐Assembled Metal‐Ion‐ (Ag‐, Co‐, Ni‐, and Pd‐) Doped TiO2 Nanoparticles: Synthesis, Characterisation, and Visible Light Degradation of Rhodamine B
Authors: Mahlambi Mphilisi M. , Mishra Ajay K. , Mishra Shivani B. , Raichur Ashok M. , Mamba Bhekie B. , Krause Rui W.
Published: May 2012

Metal‐ion‐ (Ag, Co, Ni and Pd) doped titania nanocatalysts were successfully deposited on glass slides by layer‐by‐layer (LbL) self‐assembly technique using a poly(styrene sulfonate sodium salt) (PSS) and poly(allylamine hydrochloride) (PAH) polyelectrolyte system. Solid diffuse reflectance (SDR) studies showed a linear increase in absorbance at 416 nm with increase in the number of m‐TiO2 thin films. The LbL assembled thin films were tested for their photocatalytic activity through the degradation of Rhodamine B under visible‐light illumination. From the scanning electron microscope (SEM), the thin films had a porous morphology and the atomic force microscope (AFM) studies showed “rough” surfaces. The porous and rough surface morphology resulted in high surface areas hence the high photocatalytic degradation (up to 97% over a 6.5 h irradiation period) using visible‐light observed. Increasing the number of multilayers deposited on the glass slides resulted in increased film thickness and an increased rate of photodegradation due to increase in the availability of more nanocatalysts (more sites for photodegradation). The LbL assembled thin films had strong adhesion properties which made them highly stable thus displaying the same efficiencies after five (5) reusability cycles.
Applications of Self-Assembled Monolayers in Surface-Enhanced Raman Scattering
Authors: Klutse Charles K. , Mayer Adam , Wittkamper Julia , Cullum Brian M.
Published: May 2012

The increasing applications of surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) has led to the development of various SERS-active platforms (SERS substrates) for SERS measurement. This work reviews the current optimization techniques available for improving the performance of some of these SERS substrates. The work particularly identifies self-assembled-monolayer- (SAM-) based substrate modification for optimum SERS activity and wider applications. An overview of SERS, SAM, and studies involving SAM-modified substrates is highlighted. The focus of the paper then shifts to the use of SAMs to improve analytical applications of SERS substrates by addressing issues including long-term stability, selectivity, reproducibility, and functionalization, and so forth. The paper elaborates on the use of SAMs to achieve optimum SERS enhancement. Specific examples are based on novel multilayered SERS substrates developed in the author’s laboratory where SAMs have been demonstrated as excellent dielectric spacers for improving SERS enhancement more than 20-fold relative to conventional single layer SERS substrates. Such substrate optimization can significantly improve the sensitivity of the SERS method for analyte detection.
The Current State of Targeted Agents in Rectal Cancer
Authors: Kim Dae Dong , Eng Cathy
Published: May 2012

Targeted biologic agents have an established role in treating metastatic colorectal cancer (CRC), and the integration of targeted therapies into the treatment of CRC has resulted in significant improvements in outcomes. Rapidly growing insight into the molecular biology of CRC, as well as recent developments in gene sequencing and molecular diagnostics, has led to high expectations for the identification of molecular markers to be used in personalized treatment regimens. The mechanisms of action and toxicities of targeted therapies differ from those of traditional cytotoxic chemotherapy. Targeted therapy has raised new insight about the possibility of tailoring treatment to an individual’s disease, the assessment of drug effectiveness and toxicity, and the economics of cancer care. This paper covers the last decade of clinical trials that have explored the toxicity and efficacy of targeted agents in locally advanced and metastatic CRC and how their role may benefit patients with rectal cancer. Future efforts should include prospective studies of these agents in biomarker-defined subpopulations, as well as studies of novel agents that target angiogenesis, tumor-stromal interaction, and the cell signaling pathways implicated in rectal cancer.
The Group Involutory Matrix of the Combinations of Two Idempotent Matrices
Authors: Wu Lingling , Liu Xiaoji , Yu Yaoming
Published: May 2012

We discuss the following problem: when aP + bQ + cPQ + dQP + ePQP + fQPQ + gPQPQ of idempotent matrices P and Q, where a, b, c, d, e, f, g ∈ ℂ and
a ≠ 0, b ≠ 0, is group involutory.
The Relationship between Insufficient Sleep and Self-Rated Health in a Nationally Representative Sample
Authors: Geiger Sarah Dee , Sabanayagam Charumathi , Shankar Anoop
Published: May 2012

Reduced sleep has been found to be associated with increased risk of diabetes mellitus, hypertension, cardiovascular disease (CVD), and mortality. Self-rated health (SRH) has been shown to be a predictor of CVD and mortality. However, study of the association between insufficient sleep and SRH is limited. We examined participants >18 years of age (n=377, 160) from a representative, cross-sectional survey (2008 BRFSS). Self-reported insufficient sleep in the previous 30 days was categorized into six groups. The outcome was poor SRH. We calculated odds ratios ((OR) (95% confidence interval (CI)) of increasing categories of insufficient rest/sleep, taking zero days of insufficient sleep as the referent category. We found a positive association between increasing categories of insufficient sleep and poor SRH, independent of relevant covariates. In the multivariable-adjusted model, compared to 0 days insufficient sleep, the OR (95% CI) of poor SRH was 1.03 (0.97–1.10) for 1–6 days, 1.45 (1.34–1.57) for 7–13 days, 2.12 (1.97–2.27) for 14–20 days, 2.32 (2.09–2.58) for 21–29 days, and and 2.71 (2.53–2.90) for 30 days of insufficient sleep in the prior 30 days (P-trend <0.0001). In a nationally representative sample, increasing categories of insufficient sleep were associated with poor SRH.
Quadrupole Excitation in Tunnel Splitting Oscillation in Nanoparticle
Authors: Yousefi Yousef , Muminov Khikmat Kh.
Published: May 2012

We analyze the interference between tunneling paths that occur for a spin system with special Hamiltonian both for dipole and quadrupole excitations. Using an instanton approach, we find that as the strength of the second-order transverse anisotropy is increased, the tunnel splitting for both excitations is modulated, with zeros occurring periodically and the number of quenching points for quadrupole excitation decreasing. This effect results from the interference of four tunneling paths connecting easy-axis spin orientations and occurs in the absence of any magnetic field.
Antinociceptive, Anti-Inflammatory, and Antipyretic Activity of Mangrove Plants: A Mini Review
Authors: Shilpi J. A. , Islam M. E. , Billah M. , Islam K. M. D. , Sabrin F. , Uddin S. J. , Nahar L. , Sarker S. D.
Published: May 2012

Mangrove plants are specialised plants that grow in the tidal coasts of tropic and subtropic regions of the world. Their unique ecology and traditional medicinal uses of mangrove plants have attracted the attention of researchers over the years, and as a result, reports on biological activity of mangrove plants have increased significantly in recent years. This review has been set out to compile and appraise the results on antinociceptive, anti-inflammatory, and antipyretic activity of mangrove plants. While the Web of Knowledge, Google Scholar, and PubMed were the starting points to gather information, other pieces of relevant published literature were also adequately explored for this purpose. A total of 29 reports on 17 plant species have been found to report such activities. While 19 reports were on the biological activity of the crude extracts, 10 reports identified the active compound(s) of various chemical classes of natural products including terpenes, steroids, and flavonoids. This review finds that antinociceptive, anti-inflammatory, and antipyretic activity appears to be widespread in mangrove plants.
Strength and Drying Shrinkage of Alkali-Activated Slag Paste and Mortar
Authors: Chi Mao-chieh , Chang Jiang-jhy , Huang Ran
Published: May 2012

The aim of this study is to investigate the strengths and drying shrinkage of alkali-activated slag paste and mortar. Compressive strength, tensile strength, and drying shrinkage of alkali-activated slag paste and mortar were measured with various liquid/slag ratios, sand/slag ratios, curing ages, and curing temperatures. Experimental results show that the higher compressive strength and tensile strength have been observed in the higher curing temperature. At the age of 56 days, AAS mortars show higher compressive strength than Portland cement mortars and AAS mortars with liquid/slag ratio of 0.54 have the highest tensile strength in all AAS mortars. In addition, AAS pastes of the drying shrinkage are higher than AAS mortars. Meanwhile, higher drying shrinkage was observed in AAS mortars than that observed comparable Portland cement mortars.
Planned Pregnancy in a Chronic Myeloid Leukemia Patient in Molecular Remission
Authors: Pavlovsky Carolina , Giere Isabel , Van Thillo Germán
Published: May 2012

Excellent response rates and a good quality of life have been observed since the introduction of tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) in chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) treatment. Consequently, some challenges began to appear in CML women in child-bearing age wishing to become pregnant. Currently, many women around the world are in stable major/complete molecular response MMR/CMR (MMR: <0.1% BCR-ABL/ABL and CMR: undetectable BCR-ABL mRNA by RQ-PCR transcript levels on the international scale). The condition of stable MMR/CMR is linked to a long-term virtual absence of progression to the accelerated and blastic phase and to the possibility of stopping the TKI treatment with the maintenance of a condition of CMR in a proportion of cases. Imatinib teratogenic and prescribing information prohibits the use of it during pregnancy. We describe the case of a 36-year-old female patient with CML in chronic phase who stopped imatinib after 2 years in major molecular response (MMR) to plan a pregnancy. Molecular monitoring by RQ-PCR was performed quarterly. She achieved a safe pregnancy and delivery maintaining an optimal molecular response throughout the pregnancy. Isolated literature reports have been described, but no formal advice has been described at present time.
Quantification of Effective Connectivity in the Brain Using a Measure of Directed Information
Authors: Liu Ying , Aviyente Selin
Published: May 2012

Effective connectivity refers to the influence one neural system exerts on another and corresponds to the parameter of a model that tries to explain the observed dependencies. In this sense, effective connectivity corresponds to the intuitive notion of coupling or directed causal influence. Traditional measures to quantify the effective connectivity include model-based methods, such as dynamic causal modeling (DCM), Granger causality (GC), and information-theoretic methods. Directed information (DI) has been a recently proposed information-theoretic measure that captures the causality between two time series. Compared to traditional causality detection methods based on linear models, directed information is a model-free measure and can detect both linear and nonlinear causality relationships. However, the effectiveness of using DI for capturing the causality in different models and neurophysiological data has not been thoroughly illustrated to date. In addition, the advantage of DI compared to model-based measures, especially those used to implement Granger causality, has not been fully investigated. In this paper, we address these issues by evaluating the performance of directed information on both simulated data sets and electroencephalogram (EEG) data to illustrate its effectiveness for quantifying the effective connectivity in the brain.
Therapeutic Strategies Based on Polymeric Microparticles
Authors: Vilos C. , Velasquez L. A.
Published: May 2012

The development of the field of materials science, the ability to perform multidisciplinary scientific work, and the need for novel administration technologies that maximize therapeutic effects and minimize adverse reactions to readily available drugs have led to the development of delivery systems based on microencapsulation, which has taken one step closer to the target of personalized medicine. Drug delivery systems based on polymeric microparticles are generating a strong impact on preclinical and clinical drug development and have reached a broad development in different fields supporting a critical role in the near future of medical practice. This paper presents the foundations of polymeric microparticles based on their formulation, mechanisms of drug release and some of their innovative therapeutic strategies to board multiple diseases.
The Association of IL-12b Polymorphisms with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus in Chinese Han Population
Authors: Shao Yong , Zhang Jie , Chen Yuewen , Wu Qi , Guan Ming , Yu Bo , Wan Jun , Zhang Wei
Published: May 2012

Background. Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a complex immune disease. The genetic variation in the IL-12b gene was found to associate with SLE in Caucasian population. In this study, we examined this association in Chinese Han population by a recently developed method, unlabeled probe-based high resolution melting analysis.Methods. A total of 297 SLE patients and 351 controls were recruited. Unlabeled probe-based high resolution melting analysis (HRMA) was used in genotyping.Results. Statistically significant differences were observed in both genotype and allele frequencies for rs6887695 in the SLE patients as compared with the controls. Minor allele (C) of rs6887695 (P=0.031, OR 0.78, [95% CI 0.63-0.98]) was found to be protective against SLE. The association of SNP rs6887695 with the diagnostic criteria of SLE was also examined. Minor allele (C) exerts protective effect on the incidence of arthritis (P=0.013, OR = 0.65, 95% CI = 0.47-0.92) and abnormalities of antinuclear antibody (P=0.022, OR = 0.68, 95% CI = 0.49–0.95). IL-12b SNPs were irrelevant to other diagnostic criteria of SLE.Summary. Polymorphisms of rs6887695 in IL-12b gene were associated with disease risk, as well as arthritis and antinuclear antibody synthesis, of systemic lupus erythematosus in Chinese population.
Thermal Diffusion and Diffusion Thermo Effects on MHD Thermosolutal Marangoni Convection Boundary Layer Flow over a Permeable Surface
Authors: Hamid R. A. , Wan Zaimi W. M. K. A. , Arifin N. M. , Bakar N. A. A. , Bidin B.
Published: May 2012

The problem of thermal diffusion and diffusion thermo effects on thermosolutal Marangoni convection flow of an electrically conducting fluid over a permeable surface is investigated. Using appropriate similarity transformations, the governing system of partial differential equation is transformed to a set of nonlinear ordinary differential equations, then solved numerically using the Runge‐Kutta‐Fehlberg method. The effects of thermal diffusion and diffusion thermo, magnetic field parameter, thermosolutal surface tension ratio, and suction/injection parameter on the flow field, heat transfer characteristic, and concentration are thoroughly examined. Numerical results are obtained for temperature and concentration profiles as well as the local Nusselt and Sherwood numbers are presented graphically and analyzed. It is found that these governing parameters affect the variations of the temperature and concentration and also the local Nusselt and Sherwood numbers.
An Orthopedic-, Surgical-, and Epidemiological-Based Investigation of Leprosy, in the Tamil Nadu State of India
Authors: Samona Jason , Samona Scott , Samona Cameron , Gopalakrishnan S. , Shekhar P. , Kubern D. , Mohan Kumar P. S. , Nassiri Reza
Published: May 2012

No other research paper has ever been written about leprosy in this manner. The orthopedic and surgical implications, as well as the functional debility caused by the disease, have not been previously explained by past research as they have in such a comprehensive manner in this paper. The results of this study have regional and global implications as they pertain to disease pathology, risk factor recognition/disease prevention, and treatment. This paper is a unique, in that it also serves as a combination of a review of the current medical literature, as well as an epidemiological survey of the disease in a region of the world which has never been researched in the past. Clinical data points to the possibility of a new strain of the disease. This information is of significance because it effects prevention and improved treatment of the disease, which leads to devastating sequela. This was a cross-sectional study involving subjects diagnosed with leprosy in the Chengalpet region of the Kancheepuram District, of the Tamil Nadu state of India. The study was performed at the Tamil Nadu Medical College Teaching Hospital and Research Center. This study included various physical examinations, observation and survey of lesions, questionnaires in regard the debilitating orthopedic and medical effects of the disease, as well as treatment options.
Variability in Uremic Control during Continuous Venovenous Hemodiafiltration in Trauma Patients
Authors: Beitland Sigrid , Sunde Kjetil , Moen Harald , Os Ingrid
Published: May 2012

Introduction. Acute kidney injury (AKI) necessitating continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT) is a severe complication in trauma patients (TP). We wanted to assess daily duration of CRRT and its impact on uremic control in TP.Material and Methods. We retrospectively reviewed adult TP, with or without rhabdomyolysis, with AKI undergoing CRRT. Data on daily CRRT duration and causes for temporary stops were collected from the first five CRRT days. Uremic control was assessed by daily changes in serum urea (Δurea) and creatinine (Δcreatinine) concentrations.Results. Thirty-six TP were included with a total of 150 CRRT days, 17 (43%) with rhabdomyolysis. The median (interquartile range (IQR)) time per day with CRRT was 19 (15–21) hours. There was a significant correlation between daily CRRT duration andΔurea (r=0.60,P≤0.001) andΔcreatinine (r=0.43;P=0.012). CRRT pauses were caused by filter clotting (54%), therapeutic interventions (25%), catheter related problems (10%), filter timeout (6%), and diagnostic procedures (6%). Rhabdomyolysis did not affect the CRRT data.Conclusions. TP undergoing CRRT had short daily CRRT duration causing reduced uremic control. Clinicians should modify their daily clinical practice to improve technical skills and achieve sufficient dialysis dose.
Relationship between Crystal Shape, Photoluminescence, and Local Structure in SrTiO3 Synthesized by Microwave‐Assisted Hydrothermal Method
Authors: da Silva Luís F. , Avansi Waldir , Moreira Mário L. , Mesquita Alexandre , Maia Lauro J. Q. , Andrés Juan , Longo Elson , Mastelaro Valmor R.
Published: May 2012

This paper describes the effect of using different titanium precursors on the synthesis and physical properties of SrTiO3 powders obtained by microwave‐assisted hydrothermal method. X‐ray diffraction measurements, X‐ray absorption near‐edge structure (XANES) spectroscopy, field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE‐SEM), and high‐resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM) were carried out to investigate the structural and optical properties of the SrTiO3 spherical and cubelike‐shaped particles. The appropriate choice of the titanium precursor allowed the control of morphological and photoluminescence (PL) properties of SrTiO3 compound. The PL emission was more intense in SrTiO3 samples composed of spherelike particles. This behavior was attributed to the existence of a lower amount of defects due to the uniformity of the spherical particles.