bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Thin Film Growth on Quasicrystalline Surfaces
Authors: Fournée Vincent , Ledieu Julian , Shimoda Masahiko , Krajčí Marian , Sharma Hem‐Raj , McGrath Ronan
Published: November 2011

The surfaces of quasicrystals have proved to be a very interesting playground for thin film growth. They offer a complex potential energy surface where heterogeneous nucleation of islands at specific quasilattice sites is frequently observed. These islands tend to locally adopt the symmetry of the quasicrystalline substrate. For some specific adsorbates, a complete 2‐dimensional quasiperiodic metal overlayer is even formed. Other interesting phenomena are also observed in the multilayer regime. This includes the formation of novel structures, like 1‐dimensional quasiperiodic Cu films or Bi allotropes, the formation of nanoscale crystalline domains with 5‐fold rotational epitaxy, or the occurrence of quantum size effects influencing the film morphology. This article presents a short review of some of the achievements in thin film growth on quasicrystalline surfaces that the discovery of quasicrystals by Dan Shechtman has enabled.
Differential growth on sutures of tendon cells derived from torn human rotator cuff
Authors: Hakimi Osnat , Chaudhury Salma , Murphy Richard , Carr Andrew
Published: November 2011

Rotator cuff tendon pathology is proposed to account for 30–70% of all shoulder pain and surgical repair with a nonabsorbable suture is the common option for painful rotator cuff tears that have failed conservative treatment. A number of studies have suggested the beneficial effect of augmenting the repair with implants constructed from polymers used for sutures. Thus, it was of interest to investigate the affinity of tendon‐derived fibroblasts, often thought to be the repairing agents of torn tendons, to commonly used sutures. The aim of this comparative study was to evaluate the suitability of these sutures for the construction of a patch by measuring cell survival, proliferation, and migration of human tendon‐derived fibroblasts on different sutures. To ensure relevance to the target tissue, cells used in this study were obtained from torn human supraspinatus tendons. An initial comparison of cell proliferation on suture mats showed an overall positive proliferation on polyester (Ethibond) and polydioxanone (PDSII) mats and a reduction of proliferation on vicryl (polyglactin 910) compared to day one. The results also showed that the degradation products of vicryl had a negative effect on cell growth over 10 weeks. Of the commercial sutures selected and tested, Ethibond showed the best performance in terms of cell attachment and increase in biomass. The degradable PDSII also showed good interaction with cells in vitro, but relatively poor cell adhesion. This study provides useful and clinically relevant information, which could help to guide future considerations for candidate materials from which to construct tissue repair patches. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater, 2012.
Transition of care: What Is the pediatric hospitalist's role? An exploratory survey of current attitudes
Authors: Collins Shelley Wells , Reiss John , Saidi Arwa
Published: November 2011

OBJECTIVE:

Survey of current attitudes of pediatric hospitalists related to transition of care.

METHODS:

We developed and piloted a survey that was validated by an expert on transition. It was introduced it to the AAP/Pediatric Hospital Medicine Listserv using Survey MonkeyTM. Any participant who agreed to the informed consent was included in the survey.

RESULTS:

Patients aged 16–17 with chronic medical conditions were taken care of by pediatric hospitalists 70% of the time. Patients aged 18–20 were cared for by pediatric hospitalists 36.8% of the time. Advantages of hospitalist participation in healthcare transition include improved continuity of care and quality of care. The biggest impediments might be lack of time and resources. Most surveyed would be interested in a web based educational module to develop their understanding of healthcare transition.

CONCLUSION:

The survey provides a snapshot of current attitudes of pediatric hospitalist involvement in transition of care. Pediatric hospitalists are interested in participating in healthcare transition. Although more research is needed to compare current models of transition services and a hospitalist model, the perception for inpatients is that better quality of care can be expected. Targeted educational modules might provide a foundation for pediatric hospitalists to build their scope of practice to include transition services. Journal of Hospital Medicine 2012. © 2011 Society of Hospital Medicine
Reconstruction of the pulmonary trunk via cardiopulmonary bypass in extended resection of locally advanced lung malignancies
Authors: Mei Jiandong , Pu Qiang , Zhu Yunke , Ma Lin , Ren Fuqiang , Che Guowei , Liu Lunxu
Published: November 2011

Background and Objectives

The aim of this retrospective study is to summarize our improvement of surgical procedures for radical resection of left hilar tumors involving the pulmonary trunk and determine its clinical feasibility.

Methods

From 2001 to 2008, four patients were selected for curative extended resection through multidisciplinary assessment and the pulmonary trunk was reconstructed via cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB). Surgical procedures were performed with posterolateral thoracotomy for two patients and anterolateral thoracotomy for the remaining two. CPB was performed via femoral artery‐femoral vein cannulation on one patient and right atrial‐aortic cannulation on the other three patients. Polytetrafluoroethylene patch or autologous pericardium was applied for reconstruction in different patients.

Results

The duration of the operations ranged from 300 to 440 min and with CPB lasting 35–106 min. Three patients developed non‐specific complications with no mortalities and discharged within 12–17 days. One patient had no evidence of recurrence during 50 months follow‐up. Three patients died of metastasis 5, 14, and 35 months after surgery.

Conclusions

CPB‐supported extended resection of lung malignancies involving the pulmonary trunk is feasible. Left anterolateral thoracotomy through the fourth intercostal space with right atrial‐aortic cannulation would be the convenient approach. Survival may be prolonged in some selected patients. J. Surg. Oncol. 2012; 106:311–315. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Acid‐induced transient isotachophoretic stacking of basic drugs in co‐electroosmotic flow capillary zone electrophoresis
Authors: Quirino Joselito P. , Breadmore Michael C.
Published: November 2011

Online sample concentration or stacking of basic drugs by transient isotachophoresis with the injection of an acid in co‐electroosmotic flow capillary zone electrophoresis was studied experimentally and with computer simulation. The acid stacking strategy afforded an order of magnitude improvement in concentration sensitivity for model tricyclic antidepressant and β blocker drugs.
Effects of microgel content and n‐methylolacrylamide on the properties of microgel composite hydrogels prepared by postcrosslinking method
Authors: Zhao Fang , Qin Xuping , Feng Shengyu
Published: November 2011

Acrylamide co 2‐acrylamido‐2‐methylpropane sulfonic acid microgel composite (MC) hydrogels were prepared by heating MC polymer with 50% water content. Crosslinking reaction occurred in the heating process and reactive microgels with hydroxymethyl groups introduced by N‐methylolacrylamide (NMA) were used as postcrosslinkers. Microgel swollen size is influenced by NMA content. Both microgel and its NMA content affect MC hydrogel properties, which relates to the crosslinking chain length and the crosslinking density. The tensile strength of MC hydrogels increases and their elongation decreases as the microgel content increases from 0.1 to 0.5 g. Both the tensile strength and the elongation decrease as the microgel content further increases from 0.5 to 1.1 g. The MC hydrogel tensile strength increases and the elongation decreases as the NMA content of microgels increases from 5.0 to 14.8%. However, they both decrease when the NMA content of microgels exceeds 14.8%. Although the crosslinking chains υ calculated from tensile stress–strain curves were very high, MC hydrogels were elastic and had the highest tensile strength of 127 kPa and considerably moderate elongation of 427%. Their excellent mechanical properties attributed to their unique structure crosslinked by microgel particles. POLYM. COMPOS., 2012. © 2011 Society of Plastics Engineers
Digoxin doses over 125μg daily in vulnerable patient groups
Authors: Spencer Rachel , Serumaga Brian
Published: November 2011

In this series we present a number of prescribing safety indicators developed as part of an RCGP project.1 The evidence base behind each of the indicators is given along with information to illustrate their clinical significance. We provide a ‘real‐life’ audit based on the indicator to show how practices could begin to analyse their own prescribing data. Copyright © 2011 Wiley Interface Ltd
A consensus‐based strategy to improve the quality of fault localization
Authors: Debroy Vidroha , Wong W. Eric
Published: November 2011

A vast number of software fault localization techniques have been proposed recently with the growing realization that manual debugging is time‐consuming, tedious, and error‐prone, and fault localization is one of the most expensive debugging activities. Although some techniques perform better than others on a large number of data sets, they do not do so on all data sets and therefore, the actual quality of fault localization can vary considerably by using just one technique. This paper proposes the use of a consensus‐based strategy that combines the results of multiple fault localization techniques to consistently provide high quality performance, irrespective of data set. Empirical evidence based on case studies conducted on six sets of programs (seven programs of the Siemens suite, and the gzip, grep, make, space, and Ant programs) and three different fault localization techniques (Tarantula, Ochiai, and H3) suggests that the consensus‐based strategy holds merit and generally provides close to the best, if not the best, results. Empirically, we show that this is true of both single‐fault and multifault programs. Additionally, the consensus‐based strategy makes use of techniques that all operate on the same set of input data, minimizing the overhead. It is also simple to include or exclude techniques from consensus, making it an easily extensible or tractable strategy. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Vibration signal analysis for condition monitoring of puffer‐type high‐voltage circuit breakers using wavelet transform
Authors: Charbkaew Noppadol , Suwanasri Thanapong , Bunyagul Teratam , Schnettler Armin
Published: November 2011

Nowadays, the goals of electrical supply utilities are to reduce equipment failures, extend service life, increase equipment reliability, and reduce their related operating and maintenance costs. The high‐voltage circuit breaker is an important element in the electrical network. In order to determine or to detect abnormal conditions inside a circuit breaker, powerful vibration analytical techniques have been proposed. In this paper, a vibrational analysis is carried out by analyzing the signal in the time–frequency domain under no‐load switching operations with a commercially available high‐voltage puffer‐type circuit breaker without opening its major parts. Vibration of the circuit breaker poles, operating mechanism, and various monitored parameters were recorded under normal and variable operating conditions. Moreover, a synthetic mechanical damage introduced deliberately is also investigated. The experimental result indicates that mechanical defects can be detected by analyzing the vibration signal. © 2011 Institute of Electrical Engineers of Japan. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Transition to oscillatory flow in a differentially heated cavity with a conducting partition
Authors: Williamson N. , Armfield S. W. , Kirkpatrick M. P.
Published: November 2011

Numerical evidence is presented for previously unreported flow behaviour in a two-dimensional rectangular side-heated cavity partitioned in the centre by vertical wall with an infinite conductivity. In this flow heat is transferred between both sides of the cavity through the conducting wall with natural convection boundary layers forming on all vertical surfaces. Simulations have been conducted over the range of Rayleigh numbers $\mathit{Ra}= 0. 6\text{{\ndash}} 1. 6\ensuremath{\times} 1{0}^{10} $ at Prandtl number $\mathit{Pr}= 7. 5$ and at aspect ratios of $H/ W= 1\text{{\ndash}} 2$ where $H$ and $W$ are the height and width of the cavity. It was found that the thermal coupling of the boundary layers on either side of the conducting partition causes the cavity flow to become absolutely unstable for a Rayleigh number at which otherwise similar non-partitioned cavity flow is steady but convectively unstable. Additionally, unlike the non-partitioned cavity, which eventually bifurcates to a multi-modal oscillatory regime, this bifurcation is manifested as a single mode oscillation with ${f}^{+ } = f{\nu }^{1/ 3} / \mathop{ (g\ensuremath{\beta} \mrm{\Delta} \theta )}\nolimits ^{2/ 3} \approx 0. 0145$, where $ \mrm{\Delta} \theta $ is the temperature difference between the hot and cold walls, $g$ is the gravitational acceleration, $f$ is the oscillation frequency and $\nu $ and $\ensuremath{\beta} $ are the fluid viscosity and coefficient of thermal expansion respectively. The critical Rayleigh number for this transition occurs between $\mathit{Ra}= 1. 0\text{{\ndash}} 1. 2\ensuremath{\times} 1{0}^{10} $ for $H/ W= 2$ and $\mathit{Ra}= 1. 2\text{{\ndash}} 1. 4\ensuremath{\times} 1{0}^{10} $ for $H/ W= 1$, indicating that the instability has an aspect ratio dependence.
Mobile phone communication in effective human elephant–conflict management in Laikipia County, Kenya
Authors: Graham Maximilian D. , Adams William M. , Kahiro Gabriel N.
Published: November 2011

Human–elephant conflict is a significant problem in Africa, undermining biodiversity conservation and development efforts. Early warning of crop raiding and a coordinated response from landholders and wildlife authorities are important for effective management of this conflict. Mobile phones have spread rapidly in rural Africa and could potentially be used to improve communication and increase the effectiveness of responses to crop raids by elephants. We analyse changes in patterns of communication around human–elephant conflict incidents before and after the arrival of mobile phone technology in Laikipia County in north-central Kenya, and the performance of mobile phone communication in a trial at three sites. We show that mobile phones can improve communication and reduce human–elephant conflict where there is good mobile coverage and widespread adoption. Conservation projects have much to gain from engaging with mobile phone technology.
The electrocardiogram as an adjunct in diagnosing congenital coronary arterial anomalies
Authors: Cohen Mitchell , Berger Stuart
Published: November 2011

Congenital coronary arterial abnormalities as isolated lesions are exceedingly rare. The electrocardiogram, while a reasonable adjunct in the diagnosis of coronary arterial abnormalities, should not supplant a good history and physical examination. Careful attention must be devoted to any signs or symptoms of ischaemic pain in the chest or syncope, which must not be overlooked. Exertional pain in the chest and exertional syncope should prompt an extensive evaluation by both the echocardiographer and the electrophysiologist. Clearance for participation in sports should be curtailed until a complete evaluation has ruled out the presence of any of the following disorders: a channelopathic mutation, a cardiomyopathy, or a congenital coronary arterial anomaly. Major abnormalities in the coronary arteries may present in the first few months of life or remain dormant until the exertional demands of adolescence unmask symptoms of myocardial ischaemia. Congenital coronary arterial anomalies may be analysed in the following major diagnostic groups: anomalous origin of the left coronary artery from the pulmonary artery, anomalous aortic origin of a coronary artery from the wrong aortic sinus of Valsalva, atresia of the left main coronary artery, myocardial bridges, and coronary arterial fistulas. The advent of state-of-the-art modalities of imaging seems, at times, to have supplanted the electrocardiogram in making the diagnosis of potentially serious coronary artery abnormalities, especially in asymptomatic patients. However, as is also the case for a detailed history and physical examination, the electrocardiogram provides a potentially insightful look at the coronary arteries. Furthermore, the past decade has witnessed an increase in the use of the electrocardiogram as a screening tool in the assessment of the risk of sudden cardiac death in athletes in high school.
Opinion: lessons learned from the eradication of rinderpest
Authors: Cáceres Sigfrido Burgos
Published: November 2011

People often say that you should learn all that you can from the experiences of others. Some believe that this applies to institutions too. In 1980, the global eradication of smallpox was proof that the conquest of a disease was not just mere happenstance. With determination, funding and the right approach, a disease could be eradicated. In June, two intergovernmental organizations declared global freedom from rinderpest (or cattle plague), a contagious viral disease.
Open Science Conference honors posters and papers
Authors: Showstack Randy
Published: November 2011

One hundred students and early‐career scientists were honored for outstanding poster and paper presentations given at the World Climate Research Programme's Open Science Conference, which took place 24–28 October 2011 in Denver, Colo. AGU presented 5 honorees with waivers for the 2012 AGU Fall Meeting; 10 honorees received AGU books; and 59 of the students and early‐career scientists were awarded membership to AGU. Other groups providing gifts to the honorees included the American Meteorological Society and the European Geophysical Union. The recipients' presentations were among the 1750 posters and 182 papers at the conference.
From wanna‐be reporter to Voice of America journalist
Authors: Rossiter Dione
Published: November 2011

After four busy summers studiously measuring the minute details of clouds, I spent my last summer as a graduate student in a newsroom, far away from the cockpit of a cloud‐probing airplane. It was not just any newsroom but Voice of America's politically charged newsroom in Washington, D. C. Almost overnight, this California‐for‐lifer was living and working amid the hustle and bustle of the nation's capital. As a half researcher–half science educator and wanna‐be science writer, I had long dreamt about working as a science reporter for a summer. I had spent the past 5 years as a graduate student at the University of California, Santa Cruz in the Earth and Planetary Sciences Department working on my thesis research on the microphysics of summertime marine clouds.
Endothelial Massive Calcium Accumulation Death (MCAD): Mechanism, Target, and Predictive Biomarker for Anti-Angiogenic Therapy
Authors: Weisenthal Larry
Published: November 2011

We cultured human umbilical vein endothelial cells with bevacizumab, with tyrosine kinase inhibitors known to be AA, and with traditional cytotoxic drugs. The images below show that, in the presence of physiological saline and non-favorable culture conditions, the vast majority of the endothelial cells undergo a "non-specific" type of cell death (NSCD), not associated with calcium accumulation, but with loss of cell membrane integrity, allowing uptake of the Fast Green dye, staining these dead dells a pale blue green. In the presence of known AA agents (e.g. bevacizumab, some TK inhibitors) a large percentage of the endothelial cells undergo death associated with massive calcium accumulation (MCAD), with these cells staining hyperchromatic, refractile, blue-black, precisely as reported in http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18793333 and http://meeting.ascopubs.org/cgi/content/abstract/28/15_suppl/e13617 and http://tinyurl.com/weisenthal-breast-lapatinib. MCAD is strikingly demonstrated by Fast Green/Alizarin staining as reported in http://precedings.nature.com/documents/4499/version/1. Traditional cytotoxic drugs (e.g. cisplatin) produce only NSCD and inhibit MCAD. We propose that MCAD is a cell death mechanism unique to endothelial cells and provides a practical biomarker to predict for AA activity in clinical oncology and drug development, as well as a potential drug target.
Estimating Familial Loading in SLI: A Comparison of Direct Assessment Versus Parental Interview
Authors: Conti-Ramsden Gina , Simkin Zoë , Pickles Andrew
Published: November 2011

Purpose

Two approaches commonly used for estimating prevalence of language disorders in families were compared. The 1st involved examining a subset of language items from an investigator-based interview used to record parental information on the language and literacy difficulties in relatives. The 2nd was the direct assessment of ability in immediate family using a battery of standardized verbal ability, language, and literacy assessments.

Method

Using these 2 methods, the prevalence of language and literacy disorders was investigated in the immediate family (
n
= 271) of 93 children with a history of SLI (mean age 13;11 years).

Results

The overall proportion of relatives with reported language or literacy difficulty was similar for both methods (34.5% for reported difficulties compared with 35% on direct assessment). The present study further explored maternal, paternal, and sibling prevalence rates and strength of agreement between parental interview and direct assessment. When a low cutoff score was used, good agreement (of true negatives and true positives) for reading and spelling difficulties and expressive language between the 2 types of case identification method was found.

Conclusions

Parents can be effective identifiers when the impairment is severe (below 2
SD
s from the population mean). Poor agreement was observed between report and assessment of receptive language difficulties.
Improving the Quality of Auditory Training by Making Tasks Meaningful
Authors: Barcroft Joe , Mauzé Elizabeth , Schroy Catherine , Tye-Murray Nancy , Sommers Mitchell , Spehar Brent
Published: November 2011

Traditional auditory training (AT) typically includes activities that focus on the formal properties of sounds without requiring attention to meaning. After reviewing the psycholinguistic bases for requiring attention to meaning, the authors present a series of examples of how to modify purely form-oriented AT activities so that they become meaning oriented. For example, a purely form-oriented same–different task with /ba/–/pa/ or /ba/–/ba/ can be modified using minimal pairs such as /bear/–/pear/ or /bear/–/bear/ and by requiring listeners to identify appropriate picture pairs in order (i.e., pictures of a bear and then a pear, or of a bear and then another bear). The modified version requires attention to meaning, whereas the original version does not. The authors promote a nonhierarchical and interactive approach to AT in which activities at 3 linguistic levels (word, sentence, and discourse) are included from the beginning and throughout AT, but with activities that are carefully designed to be meaning oriented and in which comprehension is the central focus. In the Summary By Example section, the authors describe an AT program (I Hear What You Mean; Tye-Murray, Barcroft, & Sommers, in press) that was designed to be meaning oriented at the word, sentence, and discourse levels. Specific benefits of providing meaning-based AT, such as higher levels of participant engagement, are highlighted.
Flowering in snow tussock (Chionochloa spp.) is influenced by temperature and hormonal cues
Authors: Turnbull Matthew H. , Pharis Richard P. , Kurepin Leonid V. , Sarfati Michal , Mander Lewis N. , Kelly Dave
Published: November 2011

Snow tussocks (Chionochloa spp.) in New Zealand exhibit extreme mast (episodic) seeding which has important implications for plant ecology and plant–insect interactions. Heavy flowering appears to be triggered by very warm/dry summers in the preceding year. In order to investigate the physiological basis for mast flowering, mature snow tussock plants in the field and younger plants in a glasshouse and shadehouse were subjected to a range of manipulative treatments. Field treatments included combinations of warming, root pruning and applications of two native gibberellins (GAs) GA3, which is known to be highly floral inductive and GA4, which is associated with continued floral apex development in another long-day grass. Warming, GA3 alone and especially warming + GA3, significantly promoted flowering, as did applications of GA4 alone and GA4 + CCC (2-chloroethyltrimethylammonium chloride, which is a known synergist of GA3-induced flowering in the annual grass, Lolium temulentum L.). Our results provide support for the concept that mast flowering events in tussock species are causally related to high temperature-induced increases in endogenous gibberellin levels. It is likely that GAs (endogenous or applied) promote the continued development of a previously long-day induced floral apex. In addition to the promotion of flowering, applied GA3 also disturbed the plant’s innate resource threshold requirements, as shown by the death, over winter, of many non-flowering tillers. Applied GA4 did not show this effect, likely due to its rapid catabolic metabolism to an inactive form. High temperature-induced flowering mediated by elevated levels of endogenous floral-promotive GAs could have important implications for regulating the evolutionary interaction between these masting plants and their seed predators.
Grammar change in Anglo-Norman and Continental French
Authors: Ingham Richard P.
Published: November 2011

Later Anglo-Norman is conventionally portrayed as moribund, isolated from the mainstream of French, and extensively calqued on English. This study demonstrates that in the evolution of indefinite pronouns and modifiers it followed medieval French syntax, allowing the indefinite aucun (“some”) to replace the polarity indefinite nul first in non-assertive and then in negative clauses. Administrative prose documents from England and Northern France attest these developments between 1250–1425, with a slight lag in the insular context consistent with a wave model of the spread of change. The direction of change, in which a positive indefinite spread to other contexts, was unrelated to the patterns of indefinite expressions in Middle English, supporting the view that later Anglo-Norman was largely grammatically independent, not a learner variety heavily influenced by an English substrate.
Sensor network algorithms and applications
Authors: Trigoni Niki , Krishnamachari Bhaskar
Published: November 2011

A sensor network is a collection of nodes with processing, communication and sensing capabilities deployed in an area of interest to perform a monitoring task. There has now been about a decade of very active research in the area of sensor networks, with significant accomplishments made in terms of both designing novel algorithms and building exciting new sensing applications. This Theme Issue provides a broad sampling of the central challenges and the contributions that have been made towards addressing these challenges in the field, and illustrates the pervasive and central role of sensor networks in monitoring human activities and the environment.
Early exposure of interferon-γ inhibits signal transducer and activator of transcription-6 signalling and nuclear factor κB activation in a short-term monocyte-derived dendritic cell culture promoting ‘FAST’ regulatory dendritic cells
Authors: Rojas-Canales D , Krishnan R , Jessup C F , Coates P T
Published: November 2011

Interferon (IFN)-γ is a cytokine with immunomodulatory properties, which has been shown previously to enhance the generation of tolerogenic dendritic cells (DC) when administered early ex vivo in 7-day monocyte-derived DC culture. To generate tolerogenic DC rapidly within 48 h, human monocytes were cultured for 24 h with interleukin (IL)-4 and granulocyte–macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) in the presence (IFN-γ-DC) or absence of IFN-γ (500 U/ml) (UT-DC). DC were matured for 24 h with TNF-α and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2). DC phenotype, signal transducer and activator of transcription-6 (STAT-6) phosphorylation and promotion of CD4+CD25+CD127neg/lowforkhead box P3 (FoxP3)hi T cells were analysed by flow cytometry. DC nuclear factor (NF)-κB transcription factor reticuloendotheliosis viral oncogene homologue B (RELB) and IL-12p70 protein expression were also determined. Phenotypically, IFN-γ-DC displayed reduced DC maturation marker CD83 by 62% and co-stimulation molecules CD80 (26%) and CD86 (8%). IFN-γ treatment of monocytes inhibited intracellular STAT6, RELB nuclear translocation and IL-12p70 production. IFN-γ-DC increased the proportion of CD4+CD25+CD127neg/lowfoxp3hi T cells compared to UT-DC from 12 to 23%. IFN-γ-DC primed T cells inhibited antigen-specific, autologous naive T cell proliferation by 70% at a 1:1 naive T cells to IFN-γ-DC primed T cell ratio in suppression assays. In addition, we examined the reported paradoxical proinflammatory effects of IFN-γ and confirmed in this system that late IFN-γ exposure does not inhibit DC maturation marker expression. Early IFN-γ exposure is critical in promoting the generation of regulatory DC. Early IFN-γ modulated DC generated in 48 h are maturation arrested and promote the generation of antigen-specific regulatory T cells, which may be clinically applicable as a novel cellular therapy for allograft rejection.
Development and characterization of cassava starch and soy protein concentrate based edible films
Authors: Chinma Chiemela Enyinnaya , Ariahu Charles Chukwuma , Abu Joseph Oneh
Published: November 2011

The sensory attributes, mechanical, water vapour permeability (WVP) and solubility properties of cassava starch and soy protein concentrate (SPC)‐based edible films of varying levels of glycerol were studied. Addition of SPC and glycerol up to 30% and 20%, respectively, reduced stickiness and improved colour and appearance of the films. Tensile strength (TS), elastic modulus (EM) and elongation at break (EAB) of films increased, while film solubility (FS) and WVP decreased with SPC and glycerol up to 50% and 20% level, respectively, ranging from 20.33 to 26.94 MPa (TS), 41.33 to 72.76 MPa (EM), 7.90 to 12.28 MPa (EAB), 15.07 to 31.90% (FS) and 2.62 to 4.13 g H2O mm m−2 day kPa (WVP). The TS, EAB and WVP were higher for the biofilms than for low‐density polyethylene and cellophane films.
Effect of roasting on chlorogenic acids, caffeine and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons levels in two Coffea cultivars: Coffea arabica cv. Catuaí Amarelo IAC‐62 and Coffea canephora cv. Apoatã IAC‐2258
Authors: Tfouni Silvia A. V. , Serrate Camila S. , Carreiro Larissa B. , Camargo Monica C. R. , Teles Camila R. A. , Cipolli Kátia M. V. A. B. , Furlani Regina P. Z.
Published: November 2011

During coffee roasting process, several substances may be formed or eliminated. The influence of roasting on polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), caffeoylquinic acids (CQAs) and caffeine levels was studied in Coffea arabica cv. Catuaí Amarelo IAC‐62 and Coffea canephora cv. Apoatã IAC‐2258, roasted in three roasting degrees. CQAs and caffeine were determined simultaneously by HPLC‐DAD, and PAHs by HPLC‐FLD. Caffeine levels were higher in canephora (1486–1884 mg per 100 g) than in arabica (1110–1255 mg per 100 g) and increased up to 21% at darker roasts. Summed CQA levels were higher in green coffee (4661 and 4946 mg per 100 g) and decreased at darker roasts (234 and 377 mg per 100 g), showing no difference between the coffee cultivars studied. PAH summed levels varied from 0.052 to 0.814 μg kg−1 (arabica) and 0.108 to 0.392 μg kg−1 (canephora). No correlation was observed between roasting degree, coffee cultivar and PAH levels. Results were also analysed using hierarchical cluster analysis and principal component analysis.
Effects of encapsulation on the viability of probiotic strains exposed to lethal conditions
Authors: Borges Sandra , Barbosa Joana , Camilo Rute , Carvalheira Ana , Silva Joana , Sousa Sérgio , Gomes Ana M. , Pintado Maria M. , Silva José P. , Costa Paulo , Amaral Maria H. , Teixeira Paula , Freitas Ana C.
Published: November 2011

The effect of microencapsulation on the viability of Lactobacillus casei, L. paracasei, L. acidophilus Ki and Bifidobacterium animalis BB‐12 during exposure to lethal conditions (25% NaCl, pH 3.0 and 55–60 °C) was evaluated. Results demonstrated that survival of probiotic strains to the imposed lethal stress conditions was strain dependent. With the exception of exposure to 25% (w/v) NaCl, L. acidophilus Ki (free and encapsulated cells) demonstrated the highest survival rates through exposure to lethal conditions of temperature and pH. For this probiotic strain exposed to heat, microencapsulated cells expressed a higher heat tolerance at 55 °C than free cells. For the other tested bacteria, in general, encapsulation had no positive effect on survival through the tested lethal conditions.
Untangling complex morphological variation: taxonomic revision of the subgenus Crematogaster (Oxygyne) in Madagascar, with insight into the evolution and biogeography of this enigmatic ant clade (Hymenoptera: Formicidae)
Authors: BLAIMER BONNIE B.
Published: November 2011

The subgenus Crematogaster (Oxygyne) shows an Old World distribution and comprises a group of ants with specialised queen morphology suggestive of temporary social parasitism. This study investigated species hypotheses for Oxygyne species in Madagascar by integrating morphology and mitochondrial and nuclear sequences in an iterative taxonomic approach. Phylogenetic analyses (mrbayes and raxml) of one mitochondrial gene (cytochrome oxidase I) and analysis of population genetic structure (structure) based on three nuclear markers (long wavelength rhodopsin, arginine kinase, carbomoyl phosphate synthase) yielded a contrast between complex morphological variation and genetic data in six previously described species and subspecies. Thus, the taxonomy of the Malagasy Oxygyne is revised and three species are recognised: Crematogaster ranavalonae Forel, C. agnetis Forel and C. marthae Forel. The previously described C. ranavalonae pepo Forel, C. ranavalonae paulinae Forel, C. emmae Forel, C. emmae laticeps Forel, C. inops Forel and C. descarpentriesi Santschi are synonymised under C. ranavalonae, a species that is morphologically highly variable and shows exceptional polymorphism in the queen caste. Species descriptions and identification keys based on worker and queen ants are provided. A taxonomic synopsis, updated species list and morphological diagnosis of the entire subgenus Oxygyne is presented, and the subgenus Nematocrema is hereby synonymised under Oxygyne. Phylogenetic estimations (mrbayes, raxml, *beast) explore relationships between Malagasy and four other African and Asian taxa within Oxygyne and are based on both mitochondrial DNA and nuclear DNA sequences. The monophyly of the subgenus Oxygyne is strongly supported and the Malagasy Oxygyne form a clade that is sister to a clade of both African and an Asian taxa. Social parasitism is discussed as the cause for complex morphological variation in queens of C. ranavalonae, and phylogenetic results lead to the hypothesis of a single origin of this highly specialised queen caste in Crematogaster in the Old World. These findings highlight the need for field studies to explore the temporary parasitic behaviour and host–parasite relationships in these enigmatic ants, and to increase phylogenetic sampling to further investigate the evolution of this intriguing trait.
Modulation of gene expression of carotene biosynthesis‐related protein by photosynthetic electron transport for the acclimation of intertidal macroalga Ulva fasciata to hypersalinity and excess light
Authors: Hsu Yuan‐Ting , Lee Tse‐Min
Published: November 2011

A gene (UfCBR) encoding carotene biosynthesis‐related (CBR) protein that potentially functions for the dissipation of excessive energy has been cloned from the intertidal green macroalga Ulva fasciata Delile. Hypersalinity and high light ≥300 µmol m−2 s−1 increased both UfCBR mRNA level and non‐photochemical quenching (NPQ). The increase of UfCBR mRNA level and NPQ by high light was inhibited by treatment of photosynthetic electron transport inhibitor, 3‐(3,4‐dichlorophenyl)‐1,1‐dimethylurea or 2,5‐dibromo‐3‐methyl‐6‐isopropyl‐p‐benzoquinone, but not by stigmatellin, an inhibitor that blocks electron transfer from quinol oxidase to iron–sulfur protein in cytochrome b6f complex. Treatment of dimethylthiourea, an H2O2 scavenger, under 1200 µmol m−2 s−1 condition inhibited H2O2 accumulation but did not affect UfCBR mRNA level, while treatment of H2O2 in 150 µmol m−2 s−1 condition decreased UfCBR mRNA level. Thus, an reactive oxygen species‐independent redox control via a more reduced state downstream the cytochrome b6f complex is involved in high light up‐regulation of UfCBR expression in U. fasciata. The expression of UfCBR in U. fasciata against oxidative stress occurring in high light or high salinity in relation to NPQ is discussed.
Improving sterile male performance in support of programmes integrating the sterile insect technique against fruit flies
Authors: Pereira R. , Yuval B. , Liedo P. , Teal P. E. A. , Shelly T. E. , McInnis D. O. , Hendrichs J.
Published: November 2011

Abstract The sterile insect technique (SIT) is being applied against fruit fly pests in many areas of the world. Currently, factories have a capacity to produce several billion sterile insects per week, to irradiate them and to make them available for shipment to their destinations. There the emerging flies are fed and maintained for various periods of time in fly emergence and release facilities, and then collected for release. While much research effort has been invested in improving mass rearing and quality control procedures at the fly factory level, the post‐factory handling of sterile flies has received much less attention. A 6‐year FAO/IAEA Coordinated Research Project (CRP) was initiated with the participation of 31 research institutes from 17 countries to assess and validate ways to improve sterile male performance through better management during the critical period that starts with the arrival of pupae at the fly emergence and release facility and ends with the release of the sterile flies in the field. This review summarizes the research that was conducted under the CRP focusing on fruit fly species from the genera Anastrepha, Bactrocera and Ceratitis against which the SIT is being applied. To increase the effectiveness of SIT programmes, exposure of sterile males to nutritional, hormonal and semiochemical supplements was assessed and improved handling and release methods tested. Incorporation of protein and juvenile hormone into pre‐release diets significantly accelerated sterile male maturation and improved sexual performance among several species, while semiochemical treatments using ginger root oil or citrus oils in Ceratitis capitata and methyl eugenol in Bactrocera dorsalis complex species significantly increased sterile male mating competitiveness. Improved fly emergence, holding and release procedures were also assessed, together with the compilation of all this knowledge into a manual. Several of these findings have been transferred to and are being applied in operational programmes.
Colour and Pulsed Doppler Ultrasonographic Study of the Canine Testis
Authors: Carrillo JD , Soler M , Lucas X , Agut A
Published: November 2011

Contents

This study was performed to characterize the normal blood flow of the canine testis and to measure the peak systolic velocity (PSV), end‐diastolic velocity (EDV), resistive index (RI) and pulsatility index (PI) of testicular arteries weekly during a period of 6 months in five healthy Beagle dogs and to evaluate whether there were any change along this time. The ultrasonographic exams were made with an 11 MHz linear transducer. The vessels of the testes were subdivided into three categories: supratesticular arteries, marginal artery and intratesticular vessels. At the supratesticular arteries, two measurements were recorded at the cranial and the looping parts. No significant differences in any of the parameters studied were observed for the 6 months that the study was performed. The cranial part of the supratesticular artery showed a flow pattern of high‐resistive vessel, whereas in the looping part of the supratesticular artery, marginal and intratesticular arteries, the flow showed a low‐resistance pattern. PSV, RI and PI values were higher at the cranial part of the supratesticular artery, followed by the looping part of the supratesticular artery, marginal and intratesticular vessels. EDV measurements were higher in the looping part of the supratesticular artery.
Uterine Prolapse with Associated Rupture in a Podengo Bitch
Authors: Payan‐Carreira R , Albuquerque C , Abreu H , Maltez L
Published: November 2011

Contents

A case of uterine prolapse coexisting with uterine horn rupture in a 3‐year‐old Portuguese Podengo bitch, which is an uncommon occurrence, is described. The female was presented with a history of recent parturition, with delivery of four healthy puppies that were normally tended and nursed. The situation developed after an uneventfully pregnancy, and no direct causative factor was identified. The duration of the prolapse was unknown, but considered to be recent because of the swollen reddish appearance of the tubular everted mass. No foetus was found in the uterus or the abdominal cavity. The female was presented in good physical condition, without signs of shock or haemorrhage. During surgical treatment, the uterus was replaced to its normal position followed by ovary‐hysterectomy at 12 h from admittance.
Detection of specific genetic abnormalities by fluorescence in situ hybridization in soft tissue tumors
Authors: Miura Yasuhiro , Keira Yoshiko , Ogino Jiro , Nakanishi Katsuya , Noguchi Hiroko , Inoue Tomomi , Hasegawa Tadashi
Published: November 2011

For the detection of chromosome translocations/chimeric genes and specific genetic abnormalities in soft tissue tumors, we conducted fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) analysis on 280 cases of soft tissue and other tumors using formalin‐fixed paraffin‐embedded tissue sections. The detection rate of the FISH split‐signal was 84% (129/154 cases) for the translocation‐associated soft tissue tumors, such as Ewing's sarcoma/primitive neuroectodermal tumor, synovial sarcoma, alveolar rhabdomyosarcoma, myxoid liposarcoma, clear cell sarcoma and so forth. Positive split‐signals from EWSR1, SS18 and FOXO1A probes were detected in 3% (2/64) of various histological types of carcinoma, lymphoma, melanoma, meningioma and soft tissue tumors. In FISH using the INI1/CEP22 probe, the INI1 deletion signal was detected in 100% (9/9) of epithelioid sarcoma. In well‐differentiated and dedifferentiated liposarcomas, detection of MDM2 amplification signals in FISH using the MDM2/CEP12 probe were both as high as 85% (11/13) and 100% (13/13), respectively. In other adipocytic and non‐adipocytic tumors requiring differentiation from these types, detection was only 13% (5/39), and CEP12 polysomy was frequently detected. As these results demonstrate the high sensitivity and specificity of FISH, we concluded FISH to be a useful pathological diagnostic adjunct for definite and differential diagnosis of soft tissue tumors.
Molecular evolution of key genes for type II secretion in Legionella pneumophila
Authors: Costa Joana , d'Avó Ana Filipa , da Costa Milton S. , Veríssimo António
Published: November 2011

Given the role of type II protein secretion system (T2S) in the ecology and pathogenesis of Legionella pneumophila, it is possible that this system is a target for adaptive evolution. The population genetic structure of L. pneumophila was inferred from the partial sequences of rpoB and from the complete sequence of three T2S structural components (lspD, lspE and pilD) and from two T2S effectors critical for intracellular infection of protozoa (proA and srnA) of 37 strains isolated from natural and man‐made environments and disease‐related from worldwide sources. A phylogenetic analysis was obtained for the concatenated alignment and for each individual locus. Seven main groups were identified containing the same L. pneumophila strains, suggesting an ancient divergence for each cluster and indicating that the operating selective pressures have equally affected the evolution of the five genes. Although linkage disequilibrium analysis indicate a clonal nature for population structure in this sample, our results indicate that recombination is a common phenomenon among T2S‐related genes on this species, as 24 of the 37 L. pneumophila isolates contained at least one locus in which recombination was identified. Furthermore, neutral selection acting on the analysed T2S‐related genes emerged as a clear result, namely on T2S effectors, ProA and SrnA, indicating that they are probably implicated in conserved virulence mechanisms through legionellae hosts.
Atlas Swam: Freedom, Capital, and Floating Sovereignties in the Seasteading Vision
Authors: Steinberg Philip E. , Nyman Elizabeth , Caraccioli Mauro J.
Published: November 2011

Abstract: Political actors have long drawn on utopian imaginaries of colonizing marine and island spaces as models for idealized libertarian commonwealths. A recent inheritor of this tradition is the seasteading movement, which seeks to “further the establishment and growth of permanent, autonomous ocean communities [by] enabling innovations with new political and social systems” on semi‐stationary, floating platforms. Fueled by a cocktail of ideologies (techno‐optimism, libertarian secession theories, and strains of anarcho‐capitalism), seasteading is touted as the newest “frontier” in creative, entrepreneurial, and social engineering. Inherent in the project, however, are buried ideals about the nature of ocean space, the limits of sovereignty, and the liberatory role of technology and capitalism in the drive for social change and individual freedom. We explore these notions through an examination of seasteading's broader philosophical and economic underpinnings, and their deployment through multiple structural, legal, and social frameworks.

Although seasteading is a highly speculative, and even fanciful project, it reflects attempts to resolve contradictions within capitalism: between, on the one hand, the need for order and planning, and, on the other hand, the desire to foster and lionize individual freedom. In the United States, this tension has most visibly entered mainstream discourse through the rise of the Tea Party movement, whose ideology combines adherence to classical liberal ideals about individual entrepreneurship with hostility toward government intervention. Although the seasteading movement, like its better known and more realizable libertarian contemporaries, proposes a solution that its leaders say will resolve this tension, our analysis reveals that it would merely rework it, and thus it unwittingly reinforces the structures it seeks to escape.
Generational Welfare under a Climate‐Change Policy with Induced Innovation*
Authors: Laurent‐Lucchetti Jérémy , Leach Andrew J.
Published: November 2011

We develop a climate–economy model with generational heterogeneity and with the potential for climate‐policy‐induced technological change. We use the model to assess the distributional implications of climate policies that recycle generated revenues to finance research and development in the energy sector. We show that while the investments of climate‐policy rents that are used to accelerate innovation are likely to be welfare‐improving, as long as significant market failures exist, they are also likely to exacerbate the distributional inequities created across generations by climate‐change policies.