bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Spaces for Congregation and Creative Play: Martín Espada’s and Victor Hernández Cruz’s Poetic Plazas
Authors: Dowdy Michael
Published: May 2010

This essay argues that contemporary Puerto Rican poets Martín Espada and Victor Hernández Cruz conceptualize Latin American plazas as transactional public spaces where various social actors encounter the economic and political structures that constrain and empower them. Espada’s many poems set in plazas dramatize contests for the symbolic and material control of space across the Americas, while Cruz’s poems represent plazas as spaces for linguistic play and historical reinterpretation. Although Espada and Cruz use vastly different poetic languages to depict plazas, both poets imagine them as sites for performing linguistic and cultural exchanges that undermine plazas’ traditional uses for reinforcing hegemonic power. Their poems represent plazas as spaces for interrogating the collaboration of state and market forces in displacing people from public space. Together their poetic plazas fashion a flexible place-based consciousness that facilitates congregation and creative play while also locating Puerto Rico in the interface between North and Latin America and their divergent types and uses of public space.
A Passion for Excess or Just Another Way of Telling
Authors: Marrouchi Mustapha
Published: May 2010

Caryl Phillips’s narrative is painfully concerned with the relationship of Empire, Colony, and the In-between; Europe, Africa, and the Caribbean; slavery, rebellion, and freedom; Men, women and children; absent or useless fathers and damaged, aimless sons. It explores what hold in common while never losing sight of the painful quotidian, the specific. It is a narrative where the picaresque shakes hands with the epic and the linearity is broken, encircled, and put fast forward or in reverse by a mise-en-abîme of sorts: the tale-within-the-tale-within-the-tale even if interrupted by the tapestry of an emergent voice that finally proposes itself as both the identity and the difference of its verbal universe. “Enter your own self and discover the world,” Phillips seems to be saying, “but also go out into the world and discover yourself.” Once that call is answered, fiction itself becomes another way of questioning truth as we strive for it through the paradox of a lie. That lie can be called the imagination. It can also be seen as a parallel reality. For it may be observed as a critical mirror of what passes for the truth in the world of convention. It certainly sets up a second universe of being, where the narrator, say Cambridge in Cambridge , has a reality greater, though no less important, than the host of hastily met and then forgotten people we deal with on a daily basis. It is in this sense that Phillips brings into light another way of telling in that his narrative gives weight and presence to the virtues and vices—the fugitive personalities—of our daily acquaintance. This is the prerogative of his style, which I try to discuss in this essay. It has the power to render disenchantment and pleasure without resolving the contradiction between them. In fact, what holds them in tension, as equal forces straining in opposite directions, is the artist’s mature subjectivity, stripped of hubris, unashamed either of its fallibility or of the modest assurance it has gained as a result of being out of place and not quite right.
Methotrexate Drug Interactions in the Treatment of Rheumatoid Arthritis: A Systematic Review
Authors: BOURRÉ-TESSIER JOSIANE , HARAOUI BOULOS
Published: May 2010

Objective.

Patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) often have comorbidities that require multiple medications. Several of these medications may alter the efficacy or increase the toxicity of methotrexate (MTX). The purpose of our study was to determine which drugs used in combination with MTX (excluding disease modifying antirheumatic drugs, folic and folinic acid, corticosteroids, and biologic agents) enhance side effects or toxicity of MTX or lower its efficacy.

Methods.

A systematic literature search was performed with Medline, Embase, Cochrane Register and Database, and abstracts from the 2006/2007 annual congresses of the American College of Rheumatology and the European League Against Rheumatism. A manual search of the citation lists of retrieved publications was performed.

Results.

Of the 1172 articles identified, 67 were included: 21 pharmacokinetics studies, 5 observational studies, and 78 case reports. Most medications do not significantly affect the pharmacokinetics profile of MTX. Among the clinical studies, cytopenia and elevation of liver enzymes were the main reported toxicities. The use of trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (TMP-SMX) was mentioned as a risk factor for developing cytopenia in one observational study and in 17 case reports. Thirty case reports of cytopenia were attributed to the use of concomitant nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs, including acetylsalicylic acid. Two studies described mild abnormalities of liver enzymes with the use of isoniazid, and one study with the use of high-dose ASA.

Conclusion.

Based on the published literature, MTX has limited drug interactions, with the exception of TMP-SMX and high-dose ASA, which can exacerbate toxicity of MTX. The clinical significance of these interactions has not been substantiated by extensive clinical observations.
Predictors of Clinical Response and Radiographic Progression in Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis Treated with Methotrexate Monotherapy
Authors: DROUIN JULIE , HARAOUI BOULOS
Published: May 2010

Objective.

To determine through a systematic literature search the predictors of clinical response and radiographic progression in adult patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) treated with methotrexate (MTX) monotherapy.

Methods.

A systematic literature search using Medline, Embase, and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, in May 2008, and review of abstracts of the annual congresses of the American College of Rheumatology (2006–2007) and the European League Against Rheumatism (2002–2007) was performed, as part of a national initiative to develop guidelines for the use of MTX in RA.

Results.

Nine studies fulfilled the criteria set for this literature search. Male sex, low disease activity measured by composite scores (DAS or SDAI), and nonutilization of prior DMARD were predictive of good clinical response to MTX. Patients with early RA who are rheumatoid factor-positive and smokers tend to have lower response. However, this last association has not been found for patients with established disease. High disease activity before introduction of MTX monotherapy and higher activity during followup at 3 months is a predictor of more severe radiographic progression.

Conclusion.

Among factors found to be predictive of clinical and radiographic outcomes of patients with RA treated with MTX, no factor was found to have a high predictive value. Variability in efficacy measures and statistical tests made it difficult to compare results. Followup of disease activity after 3 to 6 months of treatment seems to be a better and more useful predictor than baseline patient characteristics.
Clinical Significance of Serum Levels of Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor, Angiopoietin-1, and Angiopoietin-2 in Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis
Authors: KUROSAKA DAITARO , HIRAI KENICHIRO , NISHIOKA MAKIKO , MIYAMOTO YUKIO , YOSHIDA KEN , NODA KENTARO , UKICHI TARO , YANAGIMACHI MAIMI , FURUYA KAZUHIRO , TAKAHASHI EIGO , KINGETSU ISAMU , FUKUDA KUNIHIKO , YAMADA AKIO
Published: May 2010

Objective.

To evaluate the clinical significance of serum levels of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), angiopoietin-1 (Ang-1), and angiopoietin-2 (Ang-2) in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

Methods.

The subjects were 70 patients with RA. Serum VEGF, Ang-1, and Ang-2 levels were determined by ELISA. As indices of disease activity, serum levels of C-reactive protein (CRP) and matrix metalloprotease (MMP)-3 were examined, and the 28-joint count Disease Activity Score (DAS28)-CRP was calculated. Power Doppler ultrasonography was performed in the bilateral wrists, elbows, shoulders, knees and ankles. The synovial blood flow signals were scored using a 3-grade scale (0–2), and the total of the scores in the 10 joints was regarded as the total signal score (TSS).

Results.

Serum VEGF level showed significant correlations with serum CRP and MMP-3 levels, DAS28-CRP, and TSS. Serum Ang-1 level showed significant correlations with serum MMP-3 level and DAS28-CRP. Serum Ang-2 level showed significant correlations with serum CRP level and TSS.

Conclusion.

The serum VEGF level is important as an index of the activity of RA based on angiogenesis and a prognostic factor regarding joint destruction. Serum Ang-1 level may be useful as an index of sustained arthritis based on the maintenance of newly formed vessels. Serum Ang-2 level may reflect a state of marked angiogenesis.
Systematic Monitoring of Disease Activity Using an Outcome Measure Improves Outcomes in Rheumatoid Arthritis
Authors: KATCHAMART WANRUCHADA , BOMBARDIER CLAIRE
Published: May 2010

Objective.

To systematically review the literature on the value of outcome measures to monitor treatment response in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

Methods.

Canadian rheumatologists participating in the International 3e (evidence expertise exchange) Initiative formulated the question “Which parameters should be recommended for use in the management of RA patients to assess a clinically meaningful response in clinical practice?”. Searches in 3 electronic databases, Medline, Embase, and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, yielded no relevant study addressing this question. Experts in the field proposed to extrapolate evidence from 3 randomized controlled trials of systematic monitoring or tight control strategy in the management of RA.

Results.

Three studies were included in this review. The TICORA study showed that intensive management using systematic monitoring with the Disease Activity Score (DAS) aiming at least low disease activity, monthly followup, and more aggressive disease-modifying antirheumatic drug (DMARD) treatment improves outcomes with higher remission rates (65% vs 16%; p < 0.0001). Fransen,et aldemonstrated that targeted therapy aimed at low disease activity (DAS28 < 3.2) led to more changes in DMARD treatment, resulting in a larger number of patients with low disease activity (31% vs 16%; p = 0.028). The CAMERA study showed that systematic monitoring using the objective computer decision program evaluation and monthly followup yielded a greater remission rate (50% vs 37%; p = 0.0001).

Conclusion.

Systematic monitoring of disease activity, aiming for at least low disease activity, and frequent followup improves outcome in RA.
IgG4-related Diseases Including Mikulicz’s Disease and Sclerosing Pancreatitis: Diagnostic Insights
Authors: MASAKI YASUFUMI , SUGAI SUSUMU , UMEHARA HISANORI
Published: May 2010

Since the first report of serum IgG4 elevation in sclerosing pancreatitis in 2001, various systemic disorders have been reported to elevate IgG4, and many names have been proposed from the perspective of the systemic condition. Despite similarities in the organs damaged in IgG4-related Mikulicz’s disease and Sjögren’s syndrome, there are marked clinical and pathological differences between the 2 entities. The majority of cases diagnosed with autoimmune pancreatitis in Japan are IgG4-related sclerosing pancreatitis, and it should be recognized that this is distinct from the Western type. Diagnosis of IgG4-related disease is defined by both elevated serum IgG4 (> 1.35 g/l) and histopathological features, including lymphocyte and IgG4+ plasma cell infiltration (IgG4+ plasma cells/IgG+ plasma cells > 50% on a highly magnified slide checked at 5 points). Differential diagnosis from other distinct disorders is necessary: these include sarcoidosis, Castleman’s disease, Wegener’s granulomatosis, lymphoma, cancer, and other existing conditions. The Japanese IgG4 research group has begun multicenter prospective studies to improve diagnostic criteria and treatment strategies.
Uncoupling of Collagen II Metabolism in Newly Diagnosed, Untreated Rheumatoid Arthritis Is Linked to Inflammation and Antibodies Against Cyclic Citrullinated Peptides
Authors: CHRISTENSEN ANNE FRIESGAARD , HØRSLEV-PETERSEN KIM , CHRISTGAU STEPHAN , LINDEGAARD HANNE MERETE , LOTTENBURGER TINE , JUNKER KIRSTEN , HETLAND MERETE LUND , STENGAARD-PEDERSEN KRISTIAN , JACOBSEN SØREN , ELLINGSEN TORKELL , ANDERSEN LIS SMEDEGAARD , HANSEN IB , SKJØDT HENRIK , PEDERSEN JENS KRISTIAN , LAURIDSEN ULRIK BIRK , SVENDSEN ANDERS JØRGEN , TARP ULRIK , PØDENPHANT JAN , HEEGAARD NIELS H.H. , VESTERGAARD AAGE , JURIK ANNE GRETHE , ØSTERGAARD MIKKEL , JUNKER PETER
Published: May 2010

Objective.

To investigate the relationship between markers of collagen II synthesis and degradation with disease activity measures, autoantibodies, and radiographic outcomes in a 4-year protocol on patients with early rheumatoid arthritis (RA) who are naïve to disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs.

Methods.

One hundred sixty patients with newly diagnosed, untreated RA entered the Cyclosporine, Methotrexate, Steroid in RA (CIMESTRA) trial. Disease activity and radiograph status were measured at baseline and 4 years. The N-terminal propeptide of collagen IIA (PIIANP) and the cross-linked C-telopeptide of collagen II (CTX-II) were quantified at baseline by ELISA. PIIANP was also assayed at 2 and 4 years. Anticyclic citrullinated peptide (anti-CCP) was recorded at baseline. An uncoupling index for cartilage collagen metabolism was calculated from PIIANP and CTX-II measurements.

Results.

PIIANP was low at diagnosis and 4 years on (p < 0.001), irrespective of treatment and disease activity. PIIANP was lowest in anti-CCP positive patients (p = 0.006), and there was a negative correlation between PIIANP and anti-CCP titers (ρ = −0.25, p 0.002). CTX-II was increased (p < 0.001) and correlated positively with disease activity and radiographic progression, but not with anti-CCP (p = 0.93). The uncoupling index was not superior to CTX-II in predicting radiographic changes.

Conclusion.

These results suggest that cartilage collagen formation and degradation are unbalanced when RA is diagnosed. The different associations of collagen II anabolism (PIIANP) and collagen II degradation (CTX-II) with anti-CCP, synovitis, and radiographic progression indicate that at this early stage of RA, cartilage collagen degradation is mainly driven by synovitis, while anti-CCP antibodies may interfere with cartilage regeneration by inhibiting collagen IIA formation. Trial registration j.nr NCT00209859.
Androgens and Integrins in Salivary Glands in Sjögren’s Syndrome
Authors: POROLA PAULIINA , LAINE MIKAEL , VIRTANEN ISMO , PÖLLÄNEN RAIMO , PRZYBYLA BEATA D. , KONTTINEN YRJÖ T.
Published: May 2010

Objective.

Laminin α1-chain normally induces intercalated duct progenitors to differentiate to acinar cells through integrin (INT) α1ß1 and α2ß1 receptors. Maintenance of acinar cells is impaired in Sjögren’s syndrome (SS), which is also characterized by low levels of serum and salivary androgens. We hypothesized that androgens normally support salivary gland remodeling by upregulating either laminin α1 chain or its cellular α1 or α2 INT subunit-containing receptors.

Methods.

Intercalated duct and acinar human salivary gland (HSG) cells and labial salivary gland (LSG) biopsies from healthy controls and patients with SS were cultured without or with sex steroids. Laminin α1 chain and INT α1 and α2 subunits were studied using quantitative reverse-transcription real-time polymerase chain reaction and INT α1 and α2 subunits using immunofluorescence staining.

Results.

INT α1-subunit and α2-subunit messenger RNA (mRNA) levels were increased in intercalated duct and acinar cells by DHEA and testosterone. In contrast, laminin α1-chain mRNA levels were not affected. The upregulating effect of DHEA on INT subunits was also seen at the protein level. DHEA also increased mRNA levels of both INT subunits in healthy but not SS LSG.

Conclusion.

Androgens increased INT α1 and α2 subunits in tubuloepithelial cells and in healthy LSG, but in SS salivary glands this androgen regulation was defective, which is likely to contribute to defective outside-in signaling, acinar atrophy, and ductal cell hyperplasia.
Golimumab for Rheumatoid Arthritis: A Systematic Review
Authors: SINGH JASVINDER A. , NOORBALOOCHI SHAHRZAD , SINGH GURKIRPAL
Published: May 2010

Objective.

To perform a Cochrane systematic review of benefit (American College of Rheumatology 50% improvement criteria; ACR50) and safety (adverse events and withdrawals) of golimumab in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

Methods.

We searched the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), OVID Medline, CINAHL, Embase, Science Citation Index (Web of Science), and Current Controlled Trials databases for randomized or controlled clinical trials of golimumab compared to placebo or disease-modifying antirheumatic drug in adults with RA. Two authors independently selected appropriate studies and abstracted study characteristics and safety and efficacy data and performed risk-of-bias assessment. We calculated mean differences for continuous measures, and relative risks for categorical measures.

Results.

Four randomized controlled trials with 1231 golimumab-treated and 483 placebo-treated patients were included. Of these, 436 were treated with golimumab at 50 mg every 4 weeks [a dosage approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA)]. At an average of 4–6 months, compared to patients treated with placebo and methotrexate (MTX), patients treated with the FDA-approved dosage of golimumab and MTX were 2.6 times more likely to reach ACR50 (p = 0.005, 95% CI 1.3, 4.9; absolute percentage, 38% vs 15%) and 0.5 times as likely to have overall withdrawals (p = 0.005, 95% CI 0.3, 0.8; absolute percentage, 5% vs 10%). Golimumab-treated patients were significantly more likely than those taking placebo to achieve remission (22% vs 4%; p < 0.00001), and to have improvement in functional ability on the Health Assessment questionnaire [0.2 points lower (p < 0.00001, 95% CI 0.25, 0.15); absolute risk difference, −20% (95% CI −25% to −15%); relative percentage difference, −11% (95% CI −14% to −8.3%)]. The studies were too small and short to be powered sufficiently for safety outcomes, but no substantive statistically significant differences were noted between golimumab and placebo regarding adverse events, serious adverse events, infections, serious infections, lung infections, tuberculosis, cancer, withdrawals due to adverse events, and withdrawals due to inefficacy and deaths.

Conclusion.

At the approved dosage, in patients with active RA taking background MTX, golimumab is significantly more beneficial than placebo. The short-term safety profile is reasonable. Longterm surveillance studies are needed for safety assessment.
Functionalization Strategies for Protease Immobilization on Magnetic Nanoparticles
Authors: Li Dan , Teoh Wey Yang , Gooding J. Justin , Selomulya Cordelia , Amal Rose
Published: May 2010

A comprehensive study on the general functionalization strategies for magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) is presented in this work. Using well‐established techniques as well as modified protocols, the wide range of functional moieties grafted on γ‐Fe2O3 (maghemite) nanosurfaces include those of amine, aldehyde, carboxylic, epoxy, mercapto, and maleimide ends. Among the modified protocols are the one‐step water‐catalyzed silanization with mercaptopropyltrimethoxysilane, resulting in dense distal thiols, and the direct functionalization with a heterogeneous bifunctional linker N‐[p‐maleimidophenyl]isocynanate (PMPI). The former results in a protective Stöber type coating while simultaneously reducing the iron oxide core to magnetite (Fe3O4). The conjugation of trypsin, hereby chosen as model biomolecule, onto the differently functionalized MNPs is further demonstrated and assessed based on its activity, kinetics, and thermo‐/long‐term stability as well as reusability. Besides aqueous stability and ease in recovery by magnetic separation, the immobilized trypsin on MNPs offers superior protease durability and reusability, without compromising the substrate specificity and sequence coverage of free trypsin. The MNP‐based proteases can be used as valuable carriers in proteomics and miniaturized total analysis devices. The applicability of the functional surfaces devised in the current study is also relevant for the conjugation of other biomolecules beyond trypsin.
Positively Charged Iridium(III) Triazole Derivatives as Blue Emitters for Light‐Emitting Electrochemical Cells
Authors: Mydlak Mathias , Bizzarri Claudia , Hartmann David , Sarfert Wiebke , Schmid Günter , De Cola Luisa
Published: May 2010

Cationic blue‐emitting complexes with (2,4‐difluoro)phenylpyridine and different 1,2,3‐triazole ligands are synthesized with different counterions. The influence of the substituents on the triazole ligand is investigated as well as the influence of the counterions. The substituents do not change the emission energy but, in some cases, slightly modify the excited‐state lifetimes and the emission quantum yields. The excited‐state lifetimes, in apolar solvents, are slightly dependent on the nature of the counterion. A crystal structure of one of the compounds confirms the geometry and symmetry postulated on the basis of the other spectroscopic data. Light‐emitting electrochemical cell devices are prepared and the recorded emission is the bluest with the fastest response time ever reported for iridium complexes.
Characterization of population structure from the mitochondrial DNA vis‐à‐vis language and geography in Papua New Guinea
Authors: Lee Esther J. , Koki George , Merriwether D. Andrew
Published: May 2010

Situated along a corridor linking the Asian continent with the outer islands of the Pacific, Papua New Guinea has long played a key role in understanding the initial peopling of Oceania. The vast diversity in languages and unique geographical environments in the region have been central to the debates on human migration and the degree of interaction between the Pleistocene settlers and newer migrants. To better understand the role of Papua New Guinea in shaping the region's prehistory, we sequenced the mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) control region of three populations, a total of 94 individuals, located in the East Sepik Province of Papua New Guinea. We analyzed these samples with a large data set of Oceania populations to examine the role of geography and language in shaping population structure within New Guinea and between the region and Island Melanesia. Our results from median‐joining networks, star‐cluster age estimates, and population genetic analyses show that while highland New Guinea populations seem to be the oldest settlers, there has been significant gene flow within New Guinea with little influence from geography or language. The highest genetic division is between Papuan speakers of New Guinea versus East Papuan speakers located outside of mainland New Guinea. Our study supports the weak language barriers to genetic structuring among populations in close contact and highlights the complexity of understanding the genetic histories of Papua New Guinea in association with language and geography. Am J Phys Anthropol 142:613–624, 2010. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Pectin‐based polymer hydrogel as a carrier for release of agricultural nutrients and removal of heavy metals from wastewater
Authors: Guilherme Marcos R. , Reis Adriano V. , Paulino Alexandre T. , Moia Thais A. , Mattoso Luiz H.C. , Tambourgi Elias B.
Published: May 2010

A pectin‐based hydrogel was used as a remover of Cu2+ and Pb2+ ions from water and wastewater and in the release of phosphate, potassium, and urea. The swelling studies in either aqueous or saline solutions were analyzed at different pressures, and the prediction of profile of water and solute transports was further analyzed on basis of transport process by diffusion in swellable polymer networks. The hydrogel composed of 0.10 g mL−1 final polymer concentration showed an excellent absorption capacity for removal of Cu2+ and Pb2+ from the solution: 120 mg Cu2+ and 130 mg Pb2+ per g hydrogel, both at pH 5.5. The hydrogel help to conserve water in a pressure range in which a variety of horticultural plants can absorb it. The release process of urea, phosphate, and potassium from the hydrogels is controlled by non‐Fickian mechanism with a tendency to macromolecular relaxation. This type of hydrogel is an interesting system for applications in which the efficient use of water is required and release of fertilizers for agriculture. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2010
Twitter use by the U.S. Congress
Authors: Golbeck Jennifer , Grimes Justin M. , Rogers Anthony
Published: May 2010

Twitter is a microblogging and social networking service with millions of members and growing at a tremendous rate. With the buzz surrounding the service have come claims of its ability to transform the way people interact and share information and calls for public figures to start using the service. In this study, we are interested in the type of content that legislators are posting to the service, particularly by members of the United States Congress. We read and analyzed the content of over 6,000 posts from all members of Congress using the site. Our analysis shows that Congresspeople are primarily using Twitter to disperse information, particularly links to news articles about themselves and to their blog posts, and to report on their daily activities. These tend not to provide new insights into government or the legislative process or to improve transparency; rather, they are vehicles for self‐promotion. However, Twitter is also facilitating direct communication between Congresspeople and citizens, though this is a less popular activity. We report on our findings and analysis and discuss other uses of Twitter for legislators.
Project management educational software (ProMES)
Authors: Gregoriou George , Kirytopoulos Konstantinos , Kiriklidis Christos
Published: May 2010

ProMES (ProMES software is freely provided for academic purposes and can be downloaded from: simor.mech.ntua.gr/Kirytopoulos/promes.asp) fills the gap of educational software in training on basic tools of project management. It offers aid to trainees in project management positions or courses to understand how CPM, PERT, and RACI are used and enhances conditions for the acquisition of the required knowledge based on pedagogical approaches. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Comput Appl Eng Educ 21: 46–59, 2013
Palladium Acetate Catalyzed Oxidative Aromatization of Methylenecyclopropanes
Authors: Jiang Min , Wei Yin , Shi Min
Published: May 2010

Isopropenylbiaryl derivatives were produced in moderate to good yields at high temperature from the reaction of methylenecyclopropanes (MCPs) 1 in the presence of palladium acetate under ambient atmosphere by tandem intramolecular C–H and C–C bond activation and aromatization through dehydrogenated rearrangement of MCPs 1. A plausible mechanism has been proposed on the basis of deuterium labeling and control experiments.
Linking serial residential burglary: comparing the utility of modus operandi behaviours, geographical proximity, and temporal proximity
Authors: Markson Lucy , Woodhams Jessica , Bond John W.
Published: May 2010

Whilst case linkage is used with serious forms of serial crime (e.g. rape and murder), the potential exists for it to be used with volume crime. This study replicates and extends previous research on the behavioural linking of burglaries. One hundred and sixty solved residential burglaries were sampled from a British police force. From these, 80 linked crime pairs (committed by the same serial offender) and 80 unlinked crime pairs (committed by two different serial offenders) were created. Following the methodology used by previous researchers, the behavioural similarity, geographical proximity, and temporal proximity of linked crime pairs were compared with those of unlinked crime pairs. Geographical and temporal proximity possessed a high degree of predictive accuracy in distinguishing linked from unlinked pairs as assessed by logistic regression and receiver operating characteristic analyses. Comparatively, other traditional modus operandi behaviours showed less potential for linkage. Whilst personality psychology literature has suggested we might expect to find a relationship between temporal proximity and behavioural consistency, such a relationship was not observed. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Vertical distribution of soil properties under short‐rotation forestry in Northern Germany
Authors: Kahle Petra , Baum Christel , Boelcke Barbara , Kohl Josefine , Ulrich Roland
Published: May 2010

Short‐rotation forestry (SRF) on arable soils has high potentials for biomass production and leads to long‐term no‐tillage management. In the present study, the vertical distributions of soil chemical and microbial properties after 15 y of SRF with willows and poplar (Salix and Populus spp.) in 3‐ and 6‐year rotations on an arable soil were measured and compared to a pertinent tilled arable site. Two transects at different positions in the relief (upper and lower slope; transect 1 and 2) were investigated. Short‐rotation forestry caused significant changes in the vertical distribution of all investigated soil properties (organic and microbial C, total and microbial N, soil enzyme activities), however, the dimension and location (horizons) of significant effects varied. The rotation periods affected the vertical distribution of the soil properties within the SRF significantly. In transect 1, SRF had higher organic‐C concentrations in the subsoil (Bv horizon), whereas in transect 2, the organic‐C concentrations were increased predominantly in the topsoil (Ah horizon). Sufficient plant supply of P and K in combination with decreased concentrations of these elements in the subsoil under SRF pointed to an effective nutrient mobilization and transfer from the deeper soil horizons even in the long term. In transect 1, the microbial‐C concentrations were higher in the B and C horizons and in transect 2 in the A horizons under SRF than under arable use. The activities of β‐glucosidases and acid phosphatases in the soil were predominantly lower under SRF than under arable use in the topsoil and subsoil. We conclude, that long‐term SRF on arable sites can contribute to increased C sequestration and changes in the vertical distribution of soil microbial biomass and soil enzyme activities in the topsoil and also in the subsoil.
Effect of long‐term fertilization on the transformations of water‐extractable phosphorus in a fluvo‐aquic soil
Authors: Du Changwen , Lei Mingjiang , Zhou Jianmin , Wang Huoyan , Chen Xiaoqin , Yang Yuhua
Published: May 2010

Improved information on water‐extractable soil P (Pw) and its distribution in various forms is needed to assess its bioavailability and environmental impact. This study investigated Pw in a fluvo‐aquic soil solution in relation to the continuous application of inorganic fertilizer (NPK) and wheat straw–soybean‐based compost for 15 y. Phosphatase‐hydrolysis techniques were used to fractionate organic P (Po) in water extracts of soil into phosphomonoester (Pom) and phosphodiester (Pod). In comparison with the noncomposted treatments, compost application significantly increased the levels of inorganic P (Pi) and Po. Pom was the main form in water‐extractable soil Po (71%–88%), in which sugar phosphate (Pos) occupied 48%–75%, inositol hexakisphosphate (Pop) comprised 13%–23%, and Pod only accounted for a small percentage (11%–26%). Long‐term compost application significantly increased the content of Pom, Pos, and Pod, but decreased the Pop content; the ratio of Pom to Po increased significantly in compost‐treated soil, but the ratio of Pop to Po and Pod to Po significantly decreased. Thus, the equilibrium of phosphatase involved P transformations shifted to Pi in compost‐treated soil. The phosphomonoesterase and phosphodiesterase activities were significantly higher in compost‐treated soil, which favored the transformations of Pod into Pom and Pom into Pi. The ratio of Po to Pw in water extracts of compost‐treated soil was similar to that of control soils with no fertilizer input (CK), but was significantly lower than in NPK treatment, which demonstrated that a larger increase occurred for soil Pi in water extracts of compost‐treated soil. Long‐term compost application in the fluvo‐aquic soil changed the composition of Pw, promoted the rate of P transformations in soil solution, and significantly increased soil P bioavailability.
Self‐Consistent Field Modeling of Three‐Dimensional Morphologies of Branched Lipid Surfactant at Air‐Water Interface
Authors: Santo Kolattukudy Poulose , Kovalenko Andriy , Stepanova Maria
Published: May 2010

Three‐dimensional mesoscopic morphologies and the thermodynamics of structural phase transitions of amphiphilic lipids at air‐water interfaces are studied using self‐consistent field theory. Changing the relative amount of lipids in the system led to a series of 3D morphologic phases with varying average interfacial area per molecule, mimicking a compression of the model membranes. Membranes of both saturated and unsaturated lipids undergo a transition from cylindrical micelle to lamella when the lipid content in the system increases from 2% to about 19–20%. With further increase in the lipid content, saturated lipids first develop non‐uniform quasi‐2D distributions in the lamella and then gradually transform into a hybrid morphology containing quasi‐planar lamellae. In contrast, unsaturated lipids develop reverse‐micellar morphologies.

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Poren per Baukasten
Authors: Kaskel Stefan
Published: May 2010

Die Zeit der Aktivkohlen und Zeolithe könnte bald vorbei sein. Modular aus Basischemikalien aufgebaute poröse Festkörper, die Metal Organic Frameworks, MOFs, weisen gigantische Oberflächen auf und haben damit ihre Konkurrenten in nur wenigen Jahren überholt. Einsatzmöglichkeiten der MOFs, insbesondere in der Gasspeicherung und in der heterogenen Katalyse, zeichnen sich bereits ab.
PLAC1 (Placenta‐specific 1): a novel, X‐linked gene with roles in reproductive and cancer biology
Authors: Fant Michael , Farina Antonio , Nagaraja Ramaiah , Schlessinger David
Published: May 2010

Placenta‐specific 1 (PLAC1) is a recently described X‐linked gene with expression restricted primarily to cells derived from trophoblast lineage during embryonic development. PLAC1 localizes to a region of the X chromosome thought to be important in placental development although its role in this process has not been defined. This review summarizes our current understanding of its expression, regulation, and function. PLAC1 is expressed throughout human pregnancy by the differentiated trophoblast and localizes to membranous structures in the syncytiotrophoblast, including the microvillous plasma membrane surface. Recent studies have demonstrated that PLAC1 is also expressed by a wide variety of human cancers. Studies of the PLAC1 promoter regions indicate that its expression in both normal placenta and cancer cells is driven by specific interactions involving a combination of transcription factors. Although functional insight into PLAC1 in the normal trophoblast is lacking, preliminary studies suggest that cancer‐derived PLAC1 has the potential to promote tumor growth and function. In addition, it also appears to elicit a specific immunologic response that may influence survival in some cancer patients, suggesting that it may provide a therapeutic target for the treatment of some cancers. We also discuss a potential role for PLAC1 as a biomarker predictive of specific pregnancy complications, such as preeclampsia. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
First‐trimester placental growth factor as a marker for hypertensive disorders and SGA
Authors: Cowans N. J. , Stamatopoulou A. , Matwejew E. , von Kaisenberg C. S. , Spencer K.
Published: May 2010

Objective

The objective of this study was to examine first‐trimester maternal serum placental growth factor (PlGF) levels in pregnancies which later develop hypertensive and growth complications.

Methods

In this case–control study, PlGF levels were measured by AutoDELFIA immunoassay platform. There were 47 cases of at least one of the following adverse outcomes: pre‐eclampsia (PE), small for gestational age (SGA), haemolysis elevated liver enzymes and low platelets (HELLP) and gestational hypertension (GH) and 452 matched controls.

Results

PlGF levels were significantly lower in cases of all PE, early PE, HELLP, all SGA, early SGA and SGA without PE, but not in GH, late PE, late SGA, PE with SGA or PE without SGA or HELLP.

Conclusion

Low levels of first‐trimester PlGF provide a good indicator of SGA complications and some hypertensive disorders, in particular severe cases of PE such as early onset and HELLP syndrome. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Gene optimization mechanisms: A multi‐gene study reveals a high success rate of full‐length human proteins expressed in Escherichia coli
Authors: Maertens Barbara , Spriestersbach Anne , von Groll Uritza , Roth Udo , Kubicek Jan , Gerrits Michael , Graf Marcus , Liss Michael , Daubert Daniela , Wagner Ralf , Schäfer Frank
Published: May 2010

The genetic code is universal, but recombinant protein expression in heterologous systems is often hampered by divergent codon usage. Here, we demonstrate that reprogramming by standardized multi‐parameter gene optimization software and de novo gene synthesis is a suitable general strategy to improve heterologous protein expression. This study compares expression levels of 94 full‐length human wt and sequence‐optimized genes coding for pharmaceutically important proteins such as kinases and membrane proteins in E. coli. Fluorescence‐based quantification revealed increased protein yields for 70% of in vivo expressed optimized genes compared to the wt DNA sequences and also resulted in increased amounts of protein that can be purified. The improvement in transgene expression correlated with higher mRNA levels in our analyzed examples. In all cases tested, expression levels using wt genes in tRNA‐supplemented bacterial strains were outperformed by optimized genes expressed in non‐supplemented host cells.
Exchange coupling in transition‐metal nanoclusters on Cu(001) and Cu(111) surfaces
Authors: Mavropoulos Phivos , Lounis Samir , Blügel Stefan
Published: May 2010

We present results of density‐functional calculations on the magnetic properties of Cr, Mn, Fe and Co nanoclusters (1–9 atoms large) supported on Cu(001) and Cu(111). The inter‐atomic exchange coupling is found to depend on competing mechanisms, namely ferromagnetic double exchange and antiferromagnetic kinetic exchange. Hybridization‐induced broadening of the resonances is shown to be important for the coupling strength. The cluster shape is found to affect the coupling via a mechanism that comprises the different orientation of the atomic d‐orbitals and the strength of nearest‐neighbour hopping. Especially in Fe clusters, a correlation of binding energy and exchange coupling is also revealed.
Estimation of environmental force for the haptic interface of robotic surgery
Authors: Son Hyoung Il , Bhattacharjee Tapomayukh , Lee Doo Yong
Published: May 2010

Background

The success of a telerobotic surgery system with haptic feedback requires accurate force‐tracking and position‐tracking capacity of the slave robot. The two‐channel force‐position control architecture is widely used in teleoperation systems with haptic feedback for its better force‐tracking characteristics and superior position‐tracking capacity for the maximum stability margin. This control architecture, however, requires force sensors at the end‐effector of the slave robot to measure the environment force. However, it is difficult to attach force sensors to slave robots, mainly due to their large size, insulation issues and also large currents often flowing through the end‐effector for incision or cautery of tissues.

Methods

This paper provides a method to estimate the environment force, using a function parameter matrix and a recursive least‐squares method. The estimated force is used to feed back the force information to the surgeon through the control architecture without involving the force sensors.

Results

The simulation and experimental results verify the efficacy of the proposed method. The force estimation error is negligible and the slave device successfully tracks the position of the master device while the stability of the teleoperation system is maintained.

Conclusions

The developed method allows practical haptic feedback for telerobotic surgery systems in the two‐channel force–position control scheme without the direct employment of force sensors at the end‐effector of the slave robot. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Preparation, Crystal Structures and Thermal Decomposition of Ba2(EDTA) and Ba2(EDTA)·2.5H2O
Authors: Chen Shuang , Hoffmann Stefan , Prots Yurii , Zhao Jing‐Tai , Kniep Rüdiger
Published: May 2010

The barium ethylenediaminetetraacetato (EDTA) complexes, Ba2(EDTA) and Ba2(EDTA)·2.5H2O, were hydrothermally synthesized and characterized by single‐crystal X‐ray structure determination. Ba2(EDTA) (monoclinic, P21/c, (No.14), a = 9.7651(10) Å, b = 8.0870(6) Å, c = 10.3313(11) Å, β = 118.024(4)°, V = 720.20(12) Å3, Z = 2) exhibits a layered arrangement of coordination polyhedra around barium whereas in the crystal structure of Ba2(EDTA)·2.5H2O (tetragonal, P4nc, (No.104), a = 19.7126(7) Å, c = 8.9813(4) Å, V = 3490.0(2) Å3, Z = 8) a completely different three dimensional framework containing wide channels is formed. Thermoanalytical investigations reveal a reversible dehydration behavior for Ba2(EDTA)·2.5H2O. The anhydrous form was characterized by PXRD (tP, a = b = 19.226(10) Å, c = 8.986(3) Å, V = 3335.4(3) Å3) and is assumed to be closely related to the crystal structure of the hydrated starting material. The final decomposition product of both compounds after heating in air up to 1000 °C was found to consist of pure BaCO3.
Counterion Effect of Cationic Surfactants Upon the Interaction with Poly(methacrylic acid)
Authors: Anghel Dan Florin , Saito Shuji , Iovescu Alina , Băran Adriana , Stîngă Gabriela
Published: May 2010

This work investigates decylammonium salts, with inorganic (chloride and thiocyanate) and organic (acetate and butyrate) counterions, in interaction with poly(methacrylic acid) (PMA). The study is conducted by means of surface tension, relative viscosity and pH measurements. The role of the methyl group in PMA appears by comparison with analogous mixtures of poly(acrylic acid) (PAA). In aqueous solution, a non‐cooperative interacti between the surfactant and the hydrophobic microdomains (HMD) of PMA starts first. With surfactant addition, micellar aggregates bound onto the polymer chain appear at a concentration T1, which is higher than for the analogous PAA systems, but lower than the respective CMC. T1 is lower for chloride than for thiocyanate and lower for acetate than for butyrate. Depending on the counterion, the HMD conceal or expose carboxyl groups, with influence upon the interaction strength and the bulk and surface behavior. Stronger interactions and maxima of surface tension and relative viscosity appear for the systems with organic counterions. An estimation of the interaction strength shows weaker surfactant interactions with PMA than with PAA, and that acetate induces the strongest interaction while thiocyanate the weakest.
Machine Learning Methods in the Environmental Sciences
Authors: Hsieh William W.
Published: May 2010

Machine learning methods originated from artificial intelligence and are now used in various fields in environmental sciences today. This is the first single-authored textbook providing a unified treatment of machine learning methods and their applications in the environmental sciences. Due to their powerful nonlinear modelling capability, machine learning methods today are used in satellite data processing, general circulation models(GCM), weather and climate prediction, air quality forecasting, analysis and modelling of environmental data, oceanographic and hydrological forecasting, ecological modelling, and monitoring of snow, ice and forests. The book includes end-of-chapter review questions and an appendix listing web sites for downloading computer code and data sources. A resources website containing datasets for exercises, and password-protected solutions are available. The book is suitable for first-year graduate students and advanced undergraduates. It is also valuable for researchers and practitioners in environmental sciences interested in applying these new methods to their own work.
Branching Processes
Authors: Haccou Patsy , Jagers Peter , Vatutin Vladimir A.
Published: May 2010

Biology takes a special place among the other natural sciences because biological units, be they pieces of DNA, cells or organisms, reproduce more or less faithfully. As for any other biological processes, reproduction has a large random component. The theory of branching processes was developed especially as a mathematical counterpart to this most fundamental of biological processes. This active and rich research area allows us to make predictions about both extinction risks and the development of population composition, and also uncovers aspects of a population's history from its current genetic composition. Branching processes play an increasingly important role in models of genetics, molecular biology, microbiology, ecology and evolutionary theory. This book presents this body of mathematical ideas for a biological audience, but should also be enjoyable to mathematicians.
Profits in the Long Run
Authors: Mueller Dennis C.
Published: May 2010

Profits in the Long Run asks two questions: Are there persistent differences in profitability across firms? If so, what accounts for them? This book answers these questions using data for the 1000 largest US manufacturing firms in 1950 and 1972. It finds that there are persistent differences in profitability and market power across large US companies. Companies with persistently high profits are found to have high market shares and sell differentiated products. Mergers do not result in synergistic increases in profitability, but they do have an averaging effect. Companies with above normal profits have their profits lowered by mergers. Companies with initially below normal profits have them raised. In addition, the influence of other variables on long-run profitability, including risk, sales, diversification, growth and managerial control, is explored. The implications of antitrust policy are likewise addressed.
Foreign Immigrants in Early Bourbon Mexico, 1700–1760
Authors: Nunn Charles F.
Published: May 2010

The kings of Spain forbade foreigners and other 'undesirables' to immigrate to Spanish America. They saw aliens as threatening imperial, religious and mercantile security, and it might therefore be assumed that the Spaniards were xenophobic and intolerant. Dr Nunn's study shows that statutes tell only part of the story. In the years 1700–60 some 3 per cent of the foreign-born in Mexico were non-Spaniards who had entered the colony illegally. Who were these people, where did they come from, and what were their motives? In answering these questions, Dr Nunn demonstrates how illegal immigrants often escaped official detection and how even those known to the authorities were usually allowed to remain and make new lives for themselves. Neither Protestant nor Jew went to the stake in eighteenth-century Mexico. Harassment was more likely to come from officials seeking funds for an impecunious government than from the Inquisition.