bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Corticosteroids may favor proliferation of thoracic inflammatory myofibroblastic tumors
Authors: Panigada Serena , Sacco Oliviero , Girosi Donata , Magnano Gian Michele , Tuo Pietro , Tarantino Vincenzo , Gambini Claudio , Petecchia Loredana , Silvestri Michela , Rossi Giovanni A.
Published: December 2013

Inflammatory myofibroblastic tumor (IMT) was thought to represent a benign post‐infectious or post‐inflammatory process cured by surgical resection. However, reports of cases with an aggressive clinical course suggest the need for caution about the prognosis. The treatment of choice is a complete surgical resection, while medical treatment options are limited. Corticosteroid therapy has been used with some success in unresectable lesion. However, rapid progression of lung IMT after prednisone treatment has been reported, raising the hypothesis that corticosteroids may favor a tumultuous proliferation of this lesion, possibly through immunosuppression. We here report a similar observation and suggest that other mechanisms may be involved. A 5‐year and 6‐month‐old boy presented with a 72 hr history of breathlessness, initially responsive to albuterol and prednisone. He represented 15 days later with increasing symptoms despite further prednisone treatment. CT chest scan showed a mass lesion in the tracheal lumen, which on biopsy was found to be an IMT. The possibility that prednisone may have an enhancing effect on IMT cell proliferation is demonstrated through IMT cell culture and discussed. Pediatr Pulmonol. 2014; 49:E109–E111. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Functional and Morphological Effects of Grape Seed Proanthocyanidins on Peripheral Neuropathy in Rats with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus
Authors: Ding Ye , Dai Xiaoqian , Jiang Yanfei , Zhang Zhaofeng , Li Yong
Published: December 2013

Grape seed proanthocyanidins (GSPs) possess a broad spectrum of pharmacological and therapeutic properties. The aim of this study was to examine the effect of GSPs on functional and morphological abnormalities in the peripheral nerves of rats with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Diabetic rats were induced by two injections of 25 mg streptozotocin/kg body weight and 8 weeks of a high‐carbohydrate/high‐fat diet. GSPs were then administrated to the rats for 16 weeks. Thermal and mechanical sensitivity thresholds and nerve conductive velocity were measured to evaluate peripheral nerve function. Light microscopy was used with special stains to observe the morphological changes in the central and peripheral nervous systems. Calcium (Ca2+) homeostasis and ATPase activities in the sciatic nerves were also determined. In diabetic rats receiving GSP treatment (especially at the 500 mg/kg dose), the abnormal peripheral nerve function and impaired nervous tissues (L4 to L5 spinal cord segments, L5 dorsal root ganglion, and sciatic nerves) were improved to a significant extent. Moreover, 500 mg/kg GSP treatment significantly reduced the concentration of free Ca2+ and elevated Ca2+‐ATPase activity in sciatic nerves. These results suggest that GSPs may prevent early functional and morphological abnormalities in the peripheral nerves of rats with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Distinguishing wild from cultivated agarwood (Aquilaria spp.) using direct analysis in real time and time of‐flight mass spectrometry
Authors: Espinoza Edgard O. , Lancaster Cady A. , Kreitals Natasha M. , Hata Masataka , Cody Robert B. , Blanchette Robert A.
Published: December 2013

RATIONALE

It is important for the enforcement of the CITES treaty to determine whether agarwood (a resinous wood produced in Aquilaria and Gyrinops species) seen in trade is from a plantation that was cultivated for sustainable production or was harvested from natural forests which is usually done illegally.

METHODS

We analyzed wood directly using Direct Analysis in Real Time (DART™) ionization coupled with Time‐of‐Flight Mass Spectrometry (TOFMS). Agarwood was obtained from five countries, and the collection contained over 150 samples. The spectra contained ions from agarwood‐specific 5,6,7,8‐tetrahydro‐2‐(2‐phenylethyl)chromones as well as many other ions. The data was analyzed using either kernel discriminant analysis or kernel principal component analysis. Probability estimates of origin (wild vs cultivated) were assigned to unknown agarwood samples.

RESULTS

Analysis of the DART‐TOFMS data shows that many of the chromones found in cultivated and wild agarwood samples are similar; however, there is a significant difference in particular chromones that can be used for differentiation. In certain instances, the analysis of these chromones also allows inferences to be made as to the country of origin. Mass Mountaineer™ software provides an estimate of the accuracy of the discriminate model, and an unknown sample can be classified as cultivated or wild. Eleven of the thirteen validation samples (85%) were correctly assigned to either cultivated or wild harvested for their respective geographic provenance. The accuracy of each classification can be estimated by probabilities based on Z scores.

CONCLUSIONS

The direct analysis of wood for the diagnostic chromones using DART‐TOFMS followed by discriminant analysis is sufficiently robust to differentiate wild from cultivated agarwood and provides strong inference for the origin of the agarwood. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Laser ablation synthesis of new gold carbides. From gold‐diamond nano‐composite as a precursor to gold‐doped diamonds. Time‐of‐flight mass spectrometric study
Authors: Havel Josef , Peña‐Méndez Eladia Maria , Amato Filippo , Panyala Nagender Reddy , Buršíková Vilma
Published: December 2013

RATIONALE

Gold carbides can be produced via laser ablation synthesis (LAS) from mixtures of nano‐gold (NG) and various carbonaceous materials. The nano‐composite of nano‐gold (NG) and nano‐diamond (ND) might represent a promising precursor for the generation of new gold carbides.

METHODS

Time‐of‐flight mass spectrometry (TOF MS), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and energy‐dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy (EDX) were used. The stoichiometry of clusters was determined via modelling of the isotopic patterns and MSn analysis.

RESULTS

A simple procedure for the preparation of ND‐NG nano‐composite was developed using NG and ND. The formation of AuCn+ (n = 1–11, 18), Au2Cn+ (n = 1–16) and Au3Cn+ (n = 1–10) clusters during LAS of the nano‐composite was proved. Structures of gold carbides are proposed and discussed. Diamonds‐containing AumCn+ (m = 1–3, n = 10, 14, 18, 22) clusters might be not carbides but endohedral supramolecular complexes Aum@Cn+ i.e., 'gold‐doped' diamonds.

CONCLUSIONS

TOF MS was shown to be a useful technique for following the formation of gold carbides in the gas phase. Clusters and 'gold‐doped' diamonds generated might inspire synthesis of new Au‐C materials with hardly predictable, unusual properties. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Seasonal Water Level Manipulation for Flood Risk Management Influences Home‐Range Size of Common Bream Abramis brama L. in a Lowland River
Authors: Gardner C. J. , Deeming D. C. , Eady P. E.
Published: December 2013

The increased threat of flooding from climate change requires ever greater management of rivers to alleviate flood risk. Although the impacts of river modification on fish communities are well documented, the effects of river management practices on fish behaviour have received relatively little attention. Here, a long‐term (4 years) acoustic telemetry study was used to analyse the spatial–temporal behaviour of common bream in a lowland river system (River Witham, Lincolnshire, UK) in which water levels are artificially manipulated biannually as part of a flood storage strategy. Levels are lowered in the autumn and increased again in the spring, to increase in‐river winter flood storage capacity. Home‐range size varied according to season, with home ranges being larger in the spring and summer months in comparison with those recorded during the autumn and winter months. When water levels within the river system were artificially manipulated, the bream responded by altering their home‐range size, increasing it after the levels had been raised and reducing it following the lowering of the river levels. This is in contrast to the cumulative overall distances bream were recorded to travel, which were unaffected by water level manipulation, suggesting water level manipulation did not affect activity levels. Although such changes in behaviour do not necessarily equate to a negative impact on fitness, reduced home‐range size brought about by water level manipulation does have implications for habitat availability and the number of competitive, predatory and parasitic interactions encountered. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Feature‐based high‐availability mechanism for quantile tasks in real‐time data stream processing
Authors: Ding Weilong , Han Yanbo , Wang Jing , Zhao Zhuofeng
Published: December 2013

Under distributed Cloud environment, the real‐time and continuous data stream makes the availability during processing essential but expensive. For aggregation tasks of data stream processing systems, traditional replica‐based high‐availability mechanisms require large overheads at run‐time and long recovery latency at fail‐time, because of specific nature of aggregations. In this paper, we focus on the typical quantile tasks and propose a feature‐based high‐availability mechanism to reduce related overhead and the latency. With the help of monitor module, quantile feature is maintained incrementally through histogram synopsis over time‐based sliding window, and the failed quantile tasks can be recovered precisely with high probability in an efficient way. The effectiveness has been analyzed theoretically, and meanwhile, the acceptable tradeoff between overheads and performance has been demonstrated by comprehensive experiments on both synthetic and real data. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Clinical Relevance and Therapeutic Significance of MicroRNA-133a Expression Profiles and Functions in Malignant Osteosarcoma-Initiating Cells
Authors: Fujiwara Tomohiro , Katsuda Takeshi , Hagiwara Keitaro , Kosaka Nobuyoshi , Yoshioka Yusuke , Takahashi Ryou-U , Takeshita Fumitaka , Kubota Daisuke , Kondo Tadashi , Ichikawa Hitoshi , Yoshida Akihiko , Kobayashi Eisuke , Kawai Akira , Ozaki Toshifumi , Ochiya Takahiro
Published: December 2013

Novel strategies against treatment-resistant tumor cells remain a challenging but promising therapeutic approach. Despite accumulated evidence suggesting the presence of highly malignant cell populations within tumors, the unsolved issues such as in vivo targeting and clinical relevance remain. Here, we report a preclinical trial based on the identified molecular mechanisms underlying osteosarcoma-initiating cells and their clinical relevance. We identified key microRNAs (miRNAs) that were deregulated in a highly malignant CD133high population and found that miR-133a regulated the cell invasion that characterizes a lethal tumor phenotype. Silencing of miR-133a with locked nucleic acid (LNA) reduced cell invasion of this cell population, and systemic administration of LNA along with chemotherapy suppressed lung metastasis and prolonged the survival of osteosarcoma-bearing mice. Furthermore, in a clinical study, high expression levels of CD133 and miR-133a were significantly correlated with poor prognosis, whereas high expression levels of the four miR-133a target genes were correlated with good prognosis. Overall, silencing of miR-133a with concurrent chemotherapy would represent a novel strategy that targets multiple regulatory pathways associated with metastasis of the malignant cell population within osteosarcoma. Stem Cells  2014;32:959–973
Fatigue life of RC beams strengthened with FRP systems
Authors: Meneghetti Leila Cristina , Garcez Mônica Regina , da Silva Filho Luiz Carlos Pinto , Gastal Francisco de Paula Simões Lopes , Bittencourt Túlio Nogueira
Published: December 2013

Fibre‐reinforced polymers (FRP) in the form of externally bonded reinforcement have been used successfully in the rehabilitation of concrete structures. Although considerable data has been produced on the performance of strengthened RC structures, the reliability of strengthened structures can be significantly reduced due to the variability in the FRP properties, especially when the wet layup technique is used. In addition to this, structural engineers are concerned about the durability of FRP‐strengthened structures under extreme loading conditions. Nonetheless, knowledge of the behaviour of strengthened elements under fatigue loading may be important to raise confidence in the strengthening systems. This paper presents the results of an experimental programme developed to investigate the behaviour up to failure of RC beams strengthened with high‐performance carbon and aramid fibre sheets and subjected to static and cyclic loadings in terms of ultimate loads, deflections, cracking behaviour, failure modes and fatigue life by means of loading, crack width and deflection monitoring. Experimental data on fatigue life were used to validate analytical models developed for strengthened and unstrengthened beams.
Residual modulus of elasticity and maximum compressive strain in HSC and FRHSC after high‐stress‐level cyclic loading
Authors: Vicente Miguel A. , González Dorys C. , Mínguez Jesús , Martínez José A.
Published: December 2013

This paper discusses the residual modulus of elasticity of and maximum compressive strain in high‐strength concrete (HSC) and fibre‐reinforced high‐strength concrete (FRHSC) after being subjected to axial high‐stress‐level cyclic loading. The paper presents a specific procedure for evaluating the residual values of these mechanical parameters of concrete specimens.

This procedure reveals that there is no monotonic decrease in the residual modulus of elasticity with number of cycles; an initial decrease occurs in all cases, followed by an increase and, finally, another decrease. Similarly, there is no monotonic increase in the residual maximum compressive strain.

The results show substantial changes in both the residual modulus of elasticity of and the residual maximum compressive strain in concrete depending on the number of cycles. These variations are due to the combined action of two concrete phenomena: microcracking and reconsolidation of the concrete microstructure.
Water permeability of concrete under uniaxial tension
Authors: Yuan Yong , Chi Yang
Published: December 2013

Concrete structures can suffer from water permeating under stresses. This paper investigates the surface water permeability of reinforced concrete elements subjected to uniaxial tension. A testing system was developed to combine a conventional loading machine with a surface permeameter. To eliminate the effect of initial absorption of water, calibration tests were conducted on plain concrete samples with different surface saturated states. The experiment presented is designed to test the surface water permeability of a structural member under uniaxial tension. Specimens were reinforced centrally with different sizes of steel bar and fabricated with normal‐strength and high‐strength concrete. A uniaxial tensile load was applied from 0.10 to 0.80 of estimated ultimate cracking load in 0.10 increments. At the same time, water permeability was measured at each load step. Test results give the relationship between water permeability of concrete member and tensile load levels.
Metaphysics of Time in Spacetime
Authors: Calosi Claudio ,   Philosophy Documentation Center
Published: December 2013

I give a new and more general argument against presentism within relativistic spacetimes. This argument is untouched by different recent proposals designed to save presentism in a relativistic setting.
Turbine‐scale wind field measurements using dual‐Doppler lidar
Authors: Newsom Rob K. , Berg Larry K. , Shaw William J. , Fischer Marc L.
Published: December 2013

Spatially resolved measurements of microscale winds are retrieved using scanning dual‐Doppler lidar and then compared with independent in situ wind measurements. Data for this study were obtained during a month‐long field campaign conducted at a site in north‐central Oklahoma in November of 2010. Observational platforms include one instrumented 60 m meteorological tower and two scanning coherent Doppler lidars. The lidars were configured to perform coordinated dual‐Doppler scans surrounding the 60 m tower, and the resulting radial velocity observations were processed to retrieve the three‐component velocity vector field on surfaces defined by the intersecting scan planes. The dual‐Doppler analysis method is described, and three‐dimensional visualizations of the retrieved fields are presented.

The retrieved winds are compared with sonic anemometer (SA) measurements at the 60 m level on the tower. The Pearson correlation coefficient between the retrievals and the SA wind speeds was greater than 0.97, and the wind direction difference was very small (<0.1o), suggesting that the dual‐Doppler technique can be used to examine fine‐scale variations in the flow. However, the mean percent difference between the SA and dual‐Doppler wind speed was approximately 15%, with the SA consistently measuring larger wind speeds. To identify the source of the discrepancy, a multi‐instrument intercomparison study was performed involving lidar wind speeds derived from standard velocity‐azimuth display (VAD) analysis of plan position indicator scan data, a nearby 915 MHz radar wind profiler (RWP) and radiosondes. The lidar VAD, RWP and radiosondes wind speeds were found to agree to within 3%. By contrast, SA wind speeds were found to be approximately 14% larger than the lidar VAD wind speeds. These results suggest that the SA produced wind speeds that were too large. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Can the pollination biology and floral ontogeny of the threatened Acacia carneorum explain its lack of reproductive success?
Authors: Gilpin Amy‐Marie , Ayre David J. , Denham Andrew J.
Published: December 2013

Many Acacia species in arid areas of eastern Australia have been severely impacted by grazing, habitat degradation and fragmentation. These factors have been at the core of proposed explanations for the reproductive failure and numerical decline of Acacia carneorum and other threatened acacias. Paradoxically, the sympatric Acacia ligulata is thriving and highly fecund. Although these species have superficially similar floral displays, differences in sexual reproductive success may reflect interactions between flower and inflorescence ontogeny and pollinator assemblages. We compared the floral biology and flower visitor assemblages of A. carneorum and A. ligulata at four sites per species. Both species displayed similar floral ontogeny and synchronicity of display, with inflorescences simultaneously hermaphroditic for 4–5 days. However, A. ligulata displayed a higher density of flowers than A. carneorum and, while both species received a range of flower visitors, A. ligulata was visited by relatively few species and was serviced primarily by the non‐native honeybee Apis mellifera, which typically made many within‐plant movements during foraging bouts. In contrast, A. carneorum was visited by a diverse suite of native insects that carried little pollen and made fewer within plant movements. On average, Apis mellifera carried 98.4 % A. ligulata pollen, whereas the native insect visitors of A. carneorum carried only 45 % A. carneorum pollen. Differing floral ontogeny or lack of native pollinators does not explain the reproductive failure of A. carneorum. The success of A. ligulata may reflect pollination services provided by A. mellifera and interactions with plant mating systems.
Exact Equations for SIR Epidemics on Tree Graphs
Authors: Sharkey K. J. , Kiss I. Z. , Wilkinson R. R. , Simon P. L.
Published: December 2013

We consider Markovian susceptible-infectious-removed (SIR) dynamics on time-invariant weighted contact networks where the infection and removal processes are Poisson and where network links may be directed or undirected. We prove that a particular pair-based moment closure representation generates the expected infectious time series for networks with no cycles in the underlying graph. Moreover, this “deterministic” representation of the expected behaviour of a complex heterogeneous and finite Markovian system is straightforward to evaluate numerically.
The vibrations induced by surface irregularities in road pavements – a Matlab® approach
Authors: Agostinacchio M. , Ciampa D. , Olita S.
Published: December 2013

Purpose

The paper tackles the theme of evaluating dynamic load increases that the vehicle transfers to the road pavement, due to the generation of vibration produced by surface irregularities.

Method

The study starts from the generation, according to the ISO 8608 Standard, of different road roughness profiles characterized by different damage levels. In particular, the first four classes provided by ISO 8608 were considered. Subsequently, the force exchanged between the pavement and three typologies of vehicles (car, bus and truck) has been assessed by implementing, in Matlab®, the QCM (Quarter Car Model) characterized by a quarter vehicle mass and variable speed from 20 to 100 km/h. The analysis allows determining the amount of dynamic overload that causes the vibrational stress.

Results/Conclusions

The paper shows how this dynamic overload may be predetermined as a function of the pavements surface degradation. This is a useful reference for the purposes of designing and maintaining road pavements.
The carcinoembryonic antigen IgV‐like N domain plays a critical role in the implantation of metastatic tumor cells
Authors: Abdul-Wahid Aws , Huang Eric H.-B. , Cydzik Marzena , Bolewska-Pedyczak Eleonora , Gariépy Jean
Published: December 2013

The human carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) is a cell adhesion molecule involved in both homotypic and heterotypic interactions. The aberrant overexpression of CEA on adenocarcinoma cells correlates with their increased metastatic potential. Yet, the mechanism(s) by which its adhesive properties can lead to the implantation of circulating tumor cells and expansion of metastatic foci remains to be established. In this study, we demonstrate that the IgV‐like N terminal domain of CEA directly participates in the implantation of cancer cells through its homotypic and heterotypic binding properties. Specifically, we determined that the recombinant N terminal domain of CEA directly binds to fibronectin (Fn) with a dissociation constant in the nanomolar range (KD 16 ± 3 nM) and interacts with itself (KD 100 ± 17 nM) and more tightly to the IgC‐like A3 domain (KD 18 ± 3 nM). Disruption of these molecular associations through the addition of antibodies specific to the CEA N or A3B3 domains, or by adding soluble recombinant forms of the CEA N, A3 or A3B3 domains or a peptide corresponding to residues 108–115 of CEA resulted in the inhibition of CEA‐mediated intercellular aggregation and adherence events in vitro. Finally, pretreating CEA‐expressing murine colonic carcinoma cells (MC38.CEA) with rCEA N, A3 or A3B3 modules blocked their implantation and the establishment of tumor foci in vivo. Together, these results suggest a new mechanistic insight into how the CEA IgV‐like N domain participates in cellular events that can have a macroscopic impact in terms of cancer progression and metastasis.
New guidelines on fitness to drive: what do they mean to psychiatrists and their patients?
Authors: Hassab Errasoul A. , Daly R.
Published: December 2013

The publication of the new guidelines is a welcome step, bringing more lucidity to the subject and providing useful guidance to clinicians. However, the guidelines pose new and unique responsibilities on mental health services with resulting training needs, resource issues and ethical issues. We propose a collaborative model based on the development of regional specialised teams to perform this task. This may prove to be a more suitable and cost effective option in the long run.
Subharmonic capillary–gravity waves in large containers subject to horizontal vibrations
Authors: Perez-Gracia José M. , Porter Jeff , Varas Fernando , Vega José M.
Published: December 2013

This paper deals with nearly inviscid, capillary–gravity, modulated waves parametrically excited by monochromatic horizontal vibrations in liquid containers whose width and depth are both large compared with the wavelength of the excited waves. A general linear amplitude equation is derived with appropriate boundary conditions that provides the threshold acceleration and associated spatiotemporal patterns, which compare very well with experimental measurements and visualizations. The primary instability is associated with a pair of complex Floquet multipliers that are close to (but strictly different from) −1, meaning that the instability is not strictly (2:1) subharmonic. The resulting (quasi-periodic) waves are generally oblique, not perpendicular to the vibrating endwalls. The extension of the theory to other confined systems such as vibrating containers of arbitrary shape and vibrating drops is also considered.
Extended series solutions and bifurcations of the Dean equations
Authors: Boshier F. A. T. , Mestel A. J.
Published: December 2013

Steady, incompressible flow down a slowly curving circular pipe is considered. Both real and complex solutions of the Dean equations are found by analytic continuation of a series expansion in the Dean number, $K$. Higher-order Hermite–Padé approximants are used and the results compared with direct computations using a spectral method. The two techniques agree for large, real $K$, indicating that previously reported asymptotic behaviour of the series solution is incorrect, and thus resolving a long-standing paradox. It is further found that a second solution branch, known to exist at high Dean number, does not appear to merge with the main branch at any finite $K$, but appears rather to bifurcate from infinity. The convergence of the series is limited by a square-root singularity on the imaginary $K$-axis. Four complex solutions merge at this point. One corresponds to an extension of the real solution, while the other three are previously unreported. This bifurcation is found to coincide with the breaking of a symmetry property of the flow. On one of the new branches the velocity is unbounded as $K\rightarrow 0$. It follows that the zero-Dean-number flow is formally non-unique, in that there is a second complex solution as $K\rightarrow 0$ for any non-zero $\vert K\vert $. This behaviour is manifested in other flows at zero Reynolds number. The other two complex solutions bear some resemblance to the two solution branches for large real $K$.
The effect of irradiation and mass rearing on the anti-predator behaviour of the Mexican fruit fly, Anastrepha ludens (Diptera: Tephritidae)
Authors: Rao D. , Aguilar-Argüello S. , Montoya P. , Díaz-Fleischer F.
Published: December 2013

Fruit flies (Diptera: Tephritidae) are major pests worldwide. The sterile insect technique, where millions of flies are reared, sterilized by irradiation and then released, is one of the most successful and ecologically friendly methods of controlling populations of these pests. The mating behaviour of irradiated and non-irradiated flies has been compared in earlier studies, but there has been little attention paid to the anti-predator behaviour of mass-reared flies, especially with respect to wild flies. Tephritid flies perform a supination display to their jumping spider predators in order to deter attacks. In this study, we evaluated the possibility of using this display to determine the anti-predator capabilities of mass-reared irradiated, non-irradiated flies, and wild flies. We used an arena setup and observed bouts between jumping spiders (Phidippus audax Hentz) and male Mexican fruit flies (Anastrepha ludens Loew). We show that although all flies performed a supination display to their predator, wild flies were more likely to perform a display and were significantly more successful in avoiding attack than mass-reared flies. We suggest that this interaction can be used to develop a rapid realistic method of quality control in evaluating anti-predator abilities of mass-reared fruit flies.
Influence of micellar calcium and phosphorus on rennet coagulation properties of cows milk
Authors: Malacarne Massimo , Franceschi Piero , Formaggioni Paolo , Sandri Sandro , Mariani Primo , Summer Andrea
Published: December 2013

The main requirement for milk processed in most cheese typologies is its rennet coagulation ability. Despite the increasing number of studies, the causes for abnormal coagulation of milk are not fully understood. The aim of this study was to ascertain relationships between milk characteristics and its rennet coagulation ability, focusing on the influence of calcium (Ca) and phosphorus (P). Ca and P are essential constituents of the micelles. Micellar P can be present as part of colloidal calcium phosphate (inorganic-P) or covalently bound to caseins as phosphate groups (casein-P). Eighty one herd milk samples (SCC<400 000 cell/ml) were classified as Optimal (8), Suboptimal (39) Poor (29) and Non-coagulating milk (5), according to their rennet coagulation parameters as assessed by lactodynamographic test. Samples were analysed for their chemical composition (basic composition, protein fractions, minerals and salt equilibria), physicochemical parameters (pH and titratable acidity) and rheological properties. Optimal milk was characterised by the highest contents of major constituents, protein fractions and minerals, lowest content of chloride and highest values of titratable acidity. Non-coagulating milk was characterised by the highest values of pH and the lowest of titratable acidity. At micellar level, Optimal milk showed the highest values of colloidal Ca, casein-P and colloidal Mg (g/100 g casein), while Non-coagulating milk showed the lowest values. Interestingly, there was no statistical difference regarding the content of colloidal inorganic-P (g/100 g casein) between Optimal and Non-coagulating milks. Overall, high mineralisation of the micelle (expressed as g inorganic-P/100 g casein) positively affect its rennetability. However, excessive mineralisation could lead to a reduction of the phosphate groups (g casein-P/100 g casein) available for curd formation.
Synthesis and X-ray diffraction data of 4-benzyloxy-1-oxaspiro-[4.6]-undec-3-en-2-one
Authors: Quintana Jose H. , Henao J. A. , Robles Elvis , Urbina Juan Manuel
Published: December 2013

The 4-benzyloxy-1-oxaspiro-[4.6]-undec-3-en-2-one (C17H20O3) was prepared through a domino reaction from benzyl α-hydroxycycloheptanecarboxylate and the cumulated ylide Ph3P=C=C=O by: (i) addition and (ii) intramolecular Wittig Olefination reaction. The reaction was carried out using anhydrous toluene as solvent under an argon atmosphere in a Schlenk flask. Molecular characterization was performed by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, gas chromatography-mass spectrometry, (1H,13C – mono and bidimensional) nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy; crystallographic characterization was completed by X-ray diffraction of polycrystalline samples (XRPD). The title compound crystallized in a monoclinical system and unit-cell parameters are reported [a = 13.207(3) Å, b = 5.972(1) Å, c = 19.719(4) Å, β = 105.67(2)°, unit-cell volume V = 1497.5 (4) Å3, Z = 4]. All of the measured lines were indexed with the P21/n (No. 14) space group.
The spread of drug-resistant tuberculosis in children: an Italian case series
Authors: MIGNONE F. , CODECASA L. R. , SCOLFARO C. , RAFFALDI I. , LANCELLA L. , FERRARESE M. , GARAZZINO S. , MARABOTTO C. , ESPOSITO S. , GABIANO C. , LIPRERI R. , TOVO P.-A.
Published: December 2013

Drug-resistant paediatric tuberculosis (TB) is an overlooked global problem. In Italy, the epidemiology of TB has recently changed and data regarding drug-resistant forms in the paediatric setting is scanty. The aim of this case series was to report the cases of drug-resistant TB, diagnosed between June 2006 and July 2010 in four Italian tertiary centres for paediatric infectious diseases, in children and adolescents living in Italy. Twenty-two children were enrolled, of these 17 were resistant to one or more drugs and five had multidrug-resistant TB. All but one child were either foreign born or had at least one foreign parent. Twenty-one patients completed their treatment without clinical or radiological signs of activity at the end of treatment, and one patient was lost to follow up. The outcomes were good, with few adverse effects using second-line anti-TB drugs. Although this series is limited, it might already reflect the worrisome increase of drug-resistant TB, even in childhood.
Coping with complexity: Developmental systems and multilevel analyses in developmental psychopathology
Authors: Marshall Peter J.
Published: December 2013

Developmental psychopathology is not characterized by adherence to one specific theory but instead serves as an organizational framework in which research is driven by a number of key assumptions. In the developmental psychopathology approach, two primary assumptions emphasize the importance of systems thinking and the utility of multilevel analyses. As will be illustrated here, these emphases are inextricably linked: a systems approach necessitates a multilevel approach, such that a level of organization must bring coherence to a level of mechanisms. Given this assumption, coming to an integrative understanding of the relation between levels is of central importance. One broad framework for this endeavor is relational developmental systems, which has been proposed by certain theorists as a new paradigm for developmental science. The implications of embracing this framework include the potential to connect developmental psychopathology with other approaches that emphasize systems thinking and that take an integrative perspective on the problem of levels of analysis.
On expletive subject pronoun drop in Colloquial French
Authors: ZIMMERMANN MICHAEL , KAISER GEORG A.
Published: December 2013

This paper sets out to contribute to the debate on the morpho-syntactic status of phonologically weak or clitic subject pronouns in Colloquial French by discussing finite impersonal constructions in which the expletive subject pronoun is non-expressed. The paper provides arguments against an approach in terms of inflectional affixes, showing that the non-expression of this pronoun is in fact syntactically restricted. On the basis of the further finding that the non-expression of the expletive represents the continuation of a grammatical trait of older stages of the language in which the non-expression of subject pronouns was generally possible, a tentative proposal is put forward which crucially draws on information structure.
Anomalous left coronary artery from the right coronary cusp with gene positive apical hypertrophic cardiomyopathy: a case report and literature review
Authors: Georgekutty Justin , Cross Russell R. , Rosenthal Joanna B. , Heath Deneen M. , Sinha Pranava , John Anitha S.
Published: December 2013

In the United States, hypertrophic cardiomyopathy and coronary artery anomalies account for the leading two causes of sudden death in athletes. We present a case of a patient with an anomalous origin of the left main from the right coronary sinus with associated gene-confirmed hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. The patient underwent surgical repair with unroofing of the intramural portion of the left main coronary artery with a good result. We also review the reported cases in the medical literature describing this uncommon association between anomalous coronary artery origin and hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.
A MODIFIED PHILOSOPHICAL ARGUMENT FOR A BEGINNING OF THE UNIVERSE
Authors: Loke Andrew
Published: December 2013

Craig's second philosophical argument for a beginning of the universe presupposes a dynamic theory of time, a limitation which makes the argument unacceptable for those who do not hold this theory. I argue that the argument can be modified thus: If time is beginning-less, then it would be the case that a person existing and counting as long as time exists would count an actual infinite by counting one element after another successively, but the consequent is metaphysically impossible, hence the antecedent is metaphysically impossible. I defend the premises and show that this argument does not presuppose the dynamic theory.
Ultra-low noise active microstrip antenna
Authors: Abdipour Mahmoud , Moradi Gholamreza , Shirazi Reza Sarraf
Published: December 2013

An active receiving antenna for Radio Navigation and Radio Positioning applications in S-band frequency is designed and fabricated. In this active antenna, the amplifier is integrated with the radiator which is a rectangular patch antenna. This patch antenna is analyzed with full-wave momentum method. With the developed design routine, ultra-low noise active receiving antenna can be realized. The ADS software and its full-wave Momentum is used for simulation. The experimental results show good agreement with the simulation results.
The Assessment of Multicultural Strength
Authors: César Cosentino Alejandro , Castro Solano Alejandro
Published: December 2013

The classification of character strengths and virtues by Peterson and Seligman (2004) includes 24 strengths and 6 virtues. Although the development of this classification was inspired by diverse cultural traditions, no one strength or virtue centrally focused on cultural aspects. Fowers and Davidov (2006) have proposed a new multicultural strength or virtue termed as openness to the other. We developed the Openness to the Other Affective Domain Inventory (OADI), a new 6-item measurement instrument to assess affective attraction to the other, that is, fascination with or attraction to culturally diverse others, and affective aversion to the other, that is, distrust of or disgust with culturally diverse others. The results showed evidence of acceptable reliability, incremental and convergent validity, validity with an external criterion, and known group validity for the OADI. Moreover, a confirmatory factor analysis yielded an excepted two-factor model that corresponded to the attraction and aversion dimensions.
Effects of Communication Between Judges on Consensus and Accuracy in Judgments of People’s Intelligence
Authors: Borkenau Peter , Leising Daniel , Fritz Ulrike
Published: December 2013

We investigated how consensus and accuracy in judgments of people’s intelligence are affected by different procedures for obtaining group judgments. Watching videos of previously unacquainted targets reading a brief text, 65 triads of 3 judges judged the intelligence of 54 targets. The targets’ actual intelligence was assessed via tests of verbal and nonverbal cognitive abilities. In Condition 1, each triad member judged each target’s intelligence independently, and then the individual judgments were averaged. In Condition 2, two members of a triad revealed their judgments, and the third member then heralded the group’s judgment. In Condition 3, the judges discussed their impressions with one another, and then jointly announced a judgment they had agreed upon. Judgments became less accurate over time across conditions (fatigue effect), and more favorable in Condition 3. Communication between judges resulted in higher consensus, and judges assumed that discussion-based judgments were more accurate. However, accuracy did not really differ systematically between conditions. We discuss the implications of these results for applied contexts.
Integration of Attachment Self-Report Scales With the Rorschach
Authors: Berant Ety , Zim Shraga
Published: December 2013

The current case study exemplifies the value of integrating an attachment self-report tool measuring attachment orientation with the Rorschach. This process is presented by means of a case study that demonstrates the usefulness of the Rorschach when clients have difficulties self-disclose their attachment insecurity. The Rorschach clarified the clinical picture of the client and guided the therapist in finding the road to the suffering client. Only after one year of therapy the client’s attachment questionnaire scores and her Rorschach converged.
Pre-erythrocytic antibody profiles induced by controlled human malaria infections in healthy volunteers under chloroquine prophylaxis
Authors: Felgner Philip L. , Roestenberg Meta , Liang Li , Hung Christopher , Jain Aarti , Pablo Jozelyn , Nakajima-Sasaki Rie , Molina Douglas , Teelen Karina , Hermsen Cornelus C. , Sauerwein Robert
Published: December 2013

Complete sterile protection to Plasmodium falciparum (Pf) infection mediated by pre-erythrocytic immunity can be experimentally induced under chloroquine prophylaxis, through immunization with sporozoites from infected mosquitoes' bites (CPS protocol). To characterize the profile of CPS induced antibody (Ab) responses, we developed a proteome microarray containing 809 Pf antigens showing a distinct Ab profile with recognition of antigens expressed in pre-erythrocytic life-cycle stages. In contrast, plasma from naturally exposed semi-immune individuals from Kenya was skewed toward antibody reactivity against asexual blood stage antigens. CPS-immunized and semi-immune individuals generated antibodies against 192 and 202 Pf antigens, respectively, but only 60 antigens overlapped between the two groups. Although the number of reactive antigens varied between the CPS-immunized individuals, all volunteers reacted strongly against the pre-erythrocytic antigens circumsporozoite protein (CSP) and liver stage antigen 1 (LSA1). Well classified merozoite and erythrocytic antigens were strongly reactive in semi-immune individuals but lacking in the CPS immunized group. These data show that the antibody profile of CPS-immunized and semi-immune groups have quite distinct profiles reflecting their protective immunity; antibodies from CPS immunized individuals react strongly against pre-erythrocytic while semi-immune individuals mainly react against erythrocytic antigens.
A randomized placebo-controlled trial of an omega-3 fatty acid and vitamins E+C in schizophrenia
Authors: Bentsen H , Osnes K , Refsum H , Solberg D K , Bøhmer T
Published: December 2013

Membrane lipid metabolism and redox regulation may be disturbed in schizophrenia. We examined the clinical effect of adding an omega-3 fatty acid and/or vitamins E+C to antipsychotics. It was hypothesized that lower baseline levels of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) would predict more benefit from the add-on treatment. The trial had a multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled 2 × 2 factorial design. Patients aged 18–39 years with schizophrenia or related psychoses were consecutively included at admission to psychiatric departments in Norway. They received active or placebo ethyl-eicosapentaenoate (EPA) 2 g day−1 and active or placebo vitamin E 364 mg day−1+vitamin C 1000 mg day−1 (vitamins) for 16 weeks. The main outcome measures were Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS) total and subscales scores, analyzed by linear mixed models. Ninety-nine patients were included. At baseline, erythrocyte PUFA were measured in 97 subjects. Given separately, EPA and vitamins increased drop-out rates, whereas when combined they did not differ from placebo. In low PUFA patients, EPA alone impaired the course of total PANSS (Cohen’s d=0.29; P=0.03) and psychotic symptoms (d=0.40; P=0.003), especially persecutory delusions (d=0.48; P=0.0004). Vitamins alone impaired the course of psychotic symptoms (d= 0.37; P=0.005), especially persecutory delusions (d=0.47; P=0.0005). Adding vitamins to EPA neutralized the detrimental effect on psychosis (interaction d=0.31; P=0.02). In high PUFA patients, there were no significant effects of trial drugs on PANSS scales. In conclusion, given separately during an acute episode, EPA and vitamins E+C induce psychotic symptoms in patients with low levels of PUFA. Combined, these agents seem safe.
Simple hollow fiber liquid membrane based pre-concentration of silver for atomic absorption spectrometry
Authors: López-López José Antonio , Jönsson Jan Ake , García-Vargas Manuel , Moreno Carlos
Published: December 2013

The presented hollow fiber supported liquid membrane improves and simplifies silver pre-concentration in natural water samples, allowing its determination at an ultra-trace level using standard instrumental techniques such as GFAAS.
Grape seed proanthocyanidin extract prevents DDP-induced testicular toxicity in rats
Authors: Zhao Yan-meng , Gao Li-ping , Zhang Hai-lian , Guo Jun-xia , Guo Pei-pei
Published: December 2013

Oxidative stress has been proven to be involved in cisplatin (DDP)-induced toxicity.
An advanced and novel one-pot synthetic method for diverse benzo[c]chromen-6-ones by transition-metal free mild base-promoted domino reactions of substituted 2-hydroxychalcones with β-ketoesters and its application to polysubstituted terphenyls
Authors: Poudel Tej Narayan , Lee Yong Rok
Published: December 2013

Novel one-pot syntheses of a variety of benzo[c]chromen-6-one derivatives were accomplished by Cs2CO3-promoted reactions of 2-hydroxychalcones.
Efficient charge separation and photooxidation on cobalt phosphate-loaded TiO2mesocrystal superstructures
Authors: Tachikawa Takashi , Zhang Peng , Bian Zhenfeng , Majima Tetsuro
Published: December 2013

Development of efficient photocatalysts based on semiconductor materials for organic synthesis, fuel generation, and environmental purification is a central theme in current research and various industries.
(Pro)renin receptor and V-ATPase: from Drosophila to humans
Authors: Rousselle Anthony , Sihn Gabin , Rotteveel Martijn , Bader Michael
Published: December 2013

A decade ago, the (P)RR [(pro)renin receptor] was discovered and depicted as a potential activator of the tissue renin–angiotensin system. For this reason, the role of the (P)RR in cardiovascular diseases and diabetes has been particularly studied. However, the discovery of embryonic lethality after (P)RR gene deletion in mouse and zebrafish paved the way for additional roles of (P)RR in cell homoeostasis. Indeed, the (P)RR has been shown to associate with vacuolar H+-ATPase, hence its other name ATP6ap2. Developmental studies in Xenopus and Drosophila have revealed an essential role of this association to promote the canonical and non-canonical Wnt signalling pathways, whereas studies with tissue-specific gene deletion have pointed out a role in autophagy. The present review aims to summarize recent findings on the cellular functions of (P)RR emerging from various mutated and transgenic animal models.
Laplace-Runge-Lenz vector for arbitrary spin
Authors: Nikitin A. G.
Published: December 2013

A countable set of superintegrable quantum mechanical systems is presented which admit the dynamical symmetry with respect to algebra so(4). This algebra is generated by the Laplace-Runge-Lenz vector generalized to the case of arbitrary spin. The presented systems describe neutral particles with non-trivial multipole momenta. Their spectra can be found algebraically like in the case of hydrogen atom. Solutions for the systems with spins 1/2 and 1 are presented explicitly, solutions for spin 3/2 can be expressed via solutions of an ordinary differential equation of first order. A more extended version of this paper including detailed calculations is published as an e-print arXiv:1308.4279.
The mechanism of particles transport induced by electrostatic perturbation in tokamak
Authors: Feng Zhichen , Qiu Zhiyong , Sheng Zhengmao
Published: December 2013

Particle transport in tokamak devices due to wave-particle resonance induced diffusion is studied. The diffusion coefficient is derived both analytically using quasilinear theory, and numerically using a test particle code, and the obtained diffusion coefficient agrees with each other in its validity regime. Dependence of the diffusion coefficient on turbulence intensity, turbulence radial mode structures, and particle energy is investigated. It is found that the diffusion coefficient is proportional to the turbulence intensity, and the diffusion is maximized for Et≃Ti, and krΔ0≃1. Here, Et is the test particle energy, Ti is the thermal ion temperature, Δ0 is the distance between neighboring mode rational surfaces, and 1/kr is the half width of the fine radial mode structure on each rational surface.