bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The evaluation of genetic parameters of the type of calving in the population of Holstein Friesian cows
Authors: Djedovic Radica , Bogdanovic Vladan , Trifunovic Gligorije , Beskorovajni Radmila , Stanojevic Dragan
Published: May 2013

Genetic parameters (heritability coefficients and genetic correlations) of
the type of calving, number of stillbirths and birth weight have been
evaluated in the population of Holstein Friesian cattle breed. Data sets have
been analysed by means of the Mixed Least Square Model (LSMLMW). Besides a
random effect of bull-sires, the model has also included the fixed effects of
farm, season, sex, the evaluation of viability of calves and types of birth.
Estimated heritability values and heritability errors for the type of calving
(TC), number of stillbirths (SB) and birth weight (BWT) were low: 0.190 ?
0.062; 0.018 ? 0.006 and 0.149 ? 0.051, respectively. Heritabilities of the
analysed traits were evaluated on the grounds of the calves` bull-sires
additive value (direct heritability). The values of the genetic correlation
coefficients between examined traits ranged from - 0.251 (correlation between
the type of calving and number of stillbirths) to 0.340 (correlation between
the number of stillbirths and birth weight).
Diversity of Fraxinus ornus from Serbia and Montenegro as revealed by RAPDs
Authors: Bojovic Srdjan , Heizmann Philippe , Drazic Dragana , Kovacevic Dragan , Marin Petar , Popovic Zorica , Matic Rada , Jurc Maja
Published: May 2013

PCR-RAPD markers revealed individual variation in F. ornus. A total of 122
fragments were amplified using 7 primers and of these 97 fragments were
polymorphic. The percentage of polymorphic loci was between 53.3% and 74.6%
with an average of 63.1%. The mean gene diversity for all populations was
0.30 and the mean Shannon?s index was 0.44. Of the total genetic variation
87% was intra-population whilst 13% was inter-population. The Mantel test
revealed significant correlation between genetic and geographical distance
matrice. Results herein represent the first use of molecular genetic (DNA)
markers to characterize genetic variation in F. ornus populations. The
partition of total genetic variance indicates a relatively restricted
population differentiation as expected in outcrossing species. Present and
future information on genetic structure and variability in F. ornus needs to
be incorporated into strategies for the preservation of genetic resources of
tree species.
Association of HLA -A, -B and -DRB1 alleles with hematological diseases in Vojvodina
Authors: Vojvodic Svetlana , Ademovic-Sazdanic Dusica , Busarcevic Ivan
Published: May 2013

Major histocompatibility complex (MHC) genes are involved in various
mechanisms of pathogenesis and immunoediting of hematological diseases. This
study aimed to investigate the association between HLA -A, -B and -DRB1
alleles with hematological diseases. In this study, we performed DNA-based
HLA typing by polymerase chain reaction analysis with sequence-specific
primers (PCR-SSP) to distinguish HLA-A, -B, and -DRB1 alleles. Eighty-two
patients with hematological diseases (29 with acute lymphoblastic leukemia
(ALL), 19 with acute nonlymphoblastic leukemia (ANLL), 5 with chronic
myelogenous leukemia (CML), 2 with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), 9 with
myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS), 9 with lymphomas (M.Hodgkin (HL) and
non-Hodgkin (NHL)), 7 with aplastic anemia (AA) and 2 with multiple myeloma
(MM)), were included in the study and compared with 111 healthy blood donors,
residents from Vojvodina, evaluating the strength of the observed
associations by measuring the aetiologic and preventive fractions. Among the
alleles significantly associated with hematological diseases, HLA-A*24 showed
an aetiologic fraction higher than those of HLA-A*26 and A*25 (RR=1.027,
EF=1.233, RR=1.047, EF=1.141 and RR=1.213, EF=0.910).Negative association
with significant preventive fraction was observed with HLA-B*18 and
HLA-DRB1*11 alleles, with RR=0.400, PF=0.179 and RR=0.587, PF=0.176. Our
results suggest that HLA-A*24, A*26 and A*25 as associated more frequently
than other specificities with a hypothetical disease predisposing genes, may
play a role in the pathogenesis of hematological diseases.
Phenotypic diversity of basic characteristics of genotypes from the Serbia onion collection
Authors: Gvozdanovic-Varga Jelica , Vasic Mirjana , Cervenski Janko , Petrovic Anamarija , Moravcevic Djordje
Published: May 2013

The onion is a widely distributed vegetable crop, which takes an important
place in the vegetable production in Serbia. The traditional planting method
is the one from sets. Old cultivars and populations and, in recent years,
foreign cultivars are grown. The large variety of genotypes, including both
domestic populations and cultivars, comprises the significant gene pool of
this region. The onion collection of the Institute of Field and Vegetable
Crops in Novi Sad is based on the populations and cultivars from the
territory of the former Yugoslavia. This paper reviews 30 onion genotypes on
the basic IPGRI descriptors (ANNEX I). Variability of the reviewed
characteristics was determined by PC analysis. High variability values have
been established for bulb skin color, bulb flesh color, bulb hearting and
bulb skin thickness. The genotypes varied in bulb skin color as well as in
bulb flesh color from white to dark violet. These two characteristics had the
largest impact on clustering, with a single genotype being heterogeneous
exactly for these two characteristics.
Determination of ETR1 genotypes in promising apple selections developed at Fruit Research Institute - Cacak
Authors: Maric Sladjana , Lukic Milan
Published: May 2013

Ethylene, as the simplest signaling molecule with hormone-like function,
regulates a broad spectrum of different processes in plants, including
ripening. It is perceived by a receptor family divided into two subfamilies
(I and II). In apple, ETR1 gene encodes one of ethylene receptors ? ETR1
receptor which is a member of subfamily I. ETR1 genotypes were determined for
six promising apple selections bred at Fruit Research Institute in Cacak
[J/54/53/59 (?Cox's Orange Pippin? O.P.), J/1/7, J/1/20, J/2/14 and J/60/7/63
(?Granny Smith? ? ?Golden Delicious?), and J/2/50 (?Idared? O.P.)] and four
commercially important parental cultivars (?Cox's Orange Pippin?, ?Golden
Delicious?, ?Granny Smith? and ?Idared?). Polymorphism of ETR1 gene was
detected by restriction analysis of PCR amplified product with two
restriction enzymes (RsaI and AluI). Three alleles (a, b and c) and four
allelic constitutions of ETR1 gene (aa, ac, b,a/c and c,a/c) were detected.
This study has confirmed that ETR1 gene is inherited in Mendelian fashion and
showed that polymorphism of ETR1 gene can aid cultivar and selection
genotyping. Based on allelic constitution of genes involved in ethylene
biosynthesis and perception, and on the major biological and agronomic
traits, J/54/53/59 has been singled out as elite apple selection.
Identification of intron 1 and intron 22 inversions of factor VIII gene in Serbian patients with hemophilia A
Authors: Ilic Nina , Krstic Aleksandra , Kuzmanovic Milos , Micic Dragan , Konstantinidis Nada , Guc-Scekic Marija
Published: May 2013

Hemophilia A (HA) is a common X-linked recessive bleeding disease caused by
mutations of FVIII gene. Inversion of intron 1 (inv1) and intron 22 (inv22)
are recurrent mutations in severe HA, causing 50% of cases. Inv1 has been
reported to occur in 2-5% and inv 22 in 45% of severe HA patients. Our
objective was to determine, for the first time in Serbia, the frequency of
inv1 and inv22 in a group of severe HA patients and to compare these data
with those from other countries. Study subjects were 50 HA patients,
diagnosed and treated from April 2009 to June 2012 at Mother and Child Health
Care Institute of Serbia ?Dr Vukan Cupic? (IHS) and Institute for Child and
Youth Health Care of Vojvodina (IHV).The presence of inv1 and inv22 was
analyzed using Inverse shifting PCR (IS-PCR). Our results revealed that the
frequencies of inv1 and inv22 in the cohort of Serbian patients were 6 % and
42% (34% of inv22 type I and 8% of inv22 type II) respectively . These
frequencies were in line with those found in other populations. Carrier
status analyses of 65 family members (mothers and sisters) showed the de novo
inversion of intron 22 in one patient. Genetic Counseling Units of IHS and
IHV provide the adequate genetic advice to all HA affected patients and their
family members.
Effect of ecological conditions on expression of biopomological characteristics of chestnut (Castanea sativa Mill.) in natural populations of Montenegro
Authors: Odalovic Aleksandar , Prenkic Ranko , Dubak Darko , Jovancevic Miodrag , Cizmovic Miroslav , Radunovic Marija
Published: May 2013

This paper presents the five-year long research results (2007-2011) of
phenological observations (beginning, full flowering and the end of
flowering), morphometric analysis (fruit weight, length, width and thickness
of fruit, as well as length and width of the hilum), the ripening time and
the average yield of selected genotypes of sweet chestnut (Castanea sativa
Mill.). The results show that in terms of time of flowering chestnut trees
examined in the group are very early flowering. The ripening of studied
chestnut trees shows that the earliest harvest tree was Ostros II, VII and
Kostajnica V (09.11.), and Kostajnica III (14.11.) were the latest. The
average fruit weight of the selected sweet chestnut trees was (6.9 g). The
highest average fruit weight (10.6 g), had the examined Ostros I tree, and
the lowest (4.8 g), Kostajnica VI. The yield of the tested chestnut trees was
on average (76.3 kg / tree). The selected trees Kostajnica II (66.0 kg /
tree), Kostajnica I (69.0 kg / tree) had the smallest yield and Ostros VI
(94.0 kg / tree) and Ostros V (87.0 kg / tree) had the highest. Obviously it
can be concluded that population genetic variability is very high and gene
expression is highly affected in tested samples on both locations. For
further research it should be given attention to investigate genotypes in
controlled conditions, the best in vitro in tissue culture.
The Drosophila ananassae species complex: Evolutionary relationships among different members
Authors: Singh B.N. , Sisodia Seema
Published: May 2013

Information about genetic structure and historical demography of natural
populations is central to understanding how natural selection changes
genomes. Drosophila ananassae is a widespread species occurring in
geographically isolated or partially isolated populations and provides a
unique opportunity to investigate population structure and molecular
variation. D. ananassae and its closely related species serve as a widely
used model in population and evolutionary genetics. The ananassae subgroup
belongs to the melanogaster species group. This subgroup contains 22
described species distributed mainly throughout Southeast Asia, with some
species expanding into northeastern Australia, South Pacific and Indian
subcontinent and Africa. Within the ananassae subgroup, three species
complexes-ananassae, bipectinata and ercepeae have been recognized based on
male genital morphology. D. ananassae and its relatives have many advantages
as a model of genetic differentiation and speciation. In this review,
distribution, phylogenies, hybridization, sexual isolation among D. ananassae
complex have been discussed. The complex of several cryptic island species
provides a useful model for evolutionary studies dealing with the mechanisms
of speciation.
World politics, globalization and the crisis
Authors: Simic Predrag
Published: May 2013

In the early 21st century, globalization and the world economic crisis
changed the balance of powers between the old (declining) and new (emerging)
industrial states replacing the unilateral with a multilateral system of
international relations and changing the way in which world politics was
functioning. Globalization has increased the number of transnational problems
(protection of human environment, international traffic and communications,
flows of capital, energy, migrations, etc.) that require global governance.
However, these trends also indicate that in the 21st century, international
relations and world politics will function in a significantly different
manner than they did within the bipolar and unipolar order, which
characterized the second half of the 20th century.
Maintenance and achievement of national interests and security policy of the European Union
Authors: Andonov Oliver
Published: May 2013

The objective of the research of connection between national interests and
the security policy of the European Union is to perceive the possibilities of
the Balkan states to preserve their identity and achieve their vital and
permanent national interests by their membership in the European Union.
According to the author, the implementation of the security policy of
European Union is often opposite to one?s own national interests. However, a
pragmatic question for political leaders is how to resolve the following
dilemma: ?is the created european security identity more important at the
moment than the preservation of immediate or some permanent national
interests?? The author points to the fact that the notion of national
interests is a variable both historically and theoretically. Political,
economic, security and other objectives determine vital national interests in
some historical periods. At the same time, not rarely, some states alter
their strategies and objectives for their own interests assessing whether the
conditions prevailing in the internal and external surroundings have changed.
The author devotes special attention to a comparative analysis of defining,
determining and conceptual determination of national interests from the
aspect of national security policies of some important states and the
European Union. The second part of the article contains an analysis of the
response of a group of Macedonian experts to the questions pertaining to the
possibility of preserving and achieving of national interests of the Republic
of Macedonia through its membership in the European Union.
Disseminated Nontuberculous Mycobacterial Infection in Two Children with Different Immune Responses
Authors: Montague Naomi S. , Garola Robert E. , González Iván , Bastos Maria D. , Rodriguez Maria M.
Published: May 2013

A diffuse, infiltrating abdominal mass accompanied with fever and anemia in a child raises the possibility of a benign or malignant tumor, pseudotumor, or infection. Herein, we describe a 9-year-old girl and a 14-year-old boy with multiple large abdominal masses, fever, weight loss, and anemia. During the evaluation of the children, the girl was found to be immunocompetent, while the boy was found to be immunocompromised. Computerized tomography of the abdomen in both cases demonstrated multiple large intra-abdominal masses. Tumors in the girl were composed of wide-spread necrotizing granulomas and necrosis with dystrophic calcifications. In the boy, non-necrotic, homogenous histiocytic infiltrates with rare multinucleated giant cells and lymphocytes were observed histologically. Review of histologic sections identified gram-positive, nonbranching acid-fast bacillary organisms in both cases. Diagnoses of Mycobacterium fortuitum (MF) and Mycobacterium avium-intracellulare complex (MAC) were confirmed by tissue microbiologic cultures in the girl and boy, respectively. The girl with MF infection was appropriately treated and is currently doing well. The boy with MAC was found to have human immunodeficiency virus infection/acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) and is currently undergoing AIDS treatment. These cases highlight the striking contrast between responses to nontuberculous mycobacteria infection based on immune status.
Brown-Vialetto-Van Laere Syndrome: Clinical and Neuropathologic Findings with Immunohistochemistry for C20orf54 in Three Affected Patients
Authors: Malafronte Patrick , Clark H. Brent , Castaneda-Sanchez Irene , Raisanen Jack , Hatanpaa Kimmo J.
Published: May 2013

Brown-Vialetto-Van Laere syndrome (BVVLS) is a rare degenerative neurological disorder characterized by pontobulbar palsy and sensorineural deafness. Since its initial description in 1894, fewer than 100 cases have been reported, and published neuropathological analyses of these cases are extremely rare. Recently, individuals with BVVLS have been found to carry mutations in the C20orf54 gene, which encodes the human homolog for a rat riboflavin transporter. We present the case of a male who presented at the age of 5 years with sensorineural deafness, as well as those of 2 infant sisters who presented at 11 and 13 months of age with weakness and ataxia, respectively. All cases were genetically confirmed. We include the 1st immunohistochemical characterization of C20orf54 expression in BVVLS and controls. Results showed punctate axonal staining in the control cases that was dramatically reduced in the 3 BVVLS cases compared to the 5 controls. This decreased staining was seen even in the neocortex, which was unaffected in the BVVLS cases by routine histology. While the implications of these results are far from definitive, and although the evaluation of more cases is needed, immunohistochemistry for the C20orf54 protein may eventually be useful, in the right clinical scenario, as a screening test when selecting cases for sequencing of the C20orf54 gene to diagnose BVVLS at autopsy.
Effect of Word-List Consistency on the Correlation between Group Memory and Group Polarization
Authors: Arima Yoshiko
Published: May 2013

Two studies investigated the effect of shared knowledge, manipulated using associated or randomly ordered word lists, on the correlation between group remembering and group polarization. Group polarization due to accumulation of information was expected only if it was consistent with shared knowledge among group members (the knowledge shared among group members before discussion). Consistency of information with shared knowledge was manipulated by lists of words that were ordered either randomly or in a manner consistent along with four stereotype categories. In Experiment 1, 159 college students answered a questionnaire about the common stereotype that blood type determines personality; half were given lists of words that were consistent with the stereotype (consistent condition) and the other half, randomly ordered word lists (inconsistent condition). After completion of the questionnaire, they were given, a surprise free-recall test including words from the lists that had appeared in the questionnaire; the test was administered in a group (group condition) or individual (individual condition) setting. The results indicated that stereotype-consistency of the word list reduced the groups' ability to detect incorrect answers compared with the individual condition. In Experiment 2 ( N = 132), the divergence of memory among group members was manipulated by altering the constitution of each group with regard to members' blood type. The results showed that the shift in the score representing belief in the blood-type stereotype correlated with the number of words recalled in the stereotype-consistent word-list condition.
The Influence of Presentation Format on the “Bigger is Better” (BIB) Effect
Authors: Bromgard Gregg D. , Trafimow David , Silvera David H.
Published: May 2013

Two experiments tested the “bigger is better” (BIB) effect, whereby bigger objects are perceived more favorably than smaller ones. In Experiment 1, participants directly compared pairs of objects and a strong BIB effect was obtained for both positively and negatively valenced stimuli. In Experiment 2, comparative and absolute evaluations were combined in a single experiment and the BIB effect was mediated for positively and negatively valenced stimuli. Taken in combination, the data support a complex hypothesis that pair-wise presentations induce a comparative process that causes a BIB effect. But when objects are evaluated separately, size and valence interact such that increased size evokes more positive ratings of positive objects and more negative ratings for negative objects.
Response to Engeser (2012): On the Nature of Flow Experience
Authors: Schiefele Ulrich
Published: May 2013

Engeser (2012) argued that the experience of flow is multifaceted and can only be measured validly by taking into account all relevant components. Although the possibility that flow includes several components cannot be excluded, there is weak evidence for Engeser's proposition. In support of a unidimensional interpretation of flow, theoretical, methodological, and empirical arguments are presented.
Need for Humor Scale: Validation with French Children
Authors: Picard Delphine , Blanc Nathalie
Published: May 2013

The Need for Humor (NFH) Scale measures the tendency to produce and seek out humor. This personality trait affects the processing and recall of humorous material. This study is a transcultural adaptation and validation of the NFH Scale with French participants, including 100 university students (Study 1a) and 160 school-aged children (Study 1b). Results from iterative exploratory analyses and confirmatory analyses revealed a bi-dimensional structure with satisfactory factor loadings. Internal consistency and test-retest reliability were also found to be adequate (Cronbach's alphas = .79 and .68; test-retest rs = .87 and .82). Children were tested on a preference task for humorous vs non-humorous print advertisements; children with high NFH scores responded more positively to humorous advertisements (Study 2). The French NFH Scale can be used as a valid and reliable tool for assessing need for humor in children and its effects on responses to print advertisements.
Narcissism and Boredom Revisited: An Exploration of Correlates of Overt and Covert Narcissism among Dutch University Students
Authors: Zondag Hessel J.
Published: May 2013

This article presents a study of the relationship between narcissism, overt and covert, and seven aspects of boredom, defined as listlessness, drawn out experience of time, depletion, lack of concentration, restlessness, experience seeking, and lack of interest. The survey was conducted using questionnaires administered to 32 men and 177 women. The mean age of male respondents was 30.9 yr. ( SD = 11.9), that of female respondents 30.2 yr. ( SD = 12.2). In general terms, covert narcissism was found to be positively, and overt narcissism negatively, associated with boredom. The results showed a more complex pattern than was found in previous research into the relationship between narcissism and boredom and suggest that overt and covert narcissism are at opposite ends of the adjustment continuum.
Testing the Grandchildren's Received Affection Scale Using Affection Exchange Theory
Authors: Mansson Daniel H.
Published: May 2013

The purpose of this study was to test the Grandchildren's Received Affection Scale (GRAS) using Affection Exchange Theory (Floyd, 2006). In accordance with Affection Exchange Theory, it was hypothesized that grandchildren's scores on the Trait Affection Received Scale (i.e., the extent to which individuals by nature receive affection) would be related significantly and positively to their reports of received affection from their grandparents (i.e., their scores on the GRAS). Additionally, a research question was asked to explore if grandchildren's received affection from their grandparents is dependent on their grandparent's biological sex or lineage (i.e., maternal vs paternal). Thus, young adult grandchildren ( N = 422) completed the GRAS and the Trait Affection Received Scale. The results of zero-order Pearson correlational analyses provided support for the hypothesis, whereas the results of MANOVAs tests only partially support extant grandparent-grandchild theory and research. These findings broaden the scope of Affection Exchange Theory and also bolster the GRAS's utility in future grandparent-grandchild affectionate communication research.
Big Five Personality Scores and Rates of Suicidality in the United States
Authors: Lester David , Voracek Martin
Published: May 2013

Voracek (2009) reported that suicide rates in the American states were negatively associated with the mean neuroticism scores of residents in those states. In the present study, state rates of suicidal ideation and attempted suicide were not found to be associated with any state scores for the Big Five personality traits, suggesting that lethal and non-lethal suicidal behavior may have different ecological correlates.
Occupational Gender Stereotypes: Is the Ratio of Women to Men a Powerful Determinant?
Authors: Adachi Tomoko
Published: May 2013

Gendered division of occupational choices still exists in contemporary Japanese society. Women are underrepresented in traditionally male-dominated fields, while few men occupy positions in traditionally female-dominated areas. The purpose of the present study was to examine occupational gender stereotypes and its relation to the female-to-male ratio of jobholders. Participants were 540 Japanese (262 women, 278 men) who participated in an Internet survey. The results showed that the female-to-male ratio of jobholders was a strong predictor of gender stereotyping. That is to say, contemporary Japanese recognized male-dominated occupations as typically masculine and female-dominated ones as typically feminine. Gender comparisons revealed that men rated female-dominated occupations as more feminine in nature than did women, while women rated male-dominated occupations as more masculine than did men. Future implications for career interventions focusing on occupational gender stereotypes were also discussed.
Exploration of Charity toward Busking (Street Performance) as a Function of Religion
Authors: Lemay John O. , Bates Larry W.
Published: May 2013

To examine conceptions of religion and charity in a new venue—busking (street performance)—103 undergraduate students at a regional universityin the southeastern U.S. completed a battery of surveys regarding religion, and attitudes and behaviors toward busking. For those 85 participants who had previously encountered a busker, stepwise regression was used to predict increased frequency of giving to buskers. The best predictive model of giving to buskers consisted of three variables including less experienced irritation toward buskers, prior experience with giving to the homeless, and lower religious fundamentalism.
Harmonic averages, exact difference schemes and local Green’s functions in variable coefficient PDE problems
Authors: Axelsson Owe , Karátson János
Published: May 2013

A brief survey is given to show that harmonic averages enter in a natural way in the numerical solution of various variable coefficient problems, such as in elliptic and transport equations, also of singular perturbation types. Local Green’s functions used as test functions in the Petrov-Galerkin finite element method combined with harmonic averages can be very efficient and are related to exact difference schemes.
Li+ effect on the cell wall of the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae as probed by FT-IR spectroscopy
Authors: Zimkus Aurelijus , Misiūnas Audrius , Chaustova Larisa
Published: May 2013

The effect of Li+ ions as a transformation inducing agent on the yeast cell wall has been studied. Two Saccharomyces cerevisiae strains, p63-DC5 with a native cell wall, and strain XCY42-30D(mnn1) which contains structural changes in the mannan-protein complex, were used. Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy has been used for the characterization of the yeast strains and for determination of the effect of lithium cations on the cell wall. A comparison of the carbohydrate absorption band positions in the 970–1185 cm−1 range, of Na+ and Li+ treated yeast cells has been estimated. Absorption band positions of the cell wall carbohydrates of p63-DC5 were not influenced by the studied ions. On the contrary, the treatment of XCY42-30D(mnn1) cells with Li+ ions shifted glucan band positions, implying that the cell wall structure of strain XCY42-30D(mnn1) is more sensitive to Li+ ion treatment.
Effect of APOE polymorphism on obesity and lipid profile in women of differing reproductive status
Authors: Luptákova Lenka , Siváková Daniela , Cvíčelová Marta
Published: May 2013

The aim of this study was to investigate whether the effect of apolipoprotein E polymorphism (APOE) on somatic and lipid risk parameters varies in women of differing reproductive status. We analyzed 447 Slovak women aged between 39 and 90 years. APOE genotypes were determined by PCR-RFLP. Regression analysis confirmed the effect of the APOE genotype on the levels of LDL-cholesterol, apolipoprotein B (apoB), nonHDL-cholesterol and on the three atherogenic indices: apoB-to-apoA1, TC-to-HDLcholesterol, LDL-C-to-HDL-cholesterol. Here, lower mean levels were registered in the E2 carriers than in the E3 and E4 subgroups. However, the impact of menopausal status on lipid parameters was not confirmed. Bonferroni correction showed that systolic blood pressure was significantly lower in the E4 carriers compared to the E3 group (P=0.017). Univariate analysis of covariance revealed a significant interaction between the menopausal group and the APOE group, and their common effect on waist-to-hipratio (WHR). Bonferroni correction in early postmenopausal women showed that the mean WHR values were significantly different between E2 and E4 groups (P=0.008). This study demonstrates that the E*2 allele has a protective effect against higher blood lipid levels. Moreover, the results suggest that E*2 could have a partial negative effect on WHR in early postmenopausal Slovak women.
Alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) clones tolerant to salt stress: in vitro selection
Authors: Campanelli Angela , Ruta Claudia , Morone-Fortunato Irene , Mastro Giuseppe
Published: May 2013

In order to quickly and efficiently evaluate the salt tolerance of alfalfa, salinity tests were conducted on Medicago sativa L. var. australis, var. icon, var. loi, and var. gea, under in vitro conditions. Pregerminated seeds of four varieties were subjected to five different NaCl concentrations (0, 50, 100, 150, 200 mM). The influence of saline stress was estimated on the basis of survival percentage, growth parameters, and electrolyte leakage. The seedlings surviving on the medium enriched with salt at the highest concentration were presumed to be tolerant and represented the mother plants for the production of in vitro clones. In the following step, the clones were evaluated in vitro to confirm the salt tolerance. The influence of mild salt stress (75 mM NaCl) on the growth parameters of selected clones was examined. At the end of this trial, the proline accumulation and sodium content in alfalfa shoots were also quantified. The results suggest an increased level of proline promotes salt tolerance. Medicago sativa L. var. icon is highly tolerant in comparison with the other varieties tested. In vitro selection of M. sativa L. varieties on salt-containing media allowed us to obtain clones with increased salinity tolerance.
Temperature-dependent volumetric and viscometric properties of amino acids in aqueous solutions of an antibiotic drug
Authors: Chauhan Suvarcha , Chaudhary Poonam , Sharma Kundan , Kumar Kuldeep , Kiran
Published: May 2013

Volumetric and viscometric properties of glycine and methionine (amino acids) in a 0.2 vol. % amikacin sulphate (antibiotic drug) aqueous solution with the molality range of 0.025 mol kg−1–0.25 mol kg−1 were measured over the temperature range of 20°C–40°C at the interval of 5°C. Different parameters like apparent molar volume (ϕ V), apparent molar adiabatic compression (ϕ κ), isentropic compression (κ S) along with other acoustical parameters were calculated. Parameters like viscous relaxation time (τ), free volume (V F), internal pressure (Π I), and molar cohesive energy (MCE) were calculated from dynamic viscosity measurements. The ϕ V values are positive in both cases, but with higher magnitude observed in methionine. These positive values of ϕ V are indicative of strong solute-solvent interactions at all temperatures. In case of methionine there is a sharp initial increase in the ϕ V values which become almost constant with further additions of the amino acid. Structural differences in the two amino acids studied are clearly reflected in the different nature of the plots of different parameters. In case of an amino acid-drug system, dynamic viscosity increase has been attributed to the increase in the hydrophilic-ionic and hydrophilic-hydrophilic interactions with the increase in the amino acid concentration which in turn may cause more frictional resistance to the flow of the solution. All other parameters are discussed in terms of solute-solvent and solvent-solvent interactions.
Synthesis of cinnamic acid-derived 4,5-dihydrooxazoles
Authors: Kronek Juraj , Nedelčev Tomáš , Mikulec Marcel , Kleinová Angela , Lustoň Jozef
Published: May 2013

A range of cinnamic units containing 4,5-dihydrooxazoles was prepared using two different synthetic routes. The first method was based on the transformation of substituted cinnamic or benzoic acids to 2-styryl-4,5-dihydrooxazoles. Several derivatives containing phenolic groups were prepared in this manner. The second approach consisted of a reaction between the 4,5-dihydrooxazole moiety and double bond-containing compounds. These compounds contain two or more reactive centres capable of providing polymerisations and also organic reactions.
Alternative two-step route to khellactone analogues using silica tungstic acid and sodium hydrogen phosphate
Authors: Karami Bahador , Khodabakhshi Saeed , Eskandari Khalil
Published: May 2013

A series of coumarins was synthesised via the silica tungstic acid-catalysed Pechmann reaction; some of these were employed for known three-component reactions with aromatic aldehydes and malononitrile in the presence of sodium hydrogen phosphate (Na2HPO4) as a basic catalyst, affording a variety of potentially anti-HIV active khellactone analogues.
The effect of nanoparticle size on thermal diffusivity of gold nano-fluid measured using thermal lens technique
Authors: Shahriari E. , Mat Yunus W. M. , Zamiri R.
Published: May 2013

A dual beam mode-mismatched thermal lens method has been employed to investigate the dependence of thermal diffusivity of gold nanofluid on nanoparticles sizes. The samples were prepared at various sizes by utilizing the gamma radiation method. In the dual beam mode-mismatched thermal lens a diode laser (532 nm) was used as an excitation beam and a He-Ne laser with the beam output at 632.8 nm was used as a probe beam. Thermal diffusivity of gold nano-fluid increased with the increasing particle sizes ranging from 10.4 to 29.6 nm.
Comparison of closed loop and sensorless adaptive optics in widefield optical microscopy
Authors: Bourgenot C. , Saunter C. D. , Love G. D. , Girkin J. M.
Published: May 2013

We report on a closed loop widefield adaptive optics, optical microscopy system in which the feedback signal is provided by backscattered light from the sample acting as a guide star. The improvement in imaging performance is compared to an adaptive optics system controlled via an image optimisation routine commonly described as sensorless adaptive optics. The samples viewed were imaged without fluorescence to ensure that photobleaching and other potential variations did not affect the comparisons in system performance though the method is equally applicable for fluorescence microscopy. The closed loop system is self-optimising for different areas of the sample, using a common reference wavefront, with the accuracy of the loop being limited by variation across the sub-aperture images induced by guide star elongation. Optimisation using an image sharpness metric gives slightly sharper images but takes significantly longer. We thus believe that both wavefront sensor based closed loop AO and metric based optimisation have a role to play in AO for microscopy and that the method of backscattered light as a guide star has a great potential in the application of AO, particularly to optical coherence tomography.
Thickness conditions for characterizing the periodic nanostructures with the retrieved electromagnetic parameters
Authors: Song D. , Tang Z. , Zhao L. , Sui Z. , Wen S. , Fan D.
Published: May 2013

By analyzing the convergence of the retrieved effective electromagnetic parameters, we presented that one wavelength of the propagating wave in the nanostructure is the minimum thickness requirement for effectively characterizing a finite thickness nanostructure. This thickness condition has been separately validated in a photonic crystal with negative refraction and in a typical fishnet metamaterial which has been investigated theoretically and experimentally before.
Measurement of the optical transfer function using a white-dot pattern presented on a liquid-crystal display
Authors: Navas-Moya F. A. , Nieves J. L. , Valero E. M. , Garrote E.
Published: May 2013

The optical transfer function (OTF) and its modulus, the modulation transfer function (MTF), are widely accepted measurements of the quality of optical systems. There are different ways of estimating both OTF and MTF. Random-dot-pattern methods have some advantages when computing MTFs, especially those which present the pattern on a liquid crystal-display (LCD) screen because no additional light source is needed. Nevertheless spatial information is not usually available in the image plane because MTFs are computed for the whole image in a finite number of directions only. We propose a way of providing spatial information by measuring a number of point-spread functions (PSFs). Created by a white-dot pattern on a LCD screen, white pixels operate as point sources and PSFs are calculated to eventually result in the OTF of the system. MTFs in the main directions are computed to compare with reference values obtained by the random-dot method. Sensor and LCD resolutions define the achievable MTF range. Our proposed method is used to characterize a liquid-crystal tunable filter (LCTF) attached to a monochrome camera at different wavelengths. This method, which is both easy to install and to use, achieves results with errors of less than 3%, and has advantages over classical OTF estimation methods: spatial information provided in the image plane, all frequencies and directions covered in a single capture, no additional light source needed and derivative-dependent noise avoided.
Design of nanofibres for efficient stimulated Raman scattering in the evanescent field
Authors: Shan L. , Pauliat G. , Vienne G. , Tong L. , Lebrun S.
Published: May 2013

Nanofibres can be produced with diameters smaller than the wavelength of the light they guide. In this regime, the guided mode presents a strong evanescent field well adapted to the excitation of “evanescent nonlinearities”. We theoretically investigate such an evanescent nonlinearity: the Raman interaction between the evanescent field and a liquid surrounding the nanofibre. Our calculations demonstrate that the Raman conversion is obtained with nanofibre lengths an order of magnitude lower than those required for liquid core photonic crystal fibres.
Mid-Spatial Frequency Error (PSD-2) of optics induced during CCOS and full-aperture polishing
Authors: Liao D. , Yuan Z. , Tang C. , Xie R. , Chen X.
Published: May 2013

Mid-Spatial Frequency (MSF) Wavefront Error of optics divided into the PSD-1 and PSD-2 ranges plays an important role in the performance of high power laser systems. The present work focuses on the PSD-2 range in terms of short ripples which haven’t been well studied in the literature. Characteristics and origins of these short ripples were detailed, whereafter small tool computer controlled polishing (CCP) and conventional full aperture polishing experiments were conducted on fused silica. It is revealed that PSD2 error is independent of the main process parameters including lap rotating rate and polishing pressure in continuous polishing and tool path pitch and crossfeed velocity in small tool CCP processes. Whereas the type of polishing lap has a decisive effect on PSD2 error of the optics. The pitch lap shows superiority in restraint of short ripples over polyurethane pad. By introducing diamond conditioner for dressing polyurethane pad, the PSD2 error has been greatly decreased.
The photonic wheel - demonstration of a state of light with purely transverse angular momentum
Authors: Banzer P. , Neugebauer M. , Aiello A. , Marquardt C. , Lindlein N. , Bauer T. , Leuchs G.
Published: May 2013

In classical mechanics, a system may possess angular momentum which can be either transverse (e.g. in a spinning wheel) or longitudinal (e.g. for a spiraling seed falling from a tree) with respect to the direction of motion. However, for light, a typical massless wave system, the situation is less versatile. Photons are well-known to exhibit intrinsic angular momentum which is longitudinal only: the spin angular momentum defining the polarization and the orbital angular momentum associated with a spiraling phase front. Here we show that it is possible to generate a novel state of the light field that contains purely transverse angular momentum, the analogue of a spinning mechanical wheel. We realize this state by tight focusing of a polarization tailored light beam and measure it using an optical nano-probing technique. Such a novel state of the light field can find applications in optical tweezers and spanners where it allows for additional rotational degree of freedom not achievable in single-beam configurations so far.
Passive high ratio sunlight concentration configurations
Authors: Rudnitsky A. , Zaban A. , Zalevsky Z.
Published: May 2013

During the day the sun is moving along curved 1-D trajectory across the sky. This is essential a priori information that can be used in order to design passive optics to perform efficient collection of sunlight without tracking after sun’s location in the sky. Despite the movement of the sun along its trajectory the optics will collect the energy to the same spatial location where the photo-voltaic cell is positioned. Two novel designs are proposed while the first one is based on waveguides and the second on prisms with high concentration ratio of above 10X. The proposed configurations are validated numerically and experimentally.
Challenges in the surgical management of spine trauma in the morbidly obese patient: a case series
Authors: Rosenfeld Hannah E. , Limb Rebecca , Chan Patrick , Fitzgerald Mark , Bradley William Pierre Litherland , Rosenfeld Jeffrey V.
Published: May 2013

Object

The treatment of morbidly obese individuals with spine trauma presents unique challenges to spine surgeons and trauma staff. This study aims to increase awareness of current limitations in the surgical management of spine trauma in morbidly obese individuals, and to illustrate practical solutions.

Methods

Six morbidly obese patients were treated surgically for spine trauma over a 2-year period at a single trauma center in Australia. All patients were involved in high-speed motor vehicle accidents and had multisystem injuries. All weighed in excess of 265 pounds (120 kg) with a body mass index ≥ 40 (range 47.8–67.1). Cases were selected according to the considerable challenges they presented in all aspects of their management.

Results

Best medical and surgical care may be compromised and outcome adversely affected in morbidly obese patients with spine trauma. The time taken to perform all aspects of care is usually extended, often by many hours. Customized orthotics may be required. Imaging quality is often compromised and patients may not fit into scanners. Surgical challenges include patient positioning, surgical access, confirmation of the anatomical level, and obtaining adequate instrument length. Postoperative nursing care, wound healing, and venous thromboembolism prophylaxis are also significant issues.

Conclusions

Management pathways and hospital guidelines should be developed to optimize the treatment of morbidly obese patients, but innovative solutions may be required for individual cases.
Multi-Sided Compression Performance Assessment of ABI SOLiD WES Data
Authors: Mazza Tommaso , Castellana Stefano
Published: May 2013

Data storage is a major and growing part of IT budgets for research since manyyears. Especially in biology, the amount of raw data products is growing continuously,and the advent of the so-called "next-generation" sequencers has made things worse.Affordable prices have pushed scientists to massively sequence whole genomes and to screenlarge cohort of patients, thereby producing tons of data as a side effect. The need formaximally fitting data into the available storage volumes has encouraged and welcomednew compression algorithms and tools. We focus here on state-of-the-art compression toolsand measure their compression performance on ABI SOLiD data.
Practical Compressed Suffix Trees
Authors: Abeliuk Andrés , Cánovas Rodrigo , Navarro Gonzalo
Published: May 2013

The suffix tree is an extremely important data structure in bioinformatics. Classical implementations require much space, which renders them useless to handle large sequence collections. Recent research has obtained various compressed representations for suffix trees, with widely different space-time tradeoffs. In this paper we show how the use of range min-max trees yields novel representations achieving practical space/time tradeoffs. In addition, we show how those trees can be modified to index highly repetitive collections, obtaining the first compressed suffix tree representation that effectively adapts to that scenario.
The Effects of Two Novel Copper-Based Formulations on Helicobacter pylori
Authors: Saracino Ilaria , Zaccaro Cristina , Re Giovanna , Vaira Dino , Holton John
Published: May 2013

We investigated the effects of two novel copper-based inorganic formulations for their activity against 60 isolates of Helicobacter pylori (Hp). The two copper-based formulations were tested against three NCTC Helicobacter pylori isolates and 57 clinical strains isolated from the UK and Italy in time-kill assays. Both copper-based formulations were bio-cidal against all Helicobacter pylori strains tested reducing the viable count by 4–5 log within 2 h. These two copper-based anti-microbial agents deserve further study in relation to the treatment of H. pylori-related gastric disease.