bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Determination of partition coefficient and analysis of nitrophenols by three‐phase liquid‐phase microextraction coupled with capillary electrophoresis
Authors: Sanagi Mohd Marsin , Miskam Mazidatulakmam , Wan Ibrahim Wan Aini , Hermawan Dadan , Aboul‐Enein Hassan Y.
Published: June 2010

A three‐phase hollow fiber liquid‐phase microextraction method coupled with CE was developed and used for the determination of partition coefficients and analysis of selected nitrophenols in water samples. The selected nitrophenols were extracted from 14 mL of aqueous solution (donor solution) with the pH adjusted to pH 3 into an organic phase (1‐octanol) immobilized in the pores of the hollow fiber and finally backextracted into 40.0 μL of the acceptor phase (NaOH) at pH 12.0 located inside the lumen of the hollow fiber. The extractions were carried out under the following optimum conditions: donor solution, 0.05 M H3PO4, pH 3.0; organic solvent, 1‐octanol; acceptor solution, 40 μL of 0.1 M NaOH, pH 12.0; agitation rate, 1050 rpm; extraction time, 15 min. Under optimized conditions, the calibration curves for the analytes were linear in the range of 0.05–0.30 mg/L with r2>0.9900 and LODs were in the range of 0.01–0.04 mg/L with RSDs of 1.25–2.32%. Excellent enrichment factors of up to 398‐folds were obtained. It was found that the partition coefficient (Ka/d) values were high for 2‐nitrophenol, 3‐nitrophenol, 4‐nitrophenol, 2,4‐dinitrophenol and 2,6‐dinitrophenol and that the individual partition coefficients (Korg/d and Ka/org) promoted efficient simultaneous extraction from the donor through the organic phase and further into the acceptor phase. The developed method was successfully applied for the analysis of water samples.
Biosynthesis, synthesis, and biological activities of pyrrolobenzodiazepines
Authors: Gerratana Barbara
Published: June 2010

Pyrrolobenzodiazepines (PBDs) are sequence selective DNA alkylating agents with remarkable antineoplastic activity. They are either naturally produced by actinomycetes or synthetically produced. The remarkable broad spectrum of activities of the naturally produced PBDs encouraged the synthesis of several PBDs, including dimeric and hybrid PBDs yielding to an improvement in the DNA‐binding sequence specificity and in the potency of this class of compounds. However, limitation in the chemical synthesis prevented the testing of one of the most potent PBDs, sibiromycin, a naturally produced glycosylated PBDs. Only recently, the biosynthetic gene clusters for PBDs have been identified opening the doors to the production of glycosylated PBDs by mutasynthesis and biosynthetic engineering. This review describes the recent studies on the biosynthesis of naturally produced pyrrolobenzodiazepines. In addition, it provides an overview on the isolation and characterization of naturally produced PBDs, chemical synthesis of PBDs, mechanism of DNA alkylation, and DNA‐binding affinity and cytotoxic properties of both naturally produced and synthetic pyrrolobenzodiazepines. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Med Res Rev
Salvage of the skin envelope in complex incomplete avulsion injury of thumb with venous arterializaiton: A case report
Authors: Lin Yu‐Hsien , Jeng Chu‐Hsu , Hsieh Cheng‐Han , Lin Hwang‐Chi
Published: June 2010

Treatment of an avulsion or degloving injury of the hand is a difficult but not unusual operation for plastic reconstructive or hand surgeons. The avulsion may be salvaged by arteriovenous shunting technique. We present a patient with incomplete avulsion injury of the distal phalanx of thumb. Arteriovenous shunting was created and the wound reconstructed primarily under venous arterialization. The avulsed skin envelope was survived well and functional status was improved. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc. Microsurgery 30:469–471, 2010.
Beim Wechselwirken zuschauen
Authors: Derwahl Andreas , Neumayer Johanna
Published: June 2010

Das Oberflächenplasmonenresonanz‐Imaging ermittelt die Wechselwirkungen von Antikörpern oder anderen Biomolekülen und kann bei der Diagnose von Hepatitis C‐Infektionen helfen. Ein neues Hochdurchsatzsystem misst mehrere hundert molekulare Wechselwirkungen gleichzeitig.
Schadstofffreies Wasser fürs Labor
Authors: Riche Estelle , Tarun Maricar
Published: June 2010

Spuren von Perchloraten, Pestiziden, Arzneimittelrückständen und endokrin wirksamen Substanzen lassen sich im Leitungswasser nachweisen. Beeinflussen diese Chemikalien Laborexperimente?
197Au irradiation study of phase‐change memory cell with GeSbTe alloy
Authors: Wu Liangcai , Zhou Xilin , Song Zhitang , Lian Jie , Rao Feng , Liu Bo , Song Sannian , Liu Weili , Liu Xuyan , Feng Songlin
Published: June 2010

A 197Au ion source was used to irradiate a Ge2Sb2Te5‐alloy‐based phase‐change memory (PCM) cell to study the ion‐irradiation effect on the properties of the cell. The PCM devices with the tungsten (W) heating electrode of 260 nm diameter were fabricated by 0.18 µm complementary metal‐oxide‐semiconductor (CMOS) technology. Four different doses (1010, 1011, 1012, and 5 × 1012 ions/cm2, respectively) were applied to irradiate the PCM cell. The samples before and after irradiation were characterized by current–voltage and resistance measurements at room temperature. It is found that the cell properties (resistance value of the amorphous and crystalline states, threshold voltage, and current for phase transition, etc.) have hardly changed, even for the sample irradiated up to 1012 ions/cm2 dose, and the cell still has good set–reset operation ability (above 105 cycles). Furthermore, the resistance ratio remains at 1000 even after 105 cycles of the set–reset operation. The results show the PCM cell with Ge2Sb2Te5 alloy has a strong ion‐irradiation tolerance.
Apertureless SNOM study on gold nanoparticles: Experiments and simulations
Authors: Chen Weizhe , Kimel Alexey , Kirilyuk Andrei , Rasing Theo
Published: June 2010

Gold nanoparticles (about 10 nm in diameter) are investigated by an apertureless (or scattering‐type) scanning near‐field optical microscope (aSNOM) at 633 nm and a negative optical amplitude signal contrast is observed. To understand the size effect and the interactions between light, tip, and sample, an analytical solution is obtained by adopting a model considering the tip as a point dipole. This model successfully shows the contrast reversal measured in experiments. Some important aspects, however, are neglected by the quasistatic dipole model. Thus, three‐dimensional (3D) numerical calculations by a finite integration technique are applied to study the interactions between tip apex, gold nanoparticle, and the substrate surface. The simulated near‐field and far‐field results help us not only to understand the experimentally acquired aSNOM images but also to investigate the complicated tip–particle–surface interactions.
Boron induced charge traps near the interface of Si/SiO2 probed by second harmonic generation
Authors: Park Heungman , Qi Jingbo , Xu Ying , Varga Kalman , Weiss Sharon M. , Rogers Bridget R. , Lüpke Gunter , Tolk Norman
Published: June 2010

We review recent second harmonic generation (SHG) measurements for highly boron‐doped Si/SiO2 systems. Using electric field sensitive time‐dependent SHG (TD‐SHG), we determined that the direction of the initial DC electric field at the interface induced by boron induced charge traps is from oxide to silicon thus demonstrating that the boron induced charge traps in the oxide are positively charged. For a thin oxide (∼2 nm) both boron traps and O2 surface oxide traps contribute. However, for a highly boron‐doped Si/SiO2 sample with a thick thermally grown oxide (thickness: 12 nm), the TD‐SHG signal exhibits a monotonic decrease arising from filling only the boron charge traps. By fitting our data, we show that the interface effective susceptibility |χ(2)| is heavily dependent on doping concentration.
In situ monitoring of La0.67Sr0.33MnO3 monolayers grown by pulsed laser deposition
Authors: Esteve David , Postava Kamil , Gogol Philippe , Niu Gang , Vilquin Bertrand , Lecoeur Philippe
Published: June 2010

Integration of functional oxides on silicon is a key issue for the development of oxide‐based electronics. For this purpose, monitoring the growth of these materials by an in situ technique becomes essential to control the thickness, the roughness and the oxidation state of the layers. Using a new static optical setup, i.e. with no modulation, we have studied the deposition and the annealing of pulsed‐laser deposited La0.67Sr0.33MnO3 monolayers on pseudosubstrates SrTiO3(100)/Si at high temperature. We show that using the ratio of reflectance for the two different polarizations (s,p) Rp/Rs = tan2ψ of the optical signal after reflection, we can follow, in situ, the growth of monolayers (ML) with a precision of one unit cell. Also, the growth mode and the annealing process leading to the determination of the activation energy can be precisely controlled. All these results are corroborated by X‐ray diffraction (XRD) and atomic force microscopy (AFM). Using this static measurement method, the obtained results are as sensitive as previous reports with, for example, oblique incidence reflectivity difference (OI‐RD).
A randomized, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled exploratory study to evaluate the potential of pycnogenol® for improving allergic rhinitis symptoms
Authors: Wilson Dale , Evans Malkanthi , Guthrie Najla , Sharma Prachi , Baisley Joshua , Schonlau Frank , Burki Carolina
Published: June 2010

The potential of Pycnogenol® for relieving allergic rhinitis (birch pollen) symptoms was explored in a double‐blind, placebo‐controlled trial. In 2008 19 subjects started treatment 3 weeks prior to the onset of birch pollen season in Ontario, Canada. While there was an improvement of eye and nasal symptoms with Pycnogenol, there was no significance versus placebo. It was postulated that Pycnogenol may require a lag‐time between the start of therapy and the onset of action. Therefore 39 subjects were treated 5–8 weeks prior to the 2009 birch allergy season. The evaluation of subjects in 2009 showed much lower scores for eye (−35%) and nasal (−20.5%) symptoms with Pycnogenol compared with placebo. In succession of the allergy season birch specific IgE increased by 31.9% in the placebo group compared with only 19.4% in the Pycnogenol group. Detailed analysis suggested that symptom‐relief was better the longer subjects were on Pycnogenol prior to the allergen exposure. The best results were found with subjects who took Pycnogenol 7–8 weeks ahead of the allergy season. With the limited number of 39 patients statistical predications were unattainable. In conclusion, Pycnogenol improved allergic rhinitis symptoms when supplementation was started at least 5 weeks before the onset of the allergy season. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
People watching: visual, motor, and social processes in the perception of human movement
Authors: Shiffrar Maggie
Published: June 2010

Successful social behavior requires the accurate perception and interpretation of other peoples' actions. In the last decade, significant progress has been made in understanding how the human visual system analyzes bodily motion. Neurophysiological studies have identified two neural areas, the superior temporal sulcus (STS) and the premotor cortex, which play key roles in the visual perception of human movement. Patterns of neural activity in these areas are reflective of psychophysical measures of visual sensitivity to human movement. Both vary as a function of stimulus orientation and global stimulus structure. Human observers and STS responsiveness share some developmental similarities as both exhibit sensitivities that become increasingly tuned for upright, human movement. Furthermore, the observer's own visual and motor experience with an action as well as the social and emotional content of that action influence behavioral measures of visual sensitivity and patterns of neural activity in the STS and premotor cortex. Finally, dysfunction of motor processes, such as hemiplegia, and dysfunction of social processes, such as Autism, systematically impact visual sensitivity to human movement. In sum, a convergence of visual, motor, and social processes underlies our ability to perceive and interpret the actions of other people.WIREs Cogn Sci2011 2 68–78 DOI: 10.1002/wcs.88

This article is categorized under:

Psychology > Perception and Psychophysics
Mirror systems
Authors: Fogassi Leonardo , Ferrari Pier Francesco
Published: June 2010

Mirror neurons are a class of visuomotor neurons, discovered in the monkey premotor cortex and in an anatomically connected area of the inferior parietal lobule, that activate both during action execution and action observation. They constitute a circuit dedicated to match actions made by others with the internal motor representations of the observer. It has been proposed that this matching system enables individuals to understand others' behavior and motor intentions. Here we will describe the main features of mirror neurons in monkeys. Then we will present evidence of the presence of a mirror system in humans and of its involvement in several social–cognitive functions, such as imitation, intention, and emotion understanding. This system may have several implications at a cognitive level and could be linked to specific social deficits in humans such as autism. Recent investigations addressed the issue of the plasticity of the mirror neuron system in both monkeys and humans, suggesting also their possible use in rehabilitation. WIREs Cogn Sci 2011 2 22–38 DOI: 10.1002/wcs.89

This article is categorized under:

Psychology > Prediction

Neuroscience > Behavior
Theoretical motivations for investigating the neural correlates of consciousness
Authors: Lau Hakwan
Published: June 2010

I review the major contenders for the neural correlates of visual awareness. Different views of the neural correlates turn out to support different theories, such as the global workspace theory, local visual processing theories, and the higher‐order representation theory. Therefore, studying the neural correlates of consciousness may prove useful to theoretical development, although arbitrating between different interpretations of the neural results may involve conceptual issues as well.WIREs Cogn Sci2011 2 1–7 DOI: 10.1002/wcs.93

This article is categorized under:

Philosophy > Consciousness

Neuroscience > Cognition
Hormonal induction of spermiation, courting behavior and spawning in the southern bell frog, Litoria raniformis
Authors: Mann Reinier M. , Hyne Ross V. , Choung Catherine B.
Published: June 2010

We trialled the efficacy of various exogenous hormones to induce spermiation, courtship behavior, and spawning in the “endangered” southern bell frog, Litoria raniformis. Intralymphatic administration of Lucrin®, a synthetic nonapeptide luteinizing hormone releasing hormone (LHRH), was used successfully to induce courting behaviors and ejaculation of spermatozoa in males. Various hormones, including Lucrin®, another synthetic LHRH analog ([des‐Gly10, D‐Ala6]‐LHRH), human chorionic gonadotropin, progesterone, and a dopamine receptor antagonist failed to promote oviposition and spawning in females. This and earlier studies indicate that in the efficacy of hormonal induction in amphibians varies between taxa, hormones, and genders. The lack of response in females may limit the use of reproduction technology in the southern bell frog and closely related species of Australian bell frogs. Zoo Biol 29:774–782, 2010. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
The molecular landscape of propionic acidemia and methylmalonic aciduria in Latin America
Authors: Pérez Belén , Angaroni Celia , Sánchez‐Alcudia Rocio , Merinero Begoña , Pérez‐Cerdá Celia , Specola N. , Rodríguez‐Pombo P. , Wajner Moacir , de Kremer Raquel Dodelson , Cornejo Verónica , Desviat Lourdes R. , Ugarte Magdalena
Published: June 2010

In this work, we review the clinical and genetic data in 14 Latin American propionic acidemia (PA) and 15 methylmalonic aciduria (MMAuria) patients. In the PA patients, we have identified four different changes in the PCCA gene, including one novel one (c.414+5G>A) affecting the splicing process. The PCCB mutational spectrum included two prevalent changes accounting for close to 60% of the mutant alleles studied and one novel change (c.494G>C) which by functional analysis is clearly pathogenic. We have also identified the deep intronic change c.654+462A>G, and the results of the antisense treatment in the patient's cell line confirmed the functional recovery of PCC activity. All PA patients bearing out‐of‐frame mutations presented the disease earlier while patients bearing in hemizygous fashion p.E168K and p.R165W presented the disease later. Regarding the MMAuria patients, we have found three novel mutations in the MUT gene (c.1068G>A, c.1587_1594del8 and c.593delA) and one in the MMAB gene (c.349‐1 G>C). Two patients with MMAuria with homocystinuria cblC type are carriers of the frequent c.271dupA mutation. All mut0, cblB and cblC patients presented the symptoms early and in general had more neurological complications, while cblA and mut‐ patients exhibited a late‐onset presentation, and in general the long‐term outcome was better. The results presented in this work emphasize the importance of the genetic analysis of the patients not only for diagnostic purposes but also to research into novel therapies based on the genotype.
Comminuted Radial Head Fractures Treated with Pyrocarbon Prosthetic Replacement
Authors: Lamas Claudia , Castellanos Juan , Proubasta Ignacio , Dominguez Enrique
Published: June 2010

Purpose

We had evaluated our experience in the treatment of displaced and comminuted radial head fractures with pyrocarbon radial head prosthesis.

Methods

From May 2003 to July 2008, radial head prostheses were performed in 47 patients. There were 29 female and 18 male with mean age 51 (34–70 years). The follow-up was a mean of 48 (12–60 months). Fractures of the radial head have been classified by Hotchkiss. The indications for a radial head replacement were type III fractures in 27 cases, type IV fractures in ten cases, comminuted radial fracture associated with disruption of the medial collateral ligament in three cases, Monteggia variant in five cases, and Essex-Lopresti in two cases. Functional outcomes were assessed by visual analog scales (VAS) of pain, joint motion and stability, and using the Mayo Elbow Performance Index.

Results

The mean VAS score for elbow pain was 1 (0.5–2.1). Patients showed an average arc of motion from 6° to 140°, with 75° of pronation and 67° of supination. By using the Mayo Elbow Performance Index, 42 patients had good/excellent results, with three fair and two poor outcomes. Complications were two implant dislocations, one elbow stiffness, one dissociation of the implant, one stem rupture, and two posterior interosseous nerve palsy that recovered from 5 to 8 weeks. We had not seen persistent instability, infection, synostosis, severe degenerative changes, or impingement.

Conclusions

The treatment of comminuted radial head fracture with pyrocarbon implant usually gives an optimal result depending on the severity of the initial injury and the presence of associated lesions. The size of the prosthesis is often overestimated, causing restriction in motion due to impingement, overstuffing, or dislocations.
Europe needs a new development model
Authors: Bruton John
Published: June 2010

With the relative decline of the European economy, the governments of Europe have used deficit spending to shield themselves from structural economic change. This deficit spending has proven unsustainable and European governments need to seriously re-evaluate public expenditure. There is a need to re-evaluate how public services such as health care and education are funded, and to better manage the Eurozone so as to avoid a second debt crisis. European states need to re-examine how public money is spent, and the current economic crisis could be the catalyst for the necessary structural changes.
Virtual guidance: a new technique to empower point-of-care ultrasound in remote or extreme environments
Authors: Mercado-Young R. , Martin D. S. , Caine T. , O’Connell K. , Garcia K. , Sargsyan A. , Platts S. , Dulchavsky S. A.
Published: June 2010

Purpose

Remote guidance techniques have been developed by NASA researchers to allow non-clinicians to perform complex ultrasound examinations on the International Space Station to increase clinical diagnostic capabilities. Real-time or near real-time communication will not be an option for missions beyond the Earth and Moon; non-experts will have to scan autonomously. We investigated the ability of non-experts to perform point-of-care ultrasound in a remote location using “virtual guidance”, consisting of a video-based training and troubleshooting guide to acquire cardiac ultrasound images.

Methods

Non-expert operators (n = 4) reviewed a short (<15 min) cardiac ultrasound examination training video using dedicated video glasses and an iPod. They then acquired echocardiography scansets on normal, volunteer subjects at Resolute Bay, Canada using a portable ultrasound device. Image quality was evaluated using a scoring system by two experts in echocardiography.

Results

Cardiac ultrasound examinations were autonomously completed by four non-expert operators using virtual guidance in under 30 min and judged to be adequate for clinical interpretation. Virtual guidance with the video glasses and streaming examination guide was accepted by all operators as an effective guidance technique for this purpose.

Conclusions

Virtual guidance is a novel technique that may allow data acquisition by non-expert operators autonomously when on-site expertise or real time support is not available. Further refinement of the technique should be explored to enhance autonomous medical capabilities in isolated or underserved settings, either on or off the planet.
The DeKalb mounds of northeastern Illinois as archives of deglacial history and postglacial environments
Authors: Curry B. Brandon , Konen Michael E. , Larson Timothy H. , Yansa Catherine H. , Hackley Keith C. , Alexanderson Helena , Lowell Thomas V.
Published: June 2010

The “type” DeKalb mounds of northeastern Illinois, USA (42.0°N, −88.7°W), are formed of basal sand and gravel overlain by rhythmically bedded fines, and weathered sand and gravel. Generally from 2 to 7 m thick, the fines include abundant fossils of ostracodes and uncommon leaves and stems of tundra plants. Rare chironomid head capsules, pillclam shells, and aquatic plant macrofossils also have been observed.

Radiocarbon ages on the tundra plant fossils from the “type” region range from 20,420 to 18,560 cal yr BP. Comparison of radiocarbon ages of terrestrial plants from type area ice-walled lake plains and adjacent kettle basins indicate that the topographic inversion to ice-free conditions occurred from 18,560 and 16,650 cal yr BP. Outside the “type” area, the oldest reliable age of tundra plant fossils in DeKalb mound sediment is 21,680 cal yr BP; the mound occurs on the northern arm of the Ransom Moraine (−88.5436°W, 41.5028°N). The youngest age, 16,250 cal yr BP, is associated with a mound on the Deerfield Moraine (−87.9102°W, 42.4260°N) located about 9 km east of Lake Michigan. The chronology of individual successions indicates the lakes persisted on the periglacial landscape for about 300 to 1500 yr.
Apoptosis-inducing factor and caspase-dependent apoptotic pathways triggered by different grape seed extracts on human colon cancer cell line Caco-2
Authors: Dinicola Simona , Cucina Alessandra , Pasqualato Alessia , Proietti Sara , D'Anselmi Fabrizio , Pasqua Gabriella , Rita Santamaria Anna , Coluccia Pierpaolo , Laganà Aldo , Antonacci Donato , Giuliani Alessandro , Bizzarri Mariano
Published: June 2010

Consumption of grape seed extract (GSE) is widely marketed as a dietary supplement and is considered safe for human health. Nevertheless, the analytical composition of GSE from different grape cultivars, growing in special agronomic constraints, differs greatly in flavan-3-ols content. The major concern with GSE studies is a lack of availability of uniformly standardised preparations, which raises an important question whether different GSE samples have comparable activity and trigger the same mechanisms of action on a given biological system. Therefore, it is tempting to speculate that GSE, obtained from different cultivars, could exert differentiated anticancer effects. The focus of the present study is to determine the selective biological efficacy of GSE obtained from three different sources on the human colon cancer cell line Caco-2. Irrespective of its source, high doses of GSE induced a significant inhibition on Caco-2 cell growth. Moreover, apoptosis was enhanced through both caspase-dependent and caspase-independent mechanisms, leading to an early apoptosis-inducing factor release and, further, to a dramatic increase in caspase 7 and 3 activity. However, a significant difference in apoptotic rates induced by the three grape sources clearly emerged when treating cancer cells with low and intermediate GSE concentrations (25 and 50 μg/ml).
Probiotics and the immune response to vaccines
Authors: MacDonald Thomas T. , Bell Iona
Published: June 2010

Probiotics are bacteria, but sometimes fungi, which when taken by the oral route may give some health benefits. The most compelling evidence for beneficial effects of probiotics is in the prevention and reduction in the duration of symptoms related to gut infectious disease. There is also evidence to show that some specific probiotics are beneficial in Clostridium difficile diarrhoea in the elderly. As further and better controlled clinical studies have appeared, some specific probiotics also appear to have beneficial effects in perhaps preventing and reducing the duration of symptoms due to acquired upper respiratory tract infections. In an attempt to explain these effects, attention has turned to the effects of some specific probiotics on the immune system. There is evidence that some specific probiotics can alter monocyte and natural killer cell function in the blood. Evidence is also accumulating that taking some specific probiotics can boost antibody responses to oral and systemically administered vaccines. The effect when shown is modest and is not always seen in different studies to all vaccines, but there is enough of a trend to make the area worthy of further investigation, particularly to tease out the mechanisms involved.
Inflammatory biomarker profile in children with cystic fibrosis: preliminary study
Authors: Slobodianik N. H. , Feliu M. S. , Perris P. , Barbeito S. , Strasnoy I. , Franchello A. , Ferraro M.
Published: June 2010

The aim of this preliminary study was to determine specific proteins, related to inflammation process and nutritional status as well as to total antioxidant capacity, in children suffering from cystic fibrosis (CF). The study was performed on 17 nonhospitalized children (12 boys and 5 girls) with CF aged 3 months to 10 years, who were assisted at the Nutrition Service from Pedro de Elizalde Hospital. Transferrin, transthyretin, ceruloplasmin (Cp), haptoglobin, C-reactive protein (CRP) and fibrinogen were measured by single radial immunodiffusion techniques. Total antioxidant capacity (TAC) was determined by a decolorization assay. Statistical analyses were performed by the Student's t test. Transferrin and transthyretin values were lower in CF patients in comparison with data obtained from healthy children (reference group, RG). The decreased transferrin concentration and the tendency towards low plasma transthyretin values suggested an abnormal nutritional status. However, higher Cp and haptoglobin levels were shown in patients than in RG. The fact that 23 and 50% of patients exceeded the desirable values for fibrinogen (<285·0 mg/dl) and CRP (<0·2 mg/dl), respectively, should be highlighted. The TAC (mM; Trolox equivalents) was shown to be lower in the CF group than in RG. The diminished TAC concomitant with an increased plasma Cp concentration would exacerbate the inflammatory status and could explain the depression of the immune system. These preliminary results could explain the need to include biochemical and functional parameters in the early nutritional status evaluation in CF patients in order to use appropriate nutritional and pharmacological therapies and consequently to improve their survival and quality of life.
In vitro anti-trypanosomal activity of elatol isolated from red seaweed Laurencia dendroidea
Authors: VEIGA-SANTOS P. , PELIZZARO-ROCHA K. J. , SANTOS A. O. , UEDA-NAKAMURA T. , FILHO B. P. DIAS , SILVA S. O. , SUDATTI D. B. , BIANCO E. M. , PEREIRA R. C. , NAKAMURA C. V.
Published: June 2010

Chagas' disease is a debilitating but comparatively neglected illness that affects about 15 million people. There is an urgent need to develop new, more effective, and less-toxic compounds. In this study, we assessed the in vitro anti-trypanosomal activity of the sesquiterpene elatol from the Brazilian red seaweed Laurencia dendroidea. We used electron microscopy to evaluate the effect of elatol on the morphology and ultrastructure of the parasite. Elatol showed a dose-dependent effect against the epimastigote, trypomastigote, and amastigote forms, with IC50 values of 45·4, 1·38, and 1·01 μm, respectively. Observation of treated intracellular amastigotes by light microscopy demonstrated a total elimination of the infection at a dose of 3·0 μm. In addition, the compound did not affect the red blood cells, and the CC50 value for LLCMK2 cells was 27·0 μm. Transmission and scanning electron micrographs showed aberrant-shaped cells and breaks in the plasma membrane, prominent swollen mitochondria, and extensive formation of cytoplasmic vacuoles in all the forms. This is the first report of the anti-trypanosomal effect of the sesquiterpene elatol.
Reproductive ratio for the local spread of highly pathogenic avian influenza in wild bird populations of Europe, 2005–2008
Authors: IGLESIAS I. , PEREZ A. M. , SÁNCHEZ-VIZCAÍNO J. M. , MUÑOZ M. J. , MARTÍNEZ M. , DE LA TORRE A.
Published: June 2010

Highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) has devastating consequences for the poultry industry of affected countries. Control of HPAI has been impaired by the role of wildlife species that act as disease reservoirs and as a potential source of infection for domestic populations. The reproductive ratio (R0) of HPAI was quantified in nine clusters of outbreaks detected in wild birds in Europe (2005–2008) for which population data were not available. The median value ofR0was similar (1·1–3·4) for the nine clusters and it was about tenfold smaller than the value estimated for poultry in The Netherlands in 2003. Results presented here will be useful to parameterize models for spread of HPAI in wild birds and to design effective prevention programmes for the European poultry sector. The method is suitable to estimateR0in the absence of population data, which is a condition typically observed for many wildlife and certain domestic species and systems.
Vibrio illness in Florida, 1998–2007
Authors: WEIS K. E. , HAMMOND R. M. , HUTCHINSON R. , BLACKMORE C. G. M.
Published: June 2010

This study characterized the current epidemiology of vibrio infections in Florida and examined cases reported from 1998 to 2007. Logistic regression was used to determine risk of death. There were 834 vibrio infections in 825 individuals (average annual incidence rate 4·8/1 000 000). Common Vibrio species reported were Vibrio vulnificus (33%), V. parahaemolyticus (29%), and V. alginolyticus (16%). Most exposures were attributed to wounds (42%), and the most common clinical syndromes were wound infections (45%) and gastroenteritis (42%). Almost half of individuals reported an underlying health condition. Risk of death was associated with any underlying condition and increased with the number of conditions (P<0·0001). In Florida, incidence of vibriosis associated with raw oyster consumption has decreased while incidence associated with wound infections has increased. Most prevention efforts to date have focused on oyster consumption. New educational messages focusing on the risk of vibriosis from wound infections should target high-risk populations.
Place assimilation is not the result of gestural overlap: evidence from Korean and English
Authors: Jun Jongho
Published: June 2010

In the theory of articulatory phonology Browman & Goldstein (1986, 1990, 1992) claim that place assimilation is mainly the result of the overlap of gestures and the perception of these overlapping gestures as a single gesture. Ohala (1990) makes a similar claim. The present study provides interesting experimental evidence against this explanation of assimilation as a result of gestural overlap and resulting misperception, and for the importance of gestural reduction.
Adverse drug reactions in older people
Authors: Tangiisuran B , Gozzoli MP , Davies JG , Rajkumar C
Published: June 2010

Adverse drug reactions (ADR) pose significant health-related problems for the older person. Many studies from around the world report a significant incidence of ADR in general and in elderly people in particular, resulting in an increase in drug-related morbidity and mortality. Older people appear to be particularly at risk of experiencing an ADR due to a range of factors, which include polypharmacy, altered drug pharmacokinetic profiles and pharmacodynamic responses, drug interactions and cognitive problems that increase the risk in this patient group. Certain drug classes, such as hypoglycaemic agents and cardiovascular active medicines, have been identified as common causes of ADR. Many studies suggest that the majority of ADR are preventable, so that several different approaches have been tried in an attempt to limit this problem, such as the use of computerized systems to communicate routine issues of patient care, interventions made by pharmacists, spontaneous reporting and continuous education of health care professionals. Whilst all have been shown to reduce drug-related events, identifying individuals at high risk of developing ADR at the point of prescribing by using a risk stratification model could improve the identification and prevention of ADR. This article discusses the clinical impact of ADR in older people and the relative merits of the various approaches tested to date before suggesting areas that require further research.
Dayside ionospheric response to the intense interplanetary shocks–solar wind discontinuities: Observations from the digisonde global ionospheric radio observatory
Authors: Zong Q.‐G. , Reinisch B. W. , Song P. , Wei Y. , Galkin I. A.
Published: June 2010

The digisonde Global Ionospheric Radio Observatory (GIRO) has recorded strong ionospheric responses to two powerful interplanetary shock passages on 7 November 7 2004 and 21 January 2005. Both events provide excellent opportunities to study geospace response processes to strong interplanetary forward shocks in great detail. The angle between the normal of the 7 November 2004, shock front and the Sun‐Earth line was ∼3.0 degrees, indicating that the shock hit the equatorial magnetosphere at ∼1200 LT (local noon). The subsequent dayside shock‐induced ionospheric phenomena were found to have marked longitudinal and latitudinal distributions. Comparative studies of the intense interplanetary shocks (including the sheath) associated with northward and southward interplanetary magnetic fields (IMF) revealed their different geospace effects on the dayside ionospheric region. The equatorial ionosphere responds to the interplanetary shock rather quickly, and if the shock is associated with southward IMF the plasma electrons in the equatorial ionosphere are rapidly uplifted. During the 7 November 2004 event the averaged uplift velocity was close to ∼67 m/s, and the ionospheric total electron content (TEC) increased from the original 16 TEC units (TECU) to ∼38 TECU (1 TECU = 1016 m−2) which may be due to the shock effect. When the interplanetary shock (including the magnetosheath) is associated with northward IMF, the plasma in the equatorial ionosphere moves downward, causing a sudden drop in the total electron content. During the 21 January 2005 event, the averaged downward velocity was ∼120 m/s, and the TEC dropped from 75 TECU to 22 TECU at the time of maximum solar wind dynamic pressure, and then recovered to ∼68 TECU in about 2 h after the shock passage. The middle and high latitude ionospheric TEC enhancements may be due to particle (ion and electron) precipitation ionization losses caused by the strong impacts of the interplanetary shocks.
Swave velocity structure below central Mexico using high‐resolution surface wave tomography
Authors: Iglesias A. , Clayton R. W. , Pérez‐Campos X. , Singh S. K. , Pacheco J. F. , García D. , Valdés‐González C.
Published: June 2010

Shear wave velocity of the crust below central Mexico is estimated using surface wave dispersion measurements from regional earthquakes recorded on a dense, 500 km long linear seismic network. Vertical components of regional records from 90 well‐located earthquakes were used to compute Rayleigh‐wave group‐velocity dispersion curves. A tomographic inversion, with high resolution in a zone close to the array, obtained for periods between 5 and 50 s reveals significant differences relative to a reference model, especially at larger periods (>30 s). A 2‐DSwave velocity model is obtained from the inversion of local dispersion curves that were reconstructed from the tomographic solutions. The results show large differences, especially in the lower crust, among back‐arc, volcanic arc, and fore‐arc regions; they also show a well‐resolved low‐velocity zone just below the active part of the Trans Mexican Volcanic Belt (TMVB) suggesting the presence of a mantle wedge. Low densities in the back arc, inferred from the low shear wave velocities, can provide isostatic support for the TMVB.
Evidence of nitric acid uptake in warm cirrus anvil clouds during the NASA TC4 campaign
Authors: Scheuer Eric , Dibb Jack E. , Twohy Cynthia , Rogers David C. , Heymsfield Andrew J. , Bansemer Aaron
Published: June 2010

Uptake of HNO3 onto cirrus ice may play an important role in tropospheric NOx cycling. Discrepancies between modeled and in situ measurements of gas‐phase HNO3 in the troposphere suggest that redistribution and removal mechanisms by cirrus ice have been poorly constrained. Limited in situ measurements have provided somewhat differing results and are not fully compatible with theory developed from laboratory studies. We present new airborne measurements of HNO3 in cirrus clouds from anvil outflow made during the Tropical Composition, Cloud, and Climate Coupling Experiment (TC4). Upper tropospheric (>9 km) measurements made during three flights while repeatedly traversing the same cloud region revealed depletions of gas‐phase HNO3 in regions characterized by higher ice water content and surface area. We hypothesize that adsorption of HNO3 onto cirrus ice surfaces could explain this. Using measurements of cirrus ice surface area density and some assumptions about background mixing ratios of gas‐phase HNO3, we estimate molecular coverages of HNO3 on cirrus ice surface in the tropical upper troposphere during the TC4 racetracks to be about 1 × 1013 molecules cm−2. This likely reflects an upper limit because potential dilution by recently convected, scavenged air is ignored. Also presented is an observation of considerably enhanced gas‐phase HNO3 at the base of a cirrus anvil suggesting vertical redistribution of HNO3 by sedimenting cirrus particles and subsequent particle sublimation and HNO3 evaporation. The impact of released HNO3, however, appears to be restricted to a very thin layer just below the cloud.
Real‐time weekly global green vegetation fraction derived from advanced very high resolution radiometer‐based NOAA operational global vegetation index (GVI) system
Authors: Jiang Le , Kogan Felix N. , Guo Wei , Tarpley J. Dan , Mitchell Kenneth E. , Ek Michael B. , Tian Yuhong , Zheng Weizhong , Zou Cheng‐Zhi , Ramsay Bruce H.
Published: June 2010

To provide quality‐improved and consistent real‐time global green vegetation fraction (GVF) data products that are suitable for use in operational numerical weather, climate, and hydrological models, necessary processing steps are applied to the output data stream from the advanced very high resolution radiometer (AVHRR)‐based NOAA operational global vegetation index (GVI) system. This paper reviewed the NOAA GVI data and described the algorithm to derive weekly updated real‐time GVF from the normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI). The methodology description focuses on algorithm justification in an operational production context. The described algorithm was implemented in the global vegetation processing system (GVPS). The new global GVF data sets include the multiyear GVF weekly climatology and the real‐time weekly GVF. Compared to the old 5 year GVF monthly climatology currently used in the operational National Centers for Environmental Prediction (NCEP)/Environmental Modeling Center (EMC) weather and climate models, the new data sets provide an overall higher vegetation value, real‐time surface vegetation information, and numerous other improvements. The new GVF data set quality was partially assured by validation against Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) NDVI at a few EOS land validation core sites and comparison with another independently processed NDVI data set. Impact of the new GVF data sets in numerical weather prediction (NWP) model was investigated using EMC mesoscale model simulations and concluded overall positive.
An approach for probabilistic forecasting of seasonal turbidity threshold exceedance
Authors: Towler Erin , Rajagopalan Balaji , Summers R. Scott , Yates David
Published: June 2010

Though climate forecasts offer substantial promise for improving water resource oversight, additional tools are needed to translate these forecasts into water‐quality‐based products that can be useful to water utility managers. To this end, a generalized approach is developed that uses seasonal forecasts to predict the likelihood of exceeding a prescribed water quality limit. Because many water quality standards are based on thresholds, this study utilizes a logistic regression technique, which employs nonparametric or “local” estimation that can capture nonlinear features in the data. The approach is applied to a drinking water source in the Pacific Northwest United States that has experienced elevated turbidity values that are correlated with streamflow. The main steps of the approach are to (1) obtain a seasonal probabilistic precipitation forecast, (2) generate streamflow scenarios conditional on the precipitation forecast, (3) use a local logistic regression to compute the turbidity threshold exceedance probabilities, and (4) quantify the likelihood of turbidity exceedance corresponding to the seasonal climate forecast. Results demonstrate that forecasts offer a slight improvement over climatology, but that representative forecasts are conservative and result in only a small shift in total exceedance likelihood. Synthetic forecasts are included to show the sensitivity of the total exceedance likelihood. The technique is general and could be applied to other water quality variables that depend on climate or hydroclimate.
Northern Hemisphere climate trends in reanalysis and forecast model predictions: The 500 hPa annual means
Authors: Bordi I. , Fraedrich K. , Sutera A.
Published: June 2010

The lead time dependent climates of the ECMWF weather prediction model, initialized with ERA‐40 reanalysis, are analysed using 44 years of day‐1 to day‐10 forecasts of the northern hemispheric 500‐hPa geopotential height fields. The study addresses the question whether short‐term tendencies have an impact on long‐term trends. Comparing climate trends of ERA‐40 with those of the forecasts, it seems that the forecast model rapidly loses the memory of initial conditions creating its own climate. All forecast trends show a high degree of consistency. Comparison results suggest that: (i) Only centers characterized by an upward trend are statistical significant when increasing the lead time. (ii) In midilatitudes an upward trend larger than the one observed in the reanalysis characterizes the forecasts, while in the tropics there is a good agreement. (iii) The downward trend in reanalysis at high latitudes characterizes also the day‐1 forecast which, however, increasing lead time approaches zero.
Correlation of in situ measurements of plasma irregularities with ground‐based scintillation observations
Authors: Roddy P. A. , Hunton D. E. , Ballenthin J. O. , Groves K. M.
Published: June 2010

We present here the first comparison of in situ ion density fluctuations measured by the Planar Langmuir Probe on Communication\Navigation Outage Forecasting System (C/NOFS) with coincident ground‐based measurements of scintillation from the Scintillation Decision Aid (SCINDA) network and coherent scatter radar located on Christmas Island (3°N, 157°W) over a 15 month period from May 2008 through June 2009. The Planar Langmuir Probe on C/NOFS measures absolute ion densities from 10 to 108 cm−3 at a rate up to 1024 Hz. The instrument is conceptually similar to ion traps and retarding potential analyzers that have flown on many past satellite and rocket missions. However, the present design includes advances in electronic capability compared with past designs. Initial results from this study show that in situ density fluctuations observed on magnetic flux tubes that pass over Christmas Island can be used as an indicator of ionospheric radio wave scintillation at that site. This is true even when the measurements are made at horizontal ranges of over 1000 km away from the ground site as long as the field line apex altitudes are less than ∼600 km.
A Motivational Model of Video Game Engagement
Authors: Przybylski Andrew K. , Rigby C. Scott , Ryan Richard M.
Published: June 2010

More Americans now play video games than go to the movies ( NPD Group, 2009 ). The meteoric rise in popularity of video games highlights the need for research approaches that can deepen our scientific understanding of video game engagement. This article advances a theory-based motivational model for examining and evaluating the ways by which video game engagement shapes psychological processes and influences well-being. Rooted in self-determination theory ( Deci & Ryan, 2000 ; Ryan & Deci, 2000a ), our approach suggests that both the appeal and well-being effects of video games are based in their potential to satisfy basic psychological needs for competence, autonomy, and relatedness. We review recent empirical evidence applying this perspective to a number of topics including need satisfaction in games and short-term well-being, the motivational appeal of violent game content, motivational sources of postplay aggression, the antecedents and consequences of disordered patterns of game engagement, and the determinants and effects of immersion. Implications of this model for the future study of game motivation and the use of video games in interventions are discussed.