bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effect of Increased Iliotibial Band Load on Tibiofemoral Kinematics and Force Distributions: A Direct Measurement in Cadaveric Knees
Authors: Gadikota Hemanth R. , Kikuta Shinsuke , Qi Wei , Nolan David , Gill Thomas J. , Li Guoan
Published: April 2013

Study Design

Controlled laboratory study using cadaveric knee specimens and a repeated-measures design.

Objectives

To investigate the effect of increased iliotibial band load (assumed to represent increased tensor fascia latae and gluteus maximus strength) on tibiofemoral kinematics and force distribution on the tibiofemoral articulation.

Background

Owing to the difficulty in measuring in vivo joint loading, there is limited evidence on the direct relationship between increased iliotibial band load and force distribution in the tibiofemoral articulation.

Methods

Eight fresh-frozen cadaveric knee specimens were used in this study. A robotic testing system assessed tibiofemoral kinematics under 3 simulated loading conditions: (1) 300-N quadriceps load, 100-N hamstrings load, 0-N iliotibial band load; (2) 300-N quadriceps load, 100-N hamstrings load, 50-N iliotibial band load; and (3) 300-N quadriceps load, 100-N hamstrings load, 100-N iliotibial band load. The load distribution in the medial and lateral tibiofemoral articulation was also measured under these loading conditions by using piezoelectric pressure sensors. Data were collected and analyzed at full extension and at 5°, 10°, 15°, 20°, 25°, and 30° of knee flexion.

Results

The loads transmitted through the medial tibiofemoral articulation significantly decreased when the load on the iliotibial band was increased, with a concomitant significant increase in lateral tibiofemoral articulation load. Greater iliotibial band load also increased anterior tibial translation and valgus tibial rotation, and decreased the amount of internal tibial rotation and medial tibial translation.

Conclusion

The present study demonstrated that an increase in iliotibial band load, when tested in a non-weight-bearing condition in a cadaveric model, can significantly decrease the loads transmitted through the medial tibiofemoral articulation. J Orthop Sports Phys Ther 2013;43(7):478–485. Epub 18 March 2013. doi:10.2519/jospt.2013.4506
La Troupe du Jour in the Fransaskois Community: Inclusion Strategies and Multicultural Spaces
Authors: Clarke Marie-Diane , Nelson Ian C.
Published: April 2013

The strategic thrust of La Troupe du Jour, with its principal mandate of creating new stage works, has developed from a reflection of the anecdotal or historical realities of its original Fransaskois communities to encompass the wider and even international cultural range of an evolving population of Saskatchewan Francophones. It has created an amalgam of dramaturgical supports to identify and nurture new and established writers for the French stage, with the eventual aim of diffusing their work through professional productions locally, on tour, and in festivals. Its growing reputation has been recognized with local and national awards and the publication of a number of its original creations. With more stable funding and the opening of its new production centre, LTDJ has achieved the status of an equal with theatre companies of the English majority, while its programming attracts an ever widening audience of both French and English speakers.
Course Goals, Competencies, and Instructional Objectives
Authors: Schoenfeld-Tacher Regina , Sims Michael H.
Published: April 2013

This article describes how to compose instructional objectives for use in veterinary curricula, and describes the differences between course goals, competencies, and instructional objectives. The essential components of instructional objectives are described in detail, and guidance in choosing appropriate wording is provided. The paper concludes with a suggested framework for evaluating an instructional objective.
Factors Influencing Clinical Students' Perceptions of an Embedded Research Project and Associated Publication Output
Authors: Weller Renate , May Stephen A.
Published: April 2013

In this article, we describe student perceptions of the value of a short, compulsory research project embedded in a clinical degree program, the research output in terms of publications, and the factors influencing this. It was hypothesized that student attitudes toward the project, student perceptions of how much the project contributed to their generic skills, and the number of publications submitted or prepared for submission would be associated with perceived quality of supervision, perceived difficulty of the project, career plans, and attitude before commencement of the project. We explored this using a questionnaire comprising 30 questions that included demographics, Likert scales, and categorical responses. Student attitudes toward research were found to be associated with student attitude before the start of the project, perceived difficulty of the project, perceived quality of supervision, and perceived relevance to the profession. Students thought that the research project contributed most to the skills of “information gathering” and “critical evaluation” and the least to “teamwork,” “problem solving,” and “oral communication.” Research output was significantly linked to perceived quality of supervision and the help students received with data analysis and data collection, though not with the project report itself. In conclusion, although the success of the research project was influenced by many factors, the perceived quality of supervision influenced all three outcome measures. Therefore it is clear that optimization of this aspect offers the most scope for enhancing the student learning experience.
Registration of ‘Otto’ Wheat
Authors: Carter A. H. , Jones S. S. , Lyon S. R. , Balow K. A. , Shelton G. B. , Higginbotham R. W. , Chen X. M. , Engle D. A. , Baik B. , Guy S. O. , Murray T. D. , Morris C. F.
Published: April 2013

Resistance to strawbreaker foot rot (caused by Oculimacula yallundae Crous & W. Gams and O. acuformis Crous & W. Gams) and to stripe rust (caused by Puccinia striiformis Westend. f. sp. tritici Eriks.) are important traits for winter wheat cultivars produced in the Pacific Northwest region of the United States. The objective of this research was to develop an adapted winter wheat cultivar with highly effective resistance to both diseases. ‘Otto’ (Reg. No. CV‐1087, PI 667557) soft white winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) was developed and released in September 2011 by the Agricultural Research Center of Washington State University. Otto was tested under the experimental designations J980218, J980218‐6, and WA008092, which were assigned through progressive generations of advancement. Otto is a semidwarf cultivar adapted to the low rainfall (<300 mm of average annual precipitation), unirrigated wheat production regions of Washington. Otto is resistant to strawbreaker foot rot, has high‐temperature, adult‐plant resistance to the stripe rust pathogen, is tolerant to both speckled (caused by Typhula ishikariensis S. Imai) and pink [caused by Microdochium nivale (Fr.:Fr.) Samuels & I. C. Hallett] snow molds, is intermediate in height, has midseason maturity, and has a high test weight and grain yield potential. Otto has end‐use quality properties similar or superior to those of ‘Stephens’, ‘Brundage 96’, and ‘Xerpha’.
Registration of ‘Georgia‐12Y’ Peanut
Authors: Branch W. D.
Published: April 2013

‘Georgia‐12Y’ (Reg. No. CV‐119, PI 667552) is a high‐yielding, medium‐seeded, runner‐type peanut (Arachis hypogaea L. subsp. hypogaea var. hypogaea) cultivar with resistance to Tomato spotted wilt virus and white mold or stem rot (caused by Sclerotium rolfsii Sacc.) that was released by the Georgia Agricultural Experiment Stations in 2012. It was developed at the University of Georgia, Coastal Plain Experiment Station, Tifton, GA. Georgia‐12Y originated from a cross made between ‘Georgia‐09B’ and ‘Georganic’. Pedigree selection was practiced within the early‐segregating generations. Performance testing began in the F4:6 generation with the advanced pure‐line selection, GA 072531, the experimental designation of Georgia‐12Y. During 3 yr (2009–11) averaged across 24 multilocation tests in Georgia, Georgia‐12Y had significantly higher yield and dollar value return per hectare compared with ‘Georgia‐10T’. Georgia‐12Y is most similar to Georgia‐10T, and should be another excellent cultivar for an early‐planting‐date option in the southeast U.S. peanut production area.
Registration of ‘CPCL 02‐0926’ Sugarcane
Authors: Glynn Neil C. , Zhao Duli , Comstock Jack C. , Milligan Scott B. , Glaz Barry , Edmé Serge J. , Davidson R. Wayne , Gilbert Robert A. , Sood Sushma , D'Hont Angélique , Hu Chen-Jian
Published: April 2013

‘CPCL 02‐0926’ (Reg. No. CV‐150, PI 664936) sugarcane (a complex hybrid of Saccharum spp.) is the product of research initiated by the United States Sugar Corporation (USSC) and completed cooperatively by the USDA‐ARS, the University of Florida, and the Florida Sugar Cane League, Inc. CPCL 02‐0926 was released to growers in Florida on 20 Sept. 2011. CPCL 02‐0926 was selected from a cross between the commercial cultivar ‘CP 80‐1743’ and the USSC proprietary genotype CL 92‐0046 made at Clewiston, FL on 20 Dec. 2001. CP 80‐1743 is a high‐yielding, early‐maturing cultivar that was widely grown in Florida until it became susceptible to orange rust (caused by Puccinia kuehnii E.J. Butler) of sugarcane in 2007. The male parent of CPCL 02‐0926, CL 92‐0046, was advanced through the final stage of testing in the USSC cultivar program but not released for commercial production. CPCL 02‐0926 has acceptable resistance to smut (caused by Ustilago scitaminea H. & P. Sydow), orange rust (caused by P. kuehnii E.J. Butler), and brown rust (caused by Puccinia melanocephala H. & P. Sydow). Bru1, a major gene for resistance to brown rust, was not detected in its DNA. CPCL 02‐0926 is the first sugarcane cultivar in which the status of a trait‐linked marker was provided for release. CPCL 02‐0926 is moderately resistant to leaf scald (caused by Xanthomonas albilineans Ashby, Dowson) and Sugarcane mosaic virus strain E (mosaic). CPCL 02‐0926 is expected to be used on both muck and sand soils in Florida.
Cutting-Edge High-Power Ultrafast Thin Disk Oscillators
Authors: Saraceno Clara , Schriber Cinia , Emaury Florian , Heckl Oliver , Baer Cyrill , Hoffmann Martin , Beil Kolja , Kränkel Christian , Golling Matthias , Südmeyer Thomas , Keller Ursula
Published: April 2013

A growing number of applications in science and industry are currently pushing the development of ultrafast laser technologies that enable high average powers. SESAM modelocked thin disk lasers (TDLs) currently achieve higher pulse energies and average powers than any other ultrafast oscillator technology, making them excellent candidates in this goal. Recently, 275 W of average power with a pulse duration of 583 fs were demonstrated, which represents the highest average power so far demonstrated from an ultrafast oscillator. In terms of pulse energy, TDLs reach more than 40 μJ pulses directly from the oscillator. In addition, another major milestone was recently achieved, with the demonstration of a TDL with nearly bandwidth-limited 96-fs long pulses. The progress achieved in terms of pulse duration of such sources enabled the first measurement of the carrier-envelope offset frequency of a modelocked TDL, which is the first key step towards full stabilization of such a source. We will present the key elements that enabled these latest results, as well as an outlook towards the next scaling steps in average power, pulse energy and pulse duration of such sources. These cutting-edge sources will enable exciting new applications, and open the door to further extending the current performance milestones.
Distinct Episodic Verbal Memory Profiles in Schizophrenia
Authors: Brazo Perrine , Ilongo Michaelle , Dollfus Sonia
Published: April 2013

According to some authors, episodic memory impairment may be a feature shared by all schizophrenic patients, whereas others argue in favor of the mnesic heterogeneity. Our aims were to determine whether patients can be grouped based on according to their mnesic performances. The California Verbal Learning Test (CVLT), an episodic verbal learning test, was compared in 61 schizophrenic patients and 61 matched healthy subjects. The 32 indices were calculated using CVLT Scoring Software. This process allowed us to describe patients’ episodic processes in detail (encoding, storage, retrieval). We isolated one group with normative data, another showed impairment of both encoding and retrieval processes, and in the last one, only encoding process was impaired. As schizophrenia is heterogeneous with regard to episodic memory, impairments should not be considered as a common core to the various forms of the illness and it would be fruitful to systematically assess episodic processes in detail to take into account individual abilities and challenges.
Hypoxia-Inducible Factors: Mediators of Cancer Progression; Prognostic and Therapeutic Targets in Soft Tissue Sarcomas
Authors: Sadri Navid , Zhang Paul
Published: April 2013

Soft-tissue sarcomas remain aggressive tumors that result in death in greater than a third of patients due to either loco-regional recurrence or distant metastasis. Surgical resection remains the main choice of treatment for soft tissue sarcomas with pre- and/or post-operational radiation and neoadjuvant chemotherapy employed in more advanced stage disease. However, in recent decades, there has been little progress in the average five-year survival for the majority of patients with high-grade soft tissue sarcomas, highlighting the need for improved targeted therapeutic agents. Clinical and preclinical studies demonstrate that tumor hypoxia and up-regulation of hypoxia-inducible factors (HIFs) is associated with decreased survival, increased metastasis, and resistance to therapy in soft tissue sarcomas. HIF-mediated gene expression regulates many critical aspects of tumor biology, including cell survival, metabolic programming, angiogenesis, metastasis, and therapy resistance. In this review, we discuss HIFs and HIF-mediated genes as potential prognostic markers and therapeutic targets in sarcomas. Many pharmacological agents targeting hypoxia-related pathways are in development that may hold therapeutic potential for treating both primary and metastatic sarcomas that demonstrate increased HIF expression.
Setting Conservation Priorities in a Widespread Species: Phylogeographic and Physiological Variation in the Lake Chub, Couesius plumbeus (Pisces: Cyprinidae)
Authors: Taylor Eric , Darveau Charles-A. , Schulte Patricia
Published: April 2013

Defining units of conservation below the species level is a widely accepted conservation priority, but is especially challenging for widespread taxa that have experienced diverse geographic histories and exist across heterogenous environments. The lake chub (Pisces: Couesius plumbeus) is a widespread freshwater fish in North America and occurs from the southcentral USA to northwestern Alaska and Canada. We used mtDNA sequence analysis to test for divergent lineages predicted to occur as a result of survival of lake chub in distinct glacial refugia. Lake chub consisted of two major mtDNA lineages separated by 3.8% sequence divergence which are probably late to pre-Pleistocene in origin. We combined these data with those consistent with thermal adaptation in fish living in thermal springs versus those living in a lake with wide seasonal temperature variation, and with data on distribution of lake chub in major watershed units. We assessed these data against objective criteria developed to identify conservation units under Canadian endangered species legislation. Our analysis identified twelve major units of conservation within C. plumbeus that could be assessed under Canada’s Species-at-Risk Act. Our study illustrates how different character traits manifested at very different spatial scales can be used to define conservation units within widely-distributed taxa.
A Rapid, Multiplexed, High-Throughput Flow-Through Membrane Immunoassay: A Convenient Alternative to ELISA
Authors: Ramachandran Sujatha , Singhal Mitra , McKenzie Katherine , Osborn Jennifer , Arjyal Amit , Dongol Sabina , Baker Stephen , Basnyat Buddha , Farrar Jeremy , Dolecek Christiane , Domingo Gonzalo , Yager Paul , Lutz Barry
Published: April 2013

This paper describes a rapid, high-throughput flow-through membrane immunoassay (FMIA) platform. A nitrocellulose membrane was spotted in an array format with multiple capture and control reagents for each sample detection area, and assay steps were carried out by sequential aspiration of sample and reagents through each detection area using a 96-well vacuum manifold. The FMIA provides an alternate assay format with several advantages over ELISA. The high surface area of the membrane permits high label concentration using gold labels, and the small pores and vacuum control provide rapid diffusion to reduce total assay time to ~30 min. All reagents used in the FMIA are compatible with dry storage without refrigeration. The results appear as colored spots on the membrane that can be quantified using a flatbed scanner. We demonstrate the platform for detection of IgM specific to lipopolysaccharides (LPS) derived from Salmonella Typhi. The FMIA format provides analytical results comparable to ELISA in less time, provides integrated assay controls, and allows compensation for specimen-to-specimen variability in background, which is a particular challenge for IgM assays.
Non-Neuronal Functions of the M2 Muscarinic Acetylcholine Receptor
Authors: Ockenga Wymke , Kühne Sina , Bocksberger Simone , Banning Antje , Tikkanen Ritva
Published: April 2013

Acetylcholine is an important neurotransmitter whose effects are mediated by two classes of receptors. The nicotinic acetylcholine receptors are ion channels, whereas the muscarinic receptors belong to the large family of G protein coupled seven transmembrane helix receptors. Beyond its function in neuronal systems, it has become evident that acetylcholine also plays an important role in non-neuronal cells such as epithelial and immune cells. Furthermore, many cell types in the periphery are capable of synthesizing acetylcholine and express at least some of the receptors. In this review, we summarize the non-neuronal functions of the muscarinic acetylcholine receptors, especially those of the M2 muscarinic receptor in epithelial cells. We will review the mechanisms of signaling by the M2 receptor but also the cellular trafficking and ARF6 mediated endocytosis of this receptor, which play an important role in the regulation of signaling events. In addition, we provide an overview of the M2 receptor in human pathological conditions such as autoimmune diseases and cancer.
Biodiversity, Extinction, and Humanity’s Future: The Ecological and Evolutionary Consequences of Human Population and Resource Use
Authors: Yule Jeffrey , Fournier Robert , Hindmarsh Patrick
Published: April 2013

Human actions have altered global environments and reduced biodiversity by causing extinctions and reducing the population sizes of surviving species. Increasing human population size and per capita resource use will continue to have direct and indirect ecological and evolutionary consequences. As a result, future generations will inhabit a planet with significantly less wildlife, reduced evolutionary potential, diminished ecosystem services, and an increased likelihood of contracting infectious disease. The magnitude of these effects will depend on the rate at which global human population and/or per capita resource use decline to sustainable levels and the degree to which population reductions result from increased death rates rather than decreased birth rates.
Lack of Genomic Instability in Bone Marrow Cells of SCID Mice Exposed Whole-Body to Low-Dose Radiation
Authors: Rithidech Kanokporn , Udomtanakunchai Chatchanok , Honikel Louise , Whorton Elbert
Published: April 2013

It is clear that high-dose radiation is harmful. However, despite extensive research, assessment of potential health-risks associated with exposure to low-dose radiation (at doses below or equal to 0.1 Gy) is still challenging. Recently, we reported that 0.05 Gy of 137Cs gamma rays (the existing limit for radiation-exposure in the workplace) was incapable of inducing significant in vivo genomic instability (measured by the presence of late-occurring chromosomal damage at 6 months post-irradiation) in bone marrow (BM) cells of two mouse strains, one with constitutively high and one with intermediate levels of the repair enzyme DNA-dependent protein-kinase catalytic-subunit (DNA-PKcs). In this study, we present evidence for a lack of genomic instability in BM cells of the severely combined-immunodeficiency (SCID/J) mouse (which has an extremely low-level of DNA-PKcs activity) exposed whole-body to low-dose radiation (0.05 Gy). Together with our previous report, the data indicate that low-dose radiation (0.05 Gy) is incapable of inducing genomic instability in vivo (regardless of the levels of DNA-PKcs activity of the exposed mice), yet higher doses of radiation (0.1 and 1 Gy) do induce genomic instability in mice with intermediate and extremely low-levels of DNA-PKcs activity (indicating an important role of DNA-PKcs in DNA repair).
A Photogrammetric Approach for Assessing Positional Accuracy of OpenStreetMap© Roads
Authors: Canavosio-Zuzelski Roberto , Agouris Peggy , Doucette Peter
Published: April 2013

As open source volunteered geographic information continues to gain popularity, the user community and data contributions are expected to grow, e.g., CloudMade, Apple, and Ushahidi now provide OpenStreetMap© (OSM) as a base layer for some of their mapping applications. This, coupled with the lack of cartographic standards and the expectation to one day be able to use this vector data for more geopositionally sensitive applications, like GPS navigation, leaves potential users and researchers to question the accuracy of the database. This research takes a photogrammetric approach to determining the positional accuracy of OSM road features using stereo imagery and a vector adjustment model. The method applies rigorous analytical measurement principles to compute accurate real world geolocations of OSM road vectors. The proposed approach was tested on several urban gridded city streets from the OSM database with the results showing that the post adjusted shape points improved positionally by 86%. Furthermore, the vector adjustment was able to recover 95% of the actual positional displacement present in the database. To demonstrate a practical application, a head-to-head positional accuracy assessment between OSM, the USGS National Map (TNM), and United States Census Bureau’s Topologically Integrated Geographic Encoding Referencing (TIGER) 2007 roads was conducted.
Kinetic Studies that Evaluate the Solvolytic Mechanisms of Allyl and Vinyl Chloroformate Esters
Authors: D'Souza Malcolm , Givens Aaron , Lorchak Peter , Greenwood Abigail , Gottschall Stacey , Carter Shannon , Kevill Dennis
Published: April 2013

At 25.0 °C the specific rates of solvolysis for allyl and vinyl chloroformates have been determined in a wide mix of pure and aqueous organic mixtures. In all the solvents studied, vinyl chloroformate was found to react significantly faster than allyl chloroformate. Multiple correlation analyses of these rates are completed using the extended (two-term) Grunwald-Winstein equation with incorporation of literature values for solvent nucleophilicity (NT) and solvent ionizing power (YCl). Both substrates were found to solvolyze by similar dual bimolecular carbonyl-addition and unimolecular ionization channels, each heavily dependent upon the solvents nucleophilicity and ionizing ability.
A Functional Variant of NEDD4L Is Associated with Obesity and Related Phenotypes in a Han Population of Southern China
Authors: Wang Yu-Lin , Liang Hui-Ying , Gao Yun-He , Wu Xue-Ji , Chen Xi , Pan Bing-Ying , Yang Xue-Xi , Liu Hua-Zhang
Published: April 2013

NEDD4L is a candidate gene for hypertension, both functionally and genetically. Recently, studies showed evidence for the association of NEDD4L with obesity, a key intermediate phenotype in hypertension. To further investigate the relationship between NEDD4L and body mass-related phenotypes, we genotyped three common variants (rs2288774, rs3865418 and rs4149601) in a population-based study of 892 unrelated Han Cantonese using the Sequenom MALDI-TOF-MS platform. Allele frequencies and genotype distribution were calculated in lean controls and overweight/obese cases and analyzed for association by the Chi-squared test and Logistic regression. Linear regression analysis was used to analyze the effect of individual genotypes on quantitative traits. Multivariate analyses demonstrated that the minor allele of rs4149601(A = 20.9%) was associated with a 2.60 kg, 2.78 cm and 0.97 kg/m2 decrease per allele copy in weight, waist and BMI, respectively. Carriers of this allele also had a significant lower risk of overweight/obesity (p < 0.0001, OR = 0.52, 95% CI: 0.37–0.74) as compared to non-carriers. However, no significant association between genotypes at rs2288774 and rs3865418 and covariate-adjusted overweight/obesity or any related phenotypes was observed. These results suggested that the functional variant of NEDD4L, rs4149601, may be associated with obesity and related phenotypes, and further genetic and functional studies are required to understand its role in the manifestation of obesity.
Nanotribological Behavior of Carbon Based Thin Films: Friction and Lubricity Mechanisms at the Nanoscale
Authors: Charitidis Costas , Koumoulos Elias , Dragatogiannis Dimitrios
Published: April 2013

The use of materials with very attractive friction and wear properties has raised much attention in research and industrial sectors. A wide range of tribological applications, including rolling and sliding bearings, machining, mechanical seals, biomedical implants and microelectromechanical systems (MEMS), require thin films with high mechanical strength, chemical inertness, broad optical transparency, high refractive index, wide bandgap excellent thermal conductivity and extremely low thermal expansion. Carbon based thin films like diamond, diamond-like carbon, carbon nitride and cubic boron nitride known as “super-hard” material have been studied thoroughly as the ideal candidate for tribological applications. In this study, the results of experimental and simulation works on the nanotribological behavior of carbon films and fundamental mechanisms of friction and lubricity at the nano-scale are reviewed. The study is focused on the nanomechanical properties and analysis of the nanoscratching processes at low loads to obtain quantitative analysis, the comparison obtain quantitative analysis, the comparison of their elastic/plastic deformation response, and nanotribological behavior of the a-C, ta-C, a-C:H, CNx, and a-C:M films. For ta-C and a-C:M films new data are presented and discussed.
Correction: Daramola, M.O.; Aransiola, E.F.; Ojumu, T.V. Potential Applications of Zeolite Membranes in Reaction Coupling Separation Processes. Materials 2012, 5, 2101-2136.
Authors: Daramola Michael , Aransiola Elizabeth , Ojumu Tunde
Published: April 2013

Due to an oversight by the authors, Table 4 in the aforementioned review article [1] should have been referred to as obtained from reference [2]: Khajavi, S. Separation of Process Water Using Hydroxy Sodalite Membranes. PhD Thesis, Delft University of Technology, Delft, The Netherlands, 2010. Furthermore, an additional affiliation for the first author of this review is added as follows: Catalysis Engineering Section, Delft University of Technology, Julianalaan 136, 2628 BL, Delft, The Netherlands The authors apologize for any inconvenience this may have caused. [...]
An HPLC Method for Microanalysis and Pharmacokinetics of Marine Sulfated Polysaccharide PSS-Loaded Poly Lactic-co-Glycolic Acid (PLGA) Nanoparticles in Rat Plasma
Authors: Li Peng-Li , Li Chun-Xia , Xue Yi-Ting , Li Hai-Hua , Liu Hong-Bing , He Xiao-Xi , Yu Guang-Li , Guan Hua-Shi
Published: April 2013

This study was aimed at developing a sensitive and selective HPLC method with postcolumn fluorescence derivatization for the detection of propylene glycol alginate sodium sulfate (PSS) in rat plasma. Plasma samples were prepared by a simple and fast ultrafiltration method. PSS was extracted from rat plasma with d-glucuronic acid as internal standard. Isocratic chromatographic separation was performed on a TSKgel G2500 PWxL column with the mobile phase of 0.1 M sodium sulfate at a flow rate of 0.5 mL/min. Analyte detection was achieved by fluorescence detection (FLD) at 250 nm (excitation) and 435 nm (emission) using guanidine hydrochloride as postcolumn derivatizing reagent in an alkaline medium at 120 °C. The calibration curve was linear over a concentration range of 1–500 μg/mL, and the lower limit of detection (LLOD) was found to be 250 ng/mL. This validated method was applied successfully to the pharmacokinetic study of PSS and PSS-loaded poly lactic-co-glycolic acid (PLGA) nanoparticles (PSS-NP) in rat plasma after a single intravenous (PSS only) and oral administration (PSS and PSS-NP). Significant differences in the main pharmacokinetic parameters of PSS and PSS-NP were observed. The relative bioavailability of PSS-NP was 190.10% compared with PSS which shows that PSS-NP can improve oral bioavailability.
Freeform Fabrication of Magnetophotonic Crystals with Diamond Lattices of Oxide and Metallic Glasses for Terahertz Wave Control by Micro Patterning Stereolithography and Low Temperature Sintering
Authors: Kirihara Soshu , Nakano Maasa
Published: April 2013

Micrometer order magnetophotonic crystals with periodic arranged metallic glass and oxide glass composite materials were fabricated by stereolithographic method to reflect electromagnetic waves in terahertz frequency ranges through Bragg diffraction. In the fabrication process, the photo sensitive acrylic resin paste mixed with micrometer sized metallic glass of Fe72B14.4Si9.6Nb4 and oxide glass of B2O3·Bi2O3 particles was spread on a metal substrate, and cross sectional images of ultra violet ray were exposed. Through the layer by layer stacking, micro lattice structures with a diamond type periodic arrangement were successfully formed. The composite structures could be obtained through the dewaxing and sintering process with the lower temperature under the transition point of metallic glass. Transmission spectra of the terahertz waves through the magnetophotonic crystals were measured by using a terahertz time domain spectroscopy.
Lanthanide-Mediated Dephosphorylation Used for Peptide Cleavage during Solid Phase Peptide Synthesis
Authors: Yoo Byunghee , Pagel Mark
Published: April 2013

Lanthanide(III) ions can accelerate the hydrolysis of phosphomonoesters and phosphodiesters in neutral aqueous solution. In this paper, lanthanide-mediated dephosphorylation has been applied in aqueous media as an orthogonal cleavage condition that can be employed in conventional solid phase peptide synthesis (SPPS). A phosphorylated polymeric support for SPPS was developed using Boc chemistry. The cleavage of resin-bound phosphates was investigated with the addition of Eu(III), Yb(III), acid or base, a mixture of solvents or different temperatures. To demonstrate the utility of this approach for SPPS, a peptide sequence was synthesized on a phosphorylated polymeric support and quantitatively cleaved with lanthanide ions in neutral aqueous media. The protecting groups for side chains were retained during peptide cleavage using lanthanide ions. This new methodology provides a mild orthogonal cleavage condition of phosphoester as a linker during SPPS.
Bisucaberin B, a Linear Hydroxamate Class Siderophore from the Marine Bacterium Tenacibaculum mesophilum
Authors: Fujita Masaki , Nakano Koji , Sakai Ryuichi
Published: April 2013

A siderophore, named bisucaberin B, was isolated from Tenacibaculum mesophilum bacteria separated from a marine sponge collected in the Republic of Palau. Using spectroscopic and chemical methods, the structure of bisucaberin B (1) was clearly determined to be a linear dimeric hydroxamate class siderophore. Although compound 1 is an open form of the known macrocyclic dimer bisucaberin (2), and was previously described as a bacterial degradation product of desferrioxamine B (4), the present report is the first description of the de novo biosynthesis of 1. To the best of our knowledge, compound 1 is the first chemically characterized siderophore isolated from a bacterium belonging to the phylum Bacteroidetes.
Expanding Awareness of Docosahexaenoic Acid during Pregnancy
Authors: Emmett Rebecca , Akkersdyk Shann , Yeatman Heather , Meyer Barbara
Published: April 2013

Pregnant women do not currently meet the consensus recommendation for docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) (≥200 mg/day). Pregnant women in Australia are not receiving information on the importance of DHA during pregnancy. DHA pregnancy education materials were developed using current scientific literature, and tested for readability and design aesthetics. The study aimed to evaluate their usefulness, the desire for pregnant women to receive these materials and whether a larger separate study (using a control group) is warranted to evaluate the influence the materials may have on increasing DHA consumption in pregnant women in Australia. Pregnant women (N = 118) were recruited at antenatal clinics at two NSW hospitals. Participants completed a 16-item questionnaire and DHA educational materials (pamphlet and shopping card) were provided. Participants were contacted via phone two weeks later and completed the second questionnaire (25-item, N = 74). Statistics were conducted in SPSS and qualitative data were analysed to identify common themes. Ninety three percent of women found the materials useful, with the main reason being it expanded their knowledge of DHA food sources. Only 34% of women had received prior information on DHA, yet 68% said they would like to receive information. Due to the small sample size and lack of a control group, this small study cannot provide a cause and effect relationship between the materials and nutrition related behaviours or knowledge, however the results indicate a potential positive influence towards increased fish consumption and awareness of DHA containing foods. This suggests a larger study, with a control group is warranted to identify the impact such materials could have on Australian pregnant women.
Glutathione Transferase (GST)-Activated Prodrugs
Authors: Ruzza Paolo , Calderan Andrea
Published: April 2013

Glutathione transferase (formerly GST) catalyzes the inactivation of various electrophile-producing anticancer agents via conjugation to the tripeptide glutathione. Moreover, several data link the overexpression of some GSTs, in particular GSTP1-1, to both natural and acquired resistance to various structurally unrelated anticancer drugs. Tumor overexpression of these proteins has provided a rationale for the search of GST inhibitors and GST activated cytotoxic prodrugs. In the present review we discuss the current structural and pharmacological knowledge of GST-activated cytotoxic compounds.
Water Balance Modeling in a Semi-Arid Environment with Limited in situ Data Using Remote Sensing in Lake Manyara, East African Rift, Tanzania
Authors: Deus Dorothea , Gloaguen Richard , Krause Peter
Published: April 2013

The purpose of this paper is to estimate the water balance in a semi-arid environment with limited in situ data using a remote sensing approach. We focus on the Lake Manyara catchment, located within the East African Rift of northern Tanzania. We use a distributed conceptual hydrological model driven by remote sensing data to study the spatial and temporal variability of water balance parameters within the catchment. Satellite gravimetry GRACE data is used to verify the trends of the inferred lake level changes. The results show that the lake undergoes high spatial and temporal variations, characteristic of a semi-arid climate with high evaporation and low rainfall. We observe that the Lake Manyara water balance and GRACE equivalent water depth show comparable trends; a decrease after 2002 followed by a sharp increase in 2006–2007. Our modeling confirms the importance of the 2006–2007 Indian Ocean Dipole fluctuation in replenishing the groundwater reservoirs of East Africa. We thus demonstrate that water balance modeling can be performed successfully using remote sensing data even in complex climatic settings. Despite the small size of Lake Manyara, GRACE data showed great potential for hydrological research on smaller un-gauged lakes and catchments in similar semi-arid environments worldwide. The water balance information can be used for further analysis of lake variations in relation to soil erosion, climate and land cover/land use change as well as different lake management and conservation scenarios.
Building Reconstruction Using DSM and Orthorectified Images
Authors: Arefi Hossein , Reinartz Peter
Published: April 2013

High resolution Digital Surface Models (DSMs) produced from airborne laser-scanning or stereo satellite images provide a very useful source of information for automated 3D building reconstruction. In this paper an investigation is reported about extraction of 3D building models from high resolution DSMs and orthorectified images produced from Worldview-2 stereo satellite imagery. The focus is on the generation of 3D models of parametric building roofs, which is the basis for creating Level Of Detail 2 (LOD2) according to the CityGML standard. In particular the building blocks containing several connected buildings with tilted roofs are investigated and the potentials and limitations of the modeling approach are discussed. The edge information extracted from orthorectified image has been employed as additional source of information in 3D reconstruction algorithm. A model driven approach based on the analysis of the 3D points of DSMs in a 2D projection plane is proposed. Accordingly, a building block is divided into smaller parts according to the direction and number of existing ridge lines for parametric building reconstruction. The 3D model is derived for each building part, and finally, a complete parametric model is formed by merging the 3D models of the individual building parts and adjusting the nodes after the merging step. For the remaining building parts that do not contain ridge lines, a prismatic model using polygon approximation of the corresponding boundary pixels is derived and merged to the parametric models to shape the final model of the building. A qualitative and quantitative assessment of the proposed method for the automatic reconstruction of buildings with parametric roofs is then provided by comparing the final model with the existing surface model as well as some field measurements.
A Solid-Contact Ion Selective Electrode for Copper(II) Using a Succinimide Derivative as Ionophore
Authors: Tutulea-Anastasiu Mihaela , Wilson Deivy , Del Valle Manel , Schreiner Cristina , Cretescu Igor
Published: April 2013

All-solid-state sensors with polyvinyl chloride (PVC)-based membranes using off-the-shelf N-hydroxysuccinimide (NHS) and succinimide (Succ) ionophores were prepared using DOP (dioctyl phthalate) and NPOE (ortho-nitrophenyloctyl ether) as plasticizers. Good responses were obtained when NHS was used. The potentiometric response of the proposed electrode is independent of pH over the range 2–6. The electrode shows a fast response time of 0.25 s. The electrode exhibits a Super-Nernstian response, with 37.5 mV/decade, with a potentiometric detection limit of 4.4 µM. The proposed sensor revealed good selectivity towards a group of transition metal ions.
Pressure-Sensitive Paint Measurements of Transient Shock Phenomena
Authors: Quinn Mark , Kontis Konstantinos
Published: April 2013

Measurements of the global pressure field created by shock wave diffraction have been captured optically using a porous pressure-sensitive paint. The pressure field created by a diffracting shock wave shows large increases and decreases in pressure and can be reasonably accurately captured using CFD. The substrate, a thin-layer chromatography (TLC) plate, has been dipped in a luminophore solution. TLC plates are readily available and easy to prepare. Illumination comes from two high-intensity broadband Xenon arc light sources with short-pass filters. The sample is imaged at 100 kHz using a Vision Research Phantom V710 in conjunction with a pair of long and short pass filters, creating a band. The PSP results are compared with numerical simulations of the flow using the commercial CFD package Fluent as part of ANSYS 13 for two Mach numbers.
SAR Image Simulation in the Time Domain for Moving Ocean Surfaces
Authors: Yoshida Takero , Rheem Chang-Kyu
Published: April 2013

This paper presents a fundamental simulation method to generate synthetic aperture radar (SAR) images for moving ocean surfaces. We have designed the simulation based on motion induced modulations and Bragg scattering, which are important features of ocean SAR images. The time domain simulation is able to obtain time series of microwave backscattering modulated by the orbital motions of ocean waves. Physical optics approximation is applied to calculate microwave backscattering. The computational grids are smaller than transmit microwave to demonstrate accurate interaction between electromagnetic waves and ocean surface waves. In this paper, as foundations for SAR image simulation of moving ocean surfaces, the simulation is carried out for some targets and ocean waves. The SAR images of stationary and moving targets are simulated to confirm SAR signal processing and motion induced modulation. Furthermore, the azimuth signals from the regular wave traveling to the azimuth direction also show the azimuthal shifts due to the orbital motions. In addition, incident angle dependence is simulated for irregular wind waves to compare with Bragg scattering theory. The simulation results are in good agreement with the theory. These results show that the simulation is applicable for generating numerical SAR images of moving ocean surfaces.
CA-Markov Analysis of Constrained Coastal Urban Growth Modeling: Hua Hin Seaside City, Thailand
Authors: Kityuttachai Kritsana , Tripathi Nitin , Tipdecho Taravudh , Shrestha Rajendra
Published: April 2013

Thailand, a developing country in Southeast Asia, is experiencing rapid development, particularly urban growth as a response to the expansion of the tourism industry. Hua Hin city provides an excellent example of an area where urbanization has flourished due to tourism. This study focuses on how the dynamic urban horizontal expansion of the seaside city of Hua Hin is constrained by the coast, thus making sustainability for this popular tourist destination—managing and planning for its local inhabitants, its visitors, and its sites—an issue. The study examines the association of land use type and land use change by integrating Geo-Information technology, a statistic model, and CA-Markov analysis for sustainable land use planning. The study identifies that the land use types and land use changes from the year 1999 to 2008 have changed as a result of increased mobility; this trend, in turn, has everything to do with urban horizontal expansion. The changing sequences of land use type have developed from forest area to agriculture, from agriculture to grassland, then to bare land and built-up areas. Coastal urban growth has, for a decade, been expanding horizontally from a downtown center along the beach to the western area around the golf course, the southern area along the beach, the southwest grassland area, and then the northern area near the airport.
Interpreting the Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV) Epigenome Using High-Throughput Data
Authors: Arvey Aaron , Tempera Italo , Lieberman Paul
Published: April 2013

The Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) double-stranded DNA genome is subject to extensive epigenetic regulation. Large consortiums and individual labs have generated a vast number of genome-wide data sets on human lymphoblastoid and other cell lines latently infected with EBV. Analysis of these data sets reveals important new information on the properties of the host and viral chromosome structure organization and epigenetic modifications. We discuss the mapping of these data sets and the subsequent insights into the chromatin structure and transcription factor binding patterns on latent EBV genomes. Colocalization of multiple histone modifications and transcription factors at regulatory loci are considered in the context of the biology and regulation of EBV.
Effects of a Pre-Dialysis Patient Education Program on the Relative Frequencies of Dialysis Modalities
Authors: Ribitsch Werner , Haditsch Bernd , Otto Ronald , Schilcher Gernot , Quehenberger Franz , Roob Johannes M. , Rosenkranz Alexander R.
Published: April 2013

Background

Pre-dialysis education can guide the choice of the dialysis modality best tailored to meet the needs and preferences of individual patients with chronic kidney disease.

Methods

In a retrospective single-center cohort study, we evaluated the impact of a pre-dialysis education program on the incidence rates of patients using hemodialysis (HD) and peritoneal dialysis (PD) in our unit. The frequency distribution of dialysis modalities between people attending our education program and people not attending the program (control group) was analyzed for the 4-year period 2004 – 2008.

Results

From among all the incident chronic kidney disease 5D patients presenting during the 4-year period, we analyzed 227 who started dialysis either with an arteriovenous fistula or a PD catheter. In that cohort, 70 patients (30.8%) took part in the education program, and 157 (69.2%) did not receive structured pre-dialysis counseling. In the group receiving education, 38 patients (54.3%) started with PD, and 32 (45.7%), with HD. In the standard-care group not receiving education, 44 patients (28%) started with PD, and 113 (72%), with HD ( p < 0.001).

Conclusions

Our multidisciplinary pre-dialysis program had a significant impact on the frequency distribution of dialysis modalities, increasing the proportion of patients initiating dialysis with PD.