bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Evaluation of the Complementary Relationship Using Noah Land Surface Model and North American Regional Reanalysis (NARR) Data to Estimate Evapotranspiration in Semiarid Ecosystems
Authors: Jaksa W. Thilini , Sridhar Venkataramana , Huntington Justin L. , Khanal Mandar
Published: November 2012

Estimating evapotranspiration using the complementary relationship can serve as a proxy to more sophisticated physically based approaches and can be used to better understand water and energy budget feedbacks. The authors investigated the existence of complementarity between actual evapotranspiration (ET) and potential ET (ETp) over natural vegetation in semiarid desert ecosystems of southern Idaho using only the forcing data and simulated fluxes obtained from Noah land surface model (LSM) and North American Regional Reanalysis (NARR) data. To mitigate the paucity of long-term meteorological data, the Noah LSM-simulated fluxes and the NARR forcing data were used in the advection–aridity (AA) model to derive the complementary relationship (CR) for the sagebrush and cheatgrass ecosystems. When soil moisture was a limiting factor for ET, the CR was stable and asymmetric, with b values of 2.43 and 1.43 for sagebrush and cheatgrass, respectively. Higher b values contributed to decreased ET and increased ETp, and as a result ET from the sagebrush community was less compared to that of cheatgrass. Validation of the derived CR showed that correlations between daily ET from the Noah LSM and CR-based ET were 0.76 and 0.80 for sagebrush and cheatgrass, respectively, while the root-mean-square errors were 0.53 and 0.61 mm day−1.
Globalization of Ergonomics Through the International Ergonomics Association
Authors: Caple David C.
Published: November 2012

The International Ergonomics Association (IEA) plays a pivotal role in developing ergonomics at a global level. Through the federated societies in 49 countries, IEA brings together knowledge and resources to share and develop ergonomics education, research, and practice internationally. IEA also recognizes the relatively small size of this domain in the global community and is working to develop collaborations with larger and more influential organizations to integrate and expand exposure to ergonomics, such as with the International Organization for Standardization, the International Labor Organization, and the World Health Organization. Collaborations with other professional associations at an international level also assist in developing and integrating connections for mutual recognition of ergonomics research and practice. This article briefly describes some of IEA’s goals and activities.
An International Perspective on Ergonomics Education
Authors: Bridger R. S.
Published: November 2012

This article highlights recent initiatives to develop guidelines for the minimum content of postgraduate programs in ergonomics. These initiatives are discussed in relation to the theme of globalization, particularly the need to “think globally and act locally” in ergonomics education.
Examples of Practical Ergonomics in Industrially Developing Countries
Authors: Budnick Peter , Kogi Kazutaka , O’Neill David
Published: November 2012

Ergonomics is applied most often in industrially developed countries with the systems and means to promote human-centered design. However, given that most of the world’s peoples are employed by or make their living through individual, small, or family-owned enterprises, and that many of those enterprises are located in industrially developing countries, there is a need for outreach that can bring the benefits of ergonomics to these diverse populations. In this article, we discuss three example approaches to practicing ergonomics in developing countries.
Unmasking and disclosure as sociological practices
Authors: Baehr Peter , Gordon Daniel
Published: November 2012

Unmasking is a recurrent feature of modern sociology and cultural criticism. While false consciousness is imputed by intellectuals to religious groups and to certain social classes, unmasking is, or claims to be, a corrective performed by intellectuals themselves. Unmasking supposes that enlightened enquirers are able to help the less rational to understand their real interests; a type of exposure, it offers a cognitive tool of emancipation. This article (a) examines unmasking; and (b) contrasts it with an approach to understanding that we call disclosure. Our claim is that disclosure is more attuned to the full keyboard of social action, and less demeaning of its players, than unmasking is. Disclosure attempts to grasp what actions are like for those who enact them. Nothing has been more often or consistently unmasked and with more venom than religion. It is the main example explored in this article.
Fatigue in cystic fibrosis
Authors: Jarad N A , Sequeiros I M , Patel P , Bristow K , Sund Z
Published: November 2012

Fatigue is a debilitating symptom in patients with cystic fibrosis (CF). Although fatigue is commonly reported in these patients, an effective treatment for this symptom has not been found. The factors associated with fatigue in CF have not been investigated. We conducted a prospective, case–control study in adult patients with CF. All the patients were chronically infected with Pseudomonas aeruginosa and were enrolled in the study during disease stability. A gender and age-matched control group was also recruited. Subjective assessment included three questionnaires: the Chalder fatigue questionnaire, St Mary’s Hospital sleep questionnaire (SQ), and the scaled general health and Hillier questionnaire (GHQ). For patients with CF, spirometry, body mass index (BMI), haemoglobin level, C-reactive protein, and the burden of pulmonary exacerbations (PExs) were assessed. The control group completed all the three questionnaires, and their BMI was measured. A total of 78 participants were enrolled in the study (44 patients with CF and 34 control). Female patients with CF received antibiotics for more days than male patients with CF. The fatigue score did not differ between female and male participants in either the patients with CF or the control group; however, the fatigue score was greater for both the sexes in the patients with CF compared with the control group: p = 0.038 for female and p = 0.048 for male. The scores for the SQ and the GHQ did not differ between the two study groups. The fatigue score correlated with the total score for SQ ( p < 0.0001) in patients with CF, but not in control participants. In patients with CF and the individuals in the control group, a close correlation was found between the fatigue score and the GHQ domain-specific scores and with the total score; p < 0.0001 for patients with CF and p = 0.001 for control. No correlations were found between the fatigue score and any of the objective parameters studied.
Journalism Innovation and the Ecology of News Production
Authors: Lowrey Wilson
Published: November 2012

This monograph develops and tests a news ecology model to help explain development and stasis of news forms and practices. The model predicts that emerging media form populations as they pursue similar resources and that later, forms and practices tend to become more similar and more legitimate to would-be entrants and to other institutions. The model is tested through an analysis of the health blog population and case studies of two city news environments. Results offered evidence that emerging media develop population forms that shift from an instrumental to an institutional orientation as they gain public legitimacy and become increasingly specialized.
Identifying the Target Lesions for 245 Laser Angioplasty Cases and a Review of the Literature
Authors: Kim Jung H. , Ahanchi Sadaf S. , Panneton Jean M.
Published: November 2012

Objective:

To provide a detailed report of our experience with laser atherectomy in a large patient population with an extensive follow-up period.

Method:

A retrospective chart review was conducted on 222 patients who underwent laser atherectomy.

Results:

Overall primary patency rates at 1 and 3 years were 48% and 37%, primary-assisted rates were 53% and 40%, and secondary patency rates were 69% and 51%, respectively. Limb salvage rates were 91% and 83%. The 1- and 3-year primary patency rates were significantly different between the native (51% and 39%) and the in-stent group (20% and 20%; P = .027). There were no differences in primary-assisted patency ( P = .11), secondary patency ( P = .094), and limb salvage rates ( P= .83) between the 2 groups.

Conclusions:

Although the primary patency of laser angioplasty was higher in native vessels versus the in-stent stenosis, there were no differences in the primary-assisted patency, secondary patency, or limb salvage rates between the 2 groups.
Unified tensile work hardening behaviour of 9Cr–1Mo ferritic steel
Authors: Choudhary B K , Rao Palaparti D P , Isaac Samuel E , Jayakumar T
Published: November 2012

Tensile work hardening behaviour of 9Cr–1Mo ferritic steel has been examined in terms of the variations in instantaneous work hardening rate ( θ = d σ/dϵp, where σ is true stress and ϵp is true plastic strain) with stress and plastic strain rate [Formula: see text] for a wide range of temperatures (300–873 K) and strain rates (6·33×10−5–6·33×10−3 s−1). Both θ– σ and θσ– σ exhibited two stage work hardening behaviour and distinct three temperature regimes with signatures of dynamic strain aging at intermediate temperatures and dominance of dynamic recovery at high temperatures. The variations in θ with [Formula: see text] for 300–873 K exhibited unified work hardening in terms of separate master curves for different strain rates. At all the strain rates, θ varied linearly with reciprocal of plastic strain rate [Formula: see text] independent of temperature. As a consequence, direct proportionality between rate of change in true stress and plastic strain rate is obtained.
The heteropolymolybdate family: structural relations, nomenclature scheme and new species
Authors: Kampf A. R. , Mills S. J. , Rumsey M. S. , Dini M. , Birch W. D. , Spratt J. , Pluth J. J. , Steele I. M. , Jenkins R. A. , Pinch W. W.
Published: November 2012

Type specimens of the molybdoarsenates betpakdalite, natrobetpakdalite and obradovicite and the molybdophosphates mendozavilite, paramendozavilite and melkovite, and similar material from other sources, have been examined in an effort to elucidate the relations among these phases, which we designate as the heteropolymolybdate family of minerals. Using electron microprobe analysis, X-ray powder diffraction and single-crystal X-ray diffraction with crystal structure determination where possible, it was found that natrobetpakdalite, mendozavilite and melkovite are isostructural with betpakdalite and that obradovicite has a closely related structure.

The betpakdalite and obradovicite structure types are based on frameworks containing four-member clusters of edge-sharing MoO6 octahedra that link by sharing corners with other clusters, with Fe3+O6 octahedra and with PO4 or AsO4 tetrahedra (T). The structures differ in the linkages through the Fe3+O6 octahedra, which produce different but closely related framework configurations. The structures contain two types of non-framework cation sites, which are designated A and B. In general, there are two or more A sites partially occupied by disordered, generally larger cations that are coordinated to O atoms in the framework and to H2O molecules. The B site is occupied by a smaller cation that is octahedrally coordinated to H2O molecules. The general formula for minerals with either the betpakdalite or the obradovicite structure is: [A2(H2O)nB(H2O)6][Mo8T2Fe3+3O30+7(OH)7–x], where x is the total charge of the cations in the A and B sites (+3 to +7) and n is variable, ideally 17 for arsenates and 15 for phosphates. The ideal total number of A cations is defined as 2 in the general formula, but varies from 1 to 3.8 in analysed samples. Dominant cations at the A site include K, Na and Ca and at the B site Na, Ca, Mg, Cu and Fe. The combinations that have been identified in this study define six new heteropolymolybdate species.

A suffix-based nomenclature scheme is established for minerals of the betpakdalite, mendozavilite and obradovicite groups, with the following root names based on the structure types and the T-site cations: betpakdalite (T = As), mendozavilite (T = P) and obradovicite (T = As). Two suffixes of the form -AB, corresponding to the dominant cations in the two different types of non-framework cation sites complete the species name. The historical name melkovite is retained rather than introducing mendozavilite-CaCa.

Our investigation of the paramendozavilite type specimen revealed no paramendozavilite, but an apparently closely related new mineral; however, another sample of paramendozavilite analysed had K > Na.
Physical mapping resources for large plant genomes: radiation hybrids for wheat D-genome progenitor Aegilops tauschii
Authors: Kumar Ajay , Simons Kristin , Iqbal Muhammad J , de Jiménez Monika Michalak , Bassi Filippo M , Ghavami Farhad , Al-Azzam Omar , Drader Thomas , Wang Yi , Luo Ming-Cheng , Gu Yong Q , Denton Anne , Lazo Gerard R , Xu Steven S , Dvorak Jan , Kianian Penny MA , Kianian Shahryar F
Published: November 2012

Background

Development of a high quality reference sequence is a daunting task in crops like wheat with large (~17Gb), highly repetitive (>80%) and polyploid genome. To achieve complete sequence assembly of such genomes, development of a high quality physical map is a necessary first step. However, due to the lack of recombination in certain regions of the chromosomes, genetic mapping, which uses recombination frequency to map marker loci, alone is not sufficient to develop high quality marker scaffolds for a sequence ready physical map. Radiation hybrid (RH) mapping, which uses radiation induced chromosomal breaks, has proven to be a successful approach for developing marker scaffolds for sequence assembly in animal systems. Here, the development and characterization of a RH panel for the mapping of D-genome of wheat progenitor Aegilops tauschii is reported.

Results

Radiation dosages of 350 and 450 Gy were optimized for seed irradiation of a synthetic hexaploid (AABBDD) wheat with the D-genome of Ae. tauschii accession AL8/78. The surviving plants after irradiation were crossed to durum wheat (AABB), to produce pentaploid RH1s (AABBD), which allows the simultaneous mapping of the whole D-genome. A panel of 1,510 RH1 plants was obtained, of which 592 plants were generated from the mature RH1 seeds, and 918 plants were rescued through embryo culture due to poor germination (<3%) of mature RH1 seeds. This panel showed a homogenous marker loss (2.1%) after screening with SSR markers uniformly covering all the D-genome chromosomes. Different marker systems mostly detected different lines with deletions. Using markers covering known distances, the mapping resolution of this RH panel was estimated to be <140kb. Analysis of only 16 RH lines carrying deletions on chromosome 2D resulted in a physical map with cM/cR ratio of 1:5.2 and 15 distinct bins. Additionally, with this small set of lines, almost all the tested ESTs could be mapped. A set of 399 most informative RH lines with an average deletion frequency of ~10% were identified for developing high density marker scaffolds of the D-genome.

Conclusions

The RH panel reported here is the first developed for any wild ancestor of a major cultivated plant species. The results provided insight into various aspects of RH mapping in plants, including the genetically effective cell number for wheat (for the first time) and the potential implementation of this technique in other plant species. This RH panel will be an invaluable resource for mapping gene based markers, developing a complete marker scaffold for the whole genome sequence assembly, fine mapping of markers and functional characterization of genes and gene networks present on the D-genome.
Visualization of odor-induced neuronal activity by immediate early gene expression
Authors: Bepari Asim K , Watanabe Keisuke , Yamaguchi Masahiro , Tamamaki Nobuaki , Takebayashi Hirohide
Published: November 2012

Background

Sensitive detection of sensory-evoked neuronal activation is a key to mechanistic understanding of brain functions. Since immediate early genes (IEGs) are readily induced in the brain by environmental changes, tracing IEG expression provides a convenient tool to identify brain activity. In this study we used in situ hybridization to detect odor-evoked induction of ten IEGs in the mouse olfactory system. We then analyzed IEG induction in the cyclic nucleotide-gated channel subunit A2 (Cnga2)-null mice to visualize residual neuronal activity following odorant exposure since CNGA2 is a key component of the olfactory signal transduction pathway in the main olfactory system.

Results

We observed rapid induction of as many as ten IEGs in the mouse olfactory bulb (OB) after olfactory stimulation by a non-biological odorant amyl acetate. A robust increase in expression of several IEGs likec-fosandEgr1was evident in the glomerular layer, the mitral/tufted cell layer and the granule cell layer. Additionally, the neuronal IEGNpas4showed steep induction from a very low basal expression level predominantly in the granule cell layer. InCnga2-null mice, which are usually anosmic and sexually unresponsive, glomerular activation was insignificant in response to either ambient odorants or female stimuli. However, a subtle induction ofc-fostook place in the OB of a fewCnga2-mutants which exhibited sexual arousal. Interestingly, very strong glomerular activation was observed in the OB ofCnga2-null male mice after stimulation with either the neutral odor amyl acetate or the predator odor 2, 3, 5-trimethyl-3-thiazoline (TMT).

Conclusions

This study shows for the first time that in vivo olfactory stimulation can robustly induce the neuronal IEGNpas4in the mouse OB and confirms the odor-evoked induction of a number of IEGs. As shown in previous studies, our results indicate that a CNGA2-independent signaling pathway(s) may activate the olfactory circuit inCnga2-null mice and that neuronal activation which correlates to behavioral difference in individual mice is detectable by in situ hybridization of IEGs. Thus, the in situ hybridization probe set we established for IEG tracing can be very useful to visualize neuronal activity at the cellular level.
Burden of influenza, healthcare seeking behaviour and hygiene measures during the A(H1N1)2009 pandemic in France: a population based study
Authors: Van Cauteren Dieter , Vaux Sophie , de Valk Henriette , Le Strat Yann , Vaillant Véronique , Lévy-Bruhl Daniel
Published: November 2012

Background

Influenza surveillance systems do not allow the identification of the true burden of illness caused by influenza in the community because they are restricted to consulting cases. A study was conducted to estimate the incidence and the burden of self-defined influenza, and to describe healthcare seeking behavior for self-defined influenza during the A(H1N1)2009 pandemic in the French population.

Methods

We conducted a random-based retrospective cross-sectional telephone survey between May 2009 and April 2010 among a random sample of the French population.

Results

For the 10 076 people included, 107 episodes of self-defined influenza were reported. The annual incidence of self-defined influenza was estimated at 13 942 cases per 100 000 inhabitants (CI95% 10 947 – 16 961), 62.1% (CI95% 50.5 – 72.5) of cases consulted a physician and 11.3% (CI95% 5.5 - 21.7) used a face mask. Following recommendations, 37.5% (CI95% 35.5 – 39.5) of people in the survey reported washing their hands more often during the pandemic season, and there was a positive association with being vaccinated against A(H1N1)2009 influenza, being a women, being a child (< 15 years) or living in a big city (≥ 100 000 inhabitants).

Conclusions

Self-defined influenza causes a significant burden of illness in the French population and is a frequent cause for consultation. These results allow a more accurate interpretation of influenza surveillance data and an opportunity to adapt future health education messages.
Establishment of automated culture system for murine induced pluripotent stem cells
Authors: Koike Hiroyuki , Kubota Koji , Sekine Keisuke , Takebe Takanori , Ouchi Rie , Zheng Yun-Wen , Ueno Yasuharu , Tanigawa Naoki , Taniguchi Hideki
Published: November 2012

Background

Induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells can differentiate into any cell type, which makes them an attractive resource in fields such as regenerative medicine, drug screening, or in vitro toxicology. The most important prerequisite for these industrial applications is stable supply and uniform quality of iPS cells. Variation in quality largely results from differences in handling skills between operators in laboratories. To minimize these differences, establishment of an automated iPS cell culture system is necessary.

Results

We developed a standardized mouse iPS cell maintenance culture, using an automated cell culture system housed in a CO2 incubator commonly used in many laboratories. The iPS cells propagated in a chamber uniquely designed for automated culture and showed specific colony morphology, as for manual culture. A cell detachment device in the system passaged iPS cells automatically by dispersing colonies to single cells. In addition, iPS cells were passaged without any change in colony morphology or expression of undifferentiated stem cell markers during the 4 weeks of automated culture.

Conclusions

Our results show that use of this compact, automated cell culture system facilitates stable iPS cell culture without obvious effects on iPS cell pluripotency or colony-forming ability. The feasibility of iPS cell culture automation may greatly facilitate the use of this versatile cell source for a variety of biomedical applications.
What should we be selecting for? A systematic approach for determining which personal characteristics to assess for during admissions
Authors: Conlon Peter , Hecker Kent , Sabatini Susan
Published: November 2012

Background

Admission committees are responsible for creating fair, defensible, reliable, and valid processes that assess those attributes considered important for professional success. There is evidence for the continuing use of academic ability as a selection criterion for health professional schools; however, there is little evidence for the reliability and validity of measures currently in place to assess personal characteristics. The Ontario Veterinary College (OVC) initiated a review of its admissions criteria in order to implement an evidence-based method to determine which characteristics veterinary stakeholders consider important to assess for admission.

Methods

Eleven characteristics were identified by the OVC Admissions Committee and a survey was sent to all licensed veterinarians in Ontario (n=4,068), OVC students (n=450), and OVC faculty, interns and residents (n=192). A paired comparison method was used to identify the relative rank order of the characteristics, and multivariate analysis of variance with post hoc analyses was used to determine between group differences in the returned survey data.

Results

Surveys were returned from 1,312 participants (27.86% response rate; female 59.70%). The relative rank of the characteristics was reasonably consistent among participant groups, with ethical behaviour, sound judgment, communication, and critical and creative thinking being ranked as the top four. However, the importance of certain characteristics like communication and empathy were perceived differently by groups. For instance, females scored communication (F(1, 1289) = 20.24, p < .001, d = .26) and empathy (F(1, 1289) = 55.41, p < .001, d = 0.42) significantly higher than males, while males scored knowledge of profession (F(1, 1289) = 12.81, p < .001, d = 0.20), leadership (F(1, 1289) = 10.28, p = .001, d = 0.18), and sound judgment (F(1, 1289) = 13.56, p < .001, d = 0.21) significantly higher than females.

Conclusions

The data from the paired comparison method provide convergent evidence for the characteristics participant groups identify as most important in determining who should be admitted to a veterinary program. The between group analyses provides important information regarding characteristics most important to various subgroups; this has implications for what characteristics are selected for at admission as well as on who is selecting for them.
Increased blood glycohemoglobin A1c levels lead to overestimation of arterial oxygen saturation by pulse oximetry in patients with type 2 diabetes
Authors: Pu Li Jin , Shen Ying , Lu Lin , Zhang Rui Yan , Zhang Qi , Shen Wei Feng
Published: November 2012

Background

Non-enzymatic glycation increases hemoglobin-oxygen affinity and reduces oxygen delivery to tissues by altering the structure and function of hemoglobin.

Objectives

We investigated whether an elevated blood concentration of glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) could induce falsely high pulse oximeter oxygen saturation (SpO2) in type 2 diabetic patients during mechanical ventilation or oxygen therapy.

Methods

Arterial oxygen saturation (SaO2) and partial pressure of oxygen (PO2) were determined with simultaneous monitoring of SpO2in 261 type 2 diabetic patients during ventilation or oxygen inhalation.

Results

Blood concentration of HbA1c was >7% in 114 patients and ≤ 7% in 147 patients. Both SaO2(96.2 ± 2.9%, 95% confidence interval [CI] 95.7-96.7% vs. 95.1 ± 2.8%, 95% CI 94.7-95.6%) and SpO2(98.0 ± 2.6%, 95% CI 97.6-98.5% vs. 95.3 ± 2.8%, 95% CI 94.9-95.8%) were significantly higher in patients with HbA1c >7% than in those with HbA1c ≤ 7% (Data are mean ± SD, all p < 0.01), but PO2did not significantly differ between the two groups. Bland-Altman analysis demonstrated a significant bias between SpO2and SaO2(1.83 ±0.55%, 95% CI 1.73% -1.94%) and limits of agreement (0.76% and 2.92%) in patients with HbA1c >7%. The differences between SpO2and SaO2correlated closely with blood HbA1c levels (Pearson’s r = 0.307, p < 0.01).

Conclusions

Elevated blood HbA1c levels lead to an overestimation of SaO2by SpO2, suggesting that arterial blood gas analysis may be needed for type 2 diabetic patients with poor glycemic control during the treatment of hypoxemia.
Spatial epidemiology of eastern equine encephalitis in Florida
Authors: Vander Kelen Patrick T , Downs Joni A , Stark Lillian M , Loraamm Rebecca W , Anderson James H , Unnasch Thomas R
Published: November 2012

Background

Eastern Equine Encephalitis virus (EEEV) is an alphavirus with high pathogenicity in both humans and horses. Florida continues to have the highest occurrence of human cases in the USA, with four fatalities recorded in 2010. Unlike other states, Florida supports year-round EEEV transmission. This research uses GIS to examine spatial patterns of documented horse cases during 2005–2010 in order to understand the relationships between habitat and transmission intensity of EEEV in Florida.

Methods

Cumulative incidence rates of EEE in horses were calculated for each county. Two cluster analyses were performed using density-based spatial clustering of applications with noise (DBSCAN). The first analysis was based on regional clustering while the second focused on local clustering. Ecological associations of EEEV were examined using compositional analysis and Euclidean distance analysis to determine if the proportion or proximity of certain habitats played a role in transmission.

Results

The DBSCAN algorithm identified five distinct regional spatial clusters that contained 360 of the 438 horse cases. The local clustering resulted in 18 separate clusters containing 105 of the 438 cases. Both the compositional analysis and Euclidean distance analysis indicated that the top five habitats positively associated with horse cases were rural residential areas, crop and pastureland, upland hardwood forests, vegetated non-forested wetlands, and tree plantations.

Conclusions

This study demonstrates that in Florida tree plantations are a focus for epizootic transmission of EEEV. It appears both the abundance and proximity of tree plantations are factors associated with increased risk of EEE in horses and therefore humans. This association helps to explain why there is are spatially distinct differences in the amount of EEE horse cases across Florida.
Effect of co-exposure to nickel and particulate matter on insulin resistance and mitochondrial dysfunction in a mouse model
Authors: Xu Xiaohua , Rao Xiaoquan , Wang Tse-Yao , Jiang Silis Y , Ying Zhekang , Liu Cuiqing , Wang Aixia , Zhong Mianhua , Deiuliis Jeffrey A , Maiseyeu Andrei , Rajagopalan Sanjay , Lippmann Morton , Chen Lung-Chi , Sun Qinghua
Published: November 2012

Background

It has been well recognized that toxicity of fine ambient air particulate matter (PM2.5) may depend on its chemical constituents, including components such as soluble metals that may theoretically exert distinctive effects. We have recently demonstrated an important effect of PM2.5 on metabolic function. Since transition metals, such as nickel (Ni), represent an important component of exposure in certain environments, and may significantly influence the toxicity of inhalational exposure, we investigated the effects of Ni as a variable component of ambient PM2.5 exposure.

Methods

Male ApoE knockout mice were exposed to filtered air (FA), fine-sized nickel sulfate particles alone (Ni) at 0.44 μ g/m3, concentrated ambient air PM2.5 (CAPs) at a mean of 70 μ g/m3, or CAPs+Ni in Tuxedo, NY, 6 hours/day, 5 days/week, for 3 months.

Results

Exposure to Ni, irrespective of co-exposure to CAPs, resulted in body weight gain, while exposure to CAPs+Ni significantly enhanced fasting glucose and worsened insulin resistance measures (HOMA-IR), when compared with exposure to CAPs alone. CAPs+Ni exposure induced a significant decrease in phosphorylation of AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) α. Exposure to Ni or CAPs+Ni significantly induced microcirculatory dysfunction and increased monocytic cell infiltration into lung and adipose, and decreased uncoupling protein 1 expression at gene and protein levels and several brown adipocyte-specific genes in adipose tissue.

Conclusions

Ni exposure has effects on metabolic and inflammatory parameters that are comparable to that of CAPs. Additionally, Ni synergistically exacerbates CAPs-induced adverse effects on some of, but not all of, these parameters, that may be mediated via the AMPK signaling pathway. These findings have important implications for inhaled transition metal toxicity that may exert synergistic effects with other PM2.5 components.
Multiscale forward electromagnetic model of uterine contractions during pregnancy
Authors: La Rosa Patricio S , Eswaran Hari , Preissl Hubert , Nehorai Arye
Published: November 2012

Background

Analyzing and monitoring uterine contractions during pregnancy is relevant to the field of reproductive health assessment. Its clinical importance is grounded in the need to reliably predict the onset of labor at term and pre-term. Preterm births can cause health problems or even be fatal for the fetus. Currently, there are no objective methods for consistently predicting the onset of labor based on sensing of the mechanical or electrophysiological aspects of uterine contractions. Therefore, modeling uterine contractions could help to better interpret such measurements and to develop more accurate methods for predicting labor. In this work, we develop a multiscale forward electromagnetic model of myometrial contractions during pregnancy. In particular, we introduce a model of myometrial current source densities and compute its magnetic field and action potential at the abdominal surface, using Maxwell’s equations and a four-compartment volume conductor geometry. To model the current source density at the myometrium we use a bidomain approach. We consider a modified version of the Fitzhugh-Nagumo (FHN) equation for modeling ionic currents in each myocyte, assuming a plateau-type transmembrane potential, and we incorporate the anisotropic nature of the uterus by designing conductivity-tensor fields.

Results

We illustrate our modeling approach considering a spherical uterus and one pacemaker located in the fundus. We obtained a travelling transmembrane potential depolarizing from −56 mV to −16 mV and an average potential in the plateau area of −25 mV with a duration, before hyperpolarization, of 35 s, which is a good approximation with respect to the average recorded transmembrane potentials at term reported in the technical literature. Similarly, the percentage of myometrial cells contracting as a function of time had the same symmetric properties and duration as the intrauterine pressure waveforms of a pregnant human myometrium at term.

Conclusions

We introduced a multiscale modeling approach of uterine contractions which allows for incorporating electrophysiological and anatomical knowledge of the myometrium jointly. Our results are in good agreement with the values reported in the experimental technical literature, and these are potentially important as a tool for helping in the characterization of contractions and for predicting labor using magnetomyography (MMG) and electromyography (EMG).
Reducing ligation bias of small RNAs in libraries for next generation sequencing
Authors: Sorefan Karim , Pais Helio , Hall Adam E , Kozomara Ana , Griffiths-Jones Sam , Moulton Vincent , Dalmay Tamas
Published: November 2012

Background

The use of nucleic acid-modifying enzymes has driven the rapid advancement in molecular biology. Understanding their function is important for modifying or improving their activity. However, functional analysis usually relies upon low-throughput experiments. Here we present a method for functional analysis of nucleic acid-modifying enzymes using next generation sequencing.

Findings

We demonstrate that sequencing data of libraries generated by RNA ligases can reveal novel secondary structure preferences of these enzymes, which are used in small RNA cloning and library preparation for NGS. Using this knowledge we demonstrate that the cloning bias in small RNA libraries is RNA ligase-dependent. We developed a high definition (HD) protocol that reduces the RNA ligase-dependent cloning bias. The HD protocol doubled read coverage, is quantitative and found previously unidentified microRNAs. In addition, we show that microRNAs in miRBase are those preferred by the adapters of the main sequencing platform.

Conclusions

Sequencing bias of small RNAs partially influenced which microRNAs have been studied in depth; therefore most previous small RNA profiling experiments should be re-evaluated. New microRNAs are likely to be found, which were selected against by existing adapters. Preference of currently used adapters towards known microRNAs suggests that the annotation of all existing small RNAs, including miRNAs, siRNAs and piRNAs, has been biased.
Dynamic content synchronization between learning management systems over limited bandwidth network
Authors: Ijtihadie Royyana M , Hidayanto Bekti C , Affandi Achmad , Chisaki Yoshifumi , Usagawa Tsuyoshi
Published: November 2012

Well-designed instructional material is equally important for successful e-Learning implementation. Teachers and instructors play a major role in terms of designing and building learning content. In one respect, it requires costs in terms of effort, time and experience. In other respects, a good learning content is likely a result of recurring revisions as a result of teaching experience as well as evaluating student activities. In the case of higher educational institutions (HEI) in developing countries (such as Indonesia), resource sharing in many aspects is highly recommended effort against high cost and redundant works, e-Learning is no exception. Sharing and re-using e-Learning content on particular subject between Learning Management Systems (LMS) can be one of the methods. In addition, collaborative teaching may cause a content develops gradually while conducting content sharing. Thus, the capability of synchronizing the content between LMS is necessary. On the other hand, typical e-Learning implementation might not be appropriate due to the concerns of network infrastructure in developing countries. In some areas, the network has less bandwidth and even frequent disconnections. This paper introduces a novel method of sharing e-Learning content between distributed Learning Management Systems by using dynamic content synchronization. This method also suites the need of course sharing which supports collaborative teaching activity. Moreover, this approach is designed to address the needs of content sharing in areas with network infrastructure limitation in terms of bandwidth and availability.
Familial Hypercholesterolemia in the Danish General Population: Prevalence, Coronary Artery Disease, and Cholesterol-Lowering Medication
Authors: Benn Marianne , Watts Gerald F. , Tybjaerg-Hansen Anne , Nordestgaard Børge G.
Published: November 2012

Context:

The diagnosis of familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) can be made using the Dutch Lipid Clinic Network criteria. This employs the personal and family history of premature coronary artery disease and hypercholesterolemia and the presence of a pathogenic mutation in the low-density lipoprotein receptor (LDLR) and apolipoprotein B (APOB) genes.

Objective:

We employed this tool to investigate the prevalence of FH and the associations between FH and coronary artery disease and cholesterol-lowering medication in the Copenhagen General Population Study.

Setting:

The study was of an unselected, community-based population comprising 69,016 participants.

Main Outcome Measures:

FH (definite/probable) was defined as a Dutch Lipid Clinic Network score higher than 5. Coronary artery disease was myocardial infarction or angina pectoris.

Results:

The prevalence of FH was 0.73% (one in 137). Of participants with FH, 20% had an LDLR or APOB mutation. The prevalence of coronary artery disease among FH participants was 33%. Only 48% of subjects with FH admitted to taking cholesterol-lowering medication. The odds ratio for coronary artery disease off cholesterol-lowering medication was 13.2 (10.0–17.4) in definite/probable FH compared with non-FH subjects, after adjusting for age, gender, body mass index, hypertension, metabolic syndrome and diabetes, and smoking. The corresponding adjusted odds ratio for coronary artery disease in FH subjects on cholesterol-lowering medication was 10.3 (7.8–13.8).

Conclusion:

The prevalence of FH appears to be higher than commonly perceived in a general population of white Danish individuals, with at least half of affected subjects not receiving cholesterol-lowering medication. The very high risk of coronary artery disease irrespective of use of medication reflects the extent of underdiagnosis and undertreatment of FH in the community and primary care.
Bone Turnover and Bone Mineral Density Are Independently Related to Selenium Status in Healthy Euthyroid Postmenopausal Women
Authors: Hoeg Antonia , Gogakos Apostolos , Murphy Elaine , Mueller Sandra , Köhrle Josef , Reid David M. , Glüer Claus C. , Felsenberg Dieter , Roux Christian , Eastell Richard , Schomburg Lutz , Williams Graham R.
Published: November 2012

Context:

Selenium status may have direct effects on bone and indirect effects through changes in thyroid hormone sensitivity.

Objective:

We hypothesized that variation in selenium status in healthy euthyroid postmenopausal women is associated with differences in bone turnover, bone mineral density (BMD) and fracture susceptibility.

Design:

The Osteoporosis and Ultrasound Study (OPUS) is a 6-yr prospective study of fracture-related factors.

Setting:

The study was comprised of a population-based cohort from five European cities.

Participants:

A total of 2374 postmenopausal women participated. Subjects with thyroid disease and nonthyroidal illness and those receiving drugs affecting thyroid status or bone metabolism were excluded, leaving a study population of 1144.

Interventions:

There were no interventions.

Main Outcome Measures:

We measured selenium (micrograms per liter); selenoprotein P (milligrams per liter); free T4 (picomoles per liter); free T3 (picomoles per liter); TSH (milliunits per liter); bone turnover markers; BMD; and vertebral, hip, and nonvertebral fractures.

Results:

Higher selenium levels were associated with higher hip BMD at study entry (β = 0.072, P = 0.004) and lower levels of bone formation (osteocalcin: β = −0.101, P < 0.001; procollagen type 1 N-terminal propeptide: β = −0.074, P = 0.013) and resorption markers (C-telopeptide of type 1 collagen: β = −0.058, P = 0.050; N-telopeptide of type 1 collagen: β = −0.095, P = 0.002). Higher selenoprotein P was associated with higher hip (β = 0.113, P < 0.001) and lumbar spine BMD (β = 0.088, P = 0.003) at study entry, higher hip BMD after the 6-yr follow-up (β = 0.106, P = 0.001) and lower osteocalcin (β = −0.077, P = 0.009), C-telopeptide of type 1 collagen (β = −0.075, P = 0.012), and N-telopeptide of type 1 collagen (β = −0.110, P < 0.001).

Conclusion:

Selenium status is inversely related to bone turnover and positively correlated with BMD in healthy euthyroid postmenopausal women independent of thyroid status.
GH Replacement Improves Quality of Life and Metabolic Parameters in Cured Acromegalic Patients with Growth Hormone Deficiency
Authors: Giavoli Claudia , Profka Eriselda , Verrua Elisa , Ronchi Cristina L. , Ferrante Emanuele , Bergamaschi Silvia , Sala Elisa , Malchiodi Elena , Lania Andrea G. , Arosio Maura , Ambrosi Bruno , Spada Anna , Beck-Peccoz Paolo
Published: November 2012

Objective:

Effects of GH replacement in patients with GH deficiency (GHD) after a cure for acromegaly so far have been poorly studied, although its prevalence among acromegalic patients may reach the 60%. The aim of the study was to evaluate whether metabolic parameters and quality of life are improved by GH replacement in patients with prior acromegaly and severe GHD.

Design and Methods:

This was a prospective study on 42 GHD subjects [22 men, mean age (sd): 48 ± 10]: 10 acromegalics treated with recombinant human GH (group A), 12 acromegalics who refused treatment (group B), and 20 subjects operated for nonfunctioning pituitary adenoma on recombinant human GH (group C). Serum IGF-I levels, lipid profile, glucose levels (fasting and after an oral glucose tolerance test), glycosylated hemoglobin, insulin resistance (homeostasis model assessment insulin resistance index), anthropometric parameters (body mass index, waist circumference, body composition), and quality of life (Questions on Life Satisfaction-Hypopituitarism Z-scores) were evaluated at baseline and after 12 and 36 months.

Results:

At baseline, group B showed higher IGF sd score than group A and C, as well as better quality of life and higher post-oral glucose tolerance test glucose levels than group A. After 12-months, similarly in group A and C, the IGF-I sd score significantly increased, and body composition and lipid profile improved, without deterioration of glucose tolerance. Quality of life significantly improved too, and the baseline difference between group A and B disappeared. Results were confirmed after 36 months.

Conclusions:

In GHD acromegalic patients, GH therapy improved body composition, lipid profile, and quality of life as in patients with GHD due to nonfunctioning pituitary adenoma, without negative effects on glucose metabolism. GH replacement therapy should be considered in these patients, as in patients with GHD from other causes.
Mineralogy of Egyptian Bentonitic Clays I: Discriminant Function Analysis
Authors: Agha Mohamed , Ferrell Ray E. , Hart George F.
Published: November 2012

The purpose of the present investigation was to apply a discriminant function analysis (DFA) to quantitative mineralogical data from 124 Paleogene and Neogene bentonitic clays from the northern Western Desert of Egypt in order to establish an objective procedure for grouping the samples at three distinctly recognizable, but partially overlapping, levels of classification. These levels were province or geographic region, geologic age, and quarry. Quantitative mineralogical data were obtained by means of X-ray diffraction procedures employing least-squares fitting of simulated and standard mineral patterns with those from the laboratory. All data were transformed by a log-ratio procedure prior to the DFA. Fe-rich smectite (Feoct-1.4 a.p.f.u.), coarsely crystalline kaolinite, Fe-poor I-S (random with 60% S layers), quartz, and illite were the most important discriminator minerals. S-moderate I-S (random with 70% S), S-rich I-S (random with 80% S), two varieties of finely crystalline kaolinite, feldspar, and amorphous matter were also present. Calcite and gypsum were present in some samples. The median wt.% values for Fe-rich smectite, coarsely crystalline kaolinite, Fe-poor I-S, quartz, and illite in all samples were 16.6, 16.0, 15.2, 4.2, and 3.7, respectively. Abundances of quartz and feldspar have a good positive correlation, and finely crystalline kaolinite and Fe-rich smectite are negatively correlated. Other specific mineral associations are difficult to interpret visually because of the numbers of classes and variables employed in the investigation; however, DFA was successful in identifying statistically significant differences amongst the groups.

At the province level, the back-classification of the samples was successful 92% of the time at the highest probability level, or 100% if the first plus second probability results were utilized. For samples of the same age, 80% of the first-choice assignments were correct and >90% were correct when the second choice was included. At the quarry level, the predictability rate ranged from 76 to >90%. Using both probability results, only seven of the samples were misclassified. In a blind test of quarry samples, the DFA assignment was 80% correct. These tests confirm the objective reliability of class assignments based on DFA. Results based on this data set can be used to classify new samples in future geologic interpretations and economic exploitation of the deposits in the region.
The Dispersive Effect of Sodium Hexametaphosphate on Kaolinite in Saline Water
Authors: Ma Mark
Published: November 2012

Freshwater has become increasingly scarce in many countries. To reduce the consumption of freshwater, the use of saline water resources in industry could provide an opportunity to meet the challenge of water-supply sustainability. However, the presence of electrolytes in saline water causes the coagulation of kaolinite, the colloid stability of which plays a key role in the processing of a number of minerals. Therefore, the dispersion of kaolinite in saline water was studied here. Electrophoretic mobility and colloid stability studies were conducted on a sodium hexametaphosphate-kaolinite system in the presence of NaCl, KCl, CaCl2, and MgCl2, the major electrolytes in saline water resources. The effect of each electrolyte on kaolinite dispersion was studied. Based on the studies of individual electrolytes, a method was developed to disperse kaolinite in 1:1 diluted synthetic seawater with distilled water, which may potentially reduce the consumption of freshwater by 50% when applied in industry.