bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Decálogo da gestão costeira para Santa Catarina: avaliando a estrutura estadual para o desenvolvimento do Programa Estadual de Gerenciamento Costeiro
Authors: Andrade Jaqueline , Scherer Marinez Eymael Garcia
Published: July 2014

O Brasil possui um Programa Nacional de Gerenciamento Costeiro estabelecido há 25 anos, estendendo-se aos 17 estados costeiros brasileiros, sendo Santa Catarina um dos pioneiros. No entanto, apesar do arcabouço jurídico e institucional no âmbito nacional e, mais recentemente, no âmbito estadual, as zonas costeiras brasileira e catarinense vêm se degradando. Destaque é dado para o aumento dos prejuízos por tormentas e inundações nas cidades costeiras; contaminação das águas pela falta de saneamento básico, aumentando os níveis de risco para a saúde humana; concentração da população e da pobreza; perda da biodiversidade; redução da área de habitat crítico e fragmentação dos ecossistemas; dificuldade de acesso dos bens de uso público; aumento dos níveis de risco de acidentes por derramamento de óleo; redução da diversidade de paisagens naturais; erosão da linha de costa entre outros problemas. A lacuna na implantação dos instrumentos previstos pelo Programa Federal e Estadual de Gerenciamento Costeiro, aliada à quase nula avaliação dos processos gerenciais, levam a situações de degradação. Este trabalho avaliou o Programa de Gerenciamento Costeiro do Estado de Santa Catarina, sua estrutura administrativa, financeira e de governança com base em 10 indicadores preestabelecidos pelo Decálogo da gestão costeira. Conclui-se que os aspectos de gestão com maior avanço em Santa Catarina são: Normativas aplicadas ao litoral, Instrumentos de gestão, estabelecimento de Competências, além de Informação disponível. Por outro lado, há aspectos precários e importantes que devem ser tidos como prioritários para ofortalecimento da gestão costeira, sendo eles: definição de uma Política Pública clara, Instituições Públicas, Formação e Capacitação de gestores e comunidade em geral, Educação para a Sustentabilidade, disponibilização de Recursos e Participação Pública.
A Literary Perspective on the Environment: Rethinking Development through Art
Authors: Gonçalves Davi Silva
Published: July 2014

Due to the environmental crisis that chokes contemporaneity, it is of paramount importance for society to rethink our physical and abstract behaviours towards nature. Ecocriticism, providing a bridge between literature and nature, allows us to reorganise proven problematic notions, such as progress and development, which tend to gradually separate human beings from the space they occupy. Such separation results in a detachment that hinders our ability to transcend metropolitan, narrow-minded, biased judgments regarding the future of developing countries like Brazil, and perhaps artistic tools like literature are the only ones capable of broadening our reflections for inviting us to go beyond preconditioned perspectives. This article aims at showing how Milton Hatoum’s novel The Brothers (2000) implies that we must look for distinct possibilities of developing our spaces, more specifically the Amazon, and, through the analysis of the book as well as the impact of development on the region, the dialogue between literature and nature is proposed. First the theoretical approach on both nature and literature is delineated, followed by a discussion on how important it is to (re)connect subjects and environment, and then by analysing the novel’s characters which evince the side effects of “progress” and “growth” in the Amazonian region. The result is a problematisation of normative dichotomies such as savage/civilised, past/future, subject/space, underdeveloped/developed, and the conclusion that, for development to stop being detrimental to nature, we shall avoid believing in a “faceless environment” (Campbell, 18), that is, one needs to start observing the impact of such development on the lives of those inevitably and automatically marginalised by it.
Estruturas de poder e a questão ambiental: a reprodução da desigualdade de classe
Authors: Hacon Vanessa De Souza , Loureiro Carlos Frederico Bernardo
Published: July 2014

O objetivo deste ensaio constituiu-se em colocar a chamada “questão ambiental” em perspectiva. Buscamos negar a noção de causa universal essencializada reforçando concomitantemente a distribuição desigual dos benefícios da preservação do meio ambiente, assim como da socialização dos riscos, perante os variados grupos sociais. Ressaltamos as disputas discursivas em torno da formulação dos problemas ambientais, bem como de suas soluções, atentando para a importância da cognição e classificação na formação de consensos. A luta por poder, neste caso, torna-se fundamental, pois se articula com a possibilidade de legitimação de certos discursos e práticas. Neste sentido, o Estado desponta como figura central, uma vez que unifica ideologicamente valores difusos na estrutura subjetiva da sociedade, tornando-se objeto de disputa por poder. O conflito ambiental insere-se neste contexto de disputas físicas e simbólicas e contribui para desconstruir a noção de uma sociedade homogênea, assim como de um Estado universal e acima dos interesses de classe.
Lactobacillus salivarius Fermentation Reduced Glucosinolate and Fibre in Canola Meal
Authors: A. Aljuobori , Abdullah N. , Zulkifli I. , Soleimani A. F. , Liang J. B. , Oskoueian E.
Published: July 2014

Local traditional fermented foods consisting of seven samples of tempoyak (made from fresh durian fruit), six samples of budu (made from boiled fish), four samples of tempeh (made from boiled soybean), two samples of vegetable pickle (made from raw cabbage) and one sample of tapai (made from cooked glutinous rice), were used as samples for the isolation of lactic acid bacteria (LAB). A number of samples for different fermented foods like tempoyak, budu and vegetable pickle were screened as they were fermented by microorganisms naturally present in the food. One hundred isolates were obtained and by sequential screening for catalase activity and Gram-staining, 20 isolates were determined to be Lactobacillus. Ten isolates with the highest enzymatic activities were selected based on the biochemical reactions of the API ZYM kit. Canola meal (CM) was treated with the ten Lactobacillus isolates in solid state fermentation for 30 days. The most efficient LAB isolate was identified as lactobacillus salivarius and significantly reduced the total glucosinolate and crude fibre content of CM by 38% and 16%, respectively.
Spatio-Temporal Analysis of Physico-Chemical Characteristics of Hab River Water, Baluchistan, Pakistan
Authors: Rakhshanda Sadaf  , S. Jamil Hasan Kazmi  , Sofia Khalique Alvi
Published: July 2014

This study reveals the water quality of Hab River which is the primary source of water supply for Hab City of Baluchistan Province, Pakistan and is also one of the major sources providing water to the mega city of Karachi. The quality of Hab River water is continuously declining owing to the accumulation of industrial effluents of Hab Trading Estate (HTE) and other domestic and agricultural waste. Altogether, 17 samples of water were collected from the study area in pre monsoon and post monsoon seasons and the Physico-chemical parameters like PH, TDS, Turbidity, Salinity, Ca, Mg, Na, K, Cl and SO4 were evaluated. Spatial analysis of PH, TDS, Salinity and Turbidity has also been carried out by conducting interpolation technique in GIS. This analysis spatially explains the differences in different parameters in pre and post-monsoon period. According to Quantitative Indicator (QI), most of the water bodies have crossed the maximum threshold limits defined by WHO guidelines and have entered in to impaired water category.
Production and Partial Purification of Amylase By Aspergillus niger Isolated from Cassava Peel
Authors: A.K. Lawal  , A.M. Banjoko  , S.O. Olatope  , F.A. Alebiosu  , F.A. Orji  , Y.L. Suberu  , E.E. Itoandon  , K.A. Shittu  , O.D. Adelaja  , E. Ojo  , E.N. Dike  , G.N. Elemo
Published: July 2014

Aspergillus niger strains 1, 2 and 3 isolated from cassava dumpsites were used for the production of amylase enzyme. The Aspergillus niger strains 1, 2 and 3 had diameter (mm) zone of clearance of 17.0, 23.0 and 8.0 respectively using Potato dextrose agar plates fortified with starch. Studies on the amylase enzyme activity (mg/ml) of Aspergillus niger strains 1 and 2 showed 19,340 and 16,510 respectively. These values were higher than the commercially available amylase enzyme that had an activity of 5,722.2. The protein (mg/ml) and specific activity (units/mg) for amylase from Aspergillus niger strain 1 was 28.39 and 681.23 while 21.76 and 758.73 from Aspergillus niger 2 respectively. Purification using ammonium sulphate (% w/v) at 60, 80 and 100 on amylase enzyme from Aspergillus niger strain 1 for enzyme activity, protein and specific activity was 44405.49, 17.01 and 2610.55, 28949.76, 23.62 and 1225.65, 36220.25, 16.67, and 2172.787 respectively. The microbial production of Amylase enzyme in Nigeria from Cassava peel will reduce cost of production, convert cassava peel from waste condition to wealth, and will boost economy through indigenous industrialization.
Agricultural Productivity in Balochistan Province of Pakistan A Geographical Analysis
Authors: Ghulam Murtaza Safi  , Muhammad Sohail Gadiwala  , Farkhunda Burke  , Muhammad Azam  , Muhammad Fahad Baqa
Published: July 2014

Agricultural sector plays a leading role in Pakistan’s economy. It contributed to nearly one fifth of the national GDP in 2010. Agricultural productivity is regions dependent, demanding further investigation. This study examines the productivity index in districts of Balochistan province of Pakistan from 1981-82 to 2008-2009. Besides the thermal and water regime, pedological conditions play a favorable role in growing of valuable crops. The food crops, wheat, rice, bajra, barley jowar and maize have been selected for the study. By contrast, very low level of agricultural productivity is confined to the districts falling in the drought prone areas characterized by irregular rainfall, rugged topography and poor irrigation facilities. Inadequacy of water is the main hurdle in agricultural productivity. For the present investigation, district wise secondary data have been collected from the agricultural census of Balochistan. The data collected have been processed and Yield Coefficient method has been employed to find out the level of agricultural productivity. The results are depicted by choropleth method on map. Hence, in the present paper an attempt has been made to assess the regional disparities in levels of agricultural productivity in districts of Balochistan province. Identification of causes of the disparity can prove helpful in solving the problem, thus enabling solution of food security.
Whose Governance? IMF Austerities in a Small Island State: The Case of Jamaica
Authors: Bissessar Ann Marie
Published: July 2014

The International Monetary Fund and the World Bank have for a long time embarked on what can be described as a 'trustee' relationship with countries in the Commonwealth Caribbean. From the latter half of the 1970s, countries such as Trinidad and Tobago, Guyana, Barbados as well as Grenada were 'forced' because of their chronic need for 'hard' currency loans to approach the IMF and the World Bank. These loans were accompanied by structural adjustment measures. This paper attempts, for the first time, to evaluate, in the case of Jamaica, whether the measures introduced by the Lending Agencies resulted in some measure of economic growth in the countries under review. The paper then examines the new agreements entered into by these countries and the measures that accompanied them. The overarching argument is that the forces of globalization as well as austerity measures introduced by lending agencies such the IMF and the World Bank prevents rather than encourages small island governments1 to embark on 'national' development plans and programs. In other words, the primary argument of this paper is that these countries are constrained in their ability to 'govern' themselves; rather their economic decisions are largely crafted by the forces of globalization and further reinforced by international lending agencies such as the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund.Â
Anisotropic solar wind sputtering of the lunar surface induced by crustal magnetic anomalies
Authors: Poppe A. R. , Sarantos M. , Halekas J. S. , Delory G. T. , Saito Y. , Nishino M.
Published: July 2014

The lunar exosphere is generated by several processes each of which generates neutral distributions with different spatial and temporal variability. Solar wind sputtering of the lunar surface is a major process for many regolith‐derived species and typically generates neutral distributions with a cosine dependence on solar zenith angle. Complicating this picture are remanent crustal magnetic anomalies on the lunar surface, which decelerate and partially reflect the solar wind before it strikes the surface. We use Kaguya maps of solar wind reflection efficiencies, Lunar Prospector maps of crustal field strengths, and published neutral sputtering yields to calculate anisotropic solar wind sputtering maps. We feed these maps to a Monte Carlo neutral exospheric model to explore three‐dimensional exospheric anisotropies and find that significant anisotropies should be present in the neutral exosphere depending on selenographic location and solar wind conditions. Better understanding of solar wind/crustal anomaly interactions could potentially improve our results.
Lie Detection from Multiple Cues: A Meta‐analysis
Authors: Hartwig Maria , Bond Charles F.
Published: July 2014

Despite the importance of judgments of veracity in many settings, research suggests that it is difficult to detect lies. In this meta‐analysis, we assess the detectability of lies from constellations of multiple cues, with a particular focus on whether lie detectability increases as the conditions approach real‐life, forensic settings, as some critics of laboratory research have argued. We synthesized 144 samples, including 9380 liars and truth tellers providing a total of 26,866 messages. We examined the accuracy with which deception could be predicted on the basis of multiple behavioral cues and to what extent lie detectability was moderated by the motivation of the sender, the presence of strong emotion, the content of the lie, the context in which the lie was told, and the demographics of the senders. The findings show that lies can be detected with nearly 70% accuracy. This level of detectability is stable across settings. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Near‐Infrared Light‐Driven, Highly Efficient Bilayer Actuators Based on Polydopamine‐Modified Reduced Graphene Oxide
Authors: Ji Mingyang , Jiang Nan , Chang Jian , Sun Junqi
Published: July 2014

Near‐infrared (NIR) light‐driven bilayer actuators capable of fast, highly efficient, and reversible bending/unbending motions toward periodic NIR light irradiation are fabricated by exploiting the photothermal conversion and humidity‐sensitive properties of polydopamine‐modified reduced graphene oxide (PDA‐RGO). The bilayer actuator comprises a PDA‐RGO layer prepared by a filtration method, and this layer is subsequently spin‐coated with a layer of UV‐cured Norland Optical Adhesive (NOA)‐63. Given the hydrophilicity of PDA, the PDA‐RGO layer can absorb water to swell and lose water to shrink. The intrinsic NIR absorbance of RGO sheets convertes NIR light into thermal energy, which transfers the humidity‐responsive PDA‐RGO layer to be NIR light‐responsive. Considering that the shape of the NOA‐63 layer remains unchanged under NIR light, periodic NIR light irradiation leads to asymmetric shrinkage/expansion of the bilayer, which enables fast and reversible bending/unbending motions of the bilayer actuator. We demonstrate that compared with a poly(ethylenimine)‐modified graphene oxide layer, the PDA‐RGO layer is unique in fabricating highly efficient bilayer actuators. A NIR light‐driven walking device capable of performing quick worm‐like motion on a ratchet substrate is built by connecting two polyethylene terephthalate plates as claws on opposite ends of the PDA‐RGO/NOA‐63 bilayer actuator.
In‐Situ Growth of Ultrathin Films of NiFe‐LDHs: Towards a Hierarchical Synthesis of Bamboo‐Like Carbon Nanotubes
Authors: Abellán Gonzalo , Carrasco Jose A. , Coronado Eugenio , Prieto‐Ruiz Juan P. , Prima‐García Helena
Published: July 2014

The synthesis of ultrathin films (UTFs) of NiFe‐LDHs has been achieved by means of an in situ hydrothermal approach, leading to a flat disposition of the LDH crystallites on the substrate, in clear contrast to the most common perpendicular orientation reported to date. Experimental factors like time of synthesis or the nature of the substrate, seem to play a crucial role during the growing process. The 2D morphology of the NiFe‐LDH crystallites was kept after a calcination procedure, leading to a topotactic transformation into mixed‐metal oxide platelets. Hereby, in order to study the catalytic behavior of our samples, a chemical vapor deposition process is explored upon the as‐synthesized films. In presence of a carbon source (ethylene), these films catalyze a preferential low‐temperature (550 °C) growth of bamboo‐like carbon nanotubes, in stark contrast to the different mixture of carbon nanoforms obtained from the bulk samples. This work opens the door for the development of UTFs based on LDHs, which may be of utmost importance in a wide range of potential applications ranging from magnetic storage, catalysis or biomedical applications, to electrochemical batteries, anti‐corrosion and superhydrophobic coatings.
In vivo evidence of glutamate toxicity in multiple sclerosis
Authors: Azevedo Christina J. , Kornak John , Chu Philip , Sampat Mehul , Okuda Darin T. , Cree Bruce A. , Nelson Sarah J. , Hauser Stephen L. , Pelletier Daniel
Published: July 2014

Objective

There is increasing evidence that altered glutamate (Glu) homeostasis is involved in the pathophysiology of multiple sclerosis (MS). The aim of this study was to evaluate the in vivo effects of excess brain Glu on neuroaxonal integrity measured by N‐acetylaspartate (NAA), brain volume, and clinical outcomes in a large, prospectively followed cohort of MS subjects.

Methods

We used multivoxel spectroscopy at 3T to longitudinally estimate Glu and NAA concentrations from large areas of normal‐appearing white and gray matter (NAWM and GM) in MS patients (n = 343) with a mean follow‐up time of 5 years. Using linear mixed‐effects models, Glu was examined as a predictor of NAA decline, annualized percentage brain volume change, and evolution of clinical outcomes (Multiple Sclerosis Functional Composite [MSFC], Paced Auditory Serial Addition Test‐3 [PASAT], and Expanded Disability Status Scale). Glu/NAA ratio was tested as a predictor of brain volume loss and clinical outcomes.

Results

Baseline Glu[NAWM] was predictive of accelerated longitudinal decline in NAA[GM] (−0.06mM change in NAA[GM]/yr for each unit increase in Glu; p = 0.004). The sustained elevation of Glu[NAWM] was predictive of a loss of 0.28mM/yr in NAA[NAWM] (p < 0.001) and 0.15mM/yr in NAA[GM] (p = 0.056). Each 10% increase in Glu/NAA[NAWM] was associated with a loss of 0.33% brain volume/yr (p = 0.001), 0.009 standard deviations/yr in MSFC z‐score (p < 0.001), and 0.17 points/yr on the PASAT (p < 0.001).

Interpretation

These results indicate that higher Glu concentrations increase the rate of NAA decline, and higher Glu/NAA[NAWM] ratio increases the rate of decline of brain volume, MSFC, and PASAT. This provides evidence of a relationship between brain Glu and markers of disease progression in MS. Ann Neurol 2014;76:269–278
Selective Reductive Coupling of Nitro Compounds with Aldehydes to Nitrones in H2 Using Carbon‐Supported and ‐Decorated Platinum Nanoparticles
Authors: Cisneros Larisha , Serna Pedro , Corma Avelino
Published: July 2014

Nitrones were synthesized in high yields directly from nitro compounds, aldehydes, and H2 using carbon‐decorated platinum nanoparticles. The high selectivity for nitrone synthesis contrasts that of common supported metal catalysts and corresponds to an increase from roughly 6 to 97 %. The catalytic performance is tuned by precise control of the structure of the active sites and the characteristics of the support.
Engineering Specificity Changes on a RanBP2 Zinc Finger that Binds Single‐Stranded RNA
Authors: Vandevenne Marylène , O'Connell Mitchell R. , Helder Stephanie , Shepherd Nicholas E. , Matthews Jacqueline M. , Kwan Ann H. , Segal David J. , Mackay Joel P.
Published: July 2014

The realization that gene transcription is much more pervasive than previously thought and that many diverse RNA species exist in simple as well as complex organisms has triggered efforts to develop functionalized RNA‐binding proteins (RBPs) that have the ability to probe and manipulate RNA function. Previously, we showed that the RanBP2‐type zinc finger (ZF) domain is a good candidate for an addressable single‐stranded‐RNA (ssRNA) binding domain that can recognize ssRNA in a modular and specific manner. In the present study, we successfully engineered a sequence specificity change onto this ZF scaffold by using a combinatorial approach based on phage display. This work constitutes a foundation from which a set of RanBP2 ZFs might be developed that is able to recognize any given RNA sequence.
Palladium‐Catalyzed Carbonylative α‐Arylation of 2‐Oxindoles with (Hetero)aryl Bromides: Efficient and Complementary Approach to 3‐Acyl‐2‐oxindoles
Authors: Lian Zhong , Friis Stig D. , Skrydstrup Troels
Published: July 2014

An efficient Pd‐catalyzed carbonylative α‐arylation of 2‐oxindoles with aryl and heteroaryl bromides for the one‐step synthesis of 3‐acyl‐2‐oxindoles has been developed. This reaction proceeds efficiently under mild conditions and is complementary to the more common oxindole forming reactions. The transformation only requires a mild base and provides good to excellent yields even with heteroaromatic substrates. Employing a near stoichiometric amount of 13COgen, the methodology was easily extended to [13C] acyl labeling. The general applicability of the reaction conditions was demonstrated in the synthesis of a structure related to the pharmaceutically active 3‐acyl‐2‐oxindoles, tenidap.
Simultane Untersuchung kinetischer, ortsspezifischer und struktureller Aspekte enzymatischer Proteinphosphorylierungen
Authors: van de Waterbeemd Michiel , Lössl Philip , Gautier Violette , Marino Fabio , Yamashita Masami , Conti Elena , Scholten Arjen , Heck Albert J. R.
Published: July 2014

Die Phosphorylierung von Proteinen ist ein weit verbreiteter Prozess, welcher die mechanistische Grundlage für zelluläre Signalübertragung bildet. Derzeit werden Aspekte wie Ortsspezifität, Reaktionskinetik, der Einfluss von Kofaktoren und Struktur‐Funktions‐Beziehungen meist mit mehreren, untereinander nicht kompatiblen Methoden untersucht. Die hier vorgestellte Strategie vervielfacht die aus Protein‐ und Proteinkomplexphosphorylierungen ableitbaren Informationen und verlangt nur minimale Probenvorbereitung. Mithilfe hochauflösender nativer Massenspektrometrie verfolgen wir den konsekutiven Einbau von Phosphatgruppen in intakte Proteinkomplexe und lokalisieren deren Sequenzposition mittels Peptid‐LC‐MS/MS. Anhand von zwei Modellsystemen, der Kofaktor‐abhängigen Autophosphorylierung von Proteinkinase G sowie dem Zusammenwirken von Aurora‐Kinase A und Bora, sowohl als Enzym‐Substrat‐Paar als auch als stabiler Proteinkomplex, demonstrieren wir, wie verschiedene Gesichtspunkte des Phosphorylierungsprozesses simultan untersucht werden können.
Copper‐ and phosphine‐free Sonogashira coupling reaction catalyzed by silica–(acac)‐supported palladium nanoparticles in water
Authors: Hajipour Abdol R. , Shirdashtzade Zohre , Azizi Ghobad
Published: July 2014

A palladium‐based catalyst supported on acac‐functionalized silica was used as a heterogeneous catalyst for the Sonogashira cross‐coupling reaction of various aryl halides and phenylacetylene under copper‐ and phosphine‐free conditions. This catalytic system serves as an efficient and stable catalyst for this cross‐coupling reaction and allows easy separation and recycling of the catalyst. The catalyst could be recycled for five runs without appreciable loss of its catalytic activity. In addition, the reaction was carried out in water as a green solvent. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Self‐crosslinkable lignin/epoxidized natural rubber composites
Authors: Jiang Can , He Hui , Yao Xiaojie , Yu Peng , Zhou Ling , Jia Demin
Published: July 2014

Self‐crosslinkable lignin/epoxidized natural rubber composites (SLEs) were prepared through a high‐temperature dynamic heat treatment procedure followed by a postcuring process. Because of the ring‐opening reaction between lignin and epoxidized natural rubber (ENR), lignin as a crosslinker and reinforcing filler was uniformly dispersed into the ENR matrix and was highly compatible with the polymer matrix; this was confirmed by scanning electron microscopy. The curing behavior, mechanical properties, and dynamic mechanical properties of the SLEs were studied. The results show that the crosslinking degree, glass‐transition temperature, modulus, and tensile properties of the SLEs substantially increased with the addition of lignin. A physical model was used to verify the strong interactions between lignin and ENR. Stress–strain curves and X‐ray diffraction suggested that the reinforcement effect on the SLEs mainly originated from lignin itself rather than from strain‐induced crystallization. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2014, 131, 41166.
A hybrid model based on latest version of NCEP CFS coupled model for Indian monsoon rainfall forecast
Authors: Pattanaik D. R. , Kumar Arun
Published: July 2014

The forecast skill of all India summer monsoon rainfall (AISMR) during June to September (JJAS) in the new version of the National Centers for Environmental Prediction (NCEP)'s Climate Forecast System version 2 (CFSv2) is analyzed by considering 28 years (1982–2009) retrospective forecasts. The spatial patterns of JJAS mean rainfall and its interannual variability is more realistic over the Indian monsoon region in CFSv2 as compared to previous version of NCEP's CFS. A hybrid (dynamical–empirical) model based on the forecast variables of CFSv2 is developed for AISMR, which shows correlation that is highly significant with observed AISMR. The hybrid model correctly predicted the observed AISMR departure of 2013.
Application of bioreactor design principles and multivariate analysis for development of cell culture scale down models
Authors: Tescione Lia , Lambropoulos James , Paranandi Madhava Ram , Makagiansar Helena , Ryll Thomas
Published: July 2014

A bench scale cell culture model representative of manufacturing scale (2,000 L) was developed based on oxygen mass transfer principles, for a CHO‐based process producing a recombinant human protein. Cell culture performance differences across scales are characterized most often by sub‐optimal performance in manufacturing scale bioreactors. By contrast in this study, reduced growth rates were observed at bench scale during the initial model development. Bioreactor models based on power per unit volume (P/V), volumetric mass transfer coefficient (kLa), and oxygen transfer rate (OTR) were evaluated to address this scale performance difference. Lower viable cell densities observed for the P/V model were attributed to higher sparge rates and reduced oxygen mass transfer efficiency (kLa) of the small scale hole spargers. Increasing the sparger kLa by decreasing the pore size resulted in a further decrease in growth at bench scale. Due to sensitivity of the cell line to gas sparge rate and bubble size that was revealed by the P/V and kLa models, an OTR model based on oxygen enrichment and increased P/V was selected that generated endpoint sparge rates representative of 2,000 L scale. This final bench scale model generated similar growth rates as manufacturing. In order to take into account other routinely monitored process parameters besides growth, a multivariate statistical approach was applied to demonstrate validity of the small scale model. After the model was selected based on univariate and multivariate analysis, product quality was generated and verified to fall within the 95% confidence limit of the multivariate model. Biotechnol. Bioeng. 2015;112: 84–97. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
C‐THV measures of self‐expandable valve positioning and correlation with implant outcomes
Authors: Codner Pablo , Lavi Ifat , Malki Guy , Vaknin‐Assa Hana , Assali Abid , Kornowski Ran
Published: July 2014

Background

Accurate positioning of the valve device during transcutaneous aortic valve implantation (TAVI) is of crucial importance. The Paieon C‐THV navigation system has been designed to correctly guide device deployment during TAVI.

Objectives

Using this navigation system we aimed to determine the correlation between the anatomic measures of the native aortic valve and the deployed self‐expandable valve positioning and to explore the impact upon procedural outcomes.

Methods

We analyzed data of 68 patients with severe symptomatic aortic stenosis undergoing TAVI, using the catheter‐based Medtronic‐CoreValve self‐expandable system. Patients were subdivided into two groups according to whether the C‐THV system was used (50) or not (18) during the implantation process. Analysis of geometrical outcomes vs. clinical outcomes including postprocedural electrical conduction defect and/or para‐valvular leaks was performed.

Results

Taking the target implantation line as a reference; relatively lower vs. higher implantations correlated with a higher frequency of any new onset electrical conduction defect (ECD). The mean corresponding distance from valve inferior edge below the virtual aortic annulus line was 3.0 ± 1.6 mm vs. 1.2 ± 1.3 mm in patients with (38.5%) vs. without any new onset ECD, respectively (P = 0.05). The use of C‐THV navigation seemed to correlate with higher valve implants but it had no impact on the occurrence of postprocedural paravalvular leaks.

Conclusions

Self‐expandable valve implants guided by C‐THV navigation seems to be associated with more precise implants and lower risk for postprocedural electrical conduction defects, due to higher location in relation to the target line. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Asymmetric Intramolecular Hydroamination of Alkenes in Mild and Wet Conditions—Structure and Reactivity of Cationic Binuclear Gold(I) Catalysts
Authors: Abadie Marc‐Antoine , Trivelli Xavier , Medina Florian , Capet Frédéric , Roussel Pascal , Agbossou‐Niedercorn Francine , Michon Christophe
Published: July 2014

A selected diphosphine binuclear gold(I) chloride complex was combined with a silver salt to catalyze efficiently, for the first time, the asymmetric intramolecular hydroamination of alkenes with high conversions and enantioselectivities, in mild conditions and in presence of water. Both enantiomers of the products could be obtained by controlling the molecular ion‐pairs through the solvent polarity. The gold(I) cationic active species was characterized unambiguously at the solid state by X‐ray analysis and in solution by DOSY 1H NMR experiments. No contribution of silver chloride was observed on the bonding mode of the catalyst.
Crystallization and Resolution of cis‐Permethric Acid with Carbon Dioxide Antisolvent
Authors: Bánsághi György , Lőrincz László , Szilágyi Imre Miklós , Madarász János , Székely Edit
Published: July 2014

Crystallization and resolution of cis‐permethric acid (cPA) with (1R)‐1‐phenylethanamine (PhEA) as a resolving agent was investigated by means of gas antisolvent (GAS) and supercritical antisolvent (SAS) methods. A significant pressure effect on both the yields and diastereomeric excesses of the crystallized cPA‐PhEA salts was observed in a defined pressure range. The pressure effect was found to be related to the structure and dissociation of the salts. Both methods yielded diastereomeric salts with excellent diastereoselectivity, compared to data reported in literature, and a fibrous structure of uniform fiber diameter.
Polyacrylic Acid‐Assisted Crystallization Phenomena of Carbonate Crystals
Authors: Watamura Hiroto , Sonobe Yuko , Hirasawa Izumi
Published: July 2014

The effects of polyacrylic acid (PAA) on the crystallization of carbonates were investigated, revealing a great influence of PAA on the shape, size and polymorph type of the carbonate crystals. Carbonate crystallization was performed through reaction crystallization in a single‐jet system. The obtained crystals were measured and characterized by scanning electron microscopy and X‐ray diffraction. In lithium carbonate, PAA especially influenced the growth phase, inhibited agglomeration and changed the crystal shape into high‐aspect rods. In addition, the degree of the growth inhibition effect was molecular weight dependent and the inhibition effect was also different on each face. In calcium carbonate, an improvement of the monodispersity was observed with miniaturization, under particular conditions. Elongated calcite was found under a slow supersaturation rate. In addition, the molecular weight of PAA affected the polymorph selectivity. Therefore, PAA affected the crystallization phenomena of carbonates, and prospected crystals were obtained by changing the operation conditions.
Ab Initio Electronic Circular Dichroism of Fullerenes, Single‐Walled Carbon Nanotubes, and Ligand‐Protected Metal Nanoparticles
Authors: Noguez Cecilia , Hidalgo Francisco
Published: July 2014

The versatility and applicability of a time‐perturbed density functional method implemented within the SIESTA program package to calculate electronic circular dichroism of diverse nanoparticles is discussed. Results for nanostructures, such as fullerenes, single‐wall carbon nanotubes, as well as metallic nanoparticles composed of up to hundreds of atoms were examined by comparison with previously reported experimental and theoretical results. In all cases, the calculated electronic circular dichroism shows very good consistency with other calculations, and a remarkable agreement with experiments. It is concluded that such a high‐level method provides theoretical support for the quantification, understanding, and prediction of chirality and its measurement in nanostructures. It is expected that this information would be useful to motivate further experimental studies and interpretation of optical activity in terms of electronic circular dichroism in novel nanostructures. Chirality 26:553–562, 2014. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Drastic Stabilization of Parallel DNA Hybridizations by a Polylysine Comb‐Type Copolymer with Hydrophilic Graft Chain
Authors: Miyoshi Daisuke , Ueda Yu‐mi , Shimada Naohiko , Nakano Shu‐ichi , Sugimoto Naoki , Maruyama Atsushi
Published: July 2014

Electrostatic interactions play a major role in protein–DNA interactions. As a model system of a cationic protein, herein we focused on a comb‐type copolymer of a polycation backbone and dextran side chains, poly(L‐lysine)‐graft‐dextran (PLL‐g‐Dex), which has been reported to form soluble interpolyelectrolyte complexes with DNA strands. We investigated the effects of PLL‐g‐Dex on the conformation and thermodynamics of DNA oligonucleotides forming various secondary structures. Thermodynamic analysis of the DNA structures showed that the parallel conformations involved in both DNA duplexes and triplexes were significantly and specifically stabilized by PLL‐g‐Dex. On the basis of thermodynamic parameters, it was further possible to design DNA switches that undergo structural transition responding to PLL‐g‐Dex from an antiparallel duplex to a parallel triplex even with mismatches in the third strand hybridization. These results suggest that polycationic molecules are able to induce structural polymorphism of DNA oligonucleotides, because of the conformation‐selective stabilization effects.
The low risk of precancer after a screening result of human papillomavirus‐negative/atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance papanicolaou and implications for clinical management
Authors: Gage Julia C. , Katki Hormuzd A. , Schiffman Mark , Castle Philip E. , Fetterman Barbara , Poitras Nancy E. , Lorey Thomas , Cheung Li C. , Behrens Catherine , Sharma Abha , Zhao Fang‐Hui , Cuzick Jack , Yang Zi Hua , Kinney Walter K.
Published: July 2014

BACKGROUND

Different US practice guidelines have conflicting recommendations for when women should return after a screening result of human papillomavirus (HPV)‐negative with an equivocal Papanicolaou (Pap) result of atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance (ASC‐US) (ie, return in either 3 or 5 years). One way to determine management is to compare the risk of precancer/cancer after an HPV‐negative/ASC‐US result with the risks after other negative screening results. For example, if the risk after an HPV‐negative/ASC‐US result was similar to the risk after a negative Pap test, a 3‐year return would be preferred because guidelines agree that women with negative Pap test results should return in 3 years. Alternatively, if the risk after an HPV‐negative/ASC‐US result is similar to that after a cotest‐negative result (HPV negative/Pap test negative), a 5‐year return would be preferred because guidelines agree that women testing cotest negative should return in 5 years.

METHODS

The authors compared risks of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia of grade 3 or higher (CIN3+) and cervical cancer among women aged 30 years to 64 years at Kaiser Permanente Northern California with the following test results from 2003 through 2012: 17,191 women testing HPV negative/ASC‐US; 980,268 women testing Pap test negative (regardless of HPV result); and 892,882 women testing cotest negative.

RESULTS

The 5‐year CIN3+ and cancer risks after an HPV‐negative/ASC‐US result were closer to the risks after a negative Pap test result (CIN3+: 0.48% vs 0.31% [P =.0019]; and cancer: 0.043% vs 0.031% [P =.4]) than after a negative cotest (CIN3+: 0.48% vs 0.11% [P<.0001]; and cancer: 0.043% vs 0.014% [P =.016]).

CONCLUSIONS

Women testing HPV negative/ASC‐US were found to have precancer/cancer risks that were more closely aligned with women with negative Pap test results, suggesting that women testing HPV negative/ASC‐US should be managed similarly to women testing negative on Pap tests with a 3‐year return for screening.Cancer (Cancer Cytopathol)2014;122:842–850. ©2014 American Cancer Society.
Properties of ZnO nanorods grown by hydrothermal synthesis on conductive layers
Authors: Podrezova L.V. , Cauda V. , Stassi S. , Cicero G. , Abdullin Kh. A. , Alpysbaeva B. E.
Published: July 2014

Zinc oxide nanorods (ZnO NRs) were grown in water solution on different conductive substrates. In particular, several metal layers, such as Cu, Ni, Pt, Ag, Au, deposited on silicon substrates, and F‐doped SnO2 (FTO) coated‐glass wafers were investigated as bottom electrodes and their influence on the properties of the synthesized ZnO nanorods were studied. The samples were characterized by scanning electron microscopy, X‐ray diffraction, atomic force microscopy, current – voltage (I – V) and photoluminescence measurements. We obtained vertically aligned ZnO nanorod arrays on all the considered substrates, proving how ease and reproducible is the hydrothermal growth of ZnO nanorods on different conductive layers. We here show how the morphology and the optical and electrical features of the array depend on the conductive material deposited as bottom layer.
Analysis of centromere signal patterns in breast cancer cells with chromosomal instability using image cytometry combined with centromere fluorescence in situ hybridization
Authors: Ito Hideaki , Oga Atsunori , Ikemoto Kenzo , Furuya Tomoko , Maeda Noriko , Yamamoto Shigeru , Kawauchi Shigeto , Itoh Hiroshi , Oka Masaaki , Sasaki Kohsuke
Published: July 2014

Fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) with centromeric probes is a method used to detect chromosomal instability (CIN), a hallmark of most cancers. However, no studies thus far have investigated the relationship between centromeric FISH signals and the cell cycle in cancer cells. In this study, the chromosome content in each cell cycle phase was evaluated with respect to the number of centromeric FISH signals in two breast cancer cell lines and eight surgically resected breast cancer specimens using image cytometry. Variations in chromosome number were detected at each phase of the cell cycle but were not associated with proliferative capacity in the cell lines. Furthermore, the chromosome doubling frequency differed in each cell line and clinical specimen. These results reveal two aspects of centromeric FISH signal variation in breast cancers that exhibit CIN, and suggest that chromosome doubling is a remarkable occurrence that may increase the heterogeneity of tumors. © 2014 International Society for Advancement of Cytometry
Polarization imaging and classification of Jurkat T and Ramos B cells using a flow cytometer
Authors: Feng Yuanming , Zhang Ning , Jacobs Kenneth M. , Jiang Wenhuan , Yang Li V. , Li Zhigang , Zhang Jun , Lu Jun Q. , Hu Xin‐Hua
Published: July 2014

Label‐free and rapid classification of cells can have awide range of applications in biology. We report a robust method of polarization diffraction imaging flow cytometry (p‐DIFC) for achieving this goal. Coherently scattered light signals are acquired from single cells excited by a polarized laser beam in the form of two cross‐polarized diffraction images. Image texture and intensity parameters are extracted with a gray level co‐occurrence matrix (GLCM) algorithm to obtain an optimized set of feature parameters as the morphological “fingerprints” for automated cell classification. We selected the Jurkat T cells and Ramos B cells to test the p‐DIFC method's capacity for cell classification. After detailed statistical analysis, we found that the optimized feature vectors yield accuracies of classification between the Jurkat and Ramos ranging from 97.8% to 100% among different cell data sets. Confocal imaging and three‐dimensional reconstruction were applied to gain insights on the ability of p‐DIFC method for classifying the two cell lines of highly similar morphology. Based on these results we conclude that the p‐DIFC method has the capacity to discriminate cells of high similarity in their morphology with “fingerprints” features extracted from the diffraction images, which may be attributed to subtle but statistically significant differences in the nucleus‐to‐cell volume ratio in the case of Jurkat and Ramos cells. © 2014 International Society for Advancement of Cytometry
Impulsive noise estimation and suppression in OFDM systems over in‐home power line channels
Authors: Ahadiat Mohammad Reza , Azmi Paeiz , Haghbin Afrooz
Published: July 2014

This paper proposes a new adaptive iterative method to impulsive noise mitigation in OFDM systems over in‐home power line channels. The performance of impulsive noise mitigation methods based on OFDM decreases when the impulsive noise energy is higher than a certain threshold. To compensate for the limitations of these systems and to be able to adopt it for all sub‐carriers, here, the 64‐QAM constellation is applied together with Alamouti space time coding to transmit, MIMO In‐home power line channel and zero‐forcing estimate (ZFE) with continuous loop impulsive noise detection and mitigation together with maximum‐likelihood detection (MLD) are adopted to receive. At the receiver, after ZFE, impulsive noise detection algorithm based on adaptive threshold for estimating the impulsive noise, determines the locations and amplitudes of the impulsive noises. The effect of impulsive noise on the noise symbols using the mask based on the soft decision method is reduced. Later, using MLD, the original signal is estimated. The algorithm is simulated and analyzed, and its performance is compared to other methods. The results show the superiority and robustness of the proposed method. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Coherence Analysis of EEG Under Emotional Stimuli Related to Mental States
Authors: Asakawa Tetsuya , Hayashi Takuto , Mizuno‐Matsumoto Yuko
Published: July 2014

The objective of this research is to abstract the differences of the brain functional reaction in mental states by using coherence analysis in electroencephalography (EEG). Twenty‐two healthy subjects were assessed for their psychosomatic states using the Cornell Medical Index (CMI) and were divided into two groups: normal (I) and preneurotic (II‐IV). The EEG was measured during emotional tasks (relaxed, pleasant, and unpleasant sessions) using audio‐visual stimuli and was analyzed using coherence analysis. The coherence values of the preneurotic group in the θ band in 120 s to 150 s of the pleasant and unpleasant sessions and in the β band in the relaxed session were significantly larger than the values of the normal group. The coherence values of the normal and preneurotic groups in the α2 band in 30 s to 60 s and 90 s to 120 s in the unpleasant sessions were significantly larger than the values in the relaxed session. The increase in θ activity suggests that an intuitive and irrational response to the emotional situation would appear, and the β activity indicates that attention would be paid more to external than to internal situations in the preneurotic group. The alpha activity shows that the mentally internal response to the unpleasant situation would be prompt in the normal group, while in contrast the response would be delayed in the preneurotic group. These results suggest that the information processing of emotional stimuli in the brain differ depending on the mental state.
Nebulization of liposome–polyethylenimine complexes (lipopolyplexes) for DNA or siRNA delivery: Physicochemical properties and biological activity
Authors: Ewe Alexander , Aigner Achim
Published: July 2014

The delivery of nucleic acids into the lung is still one major bottleneck and relies on the development of efficient non‐viral carriers that can be nebulized for their direct administration. Liposomal formulations, including those comprising different phospholipids, have been intensively studied. Likewise, polyethylenimines (PEI) have been widely explored due to their ability to protect nucleic acids from degradation and mediate cellular uptake and endosomal/lysosomal release. The combination of PEIs and liposomes is a particularly intriguing concept, leading to enhanced transfection efficiencies, lower cytotoxicities, and protection from aggregation. We have previously established lipopolyplexes, comprising PEI F25‐LMW and the neutral phospholipid DPPC with various colipids. However, nebulization shear forces may be problematic for lipid formulations and require the testing of lipopolyplexes. In this paper, we demonstrate that DNA‐ or siRNA‐containing PEI‐based lipopolyplexes are indeed stable toward nebulization and retain their physicochemical integrity and biological activity. DNA transfection efficacies, but not siRNA knockdown, of certain lipopolyplexes are even enhanced upon nebulization, and nebulized lipopolyplexes also allow storage. This is due to the preservation of lipopolyplex size and zeta potential upon nebulization. More detailed analyses also reveal a dependence on the lipid, the medium used for preparation, the PEI and the nucleic acid.

Practical applications: Our data provide a basis for the tailor‐made preparation of lipopolyplexes for nebulization, by analyzing different PEIs, different lipids, different media for lipopolyplex preparation, different nucleic acids, and directly comparing nebulized versus non‐nebulized lipopolyplexes, with or without storage, with regard to biological and physiochemical properties.

Polyethylenimine (PEI)‐based nanoscale complexes protect nucleic acids from degradation and mediate cellular delivery. Their combination with liposomes to lipopolyplexes is a particularly intriguing concept, leading to enhanced transfection efficiencies, lower cytotoxicities and protection from complex aggregation. We show that lipopolyplexes are stable towards nebulization and provide a basis for tailor‐made lipopolyplexes for nebulization, by analyzing different PEIs, lipids, media and nucleic acids for lipopolyplex preparation.