bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Molecular characterization of group A rotavirus found in elderly patients in Ireland; Predominance of G1P[8], continued presence of G9P[8], and emergence of G2P[4]
Authors: Gunn L. , Feeney S.A. , Cashman O. , Collins P.J. , Coyle P.V. , O'Shea H.
Published: October 2012

Rotavirus is a major cause of gastroenteritis in young children worldwide. There have been several recent reports concerning rotavirus isolation from adults, particularly in the elderly, presenting with gastroenteritis. In this study, the authors report on rotavirus outbreaks in five separate elderly care facilities between April, and June 2011 in Ireland. The following genotypes were detected; G1P[8] (n = 5/11), G2P[4] (n = 2/11), and G9P[8] (n = 2/11). Thus, similarities to previous reports were found in that G1P[8] predominated, G9P[8] was still detected but G2P[4] was detected for the first time in a geriatric population in Ireland. Here also described is the detection of Group 2 lineage IIC rotavirus in Ireland for the first time. J. Med. Virol. 84:2008–2017, 2012. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Mutations in the major hydrophilic region (MHR) of Hepatitis B virus genotype C in North China
Authors: Shi Ying , Wei Feili , Hu Dongmei , Li Qing , Smith Davey , Li Ning , Chen Dexi
Published: October 2012

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) can evolve by mutations in the major hydrophilic region (MHR) of the HBV surface antigen (HBsAg) to permit its escape from neutralization by antibodies such as HBV surface antibody (anti‐HBs) and from host immune responses. This study investigated the prevalence and pattern of MHR mutations in North China and the clinical correlations of these mutations. The MHRs of 161 HBsAg‐positive patients were amplified using nested PCR, and directly sequenced to identify MHR mutations. It was showed that among the 161 patients infected with HBV genotype C in North China, the overall frequency of MHR mutation was 46.6%. Furthermore, MHR mutations were associated with high white blood cell counts (P = 0.025), high bilirubin levels (P = 0.048), and cirrhosis (P = 0.010). The most frequent mutations in patients with both HBsAg‐positive and anti‐HBs‐positive were located in subregion 1 and 3 of MHR, specifically, residue Q101 (29.9%) and I126 (70.6%), which was different from the mutation pattern found in Western Europe and the United States. Taken together, these data indicated important virological and clinical aspects of HBV evolution in terms of the surface gene of genotype C, which might be important for its response to the currently available HBV vaccine. J. Med. Virol. 84:1901–1906, 2012. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Elevated post‐transfusion serum transaminase values associated with a highly significant trend for increasing prevalence of anti‐Vesivirus antibody in Korean patients
Authors: Lee Heetae , Cho You‐Hee , Park Jeong Su , Kim Eui‐Chong , Smith Alvin W. , Ko GwangPyo
Published: October 2012

A highly significant increase in anti‐Vesivirus (family Caliciviridae) antibody prevalence, along the axis from healthy blood donors; donors with elevated transaminase; patients with clinical hepatitis; and patients with post‐transfusion/dialysis hepatitis, has been reported in human sera from the USA and Europe. Asian samples have now been tested retrospectively using serology and enzyme immunoassay (EIA) with a Vesivirus partial‐capsid antigen expressed as a fusion protein. Anti‐vesiviral antibodies were measured by optical densities (OD650) and compared in patients separated by age, gender and Groups A–F as follows: Control Group A, an Experimental Group B, which was divided further into Group C, patients with elevated enzymes (alanine transaminase (ALT), aspartate transaminase (AST), and γ‐glutamyl transpeptidase (γ‐GT); Group D, patients receiving transfused blood; Group E, patients with high enzyme levels after transfusion; and Group F, hepatitis B and C positive patients. Using multivariate logistic regression analyses, a significantly greater proportion of patients receiving transfusion(s), were positive for anti‐Vesivirus antibody compared with non‐transfused patients (P = 0.008; OR: 3.86, 95% CI: 1.43–10.43). Also, anti‐Vesivirus antibody was significantly associated with elevated biochemical liver function tests: ALT ≥120 IU or AST ≥ 120 IU (P = 0.017; OR: 4.23, 95% CI: 1.30–13.80). In the blood transfusion group, anti‐Vesivirus antibody was significantly correlated with high enzyme levels (ALT, P = 0.018; AST, P = 0.010; γ‐GT, P = 0.020). These data provide serologic evidence of vesiviral transfusion–transmission‐associated disease, which could include infection of any organ system where cytopathology resulted in high levels of either ALT or AST. J. Med. Virol. 84:1943–1952, 2012. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Cytomegalovirus‐associated cerebral sinus vein thrombosis
Authors: Sherman Shany , Justo Dan , Engel Tal , Yossepowitch Orit , Bregman Noa , Gadoth Avi , Paran Yael
Published: October 2012

Cytomegalovirus (CMV)‐associated thrombosis has been reported many times in the medical literature, and most patients had deep vein thrombosis and/or pulmonary embolism. CMV‐associated cerebral sinus vein thrombosis has been reported only twice. We present an immunocompetent patient with CMV‐associated cerebral sinus vein thrombosis and no other thrombosis risk factors. This is another example of the pro‐thrombotic features of CMV. Physicians should be alert for symptoms and signs of acute CMV infection in patients with thrombosis. J. Med. Virol. 84:1934–1936, 2012. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Seeds of doubt: Re‐assessing the impact of grain P concentrations on seedling vigor
Authors: Rose Terry J. , Pariasca‐Tanaka Juan , Rose Michael T. , Mori Asako , Wissuwa Matthias
Published: October 2012

Interest in developing crop varieties with low grain phosphorus (P) in order to minimize the removal of P from fields in harvested grain has been limited due to the view that a low‐P grain trait may impair subsequent seedling vigor. This perception is based on relatively few studies, which typically investigated seedling growth on infertile soils, and used seed that may have differed in attributes other than P concentration. To investigate whether these anomalies cast sufficient doubt to warrant renewed research in this field, we compared the growth of rice seedlings from seed low in P obtained from P‐starved plants (P‐starved seed) vs. high‐P seeds (obtained from P‐fertilized plants) in P‐deficient and P‐replete soils. While plants from high‐P seed were superior in the P‐deficient soil, plants grown from P‐starved seed overcame an initial lull in early vigor to obtain similar biomass at maturity as plants grown from high‐P seed. Subsequent experiments were undertaken using high‐P seed vs. seed low in P from a range of rice genotypes that was not obtained from P‐stressed plants (low‐P seed): There was no reduction in seedling vigor or biomass and grain yields at maturity of plants from low‐P seeds in low‐P soil compared to plants from high‐P seed, though responses were genotype‐specific. The results suggest that multiple factors can confound the results of seed P × seedling vigor studies, and that a renewed research effort to define the minimum P levels in seeds required for adequate seedling growth across a range of environments is warranted.
Occurrence and contribution of alkyl methoxypyrazines in wine tainted by Harmonia axyridis and Coccinella septempunctata
Authors: Botezatu Andreea I , Kotseridis Yorgos , Inglis Debbie , Pickering Gary J
Published: October 2012

BACKGROUND: Ladybug taint (LBT) is a wine fault caused by the inadvertent incorporation of ladybeetles to the wine during the winemaking process. Harmonia axyridis, also known as the multicolored Asian lady‐beetle (MALB), was the only species considered responsible for causing the taint. A second species, Coccinella septempunctata (7 Spot), has recently also been implicated. The main objectives of this study were to identify and quantify the compounds associated with ladybug taint of white and red wine from these two Coccinellidae species (Harmonia axyridis and Coccinella septempunctata), and determine the most odor‐active compounds in LBT‐affected wines.

RESULTS: Results show that Coccinellidae can contribute dimethyl, isopropyl, secbutyl and isobutyl methoxypyrazine to wine when they are processed with grapes, and that the methoxypyrazine composition varies between MALB and 7 Spot. Isopropyl methoxypyrazine is the major contributor to LBT in wines produced with these ladybeetle species, although secbutyl and isobutyl methoxypyrazine may contribute in MALB‐ and 7 Spot‐affected wines, respectively. Finally, dimethyl methoxypyrazine is reported for the first time in wines not affected by Coccinellidae; the global significance and prevalence of this compound in wine remains to be determined.

CONCLUSION: Both Harmonia axyridis and Coccinella septempunctata can contribute alkyl methoxypyrazines, and particularly isopropyl methoxypyrazine, to wine at concentrations that can have a negative impact on wine quality. These findings will allow grape growers and winemakers to be more aware of the risks posed by 7 Spot beetles, and to take the appropriate preventative and remedial actions. Furthermore, this is the first time dimethyl methoxypyrazine is reported in wine, either as an endogenous or Coccinellidae‐derived odorant. © 2012 Society of Chemical Industry
Effect of micronisation of pre‐conditioned cowpeas on cooking time and sensory properties of cooked cowpeas
Authors: Kayitesi Eugénie , Duodu Kwaku Gyebi , Minnaar Amanda , de Kock Henriette L
Published: October 2012

BACKGROUND: Cowpea is mostly utilised as cooked whole seeds. This is often achieved only after boiling for up to 2 h, resulting in high energy consumption and a long time for food preparation. Micronisation of pre‐conditioned cowpeas reduces their cooking time. Micronisation changes the physicochemical properties of cowpea seeds, which may affect the sensory properties of cooked cowpeas. Consumer acceptance and utilisation of micronised cowpeas depend on their sensory properties. Micronised and unmicronised samples of Blackeye, Bechuana white, Glenda and Dr Saunders cowpeas were subjected to cooking time, descriptive sensory and colour analyses.

RESULTS: Micronisation significantly reduced cowpea cooking time by 28–49%. There were significant (P < 0.05) increases in roasted aroma and flavour, mushy texture and splitting in all micronised samples. Bechuana white was more mushy and split than others. There were significant decreases in firmness, mealiness and coarseness after micronisation for all cowpea types. Micronised cowpeas were darker (lower L* values) than unmicronised cooked cowpeas. Darkening was more evident in light‐coloured than dark‐coloured cowpeas.

CONCLUSION: Micronisation reduces cowpea cooking time but also affects sensory properties of cowpeas such as introducing roasted flavours that may not be familiar to consumers. This might have an influence on consumer acceptance of micronised cowpeas. © 2012 Society of Chemical Industry
Is livestock production prepared for an electrically paralysed world?
Authors: Lassen Brian
Published: October 2012

Politics, insolvency, increased technological complexity and solar flares are factors that currently present uncomfortably real threats to our increasing dependency on electricity. In some scenarios, there may be no warning before electronic and mechanical help will cease to function. Industrial food production appears to be particularly vulnerable. Making preparations for an electrically paralysed period may not only be prudent, and a matter of national security, but might also push scientific efforts in agricultural production past energy reduction and towards more resilient and sustainable options. Copyright © 2012 Society of Chemical Industry
A simple method for the determination of bioactive antioxidants in virgin olive oils
Authors: Garcia Barbara , Coelho Joana , Costa Marlene , Pinto Joana , Paiva‐Martins Fátima
Published: October 2012

Background

The importance of olive polyphenols as bioactive compounds has grown in recent years as a result of intensive research on their anticancer, antiatherosclerotic and antihypertensive activities. However, there is currently no official method for determining the content of polyphenols in olive oils because of the technical difficulties in their determination. Here a simple method for the analysis of extra virgin olive oil o‐diphenols by visible spectrometry is proposed and compared with the traditional method of solid phase extraction followed by colorimetric determination using sodium molybdate or Folin–Ciocalteu reagent or by high‐performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) analysis using UV detection. This new approach to determining total o‐diphenolic compounds exploits the oxidation of o‐diphenols to quinones in a basic medium.

Results

Preliminary results showed a better correlation between the total o‐diphenol determination by HPLC and by the proposed method (R2 = 0.9229) than between the total o‐diphenol determination by HPLC and by the molybdate colorimetric method (R2 = 0.8689). A good correlation was also observed between the total phenolic content determined by HPLC and by the proposed method (R2 = 0.8196), but this correlation was a little lower than the one obtained between the HPLC method and the Folin–Ciocalteu method (R2 = 0.8752).

Conclusion

The proposed method involves very little sample manipulation, requires inexpensive reagents and can be performed in less than 40 min for several samples at the same time, using olive oil samples of only 1–2 g. © 2012 Society of Chemical Industry
The efficacy of cutanplast nasal packing after endoscopic sinus surgery: A prospective, randomized, controlled trial
Authors: Cho Kyu‐Sup , Shin Seung‐Kuk , Lee Jung‐Hoon , Kim Joo‐Yeon , Koo Soo‐Kweon , Kim Yong‐Wan , Kim Min‐Jung , Roh Hwan‐Jung
Published: October 2012

Objectives/Hypothesis:

Absorbable packing materials are commonly used after endoscopic sinus surgery (ESS). Cutanplast is a novel gelatin sponge with a powerful hemostatic effect that is rapidly absorbed. The purpose of this study was to investigate the efficacy of Cutanplast in patients following ESS.

Study Design:

A multicenter, prospective, randomized, double‐blind, paired, controlled trial.

Methods:

One hundred adult patients with chronic sinusitis requiring the same extent of ESS were included. Patients were excluded if they were undergoing septoplasty, turbinate surgery, revision surgery, and taking anticoagulants. Following surgery, one nasal cavity was packed with Cutanplast and the other one with Merocel. Hemostatic properties, patient discomfort while the packing was in situ, patient pain on removal, degree of bleeding on removal, time required to control bleeding after removal, the cost of the pack, and postoperative wound healing were evaluated.

Results:

Both packs were effective at preventing postoperative hemorrhage. However, Cutanplast was significantly more comfortable while in situ (mean difference, 0.90; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.75‐1.25) and less painful on removal of the pack (mean difference, 1.36; 95% CI, 0.85‐1.71). The Merocel pack was associated with significantly more bleeding on removal (mean difference, 1.23; 95% CI, 0.61‐2.29), therefore much time was needed to control hemorrhage (mean difference, 1.05; 95% CI, 0.31‐1.45). There was no significant difference in the cost of the pack used and outcome measure of wound healing.

Conclusions:

Cutanplast nasal pack results in significantly less pain and less bleeding compared to Merocel pack. Laryngoscope, 2013
Cartographic Procedure for the Analysis of Aeolian Erosion Hazard in Natural Parks (Central System, Spain)
Authors: Martínez‐Graña A. M. , Goy J. L. , Zazo C.
Published: October 2012

Cartographic analysis of the hazard of erosion is a useful tool for the planning and management of natural parks, helping to establish measures for protection and correction. Such parks, which offer spectacular landscape views and natural beauty, must be conserved with all their resources. Accordingly, park managers must have the cartographic tools for hazard planning, which is necessary for the rational and sustainable handling of human activities and the establishment of preventive and corrective measures. The present work describes a cartographic procedure using GIS that determines the risk of aeolian erosion. The method was applied to two protected natural parks in the central mountain system in Spain. This cartographic method revealed a weak risk of hazard of erosion in low‐lying areas or valley floors, with increasing risk in areas of deflation. These areas were explored by mapping geomorphological domains and slopes, characterising different surficial deposits: colluvium, piedmonts, debris cone, alluvial fans and river terraces. Aeolian erosion on cultivated surfaces with gentle slopes was observed to be low, but in sectors with little agricultural activity and undulated reliefs, the hazard of erosion is important owing to the high analytical and textural erodibility and scant vegetation cover of these sectors. These parameters were studied on the basis of the mapping of soils and soil profiles. Additionally, the cartography of vegetation and the wind index in the cartographic procedure allowed for the different degrees of aeolian erosion to be better quantified. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Craig interpolation for semilinear substructural logics
Authors: Marchioni Enrico , Metcalfe George
Published: October 2012

The Craig interpolation property is investigated for substructural logics whose algebraic semantics are varieties of semilinear (subdirect products of linearly ordered) pointed commutative residuated lattices. It is shown that Craig interpolation fails for certain classes of these logics with weakening if the corresponding algebras are not idempotent. A complete characterization is then given of axiomatic extensions of the “R‐mingle with unit” logic (corresponding to varieties of Sugihara monoids) that have the Craig interpolation property. This latter characterization is obtained using a model‐theoretic quantifier elimination strategy to determine the varieties of Sugihara monoids admitting the amalgamation property.
Reversible freezing of gait caused by dural arteriovenous fistula and congestion of the globus pallidus
Authors: Shahar Tal , Gadoth Avi , Nossek Erez , Giladi Nir , Ram Zvi , Maimon Shimon
Published: October 2012

Background:

Freezing of gait (FOG) is defined as an episodic inability to generate effective stepping in the absence of any known cause other than parkinsonism or high‐level gait disorders.

Methods:

We present a 59‐year‐old male with acute, progressive episodes of FOG. Imaging studies revealed a dural arteriovenous fistula (DAVF) associated with edema of the globus pallidus interna (GPi). Cerebral angiography confirmed the diagnosis of DAVF and demonstrated an occluded straight sinus and a retrograde blood flow of deep cerebral veins.

Results:

After endovascular closure of the DAVF, a major improvement of FOG was observed concomitant with striking near resolution of GPi congestion.

Conclusions:

This reversal of the clinical course, correlated with changes in imaging studies, suggests a major role of the GPi in the pathology of FOG. © 2012 Movement Disorder Society
Production of Polyclonal Antibody Against Madecassoside and Development of Immunoassay Methods for Analysis of Triterpene Glycosides in Centella asiatica
Authors: Tassanawat Patcharin , Putalun Waraporn , Yusakul Gorawit , Sritularak Boonchoo , Juengwatanatrakul Thaweesak , Tanaka Hiroyuki
Published: October 2012

Introduction

Centella asiatica (L.) Urban consists of two major triterpene glycosides, asiaticoside (AS) and madecassoside (MA), as active components used for wound healing and enhancing memory.

Objective

To produce a polyclonal antibody against madecassoside (MA‐PAb) and develop enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and Eastern blotting methods for quantitative analysis of triterpene glycosides in Centella asiatica.

Methods

An ELISA method was developed using polyclonal antibody against MA. An Eastern blotting method on the PES membrane was established for determination of MA and AS. The immunoassays were validated for sensitivity, precision, specificity and accuracy.

Results

The prepared MA‐PAb shows specificity to MA and AS. The measuring range of triterpene glycosides was 0.39–50 µg/mL using the ELISA method. An Eastern blotting method was developed for determining individual MA and AS, which could be detected in the range of 62.5–500 ng. The limit of detection for MA and AS was 31.25 ng. The two methods developed showed good specificity, precision, and accuracy, and also correlated with high‐performance liquid chromatography.

Conclusion

These immunoassays have several advantages that include high sensitivity as well as being rapid and facile for determination of the triterpene glycosides in C. asiatica. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Comparative study of silicon‐containing cycloaliphatic epoxides between different chemical structures and curing mechanisms for potential light‐emitting diode encapsulation applications
Authors: Liu Wanshuang , Wang Zhonggang
Published: October 2012

The aim of this paper is to systematically investigate the curing behavior of three novel di‐ and trifunctional silicon‐containing cycloaliphatic epoxy resins by both anhydride and cationic ring‐opening polymerization methods as well as the viscoelasticity, thermal stability, water absorption and optical properties of the cured products. Differential scanning calorimetry curves show that, relative to anhydride curing, cationic polymerization can decrease the curing temperature to below 120 °C, and the reaction exothermic peaks become very narrow and sharp, exhibiting rapid curing characteristics at moderately low temperature. In addition, the differences between the anhydride and cationic curing methods bring about interesting variations in physical properties for the cured products which are well related to their chemical structures, polymerization mechanism, crosslinking density, segmental flexibility and inter‐segmental distance. The excellent transparency, rapid cationic curing rate, good thermal stability and high glass transition temperature of over 275 °C make this series of epoxy resins promising candidates for light‐emitting diode encapsulation applications. © 2012 Society of Chemical Industry
Lactic acid‐ and carbonate‐based crosslinked polymeric micelles for drug delivery
Authors: Danquah Michael , Fujiwara Tomoko , Mahato Ram I.
Published: October 2012

Our objective was to synthesize and evaluate lactic acid‐ and carbonate‐based biodegradable core‐ and core‐corona crosslinkable copolymers for anticancer drug delivery. Methoxy poly(ethylene glycol)‐b‐poly(carbonate‐co‐lactide‐co‐5‐methyl‐5‐allyloxycarbonyl‐1,3‐dioxane‐2‐one) [mPEG‐b‐P(CB‐co‐LA‐co‐MAC)] and methoxy poly(ethylene glycol)‐b‐poly(acryloyl carbonate)‐b‐poly(carbonate‐co‐lactide) [mPEG‐b‐PMAC‐b‐P(CB‐co‐LA)] copolymers were synthesized by ring‐opening polymerization of LA, CB, and MAC using mPEG as an macroinitiator and 1,8‐diazabicycloundec‐7‐ene as a catalyst. These amphiphilic copolymers which exhibited low polydispersity and critical micelle concentration values (0.8–1 mg/L) were used to prepare micelles with or without drug and stabilized by crosslinking via radical polymerization of double bonds introduced in the core and interface to improve stability. mPEG114‐b‐P(CB8‐co‐LA35‐co‐MAC2.5) had a higher drug encapsulation efficiency (78.72% ± 0.15%) compared to mPEG114‐b‐PMAC2.5‐b‐P(CB9‐co‐LA39) (20.29% ± 0.11%).1H NMR and IR spectroscopy confirmed successful crosslinking (∼70%) while light scattering and transmission electron microscopy were used to determine micelle size and morphology. Crosslinked micelles demonstrated enhanced stability against extensive dilution with aqueous solvents and in the presence of physiological simulating serum concentration. Furthermore, bicalutamide‐loaded crosslinked micelles were more potent compared to non‐crosslinked micelles in inhibiting LNCaP cell proliferation irrespective of polymer type. Finally, these results suggest crosslinked micelles to be promising drug delivery vehicles for chemotherapy. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem, 2013
Synthesis of ω‐phosphonated poly(ethylene oxide)s through the combination of kabachnik–fields reaction and “click” chemistry
Authors: N'Guyen Thi Thanh Thuy , Oussadi Karima , Montembault Véronique , Fontaine Laurent
Published: October 2012

The synthesis of new ω‐phosphonic acid‐terminated poly(ethylene oxide) (PEOs) monomethyl ethers was investigated by the combination of Atherton–Todd or Kabachnik–Fields reactions and the “click” copper‐catalyzed 1,3‐dipolar cycloaddition of azides and terminal alkynes. The Atherton–Todd route fails to give the corresponding phosphonic acid‐terminated PEOs due to competitive cleavage of the PN bond during the dealkylation step. In contrast, the Kabachnik–Fields route leads with very good yields to ω‐phosphonic acid‐PEO through “click” reaction of azido‐PEO onto dimethyl aminopropargyl phosphonate prepared by Kabachnik–Fields reaction between propargylbenzylimine and dimethyl phosphonate, followed by acidic hydrolysis. The reported methodology, precluding the use of anionic polymerization of ethylene oxide, leads to novel well‐defined phosphonic acid‐terminated PEOs from commercially available products in good yields. Moreover, such a strategy can be adapted to anchor phosphonic acid functionality onto a wide range of polymers. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem, 2013
Roll‐to‐Roll fabrication of large area functional organic materials
Authors: Søndergaard Roar R. , Hösel Markus , Krebs Frederik C.
Published: October 2012

With the prospect of extremely fast manufacture of very low cost devices, organic electronics prepared by thin film processing techniques that are compatible with roll‐to‐roll (R2R) methods are presently receiving an increasing interest. Several technologies using organic thin films are at the point, where transfer from the laboratory to a more production‐oriented environment is within reach. In this review, we aim at giving an overview of some of the R2R‐compatible techniques that can be used in such a transfer, as well the current status of R2R application within some of the existing research fields such as organic photovoltaics, organic thin film transistors, light‐emitting diodes, polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells, and electrochromic devices. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys, 2012
Synthesizing a new dielectric elastomer exhibiting large actuation strain and suppressed electromechanical instability without prestretching
Authors: Niu Xiaofan , Stoyanov Hristiyan , Hu Wei , Leo Ruby , Brochu Paul , Pei Qibing
Published: October 2012

Prestrain provides high actuation performance in dielectric elastomers (DEs) but increases the bulk, mass, and fatigue of the resulting actuators. Based on our experiments on prestrain‐locked interpenetrating polymer films and the model developed by Zhao and Suo, materials with a certain stress–strain relationship should be capable of high strain without prestrain by suppressing electromechanical instability (EMI). Here, we report the synthesis of an acrylic elastomer capable of achieving high actuation performance without prestrain. DE films were directly fabricated by ultraviolet curing of precursors comprising a mixture of acrylate comonomers. Varying the amount of crosslinker comonomer in the precursor allowed us to tune the stress–strain relationship and completely suppress EMI while maintaining high strain performance. Addition of plasticizing agents increased strain sensitivity. The result is a new DE, synthesized from scratch, capable of high actuation strain (>100%), high energy density (>1 J g−1), and good temperature and frequency response without requiring prestretching. The material can be fabricated using conventional coating techniques and the process can allow for high volume throughput of stacked DE actuators. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys, 2013
Pyramiding and evaluation of three dominant brown planthopper resistance genes in the elite indica rice 9311 and its hybrids
Authors: Hu Jie , Cheng Mingxing , Gao Guanjun , Zhang Qinglu , Xiao Jinghua , He Yuqing
Published: October 2012

Background

Brown planthopper (BPH), Nilaparvata lugens Stål, is the most devastating insect pest in rice‐producing areas. Three dominant BPH resistance genes (Bph14, Bph15, Bph18) were pyramided into elite indica rice 9311 and its hybrids using marker‐assisted selection. Gene effectiveness was evaluated on the basis of seedling and adult rice resistance, honeydew weight and survival rate of BPH.

Results

All three genes affected BPH growth and development and antibiotic factors, resulting in both seedling and adult resistance. Bph15 had the greatest effect on conferring resistance to BPH. The results showed an additive effect of pyramiding genes, the order of the gene effect being 14/15/18 ≥ 14/15 > 15/18 ≥ 15 > 14/18 ≥ 14 ≥ 18 > none. The pyramided or single‐gene introgression hybrids showed greater resistance than conventional hybrids, although the heterozygous genotypes had weaker effects than the corresponding homozygous genotypes. Furthermore, field trial data demonstrated that yields of improved 9311 lines were higher than or similar to that of the control under natural field conditions. These improved versions can be immediately used in hybrid improvement and production.

Conclusion

Compared with controls, pyramided lines and hybrids with three genes showed the strongest resistance to BPH, without a yield decrease. © 2012 Society of Chemical Industry
The phenolic monoterpenoid carvacrol inhibits the binding of nicotine to the housefly nicotinic acetylcholine receptor
Authors: Tong Fan , Gross Aaron D , Dolan Marc C , Coats Joel R
Published: October 2012

Background

The phenolic monoterpenoid carvacrol, which is found in many plant essential oils (thyme, oregano and Alaska yellow cedar), is highly active against pest arthropods, but its mechanisms of action are not fully understood. Here, carvacrol is shown to bind in a membrane preparation containing insect nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs). [14C]‐Nicotine binding assays with Musca domestica (housefly) nAChRs were used in this study to demonstrate carvacrol's binding to nAChRs, thereby acting as a modulator of the receptors.

Results

Carvacrol showed a concentration‐dependent inhibition of [14C]‐nicotine binding in a membrane preparation of housefly heads containing nAChRs, with IC50 = 1.4 μM, in a non‐competitive pattern. Binding studies with neonicotinoid insecticides revealed that imidacloprid and thiamethoxam did not inhibit the binding of [14C]‐nicotine, while dinotefuran, from the guanidine subclass of neonicotinoids, inhibited nicotine binding like carvacrol.

Conclusions

Carvacrol binds to housefly nAChRs at a binding site distinct from nicotine and acetylcholine, and the nAChRs are a possible target of carvacrol for its insecticidal activity.© 2012 Society of Chemical Industry
Direct cell penetration of the antifungal peptide, MMGP1, in Candida albicans
Authors: Pushpanathan Muthuirulan , Rajendhran Jeyaprakash , Jayashree Sathyanarayanan , Sundarakrishnan Balakrishnan , Jayachandran Seetharaman , Gunasekaran Paramasamy
Published: October 2012

An antifungal peptide, MMGP1, was recently identified from marine metagenome. The mechanism of cellular internalization of this peptide in Candida albicans was studied using fluorescein 5–isothiocynate (Sigma, California, USA) labeling followed by fluorescence microscopy and flow cytometry analyses. The peptide could enter C. albicans cells even at 4 °C, where all energy‐dependent transport mechanisms are blocked. In addition, the peptide internalization was not affected by the endocytic inhibitor, sodium azide. The kinetic study has shown that the peptide was initially localized on cell membrane and subsequently internalized into cytosol. The MMGP1 treatment exhibited time‐dependent cytotoxicity in C. albicans as evidenced by SYTOX Green (Molecular Probes Inc., Eugene, Oreg) uptake. Copyright © 2012 European Peptide Society and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Sample size determination for clinical trials with co‐primary outcomes: exponential event times
Authors: Hamasaki Toshimitsu , Sugimoto Tomoyuki , Evans Scott , Sozu Takashi
Published: October 2012

Clinical trials with event‐time outcomes as co‐primary contrasts are common in many areas such as infectious disease, oncology, and cardiovascular disease. We discuss methods for calculating the sample size for randomized superiority clinical trials with two correlated time‐to‐event outcomes as co‐primary contrasts when the time‐to‐event outcomes are exponentially distributed. The approach is simple and easily applied in practice. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Navigated treatment of metatarsal V fractures using a new image based guidance system
Authors: Kraus Michael , Dehner Christoph , Riepl Christoph , Krischak Gert , Gebhard Florian , Schöll Hendrik
Published: October 2012

Background

Computer assisted imaging systems are rarely used for fracture treatment and foot surgery. We introduce a new system for image based guidance in traumatology.

Methods

We included 20 patients with a fracture of the fifth metatarsal. They were randomized on admission into two groups. Ten patients in the metatarsal group were operated conventionally and ten were operated with the assistance of a new image guidance system. This system is based on 2D‐fluoro images which are acquired with a conventional c‐arm and are transferred to the system workstation. After detecting marked tools, it can be used to display trajectories for K‐wire guidance in the c‐arm shot.

Results

The average duration of surgery in the image‐guided group was 12.7 minutes. In the conventional treated group, it was 17 minutes. The average duration of radiation was 18 seconds in the image‐guided group vs. 32.4 seconds in the conventional group. 1.6 trials were necessary to position the K‐wire for image‐guided procedures in comparison to 2.7 trials in the conventional group.

Conclusion

Image‐based guidance systems can be used for indications, were hitherto existing navigation systems are limited due to their dependence on fixed reference devices. Image‐guided systems can be integrated into existing workflows and can reduce the malpositioning of guidewires. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Robotic adrenalectomy: technical aspects, early results and learning curve
Authors: D'Annibale Annibale , Lucandri Giorgio , Monsellato Igor , De Angelis Monica , Pernazza Graziano , Alfano Giovanni , Mazzocchi Paolo , Pende Vito
Published: October 2012

Background

Adrenal surgery is undergoing continuous evolution, and robotic technology may extend indications for a minimally invasive approach to adrenalectomy.

Methods

Thirty robot‐assisted unilateral transperitoneal adrenalectomy procedures have been performed at our Department over the last 5 years. The presence of bilateral lesions and vascular involvement were the only contra‐indications for a minimally invasive approach. Several patients presented with significant co‐morbidities: BMI > 35 kg/m2 (20%); ASA score III–IV (58.7%); and moderate to severe impaired respiratory function (36.6%). In addition, 40% of patients had undergone previous abdominal surgery.

Results

Two patients presented with intra‐operative complications (6.6%) and only one patient required conversion to an open procedure (3.3%). None of the patients required intraoperative transfusions. Hospital morbidity was 10% but no mortality was recorded. The mean hospital stay was 5.2 ± 2.2 days. The mean size of the resected adrenal mass was 5.1 ± 2.4 cm. A significant reduction in operative times was found with gaining experience.

Conclusions

Thanks to robotic technology, some subpopulations of patients with clinical or oncological contra‐indications to laparoscopic treatment may be addressed with minimally invasive treatment. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Design and evaluation of a slave manipulator with roll‐pitch‐roll wrist and automatic tool loading mechanism in telerobotic surgery
Authors: Kim Ki‐Young , Lee Jung‐Ju
Published: October 2012

Background

As there is a shortage of scrub nurses in many hospitals, automatic surgical tool exchanging mechanism without human labour has been studied. Minimally invasive robotic surgeries (MIRS) also require scrub nurses. A surgical tool loading mechanism without a scrub nurse's assistance for MIRS is proposed. Many researchers have developed minimally invasive surgical instruments with a wrist joint that can be movable inside the abdomen. However, implementation of a distal rolling joint on a gripper is rare.

Methods

To implement surgical tool exchanging without a scrub nurse's assistance, a slave manipulator and a tool loader were developed to load and unload a surgical tool unit. A surgical tool unit with a roll‐pitch‐roll wrist was developed. Several experiments were performed to validate the effectiveness of the slave manipulator and the surgical tool unit.

Results

The slave manipulator and the tool loader were able to successfully unload and load the surgical tool unit without human assistance. The total duration of unloading and loading the surgical tool unit was 97 s. Motion tracking experiments of the distal rolling joint were performed. The maximum positioning error of the step input response was 2°.

Conclusions

The advantage of the proposed slave manipulator and tool loader is that other robotic systems or human labour are not needed for surgical tool loading. The feasibility of the distal rolling joint in MIS is verified. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Robustness analysis of a smart surgical drill for cochleostomy
Authors: Du Xinli , Assadi Masoud Z , Jowitt Felicity , Brett Peter N , Henshaw Scott , Dalton James , Proops David W , Coulson Chris J , Reid Andrew P
Published: October 2012

Background

There is a need for sensor‐guided robotic devices that discriminate working conditions and media, and control interaction of tool‐points with respect to tissues. At the micro‐surgical scale the need is to control exact penetration through flexible tissues and to control relative motion with respect to moving or deforming tissue targets and interfaces.

Methods

This paper describes a smart surgical drill that is able to control interaction with respect to the flexing tissue to avoid penetration or to control the extent of protrusion with respect to the position of the flexible tissue interface under drilling. The sensing scheme used is able to discriminate between the variations in types of conditions posed in the drilling environment.

Results

The fully autonomous system is able to respond to tissue type, behaviour and deflection in real time. The system is robust in terms of different drilling angle, thickness, stiffness, and disturbances encountered. Also it is intuitive to use, efficient to set up and uses standard drill bits.

Conclusions

The smart drill has been used to prepare cochleostomies in theatre and was used to remove bone tissue leaving the endosteal membrane intact. This has enabled preservation of sterility and the drilling debris to be removed prior to insertion of the electrode. Results presented in this paper suggest that the robotic smart drill is tolerant and robust on various angled drilling trajectories with respect to tissues, tissue thickness, environmental disturbances, and has been used within the operating theatre. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Changes in the surface roughness and friction coefficient of orthodontic bracket slots before and after treatment
Authors: Liu Xiaomo , Lin Jiuxiang , Ding Peng
Published: October 2012

In this study, we tested the surface roughness of bracket slots and the friction coefficient between the bracket and the stainless steel archwire before and after orthodontic treatment. There were four experimental groups: groups 1 and 2 were 3M new and retrieved brackets, respectively, and groups 3 and 4 were BioQuick new and retrieved brackets, respectively. All retrieved brackets were taken from patients with the first premolar extraction and using sliding mechanics to close the extraction space. The surface roughness of specimens was evaluated using an optical interferometry profilometer, which is faster and nondestructive compared with a stylus profilometer, and provided a larger field, needing no sample preparation, compared with atomic force microscopy. Orthodontic treatment resulted in significant increases in surface roughness and coefficient of friction for both brands of brackets. However, there was no significant difference by brand for new or retrieved brackets. These retrieval analysis results highlight the necessity of reevaluating the properties and clinical behavior of brackets during treatment to make appropriate treatment decisions. SCANNING 35: 265‐272, 2013. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Towards affordably adaptable and effective systems
Authors: Neches Robert , Madni Azad M.
Published: October 2012

Resilience means different things in different disciplines. From a systems engineering perspective, we define resilience as the ability of a system to adapt affordably and perform effectively across a wide range of operational contexts, where context is defined by mission, environment, threat, and force disposition. A key issue in engineering resilient systems is the lengthy and costly upfront engineering process, which program managers justifiably find unacceptable. This paper presents how advances in computational technology can potentially transform the system development process in new and novel ways to enable fast, efficient, and inexpensive upfront engineering—the key to engineering resilient systems. These processes, in turn, can enable rapid development, deployment, and operation of affordably adaptable and effective systems. ©2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Syst Eng 16
On new emerging concepts of petroleum digital ecosystem
Authors: Nimmagadda Shastri L. , Dreher Heinz
Published: October 2012

Petroleum‐bearing sedimentary basin is an emerging digital ecosystem. Petroleum system and its elements are narrated for each and every oil and gas field in each and every petroleum‐bearing sedimentary basin. A new concept of ecosystem and its digitization are emerging within the generic petroleum system. The Significance of this concept comes with an ability to establish connectivity among petroleum subsystems, for example, Albertine Graben (Western Uganda), through attributes of their components and their contextualization and specifications. Unless the phenomenon of integration of elements and processes among subbasins in the context of digital representation, visualization, and interpretation are understood, the existence of petroleum system (both at local and global scales) and its survival, the phenomenon of ‘interconnectivity’ among ecosystems cannot be well explained. Its value cannot be added in terms of petroleum accumulations and volumes, unless these phenomena are made explicit. Authors propose ontology‐based data warehousing and data mining technologies in which conceptualization and contextualization of multiple data dimensions' are modeled (elements and processes of petroleum system), besides their integration (within data warehouse environment) and data mining of interpretable emerging petroleum digital ecosystem. Multidimensional data warehousing and mining facilitate an effective interpretation of petroleum ecosystems, minimizing the ambiguities involved during structure and reservoir qualifications and quantifications, especially during reserve computations. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

This article is categorized under:

Fundamental Concepts of Data and Knowledge > Data Concepts

Fundamental Concepts of Data and Knowledge > Knowledge Representation

Technologies > Visualization
Overview of random forest methodology and practical guidance with emphasis on computational biology and bioinformatics
Authors: Boulesteix Anne‐Laure , Janitza Silke , Kruppa Jochen , König Inke R.
Published: October 2012

The random forest (RF) algorithm by Leo Breiman has become a standard data analysis tool in bioinformatics. It has shown excellent performance in settings where the number of variables is much larger than the number of observations, can cope with complex interaction structures as well as highly correlated variables and return measures of variable importance. This paper synthesizes 10 years of RF development with emphasis on applications to bioinformatics and computational biology. Special attention is paid to practical aspects such as the selection of parameters, available RF implementations, and important pitfalls and biases of RF and its variable importance measures (VIMs). The paper surveys recent developments of the methodology relevant to bioinformatics as well as some representative examples of RF applications in this context and possible directions for future research. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

This article is categorized under:

Algorithmic Development > Hierarchies and Trees

Algorithmic Development > Statistics

Application Areas > Health Care
Parthenogenesis in a Brazilian Rainbow Boa (Epicrates cenchria cenchria)
Authors: Kinney Matthew E. , Wack Raymund F. , Grahn Robert A. , Lyons Leslie
Published: October 2012

A 22‐year‐old captive Brazilian rainbow boa (Epicrates cenchria cenchria) gave birth to four offspring after being housed with a vasectomized male. Sexual reproduction as a result of failed prior vasectomy, recanalization of the vas deferens, or prolonged sperm storage was ruled out using the clinical history, histopathology, and gross necropsy. Short tandem repeat (STR) DNA markers were genotyped in the male, female, and four offspring. None of the offspring possessed a diagnostic STR allele present in the potential sire. In addition, all offspring were homozygous at each STR locus evaluated, supporting parthenogenetic reproduction. This is the first report of parthenogenesis in a Brazilian rainbow boa and has implications for the conservation of reptiles maintained in captive breeding programs. Zoo Biol. 32:172–176, 2013. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Analyticity and the holographic S-matrix
Authors: Fitzpatrick A. Liam , Kaplan Jared
Published: October 2012

Abstract

We derive a simple relation between the Mellin amplitude for AdS/CFT correlation functions and the bulk S-Matrix in the flat spacetime limit, proving a conjecture of Penedones. As a consequence of the Operator Product Expansion, the Mellin amplitude for any unitary CFT must be a meromorphic function with simple poles on the real axis. This provides a powerful and suggestive handle on the locality vis-a-vis analyticity properties of the S-Matrix. We begin to explore analyticity by showing how the familiar poles and branch cuts of scattering amplitudes arise from the holographic description. For this purpose we compute examples of Mellin amplitudes corresponding to 1-loop and 2-loop Witten diagrams in AdS. We also examine the flat spacetime limit of conformal blocks, implicitly relating the S-Matrix program to the Bootstrap program for CFTs. We use this connection to show how the existence of small black holes in AdS leads to a universal prediction for the conformal block decomposition of the dual CFT.
Global embeddings for branes at toric singularities
Authors: Balasubramanian Vijay , Berglund Per , Braun Volker , García-Etxebarria Iñaki
Published: October 2012

Abstract

We describe how local toric singularities, including the Toric Lego construction, can be embedded in compact Calabi-Yau manifolds. We study in detail the addition of D-branes, including non-compact flavor branes as typically used in semi-realistic model building. The global geometry provides constraints on allowable local models. As an illustration of our discussion we focus on D3 and D7-branes on (the partially resolved) (dP
0)3 singularity, its embedding in a specific Calabi-Yau manifold as a hypersurface in a toric variety, the related type IIB orientifold compactification, as well as the corresponding F-theory uplift. Our techniques generalize naturally to complete intersections, and to a large class of F-theory backgrounds with singularities.