bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Fullerenols as a New Therapeutic Approach in Nanomedicine
Authors: Grebowski Jacek , Kazmierska Paulina , Krokosz Anita
Published: October 2013

Recently, much attention has been paid to the bioactive properties of water-soluble fullerene derivatives: fullerenols, with emphasis on their pro- and antioxidative properties. Due to their hydrophilic properties and the ability to scavenge free radicals, fullerenols may, in the future, provide a serious alternative to the currently used pharmacological methods in chemotherapy, treatment of neurodegenerative diseases, and radiobiology. Some of the most widely used drugs in chemotherapy are anthracycline antibiotics. Anthracycline therapy, in spite of its effective antitumor activity, induces systemic oxidative stress, which interferes with the effectiveness of the treatment and results in serious side effects. Fullerenols may counteract the harmful effects of anthracyclines by scavenging free radicals and thereby improve the effects of chemotherapy. Additionally, due to the hollow spherical shape, fullerenols may be used as drug carriers. Moreover, because of the existence of the currently ineffective ways for neurodegenerative diseases treatment, alternative compounds, which could prevent the negative effects of oxidative stress in the brain, are still sought. In the search of alternative methods of treatment and diagnosis, today’s science is increasingly reaching for tools in the field of nanomedicine, for example, fullerenes and their water-soluble derivatives, which is addressed in the present paper.
Effects of Walking Direction and Cognitive Challenges on Gait in Persons with Multiple Sclerosis
Authors: Wajda Douglas A. , Sandroff Brian M. , Pula John H. , Motl Robert W. , Sosnoff Jacob J.
Published: October 2013

Declines in walking performance are commonly seen when undergoing a concurrent cognitive task in persons with multiple sclerosis (MS). The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of walking direction and simultaneous cognitive task on the spatiotemporal gait parameters in persons with MS compared to healthy controls. Ten persons with MS (Median EDSS, 3.0) and ten healthy controls took part in this pilot study. Participants performed 4 walking trials at their self-selected comfortable pace. These trials included forward walking, forward walking with a cognitive task, backward walking, and backward walking with a cognitive task. Walking performance was indexed with measures of velocity, cadence, and stride length for each testing condition. The MS group walked slower with significantly reduced stride length compared to the control group. The novel observation of this investigation was that walking differences between persons with MS and healthy controls were greater during backward walking, and this effect was further highlighted during backward walking with added cognitive test. This raises the possibility that backward walking tests could be an effective way to examine walking difficulties in individuals with MS with relatively minimal walking impairment.
Optic Neuritis as Isolated Manifestation of Leptomeningeal Carcinomatosis: A Case Report and Systematic Review of Ocular Manifestations of Neoplastic Meningitis
Authors: Lanfranconi Silvia , Basilico Paola , Trezzi Ilaria , Borellini Linda , Franco Giulia , Civelli Vittorio , Pallotti Francesco , Bresolin Nereo , Baron Pierluigi
Published: October 2013

Introduction. Leptomeningeal carcinomatosis occurs in about 5% of cancer patients. Ocular involvement is a common clinical manifestation and often the presenting clinical feature.Materials and Methods. We report the case of a 52-year old lady with optic neuritis as isolated manifestation of neoplastic meningitis and a review of ocular involvement in neoplastic meningitis. Ocular symptoms were the presenting clinical feature in 34 patients (83%) out of 41 included in our review, the unique manifestation of meningeal carcinomatosis in 3 patients (7%). Visual loss was the presenting clinical manifestation in 17 patients (50%) and was the most common ocular symptom (70%). Other ocular signs were diplopia, ptosis, papilledema, anisocoria, exophthalmos, orbital pain, scotomas, hemianopsia, and nystagmus. Associated clinical symptoms were headache, altered consciousness, meningism, limb weakness, ataxia, dizziness, seizures, and other cranial nerves involvement. All patients except five underwent CSF examination which was normal in 1 patient, pleocytosis was found in 11 patients, increased protein levels were observed in 16 patients, and decreased glucose levels were found in 8 patients. Cytology was positive in 29 patients (76%).Conclusion. Meningeal carcinomatosis should be considered in patients with ocular symptoms even in the absence of other suggestive clinical symptoms.
Unusual Clinical Presentation of Cutaneous Angiosarcoma Masquerading as Eczema: A Case Report and Review of the Literature
Authors: Trinh Nhat Q. , Rashed Issra , Hutchens Kelli A. , Go Aileen , Melian Edward , Tung Rebecca
Published: October 2013

An unusual case of cutaneous angiosarcoma clinically mimicking eczema is described. A 98-year-old Caucasian male presented with a 6-month history of a flesh-colored, subcutaneous nodule on his left forehead with contralateral facial erythema and scaling that had been previously diagnosed as eczema. Despite treatments with topical steroids and moisturizers, the condition did not resolve. At our clinic, excisional biopsy of the forehead lesion and scouting biopsies from the contralateral cheek were performed which revealed cutaneous angiosarcoma. The described case illustrates that dermatitis-like features should be considered as a rare clinical manifestation of cutaneous angiosarcoma. It also demonstrates that these lesions may respond well to radiotherapy as a single modality.
Mean Square Synchronization of Stochastic Nonlinear Delayed Coupled Complex Networks
Authors: Xie Chengrong , Xu Yuhua , Tong Dongbing
Published: October 2013

We investigate the problem of adaptive mean square synchronization for nonlinear delayed coupled complex networks with stochastic perturbation. Based on the LaSalle invariance principle and the properties of the Weiner process, the controller and adaptive laws are designed to ensure achieving stochastic synchronization and topology identification of complex networks. Sufficient conditions are given to ensure the complex networks to be mean square synchronization. Furthermore, numerical simulations are also given to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed scheme.
Clinical and Radiologic Signs of Relapsed Ovarian Germ Cell Tumor: Tissue Is the Issue
Authors: Homs M. Y. V. , Schreuder H. W. R. , Jonges G. N. , Witteveen P. O.
Published: October 2013

Malignant ovarian germ cell tumor is a rare disease, but with current treatment strategies including surgery and platinum based chemotherapy survival is excellent. After treatment, intensive followup is indicated to encounter tumor relapse at an early stage. This case describes a 22-year-old female with a history of common variable immune deficiency (CVID) who underwent a resection of a large ovarian germ cell tumor followed by 4 cycles of cisplatin and etoposide resulting in clinical complete remission. During followup, she developed a mass at the umbilicus and ascites. Initially, the cytology of the ascites was interpreted as tumor positive, suspicious of relapse of the disease, but tumor markers remained negative. However, during laparoscopy it turned out to be a mature teratoma, which can develop after chemotherapy, the so called growing teratoma syndrome. In retrospect, the ascites was false positive. This case shows that current diagnostic tools are not sufficient to distinguish between vital tumor and mature teratoma and can be misleading. Tumor biopsy and/or laparoscopic inspection are therefore indicated.
Early-Life Iron Deficiency Anemia Alters the Development and Long-Term Expression of Parvalbumin and Perineuronal Nets in the Rat Hippocampus
Authors: Callahan Liam S.N. , Thibert Kathryn A. , Wobken Jane D. , Georgieff Michael K.
Published: October 2013

Early-life iron deficiency anemia (IDA) alters the expression of critical genes involved in neuronal dendritic structural plasticity of the hippocampus, thus contributing to delayed maturation of electrophysiology, and learning and memory behavior in rats. Structural maturity in multiple cortical regions is characterized by the appearance of parvalbumin-positive (PV+) GABAergic interneurons and perineuronal nets (PNNs). Appearance of PV+ interneurons and PNNs can serve as cellular markers for the beginning and end of a critical developmental period, respectively. During this period, the system progresses from an immature yet highly plastic condition, to a more mature and efficient state that is however less flexible and may exhibit poorer potential for recovery from injury. To test if fetal-neonatal IDA alters parvalbumin (PV) mRNA expression, protein levels, and the number of PV+ interneurons and PNNs in the male rat hippocampus, pregnant dams were given an iron-deficient (ID) diet (3 mg iron/kg chow) from gestational day 2 to postnatal day (P) 7 and then placed on an iron-sufficient (IS) diet (198 mg/kg) for the remainder of the experiment. On this regimen, formerly ID animals become fully iron-replete by P56. Minimal levels of PV (mRNA and protein), PV+ interneurons, and PNNs were found in IS and ID P7 rats. By P15, and continuing through P30 and P65, ID rats had reduced PV mRNA expression and protein levels compared to IS controls. While there were no differences in the number of PV+ neurons at either P30 or P65, the percentage of PV+ cells surrounded by PNNs was slightly greater in ID rats as compared to IS controls. The lower levels of these acknowledged critical period biomarkers in the ID group are consistent with studies that demonstrate later maturation of the acutely ID hippocampus and lower plasticity in the adult formerly ID hippocampus. The findings provide additional potential cellular bases for previously described electrophysiologic and behavioral abnormalities found during and following early-life IDA.
Domesticity, Rearmament, and the Limits of U.S. Public Diplomacy in the Netherlands during the Early Cold War
Authors: Snyder David J.
Published: October 2013

By the early 1950s, Western rearmament had emerged as a central U.S. foreign policy goal. However, many West European governments were reluctant to bear the costs of rearmament at a time when economic reconstruction and social welfare were still urgently needed. Perhaps nowhere was this resistance as entrenched as in the Netherlands, where concern over defense expenditure was most pronounced among Dutch housewives, a traditionally prominent part of Dutch society. For U.S. diplomats in The Hague, the Dutch housewife therefore became the greatest obstacle they needed to overcome in generating Dutch support for rearmament. When U.S. officials encouraged Dutch women to take a more prominent stand on international affairs, these efforts posed a challenge to local cultural conventions. Yet with few usable cultural tropes on which to draw amid continued economic austerity, the U.S. effort to reach Dutch women fell short. An analysis of this failed effort underscores the limits of U.S. cultural influence in other Western societies during the early Cold War.
A new species of frogfish of the genus Kuiterichthys (Lophiiformes: Antennariidae: Histiophryninae) from New South Wales, Australia
Authors: ARNOLD RACHEL J.
Published: October 2013

Kuiterichthys pietschi, a new species of frogfish of the teleost order Lophiiformes, family Antennariidae, subfamily Histiophryninae, is described from 20 specimens collected at depths of 60–89 m (average 73 m) off New South Wales, Australia. A member of the antennariid genus Kuiterichthys, the new species differs from its congener in escal morphology, a somewhat shorter second dorsal-fin spine (17.0–22.5% SL vs. 17.8–29.8%); 20 vertebrae vs. 21; 10–11 dorsal-fin rays vs. 12–14; and 7–8 pectoral-fin rays vs. 9–10. The new species is described and compared with its purported sister species, Kuiterichthys furcipilis.
Dynamic and Double-Diffusive Instabilities in a Weak Pycnocline. Part I: Observations of Heat Flux and Diffusivity in the Vicinity of Maud Rise, Weddell Sea
Authors: Shaw William J. , Stanton Timothy P.
Published: October 2013

An expedition to study the stability of the weakly stratified water column in the eastern Weddell Sea was undertaken in the austral winter of 2005. A regional CTD survey around Maud Rise delineated water mass boundaries associated with flow around the seamount and identified areas most susceptible to overturning. A downstream region of the seamount Taylor column was found least stable, with a potential density difference across the pycnocline less than 0.018 kg m−3. Intensive water column measurements, including 1300 profiles of temperature, conductivity, and fast-response microconductivity, were made during a series of 13 drift stations to investigate vertical turbulent transports and the evolution of water column stability. The dependence of pycnocline turbulent diffusivity kT on Froude number Fr (turbulence generated by internal wave shear) and density ratio Rρ (turbulence generated by diffusive layering and possibly diapycnal cabbeling) is investigated. The Fr alone cannot explain completely the observed kT variability. Instead, there is also a strong dependence on Rρ. Turbulent diffusivity is an order of magnitude larger in the weakly stratified Taylor cap over Maud Rise (where Rρ approaches one) than in the surrounding water column that is unaffected by flow around Maud Rise. In terms of water column stability, diffusive heat flux across the pycnocline inhibits winter ice growth and densification of the surface layer. The observed Rρ dependence of kT thus provides a strong negative feedback on the winter evolution of the Maud Rise area water column toward overturning instability.
Coastal Trapped Waves, Alongshore Pressure Gradients, and the California Undercurrent*
Authors: Connolly Thomas P. , Hickey Barbara M. , Shulman Igor , Thomson Richard E.
Published: October 2013

The California Undercurrent (CUC), a poleward-flowing feature over the continental slope, is a key transport pathway along the west coast of North America and an important component of regional upwelling dynamics. This study examines the poleward undercurrent and alongshore pressure gradients in the northern California Current System (CCS), where local wind stress forcing is relatively weak. The dynamics of the undercurrent are compared in the primitive equation Navy Coastal Ocean Model and a linear coastal trapped wave model. Both models are validated using hydrographic data and current-meter observations in the core of the undercurrent in the northern CCS. In the linear model, variability in the predominantly equatorward wind stress along the U.S. West Coast produces episodic reversals to poleward flow over the northern CCS slope during summer. However, reproducing the persistence of the undercurrent during late summer requires additional incoming energy from sea level variability applied south of the region of the strongest wind forcing. The relative importance of the barotropic and baroclinic components of the modeled alongshore pressure gradient changes with latitude. In contrast to the southern and central portions of the CCS, the baroclinic component of the alongshore pressure gradient provides the primary poleward force at CUC depths over the northern CCS slope. At time scales from weeks to months, the alongshore pressure gradient force is primarily balanced by the Coriolis force associated with onshore flow.
RNA-Seq analysis of Citrus reticulata in the early stages of Xylella fastidiosa infection reveals auxin-related genes as a defense response
Authors: Rodrigues Carolina M , de Souza Alessandra A , Takita Marco A , Kishi Luciano T , Machado Marcos A
Published: October 2013

Background

Citrus variegated chlorosis (CVC), caused by Xylella fastidiosa, is one the most important citrus diseases, and affects all varieties of sweet orange (Citrus sinensis L. Osb). On the other hand, among the Citrus genus there are different sources of resistance against X. fastidiosa. For these species identifying these defense genes could be an important step towards obtaining sweet orange resistant varieties through breeding or genetic engineering. To assess these genes we made use of mandarin (C. reticulata Blanco) that is known to be resistant to CVC and shares agronomical characteristics with sweet orange. Thus, we investigated the gene expression in Ponkan mandarin at one day after infection with X. fastidiosa, using RNA-seq. A set of genes considered key elements in the resistance was used to confirm its regulation in mandarin compared with the susceptible sweet orange.

Results

Gene expression analysis of mock inoculated and infected tissues of Ponkan mandarin identified 667 transcripts repressed and 724 significantly induced in the later. Among the induced transcripts, we identified genes encoding proteins similar to Pattern Recognition Receptors. Furthermore, many genes involved in secondary metabolism, biosynthesis and cell wall modification were upregulated as well as in synthesis of abscisic acid, jasmonic acid and auxin.

Conclusions

This work demonstrated that the defense response to the perception of bacteria involves cell wall modification and activation of hormone pathways, which probably lead to the induction of other defense-related genes. We also hypothesized the induction of auxin-related genes indicates that resistant plants initially recognize X. fastidiosa as a necrotrophic pathogen.
Isolation, characterization and comparative genomics of bacteriophage SfIV: a novel serotype converting phage from Shigella flexneri
Authors: Jakhetia Richa , Talukder Kaisar A , Verma Naresh K
Published: October 2013

Background

Shigella flexneri is the major cause of shigellosis in the developing countries. The O-antigen component of the lipopolysaccharide is one of the key virulence determinants required for the pathogenesis of S. flexneri. The glucosyltransferase and/or acetyltransferase genes responsible for the modification of the O-antigen are encoded by temperate serotype converting bacteriophage present in the S. flexneri genome. Several serotype converting phages have previously been isolated and characterized, however, attempts to isolate a serotype converting phage which encodes the modification genes of serotypes 4a strain have not been successful.

Results

In this study, a novel temperate serotype converting bacteriophage SfIV was isolated. Lysogenisation of phage SfIV converted serotype Y strain to serotype 4a. Electron microscopy indicated that SfIV belongs to Myoviridae family. The 39,758 bp genome of phage SfIV encompasses 54 open reading frames (orfs). Protein level comparison of SfIV with other serotype converting phages of S. flexneri revealed that SfIV is similar to phage SfII and SfV. The comparative analysis also revealed that SfIV phage contained five proteins which were not found in any other phages of S. flexneri. These proteins were: a tail fiber assembly protein, two hypothetical proteins with no clear function, and two other unknown proteins which were encoded by orfs present on a moron, that presumably got introduced in SfIV genome from another species via a transposon. These unique proteins of SfIV may play a role in the pathogenesis of the host.

Conclusions

This study reports the isolation and complete genome sequence analysis of bacteriophage SfIV. The SfIV phage has a host range significantly different from the other phages of Shigella. Comparative genome analysis identified several proteins unique to SfIV, which may potentially be involved in the survival and pathogenesis of its host. These findings will further our understanding on the evolution of these phages, and will also facilitate studies on development of new phage vectors and therapeutic agents to control infections caused by S. flexneri.
The effects of levosimendan and dobutamine in experimental bupivacaine-induced cardiotoxicity
Authors: Kandemir Ulku , Maltepe Fikret , Ugurlu Baran , Gokmen Necati , Celik Asli
Published: October 2013

Background

Accidental intravenous exposure to bupivacaine is highly cardiotoxic and may lead to death. Positive inotropic agents are usually utilized in resuscitative efforts. We have compared the efficacy of levosimendan, a novel inotropic agent, with dobutamine and their combination in a rat model of bupivacaine intoxication.

Methods

Twenty-eight male Wistar albino rats weighing between 250-300 g were divided into these four groups: control (C), levosimendan (L), dobutamine (D) and dobutamine+levosimendan (D+L). Bupivacaine was administered at a dose of 3 mg/kg/min until cardiac arrest occurred or for 120 min. ECG, heart rate, blood pressure, arterial blood gases, and end tidal CO2 levels were monitored. Levosimendan was administered as a bolus of 12 μg/kg for 10 min and continued as an infusion at 0.3 μg/kg/min. Dobutamine was infused at a dose of 3 μg/kg/min. The time required for a 50% and 75% decrease in heart rate and blood pressure with a total time to cardiac arrest and bupivacaine dose for obtaining cardiac arrest were analyzed.

Results

Time periods for heart rate reductions of 50% and 75% were significantly longer in groups L (903, 1198 s), D (984, 1542 s) and L+D (1705, 3152 s) compared with the control group (345, 538 s p < 0.001). Median times to mean blood pressure reductions of 50% and 75% were 399 - 504 s in the control group, 1005 -1204 s in group L, 685 - 1009 s in group D and 1544- 2982 s in group L+D, and the difference was significant compared with the control group. Median time duration to asystole was 703 s in the control group compared with 1385 s in group L, 1789 s in group D and 3557 s in group L+D. Time to cardiac arrest was significantly higher in all 3 study groups. It was also significantly higher in the L+D group compared with both groups L and D separately.

Conclusion

A combination of dobutamine with levosimendan significantly increased survival times in this bupivacaine-induced toxicity rat model compared with the control, levosimendan, and dobutamine groups.
Efficacy and safety of thrice weekly DOTS in tuberculosis patients with and without HIV co-infection: an observational study
Authors: Vashishtha Richa , Mohan Krishna , Singh Bhagteshwar , Devarapu Satish K , Sreenivas Vishnubhatla , Ranjan Sanjay , Gupta Deepak , Sinha Sanjeev , Sharma Surendra K
Published: October 2013

Background

Despite the latest World Health Organization guidelines advocating daily therapy in HIV-TB co-infected individuals, there are few recent studies comparing outcomes of thrice-weekly anti-tuberculosis treatment in HIV-positive and HIV-negative patients with TB. The present study sets out to compare TB treatment outcomes in these two groups in the Indian national programme, which currently involves thrice-weekly therapy for all, regardless of HIV status.

Methods

HIV-positive and HIV-negative were consecutively screened for enrolment into this prospective observational study, carried out at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences hospital, New Delhi, India, between 2006 and 2010. Patients were given short-course thrice-weekly rifampicin-based therapy, with all HIV-positive patients being started on highly active antiretroviral therapy at least 14 days after commencing TB treatment. Patients were regularly followed-up for 24 months after completion of treatment.

Results

150 HIV-positive, 155 HIV-negative patients were enrolled consecutively for the study. Significantly higher treatment success (93.5% vs. 76.7% at end of treatment, p < 0.001) and lower mortality (2.8% vs. 21.6% on follow up, p < 0.001) were observed in HIV-negative patients. No significant difference was found in treatment failure (p = 0.16), sputum smear (p = 0.58) and culture conversion (p = 0.55), and non-serious adverse event incidence (p = 0.851) between the two groups. Low baseline CD4 cell count (<100 cells/ mm3) was the only predictor of mortality in HIV-TB patients (odds ratio 8 · 43, p = 0 · 013).

Conclusions

Thrice-weekly anti-tuberculosis therapy is more effective in HIV-negative than in HIV-positive patients. However, outcomes in this HIV co-infected cohort were found to be similar to those reported previously with daily therapy, with no safety concerns. This should prompt further study into whether intermittent or daily therapy should be used universally in resource-poor settings, using large well executed randomised controlled trials.

Trial registration

NCT%20No.%2000698334
Antibacterial activity of Nymphaea nouchali (Burm. f) flower
Authors: Dash Biplab Kumar , Sen Monokesh Kumer , Alam Khasrul , Hossain Kamal , Islam Rezuanul , Banu Nilufa Akhter , Rahman Shahedur , Jamal AbuHena Mostofa
Published: October 2013

Background

The present work aimed to find out the antibacterial activity of Nymphaea nouchali flower on human and plant pathogenic bacteria.

Methods

Antibacterial potency of methanol, acetone, ethyl acetate and petroleum spirit extracts of Nymphaea nouchali flower has been tested against four human pathogenic bacteria Bacillus subtilis (FO 3026) Escherichia coli (IFO 3007), Klebsiella pneumonia (ATTC 10031) and Sarcina lutea (IFO 3232) and one plant pathogenic bacterium Xanthomonas campestris (IAM 1671) by disc diffusion assay. Zone of inhibition produced by different extracts against the test bacteria was measured and compared with standard antibiotic disc.

Results

Methanol extract possessed better antibacterial activity against two pathogenic bacteria, B. subtilis (FO 3026) and S. lutea (IFO 3232) than commercial antibiotic nalidixic acid. Acetone extract showed moderate sensitivity whereas B. subtilis (FO 3026), S. lutea (IFO 3232) and X. campestris (IAM 1671) showed resistance to ethyl acetate and petroleum spirit extracts. The minimum inhibitory concentrations of various extracts were ranged between 128–2048 μgml-1.

Conclusions

Nymphaea nouchali flower could be a potential candidate for future development of novel broad spectrum antibacterial herbal formulation.
Bioelectricity versus bioethanol from sugarcane bagasse: is it worth being flexible?
Authors: Furlan Felipe F , Filho Renato Tonon , Pinto Fabio HPB , Costa Caliane BB , Cruz Antonio JG , Giordano Raquel LC , Giordano Roberto C
Published: October 2013

Background

Sugarcane is the most efficient crop for production of (1G) ethanol. Additionally, sugarcane bagasse can be used to produce (2G) ethanol. However, the manufacture of 2G ethanol in large scale is not a consolidated process yet. Thus, a detailed economic analysis, based on consistent simulations of the process, is worthwhile. Moreover, both ethanol and electric energy markets have been extremely volatile in Brazil, which suggests that a flexible biorefinery, able to switch between 2G ethanol and electric energy production, could be an option to absorb fluctuations in relative prices. Simulations of three cases were run using the software EMSO: production of 1G ethanol + electric energy, of 1G + 2G ethanol and a flexible biorefinery. Bagasse for 2G ethanol was pretreated with a weak acid solution, followed by enzymatic hydrolysis, while 50% of sugarcane trash (mostly leaves) was used as surplus fuel.

Results

With maximum diversion of bagasse to 2G ethanol (74% of the total), an increase of 25.8% in ethanol production (reaching 115.2 L/tonne of sugarcane) was achieved. An increase of 21.1% in the current ethanol price would be enough to make all three biorefineries economically viable (11.5% for the 1G + 2G dedicated biorefinery). For 2012 prices, the flexible biorefinery presented a lower Internal Rate of Return (IRR) than the 1G + 2G dedicated biorefinery. The impact of electric energy prices (auction and spot market) and of enzyme costs on the IRR was not as significant as it would be expected.

Conclusions

For current market prices in Brazil, not even production of 1G bioethanol is economically feasible. However, the 1G + 2G dedicated biorefinery is closer to feasibility than the conventional 1G + electric energy industrial plant. Besides, the IRR of the 1G + 2G biorefinery is more sensitive with respect to the price of ethanol, and an increase of 11.5% in this value would be enough to achieve feasibility. The ability of the flexible biorefinery to take advantage of seasonal fluctuations does not make up for its higher investment cost, in the present scenario.
Ciliate (Euplotes sp.) predation by Pseudodiaptomus annandalei (Copepoda: Calanoida) and the effects of mono-algal and pluri-algal diets
Authors: Dhanker Raunak , Kumar Ram , Tseng Li-Chun , Hwang Jiang-Shiou
Published: October 2013

Background

Pseudodiaptomus annandaleiis an estuarine species and being cultured as live feed for grouper fish larvae and other planktivores. We examined the predation behavior ofP. annandaleiadults when preying on ciliated protists (Euplotessp.) and the effects of mono- and pluri-algal diets on ciliate predation byP.annandaleiunder laboratory conditions. The algal food comprised the pigmented flagellateIsochrysis galbana(4 ~ 5 μm) andTetraselmis chui(17 ~ 20 μm).

Results

Males and females ofP.annandaleiconsumed 8 ~ 15 ciliate cells/h. The probability of ciliate ingestion following an attack was a direct function of the copepod's hunger level. Conversely, the probability of prey rejection after capture was a negative function of the copepod's hunger level. Starved and poorly fed females showed a significantly lower rate of prey rejection compared to similarly treated males. The duration of handling a ciliate prey did not significantly differ between males and females ofP.annandalei. Starved copepods spent less time handling a ciliate prey than fed copepods. Prey ingestion rates showed a negative relation with the feeding duration, whereas the prey rejection rate increased as the feeding duration increased. The ciliate consumption rate ofP. annandaleiwas significantly lower in the presence of mixed algae. NeitherI.galbananorT.chuialone had any significant effect on ciliate consumption byP. annandalei.

Conclusions

The results confirmed thatP. annandaleiingests bacterivorous heterotrophic protists even in the presence of autotrophic protists. Therefore, our results point to the role ofP. annandaleiin the transfer of microbial carbon to the classical food chain in estuarine and brackish water ecosystems.
Aspidistra crassifila (Asparagaceae), a new species from Guangxi, China
Authors: Lin Chun-Rui , Liu Yan , Nong Dong-Xin , Kono Yoshiko , Peng Ching-I
Published: October 2013

Background

Aspidistra crassifilaYan Liu & C.-I Peng, a new species of the Asparagaceae from Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, China, is described and illustrated.

Results

The new species is similar toA. subrotataY. Wan & C. C. Huang in the perianth lobes triangular-lanceolate and horizontally spreading, but differs by the perianth campanulate, lobes with appendages at base, stamens 6–8 mm long, filaments enlarged, anthers adnate to perianth tube, connectives extended and upcurved. The chromosome number of the new species was determined to be 2n= 38, and the karyotype was formulated as 2n= 22m2SC+4sm+12st.

Conclusion

A careful study of the literature, herbarium specimens and living plants, both in the wild and in cultivation in the experimental greenhouse, support the recognition of the new speciesAspidistra crassifila, which is described herein.Aspidistra crassifilais currently known only from Shiwandashan Mountains, which lie in southern Guangxi. A line drawing, color plates and a distribution map are given for the new species to aid in identification.
Novelties in Begonia sect. Coelocentrum: B. longgangensis and B. ferox from limestone areas in Guangxi, China
Authors: Peng Ching-I , Yang Hsun-An , Kono Yoshiko , Chung Kuo-Fang , Huang Yu-Song , Wu Wang-Hui , Liu Yan
Published: October 2013

Background

The spectacular karst limestone landscape in Guangxi harbors high-level diversity and endemism of Begonia species, especially those of sect. Coelocentrum. In continuation of our studies in this area, we report the discovery of two attractive new species from southwestern Guangxi: Begonia longgangensis and B. ferox.

Results

Begonia longgangensis resembles B. liuyanii, also from Longgang Nature Reserve, in the broadly ovate to suborbicular leaf blade, differing by the much smaller leaves, subglabrous leaf surface, pink flowers, dichasial cymes and the remarkably long stolons sent out from rhizomes. Unexpectedly, both diploid (2n = 30) and triploid counts (2n = 45) were observed in plants collected from the type locality. Begonia ferox probably has the most prominent bullate leaves for the genus. In this aspect, it is similar to B. nahangensis reported from northern Vietnam recently, but is readily distinguishable by the ovate, chartaceous leaves with an acuminate apex; tomentose peduncle not exceeding petioles; and the much larger stature in vegetative parts. A diploid count of 2n = 30 was determined for this unique new species.

Conclusions

All available data support the recognition of the two new species. Begonia longgangensis has remarkably long stolons and B. ferox is characterized by the prominent bullate leaves. Line drawings, color plates and comparisons are provided to aid in identification of the novelties.
Interferon alpha inhibits antigen-specific production of proinflammatory cytokines and enhances antigen-specific transforming growth factor beta production in antigen-induced arthritis
Authors: Chalise Jaya Prakash , Narendra Sudeep Chenna , Paudyal Bhesh Raj , Magnusson Mattias
Published: October 2013

Introduction

Interferon alpha (IFN-α) has a complex role in autoimmunity, in that it may both enhance and prevent inflammation. We have previously shown that the presence of IFN-α at sensitization protects against subsequent antigen-triggered arthritis. To understand this tolerogenic mechanism, we performed a descriptive, hypothesis-generating study of cellular and humoral responses associated with IFN-α-mediated protection against arthritis.

Methods

Arthritis was evaluated at day 28 in mice given a subcutaneous injection of methylated bovine serum albumin (mBSA), together with Freund adjuvant and 0 to 5,000 U IFN-α at days 1 and 7, followed by intraarticular injection of mBSA alone at day 21. The effect of IFN-α on mBSA-specific IgG1, IgG2a, IgG2b, IgA, and IgE was evaluated by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Cytokines in circulation and in ex vivo cultures on mBSA restimulation was evaluated with ELISA and Luminex, and the identity of cytokine-producing cells by fluorescence-activated cell sorting (FACS) analysis.

Results

Administration of IFN-α protected mice from arthritis in a dose-dependent manner but had no effect on antigen-specific antibody levels. However, IFN-α did inhibit the initial increase of IL-6, IL-10, IL-12, and TNF, and the recall response induced by intraarticular mBSA challenge of IL-1β, IL-10, IL-12, TNF, IFN-γ, and IL-17 in serum. IFN-α decreased both macrophage and CD4+ T cell-derived IFN-γ production, whereas IL-17 was decreased only in CD4+ T cells. Ex vivo, in mBSA-restimulated spleen and lymph node cell cultures, the inhibitory effect of in vivo administration of IFN-α on proinflammatory cytokine production was clearly apparent, but had a time limit. An earlier macrophage-derived, and stronger activation of the antiinflammatory cytokine transforming growth factor beta (TGF-β) was observed in IFN-α-treated animals, combined with an increase in CD4+ T cells producing TGF-β when arthritis was triggered by mBSA (day 21). Presence of IFN-α at immunizations also prevented the reduction in TGF-β production, which was induced by the intraarticular mBSA injection triggering arthritis in control animals.

Conclusions

Administration of IFN-α has a profound effect on the cellular response to mBSA plus adjuvant, but does not affect antigen-specific Ig production. By including IFN-α at immunizations, spleen and lymph node cells inhibit their repertoire of antigen-induced proinflammatory cytokines while enhancing antiinflammatory TGF-β production, first in macrophages, and later also in CD4+ T cells. On intraarticular antigen challenge, this antiinflammatory state is reenforced, manifested as inhibition of proinflammatory recall responses and preservation of TGF-β levels. This may explain why IFN-α protects against antigen-induced arthritis.
Development and assessment of floor and ceiling items for the PROMIS physical function item bank
Authors: Bruce Bonnie , Fries James , Lingala Bharathi , Hussain Yusra Nazar , Krishnan Eswar
Published: October 2013

Introduction

Disability and Physical Function (PF) outcome assessment has had limited ability to measure functional status at the floor (very poor functional abilities) or the ceiling (very high functional abilities). We sought to identify, develop and evaluate new floor and ceiling items to enable broader and more precise assessment of PF outcomes for the NIH Patient-Reported-Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS).

Methods

We conducted two cross-sectional studies using NIH PROMIS item improvement protocols with expert review, participant survey and focus group methods. In Study 1, respondents with low PF abilities evaluated new floor items, and those with high PF abilities evaluated new ceiling items for clarity, importance and relevance. In Study 2, we compared difficulty ratings of new floor items by low functioning respondents and ceiling items by high functioning respondents to reference PROMIS PF-10 items. We used frequencies, percentages, means and standard deviations to analyze the data.

Results

In Study 1, low (n = 84) and high (n = 90) functioning respondents were mostly White, women, 70 years old, with some college, and disability scores of 0.62 and 0.30. More than 90% of the 31 new floor and 31 new ceiling items were rated as clear, important and relevant, leaving 26 ceiling and 30 floor items for Study 2. Low (n = 246) and high (n = 637) functioning Study 2 respondents were mostly White, women, 70 years old, with some college, and Health Assessment Questionnaire (HAQ) scores of 1.62 and 0.003. Compared to difficulty ratings of reference items, ceiling items were rated to be 10% more to greater than 40% more difficult to do, and floor items were rated to be about 12% to nearly 90% less difficult to do.

Conclusions

These new floor and ceiling items considerably extend the measurable range of physical function at either extreme. They will help improve instrument performance in populations with broad functional ranges and those concentrated at one or the other extreme ends of functioning. Optimal use of these new items will be assisted by computerized adaptive testing (CAT), reducing questionnaire burden and insuring item administration to appropriate individuals.
Nighttime intensivist staffing and the timing of death among ICU decedents: a retrospective cohort study
Authors: Reineck Lora A , Wallace David J , Barnato Amber E , Kahn Jeremy M
Published: October 2013

Introduction

Intensive care units (ICUs) are increasingly adopting 24-hour intensivist physician staffing. Although nighttime intensivist staffing does not consistently reduce mortality, it may affect other outcomes such as the quality of end-of-life care.

Methods

We conducted a retrospective cohort study of ICU decedents using the 2009–2010 Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation clinical information system linked to a survey of ICU staffing practices. We restricted the analysis to ICUs with high-intensity daytime staffing, in which the addition of nighttime staffing does not influence mortality. We used multivariable regression to assess the relationship between nighttime intensivist staffing and two separate outcomes potentially related to the quality of end-of-life care: time from ICU admission to death and death at night.

Results

Of 30,456 patients admitted to 27 high-intensity daytime staffed ICUs, 3,553 died in the hospital within 30 days. After adjustment for potential confounders, admission to an ICU with nighttime intensivist staffing was associated with a shorter duration between ICU admission and death (adjusted difference: –2.5 days, 95% CI -3.5 to -1.5, p-value < 0.001) and a decreased odds of nighttime death (adjusted odds ratio: 0.75, 95% CI 0.60 to 0.94, p-value 0.011) compared to admission to an ICU without nighttime intensivist staffing.

Conclusions

Among ICU decedents, nighttime intensivist staffing is associated with reduced time between ICU admission and death and reduced odds of nighttime death.
Aggregate Implications of Lumpy Investment: New Evidence and a DSGE Model
Authors: Bachmann Rüdiger , Caballero Ricardo J. , Engel Eduardo M. R. A.
Published: October 2013

The sensitivity of US aggregate investment to shocks is procyclical. The response upon impact increases by approximately 50 percent from the trough to the peak of the business cycle. This feature of the data follows naturally from a DSGE model with lumpy microeconomic capital adjustment. Beyond explaining this specific time variation, our model and evidence provide a counterexample to the claim that microeconomic investment lumpiness is inconsequential for macroeconomic analysis. (JEL E13, E22, E32)
Experiment and Analysis of Car Alternator for Wind Turbine Application
Authors: Irasari Pudji
Published: October 2013

This paper discusses experiment and analysis to find out the feasibility of a car alternator to be used as a generator for wind turbine. The experiment was conducted twice. The first experiment was to characterize the alternator to determine the mechanical transmission ratio. In this experiment the alternator was driven by a lathe machine and its output power was supplied to charge a battery. In the second experiment the alternator was integrated with the turbine blades and they were tested as a unit system. In both experiments, the electric generation of alternator was executed with fixed excitation current method. The correlation between the alternator characteristic and the tip speed ratio gives the mechanical transmission ratio of 1 : 3. The experiment results show that the efficiency of alternator is around 50% and cut-in wind speed (after correction) is 6.35 m/s indicating that alternator is not feasible for wind turbine system application.
Penggunaan Extended Kalman Filter Sebagai Estimator Sikap pada Sistem Kendali Servo Visual Robot
Authors: Basjaruddin Noor Cholis
Published: October 2013

Extended Kalman Filter (EKF) is the non-linear version of Kalman filter and the said filter is usually used in nonlinear state estimation. In this study EKF is applied to process the image features of a single camera mounted on the end effector of a robot. Data generated by the EKF then is to be processed to obtain the motion parameters. Simulation of visual servo control system was built with the aim to examine the use of the EKF as a pose estimator. The simulation results using Matlab show that the EKF is able to well estimate the robot pose.
Parabolic Trough Solar Collector Initial Trials
Authors: Pikra Ghalya , Salim Agus , Purwanto Andri Joko , Eddy Zaidan
Published: October 2013

This paper discusses initial trials of parabolic trough solar collector (PTSC) in Bandung. PTSC model consists of concentrator, absorber and tracking system. Concentrator designs are made with 2m aperture width, 6m length and 0.75m focal distance. The design is equipped with an automatic tracking system which is driven using 12V and 24Watt DC motor with 0.0125rpm rotational speed. Absorber/receiver is designed with evacuated tube type, with 1 inch core diameter and tube made of AISI304 and coated with black oxide, the outer tube is borosilicate glass with a 70 mm diameter and 1.5 m length. Working fluid stored in single type of thermal storage tank, a single phase with 37.7 liter volume. PTSC model testing carried out for 2 hours and 10 minutes produces heat output and input of 11.5 kW and 0.64 kW respectively.
Solar-Based Fuzzy Intelligent Water Sprinkle System
Authors: Muhida Riza , E. Salami Momoh Jimoh , Astuti Winda , Bt Ahmad Kasim Nurul Amalina , Rahayu Nani
Published: October 2013

A solar-based intelligent water sprinkler system project that has been developed to ensure the effectiveness in watering the plant is improved by making the system automated. The control system consists of an electrical capacitance soil moisture sensor installed into the ground which is interfaced to a controller unit of Motorola 68HC11 Handy board microcontroller. The microcontroller was programmed based on the decision rules made using fuzzy logic approach on when to water the lawn. The whole system is powered up by the solar energy which is then interfaced to a particular type of irrigation timer for plant fertilizing schedule and rain detector through a simple design of rain dual-collector tipping bucket. The controller unit automatically disrupted voltage signals sent to the control valves whenever irrigation was not needed. Using this system we combined the logic implementation in the area of irrigation and weather sensing equipment, and more efficient water delivery can be made possible.
Effect of Regenerative Organic Rankine Cycle (RORC) on the Performance of Solar Thermal Power in Yogyakarta, Indonesia
Authors: Pikra Ghalya , Purwanto Andri Joko , Santoso Adi
Published: October 2013

This paper presents effect of Regenerative Organic Rankine Cycle (RORC) on the performance of solar thermal power in Yogyakarta, Indonesia. Solar thermal power is a plant that uses solar energy as heat source. Indonesia has high humidity level, so that parabolic trough is the most suitable type of solar thermal power technology to be developed, where the design is made with small focal distance. Organic Rankine Cycle (ORC) is a Rankine cycle that use organic fluid as working fluid to utilize low temperature heat sources. RORC is used to increase ORC performance. The analysis was done by comparing ORC system with and without regenerator addition. Refrigerant that be used in the analysis is R123. Preliminary data was taken from the solar collector system that has been installed in Yogyakarta. The analysis shows that with 36 m total parabolic length, the resulting solar collector capacity is 63 kW, heat input/evaporator capacity is determined 26.78 kW and turbine power is 3.11 kW for ORC, and 3.38 kW for RORC. ORC thermal efficiency is 11.28% and RORC is 12.26%. Overall electricity efficiency is 4.93% for ORC, and 5.36% for RORC. With 40°C condensing temperature and evaporation at 10 bar saturated condition, efficiency of RORC is higher than ORC. Greater evaporation temperature at the same pressure (10 bar) provide greater turbine power and efficiency.
Die neue Bibliothek Sozialwissenschaften und Psychologie auf dem Campus Westend der Goethe-Universität
Authors: Voigt Rolf
Published: October 2013

Die Bibliothek Sozialwissenschaften und Psychologie (BSP) ist die dritte große Bereichsbibliothek, die im Prozess der vollständigen Standortneuordnung der Goethe-Universität auf dem Campus Westend errichtet wurde. Sie ist Teil des neuen Gebäudes für die Fachbereiche Gesellschaftswissenschaften, Erziehungswissenschaften und Psychologie. Nach insgesamt vierjähriger Bauzeit wurde das Haus ab Jahresbeginn 2013 bezogen. Die Bibliothek enthält insgesamt 22 frühere Teilbibliotheken und ist die insgesamt fünfte Bereichsbibliothek der Goethe-Universität. Mit insgesamt 470 Arbeitsplätzen und einer Stellkapazität von 500.000 Bänden ist sie primär für die Informationsversorgung von knapp 10.000 Studierenden und ca. 300 Wissenschaftlern zuständig. Als Teil des gesamten Bibliothekssystems der Goethe-Universität steht sie jedoch auch anderen Nutzern zur Verfügung.
Recherchieren, informieren und kommunizieren im neuen Fachportal ViFa Benelux
Authors: Riek Ilona , Kostädt Peter , Lütke Theresa , Mrowka Tatjana
Published: October 2013

Dieser Beitrag stellt das neue Recherche- und Informationsportal Virtuelle Fachbibliothek (ViFa) Benelux vor. Die ViFa Benelux wurde als interaktives Fachportal für die Disziplinen Niederlandistik, Niederlande-, Belgien-, Luxemburgforschung, Frisistik und Afrikaanse Philologie konzipiert. Im Rahmen des Artikels wird näher eingegangen auf die Genese des Projektes, Fragen der konzeptionellen Entwicklung, die Ausgestaltung der einzelnen Module und Zusatzangebote sowie Aspekte der technischen Realisierung.