bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Adolescents’ perceptions and experiences of family meals
Authors: Prior Amie-Louise , Limbert Caroline
Published: March 2013

Benefits of family meals include diet quality, social interaction and wellbeing, yet previous research indicates only one in four adolescents eats a meal with their family every day. This study identified factors relating to the frequency and importance of family meals. A focus group conducted with seven adolescents was analysed thematically. The themes and findings of past research were used to develop a Family Meals Questionnaire (FMQ), completed by 76 adolescents. Regular engagement in healthy family meals eaten around the table was reported, with the majority of participants reporting that their meals included a variety of foods and portions of vegetables. Frequency of family meals was associated with increased family togetherness for both males and females. The nutritional value of meals was found to be most important to females, whereas the impact of family meals on mood was more salient for males. Findings suggest that the views and behaviour of other family members may influence adolescents’ enjoyment and perceptions of the importance of family meals, and therefore impact on their frequency. These findings may inform the development of future interventions aimed at increasing adolescent engagement in family meals by adopting a family systems approach to improve the frequency and experience of family meals.
Addressing the problem of reflexivity in theories of reflexive modernisation: Subjectivity and structural contradiction
Authors: Farrugia David
Published: March 2013

This article addresses debates within theories of reflexive modernisation about the meaning of reflexivity for understanding contemporary subjectivities. The article demonstrates that the contribution that this concept could make to theories of modern subjectivity has been limited by the problematic assumption that reflexivity describes a form of critical rationality leading to emancipation from social constraint and the sovereign self-fashioning of identity. Both critiqued and defended on these grounds, debate about reflexivity and reflexive modernisation has been limited by a sociologically unsustainable vision of modern subjectivity, and has left theories of reflexive modernisation open to the accusation that they are blind to the relationship between subjectivity and social structure. In response, this article constructs a theory of reflexivity as a social practice which reflects the contradictions and insecurities intrinsic to modern social structures. Conceived as a social practice, reflexivity is a concept that combines the macro and the micro, the structural and the personal. Capturing historically specific forms of structural organisation, as well as the practices through which these structures are made into biographies, the concept of reflexive subjectivity can make a significant theoretical contribution to understandings of modern identities.
Scholarly publishing and the internet: A NM&S themed section
Authors: Jankowski Nicholas W , Jones Steve
Published: March 2013

As co-editors of this themed section of New Media & Society, we introduce the four articles comprising the section and briefly address facets of the changes transpiring in scholarly publishing and, more generally, scholarly communication. A plethora of issues and developments is related to this transformation and we suggest the diversity and challenges involved. We mention one development in more detail, enhanced publishing, and conclude with promising inroads for theoretical understanding and empirical investigation of how scholarly publishing and communication are evolving.
Factors governing strength and ductility of metallic composites
Authors: Thomson Peter F
Published: March 2013

Two commercial Zn–Al alloys, constituting a natural composite consisting of ductile fibres of face-centred cubic aluminium in the less ductile close-packed hexagonal Zn-rich matrix, variously subjected to warm rolling and warm equal channel angular processing, were investigated to examine the factors governing strength and ductility. Comparison with the published behaviour of an aluminium–copper alloy subjected to similar treatment suggested that the observed behaviour and the interpretation offered were general. When strong crystallographic orientation occurred — as in rolling — strength, and to a less extent ductility, largely depended on crystallographic orientation; ductility strongly depended on the processing route (rolling or equal channel angular processing), but the diffuse orientation characteristic of equal channel angular extrusion allowed the inverse Hall–Petch parameter (as a measure of filament thickness) to display a role in that case. High ductility of the rolled material correlated with orientation of a large number of grains of the close-packed hexagonal matrix phase for easy slip. Strengthening by reduction in size of the units of structure is likely to be available in metallic composites only when dislocation hardening substantially outweighs orientation softening.
Social work practice in the chronic care model: Chronic illness and disability care
Authors: Findley Patricia A
Published: March 2013

Maintaining good quality of life and health in face of living and/or aging with a chronic illness and/or disability can be challenging. The health care and related education and training of these individuals to become proactive partners in their ongoing care is the cornerstone of most chronic care models.

Findings

Social workers are not specifically mentioned in most chronic care models. However, as the health and social care processes can become complicated if the individual has barriers to partnering roles necessitated by chronic care models, a role for the social worker should be more clearly defined. Examination and application of the ecosystems perspective defines a clear role for social work to work collaboratively with other health professionals within a chronic care model.

Application

This paper explores how social work’s ecosystems model can interface with Wagner’s Chronic Care Model to fill the void that some individuals may experience in seeking and maintaining care to provide a useful framework to facilitate interventions within that model.
The role of charge stratification for reducing ringing in gasoline engine homogeneous charge compression ignition combustion investigated by optical imaging
Authors: Dahl Daniel , Andersson Mats , Denbratt Ingemar
Published: March 2013

Homogeneous charge compression ignition offers the possibility to reduce the fuel consumption of gasoline passenger car engines. However, the combustion strategy is limited to low loads due to pressure oscillations at higher loads. A strategy for extending the homogeneous charge compression ignition load range is charge stratification, using, for example, late direct injection to prolong the combustion duration and reduce the rate of pressure rises and pressure oscillations. In this study, local temperatures and fuel concentrations near top dead centre in a gasoline engine operating in homogeneous charge compression ignition mode were measured using two-wavelength planar laser-induced fluorescence, and the following combustion was analysed using high-speed video to investigate the effects of fuel and temperature stratification on combustion in order to explain the ringing inhibiting effect of charge stratification for fuels displaying single-stage ignition. The extent of spatial distribution of combustion timing correlated well with the extent of fuel and temperature stratification. Furthermore, the gas was leaner and hotter in early igniting regions, while it was richer and colder in late igniting regions. The dampening effects of charge stratification on the combustion speed and pressure oscillations are probably due to rich conditions in the latest burning regions (where combustion is usually most intense) slowing down combustion, which explains why the strategy only works when the global air-to-fuel ratio is not excessively lean.
The Dimensions of the Learning Organization Questionnaire (the DLOQ)
Authors: Watkins Karen E. , O’Neil Judy
Published: March 2013

The Problem

No readily accessible source of information is available to answer questions posed by those who seek to use the DLOQ about its construction, utility, and reliability.

The Solution

This article traces the development of theoretical constructs that undergird the survey, outlines the steps of survey construction, and responds to frequently asked questions.

The Stakeholders

Human resource and organization development (HROD) scholars who would use the DLOQ in studies of organizational culture need accurate information about the instrument. HROD practitioners who plan to use the instrument also need information about its utility and reliability to share with stakeholders and to ensure that high quality data will inform their interventions.
A Note on the International Coordination of Antidoping Policies
Authors: Emrich Eike , Pierdzioch Christian
Published: March 2013

We apply ideas put forward in the literature on the international coordination of macroeconomic and trade policies to study the merits of an international coordination of antidoping policies. Without international coordination of antidoping policies, sports associations and National Antidoping Agencies that comply with an international regulatory framework like the World Antidoping Code are at a disadvantage. We sketch a simple game-theoretic model to illustrate this disadvantage, and the advantage of an international coordination of antidoping policies. Finally, we address the limitations of our model and how it could be extended in future research.
Preclinical evaluations of acellular biological conduits for peripheral nerve regeneration
Authors: Liao I-Chien , Wan Hua , Qi Shijie , Cui Cunqi , Patel Paarun , Sun Wendell , Xu Hui
Published: March 2013

Various types of natural biological conduits have been investigated as alternatives to the current surgical standard approach for peripheral nerve injuries. Autologous nerve graft, the current gold standard for peripheral nerve damage, is limited by clinical challenges such as donor-site morbidity and limited availability. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of using acellular xenographic conduits (nerve, artery, and dermis) for the repair of a 1.2 cm critical size defect of peripheral nerve in a rodent model. Four months post surgery, the animal group receiving acellular artery as a nerve conduit showed excellent physiological outcome in terms of the prevention of muscle atrophy and foot ulcer. Histological assessment of the bridged site revealed excellent axon regeneration, as opposed to the nonrepaired control group or the group receiving dermal conduit. Finally, the study evaluated the potential improvement via the addition of undifferentiated mesenchymal stem cells into the artery conduit during the bridging procedure. The mesenchymal stem cell–dosed artery conduit group resulted in significantly higher concentration of regenerated axons over artery conduit alone, and exhibited accelerated muscle atrophy rescue. Our results demonstrated that xenographic artery conduits promoted excellent axonal regeneration with highly promising clinical relevance.
Modern medical and surgical management of difficult‐to‐treat GORD
Authors: Zerbib Frank , Sifrim Daniel , Tutuian Radu , Attwood Stephen , Lundell Lars
Published: March 2013

Approximately 30–40% of patients taking proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) for presumed gastro‐oesophageal reflux (GOR) symptoms do not achieve adequate symptom control, especially when no oesophageal mucosal breaks are present at endoscopy and when extra‐oesophageal symptoms are concerned. After failure of optimization of medical therapy, a careful work up is mandatory that aims at determining whether symptoms are related to GOR or not. Most patients with refractory symptoms do not have GOR‐related symptoms. Some may have symptoms related to weakly acidic reflux and/or oesophageal hypersensitivity. Baclofen is currently the only antireflux compound available as add‐on therapy to PPIs, but its poor tolerability limits its use in clinical practice. There is room for pain modulators in patients with hypersensitive oesophagus and functional heartburn. Antireflux surgery is a suitable option in patients responding to medical therapy who want to avoid taking medication or if persisting symptoms can be clearly attributed to poorly controlled GOR.
Efficacy and safety of oral prucalopride in women with chronic constipation in whom laxatives have failed: an integrated analysis
Authors: Tack Jan , Quigley Eamonn , Camilleri Michael , Vandeplassche Lieve , Kerstens René
Published: March 2013

Background

Prucalopride is a selective, high‐affinity, 5‐hydroxytryptamine (serotonin) type 4 (5‐HT4) receptor agonist with gastrointestinal prokinetic activities. This integrated analysis of data from three double‐blind phase III trials (ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT00488137, NCT00483886, NCT00485940) compared the efficacy and safety of prucalopride 2 mg once daily in women with chronic constipation [≤2 spontaneous complete bowel movements (SCBM) per week] in whom laxatives had failed to provide adequate relief with that in the all‐patient (AP) population of men and women with chronic constipation who had or had not obtained relief from laxatives.

Methods

Patients received prucalopride 2 mg or placebo once‐daily for 12 weeks. Efficacy endpoints included an average of ≥3 SCBM/week and average increases of ≥1 SCBM/week and ≥1 SBM/week over this period. A response on any of these three endpoints was considered to be clinically relevant, and an overall response rate was derived for patients satisfying any of these endpoints.

Results

Of the AP population (n  = 1318), 936 were women in whom laxatives had failed to provide adequate relief (WLF). More patients on prucalopride 2 mg than placebo had an average of ≥3 SCBM/week (AP 24.4 vs 11.0%; WLF 24.7 vs 9.2%), an average increase of ≥1 SCBM/week (AP 43.5 vs 24.8%; WLF 44.2 vs 22.6%), and an average increase of ≥1 SBM/week (AP 66.7 vs 38.4%; WLF 68.3 vs 37.0%) (all p  < 0.001). Significant differences from placebo were evident in week 1 and sustained thereafter. Overall response rates in the AP and WLF populations, respectively, were 69.7 and 71.0% with prucalopride 2 mg and 44.5 and 41.6% with placebo (p  < 0.001). Early (weeks 1–4) response predicted ultimate response over time. Common (>10%) adverse events were abdominal pain, nausea, diarrhoea, and headache.

Conclusions

Prucalopride 2 mg once daily is effective in WLF. The efficacy and safety profile observed in WLF was similar to that in the total evaluated population of patients with chronic constipation who had or had not obtained adequate relief from laxatives.
Multidisciplinary Approach to Lifesaving Measures in the Elderly Individuals With Flail Chest Injury With ORIF of Rib Fractures
Authors: Zegg Michael , Kammerlander Christian , Schmid Stefan , Roth Tobias , Kammerlander-Knauer Ursula , Gosch Markus , Luger Thomas J.
Published: March 2013

In this case report, we present 2 cases of flail chest in geriatric patients after severe blunt chest trauma, which were treated at the University Hospital Innsbruck (Level I Trauma Center and Tyrolean Geriatric Fracture Center) by a multidisciplinary team of physicians from anesthesia, intensive care, trauma surgery, and acute geriatrics. We want to point out the benefit of a multidisciplinary approach in geriatric patients with flail chest.
Relationships Among HIV/AIDS Orphanhood, Stigma, and Symptoms of Anxiety and Depression in South African Youth
Authors: Boyes Mark E. , Cluver Lucie D.
Published: March 2013

Cross-sectional research has demonstrated that HIV/AIDS orphanhood is associated with anxiety and depression and that HIV/AIDS-related stigma is a risk factor for these outcomes. This study used a longitudinal data set to determine whether relationships between HIV/AIDS orphanhood and anxiety/depression scores (measured at 4-year follow-up) operate indirectly via perceived stigma. Youths from poor communities around Cape Town were interviewed in 2005 ( n = 1,025) and followed up in 2009 ( n = 723). At baseline, HIV/AIDS-orphaned youth reported significantly higher stigma and depression scores than youth not orphaned by HIV/AIDS. At follow-up, HIV/AIDS-orphaned youth reported significantly higher stigma, anxiety, and depression scores. However, HIV/AIDS orphanhood was not directly associated with anxiety or depression. Instead, significant indirect effects (operating through perceived stigma) were obtained for both assessment periods. Results demonstrate that stigma persists across time and appears to mediate relationships between HIV/AIDS orphanhood and psychological distress. Interventions aiming to reduce stigma may help promote the mental health of HIV/AIDS-orphaned youth.
Cyclophosphamide-Induced Cardiomyopathy
Authors: Dhesi Sumandeep , Chu Michael P. , Blevins Gregg , Paterson Ian , Larratt Loree , Oudit Gavin Y. , Kim Daniel H.
Published: March 2013

Cyclophosphamide is increasingly used to treat various types of cancers and autoimmune conditions. Higher doses of this drug may produce significant cardiac toxicity, including fatal hemorrhagic myocarditis. In this review, we present a case of cyclophosphamide-induced cardiomyopathy requiring mechanical circulatory support. We also describe the pathophysiology, clinical manifestations, and risk factors for this important clinical entity and propose early detection and management strategies.
Considerations on the New Nevirapine
Authors: Ward Douglas , Slim Jihad
Published: March 2013

Nevirapine (NVP) was the first nonnucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor (NNRTI) approved for the treatment of HIV infection. NVP can provide safe and efficacious viral suppression for treatment-naive patients and for virologically controlled patients “switching” from other NNRTI or protease inhibitor–based regimens. Formulations allowing once-daily dosing of antiretrovirals can significantly improve regimen adherence, which is important for maintaining virologic control, especially for NNRTI-based regimens with low barriers for genetic resistance. Randomized and controlled clinical trials have established the clinical noninferiority of a new, extended-release formulation (XR) of NVP, in both treatment-naive (VERxVE) and treatment-experienced patients (TRANxITION), where patients already stable on the immediate-release formulation of NVP were safely transitioned directly to NVP XR. As a potentially more convenient once-daily option, NVP XR may improve adherence and reduce the risk of mutant viruses, attendant virologic failure, and the spread of drug resistance.
Troubleshooting coextrusion film problems by considering process–property relationships*
Authors: Morris Barry A
Published: March 2013

Coextrusion of plastics into a multilayer film is a complex process where many processing and structure design factors affect performance. As a result, problems can be difficult to troubleshoot. We describe issues involving estimating properties from monolayer films, achieving good interlayer adhesion and minimizing curl. Multilayer film properties such as gas permeation and bending stiffness cannot be estimated from simply adding up the properties of monolayer films of the individual layers. Properties may also differ from their monolayer analogs due to differences in stress and temperature history during coextrusion. Some combinations of polymers may not be possible to make due to flow instabilities. Many polymers used in multilayer films do not adhere well to one another. Tie resins have been developed to promote adhesion, but many factors affect their peel strength performance, including fabrication parameters. More so than monolayer films, coextrusion films are prone to curling or rolling up on themselves. Factors such as differential shrinkage during quenching play a role. This paper explores some of the recent advances in the science of coextrusion and how this knowledge can be used to address these issues.
Kleberite, Fe3+Ti6O11(OH)5, a new ilmenite alteration product, from Königshain, northeast Germany
Authors: Grey I. E. , Steinike K. , MacRae C. M.
Published: March 2013

Kleberite, ideally Fe3+Ti6O11(OH)5, is a new mineral (IMA 2012-023) from Tertiary sands at Königshain, Saxony, northeast Germany. It is also found in heavy mineral sands from the Murray Basin, southeast Australia and at Kalimantan, Indonesia. It occurs as rounded anhedral to euhedral translucent grains, 0.04 0.3 mm across, which are generally red-brown, but grade to orange with decreasing iron content. Associated minerals include ilmenite, pseudorutile, 'leucoxene', tourmaline and spinel. The density measured by pycnometry is 3.28 g cm-3, which is lower than the calculated density of 3.91 g cm-3, due to intragrain porosity which is not penetrated by the immersion fluid. The intragrain pores, of median diameter 18 nm, are partially filled with impurity phases including kaolinite, diaspore and quartz. Kleberite grains have a uniaxial (–) character, but localized regions are weakly biaxial (–) with 2V close to zero. The mean refractive index, calculated from reflectance measurements, is 2.16(3). The mean empirical formula from electron-microprobe analyses of 15 Königshain kleberite grains is Fe3+1.01Mg0.06Ti6O11.2(OH)4.8[Al0.59Si0.31P0.04O1.60·1.8H2O], where the formula element in square brackets represents impurities in the pores. Kleberite forms over a compositional range with [Ti]/[Fe + Ti] atomic ratios from 0.8–0.9. It has monoclinic symmetry, P21/c, with a = 7.537(1), b = 4.5795(4), c = 9.885(1) Å , β = 131.02(1)°. The six strongest lines in the powder X-ray diffraction (XRD) pattern [listed as d in Å (I)] are as follows: 1.676(100), 2.170(82), 2.466(27), 1.423(22), 3.933(8), 2.764(9). The structure was refined by the Rietveld method on powder XRD data to Rp = 6.3, Rwp = 8.1, RB = 4.0. Kleberite is isostructural with tivanite; their structural formulae are [Ti4+3□][Ti4+3Fe3+]O11 (OH)5 and [Ti4+4][V3+4]O12(OH)4, respectively. Kleberite has dominant Ti4+ in place of V3+ in the M(2) metal-atom site. The related mineral pseudorutile, [Ti4][(Fe3+,Ti)4](O,OH)16, with Fe3+ > Ti4+ has dominant Fe3+ in this site. Kleberite grains from different localities commonly contain residual MgO-rich ferrian ilmenite. The chemical and physical relationships between the ilmenite and coexisting kleberite are used to evaluate different alteration mechanisms involving selective leaching of divalent oxides from ilmenite and pseudomorphic replacement reactions, respectively.
Lead-bearing phyllotungstite from the Clara mine, Germany with an ordered pyrochlore–hexagonal tungsten bronze intergrowth structure
Authors: Grey I. E. , Mumme W. G. , MacRae C. M.
Published: March 2013

Lead-bearing phyllotungstite from the Clara mine in the central Black Forest, Germany has a formula (Cs0.41)Na0.14K0.05Pb2+2.01Ca0.26[W6+10.87Fe3+3.13O35.75(OH)6.25](O(H2O)3). X-ray diffraction patterns exhibit pseudohexagonal symmetry, but refinement of single-crystal synchrotron data has shown that the true symmetry is orthorhombic, Cmcm, with a = 7.298(1), b = 12.640(2), c = 19.582(4) Å, and that the pseudohexagonal character is due to submicrometre-scale cyclical twinning by rotation about the pseudohexagonal c axis. The structure can be described in terms of an ordered intergrowth, parallel to (001), of (111)py blocks with pyrochlore-type structures, which are ~6 Å in width, and two-layer wide regions with a hexagonal tungsten bronze (HTB) type structure. Caesium atoms occupy 18-coordinate cavities in the HTB regions, and H2O molecules occupy Φ sites in the A2B2O6Φ pyrochlore blocks. The lowering of symmetry from hexagonal to orthorhombic is due to partial ordering of W and Fe in the octahedral B sites and of Pb and vacancies in the A sites of the pyrochlore blocks. The ideal formula for the intergrowth structure (with no vacancies) is C 2A10[B14(O,OH)42]Φ4, where C is the cavity site in the HTB slabs. The mineral has only 21% occupancy of the C site and 25% occupancy of the A site, but full occupancy of the Φ site. There may be some mixing of Cs and H2O between the C and Φ sites.
Bobmeyerite, a new mineral from Tiger, Arizona, USA, structurally related to cerchiaraite and ashburtonite
Authors: Kampf A. R. , Pluth J. J. , Chen Y.-S. , Roberts A. C. , Housley R. M.
Published: March 2013

Bobmeyerite, Pb4(Al3Cu)(Si4 O12)(S0.5Si0.5O4)(OH)7 Cl(H2O)3, is a new mineral from the Mammoth - Saint Anthony mine, Tiger, Pinal County, Arizona, USA. It occurs in an oxidation zone assemblage attributed to progressive alteration and crystallization in a closed system. Other minerals in this assemblage include atacamite, caledonite, cerussite, connellite, diaboleite, fluorite, georgerobinsonite, hematite, leadhillite, matlockite, murdochite, phosgenite, pinalite, quartz, wulfenite and yedlinite. Bobmeyerite occurs as colourless to white or cream-coloured needles, up to 300 m m in length, that taper to sharp points. The streak is white and the lustre is adamantine, dull or silky. Bobmeyerite is not fluorescent. The hardness could not be determined, the tenacity is brittle and no cleavage was observed. The calculated density is 4.381 g cm-3. Bobmeyerite is biaxial (-) with α ≈ β = 1.759(2), γ = 1.756(2) (white light), it is not pleochroic; the orientation is X = c; Y or Z = a or b. Electron-microprobe analyses provided the empirical formula Pb3.80Ca0.04Al3.04Cu2+0.96Cr3+0.13Si4.40S0.58O24.43Cl1.05F0.52H11.83. Bobmeyerite is orthorhombic (pseudotetragonal), Pnnm with unit-cell parameters a = 13.969(9), b = 14.243(10), c = 5.893(4) Å, V = 1172.5(1.4) Å3 and Z = 2. The nine strongest lines in the X-ray powder diffraction pattern, listed as [dobs (Å)(I)(hkl)], are as follows: 10.051(35)(110); 5.474(54)(011,101); 5.011(35)(220); 4.333(43)(121,211); 3.545(34)(040,400); 3.278(77)(330,231,321); 2.9656(88)(141,002,411); 2.5485(93)(051,222,501); 1.873(39)(multiple). Bobmeyerite has the same structural framework as cerchiaraite and ashburtonite. In the structure, which refined to R1 = 0.079 for 1057 reflections with F > 4σF, SiO4 tetrahedra share corners to form four-membered Si4O12 rings centred on the c axis. The rings are linked by chains of edge-sharing AlO6 octahedra running parallel to [001]. The framework thereby created contains large channels, running parallel to [001]. The Cl site is centred on the c axis alternating along [001] with the Si4O12 rings. Two non-equivalent Pb atoms are positioned around the periphery of the channels. Both are elevencoordinate, bonding to the Cl atom on the c axis, to eight O atoms in the framework and to two O (H2O) sites in the channel. The Pb atoms are off-centre in these coordinations, as is typical of Pb2+ with stereo-active lone-electron pairs. A (S, Si, Cr)O4 group is presumed to be disordered in the channel. The name honours Robert (Bob) Owen Meyer, one of the discoverers of the new mineral.
Shimazakiite-4M and shimazakiite-4O, Ca2B2O5, two polytypes of a new mineral from Fuka, Okayama Prefecture, Japan
Authors: Kusachi I. , Kobayashi S. , Takechi Y. , Nakamuta Y. , Nagase T. , Yokoyama K. , Momma K. , Miyawaki R. , Shigeoka M. , Matsubara S.
Published: March 2013

Shimazakiite occurs as greyish white aggregates up to 3 mm in diameter. Two polytypes, shimazakiite-4M and shimazakiite-4O, have been identified, the former in nanometre-sized twin lamellae and the latter in micrometre-sized lamellae. Shimazakiite was discovered in an irregular vein in crystalline limestone near gehlenite-spurrite skarns at Fuka mine, Okayama Prefecture, Japan. Associated minerals include takedaite, sibirskite, olshanskyite, parasibirskite, nifontovite, calcite and an uncharacterized hydrous calcium borate. The mineral is biaxial (–), with the following refractive indices (at 589 nm): α = 1.586(2), β = 1.650(2), γ = 1.667(2) and 2Vcalc = 53º [shimazakiite-4M]; and α = 1.584(2), β = 1.648(2), γ = 1.670(2) and 2Vcalc = 54.88º [shimazakiite-4O]. Quantitative electronmicroprobe analyses (means of 28 and 25 determinations) gave the empirical formulae Ca2B1.92O4.76(OH)0.24 and Ca2B1.92O4.76(OH)0.24 for shimazakiite-4M and shimazakiite-4O, respectively. The crystal structure refinements: P21/c, a = 3.5485(12), b = 6.352(2), c = 19.254(6) Å , β = 92.393(13)°, V = 433.6(3) Å3 [for shimazakiite-4M]; and P212121, a = 3.55645(8), b = 6.35194(15), c = 19.2534(5) Å , V = 434.941(18) Å3[for shimazakiite-4O], converged into R1 indices of 0.1273 and 0.0142, respectively. The crystal structure of shimazakiite consists of a layer containing B2O5 units (two near-coplanar triangular corner-sharing BO3 groups) and 6- and 7-coordinate Ca atoms. Different sequences in the c direction of four layers are observed in the polytypes. The five strongest lines in the powder-diffraction pattern [listed as d in Å (I)(hkl)] are: 3.02(84)(022); 2.92(100)(10) 2.81(56)(104); 2.76(32)(113); 1.880(32)(11,12,126,118) [for shimazakiite-4M]; and 3.84(33)(014); 3.02(42)(022); 2.86(100)(104); 2.79(29)(113); 1.903(44)(126,118) [for shimazakiite-4O].
Štěpite, U(AsO3OH)2·4H2O, from Jáchymov, Czech Republic: the first natural arsenate of tetravalent uranium
Authors: Plášil J. , Fejfarová K. , Hloušek J. , Škoda R. , Novák M. , Sejkora J. , Čejka J. , Dušek M. , Veselovský F. , Ondruš P. , Majzlan J. , Mrázek Z.
Published: March 2013

Štěpite, tetragonal U(AsO3 OH)2(H2O)4 (IMA 2012-006), is the first natural arsenate of tetravalent uranium. It occurs in the Geschieber vein, Jáchymov ore district, Western Bohemia, Czech Republic, as emerald-green crystalline crusts on altered arsenic. Associated minerals include arsenolite, běhounekite, claudetite, gypsum, kaatialaite, the new mineral vysokýite (IMA 2012-067) and a partially characterized phase with the formula (H3O)+2(UO2)2(AsO4)2˙6H2O. Štěpite typically forms tabular crystals with prominent {001} and {010} faces, up to 0.6 mm in size. The crystals have a vitreous lustre and a grey to greenish grey streak. They are brittle with an uneven fracture and a very good cleavage on (001). Their Mohs hardness is about 2. Štěpite is not fluorescent in either short-wave or long-wave ultraviolet light. It is biaxial (–) with refractive indices (at 590 nm) of α = 1.636(2), β = 1.667(3), γ = 1.672(2) and 2Vobs < ~5°, anomalous greyish to pale yellow interference colours, and no pleochroism. The composition is as follows: 0.12Na2O, 50.19 UO2, 0.04SiO4, 0.09 P2O5, 0.93 As2O5, 1.95 SO3, 16.41 H2O; total 107.90 wt.%, yielding an empirical formula (based on 12 O a. p. f. u.) of (U1.01Na0.02)Σ1.03[(AsO3OH)1.82 (PO3OH)0.04(SO4)0.13(SiO4)0.01]Σ 2.00˙4H2O. Štěpite is tetragonal, crystallizing in space group I41/acd, with a = 10.9894(1), c = 32.9109(6) Å, V = 3974.5(1) Å3, Z = 16 and Dcalc = 3.90 g cm-3. The six strongest peaks in the X-ray powder-diffraction pattern [dobs in Å (I) (hkl)] are as follows: 8.190(100)(004), 7.008(43)(112), 5.475(18)(200), 4.111(16)(008), 3.395(20)(312,217), 2.1543(25)(419). The crystal structure of šteěpite has been solved from singlecrystal X-ray diffraction data by the charge-flipping method and refined to R1 = 0.0353 based on 1434 unique observed reflections, and to wR2 = 0.1488 for all 1523 unique reflections. The crystal structure of štšpite consists of sheets perpendicular to [001], made up of eight-coordinate uranium atoms and hydroxyarsenate 'tetrahedra'. The ligands surrounding the uranium atom consist of six oxygen atoms which belong to the hydroxyarsenate groups and two oxygen atoms which belong to interlayer H2 O molecules. Each UO8 polyhedron is connected to five other U polyhedra via six AsO3OH groups. Adjacent electroneutral sheets, of composition [U4+(AsO3OH)22-]0, are linked by hydrogen bonds involving H2 O molecules in the interlayers and OH groups in the sheets. The new mineral is named in honour of Josef Štěp (1863–1926), a Czech mining engineer and 'father' of the world's first radioactive spa at Jáchymov.
PASmiR: a literature-curated database for miRNA molecular regulation in plant response to abiotic stress
Authors: Zhang Shihua , Yue Yi , Sheng Liang , Wu Yunzhi , Fan Guohua , Li Ao , Hu Xiaoyi , ShangGuan Mingzhu , Wei Chaoling
Published: March 2013

Background

Over 200 published studies of more than 30 plant species have reported a role for miRNAs in regulating responses to abiotic stresses. However, data from these individual reports has not been collected into a single database. The lack of a curated database of stress-related miRNAs limits research in this field, and thus a cohesive database system should necessarily be constructed for data deposit and further application.

Description

PASmiR, a literature-curated and web-accessible database, was developed to provide detailed, searchable descriptions of miRNA molecular regulation in different plant abiotic stresses. PASmiR currently includes data from ~200 published studies, representing 1038 regulatory relationships between 682 miRNAs and 35 abiotic stresses in 33 plant species. PASmiR’s interface allows users to retrieve miRNA-stress regulatory entries by keyword search using plant species, abiotic stress, and miRNA identifier. Each entry upon keyword query contains detailed regulation information for a specific miRNA, including species name, miRNA identifier, stress name, miRNA expression pattern, detection method for miRNA expression, a reference literature, and target gene(s) of the miRNA extracted from the corresponding reference or miRBase. Users can also contribute novel regulatory entries by using a web-based submission page. The PASmiR database is freely accessible from the two URLs of http://hi.ustc.edu.cn:8080/PASmiR, and http://pcsb.ahau.edu.cn:8080/PASmiR.

Conclusion

The PASmiR database provides a solid platform for collection, standardization, and searching of miRNA-abiotic stress regulation data in plants. As such this database will be a comprehensive repository for miRNA regulatory mechanisms involved in plant response to abiotic stresses for the plant stress physiology community.
CD64-Neutrophil expression and stress metabolic patterns in early sepsis and severe traumatic brain injury in children
Authors: Fitrolaki Diana-Michaela , Dimitriou Helen , Kalmanti Maria , Briassoulis George
Published: March 2013

Background

Critical illness constitutes a serious derangement of metabolism. The aim of our study was to compare acute phase metabolic patterns in children with sepsis (S) or severe sepsis/septic shock (SS) to those with severe traumatic brain injury (TBI) and healthy controls (C) and to evaluate their relations to neutrophil, lymphocyte and monocyte expressions of CD64 and CD11b.

Methods

Sixty children were enrolled in the study. Forty-five children with systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) were classified into three groups: TBI (n = 15), S (n = 15), and SS (n = 15). C consisted of 15 non- SIRS patients undergoing screening tests for minor elective surgery. Blood samples were collected within 6 hours after admission for flow cytometry of neutrophil, lymphocyte and monocyte expression of CD64 and CD11b (n = 60). Procalcitonin (PCT), C-reactive protein (CRP), glucose, triglycerides (TG), total cholesterol (TC), high (HDL) or low-density-lipoproteins (LDL) were also determined in all groups, and repeated on day 2 and 3 in the 3 SIRS groups (n = 150).

Results

CRP, PCT and TG (p < 0.01) were significantly increased in S and SS compared to TBI and C; glucose did not differ among critically ill groups. Significantly lower were the levels of TC, LDL, and HDL in septic groups compared to C and to moderate changes in TBI (p < 0.0001) but only LDL differed between S and SS (p < 0.02). Among septic patients, PCT levels declined significantly (p < 0.02) with time, followed by parallel decrease of HDL (p < 0.03) and increase of TG (p < 0.02) in the SS group. Neutrophil CD64 (nCD64) expression was higher in patients with SS (81.2%) and S (78.8%) as compared to those with TBI (5.5%) or C (0.9%, p < 0.0001). nCD64 was positively related with CRP, PCT, glucose, and TG (p < 0.01) and negatively with TC, LDL, and HDL (p < 0.0001), but not with severity of illness, hematologic indices, length of stay or mechanical ventilation duration.

Conclusions

In sepsis, the early stress-metabolic pattern is characterized by a high (nCD64, glucose, TG) - low (TC, HDL, LDL) combination in contrast to the moderate pattern of TBI in which only glucose increases combined with a moderate cholesterol - lipoprotein decrease. These early metabolic patterns persist the first 3 days of acute illness and are associated with the acute phase CD64 expression on neutrophils.
Abnormalities of cortical-limbic-cerebellar white matter networks may contribute to treatment-resistant depression: a diffusion tensor imaging study
Authors: Peng Hong-jun , Zheng Hui-rong , Ning Yu-ping , Zhang Yan , Shan Bao-ci , Zhang Li , Yang Hai-chen , Liu Jun , Li Ze-xuan , Zhou Jian-song , Zhang Zhi-jun , Li Ling-jiang
Published: March 2013

Background

White matter abnormalities can cause network dysfunction that underlies major depressive disorder (MDD). Diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) is used to examine the neural connectivity and integrity of the white matter. Previous studies have implicated frontolimbic neural networks in the pathophysiology of MDD. Approximately 30% of MDD patients demonstrate treatment-resistant depression (TRD). However, the neurobiology of TRD remains unclear.

Methods

We used a voxel-based analysis method to analyze DTI data in young patients with TRD (n = 30; 19 males, 11 females) compared with right-handed, age- and sex-matched healthy volunteers (n = 25; 14 males, 11 females).

Results

We found a significant decrease in fractional anisotropy (FA) (corrected, cluster size >50) in the left middle frontal gyrus (peak coordinates [−18 46–14]), left limbic lobe uncus (peak coordinates [−18 2–22]), and right cerebellum posterior lobe (peak coordinates [26–34 -40]). There was no increase in FA in any brain region in patients. We also found a significant negative correlation between mean regional FA values in the three areas and Beck Depression Inventory symptom scores.

Conclusions

We found significant differences in white matter FA in the frontal lobe, limbic lobe and cerebellum between TRD patients and controls. These data suggest that abnormalities of cortical-limbic-cerebellar white matter networks may contribute to TRD in young patients.
In vitro biological effects of two anti-diabetic medicinal plants used in Benin as folk medicine
Authors: Bothon Fifa TD , Debiton Eric , Avlessi Felicien , Forestier Christiane , Teulade Jean-Claude , Sohounhloue Dominique KC
Published: March 2013

Background

Extracts from Polygonum senegalensis (Polygonaceae) and Pseudocedrela kotschyi (Meliaceae) are two important traditionally used medicinal plants in rural Benin to treat many diseases and notably type 2 diabetes. The aim of the study was to investigate the α-glucosidase inhibition, antioxidant and antibacterial activities of those plants extract: Polygonum senegalensis leaves, and Pseudocedrela kotschyi root.

Methods

Hydro-alcoholic (50%) extracts were analyzed for their phytochemical content and tested for their inhibition potency on α-glucosidase from Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Antioxidant activities were assessed using the DPPH, ORAC, FRAP and DCFH-DA (cell based) assay. Finally, the antibacterial activity was evaluated using MIC determination on four Gram-positive cocci (Bacillus subtilis, Clostridium difficile, Enterococcus faecalis, Staphylococcus aureus), three Gram-negative bacilli (Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Klebsiella pneumoniae), and the yeast Candida albicans.

Results

Each extract presented significant α-glucosidase inhibition and antioxidant activities. Polygonum senegalensis leaf extracts were the most active in each in vitro assay with an IC50 = 1.5 μg/ml for α-glucosidase inhibition and an IC50 = 6.8 μg/ml for DPPH scavenging, - 4.5 μmol Fe II/g of dry matter - 9366 μmol Trolox / g DW - for FRAP and ORAC values, respectively. IC50 = 2.3 μg GA / ml for DCFH-DA assay. Concerning its antibacterial activity, a growth inhibitory effect was observed only against three Gram negative bacilli: B. subtilis, E. faecalis, S. aureus and the yeast C. albicans at high concentration.

Conclusion

The results showed that the semi alcoholic extract of the two studied plants possess α-glucosidase inhibitory activity, antioxidant potency, and low antibacterial effect.
Antioxidant and antiproliferative activities of Abrus precatorius leaf extracts - an in vitro study
Authors: Gul Mir Z , Ahmad Farhan , Kondapi Anand K , Qureshi Insaf A , Ghazi Irfan A
Published: March 2013

Background

The use of traditional medicine at the primary health care level is widespread and plant-based treatments are being recommended for curing various diseases by traditional medical practitioners all over the world. The phytochemicals present in the fruits, vegetables and medicinal plants are getting attention day-by-day for their active role in the prevention of several human diseases. Abrus precatorius is a widely distributed tropical medicinal plant with several therapeutic properties. Therefore in the present study, A. precatorius leaf extracts were examined for their antioxidant and cytotoxic properties in vitro in order to discover resources for new lead structures or to improve the traditional medicine.

Methods

In this study, antioxidant and antiproliferative properties of the different leaf extracts (hexane, ethyl acetate, ethanol and water) from A. precatorius were investigated along with the quantification of the polyphenol and flavonoid contents. The ability of deactivating free radicals was extensively investigated with in vitro biochemical methods like DPPH•, •OH, NO, SO2- scavenging assays and inhibition capability of Fe(II)-induced lipid peroxidation. Furthermore, antiproliferative activities using different human cancer cell lines and primary cell line was carried out by MTT method.

Results

Total phenolic content and total flavonoid content of the extracts were found in the range of 1.65 ± 0.22 to 25.48 ± 0.62 GAE mg/g dw and 6.20 ± 0.41 to 17.16 ± 1.04 QE mg/g dw respectively. The experimental results further revealed that A. precatorius extracts showed strong antiradical properties, capable to chelate Fe2+ and possess good inhibition ability of lipid peroxidation. In addition, as a first step towards the identification of phytoconstituents endowed with potent chemopreventive activities, we evaluated the inhibitory effects of A. precatorius extracts on the proliferation of four different human tumour cell lines such as human colon adenocarcinoma cells (Colo-205), human retinoblastoma cancer cells (Y79), human hepatocellular carcinoma cells (HepG2) and Leukemia cells (SupT1). Ethanol extract (APA) and ethyl acetate extract (APE) of A. precatorius had apparent capabilities of inhibiting the survival of tested human cancer cell lines. Moreover, it was observed that the A. precatorius extracts did not inhibit the growth of mice peritoneal macrophages, thus confirming that plants extracts are selective against the cancer cell lines.

Conclusion

This work provides a scientific support for the high antioxidant and antiproliferative activity of this plant and thus it may find potential applications in the treatment of the diseases caused by ROS. Further studies are needed to confirm in vivo anti-tumorgenicity and subsequent chemical characterization of the active molecule(s).
Anti-allergic and anti-inflammatory effects of butanol extract from Arctium Lappa L
Authors: Sohn Eun-Hwa , Jang Seon-A , Joo Haemi , Park Sulkyoung , Kang Se-Chan , Lee Chul-Hoon , Kim Sun-Young
Published: March 2013

Background

Atopic dermatitis is a chronic, allergic inflammatory skin disease that is accompanied by markedly increased levels of inflammatory cells, including eosinophils, mast cells, and T cells. Arctium lappa L. is a traditional medicine in Asia. This study examined whether a butanol extract of A. lappa (ALBE) had previously unreported anti-allergic or anti-inflammatory effects.

Methods

This study examined the effect of ALBE on the release of β-hexosaminidase in antigen-stimulated-RBL-2H3 cells. We also evaluated the ConA-induced expression of IL-4, IL-5, mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs), and nuclear factor (NF)-κB using RT-PCR, Western blotting, and ELISA in mouse splenocytes after ALBE treatment.

Results

We observed significant inhibition of β-hexosaminidase release in RBL-2H3 cells and suppressed mRNA expression and protein secretion of IL-4 and IL-5 induced by ConA-treated primary murine splenocytes after ALBE treatment. Additionally, ALBE (100 μg/mL) suppressed not only the transcriptional activation of NF-κB, but also the phosphorylation of MAPKs in ConA-treated primary splenocytes.

Conclusions

These results suggest that ALBE inhibits the expression of IL-4 and IL-5 by downregulating MAPKs and NF-κB activation in ConA-treated splenocytes and supports the hypothesis that ALBE may have beneficial effects in the treatment of allergic diseases, including atopic dermatitis.
Transport through a strongly coupled graphene quantum dot in perpendicular magnetic field
Authors: Güttinger Johannes , Stampfer Christoph , Frey Tobias , Ihn Thomas , Ensslin Klaus
Published: March 2013

We present transport measurements on a strongly coupled graphene quantum dot in a perpendicular magnetic field. The device consists of an etched single-layer graphene flake with two narrow constrictions separating a 140 nm diameter island from source and drain graphene contacts. Lateral graphene gates are used to electrostatically tune the device. Measurements of Coulomb resonances, including constriction resonances and Coulomb diamonds prove the functionality of the graphene quantum dot with a charging energy of approximately 4.5 meV. We show the evolution of Coulomb resonances as a function of perpendicular magnetic field, which provides indications of the formation of the graphene specific 0th Landau level. Finally, we demonstrate that the complex pattern superimposing the quantum dot energy spectra is due to the formation of additional localized states with increasing magnetic field.
Multi-stream continuous hidden Markov models with application to landmine detection
Authors: Missaoui Oualid , Frigui Hichem , Gader Paul
Published: March 2013

We propose a multi-stream continuous hidden Markov model (MSCHMM) framework that can learn from multiple modalities. We assume that the feature space is partitioned into subspaces generated by different sources of information. In order to fuse the different modalities, the proposed MSCHMM introduces stream relevance weights. First, we modify the probability density function (pdf) that characterizes the standard continuous HMM to include state and component dependent stream relevance weights. The resulting pdf approximate is a linear combination of pdfs characterizing multiple modalities. Second, we formulate the CHMM objective function to allow for the simultaneous optimization of all model parameters including the relevance weights. Third, we generalize the maximum likelihood based Baum-Welch algorithm and the minimum classification error/gradient probabilistic descent (MCE/GPD) learning algorithms to include stream relevance weights. We propose two versions of the MSCHMM. The first one introduces the relevance weights at the state level while the second one introduces the weights at the component level. We illustrate the performance of the proposed MSCHMM structures using synthetic data sets. We also apply them to the problem of landmine detection using ground penetrating radar. We show that when the multiple sources of information are equally relevant across all training data, the performance of the proposed MSCHMM is comparable to the baseline CHMM. However, when the relevance of the sources varies, the MSCHMM outperforms the baseline CHMM because it can learn the optimal relevance weights. We also show that our approach outperforms existing multi-stream HMM because the latter one cannot optimize all model parameters simultaneously.