bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effect of Lime, Magnesium and Boron on Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) and Their Residual Effects on Mungbean (Vigna radiata L.)
Authors: Hossain Akbar , Sarker MAZ , Hakim MA , Islam Mst T , Ali ME
Published: February 2013

The study was carried out during 2007-2008 season in the research field of Wheat Research Centre, Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute, Dinajpur to know the effect of lime, Magnesium (Mg) and Boron (B) on yield and yield components of wheat and also their residual effect on mungbean. The geographical position of the area is between 25°62´ N, 88°63´ E and 38.20 meter above sea level. The experiment was laid out in Randomized Complete Block Design with three replications, both in wheat and mungbean. Treatments for wheat were (I) recommended fertilizer + Mg + B, (II) recommended fertilizer + lime + B + Mg, (III) recommended fertilizer + lime + Mg, (IV) recommended fertilizer + lime + B and (V) control (Only recommended fertilizer) and for mungbean were (I) recommended fertilizer + Mg + B, (II) 75% of recommended dose, (III) recommended fertilizer + B, (IV) recommended fertilizer + Mg and (V) control (without fertilizers). Results showed that the highest yield and yield components of wheat were recorded from recommended fertilizers + lime + B + Mg treated plot and the second highest were recorded from recommended fertilizers + lime + Mg treated plot. The lowest was recorded in control plot (only recommended fertilized). In case of mungbean the highest was found from recommended fertilizers + B treated plot, this treatment was limed in previously cultivated wheat crop and the lowest was recorded from control plot (without fertilizer). DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/ijarit.v1i1-2.13923 Int. J. Agril. Res. Innov. & Tech. 1 (1&2): 9-15, December, 2011
Performance and Economic Suitability of Three Fast Growing Broiler Strains Raised Under Farming Condition in Bangladesh
Authors: Hossain MA , Suvo KB , Islam MM
Published: February 2013

The performance and profitability of three commercial broiler strains reared under farming system were investigated in this study. Day-old broiler chicks (n=156) of three different commercial strains (Hubbard classic, Cobb-500 and MPK) were assigned to three treatment groups in a completely randomized block design, each treatment replicated four times, 13 birds per replicate. The birds were reared from d1 to 35 days of age with similar housing, feeding and environmental management condition. Regarding to all parameters collected, live weight and body weight gain were higher (P<0.001) in T2(Cobb-500) group, while the birds of T3 (MPK) group were the lowest. Birds of T1(Hubbard Classic) and T2 (Cobb-500) strain group consumed higher (P<0.001) feeds, while the birds of T3(MPK) had the lowest feed intake. Cobb-500 broiler strain achieved superior (P<0.001) FCR, while the birds of T1 (Hubbard classic) strain group had poorer FCR. Liveability of the broiler strains was unaffected by all the treatment groups. Higher net profit and lower production cost observed in T2(Cobb-500) group than those of other strains, although the difference between the treatment groups was similar. The highly significant measurements of live body weight, weight gain and better FCR values were recorded for Cobb-500 broiler strain, followed by Hubbard classic and MPK, respectively. In conclusion, Cobb-500 broiler strain is appeared to be the most economic to rear amongst the three broiler strains investigated here in response to their performance records. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/ijarit.v1i1-2.13931 Int. J. Agril. Res. Innov. & Tech. 1 (1&2): 37-43, December, 2011
Effect of Temperature on Yield and Some Agronomic Characters of Spring Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) Genotypes
Authors: Hossain Akbar , Sarker MAZ , Hakim MA , Lozovskaya MV , Zvolinsky VP
Published: February 2013

Eight modern wheat varieties (viz., Sourav, Gourab, Shatabdi, Sufi, Bijoy, Prodip, BARI Gom-25 and BARI Gom-26) were evaluated to find out the suitable variety for optimum and late sown condition, to find out heat tolerant and heat sensitive variety and to find out the optimum sowing time for a specific variety. The experiment was conducted in the research farm of Wheat Research Center (25°38´ N, 88°41´ E and 38.20 m above sea level.), Bangladesh, under eight sowing times (viz., 8 Nov., 15 Nov., 22 Nov., 29 Nov., 6 Dec., 13 Dec., 20 Dec. and 27 Dec.). Results showed that wheat sown in November 22 to December 20 was significantly better compared to November 08, 15 and December 27, from the studied aspects of yield and yield components. Considering overall sowing performance of all genotypes Shatabdi is the best, followed by BARI Gom-26 (2nd), Sourav (3rd), Prodip (4th), Bijoy (5th), Gourab (6th), Sufi (7th) and BARI Gom-25 (least). In extremely heat stress (November 08 and December 27) condition Prodip was found to be heat sensitive genotype (yield reduction 41.18 and 28.92%), followed by BARI Gom-26 (yield reduction 41.15 and 22.73%). Both in too early and very late heat stress conditions, genotypes Sourav and BARI Gom-25 were found to be heat tolerant. In very early (November 08), variety Sourav (yield reduction 20.47%) is recommended, followed by BARI Gom-25 (yield reduction 27.91%) and in very late (December 27), Sufi is the best (yield reduction 8.60%), followed by Bijoy (yield reduction 11.05%). DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/ijarit.v1i1-2.13932 Int. J. Agril. Res. Innov. & Tech. 1 (1&2): 44-54, December, 2011
Tick and Tick Borne Protozoan Diseases of Livestock in the Selected Hilly Areas of Bangladesh
Authors: Mohanta UK , Anisuzzaman Dr , Mondal MMH
Published: February 2013

To study the tick and tick borne protozoan diseases of livestock in the hilly areas of Bangladesh, an attempt was made to collect tick and blood samples from cattle, goat and gayal (Bos frontalis) from different areas of the three hill districts. In this study, two species of ticks namely, Boophilus microplus (92%) and Amblyomma testudinarium (21.6%) and two species of blood protozoa like Babesia bigemina (16.63%) and Anaplasma marginale (14.94%) were recorded. Seasonal prevalence of ticks was highest in summer (97%) in comparison to rainy (95%) and winter (86%) season. On the other hand, the seasonal prevalence of blood protozoa was highest in rainy season (45.45%) in comparison to summer (27.87%) and winter (16.55%). Again, animals aged more than 2 (two) years of age (52%) found to be more susceptible to blood protozoan diseases than animals aged between 1-2 years of age (33.97%). But none of the animals under one year of age were found to be infected with blood protozoan diseases. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/ijarit.v1i1-2.13934 Int. J. Agril. Res. Innov. & Tech. 1 (1&2): 60-63, December, 2011
Approaching an Unclosed Whole1 through a Triadic Analysis of The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock
Authors: Ahsan Md. Firoz Mahmud , Huq ABM Monirul
Published: February 2013

Any message encoded in a certain discourse on the common ground of reference, purpose or aim that a discourse serves, runs the risk of semantic gap at the crucial moment of decoding. The response(s) may contradict the feedback, or else the feedback may bring about epistemic violence and thereby may subvert the projected meaning(s). Teaching T.S. Eliots poem, The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock as a part of an undergraduate course at a University (in Bangladeshi context) led us to the discovery of a threefold analysis (phase by phase) of the poem: a. constituent analysis, b. structuralist reading, and c. dialogic criticism, which was quite challenging. This paper aims at analysing the stated poetic piece as a discourse and setting it against the backdrop of a literature classroom at the tertiary level with a view to understanding how the aforementioned three-phase-analysis of a text can help the learners go beyond the limit of identifying with the objective reading of a discourse, and thus they pave their way to the undiscovered world of signification and eventually can relate to a social context where the meaning is multiple and the voices are polyphonic. Stamford Journal of English; Volume 6; Page 27-40 DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/sje.v6i0.13900
Can Coetzees Michael K be called a Gandhian hero?
Authors: Chowdhury Rowshan Jahan
Published: February 2013

Coetzees Life and Times of Michael K can be viewed as a novel of resistance. The title character Michael K, born with a physical deformity, refuses to submit to the situation he is subjected to. He withdraws himself from the world torn with an incomprehensible war. With a quest for a place free from bomb blasts, economic recession, colonized politics, and chaotic city life, Michael starts his journey for refuge. He finds it impossible because of intruding authority. Being tracked down and locked up with the rural guerrillas, he starts to live a life of invisible existence. Becoming a camp prisoner he refuses to take any kind of food. His refusal to eat reflects a kind of resistance. His resistance to the situation is not active, rather he resists in a very passive way. He does not offer any violent attempt and his resistance appears as non-violent and passive. Michaels passive resistance reminds one of Gandhis famous doctrine of passive resistance - Satyagraha. Gandhi preaches the philosophy of non-violent passive resistance, the concept of Satyagraha, as a forceful means of achieving socio-political goals without using violence. Michael K, living amid all, creates his own world, listens to the voice inside, and becomes the symbol of suffering. This paper explores whether Michael in any way embodies the principle of non-violent passive resistance against the authority. Stamford Journal of English; Volume 6; Page 90-102 DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/sje.v6i0.13905
Family Bond and Traumatic Pathology in Alice Munros The Bear Came Over the Mountain
Authors: Chowdhury Mohammad Shahidul Islam
Published: February 2013

Alice Munro (1931), Canadian author and winner of the Man Booker International Prize in 2009, has written a number of short stories. The Bear Came Over the Mountain is a story of love, romantic affairs, family relationship, enigma of romance and psychological disorientation. The story reveals family bond through mental depression and physical inability, which, to a large extent, are traumatic. Munros presentation of human relationship and family bond gets a new dimension from psychopathological point of view. The story reveals a bizarre relationship between two unacquainted families, members of which suffer from two different types of trauma: psychic hysteria and physical immobility. Munro shows the effect of such frenzy on individuals as well as on societal connection. This paper attempts to illustrate, from psychoanalytic point of view, the nature of traumatic pathology and its testimony in the lives of individuals and how its outcome can be a major device in understanding human relationship. Stamford Journal of English; Volume 6; Page 103-113 DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/sje.v6i0.13906
Black Desires, White Beauties
Authors: Habib Mushira
Published: February 2013

Stamford Journal of English; Volume 6; Page 133-148 DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/sje.v6i0.13908
Apparition in The Turn of the Screw: Real or Schizophrenic Revelations?
Authors: Haque Mohammad Azizul
Published: February 2013

Stamford Journal of English; Volume 6; Page 149-155 DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/sje.v6i0.13909
Portrayal of Psychic Violence in Fire on the Mountain and The Bluest Eye
Authors: Saha Aroop
Published: February 2013

The role of woman is significant in the human world from the ancient time not only as a human being but also as an inseparable entity to take the mankind ahead with the time. The woman represents the symbol of nurture. She contributes to make progress in the family, society as well as country through her active participation same as the male counterpart. But woman is suppressed into lower status compared to the male power and position in the society intentionally, even after her great contribution in reality. The evidence can be found in the portrayal of woman in the literatures from the different cultures. How does the patriarchal society suppress the woman? How is the patriarchal ideology dominating the grand-narrative as well as molding the notion of womans psychology? In what ways, the voice of woman is controlled and represented with manipulative hegemony in unconstructive words? How is the woman fighting against the psychic violence to construct her self? Anita Desais Fire on the Mountain and Toni Morrisons The Bluest Eyes echo those thought provoking questions with ravenous eyes to discover the real female subject. Both writers exhibit the womans situation, emotion and realization which are scrutinized to observe the universality of female psyche. Stamford Journal of English; Volume 6; Page 230-248 DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/sje.v6i0.13916
Advances and Pitfalls of Cell Therapy in Metabolic Leukodystrophies
Authors: Miranda Catarina Oliveira , Brites Pedro , Sousa Mónica Mendes , Teixeira Carla Andreia
Published: February 2013

Leukodystrophies are a group of disorders characterized by myelin dysfunction, either at the level of myelin formation or maintenance, that affect the central nervous system (CNS) and also in some cases, to a lesser extent, the peripheral nervous system (PNS). Although these genetic-based disorders are generally rare, all together they have a significant impact in the society, with an estimated overall incidence of 1 in 7,663 live births. Currently, there is no cure for leukodystrophies, and the development of effective treatments remains challenging. Not only leukodystrophies generally progress very fast, but also most are multifocal needing the simultaneous targeting at multiple sites. Moreover, as the CNS is affected, the blood–brain barrier (BBB) limits the efficacy of treatment. Recently, interest on cell therapy has increased, and the leukodystrophies for which metabolic correction is needed have become first-choice candidates for cell-based clinical trials. In this review, we present and discuss the available cell transplantation therapies in metabolic leukodystrophies including fucosidosis, X-linked adrenoleukodystrophy, metachromatic leukodystrophy, Canavan disease, and Krabbe's disease. We will discuss the latest advances of cell therapy and its pitfalls in this group of disorders, taking into account, among others, the limitations imposed by reduced cell migration in multifocal conditions, the need to achieve corrective enzyme threshold levels, and the growing awareness that not only myelin but also the associated axonopathy needs to be targeted in some leukodystrophies.
Translational Research and Therapeutic Applications of Stem Cell Transplantation in Periodontal Regenerative Medicine
Authors: Lu Hong , Xie Cheng , Zhao Yi-Min , Chen Fa-Ming
Published: February 2013

Stem cells have received a great deal of interest from the research community as potential therapeutic “tools” for a variety of chronic debilitating diseases that lack clinically effective therapies. Stem cells are also of interest for the regeneration of tooth-supporting tissues that have been lost to periodontal disease. Indeed, substantial data have demonstrated that the exogenous administration of stem cells or their derivatives in preclinical animal models of periodontal defects can restore damaged tissues to their original form and function. As we discuss here, however, considerable hurdles must be overcome before these findings can be responsibly translated to novel clinical therapies. Generally, the application of stem cells for periodontal therapy in clinics will not be realized until the best cell(s) to use, the optimal dose, and an effective mode of administration are identified. In particular, we need to better understand the mechanisms of action of stem cells after transplantation in the periodontium and to learn how to preciously control stem cell fates in the pathological environment around a tooth. From a translational perspective, we outline the challenges that may vary across preclinical models for the evaluation of stem cell therapy in situations that require periodontal reconstruction and the safety issues that are related to clinical applications of human stem cells. Although clinical trials that use autologous periodontal ligament stem cells have been approved and have already been initiated, proper consideration of the technical, safety, and regulatory concerns may facilitate, rather than inhibit, the clinical translation of new therapies.
Challenges in translational research on probiotic lactobacilli: from in vitro assays to clinical trials
Authors: Meijerink M. , Mercenier A. , Wells J.M.
Published: February 2013

Beneficial effects of certain probiotic strains have been established in the treatment and prevention of various immune and intestinal disorders in humans, including allergic diseases, chronic inflammatory diseases and diarrhoea. The proposed mechanisms underlying the immunomodulatory effects of probiotics in humans are not understood in precise detail but include enhancement of intestinal barrier function, altered epithelial signalling, competition with pathogens and effects on immune cells and immunity depending on the probiotic strain. The publication of controversial or inconclusive probiotic studies in humans highlights the need for a better understanding of the mechanisms and improved strain selection criteria. This review focuses on the immunomodulatory properties of lactobacilli and bifidobacteriain vitroandin vivo,current knowledge concerning the mechanismsin vivoand challenges in translational research on probiotics. A better understanding of the molecular mechanisms of probiotics, the effect of probiotic mixtures versus single strains, the effect of formulation of probiotics and the fate of ingested probiotics should help to clarify the value of immune assays as selection criteria for probiotics.
Essential Role of Surface-Bound Complement Factor H in Controlling Immune Complex–Induced Arthritis
Authors: Banda Nirmal K. , Mehta Gaurav , Ferreira Viviana P. , Cortes Claudio , Pickering Matthew C. , Pangburn Michael K. , Arend William P. , Holers V. Michael
Published: February 2013

Factor H (fH) is an endogenous negative regulator of the alternative pathway (AP) that binds polyanions as well as complement activation fragments C3b and C3d. The AP is both necessary and sufficient to develop collagen Ab–induced arthritis (CAIA) in mice; the mechanisms whereby normal control of the AP is overcome and injury develops are unknown. Although primarily a soluble circulating protein, fH can also bind to tissues in a manner dependent on the carboxyl-terminal domain containing short consensus repeats 19 and 20. We examined the role of fH in CAIA by blocking its binding to tissues through administration of a recombinant negative inhibitor containing short consensus repeats 19 and 20 (rfH19-20), which impairs fH function and amplifies surface AP activation in vitro. Administration of rfH19-20, but not control rfH3-5, significantly worsened clinical disease activity, histopathologic injury, and C3 deposition in the synovium and cartilage in wild-type and fH+/− mice. In vitro studies demonstrated that rfH19-20 increased complement activation on cartilage extracts and injured fibroblast-like synoviocytes, two major targets of complement deposition in the joint. We conclude that endogenous fH makes a significant contribution to inhibition of the AP in CAIA through binding to sites of immune complex formation and complement activation.
Protocol Development, Treatment Fidelity, Adherence to Treatment, and Quality Control
Authors: Persch Andrew C. , Page Stephen J.
Published: February 2013

Occupational therapy leaders have emphasized the importance of intervention effectiveness research. The CONSORT and TREND checklists have been suggested as useful tools for reporting the results of randomized and nonrandomized studies, respectively. Despite such recommendations, research protocols and reports continue to underutilize the available tools, a situation reflecting limited resources for and experience with the conduct of effectiveness research. To address this issue, and using the CONSORT statement to structure the analysis, this article discusses strategies for optimization of protocol development, treatment fidelity, adherence to treatment, and quality control. We recommend several approaches to increase the quality of research throughout these various processes. Examples of implementation from our laboratory provide evidence of the utility of these strategies.
Designing Creative Spaces for Idea Generation and Start-up Experiments
Authors: Curley Martin , Formica Piero
Published: February 2013

The role of universities is changing. In the last century the primary focus of universities was on education and research, with the key goals of creating and diffusing information and knowledge. A third and equally important role is now emerging, with its accompanying expectations and responsibilities – that of value creation. ‘Value’ in this context refers to both business value and societal value. With tertiary sector funding coming under increasing scrutiny, governments and the public alike are demanding more accountability and proof of added value from universities. A ‘university ecosystem’ approach can unleash much of the potential energy in universities and transform it into kinetic energy, with graduates emerging not just in a state of readiness to be employees, but often as highly motivated entrepreneurs with business or social innovation initiatives in flight. An ecosystem can be defined in this context as a network of interdependent organizations or people in a specific environment with partly shared perspectives, resources, aspirations and directions. This new form of positioning equates to what Etzkowitz (2004) and Andersson et al (2010) have called the ‘entrepreneurial university’.
Individual and Institutional Drivers of Technology Transfer in Open Innovation
Authors: Lauto Giancarlo , Bau' Massimo , Compagno Cristiana
Published: February 2013

The open innovation perspective offers a powerful framework which can be used in developing an understanding of the relationships that are established between academia and industry in the process of technology transfer. This paper develops a fourfold classification of technology transfer activities based on consultancy and the protection of intellectual property rights, and identifies the factors characterizing each activity. An empirical study was conducted with a sample of 249 researchers affiliated to Italian universities and the results indicate that specific forms of technology transfer are associated with particular configurations of regional systems of innovation, academic organizations and the motivations of researchers. The authors find that exchanges of tacit knowledge benefit from social interaction, while those based on codified knowledge are less context-dependent. In addition, more complex forms of technology transfer – those combining tacit and codified knowledge – require a broader endowment of resources, at both individual and contextual levels.
Impact of Industry Guest Speakers on Business Students' Perceptions of Employability Skills Development
Authors: Riebe L. , Sibson R. , Roepen D. , Meakins K.
Published: February 2013

This study provides insights into the perceptions and expectations of Australian undergraduate business students (n=150) regarding the incorporation of guest speakers into the curriculum of a leadership unit focused on employability skills development. The authors adopted a mixed methods approach. A survey was conducted, with quantitative results analysed using SPSS allowing comparison of mean values between items and the identification of any statistical difference by student demographics. A thematic approach using inductive coding was applied to analyse the qualitative responses to open-ended questions. The results indicate that an appropriately briefed, qualified, interesting and engaging guest speaker plays an important role in active learning by exposing students to the ‘real world’ of the workplace and can reinforce the significance of key employability skills for future career success. The results also indicate that students' experience of guest speakers may be influenced by cultural factors and learning styles, with differences between the perceptions and expectations of domestic and international students with regard to certain factors. The paper has practical implications for those organizing the implementation of guest speaker programmes in HEIs and for the guest speakers themselves.
Immunochromatrography Detection of Human Lactoferrin Protein in Milk from Transgenic Cattle
Authors: Liu Chuxin , Zhai Shanli , Zhang Qingde , Liu Bang
Published: February 2013

Transgenic technologies have opened a new era of transgenesis, characterized by manipulating intraspecies or interspecies genes in microorganisms, plants, or animals to change them in desired directions. The advent of genetically modified animals and related products has raised the need for analytical methods, nucleotide- or protein-based, to qualitatively and quantitatively determine the biotechnology ingredients. In this study, we collected milk samples containing human lactoferrin (hLF) protein, to exploit appropriate detection means for exogenous hLF protein. We preliminarily developed two types of competitive immunochromatography strips for quick detection, based on gold-conjugated hLF protein or gold- conjugated polyclonal antibody. As control methods, sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, dot blot, and Western blot methods were used to check the accuracy of strips, and highly sensitive ELISA with chemiluminescent substrates was developed to determine the concentration of hLF in milk. Comparing the test results of lateral flow strips with qualitative assays, we found our strips gave the same results in a few minutes, showing great advantages with no need of professional technicians or any equipment. Our results demonstrated that all the applied methods were effective to detect hLF, suggesting that they could be used to monitor the production of transgenic milk.
Simultaneous Determination of L-Tyrosine and Caffeine Based on Their Electrocatalytic Oxidation at a 4-tert-butylcalix[6] arene-Modified Carbon Paste Electrode
Authors: Srivastava Ashwini K , Gaichore Reena R
Published: February 2013

Simultaneous determination of L-tyrosine and caffeine was performed at a carbon paste electrode modified with 4-tert-butylcalix[6]arene and in situ Ni2+ ions. Surface characterization of the electrode was carried out by means of scanning electron microscopy. Electrochemical impedance diagnosis revealed that oxidation of both molecules is kinetically facile on the modified electrode. The electrochemical behavior of both molecules was studied using cyclic voltammetry, and further quantified using differential pulse voltammetry (DPV). The results revealed a high sensitivity for their simultaneous detection. DPV allowed simultaneous detection of L-tyrosine and caffeine in the range of 10–6 to 10–3 M, with LODs of 2.19 × 10–7 and 4.03 × 10–7 M, respectively. The modified electrode was used for individual determination of L-tyrosine and caffeine in various pharmaceutical formulations and simultaneous monitoring in human body fluids.
Comparative Analysis of Some Essential Amino Acids and Available Lysine in Acacia colei and A. tumida Seeds Using Chemical Methods and an Amino Acid Analyzer
Authors: Falade Olumuyiwa S , Adewusi Steve R A
Published: February 2013

Methionine, cysteine, tryptophan, and available lysine were determined in Acacia colei and A. tumida seeds and some cereals using chemical methods, and the results were compared to those obtained using an amino acid analyzer. Ba(OH)2 hydrolysis gave the best result of the three methods of hydrolysis (acid, base, and enzyme) tried. Oxidized methionine, cysteine, and tryptophan were not detected, but S-carboxyethylcysteine was estimated as cysteine by the chemical methods, thus overestimating cysteine's content in Acacia seeds. Tryptophan and methionine were higher in cereals than in Acacia seeds, while the level of cysteine and available lysine was higher in Acacia seeds than in cereals. These results agreed with values obtained using the amino acid analyzer and could therefore be used in low budget laboratories.
Validation Study of the Veratox R5 Rapid ELISA for Detection of Gliadin
Authors: Lupo Anthony , Roebuck Chris , Walsh Aaron , Mozola Mark , Abouzied Mohamed
Published: February 2013

Neogen Corp. developed the Veratox R5 Gliadin test kit for the detection of gliadin based on the monoclonal antibody R5 developed by Enrique Mendez (1). The purpose of this study was to validate the method under the requirements of the AOAC Research Institute Performance Tested MethodSM program. There are two AOAC Official MethodsSM for gluten detection in foods, 991.19 and 2012.01 (2), both of which are ELISAs. With the R5 Mendez method listed in the CODEX Alimentarius as a type 1 method for the detection of gluten in foods, the need to have additional rapid test kits validated by the AOAC Research Institute exists.
Color‐Tunable Electrogenerated Chemiluminescence of Ruthenium N‐Heterocyclic Carbene Complexes
Authors: Park Hee‐Jun , Yoo Sangwook , Shin Ik‐Soo , Chung Young Keun , Kim Joohoon
Published: February 2013

Ru(II) complexes 1–3 bearing various N‐heterocyclic carbene (NHC) ligands were synthesized, and their photophysical, electrochemical, and electrogenerated chemiluminescence (ECL) properties were discussed to evaluate a potential of their use as multicolor ECL labels. Interestingly, they exhibited ECL emission ranging from greenish‐yellow to red both in nonaqueous and mixed aqueous solutions, which might show the potential of the Ru(II) complexes as multicolor ECL labels.
Three‐dimensional multielectrode‐controlled two orthogonal direction bendable IPMC actuator with an active clasp
Authors: Feng Guo‐Hua , Tsai Jen‐Wei
Published: February 2013

This article presents a novel three‐dimensional ionic‐polymer‐metal‐composite (IPMC) actuator. The actuator consists of two parts: a motion element and an active clasp. With a multiple electrode design, the motion element can bend in two orthogonal directions, and the clasp can provide a force through individual electrical voltage control. The dynamic behavior of the motion element and the force output of the clasp were measured. The concept of geometry current and space‐charge current based on the limiting solutions of the Poisson‐Nernst‐Planck equation is proposed to characterize the measured current. An electric circuit model is presented to describe the electrical properties of the motion element of the IPMC actuator under various driving voltages and frequencies. The relation between the strain variation and the accumulation of electric charges caused by the measured current was examined and exhibited an excellent agreement with a power law. Two indices are proposed to evaluate the working status of the active clasp. The controllable time of the force output and the moment of the active clasp failure can be determined easily using the indices. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 2013. © 2013 Society of Plastics Engineers
Genetic Counseling Services and Training of Genetic Counselors in Israel: An Overview
Authors: Sagi Michal , Uhlmann Wendy R.
Published: February 2013

Genetic counseling services have existed in Israel since 1964 and are available in almost all the major hospitals. Given the socialized healthcare system and small country size, genetic services are generally accessible and often free. The existence of founder mutations in various communities in Israel makes genetic testing easier to perform. Yet, the ethnic, cultural and religious diversity of the population has major implications on the design of the screening programs and the use of genetic services. The Israeli Association of Genetic Counselors (IAGC) was established in 2008 and had existed informally since 1989. There are two Master level genetic counseling training programs (6 students/class, 2 year program): Hebrew University‐Hadassah Medical School (established in 1997) and the Technion (established in 2009). Genetic counselors’ clinical training is largely observational and 2 years of supervised counseling sessions post degree are required for board exam eligibility. Genetic counselors are licensed and lead counseling sessions individually, but currently must work under medical geneticist supervision. This is the first article to summarize the history and training of Master level genetic counselors in Israel. Genetic services, coverage and regulations are also described.
Adolescents' civic engagement and alcohol use: Longitudinal evidence for patterns of engagement and use in the adult lives of a British cohort
Authors: Finlay Andrea K. , Flanagan Constance
Published: February 2013

Participation in discretionary activities during adolescence may facilitate the development of social networks that recruit youth into adult civic life or provide risky contexts that promote alcohol problems. Using data from the 1970 British Cohort Study, latent class analysis was used to identify adolescents' patterns of civic engagement, alcohol use, and other out‐of‐school activities at age 16, and test longitudinal links with adult civic engagement and alcohol use at ages 26, 30, and 34. Three classes were identified for both genders. The latent class characterized by involvement in more activities was more likely to be civically engaged in adulthood. The class characterized by the most alcohol use in adolescence had the highest likelihood of adult alcohol use and problems. Results are discussed in light of the health risks associated with each latent class and potential interventions that could be tailored to adolescents based on their patterns of activities.
Photodissociation of methyl iodide adsorbed on low-temperature amorphous ice surfaces
Authors: DeSimone Alice J. , Olanrewaju Babajide O. , Grieves Gregory A. , Orlando Thomas M.
Published: February 2013

Photodissociation dynamics of methyl iodide (CH3I) adsorbed on both amorphous solid water (ASW) and porous amorphous solid water (PASW) has been investigated. The ejected ground-state I(2P3/2) and excited-state I(2P1/2) photofragments produced by 260- and 290-nm photons were detected using laser resonance-enhanced multiphoton ionization. In contrast to gas-phase photodissociation, (i) the I(2P3/2) photofragment is favored compared to I(2P1/2) at both wavelengths, (ii) I(2P3/2) and I(2P1/2) have velocity distributions that depend upon ice morphology, and (iii) I2 is produced on ASW. The total iodine [I(2P3/2)+I(2P1/2)+I2] yield varies with substrate morphology, with greater yield from ASW than PASW using both 260- and 290-nm photons. Temperature-programmed desorption studies demonstrate that ice porosity enhances the trapping of adsorbed CH3I, while pore-free ice likely allows monomer adsorption and the formation of two-dimensional CH3I clusters. Reactions or collisions involving these clusters, I atomic fragments, or I-containing molecular fragments at the vacuum-surface interface can result in I2 formation.
Conformally invariant formalism for the electromagnetic field with currents in Robertson-Walker spaces
Authors: Huguet E. , Renaud J.
Published: February 2013

We show that the Laplace-Beltrami equation □6a = j in $(\mathbb {R}^6,\eta )$(R6,η), η ≔ diag(+ − − − − +), leads under very moderate assumptions to both the Maxwell equations and the conformal Eastwood-Singer gauge condition on conformally flat spaces including the spaces with a Robertson-Walker metric. This result is obtained through a geometric formalism which gives, as byproduct, simplified calculations. In particular, we build an atlas for all the conformally flat spaces considered which allows us to fully exploit the Weyl rescalling to Minkowski space.
A new adaptive light beam focusing principle for scanning light stimulation systems
Authors: Bitzer L. A. , Meseth M. , Benson N. , Schmechel R.
Published: February 2013

In this article a novel principle to achieve optimal focusing conditions or rather the smallest possible beam diameter for scanning light stimulation systems is presented. It is based on the following methodology: First, a reference point on a camera sensor is introduced where optimal focusing conditions are adjusted and the distance between the light focusing optic and the reference point is determined using a laser displacement sensor. In a second step, this displacement sensor is used to map the topography of the sample under investigation. Finally, the actual measurement is conducted, using optimal focusing conditions in each measurement point at the sample surface, that are determined by the height difference between camera sensor and the sample topography. This principle is independent of the measurement values, the optical or electrical properties of the sample, the used light source, or the selected wavelength. Furthermore, the samples can be tilted, rough, bent, or of different surface materials. In the following the principle is implemented using an optical beam induced current system, but basically it can be applied to any other scanning light stimulation system. Measurements to demonstrate its operation are shown, using a polycrystalline silicon solar cell.
Inverse relationship between carrier mobility and bandgap in graphene
Authors: Wang Jinying , Zhao Ruiqi , Yang Mingmei , Liu Zhongfan , Liu Zhirong
Published: February 2013

A frequently stated advantage of gapless graphene is its high carrier mobility. However, when a nonzero bandgap is opened, the mobility drops dramatically. The hardness to achieve high mobility and large on/off ratio simultaneously limits the development of graphene electronics. To explore the underlying mechanism, we investigated the intrinsic mobility of armchair graphene nanoribbons (AGNRs) under phonon scattering by combining first-principles calculations and a tight-binding analysis. A linear dependence of the effective mass on bandgap was demonstrated to be responsible for the inverse mobility-gap relationship. The deformation-potential constant was found to be determined by the strain dependence of the Fermi energy and the bandgap, resulting in two mobility branches, and is essential for the high mobility of AGNRs. In addition, we showed that the transport polarity of AGNRs can be switched by applying a uniaxial strain.
Multi-configuration time-dependent density-functional theory based on range separation
Authors: Fromager Emmanuel , Knecht Stefan , Jensen Hans Jørgen Aa.
Published: February 2013

Multi-configuration range-separated density-functional theory is extended to the time-dependent regime. An exact variational formulation is derived. The approximation, which consists in combining a long-range Multi-Configuration-Self-Consistent Field (MCSCF) treatment with an adiabatic short-range density-functional (DFT) description, is then considered. The resulting time-dependent multi-configuration short-range DFT (TD-MC-srDFT) model is applied to the calculation of singlet excitation energies in H2, Be, and ferrocene, considering both short-range local density (srLDA) and generalized gradient (srGGA) approximations. As expected, when modeling long-range interactions with the MCSCF model instead of the adiabatic Buijse-Baerends density-matrix functional as recently proposed by Pernal [J. Chem. Phys. 136, 184105 (2012)10.1063/1.4712019], the description of both the 11D doubly-excited state in Be and the $1^1\Sigma ^+_u$11Σu+ state in the stretched H2 molecule are improved, although the latter is still significantly underestimated. Exploratory TD-MC-srDFT/GGA calculations for ferrocene yield in general excitation energies at least as good as TD-DFT using the Coulomb attenuated method based on the three-parameter Becke-Lee-Yang-Parr functional (TD-DFT/CAM-B3LYP), and superior to wave-function (TD-MCSCF, symmetry adapted cluster-configuration interaction) and TD-DFT results based on LDA, GGA, and hybrid functionals.
Efficient graphite ring heater suitable for diamond-anvil cells to 1300 K
Authors: Du Zhixue , Miyagi Lowell , Amulele George , Lee Kanani K. M.
Published: February 2013

In order to generate homogeneous high temperatures at high pressures, a ring-shaped graphite heater has been developed to resistively heat diamond-anvil cell (DAC) samples up to 1300 K. By putting the heater in direct contact with the diamond anvils, this graphite heater design features the following advantages: (1) efficient heating: sample can be heated to 1300 K while the DAC body temperature remains less than 800 K, eliminating the requirement of a special alloy for the DAC; (2) compact design: the sample can be analyzed with in situ measurements, e.g., x-ray, optical, and electrical probes are possible. In particular, the side access of the heater allows for radial x-ray diffraction (XRD) measurements in addition to traditional axial XRD.
Validation of density functionals for transition metals and intermetallics using data from quantitative electron diffraction
Authors: Sang Xiahan , Kulovits Andreas , Wang Guofeng , Wiezorek Jörg
Published: February 2013

Accurate low-order structure factors (Fg) measured by quantitative convergent beam electron diffraction (QCBED) were used for validation of different density functional theory (DFT) approximations. Twenty-three low-order Fg were measured for the transition metals Cr, Fe, Co, Ni, and Cu, and the transition metal based intermetallic phases γ-TiAl, β-NiAl, and γ1-FePd using a multi-beam off-zone axis QCBED method and then compared with Fg calculated by ab initio DFT using the local density approximation (LDA) and LDA + U, and different generalized gradient approximations (GGA) functionals. Different functionals perform very differently for different materials and crystal structures regarding prediction of low-order Fg. All the GGA functionals tested in the paper except for EV93 achieve good overall agreement with the experimentally determined low-order Fg for BCC Cr and Fe, while EV93 performs the best for FCC Ni and Cu. The LDA and GGA functional fail to predict accurately the low-order Fg for β-NiAl and γ1-FePd. The LDA + U approach, through tuning of U, can achieve excellent matches with the experimentally measured Fg for all the metallic systems investigated in this paper. The use of experimentally accessible low order Fg as an additional set of metrics in approaches of validation of DFT calculations is discussed and has potential to assist in and to stimulate development of improved functionals.
Social cognition and social robots
Authors: Gallagher Shaun
Published: February 2013

Social robots are robots designed to interact with humans or with each other in ways that approximate human social interaction. It seems clear that one question relevant to the project of designing such robots concerns how humans themselves interact to achieve social understanding. If we turn to psychology, philosophy, or the cognitive sciences in general, we find two models of social cognition vying for dominance under the heading of theory of mind: theory theory (TT) and simulation theory (ST). It is therefore natural and interesting to ask how a TT design for a social robot would differ from the ST version. I think that a much more critical question is whether either TT or ST provide an adequate explanation of social cognition. There is a growing although still minority consensus that, despite their dominance in the debate about social cognition, neither TT nor ST, nor some hybrid version of these theories, offers an acceptable account of how we encounter and interact with one another. In this paper I will give a brief review of the theory of mind debate, outline an alternative theory of social cognition based on an embodied interactive approach, and then try to draw out a few implications about social robotics.
Autonomous agency, AI, and allostasis
Authors: Muntean Ioan , Wright Cory D.
Published: February 2013

We argue that the concepts of mechanism and autonomy appear to be antagonistic when autonomy is conflated with agency. Once these concepts are disentangled, it becomes clearer how autonomy could emerge from complex forms of control — especially, homeostatic regulatory systems. While research in AI and robotics would do well to continue incorporating biomimetic strategies, we propose that invoking models of allostatic mechanisms is a better way to understand how autonomy in artificial systems can be enhanced.
Effects of Anesthetic Isoflurane and Desflurane on Human Cerebrospinal Fluid Aβ and τ Level
Authors: Zhang Bin , Tian Ming , Zheng Hui , Zhen Yu , Yue Yun , Li Tianzuo , Li Shuren , Marcantonio Edward R. , Xie Zhongcong
Published: February 2013

Background:

Accumulation of β-amyloid protein (Aβ) and tau protein is the main feature of Alzheimer disease neuropathogenesis. Anesthetic isoflurane, but not desflurane, may increase Aβ levels in vitro and in animals. Therefore, we set out to determine the effects of isoflurane and desflurane on cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) levels of Aβ and tau in humans.

Methods:

The participants were assigned into spinal anesthesia (N = 35), spinal plus desflurane anesthesia (N = 33), or spinal plus isoflurane anesthesia (N = 38) group by randomization using computer-generated lists. Pre- and postoperative human CSF samples were obtained through an inserted spinal catheter. The levels of Aβ (Aβ40 and Aβ42) and total tau in the CSF were determined.

Results:

Here, we show that isoflurane, but not desflurane, was associated with an increase in human CSF Aβ40 levels (from 10.90 to 12.41 ng/ml) 24 h after the surgery under anesthesia compared to spinal anesthesia (from 11.59 to 11.08 ng/ml), P = 0.022. Desflurane, but not isoflurane, was associated with a decrease in Aβ42 levels 2 h after the surgery under anesthesia (from 0.39 to 0.35 ng/ml) compared to spinal anesthesia (from 0.43 to 0.44 ng/ml), P = 0.006. Isoflurane and desflurane did not significantly affect the tau levels in human CSF.

Conclusions:

These studies have established a system to study the effects of anesthetics on human biomarkers associated with Alzheimer disease and cognitive dysfunction. These findings have suggested that isoflurane and desflurane may have different effects on human CSF Aβ levels.
Salicylic Acid Suppresses Jasmonic Acid Signaling Downstream of SCFCOI1-JAZ by Targeting GCC Promoter Motifs via Transcription Factor ORA59
Authors: Van der Does Dieuwertje , Leon-Reyes Antonio , Koornneef Annemart , Van Verk Marcel C. , Rodenburg Nicole , Pauwels Laurens , Goossens Alain , Körbes Ana P. , Memelink Johan , Ritsema Tita , Van Wees Saskia C.M. , Pieterse Corné M.J.
Published: February 2013

Antagonism between the defense hormones salicylic acid (SA) and jasmonic acid (JA) plays a central role in the modulation of the plant immune signaling network, but the molecular mechanisms underlying this phenomenon are largely unknown. Here, we demonstrate that suppression of the JA pathway by SA functions downstream of the E3 ubiquitin-ligase Skip-Cullin-F-box complex SCFCOI1, which targets JASMONATE ZIM-domain transcriptional repressor proteins (JAZs) for proteasome-mediated degradation. In addition, neither the stability nor the JA-induced degradation of JAZs was affected by SA. In silico promoter analysis of the SA/JA crosstalk transcriptome revealed that the 1-kb promoter regions of JA-responsive genes that are suppressed by SA are significantly enriched in the JA-responsive GCC-box motifs. Using GCC:GUS lines carrying four copies of the GCC-box fused to the β-glucuronidase reporter gene, we showed that the GCC-box motif is sufficient for SA-mediated suppression of JA-responsive gene expression. Using plants overexpressing the GCC-box binding APETALA2/ETHYLENE RESPONSE FACTOR (AP2/ERF) transcription factors ERF1 or ORA59, we found that SA strongly reduces the accumulation of ORA59 but not that of ERF1. Collectively, these data indicate that the SA pathway inhibits JA signaling downstream of the SCFCOI1-JAZ complex by targeting GCC-box motifs in JA-responsive promoters via a negative effect on the transcriptional activator ORA59.