bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Classifying land cover conversions in coastal wetlands in the Mediterranean: Pairwise comparisons of landsat images
Authors: Alphan H.
Published: January 2011

This study classified land cover conversions by using quantitative change detection methods in the eastern Mediterranean coastal wetlands of Turkey. Three Landsat TM scenes acquired in 1984, 1998 and 2007 were analysed using image pairs of consecutive dates. The amounts of change were calculated for the periods from 1984 to 1998 and from 1998 to 2007, using binary change masks and supervised image classifications, in which eleven a priori defined land cover classes were used. Change areas accounted for 14.81 and 15.64 per cent of the total area, in the first and second periods, respectively. Conversions from/to sand dunes, mud flats and afforestation were by far the most extensive changes. Sand dunes and mud flats decreased, while afforestation and agriculture areas increased in the 23‐year period between 1984 and 2007. Five types of qualitative change were identified on the basis of land cover transformations within and between natural and anthropogenic systems. Type I changes, which indicated conversions from (semi)natural to anthropogenic systems, took place as agricultural expansion over coastal sand dunes, while Type II changes mostly occurred within agricultural systems. Type III changes included changes in human uses, leading to conversions from one anthropogenic system to another. Conversions between semi(natural) systems such as salt marshes and mud‐flats were typical Type IV changes. Type V changes were mainly due to conversions from agriculture to wetland categories or other semi(natural) cover types. Implications of these changes were discussed for management of coastal environmental resources. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Porous metals in orthopedic applications – A review
Authors: Levine B.R. , Fabi D.W.
Published: January 2011

The development of porous metals and coatings for osseointegration has revolutionized the specialty of orthopedics, particularly total joint reconstruction. However, until recently most implants are fabricated utilizing traditional materials (i. e. sintered beads, fiber metal, plasma spray), which have several inherent limitations. Several new highly porous metals have been recently introduced to improve upon the biomaterial properties of traditional coatings, namely porosity, surface coefficient and modulus of elasticity. These new biomaterials have a similar microscopic appearance that is much like cancellous bone. The open‐cell structure of these metals affords several intriguing properties, including; high volumetric porosity (60–80%), low moduli of elasticity and high surface frictional characteristics. The self‐passivating nature of these metals and complex nanostructures allow for rapid bone ingrowth in multiple applications of orthopedic surgery. The following represents a review of contemporary implants and biomaterial properties in orthopedic surgery for this class of highly porous metals.

Die Entwicklung poröser Metalle und Beschichtungen für die Osseointegration führte zu einer Revolution auf dem orthopädischen Spezialgebiet der totalen Gelenksrekonstruktion. Jedoch wurden bis vor kurzem die meisten Implantate nach traditionellen Methoden (gesinterte Kügelchen, Metallfasern oder Plasmasprayverfahren) hergestellt, die im Einsatz eine Reihe von inhärenten Nachteilen aufweisen. Einige neuen hochporösen Metalle wurden kürzlich eingeführt, die die Biomaterialeigenschaften traditioneller Schichten wie z. B. die Porosität, Oberflächenkoefficient und ‐modulus der Elastizität verbessern sollen. Diese neuen Materialien haben eine ähnliche mikroskopische Struktur wie spongiöser Knochen. Die offenzellige Struktur dieser Metalle bietet eine Reihe von faszinierenden Eigenschaften, wie z.B. eine hohe Volumenporosität (60–80%), niedrige Elastizitätsmoduli und hohe Reibungskennwerte. Die selbstpassivierende Natur dieser Materialien und komplexe Nanostrukturen erlauben ein schnelles Einwachsen von Knochen in vielen Anwendungen der orthopädischen Chirurgie. Die folgend Abhandlung gibt einen Überblick über die heutigen Implantate und Biomaterialeigenschaften der Klasse hochporöser Metalle in der orthopädischen Chirurgie.
Evaluation of degradable bone cements for percutaneous augmentation of bone defects
Authors: Müller‐Mai C. M. , Berger G. , Stiller M. , Gildenhaar R. , Jörn D. , Ploska U. , Houshmand A. , Bednarek A. , Koch C. , Knabe C.
Published: January 2011

In this study, two novel bioactive bone‐bonding cements based on the crystalline phase Ca2KNa(PO4)2 were studied in vivo in order to characterize their bone regenerative capacities as well as their biodegradability. The implantation site was located underneath the patellar sliding plane of the distal femur of rabbits in an area which is almost free of bony trabeculae. Highly porous β‐TCP granules and empty defects served as controls. In order to obtain information especially regarding the remodeling properties time periods of up to 48 weeks were chosen. When used as bulk material, both cements showed bone formation rates which were comparable to those of the TCP granules in combination with a favorable biodegradability, which however was lower than that of TCP granules due to the considerably lower porosity. Taken together, a guided bone regeneration in conjunction with biomaterials degradation was observed with all three materials. The empty defects (negative control) did not show comparable bone formation rates. Based on this study, both cements can be considered as valuable materials for percutaneous treatment of bone defects in traumatology, for example.

Zwei neue bioaktive knochenbindende Zemente wurden in einem Tiermodel getestet. Die kristalline Hauptphase war Ca2KNa(PO4)2. Untersucht werden sollten die Knochenregeneration und Degradation. Die Materialien wurden hinter dem Patellagleitlager von Kaninchen implantiert. Hier besteht ein Areal, was physiologischer Weise arm an Knochentrabekeln ist. Als Kontrollen dienten ein TCP‐Granulat und Leerdefekte. Um Informationen besonders über den Remodelingprozess zu erhalten, wurden Zeitpunkte von bis zu 48 Wochen gewählt. Beide Zemente füllten die Defekte vollständig. Sie zeigten vergleichbare Raten der Knochenneubildung wie TCP‐Partikel, wobei die Degradation geringer bzw. langsamer als die der TCP Partikel war aufgrund der geringeren Porosität der Zemente. Die Degradation erreichte nach 48 Wochen jedoch fast den gesamten Defekt, so dass bei gleichzeitiger Knochenbildung von einer gerichteten Knochenregeneration im Defekt gesprochen werden kann. Leerdefekte blieben ohne wesentliche Knochenneubildung. Beide Zemente stellen daher geeignete Materialien zur perkutanen Auffüllung z.B. in der unfallchirurgischen operativen Praxis dar.
Planetary atmospheres
Authors: Taylor Fredric W.
Published: January 2011

Planetary meteorologists seek to understand the origin and evolution of the family of planets that orbit the Sun, to investigate the stability of their atmospheres and to compare the surface environment and climate with the Earth. The radiative, dynamical and chemical processes in Earth's atmosphere all have analogues on the other planets: by studying all of them, we learn more than by studying the Earth as an isolated example. Space missions to the planets are now sufficiently numerous and sophisticated, and computer models sufficiently versatile, to make such studies meaningful. This article reviews the current state of knowledge. Copyright © 2010 Royal Meteorological Society
Climate change and its human dimensions based on GIS and meteorological statistics in Pearl River Delta, Southern China
Authors: Dou Haoyang , Zhao Xinyi
Published: January 2011

Climate change in the Pearl River Delta (PRD) has attracted growing attention along with rapid urbanization in Southern China. Annual mean temperatures in this area have increased more rapidly than the average level, which can be attributed to population expansion and land use changes in this region.

In this study, temperature records from 31 weather stations in the PRD in Guangdong, China and the global dataset from the National Centres for Environmental Prediction (NCEP) Reanalysis (R‐2) are analysed. Data from NCEP R‐2 and temperature soundings taken at 850 hPa are used to define the background temperature. Anthropogenic temperature is then calculated according to the observed temperature and background temperature. The relationships of anthropogenic temperature to population density and area ratio of land‐use types are analysed by univariate and multiple regression analysis techniques.

Spatial distribution of anthropogenic temperature in the daytime is different from that at night. Model results indicate that relationships between population and anthropogenic temperature in the daytime are logarithmic or inverse but tend to be linearly related at night. Multiple regression analysis conducted on the area ratios of land‐use types and anthropogenic temperature shows that a strong relationship exists between the two in spring and autumn. Positive correlations with anthropogenic temperature from arid land, water bodies and urban land, as well as a negative correlation from woodland, are detected regardless of time of day. Contrary to the paddy field, grassland and sea show a negative correlation with anthropogenic temperature in the daytime and a positive correlation at night. Copyright © 2010 Royal Meteorological Society
Wind speed variability over Iran and its impact on wind power potential: a case study for Esfehan Province
Authors: Rahimzadeh Fatemeh , Noorian Ali Mohammad , Pedram Mojdeh , Kruk Michael C.
Published: January 2011

According to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), there is a need to carry out in‐depth research into the potential for renewable energy as part of international efforts to combat climate change and reduce dependency on fossil fuels. The purpose of this study is to examine long‐term wind speed variability using seasonal and annual wind speed data at 32 Iranian synoptic stations from 1960 to 2005 to assess if wind power is a plausible source of renewable energy for Iran. Least‐square regression methods and the Kruskal–Wallis test were used to determine the trends and decadal changes in wind speed.

Esfehan province was selected for assessment of the impacts on wind power potential owing to its progressive and forward thinking in exploration of renewable energy. Wind power potential was estimated by fitting a hybrid of the Weibull distribution to the 3 hourly wind data.

This assessment revealed a declining trend in annual wind speeds in the central part of Iran and an increasing trend near the Iranian borders during the study period. The patterns on seasonal and annual scales were generally similar.

The results indicated a similar pattern of wind power variation for stations in Esfehan province, except Ardestan. The monthly wind power potential from November to January and from February to May may be representative of the low and high periods of wind energy, respectively. Consequently, despite the existence of wind speed variability and general declining trends across Esfehan province, wind energy may be explored further over the coming years by employing modern wind turbines that require lower start‐up speeds. Copyright © 2010 Royal Meteorological Society
Cytogenetic analysis of 355 cases of fetal loss in different trimesters
Authors: Zhang Lin , Zhang Xiao‐hong , Wang Jian‐liu , Ren Mei‐hong , Pei Qiu‐yan , Wei Jun
Published: January 2011

Objective

We estimated the success rates of cytogenetic analyses in different tissue samples after intrauterine fetal deaths and analyzed the value of cytogenetic testing for determining the causes.

Methods

Women with intrauterine fetal deaths (occurring at > 10 weeks of gestation) were offered either invasive testing before medical induction of labor, or solid tissue biopsy diagnosis after delivery.

Results

A total cohort of 355 intrauterine fetal deaths was studied. During antepartum examinations, invasive procedures included amniocentesis (AMC), chorionic villus sampling (CVS) and umbilical cord (UBC) sampling. During postpartum examinations, samples were taken from unfixed specimens of fetal skin, placenta and other tissues. Chromosomal abnormalities were observed in 22 fetal deaths for which cytogenetic analyses were successful. Logistic regression analysis identified antepartum invasive sampling [P = 0.000, odds ratio (OR) 31.125, 95% confidence interval (CI) 14.265–67.908] to be associated with a high cytogenetic success rate and older age with fetal deaths (P = 0.104, OR 0.487, 95% CI 0.204–1.160) not to be associated with a high chromosomal abnormality. In the patients with recurrent pregnancy loss, the chromosomal abnormality rate of 18.6% of spontaneous abortions has not been significantly more than that of fetal deaths 11.5% (P = 0.437).

Conclusion

Parents should be counseled on all aspects of cytogenetic analysis after fetal death. Antepartum testing after pregnancy loss is recommended. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Aberrant lymphatic development in euploid fetuses with increased nuchal translucency including Noonan syndrome
Authors: de Mooij Yolanda M. , van den Akker Nynke M. S. , Bekker Mireille N. , Bartelings Margot M. , van Vugt John M. G. , Gittenberger‐de Groot Adriana C.
Published: January 2011

Objective

Increased nuchal translucency in the human fetus is associated with aneuploidy, structural malformations and several syndromes such as Noonan syndrome. In 60–70% of the Noonan syndrome cases, a gene mutation can be demonstrated. Previous research showed that aneuploid fetuses with increased nuchal translucency (NT) demonstrate an aberrant lymphatic endothelial differentiation.

Method

Fetuses with increased NT and normal karyotype (n = 7) were compared with euploid controls having normal NT (n = 5). A Noonan syndrome gene mutation was found in three out of seven fetuses with increased NT. Endothelial differentiation was evaluated by immunohistochemistry using lymphatic markers (PROX‐1, Podoplanin, LYVE‐1) and blood vessel markers vascular endothelial growth factor‐A (VEGF‐A), Neuropilin‐1 (NP‐1), Sonic hedgehog, von Willebrand factor, and the smooth muscle cell marker, smooth muscle actin.

Results

Nuchal edema and enlarged jugular lymphatic sacs (JLSs) were observed in fetuses with increased NT, together with abnormal lymphatic endothelial differentiation i.e. the presence of blood vessel characteristics, including high levels of VEGF‐A and NP‐1 expression. The enlarged JLSs contained erythrocytes and were surrounded by smooth muscle cells.

Conclusion

This study shows an aberrant lymphatic endothelial differentiation in fetuses with increased NT and a normal karyotype (including Noonan syndrome fetuses), as was previously reported before in aneuploid fetuses. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Adjustment of maternal serum alpha‐fetoprotein levels in women with pregestational diabetes
Authors: Sprawka Nicole , Lambert‐Messerlian Geralyn , Palomaki Glenn E. , Eklund Elizabeth E. , Canick Jacob A.
Published: January 2011

Objective

Decreased second trimester levels of maternal serum alpha‐fetoprotein (MSAFP) have been reported in women with pregestational diabetes leading some laboratories to use a correction factor. The aim of this study is to determine if MSAFP levels in pregnant women with diabetes managed on oral antidiabetic agents is lower than non‐diabetic controls and require adjustment similar to those on insulin.

Study design

We performed a nested case/control study of an existing dataset using women with pregestational diabetes who had routine MSAFP values available.

Results

Before adjusting the MSAFP value for weight, both the diabetic patients who used insulin (n = 68) and those who used oral antidiabetic agents (n = 37) showed a non‐significant trend toward a lower multiples of the median (MoM) as compared with controls (n = 244). After converting the raw MSAFP values to race‐adjusted MoM and adjusting for weight, the median MSAFP MoM for women taking insulin (1.01) versus those on oral antidiabetic agents (1.00) were essentially the same. Furthermore, both of the diabetic groups were virtually identical to non‐diabetic controls.

Conclusions

In our study, women with pregestational diabetes managed on either insulin or oral antidiabetic agents had weight‐adjusted MSAFP MoM levels equivalent to those in control pregnancies and did not require a correction factor. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Maternal serum insulin‐like growth factor‐binding protein‐1 (IGFBP‐1) at 11–13 weeks in pre‐eclampsia
Authors: Sifakis Stavros , Akolekar Ranjit , Kappou Dimitra , Mantas Nikitas , Nicolaides Kypros H.
Published: January 2011

Objective

The aim of this study was to determine the maternal serum concentration of insulin‐like growth factor‐binding protein‐1 (IGFBP‐1) at 11–13 weeks' gestation in pregnancies that subsequently develop pre‐eclampsia (PE) and to examine the possible association with uterine artery pulsatility index (PI).

Methods

Maternal serum concentration of IGFBP‐1 and uterine artery PI were measured in 60 cases that developed PE, including 20 that required delivery before 34 weeks (early‐PE) and 120 unaffected controls. The measured IGFBP‐1 concentration and uterine artery PI were converted into a multiple of the expected median (MoM) in unaffected pregnancies and median MoM values were compared in the outcome groups. Regression analysis was used to determine the significance of association of IGFBP‐1 MoM with uterine artery PI MoM.

Results

In the early‐ and late‐PE groups, the median IGFBP‐1 was decreased (0.63 and 0.67 MoM, respectively) and uterine artery PI was increased (1.31 and 1.19 MoM, respectively). In the group that developed PE there were no significant associations between serum IGFBP‐1 with uterine artery PI (p = 0.210).

Conclusion

In pregnancies that develop PE, the serum IGFBP‐1 is decreased from the first trimester suggesting that IGFBP‐1 may be implicated in the pathogenesis of PE in a mechanism unrelated to impaired placental perfusion. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Hypomethylated DSCR4 is a placenta‐derived epigenetic marker for trisomy 21
Authors: Du Yingying , Zhang Jin , Wang Huijun , Yan Xiaoling , Yang Yingjun , Yang Lu , Luo Xin , Chen Yating , Duan Tao , Ma Duan
Published: January 2011

Background

Trisomy 21 is the most common chromosomal aberration in live births. Some efforts have been made to develop noninvasive prenatal detection of trisomy 21 by using fetal DNA in maternal plasma. Due to the maternal DNA background, a distinguishable marker between maternal DNA and fetal DNA must be used, such as DNA methylation. The objective of this study was to search for fetal‐specific methylation markers on chromosome 21.

Methods

We chose six genes highly or specifically expressed in placenta and screened the methylation status of these gene promoter regions by combination of methylated‐DNA precipitation and methylation‐sensitive restriction enzymes assay (COMPARE‐MS). We further determined the methylation status of each CpG site within selected gene fragments by bisulfite sequencing. At last, we detected the placenta‐derived methylation marker in the first‐trimester maternal plasma by real‐time methylation‐specific PCR (MSP).

Results

Down syndrome (DS) critical region gene 4 (DSCR4) promoter region was found to be hypomethylated in placental tissues and densely methylated in maternal blood cells. Unmethylated DSCR4 (Down syndrome) sequence can be detected in the first‐trimester maternal plasma.

Conclusion

DSCR4 promoter DNA is a candidate fetal epigenetic marker for noninvasive prenatal detection of trisomy 21. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Computer simulation and preparation of molecularly imprinted polymer membranes with chlorogenic acid as template
Authors: Li Xiu Fang , Zhong Shi An , Chen Lan , Whittaker Andrew
Published: January 2011

A computational approach was developed for screening functional monomers for rational design of molecularly imprinted polymer (MIP) membranes. It was based on a comparison of the binding energy of complexes between a template and various functional monomers. According to the results of theoretical calculations, MIP membranes with chlorogenic acid as a template were prepared with a UV irradiation polymerization method, using 4‐vinylpyridine as a functional monomer and N,N′‐methylenebisacrylamide as a crosslinker, with poly(vinylidene fluoride) microfiltration membranes as the support. Membranes covered with a thin layer of imprinted polymer selective to chlorogenic acid were then obtained and tested using the equilibrium‐adsorption method. The high affinity of these synthetic membranes to chlorogenic acid, together with their straightforward and inexpensive preparation, provides a good basis for the development of applications of imprinted polymers in separation processes such as solid‐phase extraction. Copyright © 2011 Society of Chemical Industry
Synthesis of spin labelled silica and EPR molecular dynamics study at silica–polymer interfaces
Authors: Dondi D. , Pepori F. , Buttafava A. , Ottaviani M.F. , Faucitano A.
Published: January 2011

Information concerning the interface structure in filler/polymer composites is of key importance for the rationalization of reaction mechanisms in mechano‐chemical (extrusion, blending, etc.), thermal or radiation induced free radical processes and for elucidating the factors underlying the reinforcing mechanism. The analysis of the chain dynamics is a suitable tool for undertaking such investigations because any reactivity parameter (rate constants, collisional frequencies, activation energies) and bonding interactions are strictly related to the mobility of the interacting centres. EPR spectroscopy coupled with specific spin labelling at the filler/polymer interface is a tool for making such novel perspective available. In this work, a spin labelling study of the molecular motion at the filler–rubber interface in a silica–SBR blend is reported. Spin labels of different length, spanning a 9–11 Å depth and linked to the surface of silica particles, were prepared and used for determining the rotational diffusion tensors, the T50 and order parameter in silica/SBR interfaces. The measurements carried out as a function of the temperature in comparison with unbound spin probes dispersed in the rubber matrix have afforded information consistent with the structure of the interfaces predicted by molecular–level theoretical models. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The N0‐binding region of the vesicular stomatitis virus phosphoprotein is globally disordered but contains transient α‐helices
Authors: Leyrat Cédric , Jensen Malene Ringkjøbing , Ribeiro Euripedes A. , Gérard Francine C. A. , Ruigrok Rob W. H. , Blackledge Martin , Jamin Marc
Published: January 2011

The phosphoprotein (P) of vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV) interacts with nascent nucleoprotein (N), forming the N0–P complex that is indispensable for the correct encapsidation of newly synthesized viral RNA genome. In this complex, the N‐terminal region (PNTR) of P prevents N from binding to cellular RNA and keeps it available for encapsidating viral RNA genomes. Here, using nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy and small‐angle X‐ray scattering (SAXS), we show that an isolated peptide corresponding to the 60 first N‐terminal residues of VSV P (P60) and encompassing PNTR has overall molecular dimensions and a dynamic behavior characteristic of a disordered protein but transiently populates conformers containing α‐helices. The modeling of P60 as a conformational ensemble by the ensemble optimization method using SAXS data correctly reproduces the α‐helical content detected by NMR spectroscopy and suggests the coexistence of subensembles of different compactness. The populations and overall dimensions of these subensembles are affected by the addition of stabilizing (1M trimethylamine‐N‐oxide) or destabilizing (6M guanidinium chloride) cosolvents. Our results are interpreted in the context of a scenario whereby VSV PNTR constitutes a molecular recognition element undergoing a disorder‐to‐order transition upon binding to its partner when forming the N0–P complex.
Structural repertoire of immunoglobulin λ light chains
Authors: Chailyan Anna , Marcatili Paolo , Cirillo Davide , Tramontano Anna
Published: January 2011

The immunoglobulin λ isotype is present in nearly all vertebrates and plays an important role in the human immune system. Despite its importance, few systematic studies have been performed to analyze the structural conformation of its variable regions, contrary to what is the case for κ and heavy chains. We show here that an analysis of the structures of λ chains allows the definition of a discrete set of recurring conformations (canonical structures) of their hypervariable loops and, most importantly, the identification of sequence constraints that can be used to predict their structure. We also show that the structural repertoire of λ chains is different and more varied than that of the κ chains, consistently with the current view of the involvement of the two major light‐chain families in complementary strategies of the immune system to ensure a fine tuning between diversity and stability in antigen recognition. Proteins 2011; © 2011 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Insecticide resistance status of Aedes aegypti (L.) from Colombia
Authors: Fonseca‐González Idalyd , Quiñones Martha L , Lenhart Audrey , Brogdon William G
Published: January 2011

BACKGROUND: To evaluate the insecticide susceptibility status of Aedes aegypti (L.) in Colombia, and as part of the National Network of Insecticide Resistance Surveillance, 12 mosquito populations were assessed for resistance to pyrethroids, organophosphates and DDT. Bioassays were performed using WHO and CDC methodologies. The underlying resistance mechanisms were investigated through biochemical assays and RT‐PCR.

RESULTS: All mosquito populations were susceptible to malathion, deltamethrin and cyfluthrin, and highly resistant to DDT and etofenprox. Resistance to lambda‐cyhalothrin, permethrin and fenitrothion ranged from moderate to high in some populations from Chocó and Putumayo states. In Antioquia state, the Santa Fe population was resistant to fenitrothion. Biochemical assays showed high levels of both cytochrome P450 monooxygenases (CYP) and non‐specific esterases (NSE) in some of the fenitrothion‐ and pyrethroid‐resistant populations. All populations showed high levels of glutathione‐S‐transferase (GST) activity. GSTe2 gene was found overexpressed in DDT‐resistant populations compared with Rockefeller susceptible strain.

CONCLUSIONS: Differences in insecticide resistance status were observed between insecticides and localities. Although the biochemical assay results suggest that CYP and NSE could play an important role in the pyrethroid and fenitrothion resistance detected, other mechanisms remain to be investigated, including knockdown resistance. Resistance to DDT was high in all populations, and GST activity is probably the main enzymatic mechanism associated with this resistance. The results of this study provide baseline data on insecticide resistance in Colombian A. aegypti populations, and will allow comparison of changes in susceptibility status in this vector over time. Copyright © 2011 Society of Chemical Industry
Multireference theoretical studies on the solvent effect of firefly multicolor bioluminescence
Authors: Chen Shu‐Feng , Yue Ling , Liu Ya‐Jun , Lindh Roland
Published: January 2011

In concert with the recent spectroscopic studies of the light‐color modulation mechanism of firefly (Hirano et al., J Am Chem Soc 2009, 131, 2385), quantum chemical calculations using complete active space SCF (CASSCF), multistate complete active space second order perturbation (MS‐CASPT2) theory as well as a time‐dependent density functional theory (TD‐DFT) approach with the Coulomb attenuated hybrid exchange‐correlation functional (CAM‐B3LYP) were performed on the excited state (S1) of the keto‐form oxyluciferin (keto‐OxyLH2). Benzene, DMSO, CH3CN, and H2O were chosen as polar solvents. The polarization effect of less polar solvent was considered by a simple model, complex of keto‐OxyLH2, and NH3 with different covalent character. The calculated results supported the experimental conclusion: (1) the light emitter of bioluminescence is the S1 state of keto‐OxyLH2 anion [(keto‐1)*], and (2) light emission from (keto‐1)* is modulated by the polarity of surrounding environment and the degree of covalent character of hydrogen bond between (keto‐1)* and a protonated basic moiety. The mechanism of the multicolor bioluminescence was discussed from the theoretical viewpoint. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem 111:3371–3377, 2010
Dissolving Microneedle Patch for Transdermal Delivery of Human Growth Hormone
Authors: Lee Jeong Woo , Choi Seong‐O , Felner Eric I. , Prausnitz Mark R.
Published: January 2011

The clinical impact of biotechnology has been constrained by the limitations of traditional hypodermic injection of biopharmaceuticals. Microneedle patches have been proposed as a minimally invasive alternative. In this study, the translation of a dissolving microneedle patch designed for simple, painless self‐administration of biopharmacetucials that generates no sharp biohazardous waste is assessed. To study the pharmacokinetics and safety of this approach, human growth hormone (hGH) was encapsulated in 600 μm‐long dissolving microneedles composed of carboxymethylcellulose and trehalose using an aqueous, moderate‐temperature process that maintained complete hGH activity after encapsulation and retained most activity after storage for up to 15 months at room temperature and humidity. After manual insertion into the skin of hairless rats, hGH pharmacokinetics were similar to conventional subcutaneous injection. After patch removal, the microneedles had almost completely dissolved, leaving behind only blunt stubs. The dissolving microneedle patch was well tolerated, causing only slight, transient erythema. This study suggests that a dissolving microneedle patch can deliver hGH and other biopharmaceuticals in a manner suitable for self‐administration without sharp biohazardous waste.
CFD simulations of the MEXICO rotor
Authors: Bechmann A. , Sørensen N. N. , Zahle F.
Published: January 2011

The wake behind a wind turbine model is investigated using Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD), and results are compared with measurements. The turbine investigated is the three‐bladed test rotor (D = 4.5  m) used in the Model Experiments in Controlled Conditions (MEXICO) wind tunnel experiment. During the MEXICO experiment, particle image velocimetry measurements of the induction upstream and downstream of the rotor were performed for different operating conditions, giving a unique dataset to verify theoretical models and CFD models. The present paper first describes the efforts in reproducing the experimental results using the Reynold‐Averaged Navier‐Stokes method. Second, three‐dimensional airfoil characteristics are extracted that allow simulations with simpler wake models. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Harmonic analysis
Authors: Krantz Steven G.
Published: January 2011

Harmonic analysis is the foundation for much of modern mathematical analysis. Based on the idea of breaking up an arbitrary function into simple component functions, harmonic analysis has become a powerful and pervasive part of mathematics. Image processing, signal compression, partial differential equations, control theory, and many other essential parts of engineering and applied mathematics are studied using aspects of harmonic analysis. Fourier series, Fourier transforms, pseudodifferential operators, and wavelets are all aspects of the subject that find application to real‐world problems. The subject of this article acquaints the reader with the fundamental components of this type of analysis. Minimal background is required to come away with an appreciation of the power and diversity of the methodology. WIREs Comp Stat 2011 3 163–167 DOI: 10.1002/wics.143

This article is categorized under:

Data: Types and Structure > Time Series, Stochastic Processes, and Functional Data
The use of classification trees for bioinformatics
Authors: Chen Xiang , Wang Minghui , Zhang Heping
Published: January 2011

Classification trees are nonparametric statistical learning methods that incorporate feature selection and interactions, possess intuitive interpretability, are efficient, and have high prediction accuracy when used in ensembles. This paper provides a brief introduction to the classification tree‐based methods, a review of the recent developments, and a survey of the applications in bioinformatics and statistical genetics. © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. WIREs Data Mining Knowl Discov 2011 1 55‐63 DOI: 10.1002/widm.14

This article is categorized under:

Algorithmic Development > Hierarchies and Trees

Algorithmic Development > Statistics

Technologies > Classification

Technologies > Machine Learning
Introducing WIREs Data Mining and Knowledge Discovery
Authors: Pedrycz Witold
Published: January 2011

This article is categorized under:

Algorithmic Development > Biological Data Mining

Algorithmic Development > Spatial and Temporal Data Mining

Application Areas > Health Care

Technologies > Structure Discovery and Clustering
Robust statistics for outlier detection
Authors: Rousseeuw Peter J. , Hubert Mia
Published: January 2011

When analyzing data, outlying observations cause problems because they may strongly influence the result. Robust statistics aims at detecting the outliers by searching for the model fitted by the majority of the data. We present an overview of several robust methods and outlier detection tools. We discuss robust procedures for univariate, low‐dimensional, and high‐dimensional data such as estimation of location and scatter, linear regression, principal component analysis, and classification. © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. WIREs Data Mining Knowl Discov 2011 1 73‐79 DOI: 10.1002/widm.2

This article is categorized under:

Algorithmic Development > Biological Data Mining

Algorithmic Development > Spatial and Temporal Data Mining

Application Areas > Health Care

Technologies > Structure Discovery and Clustering
Simplicity and Typical Rank Results for Three-Way Arrays
Authors: ten Berge Jos M. F.
Published: January 2011

Matrices can be diagonalized by singular vectors or, when they are symmetric, by eigenvectors. Pairs of square matrices often admit simultaneous diagonalization, and always admit block wise simultaneous diagonalization. Generalizing these possibilities to more than two (non-square) matrices leads to methods of simplifying three-way arrays by nonsingular transformations. Such transformations have direct applications in Tucker PCA for three-way arrays, where transforming the core array to simplicity is allowed without loss of fit. Simplifying arrays also facilitates the study of array rank. The typical rank of a three-way array is the smallest number of rank-one arrays that have the array as their sum, when the array is generated by random sampling from a continuous distribution. In some applications, the core array of Tucker PCA is constrained to have a vast majority of zero elements. Both simplicity and typical rank results can be applied to distinguish constrained Tucker PCA models from tautologies. An update of typical rank results over the real number field is given in the form of two tables.
Simvastatin Therapy Reduces Prooxidant‐Antioxidant Balance: Results of a Placebo‐Controlled Cross‐Over Trial
Authors: Parizadeh Seyyed M. R. , Azarpazhooh Mahmoud R. , Moohebati Mohsen , Nematy Mohsen , Ghayour‐Mobarhan Majid , Tavallaie Shima , Rahsepar Amir A. , Amini Maral , Sahebkar Amirhossein , Mohammadi Maryam , Ferns Gordon A. A.
Published: January 2011

Oxidative stress is thought to play an important role in atherogenesis. The statin group of cholesterol‐lowering drugs have been shown to reduce cardiovascular events and possess antioxidant properties. We aimed to assess the effects of simvastatin on a novel measure of prooxidant–antioxidant balance (PAB) in dyslipidemic patients. The PAB assay can measure the prooxidant burden and the antioxidant capacity simultaneously in one assay, thereby giving a redox index. We treated 102 dyslipidemic individuals with simvastatin, or a placebo in a double‐blind, cross‐over, placebo‐controlled trial. PAB values were measured before and after each treatment period. Seventy‐seven subjects completed the study. We found that statin therapy was associated with a significant reduction in PAB values (P < 0.001). This effect appeared to be independent of the cholesterol‐lowering effects of statins. We conclude that serum PAB values are decreased by simvastatin therapy. Regarding previous reports on the elevation of PAB in conditions associated with oxidative stress, the PAB assay, along with other markers of oxidative stress, may be applied to estimate the extent of oxidative stress in patients, assessment of the antioxidative efficacy of medication such as statins and perhaps also for the identification of those individuals who need antioxidant therapy.
Changes in Lipid Composition and Antioxidant Capacity of Bitter Orange (Citrus aurantium. L) and Mandarin (Citrus reticulata. Blanco) Oilseeds on Different Stages of Maturity
Authors: Tounsi Moufida Saidani , Moulehi Ikram , Ouerghemmi Ines , Mejri Houda , Wannes Wissem Aidi , Hamdaoui Ghaith , Zemni Hassene , Limam Ferid , Marzouk Brahim
Published: January 2011

Oilseeds from bitter orange and mandarin and its antioxidant activities were investigated in this study. The effects of harvesting times (D1: green color, D2 yellow color, D3: orange color) on the extraction yield of oilseed were studied. The maximum yield of 44% was achieved at D3 (bitter orange). The chemical composition of the oilseed was analyzed by gas chromatography (GC). The main methyl esters were linoleic acid (C18:2, 32–42%), palmitic acid (C16:0, 22–26%)), stearic acid (C18:0, 9.01%) and linolenic acid (C18:3, 4–10%). The antioxidant activity of oilseed was assessed by means of 2,2‐diphenyl‐1‐picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical‐scavenging assay and β‐carotene bleaching test. Both methods demonstrated notable antioxidant activities of bitter orange and mandarin oilseeds, which is nearly comparable to the references ascorbic acid and butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT). The antioxidant activities of the oilseeds were also found to be harvesting time‐dependent.
Building the New New Orleans: Foundation and NGO Power
Authors: BondGraham Darwin
Published: January 2011

Most accounts of organized philanthropy's response to the Katrina disaster portray foundations as either providing critical resources in the absence of federal, state, and municipal leadership, or as mildly ineffective and uncommitted grantmakers with little understanding of local nonprofit and community needs. Through an in-depth case study of the three largest regional foundations and two largest foundations established as a direct response to Hurricane Katrina, I examine the overall role of philanthropy in the post-Katrina New Orleans, including the history, leadership, grantmaking practices, and ideology of the largest and most influential foundations. Far from being saviors in the absence of state leadership, nor bumbling and ineffective grantmakers, it is shown that dominant foundations and major NGOs have proven very effective in leading the local growth coalition's opportunistic response to the disaster.
Composition of cloudy microinclusions in octahedral diamonds from the Internatsional’naya kimberlite pipe (Yakutia)
Authors: Skuzovatov S.Yu. , Zedgenizov D.A. , Shatsky V.S. , Ragozin A.L. , Kuper K.E.
Published: January 2011

Diamond microinclusions provide the unique opportunity to study the composition of the mineral-forming medium. The paper presents the first data on the composition of cloudy microinclusions in the cores of octahedral diamonds from the Internatsional’naya pipe. These zones are of cuboid shape and have a fibrous internal structure. Here, the microinclusions form a continuous trend from chloride–carbonate to carbonate composition. Their composition slightly overlaps that of the microinclusions in cuboids from the same pipe, but in a carbonate-enriched zone. Also, data on N aggregation suggest that the early cubic zones which formed before octahedra crystallized at higher temperature or spent considerably more time in the mantle than cubic crystals and fibrous rims of variety IV diamonds.
Early–Middle Ordovician nappe tectonics of the junction between the Kokchetav HP-UHP metamorphic belt and the Stepnyak paleoisland arc (northern Kazakhstan)
Authors: Zhimulev F.I. , Buslov M.M. , Travin A.V. , Dmitrieva N.V. , De Grave J.
Published: January 2011

The North Kokchetav tectonic zone is located between the Kokchetav HP-UHP metamorphic belt and the Stepnyak zone of Ordovician island arc and oceanic complexes. The Kokchetav zone is a collage of nappes (thrust sheets) that consist of basement gneiss and sedimentary rocks of the Kokchetav microcontinent, granite gneiss, mica schists with eclogite blocks, the Shchuch’e ophiolite, Middle Proterozoic felsic volcanics, and Arenigian siliceous-terrigenous sediments with olistostromes. The latter are of gravity-sliding origin and their clastic material includes quartz-muscovite and quartz-garnet-muscovite schists, gneiss, dolomite, and amphibolite. The sheet boundaries are marked by mylonite and Early Ordovician mica schists (40Ar/39Ar ages of syntectonic muscovite are 489–469 Ma). The North Kokchetav collage of compositionally diverse thrust sheets can be interpreted as a collisional zone. According to geological evidence, tectonic activity in the zone lasted as late as the Middle Ordovician. Syncollisional thrusting in the North Kokchetav zone was coeval with the latest dynamic metamorphic event in the Kokchetav belt. All events of retrograde metamorphism and exhumation of HP and UHP rocks in the belt have Cambrian ages, i.e., the rocks had been exhumed prior to the Early–Middle Ordovician collisions and the related orogeny.
Oxidized magmatogene fluids: metal-bearing capacity and role in ore formation
Authors: Borisenko A.S. , Borovikov A.A. , Vasyukova E.A. , Pavlova G.G. , Ragozin A.L. , Prokop’ev I.R. , Vladykin N.V.
Published: January 2011

Based on study of fluid and melt inclusions in minerals from igneous rocks and associated ore-metasomatic objects, we consider the formation conditions of oxidized fluids produced at the final stages of differentiation of alkali-basic, alkaline, lamproitic, and some granitoid melts. These fluids are characterized by wide variations in composition, concentrations, and physicochemical parameters (P, T, Eh, pH, etc.) and are of sulfate-chloride, sulfate-carbonate, sulfate-fluoride, fluoride-sulfate, essentially sulfate, and other types. The specific composition of these magmatogene fluids showing a high extractive power favors the effective removal of ore-forming elements (Fe, Mn, Co, N, Ag, Cu, Pb, Zn, Mo, W, Bi, U, REE, etc.) from melt and their trapping from the host rocks. The set of these elements is determined by P-T-X-parameters, conditions of fluid separation from melts, composition of fluid-generating magmas, and geochemical composition and metal-bearing capacity of rocks through which the fluids migrate. These factors significantly determine the metallogeny of alkaline, alkali-basic, and some granitoid complexes and associated mineralization.
Downs, Stokes and the Dynamics of Electoral Choice
Authors: Sanders David , Clarke Harold D. , Stewart Marianne C. , Whiteley Paul
Published: January 2011

A six-wave 2005–09 national panel survey conducted in conjunction with the British Election Study provided data for an investigation of sources of stability and change in voters’ party preferences. The authors test competing spatial and valence theories of party choice and investigate the hypothesis that spatial calculations provide cues for making valence judgements. Analyses reveal that valence mechanisms – heuristics based on party leader images, party performance evaluations and mutable partisan attachments – outperform a spatial model in terms of strength of direct effects on party choice. However, spatial effects still have sizeable indirect effects on the vote via their influence on valence judgements. The results of exogeneity tests bolster claims about the flow of influence from spatial calculations to valence judgments to electoral choice.
Larval morphology ofMetaphycus flavusand its role in host attachment and larval cannibalism
Authors: Tena A. , Kapranas A. , Walker G.P. , Garcia-Marí F. , Luck R.F.
Published: January 2011

Metaphycus flavus(Howard) (Hymenoptera: Encyrtidae) is a facultatively gregarious endoparasitoid of soft scales (Hemiptera: Coccidae). When it develops in superparasitised hosts, the larvae often attack and consume brood mates six or more days post oviposition. Under our laboratory conditions (25±1°C and 14 hours of light followed by 18±1°C and ten hours of darkness in 50–70% R.H.),M. flavuseggs hatched three days after oviposition. Measurements of the mandibles and tentorium indicate there are four larval instars, andM. flavusreaches the fourth instar by day six post oviposition, and pupates on day eight. Thus, cannibalism amongM. flavuslarvae occurs during the fourth instar. During this instar,M. flavuslarvae separate from their attachment to the scale cuticle, to which they were tethered by a respiratory structure during the previous three larval instars. Once detached, they are free to move within the scale, which increases the probability of larval encounters and aggressive behaviours. Moreover, the mandibles of the fourth instar are better adapted for fighting than are those of the first three larval instars, since they are larger and more sclerotized. The cranium and mouthparts ofM. flavushave four different types of sensory organs, some of which are almost certainly olfactory, an unexpected function for a larva that presumably is surrounded by an aqueous medium where gustatory sensilla would seem to be more appropriate. The cranium also bears two pairs of what appear to be secretory pores.
Using lectins to identify hidden antigens inFasciola hepatica
Authors: McAllister H.C. , Nisbet A.J. , Skuce P.J. , Knox D.P.
Published: January 2011

Fasciola hepaticais the causative agent of fascioliasis, one of the most economically important helminth diseases of livestock worldwide. Traditionally, fascioliasis has been controlled by the strategic use of fasciolicidal drugs, but the emergence of resistant parasites has spurred an interest in developing vaccines as an alternative means of control. Most vaccine studies to date have evaluated conventional antigens, which are exposed to the host's immune system during the course of a natural infection. ‘Hidden’ antigens have proven to be effective vaccine candidates in other parasite species, most notably the blood-feeding nematode parasite,Haemonchus contortus,and tend to be expressed in the intestine or gut of the parasite. Fasciola hepaticais known to ingest large quantities of blood and may be vulnerable to this approach. Most, if not all, of the candidate antigens identified thus far have been membrane-bound glycoproteins which were solubilized by detergents. Here, we have attempted to employ lectins to select gut-associated glycoproteins from complex mixtures of somatic extracts of adultF. hepatica. We have conducted a comprehensive lectin-binding screen on adult histological sections with a panel of 16 fluorescently labelled lectins. Seven of the lectins bound to molecules within the gastrodermis but also bound to a range of other tissues. Within the gut tissues, jacalin and peanut lectins bound selectively to the gut lamellae and gastrodermal cells, respectively. These lectins were then used to isolate proteins from the integral membrane protein component of the adult fluke. Both lectins showed selectivity for relatively simple subsets of proteins compared to the original crude extracts.