bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
An Exploratory Study of the Otaku Adolescent Consumer
Authors: Niu Han‐Jen , Chiang Yung‐Sung , Tsai Hsien‐Tang
Published: September 2012

High accessibility to Internet technology and popularization of focus media has given rise to various emerging subcultures among the younger generation who constantly seek novelty. The otaku is such an adolescent subculture of avid collectors who have a special lifestyle and who are obsessed with anime products. This study explores this specific adolescent segment's traits and purchasing behavior patterns. A focus‐group interview was conducted with some adolescent otaku to allow them to express their opinions and purchasing behaviors. Then, a questionnaire was developed based on the interview's findings, and data from a survey of 105 respondents were collected. Exploratory factor analysis was applied to extract the otaku's trait factors, while confirmatory factor analysis and structural equation modeling were used for the verification of the scale and structural model, respectively. The results show that the adolescent otaku present an obsessive preference for visual perception. The main factor influencing the otaku's purchasing intentions in terms of animation, comics, and games (ACG) is their strong interest in and participation willingness toward ACG. Strategic marketing directions applied to this adolescent group should emphasize information visualization to entice their buying behavior.
Consumer Decision Making on the Web: A Theoretical Analysis and Research Guidelines
Authors: Punj Girish
Published: September 2012

Recent empirical data on online shopping suggests that consumers have the potential to make better quality decisions while shopping on the web. But whether such potential is being realized by most consumers is an unresolved matter. Hence, the purpose of this research is to understand how (1) certain features of electronic environments have a favorable effect on the abilities of consumers to make better decisions, and (2) identify information‐processing strategies that would enable consumers to make better quality decisions while shopping online. A cross‐disciplinary theoretical analysis based on constructs drawn from economics (e.g., time costs), computing (e.g., recommendation agents), and psychology (e.g., decision strategies) is conducted to identify factors that potentially influence decision quality in electronic environments. The research is important from a theoretical standpoint because it examines an important aspect of online consumer decision making, namely, the impact of the electronic environment on the capabilities of consumers. It is important from both a managerial and public policy standpoint because the ability of shoppers to make better quality decisions while shopping online is directly related to improving market efficiency and enhancing consumer welfare in electronic markets.
Higher‐order generalized invexity in variational problems
Authors: Padhan S.K. , Nahak C.
Published: September 2012

We introduce higher‐order duality (Mangasarian type and Mond–Wier type) of variational problems. Under higher‐order generalized invexity assumptions on functions that compose the primal problem, higher‐order duality results (weak duality, strong duality, and converse duality) are derived for this pair of problems. Also, we establish many examples and counter‐examples to support our investigation. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Lycopene inhibits hepatic steatosis via microRNA‐21‐induced downregulation of fatty acid‐binding protein 7 in mice fed a high‐fat diet
Authors: Ahn Jiyun , Lee Hyunjung , Jung Chang Hwa , Ha Taeyoul
Published: September 2012

Scope

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a chronic disorder characterized by hepatic fat accumulation and abnormal lipid metabolism. Here, we investigated the protective effect of lycopene on high‐fat diet‐induced hepatic steatosis and fatty acid‐induced intracellular lipid accumulation by miRNA regulation.

Methods and results

C57BL/6J mice were fed high‐fat diet with or without 0.05% lycopene for 8 weeks. Hepa 1–6 cells were treated with stearic acid (SA) after 24 h pretreatment with lycopene. Treatment of lycopene improved hepatic steatosis in high‐fat‐fed mice and reduced intracellular lipid accumulation induced by SA in Hepa 1–6 cells. We demonstrated that miR‐21 expression was decreased in livers from high‐fat diet‐fed mice and Hepa 1–6 cells treated with SA. Lycopene normalized the downregulation of miR‐21, which led to the downregulation of fatty acid‐binding protein 7 (FABP7), a direct target of miR‐21, at both the transcriptional and translational levels. This specific negative regulation of miR‐21 was achieved by targeting the FABP7 3′UTR. Upregulation of miR‐21 markedly blocked SA‐induced intracellular lipid accumulation by blocking FABP7 expression. Moreover, silencing of FABP7 reduced SA‐evoked lipid accumulation in Hepa 1–6 cells.

Conclusion

The results suggest that lycopene may be a useful functional compound for treating NAFLD by regulating hepatic lipid metabolism.
Prediction of physical–chemical properties of crude oils by 1H NMR analysis of neat samples and chemometrics
Authors: Masili Alice , Puligheddu Sonia , Sassu Lorenzo , Scano Paola , Lai Adolfo
Published: September 2012

In this work, we report the feasibility study to predict the properties of neat crude oil samples from 300‐MHz NMR spectral data and partial least squares (PLS) regression models. The study was carried out on 64 crude oil samples obtained from 28 different extraction fields and aims at developing a rapid and reliable method for characterizing the crude oil in a fast and cost‐effective way. The main properties generally employed for evaluating crudes' quality and behavior during refining were measured and used for calibration and testing of the PLS models. Among these, the UOP characterization factor K (KUOP) used to classify crude oils in terms of composition, density (D), total acidity number (TAN), sulfur content (S), and true boiling point (TBP) distillation yields were investigated. Test set validation with an independent set of data was used to evaluate model performance on the basis of standard error of prediction (SEP) statistics. Model performances are particularly good for KUOP factor, TAN, and TPB distillation yields, whose standard error of calibration and SEP values match the analytical method precision, while the results obtained for D and S are less accurate but still useful for predictions. Furthermore, a strategy that reduces spectral data preprocessing and sample preparation procedures has been adopted. The models developed with such an ample crude oil set demonstrate that this methodology can be applied with success to modern refining process requirements. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The epidemiology of urinary incontinence and it's influence on quality of life in Taiwanese middle‐aged women
Authors: Horng Shiow‐Shiun , Huang Nicole , Wu Shiow‐Ing , Fang Yi‐Ting , Chou Yiing‐Jenq , Chou Pesus
Published: September 2012

Aim

To evaluate the prevalence and risk factors of urinary incontinence (UI) and its effects on quality of life in women aged between 35 and 64 years.

Methods

Data were obtained from the 2005 National Health Interview survey, in which 4,661 women aged between 35 and 64 years responded to questions concerning UI occurrence and health‐related quality of life (HRQL), assessed using the Short Form 36, Taiwan version. Chi‐square tests and multiple logistic regressions were applied to analyze comorbidity and risk factors of UI. Multivariable liner regression was used to evaluate the association between UI and HRQL.

Results

The weighted UI prevalence in Taiwanese women aged 35–44, 45–54 years, and 55–64 years were 14.7%, 24.7%, and 32.4%, respectively. After adjustment, increased age, greater parity, higher BMI (body mass index), former HRT use, having a psychiatric disease, hyperlipidemia, and respiratory disease were identified as significant UI risk factors. Women with UI had significantly lower scores on all SF‐36 dimensions. After adjusting for other factors, UI remained a significant predictor of all domains of SF‐36 and was associated with reduced physical (by 2.31 points) and mental (by 2.76 points) component summary scores. From a mental health perspective, UI had a greater influence on HRQL than diabetes, hyperlipidemia, and chronic kidney disease.

Conclusion

The UI prevalence of Taiwanese women is high, and its negative effects on quality of life are greater than those of other major chronic conditions, but are often overlooked and seldom intervened. Neurourol. Urodynam. 32: 371–376, 2013. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Reliability and differentiation of pelvic floor muscle electromyography measurements in healthy volunteers using a new device: The multiple array probe leiden (MAPLe)
Authors: Voorham‐van der Zalm Petra J. , Voorham Jeroen C. , van den Bos Tine W.L. , Ouwerkerk Theo J. , Putter Hein , Wasser Martin N.J.M. , Webb Andrew , DeRuiter Marco C. , Pelger Rob C.M.
Published: September 2012

Aims

A new multiple electrode probe, the Multiple Array Probe Leiden (MAPLe), has been developed for biofeedback registration of the individual pelvic floor musculature (PFM). The aim was to determine the reliability and differentiation of electromyography (EMG) signals measured with the MAPLe in healthy volunteers.

Methods

Two hundred twenty nine healthy volunteers not seeking treatment or using medication for symptoms of prolapse, lower urinary tract, bowel, pain, and/or sexual function related to pelvic floor dysfunction were qualified to participate. Subjects were asked to perform five tasks: rest, maximum voluntary contractions, endurance, cough, and valsalva. Mean EMG values per electrode were registered. Test–retest reliability was assessed using linear mixed model with random subject effects. One‐way ANOVA tests were performed to detect differences between groups.

Results

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed that each of the electrodes could be related nearest to the individual muscles. For test‐retest, the intraclass correlation ranged from 0.53 to 0.91. The MAPLe showed significant differences in average EMG values between men and women, and between nulliparous and parous, pre‐ and prostmenpausal women. Significant differences were seen between the left and right sides of the pelvic floor. In addition, the activity nearest to the individual pelvic floor muscles (external anal sphincter (EAS), puborectalis muscle, bulbospongiosus, ischiocavernosus and the pubococcygeus muscle) could be determined.

Conclusions

The MAPLe is a reliable instrument measuring the EMG signals of the different sides and levels nearest to the pelvic floor musculature and is capable to differentiate between men and women, nulliparous, parous, pre‐ and postmenopausal. The findings of this study have implications for the diagnosis and treatment of pelvic floor dysfunction in the future. Neurourol. Urodynam. 32: 341–348, 2013. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
A new nine‐node solid‐shell finite element using complete 3D constitutive laws
Authors: Bassa B. , Sabourin F. , Brunet M.
Published: September 2012

The solid‐shell element presented in this paper has nine nodes: eight are classically located at the apexes and are fitted with three translational DOFs whereas the ninth is sited at the center and is endowed with only one DOF; a displacement along the ‘thickness’ direction. Indeed, to be used for modeling thin structures under bending effects, this kind of finite element has a favored direction where several integration points are distributed. Besides, there is solely one ‘in‐plane’ quadrature point to avoid locking phenomena and prohibitive CPU costs for large nonlinear computations. Because a reduced integration is not enough to completely prevent transverse shear locking, a shear–strain field is assumed. Compared with the other eight‐node ‘solid‐shell' bricks, the presence of a supplementary node has a main aim: getting a linear normal strain component which, along with a full three‐dimensional constitutive strain–stress behavior, allows to achieve similar results in bending cases as those obtained with the usual plane stress state hypothesis. For that, the ninth node DOF plays the role of an extra parameter essential for a quadratic interpolation of the displacement in the thickness direction. The advantage is that this DOF has a physical meaning and, for instance, a strength equivalent to a normal pressure can be prescribed. With a suitable nodal numbering, the band width is not significantly increased and meshes can easily be generated because the extra nodes are always located at element centers. To emphasize the peculiar features of such an element, a set of examples (linear and nonlinear) is carried out. Numerous comparisons with other elements show pretty good results in bending dominating problems while adding the event of a normal stress component in sheet metal forming simulations with double side contact. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A chitosan/poly(vinyl alcohol) nanocomposite film reinforced with natural halloysite nanotubes
Authors: Huang Dajian , Wang Wenbo , Kang Yuru , Wang Aiqin
Published: September 2012

Biodegradable polymer/clay nanocomposites have attracted tremendous attentions because of their excellent properties and ecofriendly advantages. In this article, a series of nanocomposite films were prepared by introducing of halloysite nanotubes (HTs) into chitosan (CS)/poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) matrix using the solution casting method, and the effect of HT as nanofillers on the properties of polymer/HT nanocomposites was explored. The results indicated that the tensile strength of CS/PVA/HT3 and elongation at break of CS/PVA/HT2 sharply increased by 39.72% and 26.14% in comparison with the pure CS/PVA film, respectively. The water resistance and thermal stability of polymer/HT nanocomposites were also improved compared with the pure CS/PVA film, but the optical property of the nanocomposite films was not affected by introducing HT into the CS/PVA matrix. POLYM. COMPOS., 2012. © 2012 Society of Plastics Engineers
Ten Years of Standardizing Proteomic Data: A Report on the HUPO‐PSI Spring Workshop
Authors: Orchard Sandra , Binz Pierre‐Alain , Borchers Christoph , Gilson Michael K. , Jones Andrew R. , Nicola George , Vizcaino Juan Antonio , Deutsch Eric W. , Hermjakob Henning
Published: September 2012

The Human Proteome Organisation Proteomics Standards Initiative (HUPO‐PSI) was established in 2002 with the aim of defining community standards for data representation in proteomics and facilitating data comparison, exchange and verification. Over the last 10 years significant advances have been made, with common data standards now published and implemented in the field of both mass spectrometry and molecular interactions. The 2012 meeting further advanced this work, with the mass spectrometry groups finalising approaches to capturing the output from recent developments in the field, such as quantitative proteomics and SRM. The molecular interaction group focused on improving the integration of data from multiple resources. Both groups united with a guest work track, organized by the HUPO Technology/Standards Committee, to formulate proposals for data submissions from the HUPO Human Proteome Project and to start an initiative to collect standard experimental protocols.
Survivor typologies predict medical surveillance participation: the childhood cancer survivor study
Authors: Cox Cheryl L. , Zhu Liang , Hudson Melissa M. , Steen Brenda D. , Robison Leslie L. , Oeffinger Kevin C.
Published: September 2012

Background

Adult survivors of childhood cancer adhere poorly to recommended medical surveillance. We sought to identify modifiable factors that contribute to non‐adherence.

Methods

Latent class analysis categorized survivors (ages 18–52 years) at risk of cardiac, breast, or bone late sequelae on the basis of their health‐related concerns, fears, and motivation. These classifications were compared at two time points for self‐reported adherence to recommended echocardiography, mammography, and bone densitometry screening.

Results

Three classes (worried, collaborative, and self‐controlling) characterized survivors in each of the three risk groups: cardiac (N = 564; Bayesian information criterion [BIC] = 10,824.66; Lo–Mendell–Rubin parametric likelihood ratio test [LRMLRT] P = .002), breast (N = 584; BIC = 11,779.97; LRMLRT P < .001), and bone (N = 613; BIC = 11,773.56; LMRLRT P = .028). Only 9% of at‐risk survivors in the self‐controlling class reported undergoing bone density screening in 2005, compared with 17.2% in the collaborative class (P = .034). Thirteen percent of the self‐controlling, 24% of collaborative (P = .025), and 34% of worried (P = .010) classes reported undergoing bone densitometry in 2009. Whereas 73% of at‐risk survivors in the worried class reported having had an echocardiogram in 2009, only 57% of the collaborative (P = .040) and 43% of self‐controlling (P < .001) classes did. In 2005 and 2009, respectively, fewer survivors in the self‐controlling class (37% and 53%) than in the collaborative (51%, P = .038 and 70%, P = .01) and worried (58%, P = .002 and 69%, P = .025) classes reported undergoing mammograms.

Conclusions

Modifiable intrapersonal characteristics associated with these three classes predict self‐reported participation in medical surveillance. Continued observation and validation of these survivor profiles may inform tailored interventions to enhance survivors' screening participation. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Plasma Polymerization of a Saturated Branched Hydrocarbon. The Case of Heptamethylnonane
Authors: De Vos Caroline , Vandencasteele Nicolas , Kakaroglou Alexandros , Nisol Bernard , de Graeve Iris , Van Assche Guy , Van Mele Bruno , Terryn Herman , Reniers François
Published: September 2012

2,2,4,4,6,8,8‐Heptamethylnonane (HMN), a saturated branched hydrocarbon precursor, is deposited by means of atmospheric plasma DBD. Hydrophobic coatings starting from this precursor which is liquid at room temperature can be obtained. The degree of polymerization of the coating seems to be dependent on the amount of provided precursor. The coatings were characterized by FTIR, TOF‐SIMS, WCA, SE, and XPS.

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Deposition and Characterization of a Low‐εr Thin Film Based on Plasma‐Polymerized 4‐Cumylphenol Cyanate Ester
Authors: Zhao Xiong‐Yan , Wang Ming‐Zhu , Sun Zhan‐Ying
Published: September 2012

A novel low‐εr polycyanurate film, plasma‐polymerized 4‐cumylphenol cyanate ester (PPCPCE) film is prepared by plasma deposition of 4‐cumylphenol cyanate ester (CPCE). Different from the conventional thermal polymerization of cyanate ester monomers, the plasma polymerization of CPCE proceeds mainly via the opening of π‐bonds of the O–CN cyanate ester functional groups which are further formed into a large π‐conjugated system[0]. Structural and morphology characterizations show that a smooth and homogenous PPCPCE film with a large π‐conjugated system and a high retention of the aromatic ring structure can be obtained at a lower discharge power of 5 W, which gives a low‐εr of 2.51. A higher discharge power brings about more severe molecular fragmentation and a significantly rougher film surface.

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Panax ginseng in Randomised Controlled Trials: A Systematic Review
Authors: Shergis Johannah L. , Zhang Anthony L. , Zhou Wenyu , Xue Charlie C.
Published: September 2012

Panax ginseng C.A. Meyer is a common herb with many purported health benefits. However, there is no conclusive evidence supporting its use in the treatment of any particular disease. We conducted a systematic review to evaluate randomised controlled trials. Four English databases were searched with no publication date restriction. Included studies evaluated P. ginseng in patients with any type of disease or in healthy individuals. We assessed the quality of studies using the Cochrane risk of bias tool. Of the 475 potentially relevant studies, 65 met the inclusion criteria. These studies examined P. ginseng's effects on psychomotor performance (17 studies), physical performance (ten), circulatory system (eight), glucose metabolism (six), the respiratory system (five), erectile dysfunction (four), immunomodulation (four), quality of life/mood (four), antioxidant function (two), cancer (two), menopausal symptoms (two) and dry mouth (one). The risk of bias was unclear in most studies. Authors evaluated adverse events in 40 studies, with 135 minor events and no serious adverse events reported. P. ginseng shows promising results for improving glucose metabolism and moderating the immune response. This may have implications for several diseases including type 2 diabetes and chronic respiratory conditions. Further studies are needed to explore P. ginseng's potential as an effective treatment for these and other health conditions. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
In Vitro Activity of Xanthorrhizol Isolated from the Rhizome of Javanese Turmeric (Curcuma xanthorrhiza Roxb.) Against Candida albicans Biofilms
Authors: Rukayadi Yaya , Hwang Jae‐Kwan
Published: September 2012

The purpose of this study was to investigate the activity of xanthorrhizol isolated from Curcuma xanthorrhiza Roxb. on Candida albicans biofilms at adherent, intermediate, and mature phase of growth. C. albicans biofilms were formed in flat‐bottom 96‐well microtiter plates. The biofilms of C. albicans at different phases of development were exposed to xanthorrhizol at different concentrations (0.5 µg/mL ‐ 256 µg/mL) for 24 h. The metabolic activity of cells within the biofilms was quantified using the XTT reduction assay. Sessile minimum inhibitory concentrations (SMICs) were determined at 50% and 80% reduction in the biofilm OD490 compared to the control wells. The SMIC50 and SMIC80 of xanthorrhizol against 18 C. albicans biofilms were 4 – 16 µg/mL and 8 – 32 µg/mL, respectively. The results demonstrated that the activity of xanthorrhizol in reducing C. albicans biofilms OD490 was dependent on the concentration and the phase of growth of biofilm. Xanthorrhizol at concentration of 8 µg/mL completely reduced in biofilm referring to XTT‐colorimetric readings at adherent phase, whereas 32 µg/mL of xanthorrhizol reduced 87.95% and 67.48 % of biofilm referring to XTT‐colorimetric readings at intermediate and mature phases, respectively. Xanthorrhizol displayed potent activity against C. albicans biofilms in vitro and therefore might have potential therapeutic implication for biofilm‐associated candidal infections. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
GEOMORPHOLOGICAL CONTROLS ON VEGETATION RESPONSES TO FLOW ALTERATIONS IN A MEDITERRANEAN STREAM (CENTRAL‐WESTERN SPAIN)
Authors: Bejarano M. D. , Sordo‐Ward A. , Marchamalo M. , González del Tánago M.
Published: September 2012

The expected recovery of the natural conditions of large regulated rivers over the distance downstream from a dam is limited by relative tributary size according to the Serial Discontinuity Concept; however, geomorphology may also influence the recovery process. We examined the woody vegetation of the riparian zone in seven river segments distributed along the regulated reach of the Tiétar River in central‐western Spain, which flows through two distinct geomorphic templates. Whereas the annual runoff has decreased by 30% on average along the entire studied reach following the construction of the Rosarito Dam and the initiation of field irrigation in the region, the magnitude and frequency of the peak flows decreased by 30% immediately downstream from the dam but recovered the natural values with the distance downstream. We evaluated the recovery patterns toward the natural riparian conditions by comparing woody species composition, diversity and distribution of vegetation patches established prior to and after dam completion. Our results did not indicate a recovery gradient of any of the analysed vegetation attributes downstream from the dam. Instead, we found that the difference in the slope of the stream channel and banks, the width of the valley and the size of substratum particles among the surveyed patches were factors that significantly mediated dam and tributary effects on vegetation and influenced the degree of vegetation recovery. Hence, the maintenance of the intensity of the flow alteration scheme by the numerous water withdrawals and the low tributary contributions, coupled with differential geomorphological characteristics along the reach, overwhelmed the natural tendency for the river to restore its natural conditions with distance downstream. Improving water management and, particularly, restoring endangered riparian ecosystems require a detailed understanding of existing and potential woody species behaviour across the geomorphological settings of rivers. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Monoclonal Antibodies Against Lgr5 Identify Human Colorectal Cancer Stem Cells
Authors: Kemper Kristel , Prasetyanti Pramudita R. , De Lau Wim , Rodermond Hans , Clevers Hans , Medema Jan Paul
Published: September 2012

In colorectal cancer (CRC), a subpopulation of tumor cells, called cancer stem cell (CSC) fraction, is suggested to be responsible for tumor initiation, growth, and metastasis. The search for a reliable marker to identify these CSCs is ongoing as current markers, like CD44 and CD133, are more broadly expressed and therefore are not highly selective and currently also lack function in CSC biology. Here, we analyzed whether the Wnt target Lgr5, which has earlier been identified as a marker for murine intestinal stem cells, could potentially serve as a functional marker for CSCs. Fluorescence-activated cell sorting-based detection of Lgr5, using three newly developed antibodies, on primary colorectal tumor cells revealed a clear subpopulation of Epcam+Lgr5+ cells. Similarly, primary CRC-derived spheroid cultures, known to be enriched for CSCs, contain high levels of Lgr5+ cells, which decrease upon in vitro differentiation of these CSCs. Selection of the Lgr5high CRC cells identified the clonogenic fraction in vitro as well as the tumorigenic population in vivo. Finally, we confirm that Lgr5 expression is dependent on the Wnt pathway and show that Lgr5 overexpression induces clonogenic growth. We thus provide evidence that Lgr5 is, next to a functional intestinal stem cell marker, a selective marker for human colorectal CSCs.
Nanomaterials‐supported Pt catalysts for proton exchange membrane fuel cells
Authors: Saha Madhu Sudan , Neburchilov Vladimir , Ghosh Dave , Zhang Jiujun
Published: September 2012

This paper reviews over 100 articles related to the development of nanotubes, nanofibers, and nanowires as catalyst supports for proton exchange membrane fuel cells. Several different novel methods for support and catalyst synthesis are discussed in detail. The fabrication processes for these nanomaterial‐supported platinum (Pt) catalysts, catalyst layers, and membrane electrode assemblies are also reviewed. On the basis of the literature review, several research directions for catalyst cost reduction, catalytic activity, and durability enhancement are proposed in this paper.

This article is categorized under:

Fuel Cells and Hydrogen > Science and Materials
Hand‐Rearing Wild Caribou Calves for Studies of Nutritional Ecology
Authors: Parker Katherine L. , Barboza Perry S.
Published: September 2012

Caribou (Rangifer tarandus) are considered difficult to hand‐rear in captivity because they are sensitive to the composition and volume of formulated milks. We used a strict feeding schedule and a commercial milk formula designed specifically for caribou to bottle‐feed neonates captured from five wild caribou herds in Alaska. Under a feeding protocol adjusted for age and mass, the growth rates and body mass of 26 hand‐reared caribou calves to weaning were similar to those of three maternally nursed caribou. This protocol allows caretakers to hand‐rear caribou that are as representative as possible of maternally raised neonates. Zoo Biol. 32:163–171, 2013. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Heparan sulfate derived disaccharides in plasma and total urinary excretion of glycosaminoglycans correlate with disease severity in Sanfilippo disease
Authors: de Ruijter J. , IJlst L. , Kulik W. , van Lenthe H. , Wagemans T. , van Vlies N. , Wijburg F. A.
Published: September 2012

Background

Sanfilippo disease (Mucopolysaccharidosis III) is a neurodegenerative lysosomal disorder characterized by accumulation of the glycosaminoglycan heparan sulfate (HS). MPS III has a large phenotypic variability and early assessment of disease severity is difficult. We investigated the correlation between disease severity and the plasma concentration of HS (pHS, defined by the sum of the heparan sulfate derived disaccharides obtained after enzymatic digestion) and urinary total GAGs level (uGAGs, measured by the dimethylene blue test) in a cross‐sectional cohort of 44 MPS III patients.

Methods

Disease severity was established on the basis of the age of complete loss of independent walking and of full loss of speech in all patients. Hazard ratios (HR) were obtained with cox‐regression analysis. In order to allow prediction of a severe phenotype based on a cut‐off value for pHS, patients were divided in two groups (severely affected and less severely affected) based on predictive mutations or on the age of full loss of speech. Receiver operator characteristics (ROC) were obtained for pHS.

Results

pHS and uGAGs were independently and linearly associated with an increased risk of speech loss with a HR of 1.8 (95 % CI 1.3–2.7) per 500 ng/ml increase of HS in plasma (p = 0.002), and a HR of 2.7 (95 % CI 1.6–4.4) per 10 mg/mmol creatinine increase of uGAGs (p < 0.001). pHS and uGAGS were less strongly associated with loss of walking. The area under the ROC curve for pHS was 0.85, indicating good discrimination.

Conclusion

pHS and uGAGs may be useful biomarkers for prediction of severity in MPS III.
Witnessing Phenotypic and Molecular Evolution in the Fruit Fly
Authors: Heil Caiti S. S. , Hunter Mika J. , Noor Juliet K. F. , Miglia Kathleen , Manzano-Winkler Brenda , McDermott Shannon R. , Noor Mohamed A. F.
Published: September 2012

This multi-day exercise is designed for a college genetics and evolution laboratory to demonstrate concepts of inheritance and phenotypic and molecular evolution using a live model organism, Drosophila simulans. Students set up an experimental fruit fly population consisting of ten white-eyed flies and one red-eyed fly. Having red eyes is advantageous compared to having white eyes, allowing students to track the spread of this advantageous trait over several generations. Ultimately, the students perform polymerase chain reaction and gel electrophoresis at two neutral markers, one located in close proximity to the eye color locus and one located at the other end of the chromosome. Students observe that most flies have red eyes, and these red-eyed flies have lost variation at the near marker but maintained variation at the far marker hence observing a “selective sweep” and the “hitchhiking” of a nearby neutral variant. Students literally observe phenotypic and molecular evolution in their classroom!
We can do better than effective dose for estimating or comparing low-dose radiation risks
Authors: Brenner D.J.
Published: September 2012

The effective dose concept was designed to compare the generic risks of exposure to different radiation fields. More commonly these days, it is used to estimate or compare radiation-induced cancer risks. For various reasons, effective dose represents flawed science: for instance, the tissue-specific weighting factors used to calculate effective dose are a subjective mix of different endpoints; and the marked and differing age and gender dependencies for different health detriment endpoints are not taken into account. This paper suggests that effective dose could be replaced with a new quantity, ‘effective risk’, which, like effective dose, is a weighted sum of equivalent doses to different tissues. Unlike effective dose, where the tissue-dependent weighting factors are a set of generic, subjective committee-defined numbers, the weighting factors for effective risk are simply evaluated tissue-specific lifetime cancer risks per unit equivalent dose. Effective risk, which has the potential to be age and gender specific if desired, would perform the same comparative role as effective dose, be just as easy to estimate, be less prone to misuse, be more directly understandable, and would be based on solid science. An added major advantage is that it gives the users some feel for the actual numerical values of the radiation risks they are trying to control.
Age at menarche, menstrual patterns, and menstrual characteristics in Jordanian adolescent girls
Authors: Bata Majed S.
Published: September 2012

Objective

To estimate the distribution of age at menarche and investigate menstrual patterns and symptoms among adolescent Jordanian girls.

Methods

Menstrual status data were collected from 596 secondary‐school students from the Amman area via a self‐administered questionnaire. Descriptive statistics, cross‐tabulation, and correlation coefficient calculations were used where appropriate, and probit analysis was applied to estimate mean ± SD age at menarche.

Results

The students' mean age was 15.7 ± 1.5 years. Mean age at menarche was 13.1 ± 1.1 years for those who recalled it and 12.8 ± 1.4 years per the probit analysis. Menstruation duration was 4 to 7 days for 73.6% of the students, and it was more than 7 days for 2.2%. Mid‐cycle pain was reported by 30.9% and dysmenorrhea by 37.6% of the students, 8% of whom needed to miss school 1 day per cycle. Body mass index was correlated with age at menarche (P = 0.002).

Conclusion

The mean age at menarche was close to that reported in studies from Europe and the USA, but it was younger than the age reported in studies from Africa.
Open-loop control of cavity oscillations with harmonic forcings
Authors: Sipp Denis
Published: September 2012

This article deals with open-loop control of open-cavity flows with harmonic forcings. Two-dimensional laminar open-cavity flows usually undergo a supercritical Hopf bifurcation at some critical Reynolds number: a global mode becomes unstable and its amplitude converges towards a limit cycle. Such behaviour may be accurately captured by a Stuart–Landau equation, which governs the amplitude of the global mode. In the present article, we study the effect on such a flow of a forcing characterized by its frequency ${\omega }_{f} $, its amplitude ${E}^{\ensuremath{\prime} } $ and its spatial structure ${\mathbi{f}}_{E} $. The system reacts like a forced Van der Pol oscillator. In the general case, such a forcing modifies the linear dynamics of the global mode. It is then possible to predict preferred forcing frequencies ${\omega }_{f} $, at which the global mode may be stabilized with the smallest possible forcing amplitude ${E}^{\ensuremath{\prime} } $. In the case of a forcing frequency close to the frequency of the global mode, a locking phenomenon may be observed if the forcing amplitude ${E}^{\ensuremath{\prime} } $ is sufficiently high: the frequency of the flow on the limit cycle may be modified with a very small forcing amplitude ${E}^{\ensuremath{\prime} } $. In each case, we compute all harmonics of the flow field and all coefficients that enter the amplitude equations. In particular, it is possible to find preferred forcing structures ${\mathbi{f}}_{E} $ that achieve strongest impact on the flow field. In the general case, these are the optimal forcings, which are defined as the forcings that trigger the strongest energy response. In the case of a forcing frequency close to the frequency of the global mode, a forcing structure equal to the adjoint global mode ensures the lowest forcing amplitude ${E}^{\ensuremath{\prime} } $. All predictions given by the amplitude equations are checked against direct numerical simulations conducted at a supercritical Reynolds number. We show that a global mode may effectively be stabilized by a high-frequency harmonic forcing, which achieves suppression of the perturbation frequencies that are lower than the forcing frequency, and that a near-resonant forcing achieves locking of the flow onto the forcing frequency, as predicted by the amplitude equations.
Streamwise dispersion and mixing in quasi-two-dimensional steady turbulent jets
Authors: Landel Julien R. , Caulfield C. P. , Woods Andrew W.
Published: September 2012

We investigate experimentally and theoretically the streamwise transport and dispersion properties of steady quasi-two-dimensional plane turbulent jets discharged vertically from a slot of width $d$ into a fluid confined between two relatively close rigid boundaries with gap $W\ensuremath{\sim} O(d)$. We model the evolution in time and space of the concentration of passive tracers released in these jets using a one-dimensional time-dependent effective advection–diffusion equation. We make a mixing length hypothesis to model the streamwise turbulent eddy diffusivity such that it scales like $b(z){ \overline{w} }_{m} (z)$, where $z$ is the streamwise coordinate, $b$ is the jet width, ${ \overline{w} }_{m} $ is the maximum time-averaged vertical velocity. Under these assumptions, the effective advection–diffusion equation for $\phi (z, t)$, the horizontal integral of the ensemble-averaged concentration, is of the form ${\partial }_{t} \phi + {K}_{a} {\text{} {M}_{0} \text{} }^{1/ 2} {\partial }_{z} \left(\phi / {z}^{1/ 2} \right)= {K}_{d} {\text{} {M}_{0} \text{} }^{1/ 2} {\partial }_{z} \left({z}^{1/ 2} {\partial }_{z} \phi \right)$, where $t$ is time, ${K}_{a} $ (the advection parameter) and ${K}_{d} $ (the dispersion parameter) are empirical dimensionless parameters which quantify the importance of advection and dispersion, respectively, and ${M}_{0} $ is the source momentum flux. We find analytical solutions to this equation for $\phi $ in the cases of a constant-flux release and an instantaneous finite-volume release. We also give an integral formulation for the more general case of a time-dependent release, which we solve analytically when tracers are released at a constant flux over a finite period of time. From our experimental results, whose concentration distributions agree with the model, we find that ${K}_{a} = 1. 65\pm 0. 10$ and ${K}_{d} = 0. 09\pm 0. 02$, for both finite-volume releases and constant-flux releases using either dye or virtual passive tracers. The experiments also show that streamwise dispersion increases in time as ${t}^{2/ 3} $. As a result, in the case of finite-volume releases more than 50 % of the total volume of tracers is transported ahead of the purely advective front (i.e. the front location of the tracer distribution if all dispersion mechanisms are ignored and considering a ‘top-hat’ mean velocity profile in the jet); and in the case of constant-flux releases, at each instant in time, approximately 10 % of the total volume of tracers is transported ahead of the advective front.
Systems of display: the making of anatomical knowledge in Enlightenment Britain
Authors: BERKOWITZ CARIN
Published: September 2012

Late eighteenth- and early nineteenth-century anatomy depended upon a variety of visual displays. Drawings in books, particularly expensive, beautiful and elaborately illustrated books that have been the objects of historians' fascination, were understood to function alongside chalk drawings done in classrooms, casual and formalized experience with animal and human corpses, text describing or contextualizing the images, and preserved specimens. This article argues that British anatomists of the late Enlightenment discovered and taught an intelligible, orderly Nature through comprehensive systems of display. These systems trained vision, and, taken as a whole, they can be used to understand a visual culture of science. Displays helped anatomists, artists and natural philosophers learn to see both the tiniest and the rarest of parts and an overall general plan of anatomy and relationship of parts. Each type of display was materially different from the others and each served to perfect human vision for a group of natural philosophers who valued sensory experience – primarily that of vision, but also that of touch – as the basis of learning. Together, these displays allowed the anatomist to see, in all of its dimensions, human nature, frozen in the ordered and unstressed state of fresh death, a comprehensible guide to life and its functions. A pedagogical context of use defined and bound such displays together as complementary parts of a unified project. A system of display stood in for Nature and at the same time represented her ordering by anatomists.
Genomic structure, organization and localization of the acetylcholinesterase locus of the olive fruit fly,Bactrocera oleae
Authors: Kakani E.G. , Trakala M. , Drosopoulou E. , Mavragani-Tsipidou P. , Mathiopoulos K.D.
Published: September 2012

Acetylcholinesterase (AChE), encoded by theacegene, is a key enzyme of cholinergic neurotransmission. Insensitive acetylcholinesterase (AChE) has been shown to be responsible for resistance to OPs and CBs in a number of arthropod species, including the most important pest of olives trees, the olive fruit flyBactrocera oleae. In this paper, the organization of theB. oleae acelocus, as well as the structural and functional features of the enzyme, are determined. The organization of the gene was deduced by comparison to theacecDNA sequence ofB. oleaeand the organization of the locus inDrosophila melanogaster. A similar structure between insectacegene has been found, with conserved exon-intron positions and junction sequences. TheB. oleae acelocus extends for at least 75 kb, consists of ten exons with nine introns and is mapped to division 34 of the chromosome arm IIL. Moreover, according to bioinformatic analysis, the Bo AChE exhibits all the common features of the insect AChE. Such structural and functional similarity among closely related AChE enzymes may implicate similarities in insecticide resistance mechanisms.
Genetic variation of Gongylonema pulchrum from wild animals and cattle in Japan based on ribosomal RNA and mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit I genes
Authors: Makouloutou P. , Setsuda A. , Yokoyama M. , Tsuji T. , Saita E. , Torii H. , Kaneshiro Y. , Sasaki M. , Maeda K. , Une Y. , Hasegawa H. , Sato H.
Published: September 2012

The gullet worm (Gongylonema pulchrum) has been recorded from a variety of mammals worldwide, including monkeys and humans. Due to its wide host range, it has been suggested that the worm may be transmitted locally to any mammalian host by chance. To investigate this notion, the ribosomal RNA gene (rDNA), mainly regions of the internal transcribed spacers (ITS) 1 and 2, and a cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) region of mitochondrial DNA of G. pulchrum were characterized using parasites from the following hosts located in Japan: cattle, sika deer, wild boars, Japanese macaques, a feral Reeves's muntjac and captive squirrel monkeys. The rDNA nucleotide sequences of G. pulchrum were generally well conserved regardless of their host origin. However, a few insertions/deletions of nucleotides along with a few base substitutions in the ITS1 and ITS2 regions were observed in G. pulchrum from sika deer, wild boars and Japanese macaques, and those differed from G. pulchrum in cattle, the feral Reeves's muntjac and captive squirrel monkeys. The COI sequences of G. pulchrum were further divided into multiple haplotypes and two groups of haplotypes, i.e. those from a majority of sika deer, wild boars and Japanese macaques and those from cattle and zoo animals, were clearly differentiated. Our findings indicate that domestic and sylvatic transmission cycles of the gullet worm are currently present, at least in Japan.
Chemical analysis of ice vein μ-environments
Authors: Barletta Robert E. , Roe Christopher H.
Published: September 2012

Icy environments (glacial ice and sea ice) can be complex ecosystems, supporting a diversity of communities. In particular, the μ-environments in which bacteria and algae are found are poorly understood. One important habitat is the liquid trapped in the ice, either as veins and triple junctions inherent in the ice structure or as liquid inclusions. μ-Raman spectroscopy is an analytical tool with the potential to characterise qualitatively and quantitatively these liquid μ-environments especially with respect to molecular anions such as nitrate, sulphate, bisulphate and MSA. Using a model system for glacial ice, splat-cooled samples were prepared from aqueous solutions of these anions at varying concentrations (50–75 mM total sulphate, 30–200 mM nitrate, and 10–55 mM MSA). Concentrations of these anions in the vein liquid were measured directly and non-destructively at –15 °C using μ-Raman spectroscopy. In agreement with predicted concentrations in glacial ice veins, it was found that typical ionic concentrations in veins are quite high, with mean concentrations ranging from 0.23 M to 3.5 M depending on anion type and initial concentration. For sulphate solutions, it was also possible to measure vein pH's directly. The observed pH in these systems was extremely low, in some cases ~1. The results of these model studies as well as the implications for ice vein concentrations in natural systems of polycrystalline ice are discussed.
Development of vocabulary in Spanish-speaking and Cantonese-speaking English language learners
Authors: UCHIKOSHI YUUKO
Published: September 2012

This study examines vocabulary growth rates in first and second languages for Spanish-speaking and Cantonese-speaking English language learners from kindergarten through second grade. Growth-modeling results show a within-language effect of concepts about print on vocabulary. Language exposure also had an effect on English vocabulary: earlier English exposure led to larger English vocabulary in kindergarten. There was no interference of early English exposure on native-language vocabulary. Moreover, Cantonese-speaking children had higher English expressive vocabulary scores than Spanish-speaking children and this difference remained for the 3 years. In contrast, although there were no significant differences in first language vocabulary at the start of kindergarten, Spanish-speaking children had steeper growth rates in first-language vocabulary than Cantonese-speaking children, after controlling for language of instruction and first-language concepts about print.
Evolutionary Sets of Safe Ship Trajectories Within Traffic Separation Schemes
Authors: Szlapczynski Rafal
Published: September 2012

The paper presents the continuation of the author's research on Evolutionary Sets of Safe Ship Trajectories (ESoSST) methodology. In an earlier paper (Szlapczynski, 2011) the author described the foundations of this methodology, which used Evolutionary Algorithms (EA) to search for an optimal set of safe trajectories for all the ships involved in an encounter. The methodology was originally designed for open waters or restricted waters when only the standard Convention on the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea (COLREGS, 1972) rules apply. However, within Traffic Separation Schemes (TSS), where additionally Rule 10 of COLREGS applies, the problem is much more complex and a new solution is needed. This paper introduces the extended ESoSST methodology, with a focus on changes that have to be made to obey Rule 10 and fully support TSS. These changes include detecting and penalizing TSS violations, as well as the pre-processing phase (generating the initial population, which includes predefined TSS-compliant tracks). The methodology has been designed for possible application in Vessel Traffic Service (VTS) centres. Its new mechanisms are presented with details. The examples are included of the results of the computer simulation tests carried out for the Gulf of Gdansk TSS to illustrate the methodology's effectiveness and functional scope.