bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Comparison of Pb Purification by Anion‐Exchange Resin Methods and Assessment of Long‐Term Reproducibility of Th/U/Pb Ratio Measurements by Quadrupole ICP‐MS
Authors: Kamber Balz S. , Gladu Annette H.
Published: March 2009

A comparison between HBr‐HCl and HBr‐HNO3 based anion chemistry is presented to test the efficiency of Pb purification in the preparation of samples for isotope ratio measurement by ICP‐MS. It was found that the small advantages in yield and blank offered by the HNO3‐based method were more than compensated by the more effective matrix removal of the HCl‐based method. Apart from very zinc rich matrices (e.g., sphalerite), a careful single pass purification using HBr and HCl removed more than 99.9% of the matrix. In preparation for the isotope ratio analysis, a small (2–5% m/v) liquid sample aliquot was analysed to determine U, Th and Pb concentrations by solution quadrupole ICP‐MS. This allowed accurate prediction of the expected ion signal and permitted optimal spiking with Tl, if desired, for mass bias correction. Long‐term results for international rock reference materials showed reproducibilities of better than 1% (Th/U) and 1.5% (U/Pb). For most geological applications, such analyses obviate the need for isotope dilution concentration measurements.
Immunohistochemical classification of amyloid deposits in surgical pathology
Authors: Jang BoGun , Koh Youngil , Seo Jeong‐Wook
Published: March 2009

Background and aim: Determining the specific type of amyloid is critical as prognosis and treatment of amyloidosis completely differs according to the type. As aggressive and radical treatments for systemic amyloidosis are newly emerging, accurate typing of amyloid has become more important. Methods: Immunohistochemistry was performed with four antibodies to major amyloid proteins on tissue microarrays. Results: Overall, of 49 cases from 39 patients, 32 specimens (65%) were successfully classified by immunohistochemistry (IHC) with clinical information. Immunoglobulin light chain related (AL) amyloid was the most common type, accounting for 49% of all. Among 19 patients with AL amyloid, 7 (37%) had multiple myeloma, while serum amyloid A related (AA) amyloid was found in 8 (16%) specimens, and all patients had chronic inflammatory diseases. In 18 specimens (35%), however, the type of amyloid could not be established due to lack of clinical clue and/or inconclusive immunostaining. Particularly, antibodies to lambda light chain and transthyretin frequently stained amyloid of other origin additionally, therefore complicated the typing of amyloid. Conclusion: Immunohistochemistry could be applied as useful tools for classification of amyloidosis in most cases and should be carefully interpreted in the light of clinical information.
Enrichment and Molecular Detection of Denitrifying Methanotrophic Bacteria of the NC10 Phylum
Authors: Ettwig Katharina F. , van Alen Theo , van de Pas-Schoonen Katinka T. , Jetten Mike S. M. , Strous Marc
Published: March 2009

Anaerobic methane oxidation coupled to denitrification was recently assigned to bacteria belonging to the uncultured phylum NC10. In this study, we incubated sediment from a eutrophic ditch harboring a diverse community of NC10 bacteria in a bioreactor with a constant supply of methane and nitrite. After 6 months, fluorescence in situ hybridization showed that NC10 bacteria dominated the resulting population. The enrichment culture oxidized methane and reduced nitrite to dinitrogen gas. We assessed NC10 phylum diversity in the inoculum and the enrichment culture, compiled the sequences currently available for this bacterial phylum, and showed that of the initial diversity, only members of one subgroup had been enriched. The growth of this subgroup was monitored by quantitative PCR and correlated to nitrite-reducing activity and the total biomass of the culture. Together, the results indicate that the enriched subgroup of NC10 bacteria is responsible for anaerobic methane oxidation coupled to nitrite reduction. Due to methodological limitations (a strong bias against NC10 bacteria in 16S rRNA gene clone libraries and inhibition by commonly used stopper material) the environmental distribution and importance of these bacteria could be largely underestimated at present.
Endophytic Colonization of Potato (
Solanum tuberosum
L.) by a Novel Competent Bacterial Endophyte,
Pseudomonas putida
Strain P9, and Its Effect on Associated Bacterial Communities
Authors: Andreote Fernando Dini , de Araújo Welington L. , de Azevedo João L. , van Elsas Jan Dirk , da Rocha Ulisses Nunes , van Overbeek Leonard S.
Published: March 2009

Pseudomonas putida
strain P9 is a novel competent endophyte from potato. P9 causes cultivar-dependent suppression of
Phytophthora infestans
. Colonization of the rhizoplane and endosphere of potato plants by P9 and its rifampin-resistant derivative P9R was studied. The purposes of this work were to follow the fate of P9 inside growing potato plants and to establish its effect on associated microbial communities. The effects of P9 and P9R inoculation were studied in two separate experiments. The roots of transplants of three different cultivars of potato were dipped in suspensions of P9 or P9R cells, and the plants were planted in soil. The fate of both strains was followed by examining colony growth and by performing PCR-denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (PCR-DGGE). Colonies of both strains were recovered from rhizoplane and endosphere samples of all three cultivars at two growth stages. A conspicuous band, representing P9 and P9R, was found in all
Pseudomonas
PCR-DGGE fingerprints for treated plants. The numbers of P9R CFU and the P9R-specific band intensities for the different replicate samples were positively correlated, as determined by linear regression analysis. The effects of plant growth stage, genotype, and the presence of P9R on associated microbial communities were examined by multivariate and unweighted-pair group method with arithmetic mean cluster analyses of PCR-DGGE fingerprints. The presence of strain P9R had an effect on bacterial groups identified as
Pseudomonas azotoformans
,
Pseudomonas veronii
, and
Pseudomonas syringae.
In conclusion, strain P9 is an avid colonizer of potato plants, competing with microbial populations indigenous to the potato phytosphere. Bacterization with a biocontrol agent has an important and previously unexplored effect on plant-associated communities.
The
Pseudomonas aeruginosa
Pyochelin-Iron Uptake Pathway and Its Metal Specificity
Authors: Braud Armelle , Hannauer Mélissa , Mislin Gaëtan L. A. , Schalk Isabelle J.
Published: March 2009

Pyochelin (Pch) is one of the two major siderophores produced and secreted by
Pseudomonas aeruginosa
PAO1 to assimilate iron. It chelates iron in the extracellular medium and transports it into the cell via a specific outer membrane transporter, FptA. We used the fluorescent properties of Pch to show that this siderophore chelates, in addition to Fe
3+
albeit with substantially lower affinities, Ag
+
, Al
3+
, Cd
2+
, Co
2+
, Cr
2+
, Cu
2+
, Eu
3+
, Ga
3+
, Hg
2+
, Mn
2+
, Ni
2+
, Pb
2+
, Sn
2+
, Tb
3+
, Tl
+
, and Zn
2+
. Surprisingly, the Pch complexes with all these metals bound to FptA with affinities in the range of 10 nM to 4.8 μM (the affinity of Pch-Fe is 10 nM) and were able to inhibit, with various efficiencies, Pch-
55
Fe uptake in vivo. We used inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry to follow metal uptake by
P. aeruginosa
. Energy-dependent metal uptake, in the presence of Pch, was efficient only for Fe
3+
. Co
2+
, Ga
3+
, and Ni
2+
were also transported, but the uptake rates were 23- to 35-fold lower than that for Fe
3+
. No uptake was seen for all the other metals. Thus, cell surface FptA has broad metal specificity at the binding stage but is much more selective for the metal uptake process. This uptake pathway does not appear to efficiently assimilate any metal other than Fe
3+
.
Analysis of mixtures of organic volatile compound in water by MIMS. Semiquantitative evaluation of data
Authors: Musilová-Kebrlová Natálie , Janderka Pavel
Published: March 2009

Chemometric analysis of intensities of ion currents measured by MIMS was demonstrated on two mixtures: nonpolar mixture containing benzene–toluene–p-xylene (set I) and polar mixture containing methanol–ethanol–propan-1-ol (set II), both in water solutions. The acquired MIMS data were evaluated off-line using Solver, a tool of Microsoft Excel and then verified by calculation of relative concentrations of components in mixtures. For evaluation we considered the additivity of ion currents coming from fragmentation of components, independent vapor permeation of components through membrane and unimolecular conditions in ion source of MS. By using this evaluation analysis it is possible to determine relative concentrations of organic substances in mixture, which penetrated through the membrane, without any separation. Set I penetrated according to the model analysis and the obtained relative concentrations were in reasonable agreement with the preset values. On the contrary, for set II the agreement of adjusted and calculated relative concentrations was not achieved due to high dielectric permittivity of alcohols.
Age-dependent penetrance of different germline mutations in theBRCA1gene
Authors: Al-Mulla F , Bland J M , Serratt D , Miller J , Chu C , Taylor G T
Published: March 2009

Aims:

BRCA1gene mutations have been extensively studied in relation to breast and ovarian cancer susceptibility. Various genotype–phenotype correlation attempts have yielded important data pertaining to the consequences ofBRCA1mutations. However, little is known about the effects of recurrentBRCAmutations on expressivity and the age of onset of cancer in a population. This study addresses whether different exon mutations have variable expressivity especially in relation to the age of onset of breast cancer.

Methods:

Using a step-wise systematic approach, culminating in the sequencing of allBRCA1andBRCA2exons with the addition of multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification, the relationship between disease phenotypes and gene mutations in 219 individuals and their family members was examined.

Results:

It is shown that differentBRCA1gene mutations have distinct effects that influence the age of onset of breast or ovarian cancer. Mutations in exon 2 of theBRCA1gene had significantly lower penetrance compared with mutations of exons 11, 13 and 20. The median age of affliction with breast cancer was 55 years for 185delAG in exon 2 (95% confidence interval (CI) 46.7 to 59.5), 47 years for the 4184delTCAA mutation in exon 11 (95% CI 39 to 55.4), and 41 years for exon 13 duplication (95% CI 32.9 to 49.7) of theBRCA1gene. Moreover, 14 novel mutations inBRCA1andBRCA2genes in the Yorkshire/Humberside population were identified.

Conclusions: The 185delAG mutation of theBRCA1gene is a low penetrance mutation that is age dependent especially when compared with the exon 13 duplication mutation. The data have important ramifications on screening, genetic counselling and prophylactic treatment of BRCA1 gene mutation carriers.
Clinical features of hepatic myelopathy in patients with chronic liver disease
Authors: Yin Y H , Ma Z J , Guan Y H , Ren Y D , Zhang Z L
Published: March 2009

Aim

To determine the clinical features of hepatic myelopathy (HM), a rare condition associated with chronic liver disease (CLD), in patients in the city of Harbin, China.

Methods

The medical files of 13 patients with HM were selected from 500 randomly chosen files of CLD patients registered in four Harbin hospitals. General information on all cases was summarised and clinical features were compared between HM positive patients (HM group) and HM negative CLD patients (control group). Detailed analysis of the clinical characteristics of HM positive patients was undertaken.

Results

The patients in the HM group ranged in age from 41–50 years, which did not differ significantly from the control group. However, the sex ratio in the HM group (12 males/1 female) was significantly higher (p<0.05) than in the control group (342 males/145 females).The most frequent underlying aetiology was post type B hepatitis (12 cases). All cases in the HM group had a history of relapsing hepatic encephalopathy (HE) before or after HM onset, and showed electroencephalographic (EEG) abnormalities; however, the results of spinal cord magnetic resonance imaging were negative, and cerebrospinal fluid analysis findings were normal. Except for clinical manifestations of bilateral lower limb spastic paralysis, the two groups did not differ significantly in regard to other symptoms or signs. Hypoproteinaemia (positive predictive value (PPV) 5.69%, negative predictive value (NPV) 99.65%), blood ammonia elevation (PPV 5.29%, NPV, 99.32%) and abnormal EEG (PPV 5.00%, NPV 100.00%) were sensitive and specific for HM diagnosis.

Conclusion

In Harbin, HM is found mainly among middle aged men with CLD caused by viral hepatitis and accompanied by relapsing onset of HE. Bilateral lower limb spastic paralysis with hypoproteinaemia, blood ammonia elevation and/or abnormal EEG are significant diagnostic indicators of HM.
AN ENTIRELY ANALYTICAL COSMOLOGICAL MODEL
Authors: SILVA E COSTA SANDRO
Published: March 2009

The purpose of the present study is to show that in a particular cosmological model, with an affine equation of state, one can obtain, besides the background given by the scale factor, Hubble and deceleration parameters, a representation in terms of scalar fields and, more important, explicit mathematical expressions for the density contrast and the power spectrum. Although the model so obtained is not realistic, it reproduces features observed in some previous numerical studies, and as such it indicates that the Chaplygin gas by itself is not competitive when compared to the usual Λ-CDM model.
Differentiating the Mood and Anxiety Disorders: A Quadripartite Model
Authors: Watson David
Published: March 2009

Recent work has focused on explicating the relations among the current mood and anxiety disorders. This research has yielded some important findings (e.g., the very strong link between generalized anxiety disorder and the unipolar mood disorders). I discuss problems associated with disorder-based analyses, however, and I argue that they need to be supplemented by examining relations among the specific symptom dimensions within these diagnostic classes. I demonstrate that two quantitative elements need to be considered when analyzing the properties of symptoms—the level of specificity and the magnitude of the general distress variance. These quantitative elements can be used to organize relevant symptoms into four groups (i.e., a quadripartite model) that reflect varying combinations of distress and specificity. I illustrate the value of this approach by reviewing the properties of the major symptom dimensions within posttraumatic stress disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and major depression.
Optimal Bespoke CDO Design via NSGA-II
Authors: Jewan Diresh , Guo Renkuan , Witten Gareth
Published: March 2009

This research work investigates the theoretical foundations and computational aspects of constructing optimal bespoke CDO structures. Due to the evolutionary nature of the CDO design process, stochastic search methods that mimic the metaphor of natural biological evolution are applied. For efficient searching the optimal solution, the nondominating sort genetic algorithm (NSGA-II) is used, which places emphasis on moving towards the true Paretooptimal region. This is an essential part of real-world credit structuring problems. The algorithm further demonstrates attractive constraint handling features among others, which is suitable for successfully solving the constrained portfolio optimisation problem. Numerical analysis is conducted on a bespoke CDO collateral portfolio constructed from constituents of the iTraxx Europe IG S5 CDS index. For comparative purposes, the default dependence structure is modelled via Gaussian and Clayton copula assumptions. This research concludes that CDO tranche returns at all levels of risk under the Clayton copula assumption performed better than the sub-optimal Gaussian assumption. It is evident that our research has provided meaningful guidance to CDO traders, for seeking significant improvement of returns over standardised CDOs tranches of similar rating.
Conditional Promises and Threats in Germany, China, and Tonga: Cognition and Emotion
Authors: Beller Sieghard , Bender Andrea , Song Jie
Published: March 2009

Conditional promises and threats are speech acts that aim at changing another person's behavior according to one's own goals. They combine several components on different levels: goals and incentives/penalties on the motivational level, formulations on the linguistic level, obligations on the deontic level, action sequences on the behavioral level, and affective responses on the emotional level. In a cross-cultural study – comparing Germany, China, and the Kingdom of Tonga – we examined the extent to which the cognitive understanding of conditional promises and threats on the various levels is shared across cultures. The results support conceptual universality, but also show that the different components are specifically affected by cultural conventions and values that shape communication styles, moral rules, and attribution tendencies.
Understanding Russian—South Korean Arms Trade
Authors: Se Hyun Ahn
Published: March 2009

This article reviews both the developments of and problems within Russian—South Korean arms trade cooperation. From a nontraditional and economic security perspective, this article argues that Russia's interest in selling weapons to South Korea has been primarily motivated by economic concerns and that this trade has also secured the economic interests of both countries. By being a new consumer of Russian arms, South Korea can help to alleviate both the serious depression that occurred in Moscow's defense industry after the collapse of the Soviet Union and—Moscow's more immediate concern—Russia's debt to South Korea. In addition, the arms trade with Russia has enabled South Korea to purchase new weapons and space high technologies at very competitive prices. There nevertheless remain a number of obstacles in the Russian—Korean arms trade.
Assessing Planning School Performance
Authors: Stiftel Bruce , Forsyth Ann , Dalton Linda , Steiner Frederick
Published: March 2009

To grow and prosper in an era when university departments are increasingly assessed comparatively and critically by national systems of accountability and ranking, planning schools need data that reflect the wide range of activities undertaken by planning educators. Recent developments surrounding planning school assessment in U.S. planning schools are considered in light of the history of university unit performance measurement internationally, and suggestions are made for development of a robust system of planning school assessment that includes the breadth of academic planners' work.
The Role of Mentoring Others in the Career Plateauing Phenomenon
Authors: Lentz Elizabeth , Allen Tammy D.
Published: March 2009

The purpose of the present study is to investigate relationships between mentoring others, perceptions of career plateauing, and job attitudes. A total of 306 government employees located in the southeastern United States completed surveys (50.08% response rate). Of these, 110 reported experience as a mentor. As expected, the results indicated that mentoring others was associated with more favorable job attitudes, whereas greater job content and hierarchical plateauing was associated with less favorable job attitudes. The results provided mixed support that mentoring others may alleviate the negative consequences associated with career plateauing. Specifically, the results indicated that mentor experience and psychosocial mentoring moderated the relationship for job content plateauing. Similar relationships were not found for hierarchical plateauing. Implications and future research suggestions are provided.
Ranolazine as an Adjunct to Cardioplegia: A Potential New Therapeutic Application
Authors: Hwang Hyosook , Arcidi Joseph M. , Hale Sharon L. , Simkhovich Boris Z. , Belardinelli Luiz , Dhalla Arvinder K. , Shryock John C. , Kloner Robert A.
Published: March 2009

The purpose of this study was to examine the therapeutic potential of ranolazine, a novel antianginal drug, as an adjunctive therapy to hyperkalemic cardioplegia. Rat hearts were Langendorff-perfused and exposed to 40 minutes of ischemia and 30 minutes of reperfusion without (control) or with cardioplegia or cardioplegia with 50 µmol/L ranolazine. During ischemia, cardioplegia prolonged time to contracture, defined as the time to reach an intraventricular pressure of 20 mm Hg, from 12 + 1 minute (control) to 25 + 2 minutes (P < .05). Ranolazine supplement further lengthened the time to contracture to 34 + 2 minutes (P < .05). Ischemia/reperfusion caused a dramatic elevation in left ventricular end diastolic pressure (LVEDP) during reperfusion. Cardioplegia lessened the LVEDP elevation measured at 30 minutes of reperfusion from 76 + 3 mm Hg (control) to 32 + 3 mm Hg (P < .05). The increase in LVEDP was reduced even further to 17 + 2 mm Hg in hearts receiving cardioplegia plus ranolazine (P < .05). These results suggest that addition of ranolazine during hyperkalemic ischemic cardioplegic arrest is beneficial and provides further protection against contracture.
Indoor Environmental Quality Benchmarks for Air-conditioned Offices in the Subtropics
Authors: Mui K.W. , Wong L.T. , Hui P.S.
Published: March 2009

Indoor environmental quality (IEQ) of air-conditioned offices could be benchmarked by the occupants' acceptability. This study proposes a five-star IEQ benchmarking system based on an expression of the occupants' overall IEQ acceptance on thermal comfort, indoor air quality and aural and visual comfort. By using an earlier proposed IEQ index, the occupants' adaptive response of clothing adjustment for the perceived thermal environment was reported in order to determine the overall IEQ acceptance. The benchmarking parameter of a star rating system and the IEQ index were applied to express relative IEQ performance of air-conditioned offices in Hong Kong. The IEQ performance of some recommended environmentally sustainable policies for ``Excellent'' and ``Good'' offices was evaluated and compared with the existing offices. The probable IEQ in some Hong Kong offices were determined by Monte Carlo simulations from reports of surveyed studies. Among the existing office stock, results have shown that in offices which are renovated to the ``Excellent'' and ``Good'' IEQ criteria recommended by some policies, the IEQ acceptances for 5-star IEQ benchmarked offices are namely 0.95, 0.94, and 0.92, while for 3-star IEQ benchmarked offices, they are 0.89, 0.89, and 0.67 accordingly. The proposed star rating system would serve as a quantitative measure of IEQ for air-conditioned office environment in Hong Kong and given selected model parameters, it would be a useful reference for similar environments where the evaluation of an occupant is expected.
Frontal-executive Versus Posterior-perceptual Mental Status Deficits in Early-onset Dementias
Authors: Mendez Mario F. , McMurtray Aaron M. , Licht Eliot A. , Saul Ronald E.
Published: March 2009

Background: Compared to late-onset dementias, early-onset dementias (EODs) may have greater focal cognitive involvement with differences in frontal-executive compared to posterior-perceptual deficits. Objective: This study evaluated whether mental status screening based on this frontal-posterior axis can distinguish EODs. Methods: Twenty-three patients each with early-onset Alzheimer's disease (eAD), frontotemporal dementia (FTD), or subcortical ischemic vascular disease (SIVD), and 20 normal controls underwent the Frontal Assessment Battery (FAB) and the Perceptual Assessment Battery (PAB). Results: Compared to controls, SIVD and FTD groups were impaired on the FAB whereas eAD and SIVD groups were impaired on the PAB. The FAB/PAB ratio further differentiated the groups (F(3,85) = 26.49, P < .001). For sensitivities and specificities of 93%, a cut-off score of 1.25 on the FAB/PAB distinguished eAD, and a cut-off of 0.83 distinguishing FTD. Conclusion: Although preliminary, this study indicates that mental status screening based on frontal versus posterior cortical functions may help clinicians diagnose EODs.
Evolution of the class C GPCR Venus flytrap modules involved positive selected functional divergence
Authors: Cao Jianhua , Huang Siluo , Qian Ji , Huang Jinlin , Jin Li , Su Zhixi , Yang Ji , Liu Jianfeng
Published: March 2009

Background

Class C G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) represent a distinct group of the GPCR family, which structurally possess a characteristically distinct extracellular domain inclusive of the Venus flytrap module (VFTM). The VFTMs of the class C GPCRs is responsible for ligand recognition and binding, and share sequence similarity with bacterial periplasmic amino acid binding proteins (PBPs). An extensive phylogenetic investigation of the VFTMs was conducted by analyzing for functional divergence and testing for positive selection for five typical groups of the class C GPCRs. The altered selective constraints were determined to identify the sites that had undergone functional divergence via positive selection. In order to structurally demonstrate the pattern changes during the evolutionary process, three-dimensional (3D) structures of the GPCR VFTMs were modelled and reconstructed from ancestral VFTMs.

Results

Our results show that the altered selective constraints in the VFTMs of class C GPCRs are statistically significant. This implies that functional divergence played a key role in characterizing the functions of the VFTMs after gene duplication events. Meanwhile, positive selection is involved in the evolutionary process and drove the functional divergence of the VFTMs. Our results also reveal that three continuous duplication events occurred in order to shape the evolutionary topology of class C GPCRs. The five groups of the class C GPCRs have essentially different sites involved in functional divergence, which would have shaped the specific structures and functions of the VFTMs.

Conclusion

Taken together, our results show that functional divergence involved positive selection and is partially responsible for the evolutionary patterns of the class C GPCR VFTMs. The sites involved in functional divergence will provide more clues and candidates for further research on structural-function relationships of these modules as well as shedding light on the activation mechanism of the class C GPCRs.
Pursuing Protection from Disease: The Making of Smallpox Prophylactic Practice in Colonial Punjab
Authors: Minsky Lauren
Published: March 2009

Summary: Focusing on colonial Punjab, this article explores how agrarian lower-class families' pursuit of safe and effective protection from smallpox shaped the region's prophylactic practices during the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. Specifically, the article explains shifts from variolation in conjunction with Sitala (smallpox goddess) worship to vaccination in conjunction with Sitala worship; from vaccination with crusts to vaccination with human and animal lymph; and from vaccination with fresh lymph to vaccination with tubed lymph. The article also illustrates how, regardless of the particular technologies employed at any given point in time, the demand for, and efficacy of, vaccination varied with seasonal fluctuations in labor and disease. More broadly, this article challenges the assumptions of elite agency and linear cultural change that animate national and global histories of vaccination by demonstrating the importance of regional socio-environmental factors and the creative, productive agency of the agrarian lower classes.
Shedding Light on the Dark Data in the Long Tail of Science
Authors: Heidorn P. Bryan
Published: March 2009

One of the primary outputs of the scientific enterprise is data, but many institutions such as libraries that are charged with preserving and disseminating scholarly output have largely ignored this form of documentation of scholarly activity. This paper focuses on a particularly troublesome class of data, termed dark data . “Dark data” is not carefully indexed and stored so it becomes nearly invisible to scientists and other potential users and therefore is more likely to remain underutilized and eventually lost. The article discusses how the concepts from long-tail economics can be used to understand potential solutions for better curation of this data. The paper describes why this data is critical to scientific progress, some of the properties of this data, as well as some social and technical barriers to proper management of this class of data. Many potentially useful institutional, social, and technical solutions are under development and are introduced in the last sections of the paper, but these solutions are largely unproven and require additional research and development.
Patterns of Respiratory Disease During the First 2 Postnatal Weeks in Extremely Premature Infants
Authors: Laughon Matthew , Allred Elizabeth N. , Bose Carl , O'Shea T. Michael , Van Marter Linda J. , Ehrenkranz Richard A. , Leviton Alan ,   for the ELGAN Study Investigators
Published: March 2009

BACKGROUND. Pulmonary disease among infants of <28 weeks' gestation (extremely low gestational age newborns) often has the following pattern: the infant starts out with little need for supplemental oxygen and ventilatory support in the first postnatal week but then has pulmonary deterioration in the second postnatal week, with an increased need for supplemental oxygen and respiratory support. We evaluated the antecedents and correlates of patterns of early lung disease, with particular emphasis on pulmonary deterioration, in a large cohort study (the Extremely Low Gestational Age Newborn [ELGAN] study).

PATIENTS AND METHODS. We examined data collected prospectively on 1340 infants born between 2002 and 2004 at 23 to 27 completed weeks of gestation and who survived to 14 days. Pulmonary deterioration was defined as receipt of fraction of inspired oxygen < 0.23 on any day between days 3 and 7 and receipt of fraction of inspired oxygen ≥ 0.25 on day 14.

RESULTS. One fifth (20%) of the infants had consistently low fraction of inspired oxygen, approximately two fifths (38%) had pulmonary deterioration, and the remaining approximately two fifths (43%) had consistently high fraction of inspired oxygen (early and persistent lung dysfunction). Compared with infants who had consistently low fraction of inspired oxygen, infants who experienced pulmonary deterioration had lower gestational ages and lower birth weights, had higher scores for neonatal acute physiology, and received more intensive modes of respiratory support. Gender, multifetal pregnancy, cesarean delivery, antenatal steroids, chorioamnionitis, and funisitis were not associated with pulmonary deterioration. The incidence of chronic lung disease, defined as oxygen therapy at 36 weeks' postmenstrual age, was 17% in the consistently low fraction of inspired oxygen group, 51% in the pulmonary deterioration group, and 67% in the early and persistent pulmonary dysfunction group. The incidence of death in these 3 groups before 36 weeks' postmenstrual age was 1%, 3%, and 5%, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS. Nearly 40% of extremely low gestational age newborns experience pulmonary deterioration in the first 2 postnatal weeks, and half of these infants develop chronic lung disease. Indicators of developmental immaturity and illness severity were associated with both pulmonary deterioration and chronic lung disease. Studying the antecedents of pulmonary deterioration might provide new insights about chronic lung disease pathogenesis.
Follow-up Outcomes at 1 and 2 Years of Infants Born Less Than 32 Weeks After Newborn Individualized Developmental Care and Assessment Program
Authors: Maguire Celeste M. , Walther Frans J. , van Zwieten Paul H. T. , Le Cessie Saskia , Wit Jan M. , Veen Sylvia ,   on behalf of the Leiden Developmental Care Project
Published: March 2009

OBJECTIVE. This was a randomized, controlled trial to investigate the effect of Newborn Individualized Developmental Care and Assessment Program on growth, cognitive, psychomotor, and neuromotor development at 1 and 2 years in infants born at <32 weeks’ gestational age.

METHODS. Infants were randomly assigned within 48 hours of birth to the newborn individualized developmental care and assessment program group (intervention) or basic developmental care group (control group [ie, incubator covers and nests]). At 1 and 2 years’ corrected age, growth was measured and standardized neurologic examinations were administered. Mental and psychomotor development was assessed by using the Dutch version of the Bayley Scales of Infant Development II. Neurologic outcome, Psychomotor Developmental Index, and Mental Developmental Index scores were combined a total outcome measure.

RESULTS. One hundred sixty-eight infants were recruited (intervention: 84; control: 84). Four infants (newborn intervention: 3; control: 1) were excluded because they were admitted less than or died within the first 5 days, leaving a total of 164 infants who met inclusion criteria. In-hospital mortality was 8 of 81 in the intervention group and 3 of 83 in the control group. At 1 year of age 148 children (intervention: 70; control: 78) and at 2 years of age 146 children (intervention: 68; control: 78) were assessed. There was no significant difference in growth at 1 and 2 years of age. There was no significant difference found in neurologic outcomes or mental and psychomotor development at 1 and 2 years of age. When neurologic outcome, Mental Developmental Index and Psychomotor Developmental Index scores were combined, there still remained no significant difference.

CONCLUSIONS. Newborn individualized developmental care and assessment program developmental care showed no effect on growth or neurologic, mental, or psychomotor development at 1 and 2 years of age in infants born at <32 weeks. Duration of the intervention was not associated with neurologic and developmental outcome.
Photoanode characteristics of dye-sensitized solar cell containing TiO2 layers with different crystalline orientations
Authors: Kawakita Mamiko , Kawakita Jin , Uchikoshi Tetsuo , Sakka Yoshio
Published: March 2009

The influence of the crystalline orientation of the TiO2 photoanode on the photo-electrochemical characteristics was investigated to reveal the primary factors responsible for improving the photoelectric conversion efficiency of a dye-sensitized solar cell. It was observed that the photocurrent depended on the plane orientation, whereas the dependence of the photopotential on the open circuit was almost constant. The rate of the photoanodic reaction was attributed to the dye adsorption, depending on the surface energy of each oriented plane of the TiO2. The cathodic reaction on TiO2 during open circuit is likely to determine the rate of the entire electrochemical reaction.
The synthesis and hydrogen storage properties of Mg2Ni substituted with Cu, Co
Authors: Chen Yu’an , Huang Hua , Fu Jie , Guo Qing , Pan Fusheng , Deng Shiping , Li Jiaming , Zhao Guangming
Published: March 2009

Mg2Ni1-xCux (x = 0, 0.2, 0.4) and Mg2Ni1-yCoy (y = 0, 0.2, 0.4) were successfully synthesized via two steps: induction melting and then ball milling. The component and microstructure of the alloys were determined with x-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy/x-ray energy-dispersive spectrometry (SEM/XEDS). Mg2Ni phase was observed in all 5 alloys. When the amount of Cu was increased, it led to the formation of phase from Mg2Cu to Cu11Mg10Ni9. Co2Mg was detected in the Co-containing alloys. The hydrogen absorption/desorption properties were tested with p-C-T measurement apparatus, and the results showed that the gaseous storage properties of the alloys were improved by the addition of Cu or Co.
Trematode Centrocestus formosanus Infection and Distribution in Ornamental Fishes in Mexico
Authors: Ortega César , Fajardo Raúl , Enríquez Ricardo
Published: March 2009

The aim of this study was to determine the ornamental fish species affected by the metacercariae of the digenean trematode Centrocestus formosanus and its distribution in 48 fish farms in Morelos, central Mexico. The parasite was found to form various numbers of branchial cysts in 11 of the 25 species analyzed. Goldfish Carassius auratus was the most commonly affected species; 20 of 30 farms were positive for this parasite, the fish showing severe clinical signs and having a high mortality rate. For the first time in the region, koi (a variant of common carp Cyprinus carpio), zebrafish Danio rerio, suckermouth catfish Hypostomus plecostomus and blue gourami Trichogaster trichopterus (also known as the threespot gourami) were positive; meanwhile, Mexican tetra Astyanax mexicanus, which had previously been reported positive in other studies in this region, was found to be negative. The parasite was observed in fish from 27 of the 48 farms studied. Ten of 15 municipalities had farms that were positive for the parasite. These results suggest that the distribution of C. formosanus is closely related to the use of water that had been contaminated with the parasite and to the presence of a snail, the red-rimmed melania Melanoides tuberculata.
Experimental measurements of the global anisotropic elastic behaviour of dry Hostun sand during triaxial tests, and effect of sample preparation
Authors: EZAOUI A. , BENEDETTO H.DI
Published: March 2009

Experimental measurements have been carried out with a new, accurate, triaxial device (Triaxial StaDy) to determine the quasi-elastic properties of dry Hostun sand. The experimental investigations consist in successively applying very small axial cyclic static loadings (strain single-amplitude cycle, εsa≈ 10–5m/m) and four types of wave, generated by piezoelectric sensors (compressive and shear waves in the axial and radial directions), at different levels of the stress–strain curve. The use of both static and dynamic results allows for an entire description of the anisotropic elastic compliance tensor at a given stress–strain state to be made. The evolutions of this tensor during triaxial loading and unloading are presented. The isotropic and deviatoric triaxial stress paths considered underline the effects of inherent and induced anisotropy respectively. The different methods used to set the sample involve clearly different kinds of anisotropic elastic behaviour, which are probably indicators of different granular structure organisations.
Design of insulin-loaded alginate nanoparticles: Influence of the calcium ion on polymer gel matrix properties
Authors: Reis Catarina , Neufeld R.J. , Ribeiro António , Veiga Francisco
Published: March 2009

Alginate-based nanoparticles were produced by dispersing alginate aqueous solution containing an insoluble calcium salt within mineral oil forming a water-in-oil emulsion. Subsequently, alginate gelled upon contact with the calcium ions due to the physical cross-linking between the carboxylate anions of the alginate and the calcium ions. The influence of the calcium salt, added in varying amounts, on gel integrity and on particle size was investigated. The efficiency of encapsulating active biological compounds by nanoparticles was also assayed. The calcium concentration was seen to be a crucial parameter in particle production, influencing the particle size, the viscosity of the solutions at different stages of the emulsification/gelation process and, finally, the encapsulation efficiency. The most appropriate mass relation between calcium and alginate was 7% (w/w). Under this condition, the smallest mean diameter obtained was 2.604 ? 2.141 ?m combined with the narrowest range of particle sizes. The encapsulation efficiency of insulin was over 71 %. These previous characteristics appear to be best suited for producing small, well-dispersed and stable nanoparticles with high encapsulation of insulin. This particulate system may be considered as a promising carrier for the oral delivery of insulin.
Recent developments in biological hydrogen production processes
Authors: Das Debabrata , Khanna Namita , Veziroğlu Nejat
Published: March 2009

Biohydrogen production technology can utilize renewable energy sources like biomass for the generation of hydrogen, the cleanest form of energy for the use of mankind. However, major constraints to the commercialization of these processes include lower hydrogen yields and rates of hydrogen production. To overcome these bottlenecks intensive research work has already been carried out on the advancement of these processes such as the development of genetically modified microorganisms, the improvement of the bioreactor design, molecular engineering of the key enzyme hydrogenases, the development of two stage processes, etc. The present paper explores the recent advancements that have been made till date and also presents the state of the art in molecular strategies to improve the hydrogen production.
The world of water, or testing neoliberalism: Is water a common good or private property?
Authors: Losonc Alpar
Published: March 2009

The backbone of neoliberalisation is privatization of common goods from the perspective of market naturalization and creation of a specific resource regime. It is of important to emphasis that neoliberalism coexists with other societal projects and we are witnessing simultaneity amongst different projects. The naturalization of market structures and identification of market with competition produce intensified risk-related consequences for the society; actually, neoliberalism exposes the society to environmental risks with a number of concrete examples. The author analyses the importance of water resources from the economic perspective, especially with regard to the neoliberal perspectives on water resources. The modalities of market-based usage of water are presented, constituting the property-rights regime. It is argued that an unconditional, socially irresponsible privatization does not take into account community-related management of common pools and dogmatically acknowledges only state and private forms of property. Such a critical view is supported with considerations that a) the ongoing form of economic globalization does not maintain the development of the green market b) water is a common good embedded in cultural and political relationships and filled with symbolic meanings. The impasse concerning the status of water takes place in the context where the Washington-consensus proved to be defective. At the same there is no other coherently formulated corpus of ideas to substitute the neoliberal canon. Water as a common good needs normative engagement and ecological economy has a task to participate in determination of sustainable levels of costs and prices of water resources.
Summer Ozone Concentrations in Zagreb Area
Authors: Pehnec Gordana , Vađić Vladimira , Bešlić Ivan , Žužul Silva
Published: March 2009

Summer Ozone Concentrations in Zagreb Area

Ozone concentrations were measured at three sites in Zagreb (Croatia) in the summer of 2005. Two measuring sites were in urban areas, while the third site was in a rural area about 30 km to the south from the centre of Zagreb. Hourly ozone averages varied between 1 μg m-3 and 209 μg m-3. Average concentrations were the lowest in the rural area, even though elevated concentrations were recorded occasionally. However, the weather conditions during measurements were untypical for that time of the year; over the summer of 2005 there were many rainy and cloudy days. Ozone concentrations at all three sites were the highest on Saturdays and Sundays, and the lowest on Thursdays. All the results were analysed with regard to the meteorological conditions (wind velocity and direction, temperature, relative humidity).
Disturbance of Cell Proliferation in Response to Mobile Phone Frequency Radiation
Authors: Trošić Ivančica , Pavičić Ivan
Published: March 2009

Disturbance of Cell Proliferation in Response to Mobile Phone Frequency Radiation

The aim of study was to determine the influence of mobile phone frequency radiation on the proliferation, cytoskeleton structure, and mitotic index of V79 cells after 1 h, 2 h, and 3 h of exposure. V79 cells were cultured in standard laboratory conditions and exposed to continuous-wave (CW) RF/MW radiation of 935 MHz, electric field strength of (8.2±0.3) V m-1, and specific absorption rate (SAR) of 0.12 W kg-1. To identify proliferation kinetics, the cells were counted for each hour of exposure 24 h, 48 h, 72 h, and 96 h after respective exposures. Microtubule proteins were determined using specific immunocytochemical methods. Cell smears were analysed under a fluorescent microscope. The study included negative and positive controls. Mitotic index was determined by estimating the number of dividing cells 24 h after exposure and dividing it with the total number of cells. In comparison to the controls, cell proliferation declined in cells exposed for three hours 72 h after irradiation (p<0.05). Microtubule structure was clearly altered immediately after three hours of irradiation (p<0.05). The mitotic index in RF/MW-exposed cells did not differ from negative controls. However, even if exposure did not affect the number of dividing cells, it may have slowed down cell division kinetics as a consequence of microtubule impairment immediately after exposure.
Optimal Methods of Antigen Retrieval for Organic Anion Transporters in Cryosections of the Rat Kidney
Authors: Brzica Hrvoje , Breljak Davorka , Ljubojević Marija , Balen Daniela , Micek Vedran , Anzai Naohiko , Sabolić Ivan
Published: March 2009

Optimal Methods of Antigen Retrieval for Organic Anion Transporters in Cryosections of the Rat Kidney

To localise antigens by immunocytochemistry (IC), the samples of tissues or cells are usually denatured by fixation, and either frozen and cryosectioned, or embedded in paraffin before sectioning. p-Formaldehyde (PFA; formalin) is a common fixative, which preserves antigenicity of proteins, but damages the tissue/cell morphology and "masks" the antibody binding sites (epitopes). In order to "unmask" epitopes, some kind of antigen retrieval (AR) is used. The aim of this study was: a) to find an optimal AR method in cryosections of in vivo PFA-fixed kidneys for organic anion transporters (Oat) that reside in the basolateral (Oat1, Oat3) and brush-border membrane (Oat2, Oat5) of the rat renal proximal tubules, and b) using optimal method, to compare IC staining of Oats in kidneys that had been PFA-fixed in vivo or in vitro. IC staining in untreated cryosections was compared with that following detergent treatment or microwave heating in citrate buffer of pH 3, pH 6, or pH 8, with or without alcohol pre-treatment. The preferred AR method for Oat1, Oat2, and Oat5 was heating of cryosections at pH 6, and for Oat3 heating at pH 3, without alcohol pre-treatment. Compared with tissue fixed in vivo, tissue fixed in vitro exhibited damaged tubule morphology, similar staining intensity of Oat1 and Oat3, and higher staining intensity of Oat2 and Oat5. We conclude that for optimal IC presentation, each Oat in the rat kidney has to be treated individually, with different fixation and AR approach.