bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Determination of donepezil hydrochloride in human plasma and pharmaceutical formulations by HPLC with fluorescence detection
Authors: Abonassif Mohammed , Hefnawy Mohammed , Kassem Mohamed , Mostafa Gamal
Published: December 2011

Determination of donepezil hydrochloride in human plasma and pharmaceutical formulations by HPLC with fluorescence detection

A sensitive, isocratic reversed-phase high performance liquid chromatographic method involving fluorescence detection was developed for the determination of donepezil hydrochloride in tablets and in human plasma. Pindolol was used as an internal standard. Good chromatographic separation was achieved by using an analytical column C18. The system operated at room temperature using a mobile phase consisting of methanol, phosphate buffer (0.02 mol L-1) and triethyl amine (pH 3.5) (55: 45: 0.5,V/V/V) at a flow rate 0.9 mL-1min. The analyte and internal standard were extracted from human plasmavialiquid-liquid extraction. The proposed method was validated for sensitivity, selectivity, linearity, accuracy and precision. The calibration curve was linear over the range of 5-2000 ng mL-1of donepezil with detection limit of 1.5 ng mL-1. Intra- and inter-day relative standard deviations were less than 2.5 %. The method was found to be suitable for quality control of donepezil hydrochloride in bulk drug as well as in human plasma.
Kinematics and Kinetics of Taekwon-do Side Kick
Authors: Wąsik Jacek
Published: December 2011

Kinematics and Kinetics of Taekwon-do Side Kick

The aim of the paper is to present an analysis of the influence of selected kinematic factors on the side kick technique. This issue is especially important in the traditional version of taekwon-do, in which a single strike may reveal the winner. Six taekwon-do (International Taekwon-do Federation) athletes were asked to participate in this case study. Generally accepted criteria of sports technique biomechanical analysis were adhered to. The athletes executed a side kick three times (in Taekwon-do terminology referred to as yop chagi) in a way which they use the kick in board breaking. The obtained data were used to determine the mean velocity changes in the function of relative extension length of the kicking leg. The maximum knee and foot velocities in the Cartesian coordinate system were determined. The leg lifting time and the duration of kick execution as well as the maximum force which the standing foot exerted on the ground were also determined. On the basis of the obtained values, mean values and standard deviations were calculated. The correlation dependence (r=0.72) shows that greater knee velocity affects the velocity which the foot develops as well as the fact that the total time of kick execution depends on the velocity which the knee (r = -0.59) and the foot (r = -0.86) develop in the leg lifting phase. The average maximum speed was obtained at the length of the leg equal to 82% of the maximum length of the fully extended leg. This length can be considered the optimum value for achieving the maximum dynamics of the kick.
The Contribution of Sport as a Means of Inclusion in Discussions of Sustainable Development for Visually Disabled People
Authors: Pereira Ramon , Osborne Renata , Cabral Soraia , da Silva Carlos
Published: December 2011

The Contribution of Sport as a Means of Inclusion in Discussions of Sustainable Development for Visually Disabled People

This study investigated how high-performance sport improved the quality of life and facilitated the inclusion of blind athletes in discussions about sustainable development at the Benjamin Constant Institute. It was also revealed that the blind still face discrimination, and that society associates the blind's visual disabilities with their other characteristics.
Characterisation and Description of Surface Water Quality in the Threatened Urban Wetlands around the City of Colombo
Authors: Hettiarachchi Missaka , Anurangi Jayani , De Alwis Ajith
Published: December 2011

Colombo is a city surrounded by a large and interconnected system of natural wetlands. These wetlands which have historically provided a range of water services to the city are now believed to be threatened by degradation due to the recent changes in the urbanization patterns and urban lifestyle in Colombo. This paper presents a study on the current state and recent trends in surface water quality in a selected segment of these wetlands. The study was carried out as a part of a broader multidisciplinary research. The paper consists of a historical analysis of trends in surface water quality parameters and situation analysis of short term spatial and temporal water quality variation in the study area. The research identified that water quality parameters indicating domestic wastewater related pollution showed an increasing trend during the study period. BOD, Phosphates and Fecal Coliform were recorded in levels exceeding the accepted ambient water quality standards. Concentrations of several heavy metals were also above the ambient water quality standards. A distinct difference was observed in water quality between peripheral areas and internal water ways of the wetland. All evidence directs towards severe water quality degradation in the wetland dominated by domestic waste discharges and scattered solid waste dumps. This condition may lead to a nutrient enrichment of the wetland and cause biological and physical responses that may affect adversely on the water services provided. Key words: Water Quality; Urban Wetlands; Wetland Nutrient Enrichment; Water Services; Urban Water Pollution DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/jowe.v5i0.2831 J Wet Eco 2011 (5): 10-19
Ecology and diversity of zooplankton in relation to physico-chemical characteristics of water of Santragachi Jheel, West Bengal, India
Authors: Patra Ashis , Santra Kalyan Brata , Manna Chanchal Kumar
Published: December 2011

In the present study efforts have been made to ascertain the seasonal abundance and population dynamics of zooplankton community and its relationship with physico-chemical factors of the water bodies of Santragachi Jheel in the District Howrah, W.B., INDIA. The zooplankton abundance showed distinct seasonal or temporal variation in the Jheels. A total of 18 species belonging to 12 families and 15 genera were recorded. The population density of total zooplankton showed summer maxima in the Jheel. Maximum abundance of rotifer fauna was recorded during summer season in sewage sites whereas Cladocera population showed maximum density at non-sewage sites. Copepods showed postmonsoon maxima in sewage sites in the Jheels. Some species i.e., Polyarthara vulgaris were quite abundant in the polluted water of the Santragachi Jheel. Out of 15 genera of Zooplankton, Brachionus, Keratella, Polyarthra, Diaphanosoma, Ceriodaphnia, Bosmina, Heliodiaptomus and Mesocyclops were found to be dominant in Santragachi Jheel. Highest percentage of similarity was recorded between S1 and S3 sites of the Jheel. Results of ANOVA (2 - way) indicated that zooplankton population differs significantly in relation to stations and seasons of the Jheel. Population of Rotifera, the most dominant group was found to be positively influenced by Biological Oxygen demand (BOD), Free Carbon-di-oxide FCO2), CaCO3 hardness (CaHa), Total suspended solid (TSS), Chloride(Cl) and Phosphate (PO4) in the Jheels. Total Cladocera showed positive correlation with PO4 in the Jheel. The Copepods expressed positive correlation with BOD and ammonia. Increment of population density of several zooplankton organisms (i.e., Keratella tropica, Polyarthra vulgaris) and low value of community indices especially species diversity and species richness indicated the rise of pollutional stress on the Santragachi Jheel. Keywords: Zooplankton; Rotifera; BOD; COD; Shannon - Wiener index; Evenness index DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/jowe.v5i0.4595 J Wet Eco 2011 (5): 20-39
Assessment of wetland dynamics in Sirohi district of Rajasthan, India using remote sensing and GIS techniques
Authors: Navatha K , Pattanaik Chiranjibi , Reddy C Sudhakar
Published: December 2011

Wetlands are very dynamic ecosystems in the world. The present study provides scenario of wetlands of Sirohi district of Rajasthan, India. Landsat TM data of October, 1992, IRS-P6 LISS-III data of October 2005 and IRS-P6 AWiFS data of January, February, March, April and May months (2005) have been used in the study. Visual interpretation technique was adopted to map the areal extent of wetlands on 1:50,000 scale. Wetlands were classified following the Ramsar classification. The total extent of wetlands for the Sirohi district as a whole is estimated to 11,961 ha with representation 189 wetlands during 1992 which later decreased 11,307 ha in 2005 with a loss of 654.2 ha during 13 years. Of the total wetland area of the district, rivers accounted for 61.9% area, followed by reservoirs (15.1%), seasonal lakes (15%), perennial lakes (5.6%), and ponds (2.5%). Further it is also observed that drastic reduction in the water spread area from February to May months. For conservation of wetlands it is necessary to assess the changes which take place in the water bodies from time to time. Key words: GIS; Rajasthan; Remote sensing; Sirohi district; Wetlands DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/jowe.v5i0.4996 J Wet Eco 2011 (5): 66-72
Indigenous fishing gears in Suraha Lake, Ballia, Uttar Pradesh, India
Authors: Srivastava PK , Srivastava SJ
Published: December 2011

The study aimed at assessing the indigenous fishing methods adopted by the fishermen in Suraha Lake. Survey was conducted during August 2002 - July 2004. Information was collected through participatory rapid appraisal covering the entire lake and four fishermen villages viz Mairitar, Surajpura, Kaithauli and Basantpur. Study indicated that various types of local indigenous traditional fishing gears are used by fishers for commercial exploitation of the lake. Plank-built boats (Dingi) were used in the fishing. These boats are small and light and prepared locally by fishers. Gill net and cast net were the main gears and contributed more then 80% of the total fish catch of the lake. Indigenous fishing gears comprising gill nets, cast nets, traps, etc., have been discussed showing their modus operandi. Key words: Indigenous fishing methods; suraha lake DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/jowe.v5i0.5156 J Wet Eco 2011 (5): 73-78
Modulation Techniques for Biomedical Implanted Devices and Their Challenges
Authors: Hannan Mahammad A. , Abbas Saad M. , Samad Salina A. , Hussain Aini
Published: December 2011

Implanted medical devices are very important electronic devices because of their usefulness in monitoring and diagnosis, safety and comfort for patients. Since 1950s, remarkable efforts have been undertaken for the development of bio-medical implanted and wireless telemetry bio-devices. Issues such as design of suitable modulation methods, use of power and monitoring devices, transfer energy from external to internal parts with high efficiency and high data rates and low power consumption all play an important role in the development of implantable devices. This paper provides a comprehensive survey on various modulation and demodulation techniques such as amplitude shift keying (ASK), frequency shift keying (FSK) and phase shift keying (PSK) of the existing wireless implanted devices. The details of specifications, including carrier frequency, CMOS size, data rate, power consumption and supply, chip area and application of the various modulation schemes of the implanted devices are investigated and summarized in the tables along with the corresponding key references. Current challenges and problems of the typical modulation applications of these technologies are illustrated with a brief suggestions and discussion for the progress of implanted device research in the future. It is observed that the prime requisites for the good quality of the implanted devices and their reliability are the energy transformation, data rate, CMOS size, power consumption and operation frequency. This review will hopefully lead to increasing efforts towards the development of low powered, high efficient, high data rate and reliable implanted devices.
La stigmatisation des familles monoparentales
Authors: Le Goff Jean-François
Published: December 2011

Résumé À partir de son travail de thérapeute familial dans la banlieue parisienne, l’auteur reprend les mécanismes de stigmatisation sociale des familles monoparentales. L’article propose d’asseoir la thérapie familiale, dans ce contexte, sur un travail de déstigmatisation institué d’emblée – la famille monoparentale est une vraie famille – qui passe par l’activation et la création d’un imaginaire familial permettant de retrouver les possibilités d’évolution centrées sur l’autonomie et la solidarité.
Un trait du père pour supporter sa flétrissure
Authors: Tigirlas Luminitza Claudepierre
Published: December 2011

Résumé Confrontés à la déchéance sociale de leurs pères, trois adolescents placés en institution tiennent à sauvegarder quelque chose de leur Idéal du Moi. Chacun s’emploie à louer à sa manière un trait de beauté de son père humilié pour arriver à supporter son statut méprisable. Le déploiement de leurs psychothérapies passe par des manifestations d’angoisse d’un corps pubertaire qui tremble, d’un autre qui s’asphyxie et encore d’un autre corps qui souffre de nausées. L’amour y est mélangé et leurs fantasmes trouvent à se soutenir du beau pour s’interdire le désir du père. La confusion des liens familiaux, la flétrissure des parents et le déclin de leur autorité présentent pour ces jeunes sujets des écueils à franchir par la parole vers l’humanisation du désir et la capacité de créer autour d’eux du lien social vivable.
L'acte éducatif à l'épreuve de la sexualité adolescente
Authors: Mazoyer Anne-Valérie , Benmussa Céline , Amigues Audrey
Published: December 2011

Résumé À partir d’entretiens cliniques avec des éducateurs, l’article met en évidence les spécificités de l’accompagnement éducatif à la sexualité chez des adolescents placés. L’histoire d’une jeune fille a été mise en avant par les professionnels, montrant comment ses stratégies masochistes attaquent l’écoute du féminin dans le travail éducatif. Rappelant la distinction entre passivité et passivation, nous avons montré l’enjeu d’un positionnement éducatif ouvert au travail du féminin, seule condition à l’acte éducatif, contre les tentations de l’action, de l’emprise et du désinvestissement ou lâchage. L’article souligne la position éthique du psychologue, soutien dans l’élaboration et la compréhension des conduites adolescentes possiblement mortifères auprès des professionnels du champ éducatif.
Les réseaux personnels de soutien de couples dits « maltraitants » : une faiblesse des liens forts
Authors: Desquesnes Gillonne , Beynier Dominique
Published: December 2011

Résumé À partir des données d’une enquête menée par entretiens auprès de couples suivis pour maltraitance et/ou négligence envers les enfants par divers services de la protection de l’enfance en France, l’article montre que les liens forts qui constituent les réseaux de relations personnels fournissent peu d’aide. Habituellement définis comme ceux que l’individu entretient avec ses proches, les liens forts se révèlent des liens faibles en matière de soutien social, la relation de confidence se fait notamment avec le travailleur social. Le lien avec le conjoint apparaît pauvre, ce qui questionne la qualité de la relation conjugale. Les résultats sont illustrés par l’étude de cas d’un couple.
Implementing Public Fiber-to-the-Home Network Projects
Authors: Cole Roland J. , Kurtz Jennifer A. , Cole Isabel A.
Published: December 2011

In this chapter the authors explore the risks, challenges, and remediation efforts encountered in community-based residential broadband implementation efforts. The authors first summarize current research about efforts across the US, to show hot spots of activity and identify projects that have achieved a certain critical mass. The chapter reviews the literature in this area and examines communities that are implementing FTTH projects to understand the patterns of risks and challenges encountered. The authors identify a set of communities whose experiences have been the subject of case studies, to capture how they’ve addressed risks and challenges. In addition to frequently cited communities in the literature (e.g., Lafayette, LA; Bristol, VA; and Glasgow, KY), the authors highlight others that also display innovation and persistence in deploying FTTH to their citizens and encouraging subsequent adoption of broadband use, particularly as it pertains to e-government activities. Finally, the chapter suggests performance metrics for evaluating the risk and success of residential broadband projects, and recommends topics for further research.
Virtual Java Service Container
Authors: Gil Víctor
Published: December 2011

First, the authors present several cloud solutions, then they describe the architecture of the VJSC framework, including practical coding and usage examples, followed by the lessons learned as a wrap-up.
AppScale
Authors: Krintz Chandra , Bunch Chris , Chohan Navraj
Published: December 2011

The goal with AppScale is to enable research and experimentation into cloud computing and to facilitate a “write once, run anywhere” programming model for the cloud, i.e., to expedite portable application development and deployment across disparate cloud fabrics. In this chapter, the authors describe the current AppScale APIs and the ways in which users can deploy AppScale clouds and applications in public and private settings. In addition, they describe the internals of the system to give insight into how developers can investigate and extend AppScale as part of research and development on next-generation cloud software and services.
An Alternative Framework for Research on Situational Awareness in Computer Network Defense
Authors: McMillan Eric , Tyworth Michael
Published: December 2011

In this chapter the authors present a new framework for the study of situation awareness in computer network defense (cyber-SA). While immensely valuable, the research to date on cyber-SA has overemphasized an algorithmic level of analysis to the exclusion of the human actor. Since situation awareness, and therefore cyber-SA, is a human cognitive process and state, it is essential that future cyber-SA research account for the human-in-the-loop. To that end, the framework in this chapter presents a basis for examining cyber-SA at the cognitive, system, work, and enterprise levels of analysis. In describing the framework, the authors present examples of research that are emblematic of each type of analysis.
Designing Information Systems and Network Components for Situational Awareness
Authors: Onwubiko Cyril
Published: December 2011

Operators need situational awareness (SA) of their organisation’s computer networks and Information Systems in order to identify threats, estimate impact of attacks, evaluate risks, understand situations, and make sound decisions swiftly and accurately on what to protect against, and how to address incidents that may impact valued assets. Enterprise computer networks are often huge and complex, spanning across several WANs and supporting a number of distributed services. Understanding situations in such dynamic and complex networks is time-consuming and challenging. Operators SA are enhanced through a number of ways, one of which is through the use of situation-aware systems and technology. Designing situation-aware systems for computer network defence (CND) is difficult without understanding basic situational awareness design requirements of network applications and systems. Thus, this chapter investigates pertinent features that are foundation, essential, and beneficial for designing situation-aware systems, software, and network applications for CND.
Modelling Situation Awareness Information and System Requirements for the Mission using Goal-Oriented Task Analysis Approach
Authors: Onwubiko Cyril
Published: December 2011

This chapter describes work on modelling situational awareness information and system requirements for the mission. Developing this model based on Goal-Oriented Task Analysis representation of the mission using an Agent Oriented Software Engineering methodology advances current information requirement models because it provides valuable insight on how to effectively achieve the mission’s requirements (information, systems, networks, and IT infrastructure), and offers enhanced situational awareness within the Computer Network Defence environment. Further, the modelling approach using Secure Tropos is described, and model validation using a security test scenario is discussed.
On singular integrals of Calderón-type in $\mathbb R^n$, and BMO
Authors: Mitrea Dorina
Published: December 2011

We prove

L^p

(and weighted

L^p

) bounds for singular integrals of the form

\rm p.v. \int_{\mathbb R^n} E \lgroup \frac{A(x)–A(y)}{|x–y} \rgroup \frac{\Omega(x–y)}{|x–y|^n} f(y)dy,

where

E(t) =

cos

t

if

\Omega

is odd, and

E(t) =

sin

t

if

\Omega

is even, and where

\bigtriangledown A \in

BMO. Even in the case that

\Omega

is smooth, the theory of singular integrals with "rough" kernels plays a key role in the proof. By standard techniques, the trigonometric function

E

can then be replaced by a large class of smooth functions

F

. Some related operators are also considered. As a further application, we prove a compactness result for certain layer potentials.
$L^p$ multipliers and their $H^1$-$L^1$ estimates on the Heisenberg group
Authors: Lin Chincheng
Published: December 2011

We give a Hörmander-type sufficient condition on an operator-valued function

M

that implies the

L^p

-boundedness result for the operator

T_M

defined by

(T_M f)^{\hat{\ }} = M\hat{f}

on the

(2n + 1)

-dimensional Heisenberg group

\mathbb H^n

. Here “

\hat{\ }

” denotes the Fourier transform on

\mathbb H^n

defined in terms of the Fock representations. We also show the

H^1

-

L^1

-boundedness of

T_M

.

\|T_Mf\|_{L^1} ≤C \|f\|_{H^1}

, for

\mathbb H^n

under the same hypotheses of

L^p

-boundedness.
La "version ondelettes" du théorème du Jacobien
Authors: Dobyinsky Sylvia
Published: December 2011

Nous définissons un produit renormalisé par ondelettes qui améliore dans certains cadres fonctionnels les propriétés du produit usuel de deux fonctions. Grâce à cette technique de renormalisation du produit nous obtenons une démonstration par ondelettes d'une version précisée du théorème du Jacobien. Finalement nous établissons le lien entre ce produit renormalisé par ondelettes et les paraproduits de J.M. Bony.
On the singularities of the inverse to a meromorphic function of finite order
Authors: Bergweiler Walter , Eremenko Alexandre
Published: December 2011

Our main result implies the following theorem: Let

f

be a transcendental meromorphic function in the complex plane. If

f

has finite order

\rho

, then every asymptotic value of

f

, except at most

2\rho

of them, is a limit point of critical values of

f

.

We give several applications of this theorem. For example we prove that if

f

is a transcendental meromorphic function then

f'f^n

with

n≥1

takes every finite non-zero value infinitely often. This proves a conjecture of Hayman. The proof makes use of the iteration theory of meromorphic functions.
Spouse Intention to Encourage Cardiac Patient Participation in Exercise
Authors: Daltroy Lawren H. , Godin Gaston
Published: December 2011

The aim of this study was to identify factors that influenced the intention of spouses to encourage cardiac patients to attend exercise classes. A sample of 134 spouses completed questionnaires investigating variables specified in the theory of reasoned action (Fishbein and Ajzen). Multiple regression was used with intention to encourage exercise participation as the outcome. Independent variables included: attitude toward helping, subjective social norm regarding helping, perceived efficacy of providing help, approval of patient exercising, and perceived outcomes (costs and benefits) of patient participation. Subjective social norm and approval were the only significant predictors of intention to encourage participation (R2 = 0.41, p < 0.0001). This suggests that interventions to improve spouse support for cardiac patient exercise be directed at the spouse social role rather than attitudes toward helping.
Broadening the Scope of Worksite Stress Programs: A Guiding Framework
Authors: Heaney Catherine A. , van Ryn Michelle
Published: December 2011

Worksite stress programs have proliferated in recent years. A large proportion of these programs focus on helping individual employees learn about stress and develop better coping skills. Few programs attempt to reduce the stressful aspects of the job or the organizational context. In order to facilitate the development of a broader array of stress reduction programs, the authors provide: 1) a conceptual framework upon which worksite stress programs should be based, 2) a guide to the variety of decision points in the program development process, 3) an exploration of the reasons why a broader range of stress programs have not heretofore been developed, and 4) suggestions for creating a context amenable to innovative worksite stress programs.
Distribution systems as reservoirs of Naegleria fowleri and other amoebae
Authors: Biyela Precious T. , Ryu Hodon , Brown Albert , Alum Absar , Abbaszadegan Morteza , Rittmann Bruce E.
Published: December 2011

Naegleria fowleri is the etiologic agent of primary amoebic meningoencephalitis (PAM), a rapidly fatal disease. Although PAM generally occurs after recreational exposure to contaminated water, two fatal cases of PAM were linked to a drinking water supply in Arizona. This study tested the ability of distribution system biofilms to be reservoirs for N. fowleri and other amoebae. When introduced to laboratory pipe loops, N. fowleri attached to biofilms and survived for five months. In two fullscale distribution systems, amoebic activity was detected in 67% of biofilm samples tested, regardless of chlorination. Amoebic activity occurred mostly in locations associated with stagnant water and high bacterial counts. Legionella was also found in 65% of biofilm samples. Although N. fowleri was never detected in field samples, the observed risk factors—high bacterial counts, amoebic activity, and the presence of Legionella in biofilms—suggest that N. fowleri could thrive in both systems if introduced.
Delving Deeper: Boundaries in Higher Dimensions and Their Kinship with Combinatorics
Authors: Nowak Kate
Published: December 2011

This is a description of a collaborative investigation by mathematics teachers into the numbers of dimensional boundaries for n > 2. Functions are fit to the patterns observed, and a relationship to Pascal's triangle is noted.
The Temptation of Risk
Authors: Beigie Darin
Published: December 2011

This classroom-tested exploration shows students the consequences of investments and saving money over time.
Effects of enzymatic treatments on surface morphology and chemical structure of linen fabrics
Authors: Karaca B. , Bozacı E. , Demir A. , Ozdogan E. , Seventekin N.
Published: December 2011

In previous studies; effects of enzymatic treatments on linen fabrics have been mostly investigated in terms of wettability, sorption properties, whiteness‐yellowness index, and K/S values after dyeing. However, surface chemistry and topography of enzyme‐treated linen fabrics have not been reported enough. The aim of this work was to examine the effect of pectinase treatments on surface structure and chemical properties of greige linen fabrics by using instrumental techniques. After enzymatic treatment, adequate removal of noncellulosic impurities from the fiber surface has been proved by AFM images and O1/C1 ratio of the treated surface. Water drop test measurement and absorbance spectrographs of FTIR analysis have supported the results. It was observed that achievement in bioscouring is familiar to conventional alkaline scouring. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2012
Lanthanide(III) Complexes That Contain a Self‐Immolative Arm: Potential Enzyme Responsive Contrast Agents for Magnetic Resonance Imaging
Authors: Chauvin Thomas , Torres Susana , Rosseto Renato , Kotek Jan , Badet Bernard , Durand Philippe , Tóth Éva
Published: December 2011

Enzyme‐responsive MRI‐contrast agents containing a “self‐immolative” benzylcarbamate moiety that links the MRI‐reporter lanthanide complex to a specific enzyme substrate have been developed. The enzymatic cleavage initiates an electronic cascade reaction that leads to a structural change in the LnIII complex, with a concomitant response in its MRI‐contrast‐enhancing properties. We synthesized and investigated a series of Gd3+ and Yb3+ complexes, including those bearing a self‐immolative arm and a sugar unit as selective substrates for β‐galactosidase; we synthesized complex LnL1, its NH2 amine derivatives formed after enzymatic cleavage, LnL2, and two model compounds, LnL3 and LnL4. All of the Gd3+ complexes synthesized have a single inner‐sphere water molecule. The relaxivity change upon enzymatic cleavage is limited (3.68 vs. 3.15 mM−1 s−1 for complexes GdL1 and GdL2, respectively; 37 °C, 60 MHz), which prevents application of this system as an enzyme‐responsive T1 relaxation agent. Variable‐temperature 17O NMR spectroscopy and 1H NMRD (nuclear magnetic relaxation dispersion) analysis were used to assess the parameters that determine proton relaxivity for the Gd3+ complexes, including the water‐exchange rate (kex298, varies in the range 1.5–3.9×106 s−1). Following the enzymatic reaction, the chelates contain an exocyclic amine that is not protonated at physiological pH, as deduced from pH‐potentiometric measurements (log KH=5.12(±0.01) and 5.99(±0.01) for GdL2 and GdL3, respectively). The Yb3+ analogues show a PARACEST effect after enzymatic cleavage that can be exploited for the specific detection of enzymatic activity. The proton‐exchange rates were determined at various pH values for the amine derivatives by using the dependency of the CEST effect on concentration, saturation time, and saturation power. A concentration‐independent analysis of the saturation‐power‐dependency data was also applied. All these different methods showed that the exchange rate of the amine protons of the YbIII complexes decreases with increasing pH value (for YbL3, kex=1300 s−1 at pH 8.4 vs. 6000 s−1 at pH 6.4), thereby resulting in a diminution of the observed CEST effect.
Phosphorylation of serine 21 modulates the proliferation inhibitory more than the differentiation inducing effects of C/EBPα in K562 cells
Authors: Fragliasso Valentina , Chiodo Yuri , Ferrari‐Amorotti Giovanna , Soliera Angela Rachele , Manzotti Gloria , Cattelani Sara , Candini Olivia , Grisendi Giulia , Vergalli Jenny , Mariani Samanta Antonella , Guerzoni Clara , Calabretta Bruno
Published: December 2011

The CCAAT/enhancer binding protein α (C/EBPα) is a transcription factor required for differentiation of myeloid progenitors. In acute myeloid leukemia (AML) cells expressing the constitutively active FLT3‐ITD receptor tyrosine kinase, MAP kinase‐dependent phosphorylation of serine 21 (S21) inhibits the ability of C/EBPα to induce granulocytic differentiation. To assess whether this post‐translational modification also modulates the activity of C/EBPα in BCR/ABL‐expressing cells, we tested the biological effects of wild‐type and mutant C/EBPα mimicking phosphorylated or non‐phosphorylatable serine 21 (S21D and S21A, respectively) in K562 cells ectopically expressing tamoxifen‐regulated C/EBPα‐ER chimeric proteins. We show here that S21D C/EBPα‐ER induced terminal granulocytic differentiation of K562 cells almost as well as wild‐type C/EBPα‐ER, while S21A C/EBPα‐ER was less efficient. Furthermore, wild‐type C/EBPα suppressed the proliferation and colony formation of K562 cells vigorously, while S21D and S21A C/EBPα mutants had more modest anti‐proliferative effects. Both mutants were less effective than wild‐type C/EBPα in suppressing endogenous E2F‐dependent transactivation and bound less E2F‐2 and/or E2F‐3 proteins in anti‐C/EBPα immunoprecipitates. Together, these findings suggest that mutation of S21 more than its phosphorylation inhibits the anti‐proliferative effects of C/EBPα due to reduced interaction with or impaired regulation of the activity of E2F proteins. By contrast, phosphorylation of serine 21 appears to have a modest role in modulating the differentiation‐inducing effects of C/EBPα in K562 cells. J. Cell. Biochem. 113: 1704–1713, 2012. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
A novel DNA intercalator, 8‐methoxy pyrimido[4′,5′:4,5]thieno (2,3‐b)quinoline‐4(3H)‐one induces apoptosis in cancer cells, inhibits the tumor progression and enhances lifespan in mice with tumor
Authors: Sharma Sheetal , Panjamurthy Kuppusamy , Choudhary Bibha , Srivastava Mrinal , Shahabuddin MS , Giri Ranjit , Advirao Gopal M. , Raghavan Sathees C.
Published: December 2011

Polycyclic aromatic molecules such as ellipticine intercalate into double‐stranded DNA and interfere with physiological functions. In the present study, we evaluate the chemotherapeutic potential of MPTQ on animal models and its mode of action. In order to test the antitumor activity, monohydrochloride of MPTQ was orally administered in mice bearing tumor. Results showed a significant inhibition of tumor growth compared to that of untreated controls. More importantly, mean lifespan of tumor bearing animals treated with MPTQ was significantly higher as compared to that of untreated tumor bearing mice suggesting that the treatment affected viability of cancerous cells, but not of normal cells. Consistent with this, we find that administration of MPTQ to normal mice did not cause any major side effects as observed upon hematological and serum profiling. We also found that MPTQ induces cytotoxicity in cancer cell lines, by activating apoptosis both by intrinsic and extrinsic pathways. Thus, MPTQ could be used as a potential cancer therapeutic agent. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Inherent correction of motion‐induced phase errors in multishot spiral diffusion‐weighted imaging
Authors: Truong Trong‐Kha , Chen Nan‐kuei , Song Allen W.
Published: December 2011

Multishot spiral imaging is a promising alternative to echo‐planar imaging for high‐resolution diffusion‐weighted imaging and diffusion tensor imaging. However, subject motion in the presence of diffusion‐weighting gradients causes phase inconsistencies among different shots, resulting in signal loss and aliasing artifacts in the reconstructed images. Such artifacts can be reduced using a variable‐density spiral trajectory or a navigator echo, however at the cost of a longer scan time. Here, a novel iterative phase correction method is proposed to inherently correct for the motion‐induced phase errors without requiring any additional scan time. In this initial study, numerical simulations and in vivo experiments are performed to demonstrate that the proposed method can effectively and efficiently correct for spatially linear phase errors caused by rigid‐body motion in multishot spiral diffusion‐weighted imaging of the human brain. Magn Reson Med, 2012. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Efficient spectral editing at 7 T: GABA detection with MEGA‐sLASER
Authors: Andreychenko Anna , Boer Vincent O. , Arteaga de Castro Catalina S. , Luijten Peter R. , Klomp Dennis W. J.
Published: December 2011

At high field (7 T) spectral editing of γ‐aminobutyric acid with MEGA‐point‐resolved spectroscopy is inefficient due to the large chemical shift displacement error. In this article, a new pulse sequence is designed which has minimal chemical shift displacement error to perform an efficient spectral editing of the γ‐aminobutyric acid 3.0 ppm resonance at 7 T. The sequence consists of the conventional MEGA editing pulses and a semi‐localized by adiabatic selective refocusing sequence. Phantom and in vivo measurements demonstrated an efficient detection of γ‐aminobutyric acid. Using ECG triggering, excellent in vivo performance of the MEGA‐semi‐localized by adiabatic selective refocusing (MEGA‐sLASER) provided well‐resolved γ‐aminobutyric acid signals in 27 mL volumes in the human brain at an echo time of 74 ms within a relatively short acquisition time (5 min). Furthermore, the high efficiency of the MEGA‐sLASER was demonstrated by acquiring small volumes (8 mL) at an echo time of 74 ms, as well as long echo time measurements (222 ms in 27 mL volume). Magn Reson Med, 2012. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
High‐resolution energy measurement of field‐emitted electrons from a single crystalline magnetite whisker
Authors: Sakakibara H. , Nagai S. , Hata K. , Iwata T. , Okada M. , Mimura H.
Published: December 2011

A high‐resolution energy analyzer system for measuring energy distribution of field‐emitted charged particles has been developed. For high resolution to be achieved, an electrostatic bipotential lens for deceleration of particles was newly designed by using an ion optics simulation software (SIMION 3D) and coupled with the cylindrical electrostatic spectrometer developed by C. Oshima et al. To evaluate the performance of the system, we measured energy distribution of thermal‐field electrons emitted from a W(111) emitter and compared with those of theoretical calculation. As a result, it was found that our system has enough resolution to measure an energy distribution of field‐emitted electrons. We also measured an energy spectrum of field‐emitted electrons from a <110>‐oriented single crystalline magnetite whisker that has half‐metallic property. As a result, the shoulder indicating the existence of peculiar density of state was observed below the Fermi level. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Correlation of the vesicular acetylcholine transporter densities in the striata to the clinical abilities of women with rett syndrome
Authors: Brašić James Robert , Bibat Genila , Kumar Anil , Zhou Yun , Hilton John , Yablonski Marybeth E. , Dogan Ahmet Semih , Guevara Maria Rita , Stephane Massoud , Johnston Michael , Wong Dean Foster , Naidu Sakkubai
Published: December 2011

Rett syndrome (RTT) is a neurodevelopmental disability characterized by mutations in the X‐linked methyl‐CpG‐binding protein 2 located at the Xq28 region. The severity is modified in part by X chromosomal inactivation resulting in wide clinical variability. We hypothesized that the ability to perform the activities of daily living (ADL) is correlated with the density of vesicular acetylcholine transporters in the striata of women with RTT. The density of the vesicular acetylcholine transporters in the living human brain can be estimated by single‐photon emission‐computed tomography (SPECT) after the administration of (−)‐5‐[123I]iodobenzovesamicol ([123I]IBVM). Twenty‐four hours following the intravenous injection of ∼333 MBq (9 mCi) [123I]IBVM, four women with RTT and nine healthy adult volunteer control participants underwent SPECT brain scans for 60 min. The Vesicular Acetylcholine Transporter Binding Site Index (Kuhl et al., 1994), a measurement of the density of vesicular acetylcholine transporters, was estimated in the striatum and the reference structure, the cerebellum. The women with RTT were assessed for certain ADL. Although the striatal Vesicular Acetylcholine Transporter Binding Site Index was not significantly lower in RTT (5.2 ± 0.9) than in healthy adults (5.7 ± 1.6), RTT striatal Vesicular Acetylcholine Transporter Binding Site Indices and ADL scores were linearly associated (ADL = 0.89*(Vesicular Acetylcholine Transporter Binding Site Index) + 4.5; R2 = 0.93; P < 0.01), suggesting a correlation between the ability to perform ADL and the density of vesicular acetylcholine transporters in the striata of women with RTT. [123I]IBVM is a promising tool to characterize the pathophysiological mechanisms of RTT and other neurodevelopmental disabilities. Synapse, 2012. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Upscaling from grain‐scale processes to alluviation in bedrock channels using a cellular automaton model
Authors: Hodge Rebecca A. , Hoey Trevor B.
Published: December 2011

The presence of sediment cover in bedrock rivers inhibits saltation‐driven incision, and so accurate predictions of the relationship between bedrock exposure (Fe) and relative sediment flux (sediment supply rate over capacity sediment transport rate, Qs/Qt) are necessary to model incision and hence landscape evolution. Theoretical predictions of a linear or negative exponential form for this relationship are not consistent with laboratory data that instead demonstrate a range of different relationships. Here we use a cellular automaton (CA) model to establish how the relationship between Fe and Qs/Qt evolves from the dynamics of, and interactions between, individual sediment grains moving through a bedrock channel. The key model parameter is the probability of grain entrainment, which is altered as a function of the number of neighboring grains in order to reproduce the enhanced mobility of isolated grains on bedrock surfaces. For each model run, an equilibrium sediment cover is attained for a specified sediment input, enabling the relationship between Fe and Qs/Qt to be established. As well as both linear and exponential relationships, model runs reproduce other relationships observed in laboratory experiments. These other relationships require isolated grains to be more easily entrained than grains in sediment clusters, which is consistent with field observations of grain mobility. There is therefore a continuum of relationships between Fe and Qs/Qt; the relationship that is most applicable to a particular reach will depend on the role of channel slope, roughness and shear stress in controlling the entrainment of grains from bedrock and alluvial surfaces.
Non-coalescence of oppositely charged droplets in pH-sensitive emulsions
Authors: Liu Tingting , Seiffert Sebastian , Thiele Julian , Abate Adam R. , Weitz David A. , Richtering Walter
Published: December 2011

Like charges stabilize emulsions, whereas opposite charges break emulsions. This is the fundamental principle for many industrial and practical processes. Using micrometer-sized pH-sensitive polymeric hydrogel particles as emulsion stabilizers, we prepare emulsions that consist of oppositely charged droplets, which do not coalesce. We observe noncoalescence of oppositely charged droplets in bulk emulsification as well as in microfluidic devices, where oppositely charged droplets are forced to collide within channel junctions. The results demonstrate that electrostatic interactions between droplets do not determine their stability and reveal the unique pH-dependent properties of emulsions stabilized by soft microgel particles. The noncoalescence can be switched to coalescence by neutralizing the microgels, and the emulsion can be broken on demand. This unusual feature of the microgel-stabilized emulsions offers fascinating opportunities for future applications of these systems.
Schooling in adolescence raises IQ scores
Authors: Brinch Christian N. , Galloway Taryn Ann
Published: December 2011

Although some scholars maintain that education has little effect on intelligence quotient (IQ) scores, others claim that IQ scores are indeed malleable, primarily through intervention in early childhood. The causal effect of education on IQ at later ages is often difficult to uncover because analyses based on observational data are plagued by problems of reverse causation and self-selection into further education. We exploit a reform that increased compulsory schooling from 7 to 9 y in Norway in the 1960s to estimate the effect of education on IQ. We find that this schooling reform, which primarily affected education in the middle teenage years, had a substantial effect on IQ scores measured at the age of 19 y.
Type 1 ryanodine receptor knock-in mutation causing central core disease of skeletal muscle also displays a neuronal phenotype
Authors: De Crescenzo Valerie , Fogarty Kevin E. , Lefkowitz Jason J. , Bellve Karl D. , Zvaritch Elena , MacLennan David H. , Walsh John V.
Published: December 2011

The type 1 ryanodine receptor (RyR1) is expressed widely in the brain, with high levels in the cerebellum, hippocampus, and hypothalamus. We have shown that L-type Ca
2+
channels in terminals of hypothalamic magnocellular neurons are coupled to RyRs, as they are in skeletal muscle, allowing voltage-induced Ca
2+
release (VICaR) from internal Ca
2+
stores without Ca
2+
influx. Here we demonstrate that RyR1 plays a role in VICaR in nerve terminals. Furthermore, in heterozygotes from the

Ryr1
I4895T/WT

(IT/+) mouse line, carrying a knock-in mutation corresponding to one that causes a severe form of human central core disease, VICaR is absent, demonstrating that type 1 RyR mediates VICaR and that these mice have a neuronal phenotype. The absence of VICaR was shown in two ways: first, depolarization in the absence of Ca
2+
influx elicited Ca
2+
syntillas (
scintilla
, spark, in a nerve terminal, a SYNaptic structure) in WT, but not in mutant terminals; second, in the presence of extracellular Ca
2+
, IT/+ terminals showed a twofold decrease in global Ca
2+
transients, with no change in plasmalemmal Ca
2+
current. From these studies we draw two conclusions: (
i
) RyR1 plays a role in VICaR in hypothalamic nerve terminals; and (
ii
) a neuronal alteration accompanies the myopathy in IT/+ mice, and, possibly in humans carrying the corresponding
RyR1
mutation.
Interpolity exchange of basalt tools facilitated via elite control in Hawaiian archaic states
Authors: Kirch Patrick V. , Mills Peter R. , Lundblad Steven P. , Sinton John , Kahn Jennifer G.
Published: December 2011

Ethnohistoric accounts of late precontact Hawaiian archaic states emphasize the independence of chiefly controlled territories (ahupua‘a) based on an agricultural, staple economy. However, elite control of unevenly distributed resources, such as high-quality volcanic rock for adze production, may have provided an alternative source of economic power. To test this hypothesis we used nondestructive energy-dispersive X-ray fluorescence (ED-XRF) analysis of 328 lithic artifacts from 36 archaeological features in the Kahikinui district, Maui Island, to geochemically characterize the source groups. This process was followed by a limited sampling using destructive wavelength-dispersive X-ray fluorescence (WD-XRF) analysis to more precisely characterize certain nonlocal source groups. Seventeen geochemical groups were defined, eight of which represent extra-Maui Island sources. Although the majority of stone tools were derived from Maui Island sources (71%), a significant quantity (27%) of tools derived from extraisland sources, including the large Mauna Kea quarry on Hawai‘i Island as well as quarries on O‘ahu, Moloka‘i, and Lāna‘i islands. Importantly, tools quarried from extralocal sources are found in the highest frequency in elite residential features and in ritual contexts. These results suggest a significant role for a wealth economy based on the control and distribution of nonagricultural goods and resources during the rise of the Hawaiian archaic states.