bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Fetal liver T2* values: Defining a standardized scale
Authors: Goitein Orly , Eshet Yael , Hoffmann Chen , Raviv‐Zilka Lisa , Salem Yishay , Hamdan Ashraf , Goitein David , Kushnir Tamar , Eshed Iris , Di‐Segni Elio , Konen Eli
Published: April 2013

Purpose

To define the normal T2* values of liver in the third trimester of pregnancy in normal fetuses.

Materials and Methods

Multi‐echo gradient echo T2* sequence was applied to the fetal abdomen in the axial plane in women undergoing a fetal MRI (1.5 Tesla [T], MRI system). A region of interest, best visualizing in the liver parenchyma was used for measurements. Studies were independently read by two experienced readers to assess intra‐ and interobserver variability.

Results

The study cohort included 46 pregnant women undergoing fetal MRI for any indication other than liver pathology evaluation. Three scans were excluded due to fetal motion. Average maternal and gestational age were 33 ± 4 years and 31.9 ± 3 weeks, respectively. Average T2* values were found to be 19.7 ± 7.4 ms. The intra‐ and interobserver agreement were very good: 0.93 and 0.8–0.084, respectively.

Conclusion

T2* MRI allows noninvasive evaluation liver iron content in the third trimester fetus. Measured values at this stage of pregnancy are significantly lower compared with values cited in the literature for adults. This is of major importance in the correct diagnosis of fetal iron overload states. We propose this as the standard reference when evaluating fetal iron overload pathology. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2013;38:1342–1345. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Mass spectrometry based lipid(ome) analyzer and molecular platform: a new software to interpret and analyze electrospray and/or matrix‐assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometric data of lipids: a case study from Mycobacterium tuberculosis
Authors: Sabareesh Varatharajan , Singh Gurpreet
Published: April 2013

Mass Spectrometry based Lipid(ome) Analyzer and Molecular Platform (MS‐LAMP) is a new software capable of aiding in interpreting electrospray ionization (ESI) and/or matrix‐assisted laser desorption/ionization (MALDI) mass spectrometric data of lipids. The graphical user interface (GUI) of this standalone programme is built using Perl::Tk. Two databases have been developed and constituted within MS‐LAMP, on the basis of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (M. tb) lipid database (www.mrl.colostate.edu) and that of Lipid Metabolites and Pathways Strategy Consortium (LIPID MAPS; www.lipidmaps.org).

Different types of queries entered through GUI would interrogate with a chosen database. The queries can be molecular mass(es) or mass‐to‐charge (m/z) value(s) and molecular formula. LIPID MAPS identifier also can be used to search but not for M. tb lipids. Multiple choices have been provided to select diverse ion types and lipids. Satisfying to input parameters, a glimpse of various lipid categories and their population distribution can be viewed in the output. Additionally, molecular structures of lipids in the output can be seen using ChemSketch (www.acdlabs.com), which has been linked to the programme. Furthermore, a version of MS‐LAMP for use in Linux operating system is separately available, wherein PyMOL can be used to view molecular structures that result as output from General Lipidome MS‐LAMP.

The utility of this software is demonstrated using ESI mass spectrometric data of lipid extracts of M. tb grown under two different pH (5.5 and 7.0) conditions. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Hot air treatment‐induced arginine catabolism is associated with elevated polyamines and proline levels and alleviates chilling injury in postharvest tomato fruit
Authors: Zhang Xinhua , Shen Lin , Li Fujun , Meng Demei , Sheng Jiping
Published: April 2013

BACKGROUND

To understand whether arginine catabolism might be involved in hot air (HA)‐induced chilling tolerance mechanism in tomato fruit, we investigated the effect of HA treatment on endogenous arginine catabolism in relation to chilling injury.

RESULTS

Tomato fruit were harvested at mature green stage and treated with HA at 38°C for 12 h and then stored at 2°C for 21 days. The effects of HA treatment on fruit chilling injury and gene expression levels or enzyme activity, and metabolites related to arginine catabolism were evaluated. HA treatment reduced the chilling injury symptoms of tomato fruit and enhanced the accumulation of endogenous polyamines, especially putrescine and proline. This accumulation is associated with the increased transcript levels of genes encoding arginase (LeARG1 and LeARG2), arginine decarboxylase (LeADC), ornithine decarboxylase (LeODC) and ornithine aminotransferase (LeOAT) at most sampling times. However, HA treatment had little effect on nitric oxide synthase activity and nitric oxide concentration.

CONCLUSION

These results revealed that the reduction in chilling injury by HA treatment may be due to the accumulation of putrescine and proline induced primarily by activating the catabolism of endogenous arginine. © 2013 Society of Chemical Industry
The effect of nasal surgery on nasal continuous positive airway pressure compliance
Authors: Poirier Justin , George Charles , Rotenberg Brian
Published: April 2013

Objectives/Hypothesis

Nasal continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) is the standard therapy for sleep apnea; however, compliance rates are historically poor. Among the most commonly cited reasons for nonadherence is nasal obstruction. Our study sought to examine if nasal surgery actually increases CPAP compliance.

Study Design

Prospective case series.

Methods

Nasal CPAP‐intolerant obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) patients, with documented nasal obstruction, underwent septoplasty plus inferior turbinoplasty. Preoperative and postoperative data were collected on CPAP usage per night and subjective nasal obstruction with the Nasal Obstruction Symptom Evaluation (NOSE) Scale questionnaire.

Results

Eighteen patients met inclusion criteria and underwent septoplasty. CPAP usage increased significantly from 0.5 hours per night preoperatively to 5 hours per night postoperatively (P < .05). Subjective nasal obstruction on the NOSE Scale decreased from 16.1 preoperatively to 5.4 following surgical intervention (P < .05). CPAP pressure decreased from 11.9 preoperatively to 9.2 after surgery, with a trend toward signifiance (P = .062).

Conclusions

This study demonstrates improved CPAP compliance rates following septoplasty in OSA patients with nasal obstruction. Correction of nasal obstruction should be offered in nasal CPAP‐intolerant individuals to improve CPAP compliance.

Level of Evidence

3b Laryngoscope, 124:317–319, 2014
The Effects of Seasonality in Estimating the C‐Factor of Soil Erosion Studies
Authors: Alexandridis Thomas K. , Sotiropoulou Anastasia M. , Bilas George , Karapetsas Nikolaos , Silleos Nikolaos G.
Published: April 2013

Monitoring soil erosion risk is an important part of soil conservation practices. It is usually estimated with the Universal Soil Loss Equation, and the C‐factor (vegetation cover) is derived from optical satellite images. However, because of lack of data and resources, or in rapid assessments, C‐factor is estimated using one or a few satellite observations, despite being temporally variable according to plants' phenology. The aim of this work was to study the effect of seasonality in estimating C‐factor. This was achieved by demonstrating first that there is a difference when estimating soil erosion with Universal Soil Loss Equation at variable time steps in a year, namely once, seasonally and monthly. Using Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer normalized difference vegetation index images and statistical analysis at subcatchment scale, it was shown that there is a significant difference when estimating mean annual soil loss with the aforementioned temporal options. The highest differences were observed between monthly and annual time steps. The second objective was to identify which is the optimum time to estimate C‐factor in a year. The results show that November, October and March are the optimum months for single image estimation of annual soil erosion. Statistical analysis with a random point dataset suggested that the spatial variability of the results was influenced by the land cover type, especially in areas with variable leaf cover where a single date estimation of C‐factor was not representative of the whole year, such as annual crops and deciduous trees. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
In Vitro and In Vivo Enzyme‐Mediated Biomineralization of Oligo(poly(ethylene glycol) Fumarate Hydrogels
Authors: Bongio Matilde , Nejadnik M. Reza , Birgani Z. Tahmasebi , Habibovic Pamela , Kinard Lucas A. , Kasper F. Kurtis , Mikos Antonios G. , Jansen John A. , Leeuwenburgh Sander C. G. , van den Beucken Jeroen J. J. P.
Published: April 2013

The enzyme alkaline phosphatase (ALP) is added at different concentrations (i.e., 0, 2.5, and 10 mg · ml−1) to oligo(poly(ethylene glycol)fumarate) (OPF) hydrogels. The scaffolds are either incubated in 10 mM calcium glycerophosphate (Ca–GP) solution for 2 weeks or implanted in a rat subcutaneous model for 4 weeks. Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, X‐ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS), and alizarin red staining show a strong ability to form minerals exclusively in ALP‐containing hydrogels in vitro. Additionally, the calcium content increases with increasing ALP concentration. Similarly, only ALP‐containing hydrogels induce mineralization in vivo. Specifically, small (≈5–20 µm) mineral deposits are observed at the periphery of the hydrogels near the dermis/scaffold interface using Von Kossa and alizarin red staining.

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Parameter Selection and Estimation Techniques in a Styrene Polymerization Model
Authors: Woloszyn John D. , Hesse Pascal , Hungenberg Klaus‐Dieter , McAuley Kimberley B.
Published: April 2013

Styrene polymerization literature is reviewed and a model with dicumyl peroxide and benzoyl peroxide initiators is developed. Nine parameters are selected for estimation using statistical methods that account for the influence of parameters on model predictions, correlated effects of parameters and uncertainties of initial literature values. Updated parameters result in improved fits to conversion and molecular weight data from three research groups, reducing the least‐squares objective function by 73%. Use of industrial data from 19 batch reactor runs increases the number of estimable parameters to 16. Good predictions are obtained for validation runs with temperature ramps using both initiators.

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Kinetics and Modeling of Methacrylic Acid Radical Polymerization in Aqueous Solution
Authors: Wittenberg Nils F. G. , Buback Michael , Hutchinson Robin A.
Published: April 2013

Batch radical polymerization of non‐ionized methacrylic acid, 30 wt.‐% in aqueous solution, has been studied at 50 °C and ambient pressure with 2‐mercaptoethanol (ME) as the chain‐transfer agent (CTA). Initial polymerization rate decreases with CTA concentration, which has been varied up to 20 mol‐%. A kinetic model is presented which includes chain‐length‐dependent termination and uses an empirical function to account for the dependence of termination rate on both monomer conversion and molar mass of the polymeric product. In conjunction with PREDICI simulation, this model affords for an adequate representation of the measured monomer conversion vs. time profiles.

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Implication of high‐body‐fat percentage on cardiometabolic risk in middle‐aged, healthy, normal‐weight adults
Authors: Kim Ji Young , Han Sang‐Hwan , Yang Bong‐Min
Published: April 2013

Objective

This study investigated the number of Korean adults who had a normal body mass index (BMI) but high body‐fat percentage (BF%) and determined their increased risk factors for cardiovascular diseases, including high blood pressure, hyperglycemia, and dyslipidemia.

Design and Methods

This cross‐sectional study was based on 12,386 subjects (6,534 men and 5,852 women), with a normal BMI, between 30 and 49 years of age. Subjects were categorized into two groups by BF% (normal BF% group, BF% <25 for men, and BF% <30 for women; high BF(%) group, BF% ≥25 for men, and BF% ≥30 for women).

Results

The proportion of subjects with a normal BMI and high BF% was 12.7% (n = 1,572; 291 [4.5%] men and 1,281 [21.9%] women). Subjects with a high BF% had a significantly higher prevalence of high blood pressure (men only), hyperglycemia, and dyslipidemia. Multiple logistic regression analyses revealed that subjects with a normal BMI and high BF% had a 1.63 (adjusted odds ratio, 95% confidence interval: 1.21–2.19) in men and 1.56 (adjusted odds ratio, 95% confidence interval: 1.36–1.80) in women increased risk of one or more cardiovascular risk factors compared to subjects in the normal BMI and normal BF% group, even after adjusting for abdominal obesity.

Conclusion

High BF% is associated with a high cardiometabolic risks, regardless of abdominal obesity, in normal‐weight Korean adults. Thus, follow‐up screening of those with a high BF% may be necessary to detect and prevent cardiometabolic diseases, particularly for women with a normal BMI.
Improving integral square error performance with implementable fractional‐order PI controllers
Authors: Rahimian Mohammad Amin , Tavazoei Mohammad Saleh
Published: April 2013

In this paper, an algebraic rule for tuning the integer realizations of fractional‐order PI controllers is developed, with an integral square error performance index, which outperforms that of an optimal ordinary PI controller. To this end, the PIλ control structure is used in conjunction with a third‐order integer approximating filter to provide a three parameter fixed‐structure extension of the ordinary PI controller. Next, the extra degree of freedom in setting the order of integration λ is leveraged to introduce a steepest descent direction in the extended controller parameter space. It is then stated that shifting the parameters of an ordinary PI controller along the proposed descent direction will result in a fractional‐based three parameter controller with a performance index, which is superior to that of the original PI controller. The stability of the controller parameters derived in this manner is then analyzed, and examples and simulation results are offered to verify the theoretical expectations and analyses. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Plasma Induced Graft Polymerization of C6 Fluorocarbons on Cotton Fabrics for Sustainable Finishing Applications
Authors: Ramamoorthy Amsarani , El‐Shafei Ahmed , Hauser Peter
Published: April 2013

The main objective of this research is to achieve atmospheric plasma induced graft polymerization of non‐C8 fluorocarbons onto cotton fabrics to achieve a durable nanolayer fluorocarbon coating that is water, alcohol, and oil repellent through home launderings. The influence of process parameters on the performance of polyfluorocarbon was studied using water contact angle measurements, water/alcohol, and oil repellency tests, X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and scanning electron microscopy. A design of experiments for different processing conditions was used. Plasma assisted‐graft polymerization of fluorocarbon in presence of the crosslinker di(ethyleneglycol) diacrylate (10:1 molar ratio of monomer/crosslinker) resulted in a polyfluorocarbon nanolayer on cotton, which was hydrophobic and durable to five home launderings.

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Detecting selection for negative design in proteins through an improved model of the misfolded state
Authors: Minning Jonas , Porto Markus , Bastolla Ugo
Published: April 2013

Proteins that need to be structured in their native state must be stable both against the unfolded ensemble and against incorrectly folded (misfolded) conformations with low free energy. Positive design targets the first type of stability by strengthening native interactions. The second type of stability is achieved by destabilizing interactions that occur frequently in the misfolded ensemble, a strategy called negative design. Here, we investigate negative design adopting a statistical mechanical model of the misfolded ensemble, which improves the usual Gaussian approximation by taking into account the third moment of the energy distribution and contact correlations. Applying this model, we detect and quantify selection for negative design in most natural proteins, and we analytically design protein sequences that are stable both against unfolding and against misfolding. Proteins 2013; 81:1102–1112. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Reinterpretation of the GaAsP far‐infrared spectra within the framework of the Verleur and Barker model of the alloy phonon spectra
Authors: Cebulski J. , Woźny M. , Sheregii E. M.
Published: April 2013

In this research, the model of five basic structural units (tetrahedra) proposed by Verleur and Barker [Phys. Rev. 149, 715 (1966)] (VB‐model) is completed by the statistical approach, which enables us to derive quantitative relations for the oscillator strengths of separate lines. The rule of proportionality of the oscillator strength sum to the content of the components for each dipole pair is developed as a criterion of random distribution of atoms in the lattice. Thus, a proper identification of observed lines was performed. It is shown that the optical‐reflection spectra obtained experimentally by the VB‐model authors for GaAsP solid solutions can be successfully explained using the VB‐model, without the hypothesis of clustering of binary GaAs as well as GaP tetrahedra, which they introduced.
Comparison of defect processes in REAlO3 perovskites and RE3Al5O12 garnets
Authors: Patel Ankoor P. , Stanek Chris R. , Grimes Robin W.
Published: April 2013

Defects can decrease the efficiency of scintillators by trapping electrons. Here, point defects in REAlO3 and RE3Al5O12 are predicted with pair potential simulations, where RE is yttrium or a trivalent rare earth cation. It was found that REAlO3 shows a preference for Al2O3‐excess whereas RE3Al5O12 most readily exhibits RE2O3‐excess. Also, lattice volume changes for the energetically favorable intrinsic mechanisms are relatively invariant as a function of RE cation size in RE3Al5O12, but not in REAlO3. However, in non‐stoichiometric RE3Al5O12, the energetically preferred disorder mechanism results in an increasing lattice expansion with increasing RE radius whereas, in non‐stoichiometric perovskites, a relatively small, radius independent, lattice contraction is predicted. These results illustrate that defect behavior in REAlO3 perovskites and RE3Al5O12 garnets is quite disimilar.
Microwave techniques for diagnostic laboratories
Authors: Leong Anthony S‐Y
Published: April 2013

Microwaves (MWs) were first introduced as a method of fixation just over 20 years ago. In recent years their use has extended far beyond that of a safe, clean, and rapid method of fixation of tissue blocks and large specimens, including brains. MWs accelerate the action of cross‐linking fixatives and can greatly accelerate the various stages of tissue processing to produce a paraffin block in 30 min. An extensive range of ultrafast MW‐stimulated special stains has been developed, and immunohistochemical procedures can be completed in 20 min by employing MWs. Cellular antigens are distinctly better preserved in tissues fixed by MWs than by conventional cross‐linking fixatives. Also, the cytomorphology of cryostat sections irradiated in Wolman's solution is clearly improved. MWs can similarly be applied for fixation and staining of preparations for transmission and scanning electron microscopy, and they also greatly accelerate polymerisation of resins. In the current climate of cost containment, this wide range of applications makes the MW oven an invaluable addition to the diagnostic laboratory.
Thermochronologic insight into late Cenozoic deformation in the basement‐cored Terskey Range, Kyrgyz Tien Shan
Authors: Macaulay Euan A. , Sobel Edward R. , Mikolaichuk Alexander , Landgraf Angela , Kohn Barry , Stuart Finlay
Published: April 2013

Basement‐cored ranges formed by reverse faulting within intracontinental mountain belts are often composed of poly‐deformed lithologies. Geological data capable of constraining the timing, magnitude, and distribution of the most recent deformational phase are usually missing in such ranges. In this paper, we present new low temperature thermochronological and geological data from a transect through the basement‐cored Terskey Range, located in the Kyrgyz Tien Shan. Using these data, we are able to investigate the range's late Cenozoic deformation for the first time. Displacements on reactivated faults are constrained and deformation of thermochronologically derived structural markers is assessed. These structural markers postdate the earlier deformational phases, providing the only record of Cenozoic deformation and of the reactivation of structures within the Terskey Range. Overall, these structural markers have a southern inclination, interpreted to reflect the decreasing inclination of the reverse fault bounding the Terskey Range. Our thermochronological data are also used to investigate spatial and temporal variations in the exhumation of the Terskey Range, identifying a three‐stage Cenozoic exhumation history: (1) virtually no exhumation in the Paleogene, (2) increase to slightly higher exhumation rates at ~26–20 Ma, and (3) significant increase in exhumation starting at ~10 Ma.
Slip localization on the southern Alpine Fault, New Zealand
Authors: Barth N. C. , Boulton C. , Carpenter B. M. , Batt G. E. , Toy V. G.
Published: April 2013

Results of a detailed field study of the southern onshore portion of New Zealand's Alpine Fault reveal that for 75 km along‐strike, dextral‐normal slip on this long‐lived structure is highly localized in phyllosilicate‐rich fault core gouges and along their contact with more competent rocks. At three localities (Martyr River, McKenzie Creek, and Hokuri Creek), we document complete cross sections through the fault. New40Ar/39Ar dates on mylonites, combined with microstructural and mechanical data on phyllosilicate‐rich fault core gouges show that modern slip is localized onto a single, steeply dipping 1 to 12 m‐thick fault core composed of impermeable (k = 10−20to 10−22 m2), frictionally weak (μs = 0.12–0.37), velocity‐strengthening, illite‐chlorite, and saponite‐chlorite‐lizardite fault gouges. Fault core materials are (1) comparable to those of other major weak‐cored faults (e.g., San Andreas Fault) and (2) most compatible with fault creep, despite paleoseismic evidence of quasiperiodic large magnitude earthquakes (Mw > 7) on this portion of the Alpine Fault. We conclude that frictional properties of gouges at the surface do not characterize the overall seismogenic behavior of the southern Alpine Fault.
Genetic improvement of Saccharomyces cerevisiae wine strains for enhancing cell viability after desiccation stress
Authors: López‐Martínez Gema , Pietrafesa Rocchina , Romano Patrizia , Cordero‐Otero Ricardo , Capece Angela
Published: April 2013

In the last few decades spontaneous grape must fermentations have been replaced by inoculated fermentation with Saccharomyces cerevisiae strains as active dry yeast (ADY). Among the essential genes previously characterized to overcome the cell‐drying/rehydration process, six belong to the group of very hydrophilic proteins known as hydrophilins. Among them, only SIP18 has shown early transcriptional response during dehydration stress. In fact, the overexpression in S. cerevisiae of gene SIP18 increases cell viability after the dehydration process. The purpose of this study was to characterize dehydration stress tolerance of three wild and one commercial S. cerevisiae strains of wine origin. The four strains were submitted to transformation by insertion of the gene SIP18. Selected transformants were submitted to the cell‐drying–rehydration process and yeast viability was evaluated by both viable cell count and flow cytometry. The antioxidant capacity of SIP18p was illustrated by ROS accumulation reduction after H2O2 attack. Growth data as cellular duplication times and lag times were calculated to estimate cell vitality after the cell rehydration process. The overexpressing SIP18 strains showed significantly longer time of lag phase despite less time needed to stop the leakage of intracellular compounds during the rehydration process. Subsequently, the transformants were tested in inoculated grape must fermentation at laboratory scale in comparison to untransformed strains. Chemical analyses of the resultant wines indicated that no significant change for the content of secondary compounds was detected. The obtained data showed that the transformation enhances the viability of ADY without affecting fermentation efficiency and metabolic behaviour. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Laparoscopic surgery for choledochal cysts
Authors: Liem Nguyen Thanh
Published: April 2013

Laparoscopic cystectomy has become a common procedure for choledochal cysts. The cyst should be removed completely just above the confluence of the common biliopancreatic channel at the distal end and approximately 5 mm from the confluence of the right and left hepatic ducts at the proximal end to avoid complications of the cystic remnant. The operation is feasible and safe. The rate of conversion to open surgery is low. The rate of complication under skill laparoscopic surgeons is also low, even lower than in open surgery. There was no difference between hepaticoduodenostomy and hepaticojejunostomy concerning the rate of cholangitis. Gastritis due to bilious reflux occurred with a low rate in hepaticoduodenostomy. Both techniques could be used for choledochal cysts; however, hepaticoduodenostomy should be applied for choledochal cysts without intrahepatic dilatation of biliary tract.
Model-Implied Instrumental Variable—Generalized Method of Moments (MIIV-GMM) Estimators for Latent Variable Models
Authors: Bollen Kenneth A. , Kolenikov Stanislav , Bauldry Shawn
Published: April 2013

The common maximum likelihood (ML) estimator for structural equation models (SEMs) has optimal asymptotic properties under ideal conditions (e.g., correct structure, no excess kurtosis, etc.) that are rarely met in practice. This paper proposes model-implied instrumental variable – generalized method of moments (MIIV-GMM) estimators for latent variable SEMs that are more robust than ML to violations of both the model structure and distributional assumptions. Under less demanding assumptions, the MIIV-GMM estimators are consistent, asymptotically unbiased, asymptotically normal, and have an asymptotic covariance matrix. They are “distribution-free,” robust to heteroscedasticity, and have overidentification goodness-of-fit J-tests with asymptotic chi-square distributions. In addition, MIIV-GMM estimators are “scalable” in that they can estimate and test the full model or any subset of equations, and hence allow better pinpointing of those parts of the model that fit and do not fit the data. An empirical example illustrates MIIV-GMM estimators. Two simulation studies explore their finite sample properties and find that they perform well across a range of sample sizes.
Simple and Efficient Profiling of Phospholipids in Phospholipase D‐modified Soy Lecithin by HPLC with Charged Aerosol Detection
Authors: Damnjanović Jasmina , Nakano Hideo , Iwasaki Yugo
Published: April 2013

Dietary phosphatidylinositol (PI) can be synthesized via phospholipase D (PLD)‐catalyzed transphosphatidylation of phosphatidylcholine (PC), abundant in soy lecithin, with myo‐inositol. However, a generated mixture of phospholipid (PL) classes poses a challenge for analysis. Our current work on Streptomyces PLD engineering requires a robust analytical method for profiling of PI and related PLs derived from the transphosphatidylation reactions. Therefore, we optimized an HPLC‐based method with charged aerosol detector (CAD) for PL quantification. PLs were separated on a normal phase silica column by a gradient elution system using two solvents containing chloroform/methanol/1 M formic acid–triethylamine buffer in different ratios. Retention times of the PL standards and LC–MS under identical conditions were used to identity PL classes. PL standards gave linear response in 100‐ and 10‐fold (lyso‐PI) concentration range. The method provided a simple, sensitive, repeatable, and precise analysis of PI, PC, phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidic acid, and lyso forms of PC and PI. Compared to the similar existing method, introduction of CAD provided a three‐ to fivefold decrease at the lower end and a two‐ to fivefold increase at the upper end of the dynamic range. High precision, high sensitivity, and low limits of detection and quantification further underline the benefits of CAD in PL analysis.
Self-Immunization with Live Attenuated Influenza Vaccine in a Mass Vaccination Clinic
Authors: Zahn Matt , Pursiful Priscilla , Carrico Ruth , Woods Charles , Troutman Adewale
Published: April 2013

Objective

An influenza pandemic may demand that a large number of influenza immunizations be rapidly given with limited resources. This study tested the utility and practicality of self-immunization with live attenuated influenza intranasal vaccine in a mass vaccination event.

Methods

The self-immunization clinic model was evaluated in a three-tiered fashion using student, first responder, and open community events.

Results

A single nurse was easily able to direct 89 people through the process of self-administration of the vaccine in a three-hour first-responder event and 122 people in a three-hour open community event. 96% of participants believed that they had performed the self-administration correctly, and the same percentage reported that they would like to receive influenza immunization by self-vaccination in the future.

Conclusions

The self-immunization clinic is a practical and potentially useful model in an influenza pandemic setting.
Recovery and Resilience After a Nuclear Power Plant Disaster: A Medical Decision Model for Managing an Effective, Timely, and Balanced Response
Authors: Coleman C. Norman , Blumenthal Daniel J. , Casto Charles A. , Alfant Michael , Simon Steven L. , Remick Alan L. , Gepford Heather J. , Bowman Thomas , Telfer Jana L. , Blumenthal Pamela M. , Noska Michael A.
Published: April 2013

Resilience after a nuclear power plant or other radiation emergency requires response and recovery activities that are appropriately safe, timely, effective, and well organized. Timely informed decisions must be made, and the logic behind them communicated during the evolution of the incident before the final outcome is known. Based on our experiences in Tokyo responding to the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant crisis, we propose a real-time, medical decision model by which to make key health-related decisions that are central drivers to the overall incident management. Using this approach, on-site decision makers empowered to make interim decisions can act without undue delay using readily available and high-level scientific, medical, communication, and policy expertise. Ongoing assessment, consultation, and adaption to the changing conditions and additional information are additional key features. Given the central role of health and medical issues in all disasters, we propose that this medical decision model, which is compatible with the existing US National Response Framework structure, be considered for effective management of complex, large-scale, and large-consequence incidents. (Disaster Med Public Health Preparedness. 2012;0:1-10)
Dietary supplementation of young broiler chickens with Capsicum and turmeric oleoresins increases resistance to necrotic enteritis
Authors: Lee Sung Hyen , Lillehoj Hyun S. , Jang Seung I. , Lillehoj Erik P. , Min Wongi , Bravo David M.
Published: April 2013

The Clostridium-related poultry disease, necrotic enteritis (NE), causes substantial economic losses on a global scale. In the present study, a mixture of two plant-derived phytonutrients, Capsicum oleoresin and turmeric oleoresin (XT), was evaluated for its effects on local and systemic immune responses using a co-infection model of experimental NE in commercial broilers. Chickens were fed from hatch with a diet supplemented with XT, or with a non-supplemented control diet, and either uninfected or orally challenged with virulent Eimeria maxima oocysts at 14 d and Clostridium perfringens at 18 d of age. Parameters of protective immunity were as follows: (1) body weight; (2) gut lesions; (3) serum levels of C. perfringens α-toxin and NE B-like (NetB) toxin; (4) serum levels of antibodies to α-toxin and NetB toxin; (5) levels of gene transcripts encoding pro-inflammatory cytokines and chemokines in the intestine and spleen. Infected chickens fed the XT-supplemented diet had increased body weight and reduced gut lesion scores compared with infected birds given the non-supplemented diet. The XT-fed group also displayed decreased serum α-toxin levels and reduced intestinal IL-8, lipopolysaccharide-induced TNF-α factor (LITAF), IL-17A and IL-17F mRNA levels, while cytokine/chemokine levels in splenocytes increased in the XT-fed group, compared with the animals fed the control diet. In conclusion, the present study documents the molecular and cellular immune changes following dietary supplementation with extracts of Capsicum and turmeric that may be relevant to protective immunity against avian NE.
“Breathing the Air of a World So New”: Rewriting the Landscape of America in Toni Morrison's A Mercy
Authors: TERRY JENNIFER
Published: April 2013

This article explores Toni Morrison's preoccupation with, and reimagining of, the landscape of the so-called New World. Drawing on scholarship that has investigated dominant discourses about freedom, bounty, and possibility located within the Americas, it identifies various counternarratives in Morrison's fiction, tracing these through the earlier Song of Solomon (1977), Tar Baby (1981), and Beloved (1987), but primarily arguing for their centrality to A Mercy (2008). The mapping of seventeenth-century North America in the author's ninth novel both exposes colonial relations to place and probes African American experiences of the natural world. In particular, A Mercy is found to recalibrate definitions of “wilderness” with a sharpened sensitivity to the position of women and the racially othered within them. The dynamic between the perspectives towards the environment of Anglo-Dutch farmer and trader Jacob Vaark and Native American orphan and servant Lina, is examined, as well as the slave girl Florens's formative encounters in American space. Bringing together diverse narrative views, A Mercy is shown to trouble hegemonic settler and masculinist notions of the New World and, especially through Florens's voicing, shape an alternative engagement with landscape. The article goes some way towards meeting recent calls for attention to the intersections between postcolonial approaches and ecocriticism.
Adenoid cystic carcinoma of the sinonasal tract: outcome of endonasal endoscopic surgery at five-year follow up
Authors: Gendeh B S , Zahedi F D , Ahmad H , Kew T Y
Published: April 2013

Objective:

To study the outcome of endonasal endoscopic surgery for adenoid cystic carcinoma of the sinonasal tract over a five-year follow-up period.

Design:

Retrospective analysis.

Methods:

Four consecutive patients with adenoid cystic carcinoma of the sinonasal tract, who had undergone endonasal endoscopic surgery, were reviewed regarding age at diagnosis, sex, primary site, tumour-node-metastasis staging, treatment modalities, histopathological findings, duration of follow up, distant metastases and treatment outcome.

Results:

All patients were diagnosed at an advanced stage and had post-operative adjuvant radiotherapy. Three patients underwent endoscopic endonasal resection and one endoscopic assisted craniofacial resection. The most common primary site was the ethmoid sinus (three patients). Three patients had no evidence of recurrence. One patient who had undergone partial clearance via endoscopic endonasal resection developed cervical node metastases a year after treatment; this patient also developed distant metastases.

Conclusion:

Adenoid cystic carcinoma is difficult to treat. Sinonasal tract tumours can be resected via endoscopic endonasal resection or endoscopic assisted craniofacial resection, but prolonged follow up is advisable. Radiotherapy is an important adjuvant treatment.
Quality of life measures in otitis media
Authors: Maile E J , Youngs R
Published: April 2013

Disabling hearing impairment is the world's most common disability. Traditionally, hearing levels measured by pure tone audiometry have been used to define and quantify hearing loss. The effects of disabling hearing loss on patients' quality of life can be profound, and audiometric data alone may not correlate with quality of life measures. Generic measures of quality of life can be used to compare different diseases, and as such are useful in resource allocation and burden of disease studies. Their disadvantage is that they are not disease-specific and can therefore under-estimate the effects of a disease on patients' quality of life. Disease-specific measures are more sensitive. In chronic otitis media, additional factors such as discharge augment the effect of hearing loss alone on quality of life. Many of the quality of life measures developed for chronic otitis media have been used to assess improvement following reconstructive surgery. Quality of life measures have also been used to assess the effect of paediatric otitis media. Quality of life measures also have utility in the developing world, where hearing impairment is a huge burden.
Lactate dehydrogenase isoenzyme patterns in auricular pseudocyst fluid
Authors: Chen P-P , Tsai S-M , Wang H-M , Wang L-F , Chien C-Y , Chang N-C , Ho K-Y
Published: April 2013

Objective:

We investigated lactate dehydrogenase isoenzyme patterns in the cyst fluid of auricular pseudocysts and autogenous blood, to assist the diagnosis of auricular pseudocyst.

Methods:

Twenty patients with auricular pseudocysts participated in this study conducted in Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital between February 2007 and June 2010. Patterns of lactate dehydrogenase in cyst fluid and autogenous blood were analysed.

Results:

Levels of lactate dehydrogenase 1 and 2 were lower in auricular pseudocysts than in autogenous blood, whereas levels of lactate dehydrogenase 4 and 5 were higher; this difference was statistically significant (p < 0.001).

Conclusion:

Lactate dehydrogenase isoenzyme patterns in auricular pseudocyst fluid indicated higher percentage distributions of lactate dehydrogenase 4 and 5 and lower percentage distributions of lactate dehydrogenase 1 and 2. An effective laboratory method of evaluating the different lactate dehydrogenase isoenzyme components was developed; this method may improve the accuracy of auricular pseudocyst diagnosis.
Iodine deficiency in the UK: an overlooked cause of impaired neurodevelopment?
Authors: Bath Sarah C. , Rayman Margaret P.
Published: April 2013

This review describes historical iodine deficiency in the UK, gives current information on dietary sources of iodine and summarises recent evidence of iodine deficiency and its association with child neurodevelopment. Iodine is required for the production of thyroid hormones that are needed for brain development, particularly during pregnancy. Iodine deficiency is a leading cause of preventable brain damage worldwide and is associated with impaired cognitive function. Despite a global focus on the elimination of iodine deficiency, iodine is a largely overlooked nutrient in the UK, a situation we have endeavoured to address through a series of studies. Although the UK has been considered iodine-sufficient for many years, there is now concern that iodine deficiency may be prevalent, particularly in pregnant women and women of childbearing age; indeed we found mild-to-moderate iodine deficiency in pregnant women in Surrey. As the major dietary source of iodine in the UK is milk and dairy produce, it is relevant to note that we have found the iodine concentration of organic milk to be over 40% lower than that of conventional milk. In contrast to many countries, iodised table salt is unlikely to contribute to UK iodine intake as we have shown that its availability is low in grocery stores. This situation is of concern as the level of UK iodine deficiency is such that it is associated with adverse effects on offspring neurological development; we demonstrated a higher risk of low IQ and poorer reading-accuracy scores in UK children born to mothers who were iodine-deficient during pregnancy. Given our findings and those of others, iodine status in the UK population should be monitored, particularly in vulnerable subgroups such as pregnant women and children.
Resistance and Romans 13 in Samuel Rutherford's Lex, Rex
Authors: McAnnally-Linz Ryan
Published: April 2013

The many conflicts around the reformation of religion in the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries drew the problem of political resistance to the forefront of European political thought. Thinkers in all of the various religious camps considered scripture to be politically normative. Consequently, both pro- and anti-resistance thinkers from a variety of traditions had to engage with Romans 13:1–7, Paul's apparently definitive pronouncement in favour of obedience and, therefore, against resistance. The opponents of resistance could cite Romans 13 with fairly little explanation, but the resisters and revolutionaries faced the challenge of working with the text to draw different political conclusions from it without violating the ‘literal’ sense that they almost universally held to be authoritative. Some even aimed to bring Paul forward as a staunch supporter of the sort of violent political resistance they advocated.

Lex, Rex, the political tract of seventeenth-century Scottish theologian Samuel Rutherford (1600–1661), represents a particularly comprehensive early modern justification for violent resistance against a political sovereign. Rutherford was a member of the party of the radical covenanters, who vehemently opposed the church reforms of Charles I and, when hostilities began, fervently supported the war against the king. This article explores the series of arguments, distinctions and theological moves that Rutherford employs to incorporate Romans 13 as a central supporting text for his pro-resistance argument. Among these are: the distinction between God's immediate institution of governmental power and the constitution of particular governments mediately through the people, the positing of a conditional covenant agreed upon at the constitution of any government, the scholastic distinction between voluntas beneplaciti and voluntas signi in the divine will, and the distinction between the royal office in abstracto and its concrete occupant. Using these and other arguments and distinctions, Rutherford constructs a conceptual apparatus that is able, to a great extent, to appropriate Paul's exhortation to obedience in the service of a justification of resistance. In so doing, Rutherford illustrates some of the array of theological and philosophical resources that early modern resistance theorists could marshal in support of their cause, while still maintaining their fundamental theological commitments.
The Gospel of Thomas: Gathercole and Goodacre
Authors: Tuckett Christopher
Published: April 2013

The two books under review here are remarkably similar, although (it would appear) entirely independent of each other. Further, I must say right at the start that, in many respects (perhaps the most important respect), I am entirely in agreement with many of their conclusions, and their manner of reaching those conclusions. So maybe this ‘critical’ review is not critical enough!

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Both authors are English; and both books come across (to me) as very ‘English’: the argument is cautious, fully acknowledging caveats, never overstating the case, etc.

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The prime issue addressed in both is the relationship between Thomas and the Synoptics.

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Both argue for a broadly similar conclusion – that Thomas is dependent (whether directly or indirectly: see below) on at least Matthew and Luke.

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Both reach this conclusion via an almost identical methodology: seeking to identify possible elements of Synoptic redactional activity in Thomas as an indication of Thomas’ dependence.

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Some (but not all) of the evidence cited is common, e.g. Th 5 / / Luke 8:17; Th 14 / / Matt 15:11; Th 31 / / Luke 4:24. (However, other examples do not overlap.)

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Both are reticent about relying too much on theories about Q (perhaps surprisingly, Goodacre less than Gathercole).

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Both see Thomas as potentially mystifying, not necessarily aiming at clarity, but demanding hermeneutical effort on the part of the reader.

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Both emphasise the importance of taking seriously the evidence of the Greek fragments, and indeed both at different points use the Greek evidence closely.

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Both offer powerful critiques of the older form-critical ‘norms’, or ‘laws’, about the development of the tradition, both effectively denying that such rigid ‘laws’ have any validity at all.

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Both address in detail the more general arguments of others defending Thomas’ independence, e.g. on order, the apparent lack of ‘much’ agreement with the Synoptics, the possibility of assimilation in the textual transmission, etc.

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Both also offer good arguments referring to the possibility of being misled by the phenomenon of the Synoptic Gospels about what level of agreement might be expected in a case of dependence. (The Synoptics may be highly unusual in the high level of agreement (in wording and order) they display.)

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Both emphasise the danger of polarising the debate prematurely, of simply claiming that one's own theory has ‘won the day’ and ignoring others who disagree. Certainly both authors here take on, and engage with (in my view very fairly) the views of others who disagree.
Perceived foreign accent in first language attrition and second language acquisition: The impact of age of acquisition and bilingualism—ERRATUM
Authors: HOPP HOLGER , SCHMID MONIKA S.
Published: April 2013

The open access copyright line contained within this page was not included in the original FirstView article or the print article contained within this issue. We sincerely regret these errors and any problems they may have caused.
Environmental survival ofNeisseria meningitidis
Authors: TZENG Y.-L. , MARTIN L. E. , STEPHENS D. S.
Published: April 2013

Neisseria meningitidisis transmitted through the inhalation of large human respiratory droplets, but the risk from contaminated environmental surfaces is controversial. Compared toStreptococcus pneumoniaeandAcinetobacter baumanni, meningococcal viability after desiccation on plastic, glass or metal surfaces decreased rapidly, but viable meningococci were present for up to 72 h. Encapsulation did not provide an advantage for meningococcal environmental survival on environmental surfaces.
Women Bishops: Equality, Rights and Disarray
Authors: Clucas Rob , Sharpe Keith
Published: April 2013

In this article we discuss the recent history of the failed draft Bishops and Priests (Consecration and Ordination of Women) Measure, situating this within the broader context of the ordination of women and debates around the Equality Act exceptions for an organised religion. We aim to provide an account of the ways in which equality rights have been implemented in the relevant law; how the Church of England is responding to these rights; and how broader society understands the importance of gender equality and reacts to Synod's rejection of the draft Measure. We analyse these with reference to theories of heteronormativity and scholarship of human rights. In doing so, we aim to explain what is happening in the Church of England and broader society, and draw some conclusions about the current opportunities open to the Church and the state in matters of rights and equality.1