bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Therapy of uncomplicated falciparum malaria in Europe: MALTHER – a prospective observational multicentre study
Authors: Bouchaud Olivier , Mühlberger Nikolai , Parola Philippe , Calleri Guido , Matteelli Alberto , Peyerl-Hoffmann Gabriele , Méchaï Frédéric , Gautret Philippe , Clerinx Jan , Kremsner Peter G , Jelinek Tomas , Kaiser Annette , Beltrame Anna , Schmid Matthias L , Kern Peter , Probst Meike , Bartoloni Alessandro , Weinke Thomas , Grobusch Martin P
Published: October 2012

Background

Malaria continues to be amongst the most frequent infectious diseases imported to Europe. Whilst European treatment guidelines are based on data from studies carried out in endemic areas, there is a paucity of original prospective treatment data. The objective was to summarize data on treatments to harmonize and optimize treatment for uncomplicated malaria in Europe.

Methods

A prospective observational multicentre study was conducted, assessing tolerance and efficacy of treatment regimens for imported uncomplicated falciparum malaria in adults amongst European centres of tropical and travel medicine.

Results

Between December 2003 and 2009, 504 patients were included in 16 centres from five European countries. Eighteen treatment regimens were reported, the top three being atovaquone-proguanil, mefloquine, and artemether-lumefantrine. Treatments significantly differed with respect to the occurrence of treatment changes (p = 0.005) and adverse events (p = 0.001), parasite and fever clearance times (p < 0.001), and hospitalization rates (p = 0.0066) and durations (p = 0.001). Four recrudescences and two progressions to severe disease were observed. Compared to other regimens, quinine alone was associated with more frequent switches to second line treatment, more adverse events and longer inpatient stays. Parasite and fever clearance times were shortest with artemether-mefloquine combination treatment. Vomiting was the most frequent cause of treatment change, occurring in 5.5% of all patients but 9% of the atovaquone-proguanil group.

Conclusions

This study highlights the heterogeneity of standards of care within Europe. A consensus discussion at European level is desirable to foster a standardized management of imported falciparum malaria.
In non-transplant patients with multiple myeloma, the pre-treatment level of clonotypic cells predicts event-free survival
Authors: Thulien Kyle J , Belch Andrew R , Reiman Tony , Pilarski Linda M
Published: October 2012

Background

In multiple myeloma (MM), the immunoglobulin heavy chain VDJ gene rearrangement is a unique clonotypic signature that identifies all members of the myeloma clone independent of morphology or phenotype. Each clonotypic MM cell has only one genomic copy of the rearranged IgH VDJ.

Methods

Pre-treatment bone marrow aspirates from myeloma patients at diagnosis or in relapse were evaluated for the number of clonotypic cells using real time quantitative PCR (RPCR). RPCR measured the level of clonal cells, termed VDJ%, in 139 diagnosis and relapse BM aspirates from MM patients.

Results

Patients with a VDJ% below the median had a significantly longer event free survival (EFS) then those with a VDJ% higher than the median (p=0.0077, HR=0.57). Further, although the VDJ% from non-transplant patients predicted EFS (p=0.0093), VDJ% failed to predict outcome after autologous stem cell transplant (p=0.53).

Conclusions

Our results suggest that for non-transplant patients, the tumor burden before treatment, perhaps reflecting cancer stem cell progeny/output, is an indirect measure that may indicate the number of MM cancer stem cells and hence event free survival.
Molecular detection of a novel paramyxovirus in fruit bats from Indonesia
Authors: Sasaki Michihito , Setiyono Agus , Handharyani Ekowati , Rahmadani Ibenu , Taha Siswatiana , Adiani Sri , Subangkit Mawar , Sawa Hirofumi , Nakamura Ichiro , Kimura Takashi
Published: October 2012

Background

Fruit bats are known to harbor zoonotic paramyxoviruses including Nipah, Hendra, and Menangle viruses. The aim of this study was to detect the presence of paramyxovirus RNA in fruit bats from Indonesia.

Methods

RNA samples were obtained from the spleens of 110 fruit bats collected from four locations in Indonesia. All samples were screened by semi-nested broad spectrum reverse transcription PCR targeting the paramyxovirus polymerase (L) genes.

Results

Semi-nested reverse transcription PCR detected five previously unidentified paramyxoviruses from six fruit bats. Phylogenetic analysis showed that these virus sequences were related to henipavirus or rubulavirus.

Conclusions

This study indicates the presence of novel paramyxoviruses among fruit bat populations in Indonesia.
Pseudoaneurysm of the mitral–aortic intervalvular fibrosa presenting after chest trauma and diagnosed by cardiac magnetic resonance: a case report
Authors: Barranhas Adriana Dias , Dias Márcia Cláudia , dos Santos Alair Augusto Sarmet Moreira Damas , Marchiori Edson , Nacif Marcelo Souto
Published: October 2012

Introduction

Annular subvalvular pseudoaneurysm is a rare example of left ventricle aneurysm described predominantly in young African people. These aneurysms are divided into two different types, namely, submitral or subaortic, with subaortic being the less frequent kind. The subaortic type is most often localized in the mitral–aortic intervalvular fibrosa. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of a mitral–aortic intervalvular fibrosa pseudoaneurysm associated with coarctation of the aorta, anomalous pulmonary venous return, bicuspid aortic valve and patent ductus arteriosus diagnosed by cardiovascular magnetic resonance.

Case presentation

We report the case of a 15-year-old African-American boy with a history of mild chest trauma who underwent echocardiographic evaluation as part of an out-patient work up. The echocardiogram was suspicious for the presence of mitral-aortic intervalvular fibrosa pseudoaneurysm and cardiovascular magnetic resonance was then performed to better characterize this finding. In addition to confirming the presence of the aneurysm, cardiovascular magnetic resonance also revealed coarctation of the aorta, a bicuspid aortic valve, and anomalous pulmonary venous return.

Conclusion

In our case, cardiovascular magnetic resonance was helpful in: (a) making a definite diagnosis of mitral–aortic intervalvular fibrosa pseudoaneurysm and its borders, which was not clear with an echocardiogram examination; and (b) illustrating additional associated congenital anomalies including the anomalous pulmonary venous return.
Differential induction of HSP-70 expression in response to IHHNV in white shrimp Litopenaeus vannamei naturally co-infected with IHHNV and IMNV
Authors: Vieira-Girão Patrícia Raquel Nogueira , Rocha Ítalo Régis Castelo Branco , Costa Francisco Hiran Farias , Rádis-Baptista Gandhi
Published: October 2012

Brazil is becoming one of the main global producers of the shrimp Litopenaeus vannamei. Worldwide outbreaks of viral disease place this aquaculture industry at risk, causing episodic economical loss. The primary viruses for L. vannamei, particularly in northeastern Brazil, are the infectious hypodermal and hematopoietic necrosis virus (IHHNV) and the infectious myonecrosis virus (IMNV). After a period of unusual rainfall, we detected that farmed shrimp developing IMN or IHHN disease were co-infected with both viruses, and the disease outcome resulted from reciprocal IHHNV and IMNV proliferation. To comprehend how the key molecules of innate immunity respond to this double infection, the levels of HSP-70, crustin, penaeidin-3a, and C-type lectin-br1 were assessed by quantitative PCR. HSP-70 expression was expressively up-regulated by IHHNV infection in the gills of double-infected shrimp but not by IMNV infection; the other transcripts were not significantly altered. These findings implicate the HSP-70 as a differential modulator of viral co-infection in shrimp.
Two-photon time-lapse microscopy of BODIPY-cholesterol reveals anomalous sterol diffusion in chinese hamster ovary cells
Authors: Lund Frederik W , Lomholt Michael A , Solanko Lukasz M , Bittman Robert , Wüstner Daniel
Published: October 2012

Background

Cholesterol is an important membrane component, but our knowledge about its transport in cells is sparse. Previous imaging studies using dehydroergosterol (DHE), an intrinsically fluorescent sterol from yeast, have established that vesicular and non-vesicular transport modes contribute to sterol trafficking from the plasma membrane. Significant photobleaching, however, limits the possibilities for in-depth analysis of sterol dynamics using DHE. Co-trafficking studies with DHE and the recently introduced fluorescent cholesterol analog BODIPY-cholesterol (BChol) suggested that the latter probe has utility for prolonged live-cell imaging of sterol transport.

Results

We found that BChol is very photostable under two-photon (2P)-excitation allowing the acquisition of several hundred frames without significant photobleaching. Therefore, long-term tracking and diffusion measurements are possible. Two-photon temporal image correlation spectroscopy (2P-TICS) provided evidence for spatially heterogeneous diffusion constants of BChol varying over two orders of magnitude from the cell interior towards the plasma membrane, where D ~ 1.3 μm2/s. Number and brightness (N&B) analysis together with stochastic simulations suggest that transient partitioning of BChol into convoluted membranes slows local sterol diffusion. We observed sterol endocytosis as well as fusion and fission of sterol-containing endocytic vesicles. The mobility of endocytic vesicles, as studied by particle tracking, is well described by a model for anomalous subdiffusion on short time scales with an anomalous exponent α ~ 0.63 and an anomalous diffusion constant of Dα = 1.95 x 10-3 μm2/sα. On a longer time scale (t > ~5 s), a transition to superdiffusion consistent with slow directed transport with an average velocity of v ~ 6 x 10-3 μm/s was observed. We present an analytical model that bridges the two regimes and fit this model to vesicle trajectories from control cells and cells with disrupted microtubule or actin filaments. Both treatments reduced the anomalous diffusion constant and the velocity by ~40-50%.

Conclusions

The mobility of sterol-containing vesicles on the short time scale could reflect dynamic rearrangements of the cytoskeleton, while directed transport of sterol vesicles occurs likely along both, microtubules and actin filaments. Spatially varying anomalous diffusion could contribute to fine-tuning and local regulation of intracellular sterol transport.
Ranked selection of nearest discriminating features
Authors: James Alex Pappachen , Dimitrijev Sima
Published: October 2012

Background

Feature selection techniques use a search-criteria driven approach for ranked feature subset selection. Often, selecting an optimal subset of ranked features using the existing methods is intractable for high dimensional gene data classification problems.

Methods

In this paper, an approach based on the individual ability of the features to discriminate between different classes is proposed. The area of overlap measure between feature to feature inter-class and intra-class distance distributions is used to measure the discriminatory ability of each feature. Features with area of overlap below a specified threshold is selected to form the subset.

Results

The reported method achieves higher classification accuracies with fewer numbers of features for high-dimensional micro-array gene classification problems. Experiments done on CLL-SUB-111, SMK-CAN-187, GLI-85, GLA-BRA-180 and TOX-171 databases resulted in an accuracy of 74.9±2.6, 71.2±1.7, 88.3±2.9, 68.4±5.1, and 69.6±4.4, with the corresponding selected number of features being 1, 1, 3, 37, and 89 respectively.

Conclusions

The area of overlap between the inter-class and intra-class distances is demonstrated as a useful technique for selection of most discriminative ranked features. Improved classification accuracy is obtained by relevant selection of most discriminative features using the proposed method.
Ethnic persistence, assimilation and risk proclivity
Authors: Bonin Holger , Constant Amelie , Tatsiramos Konstantinos , Zimmermann Klaus F
Published: October 2012

This paper investigates whether immigrants adapt to the attitudes of the majority population in the host country by focusing on the effect of ethnic persistence and assimilation on individual risk proclivity. Employing information from a unique representative German survey, we find that adaptation to the host country closes the existing immigrant-native gap in risk proclivity by reducing immigrants’ risk aversion and explains the systematic variation in the observed risk attitudes across immigrants of different origins. Our analysis of the adaptation behavior of immigrants suggests that acquisition of social norms is an essential factor in the formation of individual attitudes.

JEL classification

D1, D81, F22, J15, J16, J31, J62, J82
Th17 expansion in granulomatosis with polyangiitis (Wegener's): the role of disease activity, immune regulation and therapy
Authors: Wilde Benjamin , Thewissen Marielle , Damoiseaux Jan , Hilhorst Marc , van Paassen Pieter , Witzke Oliver , Cohen Tervaert Jan Willem
Published: October 2012

Introduction

In autoimmune diseases, IL-17 producing T-cells (Th17), a pro-inflammatory subset of T-cells, are pathophysiologically involved. There is little knowledge on the role of Th17 cells in granulomatosis with polyangiitis (GPA). In the present study, we investigated Th17 cells, Tregs and subsets of circulating Th17 cells in GPA and related results to disease activity.

Methods

42 GPA patients in remission, 18 with active disease and 14 healthy controls (HC) were enrolled. Th17 cells, their subsets and regulatory T-cells were determined by intracellular fluorescence activated cell sorter (FACS). Data are given as mean percentage ±SD of total T-helper-cells.

Results

Th17 cells are expanded in active and quiescent GPA as compared to HC (1.7±1.4% vs. 0.7 ±0.3%, P = 0.006 and 1.9 ±1.5% vs. 0.7 ±0.3%, P<0.0001). Th17 expansion is stable over time and does not decline when remission is achieved. However, a negative association of Th17 cells and steroid dosage is observed (r=-0.46, P = 0.002). The Th17 expansion was not balanced by Tregs as indicated by skewed Th17/Treg ratios in active and quiescent GPA. Th17 subsets co-producing IFNγ or IL-10 are significantly increased in GPA. GPA patients in remission not receiving maintenance therapy have significantly more IL-10/IL-17A double positive T-cells than HC (0.0501 ±0.031% vs. 0.0282 ±0.016%, P = 0.007).

Conclusions

We provide evidence for a persistent, unbalanced expansion of Th17 cells and Th17 subsets which seems to be independent of disease activity. Maintenance therapy reduces -but does not normalize- Th17 expansion.
Protective effects of aerobic exercise on acute lung injury induced by LPS in mice
Authors: Reis Gonçalves Cintia Tokio , Reis Gonçalves Carlos Gustavo , de Almeida Francine Maria , dos Santos Lopes Fernanda Degobi Tenório Quirino , dos Santos Durão Ana Carolina Cardoso , dos Santos Fabiana Almeida , da Silva Luiz Fernando Ferraz , Marcourakis Tania , Castro-Faria-Neto Hugo C , Vieira Rodolfo de Paula , Dolhnikoff Marisa
Published: October 2012

Introduction

The regular practice of physical exercise has been associated with beneficial effects on various pulmonary conditions. We investigated the mechanisms involved in the protective effect of exercise in a model of lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced acute lung injury (ALI).

Methods

Mice were divided into four groups: Control (CTR), Exercise (Exe), LPS, and Exercise + LPS (Exe + LPS). Exercised mice were trained using low intensity daily exercise for five weeks. LPS and Exe + LPS mice received 200 µg of LPS intratracheally 48 hours after the last physical test. We measured exhaled nitric oxide (eNO); respiratory mechanics; neutrophil density in lung tissue; protein leakage; bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) cell counts; cytokine levels in BALF, plasma and lung tissue; antioxidant activity in lung tissue; and tissue expression of glucocorticoid receptors (Gre).

Results

LPS instillation resulted in increased eNO, neutrophils in BALF and tissue, pulmonary resistance and elastance, protein leakage, TNF-alpha in lung tissue, plasma levels of IL-6 and IL-10, and IL-1beta, IL-6 and KC levels in BALF compared to CTR (P ≤0.02). Aerobic exercise resulted in decreases in eNO levels, neutrophil density and TNF-alpha expression in lung tissue, pulmonary resistance and elastance, and increased the levels of IL-6, IL-10, superoxide dismutase (SOD-2) and Gre in lung tissue and IL-1beta in BALF compared to the LPS group (P ≤0.04).

Conclusions

Aerobic exercise plays important roles in protecting the lungs from the inflammatory effects of LPS-induced ALI. The effects of exercise are mainly mediated by the expression of anti-inflammatory cytokines and antioxidants, suggesting that exercise can modulate the inflammatory-anti-inflammatory and the oxidative-antioxidative balance in the early phase of ALI.
A comparison of RIFLE with and without urine output criteria for acute kidney injury in critically ill patients
Authors: Wlodzimirow Kama A , Abu-Hanna Ameen , Slabbekoorn Mathilde , Chamuleau Robert AFM , Schultz Marcus J , Bouman Catherine SC
Published: October 2012

Introduction

The Risk, Injury, Failure, Loss, and End-Stage Renal Disease (RIFLE) is a consensus-based classification system for diagnosing acute kidney insufficiency (AKI), based on serum creatinine (SCr) and urine output criteria (RIFLESCr+UO). The urine output criteria, however, are frequently discarded and many studies in the literature applied only the SCr criteria (RIFLESCr). We diagnosed AKI using both RIFLE methods and compared the effects on time to AKI diagnosis, AKI incidence and AKI severity.

Methods

This was a prospective observational cohort study during four months in adult critically ill patients admitted to the ICU for at least 48 hours. During the first week patients were scored daily for AKI according to RIFLESCr+UO and RIFLESCr. We assessed urine output hourly and fluid balance daily. The baseline SCr was estimated if a recent pre-ICU admission SCr was unknown. Based on the two RIFLE methods for each patient we determined time to AKI diagnosis (AKI-0) and maximum RIFLE grade.

Results

We studied 260 patients. A pre-ICU admission SCr was available in 101 (39%) patients. The two RIFLE methods resulted in statistically significantly different outcomes for incidence of AKI, diagnosis of AKI for individual patients, distribution of AKI-0 and distribution of the maximum RIFLE grade. Discarding the RIFLE urine criteria for AKI diagnosis significantly underestimated the presence and grade of AKI on admission and during the first ICU week (P < 0,001) and significantly delayed the diagnosis of AKI (P < 0.001). Based on RIFLESCr 45 patients had no AKI on admission but subsequently developed AKI. In 24 of these patients (53%) AKI would have been diagnosed at least one day earlier if the RIFLE urine criteria had been applied. Mortality rate in the AKI population was 38% based on RIFLESCr and 24% based on RIFLESCr+UO (P = 0.02).

Conclusions

The use of RIFLE without the urine criteria significantly underscores the incidence and grade of AKI, significantly delays the diagnosis of AKI and is associated with higher mortality.
Influence of prehospital volume replacement on outcome in polytraumatized children
Authors: Hussmann Bjoern , Lefering Rolf , Kauther Max Daniel , Ruchholtz Steffen , Moldzio Patrick , Lendemans Sven ,   the TraumaRegister DGU®
Published: October 2012

Introduction

Severe bleeding after trauma frequently results in poor outcomes in children. Prehospital fluid replacement therapy is regarded as an important primary treatment option. Our study aimed, through a retrospective analysis of matched pairs, to assess the influence of prehospital fluid replacement therapy on the post-traumatic course of severely injured children.

Methods

The data for 67,782 patients from the TraumaRegister DGU® of the German Trauma Society were analyzed. The following inclusion criteria were applied: injury severity score ≥16 points, primary admission, age 1 to 15 years old, systolic blood pressure ≥20 mmHg at the accident site and transfusion of at least one unit of packed red blood cells (pRBC) in the emergency trauma room prior to intensive care admission. As volume replacement therapy depends on age and body weight, especially in children, three subgroups were formed according to the mean value of the administered prehospital volume. The children were matched and enrolled into two groups according to the following criteria: intubation at the accident site (yes/no), Abbreviated Injury Scale (four body regions), accident year, systolic blood pressure and age group.

Results

A total of 31 patients in each group met the inclusion criteria. An increase in volume replacement was associated with an elevated need for a transfusion (≥10 pRBC: low volume, 9.7%; high volume, 25.8%; P = 0.18) and a reduction in the ability to coagulate (prothrombin time ratio: low volume, 58.7%; high volume, 55.6%; P = 0.23; prothrombin time: low volume, 42.2 seconds; high volume, 50.1 seconds; P = 0.38). With increasing volume, the mortality (low volume, 19.4%; high volume, 25.8%; P = 0.75) and multiple organ failure rates (group 1, 36.7%; group 2, 41.4%; P = 0.79) increased. With increased volume, the rescue time also increased (low volume, 62 minutes; high volume, 71.5 minutes; P = 0.21).

Conclusion

For the first time, a tendency was shown that excessive prehospital fluid replacement in children leads to a worse clinical course with higher mortality and that excessive fluid replacement has a negative influence on the ability to coagulate.
Subpopulations of GFP-Marked Mouse Pancreatic β-Cells Differ in Size, Granularity, and Insulin Secretion
Authors: Katsuta Hitoshi , Aguayo-Mazzucato Cristina , Katsuta Rimiko , Akashi Tomoyuki , Hollister-Lock Jennifer , Sharma Arun J. , Bonner-Weir Susan , Weir Gordon C.
Published: October 2012

There is growing information about the heterogeneity of pancreatic β-cells and how it relates to insulin secretion. This study used the approach of flow cytometry to sort and analyze β-cells from transgenic mice expressing green fluorescent protein (GFP) under the control of the mouse insulin I gene promoter. Three populations of β-cells with differing GFP brightness could be identified, which were classified as GFP-low, GFP-medium, and GFP-bright. The GFP-medium population comprised about 70% of the total. The GFP-low population had less insulin secretion as determined by the reverse hemolytic plaque assay and reduced insulin gene expression. Additionally, all three subpopulations of β-cells were found in mice of varying ages (embryonic d 15.5 and postnatal wk 1–9). The three populations from the youngest had larger cells (forward scatter) and less granularity (side scatter) than those from the adults. This approach opens up new ways to advance knowledge about β-cell heterogeneity.
Phase Behavior, Functions, and Medical Applications of Soy Phosphatidylcholine and Diglyceride Lipid Compositions
Authors: Tiberg Fredrik , Johnsson Markus , Jankunec Marija , Barauskas Justas
Published: October 2012

Lipid compositions with the ability to self-assemble into biocompatible nano- and mesostructured functional materials have many potential uses in modern medicine. By using two-component lipid systems, it is possible to tune the structure formation and related functional properties, e.g., the encapsulation and extended release of small molecules and peptides, by simply varying the ratio of the lipid building blocks. This is shown in detail for the binary phosphatidylcholine and diglyceride lipid systems, which are currently being used in multiple programs for the development of novel pharmaceuticals and marketed products.
Excited-state Dynamics of Fullerene Nanoparticles Dispersed in Pure Water
Authors: Ishibashi Yukihide , Arinishi Miya , Katayama Tetsuro , Miyasaka Hiroshi , Asahi Tsuyoshi
Published: October 2012

Femtosecond transient absorption dynamics of C60 nanoparticles in pure water revealed a strong quenching of the singlet excited state, independent of the excitation light intensity on a 10-ps time scale, and an extremely low yield of the triplet state of C60 nanoparticles upon photoexcitation.
Interplay of Hydrophobic and Hydrophilic Interactions in a Mixed Polyoxometalate/Organic Langmuir Monolayer
Authors: Giner-Casares Juan J , Brezesinski Gerald , Möhwald Helmuth
Published: October 2012

The surfactant molecules at a Langmuir monolayer interact with each other via both hydrophobic and hydrophilic interactions. The interplay between those molecular interactions leads to the molecular arrangement of the monolayer. Herein, a new type of inorganic/organic surfactant in which the interactions between the polar headgroups are dominant is combined with a linear alkane. The hydrophobic interactions are enhanced, leading to an ordered state of the hydrocarbon chains. The crystalline ordering of the chains is identified by synchrotron grazing incidence X-ray diffraction (GIXD). The molecular arrangement described herein might serve as a starting point for the design of ordered inorganic/organic hybrids that assemble efficiently at interfaces.
Vinylferrocene Photochemical Preparation on Si(111) Surface in Different Grafting Media
Authors: Herrera Marvin , Ichii Takashi , Murase Kuniaki , Sugimura Hiroyuki
Published: October 2012

Photochemical grafting of ferrocene to Si was investigated in a vinylferrocene solution in tetrahydrofuran, diethyl ether, or dibutyl ether. The grafting of vinylferrocene onto a Si(111) surface was carried out by placing a hydrogen-terminated Si(111) substrate into a vinylferrocene–solvent solution and illuminating the substrate with visible light. The samples prepared in vinylferrocene–diethyl ether and vinylferrocene–dibutyl ether solutions yielded ferrocene-terminated Si(111) and the oxidation states of Fe were mainly +2. On the other hand, a polymerized vinylferrocene layer was formed on the samples treated in the vinylferrocene–tetrahydrofuran solution and the oxidation states of Fe were +3. In addition, the dibutyl ether-prepared sample showed a cleaner surface than that of the diethyl ether-prepared sample.
In Situ Coordination and Supramolecular Chirality of Some Achiral Benzothiazole-derived Schiff Bases Fabricated at Air/Water Interface
Authors: Guo Peizhi , Liu Minghua
Published: October 2012

A series of benzothiazole-derived Schiff bases was synthesized, and its interfacial behavior was investigated. Although these Schiff bases with no alkyl chains could not be spread on water surface, addition of metal ions such as Ag(I) or Cu(II) in the subphases caused an in situ coordination and led to the film formation. It was interesting to find that some of the Langmuir–Schaefer (LS) films of the Cu(II) complexes showed CD signals, although the Schiff bases were achiral. It was suggested that the stereoregular stacking of the coordinated complexes in a helical sense was responsible for the supramolecular chirality.
A New Oxygen Storage Capacity Material of a Tin-doped Ceria–Zirconia-supported Palladium–Alumina Catalyst with High CO Oxidation Activity
Authors: Dong Qiang , Yin Shu , Guo Chongshen , Sato Tsugio
Published: October 2012

The Ce0.5Zr0.4Sn0.1O2/Pd–Al2O3 composite prepared by a mechanochemical route, with a high BET surface area of 38 m2 g−1, exhibited a high oxygen storage capacity (OSC) and high CO oxidation activity at low temperatures, even after calcination at 1000 °C for 20 h.
Constraint Dissipative Hydrodynamics (HydroRattle) Algorithm for Aggregate Dynamics
Authors: Kim Albert S
Published: October 2012

A constraint hydrodynamics algorithm for non-Brownian spherical particles in aqueous systems is developed by applying the RATTLE algorithm to Stokesian dynamics. Hydrodynamic interactions were calculated using far-field grand mobility tensors, and the holonomic translational forces were determined using the time-dependent Lagrange multiplier. The proposed constraint algorithm successfully describes the dynamic motion of a colloidal chain with an initial helical structure under the influences of unidirectional fluid flow and gravitational force.
Microhydrodynamics Simulation of Single-collector Granular Filtration
Authors: Kim Albert S , Kang Seok-Tae
Published: October 2012

Granular filtration phenomenon is fundamentally investigated using dissipative hydrodynamics with a large collector grain and a non-Brownian sphere. Effects of interparticle forces balanced with hydrodynamic interactions are studied for particle trajectory analysis. In addition to conventional deposition of fine particles on collector surfaces (mostly near front hemispheres), the hydrodynamic trapping of rotating fine particles on the back hemisphere surface is fundamentally investigated using the exact solution of two-body hydrodynamics.
Identifying the Transition Capillary Pressure of a Superhydrophobic Surface Containing Cylindrical Rods
Authors: Morris Gareth , Neethling Stephen J , Cilliers Jan J
Published: October 2012

Superhydrophobic surfaces use a combination of microstructural surface patterning and a naturally hydrophobic surface to attain very high contact angles (θ > 150°). The interplay between these variables affects the macroscale characteristics of the surface. This manuscript presents a method for modeling a wide range of microstructures using the Surface Evolver program and for calculating the capillary pressure required to wet various arrangements of vertical cylindrical posts.
Interaction of Silica Nanoparticles with Phospholipid Membranes
Authors: Pera Harke , Kleijn J Mieke , Leermakers Frans A M
Published: October 2012

A fluorescence leakage assay was used in a high-throughput setup to obtain information on the phospholipid vesicle leakage induced by the addition of silica nanoparticles. We showed that this method can be used not only to scan for the conditions under which leakage occurs, but also to obtain quantitative information on the interaction between these nanoparticles and the phospholipid membranes.
Size-controlled Synthesis of Zeolitic Imidazolate Framework-8 (ZIF-8) Crystals in an Aqueous System at Room Temperature
Authors: Tanaka Shunsuke , Kida Koji , Okita Muneyuki , Ito Yosuke , Miyake Yoshikazu
Published: October 2012

We report here a simple and straightforward method that enables the size-controlled production of zeolitic imidazolate framework-8 in an aqueous system at room temperature. Pure single crystals with the size tuned in the range of ca. 300 nm to 3 µm in mean crystal size can be obtained and exhibit ultrahigh Langmuir surface area of above 1800 m2 g−1.
Asymmetric Aldol Reaction Catalyzed by the Self-assembled Nanostructures of l-Proline Containing Amphiphilic Dipeptide: A Morphological Dependence
Authors: Shao Mingzhe , Jin Qingxian , Zhang Li , Liu Minghua
Published: October 2012

An l-proline containing amphiphilic dipeptide was found to self-assemble into nanosphere and nanofiber structures. These nanostructures could catalyze an asymmetric aldol reaction in water. Good reactivity and enantiomeric selectivity was observed for the nanosphere structure. Although the reaction could be catalyzed by the nanofiber structure, its enantioselectivity was remarkably decreased. It was suggested that the appropriate packing of the chiral assemblies can selectively control the access of the reactants and thus lead to a higher enantioselectivity in the chirality matched structures.
Disruption/Reconstitution of Skin Structure Treated by Ethanol
Authors: Hatta Ichiro , Nakazawa Hiromitsu , Ohta Noboru
Published: October 2012

Organic solvents have been used as vehicle for cosmetics and percutaneous pharmaceuticals in skin. We performed X-ray diffraction measurement on applying a solvent, ethanol, to hairless mouse stratum corneum. We found that the diffraction peak intensities for the structures formed by lamellae and soft keratins decreased, while that for the hydrocarbon-chain packings slightly decreased. In addition the intensity of ethanol in the stratum corneum increased. After evacuating ethanol solution from the stratum corneum, all of the structures were largely regenerated.
In Situ Observation of Stratum Corneum Using Cantilever-assisted Two-beam Interference Microscopy
Authors: Yanagiya Shin-ichiro , Katayama Hiroshi , Goto Nobuo
Published: October 2012

We demonstrated in situ observation of the swelling of stratum corneum (SC) by cantilever-assisted two-beam interference microscopy (CATBIM) in this study. The CATBIM enabled us to observe the refractive index changes of the small region of a stratum corneum in 1% glycerin solution. Interference pattern images of the SC were successfully acquired. The fringe interval was almost the same during the experiments. On the other hand, the thickness by swelling of the SC increased with time. The speeds of swelling decreased with time.
Photocatalytic Degradation of 4-Chlorophenol: Effects of Pt and SiO2
Authors: Rangsunvigit Pramoch , Tharathonpisutthikul Roongnuch , Chavadej Sumaeth , Gulari Erdogan
Published: October 2012

Photocatalytic degradation of 4-chlorophenol was studied using TiO2, Pt/TiO2, TiO2–SiO2, and Pt/TiO2–SiO2 prepared by the sol–gel method. The addition of Pt in TiO2 improved the catalytic activity and the highest activity was obtained with 1%Pt/TiO2. For TiO2–SiO2, the highest activity was achieved with 10%SiO2–TiO2 because of its highest adsorption capacity. Although 1% Pt or 10% Si in TiO2 improved the catalyst activity, the synergistic effect of adding both 1% Pt and 10% Si was not observed.
The Thermally Induced Aggregation of Immunoglobulin G in Solution is Prevented by Amphipols
Authors: Ma Dewang , Martin Nicolas , Herbet Amaury , Boquet Dider , Tribet Christophe , Winnik Françoise M
Published: October 2012

The thermal stability of immunoglobulin G (IgG) in water was monitored by differential scanning calorimetry, dynamic light scattering, and fluorescence correlation spectroscopy in the presence of an amphiphilic polymer (amphipol). The polymer was shown to decrease significantly the enthalpy of IgG unfolding. IgG did not aggregate upon heating up to 75 °C in the presence of polymer unlike the situation in the absence of polymer. The mixed solutions remained free of aggregates upon cooling.
Estimators of the local false discovery rate designed for small numbers of tests
Authors: Padilla Marta , Bickel David R.
Published: October 2012

Histogram-based empirical Bayes methods developed for analyzing data for large numbers of genes, SNPs, or other biological features tend to have large biases when applied to data with a smaller number of features such as genes with expression measured conventionally, proteins, and metabolites. To analyze such small-scale and medium-scale data in an empirical Bayes framework, we introduce corrections of maximum likelihood estimators (MLEs) of the local false discovery rate (LFDR). In this context, the MLE estimates the LFDR, which is a posterior probability of null hypothesis truth, by estimating the prior distribution. The corrections lie in excluding each feature when estimating one or more parameters on which the prior depends. In addition, we propose the expected LFDR (ELFDR) in order to propagate the uncertainty involved in estimating the prior. We also introduce an optimally weighted combination of the best of the corrected MLEs with a previous estimator that, being based on a binomial distribution, does not require a parametric model of the data distribution across features. An application of the new estimators and previous estimators to protein abundance data illustrates the extent to which different estimators lead to different conclusions about which proteins are affected by cancer.A simulation study was conducted to approximate the bias of the new estimators relative to previous LFDR estimators. Data were simulated for two different numbers of features (N), two different noncentrality parameter values or detectability levels (dalt), and several proportions of unaffected features (p0). One of these previous estimators is a histogram-based estimator (HBE) designed for a large number of features. The simulations show that some of the corrected MLEs and the ELFDR that corrects the HBE reduce the negative bias relative to the MLE and the HBE, respectively.For every method, we defined the worst-case performance as the maximum of the absolute value of the bias over the two different dalt and over various p0. The best worst-case methods represent the safest methods to be used under given conditions. This analysis indicates that the binomial-based method has the lowest worst-case absolute bias for high p0 and for N = 3, 12. However, the corrected MLE that is based on the minimum description length (MDL) principle is the best worst-case method when the value of p0 is more uncertain since it has one of the lowest worst-case biases over all possible values of p0 and for N = 3, 12. Therefore, the safest estimator considered is the binomial-based method when a high proportion of unaffected features can be assumed and the MDL-based method otherwise.A second simulation study was conducted with additional values of N. We found that HBE requires N to be at least 6-12 features to perform as well as the estimators proposed here, with the precise minimum N depending on p0 and dalt.
The Internalization of Advertising Services: An Inter-Industry Analysis
Authors: Horsky Sharon , Michael Steven C. , Silk Alvin J.
Published: October 2012

This study investigates the extent to which U.S. advertisers use in-house rather than independent advertising agencies and examines inter-industry variation in such internalization. Contrary to the widely-held impression that use of an in-house advertising agency is more the exception than the rule, we find that vertical integration of advertising services is much more widespread than has hitherto been appreciated. Drawing on concepts from research on scale economies and transaction costs, we develop a set of hypotheses about differences in the expected depth of internalization across industries. We test these hypotheses in cross sectional analyses of data covering 69 two digit SIC industries at two points in time, 1991 and 1999. In both years, approximately half of advertisers of all sizes operated an in-house agency. Across industries, we find that the likelihood of internalization of at least some advertising services decreases as the size of advertising outlays increase but increases as advertising intensity and technological intensity increase and is greater for “creative” industries.
A Surprising Result Encountered in Various Extensions of the Traditional Deterrence Game
Authors: Carlson Lisa J. , Dacey Raymond
Published: October 2012

The purpose of this note is to present a surprising result regarding crisis initiation and termination. The decision problem treated here is distilled from an extension of the two-sided incomplete information version of the traditional deterrence game. We employ a two-stage analysis of the decision problem faced by the Challenger that formally links the onset of a crisis to the decision over whether to escalate the crisis should the Challenger face resistance from the Defender. The two-part result is as follows. A crisis is more likely to be initiated by a Challenger who will ultimately back down if Defender chooses to resist than by a Challenger of the same type who will choose to escalate if Defender chooses to resist. Contrariwise, a crisis is less likely to be initiated by a Challenger who will ultimately escalate if Defender chooses to resist than by a Challenger of the same type who will choose to back down if Defender chooses to resist.
Adding value to laboratory medicine: a professional responsibility
Authors: Beastall Graham H.
Published: October 2012

Laboratory medicine is a medical specialty at the centre of healthcare. When used optimally laboratory medicine generates knowledge that can facilitate patient safety, improve patient outcomes, shorten patient journeys and lead to more cost-effective healthcare. Optimal use of laboratory medicine relies on dynamic and authoritative leadership outside as well as inside the laboratory. The first responsibility of the head of a clinical laboratory is to ensure the provision of a high quality service across a wide range of parameters culminating in laboratory accreditation against an international standard, such as ISO 15189. From that essential baseline the leadership of laboratory medicine at local, national and international level needs to ‘add value’ to ensure the optimal delivery, use, development and evaluation of the services provided for individuals and for groups of patients. A convenient tool to illustrate added value is use of the mnemonic ‘SCIENCE’. This tool allows added value to be considered in seven domains: standardisation and harmonisation; clinical effectiveness; innovation; evidence-based practice; novel applications; cost-effectiveness; and education of others. The assessment of added value in laboratory medicine may be considered against a framework that comprises three dimensions: operational efficiency; patient management; and patient behaviours. The profession and the patient will benefit from sharing examples of adding value to laboratory medicine.
Determination of absolute molecular weight of sodium lignosulfonates (NaLS) by laser light scattering (LLS)
Authors: Qian Yong , Deng Yonghong , Guo Yunqing , Yi Conghua , Qiu Xueqing
Published: October 2012

The problems related to the determination of the absolute molecular weight (M
w) of sodium lignosulfonate (NaLS) are the focus of the present work. Four narrow-dispersed NaLS fractions were collected by filtration, ultrafiltration, and gel permeation chromatography (GPC), and their M
w measured by laser light scattering (LLS
Mw

) was compared with that obtained by GPC (GPC
Mw

). The LLS
Mw

values were much larger than GPC
Mw

, and this M
w difference increased with increasing M
w of NaLS. This finding confirms the known polyelectrolyte and aggregation effects of NaLS. The deviation is also partly due to the conformation differences between the GPC standard (sodium polystyrene sulfonate) and the NaLS molecules. The effects of polyelectrolytes and NaLS aggregates could be inhibited by adding enough NaCl salt in the NaLS solution and filtering the NaLS/NaCl solution through a syringe filter. As a result, the slow mode in dynamic LLS measurement disappeared. By this approach, the absolute LLS
Mw

values were only slightly larger than that determined by GPC due to the conformation differences between the GPC standard and the NaLS molecules.
Semi-analytical prediction and experimental evaluation of material damping in wood panels
Authors: Labonnote Nathalie , Rønnquist Anders , Malo Kjell Arne
Published: October 2012

A semi-analytical prediction model of material damping in timber panels has been developed. The approach is derived from the strain energy method and the input is based on loss factors, which are intrinsic properties of the considered materials, together with other material properties and mode shape integrals, whose calculation can easily be implemented in most finite element codes. Experimental damping evaluations of particleboards, oriented strand boards, and structural laminated veneer lumber panels are presented. Fair goodness of fit between the experimental results and the prediction models – relying only on the loss factors and the mode shapes – reveals an efficient approach for the prediction of material damping in timber panels including all boundary conditions.
On a theorem of P. Hall
Authors: Asai Tsunenobu , Chigira Naoki , Niwasaki Takashi , Takegahara Yugen
Published: October 2012

For a finite group
Commensurated subgroups and ends of groups
Authors: Conner Greg , Mihalik Michael
Published: October 2012

If

It is straightforward to check that
Effect of intercalant types on the properties of melt blended metallocene polyethylene/metallocene polyethylene-g-silane/clay nanocomposites
Authors: Chen Wen-Chih , Liu Jung-Liang , Lai Sun-Mou , Tang Shi-Xian , Jer Tai Horng , Yang Chen-Hau , Kao Hui Cheng
Published: October 2012

Melt mixed metallocene-catalyzed ­polyethylene elastomer (mPE)/clay nanocomposites, using a functionalized polyolefin elastomer (mPE-g-silane) as a compatibilizer, with the addition of the commercial clay with different intercalant types (Cloisite 20A and 30B) were prepared to investigate the importance of interfacial interaction. Cloisite 30B gave a relatively higher polarity than Cloisite 20A, but smaller original d-spacing. According to X-ray diffraction (XRD) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) results, Cloisite 20A-filled nanocomposites depicted fairly well-dispersed clay within the mPE matrix, except with higher clay content. By contrast, the clay agglomerates were evident for Cloisite 30B-filled cases. A continuous increase of gel content for Cloisite 20A-filled systems was observed, but only a limited variation for Cloisite 30B-filled systems was found. The roles of the polarity degree of the organically modified clay, original d-spacing, and the compatibilizer, were quite essential. Young’s modulus of Cloisite 20A-filled samples increased with increasing clay content, from 23.8±1.3 MPa [0 parts per hundred resins (phr)] to 34.1±2.0 MPa (9 phr), whereas modulus of Cloisite 30B-filled samples did not show a significant variation. The tear strength of Cloisite 20A-filled nanocomposites increased up to two-fold with increasing clay content, reaching 9 phr. Only a slight increase in tear strength of Cloisite 30B-filled nanocomposites was observed. For the cutting strength, Cloisite 20A-filled cases also conferred higher values in comparison with Cloisite 30B-filled cases.
Influence of class F fly ash and silica nano-micro powder on water permeability and thermal properties of high performance cementitious composites
Authors: Jalal Mostafa
Published: October 2012

This paper investigates the influence of class F fly ash and silica nano-micro powder on water permeability and thermal properties of high performance concrete (HPC) as one of the most important cementitious composites. For this purpose, a fraction of Portland cement was replaced by silica fume, silica nanoparticles, blend of silica fume and silica nanoparticles and three percentages of fly ash as 10%, 2%, 10+2% and 5%, 10%, 15%, respectively. Specimens were prepared with two binder contents as 400 and 500 kg/m3. Thermal properties were investigated via thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). Capillary water absorption tests of the specimens were carried out at the age of 90 days. The results showed that the pozzolanic admixtures especially blend of silica fume and SiO2 nanoparticles have a significant effect on thermal properties and particularly capillary water absorption.
See no evil? Only implicit attitudes predict unconscious eye movements towards images of climate change
Authors: Beattie, Geoffrey , McGuire, Laura
Published: October 2012

This paper examines how measures of both explicit and implicit attitudes to the environment relate to unconscious patterns of eye movements towards or away from iconic images of environmental damage and climate change. It found that those with a strong positive implicit attitude towards low carbon products spent significantly more time attending to negative images of climate change than positive images of nature in a ten second interval, and this occurred even in the first 200 milliseconds of looking. Those with a strong positive implicit attitude towards low carbon products also spent significantly more time attending to negative images of climate change in the first 200 milliseconds compared to those with a weaker implicit attitude. Measures of explicit attitude did not predict eye gaze towards the negative images in this way. In other words, there is a statistical association between implicit attitude (rather than explicit attitude) and how people focus their attention on iconic images of environmental damage and climate change. The study discusses the implication of this empirical finding for those attempting to mobilize consumers in the fight against climate change.