bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Research Note: A Study of Outliers of International Tourism Statistics
Authors: Feng-Yuan Xie , Feng-Jie Xie
Published: October 2013

As international tourism is an industry that is easily impacted by external shocks, there is always structural mutation of the time series related with it, which causes the existence of outliers. Those outliers will have an impact on analyses based on such data. Using quarterly data from 1994 to 2006, this paper detects outliers in the time series of international tourists to China and finds that the number of international tourists during the second and the third quarters of 2003 are outliers of the time series. To eliminate the impact of outliers, the paper uses the SARIMA model to forecast the values of outliers. By replacing the original value with the forecasted values, the authors conduct a co-integration analysis with the new time series and the corresponding quarterly gross domestic product (GDP) data. The results show that research conducted without considering outliers overestimates the effect of international tourism on economic growth.
Numerical Computation of Time-Fractional Fokker–Planck Equation Arising in Solid State Physics and Circuit Theory Numerical Computation of Time-Fractional Fokker–Planck Equation Arising in Solid State Physics and Circuit Theory
Authors: Kumar Sunil
Published: October 2013

The main aim of the present work is to propose a new and simple algorithm to obtain a quick and accurate analytical solution of the time fractional Fokker-Plank equation which arises in various fields in natural science, including solid-state physics, quantum optics, chemical physics, theoretical biology, and circuit theory. This new and simple algorithm is an innovative adjustment in Laplace transform algorithm which makes the calculations much simpler and applicable to several practical problems in science and engineering. The proposed scheme finds the solutions without any discretization or restrictive assumptions and is free from round-off errors and therefore reduces the numerical computations to a great extent. Furthermore, several numerical examples are presented to illustrate the accuracy and the stability of the method.
The Presence of Anti-HLA Donor-Specific Antibodies in Lung Allograft Recipients Does Not Correlate With C4d Immunofluorescence in Transbronchial Biopsy Specimens
Authors: Roberts Jordan A. , Barrios Roberto , Cagle Philip T. , Ge Yimin , Takei Hidehiro , Haque Abida K. , Burns Kevin M. , Land Geoffrey A. , Dilioglou Smaroula , Bernard David W.
Published: October 2013

Context.—C4d immunofluorescence (IF) is a surrogate for development of donor-specific antibodies (DSAs) against human leukocyte antigen (HLA) class I and II antigens in kidney and heart biopsy specimens for monitoring of antibody-mediated (humoral) allograft rejection (AMR). Use of C4d IF in monitoring of lung allografts has shown conflicting results.

Objective.—To determine if C4d IF can be used as a reliable marker for AMR and if it correlates with the presence of DSAs and histologic findings on biopsy.

Design.—All transbronchial biopsies in lung allograft recipients, performed at our institution in a 3-year period, were reviewed. A cohort of 92 patients with 110 corresponding biopsies met the inclusion criteria of (1) having a resulted DSA within 2 weeks of biopsy and (2) having C4d immunofluorescence studies performed and confirmed.

Results.—Twenty-nine patients (31.5%) were positive for DSAs and 63 patients (68.5%) did not develop DSAs. Positive C4d capillary IF was seen in 18 of 110 total biopsy specimens (16.4%). Eight of these biopsy samples were from patients positive for DSAs and 10 were from patients negative for DSAs. The correlation coefficient between the presence of DSAs and C4d IF was 0.1628 (P = .09).

Conclusions.—A significant proportion of DSA-positive patients had negative C4d IF results and frequently have no histologic changes on biopsy specimens. DSA-negative patients can be positive for C4d and may show the same histologic changes as reported for DSA-positive patients. Diagnosis of AMR in lung may require a collaborative approach combining clinical data, DSA status, and histology.
Determination of Paraquat (Herbicide) Residue Level in Sandy Clay Loam Soil Using High Performance Liquid Chromatography
Authors: Y.C. Wong  , N. Norsyamimi  , W.A. Wan-Nurdiyana
Published: October 2013

Pesticide is considered as the most widely used form of agricultural chemical. Pesticide residue is the remaining pesticide on or in soil after pesticide is applied on agriculture soil. Soil is a component that is crucial to life. The research purposely concerned on major effects that could be contributed from medium to unlimited application of pesticide. The soil samples were systematically collected from 5 plots and Paraquat residues concentrations were determined in dissimilar depth of soil layers. The herbicide used was Paraquat that contained Paraquat Dichloride. High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) analysis detected the peak area volumes of Paraquat in soil samples at level ranging from 0.3 to 5.9 mg/l. The concentration of Paraquat in sandy clay loam soil showed that herbicide leached downward to the depth of 15 cm. The maximum concentration of Paraquat residue was detected at 0 to15 cm of soil depth at 2.783 mg/l. In highly organic soils, adsorption is weaker and Paraquat remains herbicidally active for longer, up to 29 days in one trial on soil with 98% organic matter [1]. Oral dose, LD50 for human is equal to 40-60 mg/kg [2] while the lowest fatal dose recorded for human was 17 mg/kg, but even lower doses may be fatal for children [3].
Prosecutorial Discretion and the Death Penalty: An Integral Perspective
Authors: Mangino Matthew T. , Champion David R.
Published: October 2013

The prosecutor’s choice to pursue the death penalty is one of the most momentous decisions he or she will face. Capital punishment represents the ultimate power of the state over its citizenry, and the decision to take the life of an offender is fraught with moral complexity. This paper reviews some of the extant literature on the US death penalty in general and the particular issue of decision-making for prosecutors. Further, we introduce discussion on how Wilber’s Integral theory might be applied to the topic. We present aspects of Integral theory, including the four quadrant model and what Wilber refers to as the Basic Moral Intuition (BMI), as possible tools that may be used to navigate the ethical difficulties surrounding this decision-making process. We anticipate that delving into aspects of the Integral theory and contemplating on how they relate to concrete issues of criminal prosecution may assist CJ practitioners in how they might find pathways to resolutions of ethical quandaries.
Constructing the Military Hero
Authors: Cavender Gray , Prior Sarah
Published: October 2013

Today we see an increase in the usage of the term hero. Especially in the media, the term is applied not only to those who do specific heroic deeds but to entire professions, e.g., the military. In this paper, we analyze the media’s social construction of military heroes with respect to four individuals, two fictional characters and two real people. We argue that four themes are essential to the construction of the military hero whether for fictional or real people: a biography; strength of purpose; gender; and the reinforcement of national values. Once constructed in the media, the hero often contributes to political ends by reinforcing national values. More specifically, in their construction military heroes reflect and reproduce ideologies that legitimate the state and its military aggressiveness.
Coping with Young Delinquents in Naples: an Approach in Clinical Sociology (between Foucault and Marcuse)
Authors: Corsale Massimo
Published: October 2013

Young delinquents in Italy are seldom convicted in jail: in the most cases they stay within little communities (less than ten guests) where social workers give them some educational opportunities. The paper is concerned with some experiences made with such boys, aiming to put them in a situation where they could try a different relation with rules: they usually come indeed from a social marginal environment, where rules (namely the ones accepted in central society and enforced by law) are generally refused; here two experiences are examined: a regular job within a big manufactory (electrical household appliances), as well as a practical sailing course with participation to a big final regatta, where the boys have had a positive relation with rules, namely the ones necessary to achieve the goals connected with the experience. From a theoretical point of view, such experiences could give a new perspective on the classical concept of “discipline” proposed by Foucault, putting it in relation with the Marcuse’s theory of “necessary/additional repression”.
The Incidence and Prevalence of Neuromyelitis Optica
Authors: Marrie Ruth Ann , Gryba Caroline
Published: October 2013

Interest in neuromyelitis optica (NMO) has increased substantially over the last few years, but it is not known whether NMO has the same geographic and temporal variations in disease risk as multiple sclerosis (MS). We aimed to evaluate the worldwide incidence and prevalence of NMO through a systematic review of published peer-reviewed studies. We performed a search of the English-language literature using MEDLINE and EMBASE from January 1985 to March 2012. Search terms included “neuromyelitis optica,” “Devic's,” “opticospinal,” “incidence,” “prevalence,” and “epidemiology.” We assessed study quality using a standardized instrument. A total of five studies met the inclusion criteria. Three of the studies were from North America, and all studies were published between 2005 and 2012. All studies were of good quality, but only one study reported standardized rates, and subgroup-specific estimates were rarely reported. The incidence of NMO per 100,000 population ranged from 0.053 to 0.40, while the prevalence per 100,000 population ranged from 0.52 to 4.4. Heterogeneity was high among the incidence (I2 = 68.0%) and prevalence studies (I2 = 94.0%). This review highlights the limited knowledge regarding the epidemiology of NMO and the importance of obtaining estimates standardized to common populations to enhance comparability of studies from different jurisdictions. Future studies would also benefit from reporting age-, sex-, and race- or ethnicity-specific estimates.
Timing and lock‐in effect of the Laschamp geomagnetic excursion in Chinese Loess
Authors: Sun Youbin , Qiang Xiaoke , Liu Qingsong , Bloemendal Jan , Wang Xulong
Published: October 2013

The Laschamp geomagnetic excursion (LGE, at ∼41 ka) is a critical age control for hemispherical comparison of paleoclimate records from various kinds of geological archives (e.g., ice core, marine, and lake sediments). The timing of the LGE in Chinese Loess, however, remains poorly constrained due to the lack of a reliable chronology and the complex acquisition processes of natural remanent magnetization. Here, we systematically compare the paleomagnetic results of three optically stimulated luminescence dated loess sequences on the Chinese Loess Plateau. Our results indicate that the timing of the LGE in the northwestern Loess Plateau is slightly older than the absolute radiometric age determination and the timing inferred from Greenland ice core (10Be flux) and marine (i.e., relative paleointensity and authogenic 10Be/9Be stack) records, but younger than the counterparts in the central Loess Plateau. We attribute the different timing of the LGE in the three loess sections to a progressive southeastward increase in the lock‐in depth caused by the combined effects of postdepositional processes (e.g., surface mixing, chemical weathering, and lock‐in delay) on the remanence acquisition process. We conclude that caution is needed to use the LGE in Chinese Loess as a reliable tie‐event for high‐resolution chronological correlation to marine and ice core records, only if the potential lock‐in effect can be precisely determined.
Westerly jet‐East Asian summer monsoon connection during the Holocene
Authors: Nagashima Kana , Tada Ryuji , Toyoda Shin
Published: October 2013

The causes of spatial and temporal changes in East Asian summer monsoon (EASM) precipitation on millennial to multimillennial time scales during the Holocene have not yet been resolved. Here, we examine the relationship between spatial variations in EASM precipitation and the westerly jet (WJ) path over East Asia during the Holocene using the provenance of eolian dust in Japan Sea sediments, which we interpret to reflect changes of the WJ path over East Asia and/or surface conditions of desert areas. The contribution of dust from the Mongolian Gobi Desert relative to that from the Taklimakan Desert shows millennial‐scale to multimillennial‐scale minima at 11.5–10, 7–5, and 3.5–1.5 kyr B.P., which we attribute to earlier seasonal northward progression of the WJ. These dates correlate with precipitation maxima along the present northwestern EASM margin and minima in eastern Northeast China and the Yangtze River Basin, suggesting that the WJ shifted northward earlier in the year, allowing earlier northward migration of the EASM rainband and generating abundant precipitation in the northwestern EASM margin. Therefore, during the Holocene, changes of the WJ path probably contributed to the millennial‐scale to multimillennial‐scale EASM precipitation changes and its northwest‐southeast contrast within China. Our findings suggest that WJ path changes are critical to understand the dynamics of EASM in the past, present, and future.
Paleoclimate reconstruction during the Messinian evaporative drawdown of the Mediterranean Basin: Insights from microthermometry on halite fluid inclusions
Authors: Speranza Giulio , Cosentino Domenico , Tecce Francesca , Faccenna Claudio
Published: October 2013

Data constraining the paleoenvironmental conditions during the Messinian evaporative drawdown of the Mediterranean basin are still conflicting. Here we present a comprehensive paleoclimatic reconstruction during Messinian halite deposition from several Italian sites. We performed fluid inclusion analyses to define better both the composition of the Mediterranean water body and the paleotemperatures of the Messinian brine during halite crystallization. We measured homogenization temperatures on 218 primary all‐liquid fluid inclusions in Messinian halite from the Volterra, Crotone, and Caltanissetta evaporite basins. These measurements provided mean homogenization temperatures of 17–18°C, with a range between 10–11°C and 28–29°C, which should be close to the SST of the Mediterranean Sea during halite deposition. The occurrence of major elements such as Cl, Na, Mg, S, Ca, and K within the halite fluid inclusions, together with the presence of minerals such as pentahydrite, polyhalite, and Ca‐, K‐, and Mg‐sulfates, indicates that these salt bodies originated from mainly marine water. Taking into account both the present‐day annual SST of the Mediterranean Sea around the sampling sites, which ranges between 18 and 20°C, and the lower latitude of the Mediterranean Basin during the Messinian Salinity Crisis, our homogenization temperatures point to a colder climate during the Messinian halite deposition compared to the present interglacial climate stage. This conclusion is consistent with halite deposition during a Late Miocene glacial interval (TG12).
Satellite observations of chlorophyll, phytoplankton biomass, and Ekman pumping in nonlinear mesoscale eddies
Authors: Gaube P. , Chelton D. B. , Strutton P. G. , Behrenfeld M. J.
Published: October 2013

Nonlinear mesoscale eddies can influence biogeochemical cycles in the upper ocean through vertical and horizontal advection of nutrients and marine organisms. The relative importance of these two processes depends on the polarity of an eddy (cyclones versus anticyclones) and the initial biological conditions of the fluid trapped in the core of the eddy at the time of formation. Eddies originating in the eastern South Indian Ocean are unique in that anticyclones, typically associated with downwelling, contain elevated levels of chlorophyll‐a, enhanced primary production and phytoplankton communities generally associated with nutrient‐replete environments. From analysis of 9 years of concurrent satellite measurements of sea surface height, chlorophyll, phytoplankton carbon, and surface stress, we present observations that suggest eddy‐induced Ekman upwelling as a mechanism that is at least partly responsible for sustaining positive phytoplankton anomalies in anticyclones of the South Indian Ocean. The biological response to this eddy‐induced Ekman upwelling is evident only during the Austral winter. During the Austral summer, the biological response to eddy‐induced Ekman pumping occurs deep in the euphotic zone, beyond the reach of satellite observations of ocean color.
Masked polycythemia vera diagnosed according to WHO and BCSH classification
Authors: Barbui Tiziano , Thiele Jürgen , Carobbio Alessandra , Gisslinger Heinz , Finazzi Guido , Rumi Elisa , Luigia Randi Maria , Vannucchi Alessandro M. , Gisslinger Bettina , Müllauer Leonhard , Ruggeri Marco , Rambaldi Alessandro , Tefferi Ayalew
Published: October 2013

Polycythemia vera (PV) is currently diagnosed by the World Health Organization (WHO) criteria regarding hemoglobin (HB) levels and JAK2V617F and related mutations or by the British Committee for Standards in Haematology (BCSH) guidelines predominantly based on hematocrit (HCT) values (>52% in men and >48% in women) in JAK2 mutated patients. We examined clinical features at diagnosis and outcome in 397 mutated PV patients showing a bone marrow (BM) morphology conforming with the WHO descriptions but including also cases with a HB level <18.5 g/dL in males (range 16.0–18.4) and <16.5 g/dL in females (range 15.0–16.4). These patients were regarded as masked PV (mPV) comprising 140 (35%) cases of our cohort. A comparison with the BCSH criteria based on HCT levels revealed a decrease of mPV patients to 59 (15%). In both classification systems, mPV patients were more males, presented more frequently with higher platelet counts, and increased BM reticulin fibrosis. A worsening of overall survival was documented in mPV patients in comparison with overt PV following the WHO (P = 0.011) as well as the BCSH (P = 0.0019) criteria. Risk factors for inferior survival in mPV were age >65 years and white blood cell count >15 × 109/L. Without these risk factors mPV patients had the same survival as overt PV suggesting that a fraction of patients with HB lower than that required for WHO diagnosis should still be considered as overt PV. This study has established the existence of mPV by two different classification systems based on either HB or HCT threshold values. Am. J. Hematol. 89:199–202, 2014. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Chromosomal translocations and karyotype complexity in chronic lymphocytic leukemia: A systematic reappraisal of classic cytogenetic data
Authors: Baliakas Panagiotis , Iskas Michalis , Gardiner Anne , Davis Zadie , Plevova Karla , Nguyen‐Khac Florence , Malcikova Jitka , Anagnostopoulos Achilles , Glide Sharron , Mould Sarah , Stepanovska Kristina , Brejcha Martin , Belessi Chrysoula , Davi Frederic , Pospisilova Sarka , Athanasiadou Anastasia , Stamatopoulos Kostas , Oscier David
Published: October 2013

The significance of chromosomal translocations (CTRAs) and karyotype complexity (KC) in chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) remains uncertain. To gain insight into these issues, we evaluated a series of 1001 CLL cases with reliable classic cytogenetic data obtained within 6 months from diagnosis before any treatment. Overall, 320 cases were found to carry ≥1 CTRAs. The most frequent chromosome breakpoints were 13q, followed by 14q, 18q, 17q, and 17p; notably, CTRAs involving chromosome 13q showed a wide spectrum of translocation partners. KC (≥3 aberrations) was detected in 157 cases and significantly (P < 0.005) associated with unmutated IGHV genes and aberrations of chromosome 17p. Furthermore, it was identified as an independent prognostic factor for shorter time‐to‐first‐treatment. CTRAs were assigned to two categories (i) CTRAs present in the context of KC, often with involvement of chromosome 17p aberrations, occurring mostly in CLL with unmutated IGHV genes; in such cases, we found that KC rather than the presence of CTRAs per se negatively impacts on survival; (ii) CTRAs in cases without KC, having limited if any impact on survival. On this evidence, we propose that all CTRAs in CLL are not equivalent but rather develop by different processes and are associated with distinct clonal behavior. Am. J. Hematol. 89:249–255, 2014. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Specific macrothrombocytopenia/hemolytic anemia associated with sitosterolemia
Authors: Wang Zhaoyue , Cao Lijuan , Su Yanhua , Wang Gaifeng , Wang Ruijuan , Yu Ziqiang , Bai Xia , Ruan Changgeng
Published: October 2013

Sitosterolemia (phytosterolemia) is a rare inherited sterol storage disorder, characterized by significantly elevated plasma levels of plant sterols. The clinical features of sitosterolemia are xanthomas, premature atherosclerosis, arthritis, and, occasionally, liver function impair and hematologic abnormalities. This disorder is caused by mutations of ABCG5/ABCG8 genes. We report here the clinical, laboratory, and molecular genetic features of 13 patients with sitosterolemia from eight unrelated families who had specific hematologic problems of macrothrombocytopenia, hemolytic anemia, and splenomegaly besides the major clinical manifestations. The peripheral blood films showed some unique features: large platelets surrounded by a circle of vacuoles, and various abnormal erythrocyte shapes, especially stomatocyte. According to these distinct changes of blood cell morphology, we identified two sitosterolemia patients who lacked the classical clinical phenomena. All the patients had been misdiagnosed with immune thrombocytopenia (ITP), Evans syndrome, or secondary ITP with delay being 28.8 years between symptom onset and correct diagnosis. These results indicate that sitosterolemia is certainly not as rare as originally thought. The phenomena of macrothrombocytopenia/hemolysis might represent a new platelet disorder. Plasma plant sterols and ABCG5/ABCG8 genes should be analyzed when such hematologic abnormalities are unexplained. Am. J. Hematol. 89:320–324, 2014. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc
Prevention program at construction worksites aimed at improving health and work ability is cost‐saving to the employer: Results from an RCT
Authors: Oude Hengel K.M. , Bosmans J.E. , Van Dongen J.M. , Bongers P.M. , Van der Beek A.J. , Blatter B.M.
Published: October 2013

Background

To prolong sustainable healthy working lives of construction workers, a prevention program was developed which aimed to improve the health and work ability of construction workers. The objective of this study was to analyze the cost‐effectiveness and financial return from the employers' perspective of this program.

Methods

A total of 293 workers in 15 departments were randomized to the intervention (n = 8 departments) or control group (n = 7). Data on work ability and health were collected using questionnaires. Sick leave data were obtained from the companies. Both the cost‐effectiveness analyses and return on investment analyses were performed.

Results

After 12 months, the absenteeism costs were significantly lower in the intervention group than in the control group. At 12‐month follow‐up, no significant differences were found with respect to the primary outcomes (work ability, mental and physical health status) and secondary outcomes (musculoskeletal symptoms), meaning that the intervention was not cost‐effective in comparison with the control group. The net‐benefit was €641 per worker, and the intervention generated a positive financial return to the employer.

Conclusion

The intervention in the present study was cost‐saving to the employer due to reduced sickness absenteeism costs in the intervention group compared with the control group. However, the intervention cannot be regarded as cost‐effective as no significant effects were found for work ability and health. Am. J. Ind. Med. 57:56–68, 2014. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Parkinson's Disease and Occupation: Differences in Associations by Case Identification Method Suggest Referral Bias
Authors: Teschke Kay , Marion Stephen A. , Tsui Joseph K.C. , Shen Hui , Rugbjerg Kathrine , Harris M. Anne
Published: October 2013

Methods

We used a population‐based sample of 403 Parkinson's disease cases and 405 controls to examine risks by occupation. Results were compared to a previous clinic‐based analysis.

Results

With censoring of jobs held within 10 years of diagnosis, the following had significantly or strongly increased risks: social science, law and library jobs (OR = 1.8); farming and horticulture jobs (OR = 2.0); gas station jobs (OR = 2.6); and welders (OR = 3.0). The following had significantly decreased risks: management and administration jobs (OR = 0.70); and other health care jobs (OR = 0.44).

Conclusions

These results were consistent with other findings for social science and farming occupations. Risks for teaching, medicine and health occupations were not elevated, unlike our previous clinic‐based study. This underscores the value of population‐based over clinic‐based samples. Occupational studies may be particularly susceptible to referral bias because social networks may spread preferentially via jobs. Am. J. Ind. Med. 57:163–171, 2014. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Workplace mistreatment and sickness absenteeism from work: Results from the 2010 National Health Interview survey
Authors: Asfaw Abay G. , Chang Chia C. , Ray Tapas K.
Published: October 2013

Objective

This study examined the association between workplace mistreatment and occurrence, duration, and costs of sickness absenteeism.

Methods

We used the 2010 National Health Interview Survey and considered 13,807 employed adult respondents. We used a zero‐inflated negative binomial (zinb) model to examine the association between exposure to workplace mistreatment and the occurrence and number of workdays missed due to illness/injury in the preceding 12 months.

Results

In 2010, 7.6% of US workers employed at the time of the survey reported having been mistreated at their workplace. Both occurrence and duration of sickness absence were higher for mistreated than for non‐mistreated workers. The zinb results showed that being mistreated was associated with a 42% increase in the number of missed workdays, controlling for covariates. The marginal effect analysis showed that lost workdays differed by 2.45 days between mistreated and non‐mistreated workers. This implies that workplace mistreatment was associated with $4.1 billion, or 5.5%, of sickness absenteeism costs in 2010.

Conclusions

Workplace mistreatment is associated with sickness absence in the United States. While a causal relationship could not be established due to the cross‐sectional design of the study, this study reveals the economic importance of developing workplace mistreatment prevention strategies. Am. J. Ind. Med. 57:202–213, 2014. Published 2013. This article is a U.S. Government work and is in the public domain in the USA.
Job stress and work‐related musculoskeletal symptoms among intensive care unit nurses: a comparison between job demand‐control and effort‐reward imbalance models
Authors: Lee Soo‐Jeong , Lee Joung Hee , Gillen Marion , Krause Niklas
Published: October 2013

Background

The aims of this study were to compare job demand‐control (JDC) and effort‐reward imbalance (ERI) models in examining the association of job stress with work‐related musculoskeletal symptoms and to evaluate the utility of a combined model.

Methods

This study analyzed cross‐sectional survey data obtained from a nationwide random sample of 304 intensive‐care unit (ICU) nurses. Demographic and job factors were controlled in the analyses using logistic regression.

Results

Both JDC and ERI variables had strong and statistically significant associations with work‐related musculoskeletal symptoms. Effort‐reward imbalance had stronger associations than job strain or iso‐strain with musculoskeletal symptoms. Effort‐reward imbalance alone showed similar or stronger associations with muscusloskeletal symptoms compared to combined variables of the JDC and ERI models.

Conclusions

The ERI model appears to capture the magnitude of the musculoskeletal health risk among nurses associated with job stress at least as well and possibly better than the JDC model. Our findings suggest that combining the two models provides little gain compared to using effort‐reward imbalance only. Am. J. Ind. Med. 57:214–221, 2014. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Impaired response inhibition is associated with self‐reported symptoms of depression, anxiety, and ADHD in femaleFMR1premutation carriers
Authors: Kraan Claudine M. , Hocking Darren R. , Georgiou‐Karistianis Nellie , Metcalfe Sylvia A. , Archibald Alison D. , Fielding Joanne , Trollor Julian , Bradshaw John L. , Cohen Jonathan , Cornish Kim M.
Published: October 2013

Fragile X Mental Retardation 1(FMR1) premutation carriers (PM‐carriers) have a defective trinucleotide expansion on theFMR1gene that is associated with continuum of neuropsychological and mental disorders. Currently, little is known about the distinct subcomponents of executive function potentially impaired in female PM‐carriers, and there have been no investigations into associations between executive function and incidences of mental disorders. A total of 35 female PM‐carriers confirmed by Asuragen triple primed PCR DNA testing and 35 age‐ and intelligence‐matched controls completed tests of executive function (i.e., response inhibition and working memory) and self‐reported on social anxiety, depression, and ADHD predominantly inattentive (ADHD‐PI) symptoms. Compared to controls, PM‐carriers were significantly elevated on self‐reported social anxiety and ADHD‐PI symptoms. Irrespective of mental symptoms, female PM‐carries performed significantly worse than controls on a response inhibition test, and further investigations revealed significant correlations between executive function performance and self‐reported symptoms of anxiety, depression and ADHD‐PI. Critically, among PM‐carriers with good executive function performance, no women exceeded threshold markers for probable caseness of mental disorder. However, rates of probable caseness were elevated in those with average performance (response inhibition: social anxiety: 41.7%; depression: 20%; ADHD: 44.4%; working memory: social anxiety: 27.3%; depression: 9.1%; ADHD: 18.2%) and highly elevated for those with poor executive function performance (response inhibition: social anxiety: 58.3%; depression: 80%; ADHD: 55.6%; working memory: social anxiety: 100%; depression: 50%; ADHD: 83.3%). These data suggest that subtle executive dysfunction may be a useful neuropsychological indicator for a range of mental disorders previously reported in female PM‐carriers. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Growth and fluctuating asymmetry of human newborns: Influence of inbreeding and parental education
Authors: Özener Bariş , Graham John H.
Published: October 2013

Historically, medical concerns about the deleterious effects of closely inbred marriages have focused on the risk posed by recessive Mendelian disease, with much less attention to developmental instability. We studied the effects of inbreeding (first‐cousin marriage) on growth and fluctuating asymmetry of 200 full‐term infants (101 inbred and 99 outbred) whose parents were of similar socioeconomic status in Sivas Province, Turkey. In addition to differences in their mean inbreeding coefficients (f= 1/16 for first cousins andf< 1/1,024 for unrelated parents), the consanguineous parents were less well educated (3 years, on average for both husbands and wives). We measured weight, height, head circumference, and chest circumference of the newborns, as well as four bilateral traits (ear width, ear length, and second and fourth digit lengths). After taking education into account, none of the measures of size (weight, height, head circumference, and chest circumference) and fluctuating asymmetry differed between the inbred and outbred groups. Male children of well‐educated parents, however, were larger and had less fluctuating asymmetry. Female children of well‐educated parents weighed more than those of less well‐educated parents, but were otherwise indistinguishable for height, head circumference, chest circumference, and fluctuating asymmetry. We conclude that inbreeding depression causes neither an increase in fluctuating asymmetry of full‐term newborns, nor a decrease in body size. Unmeasured variables correlated with education appear to have an effect on fluctuating asymmetry and size of male children and only a weak effect on size (weight) of female children. Am J Phys Anthropol 153:45–51, 2014. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Effect of membranes on oxygen transfer rate and consumption within a newly developed three‐compartment bioartificial liver device: Advanced experimental and theoretical studies
Authors: Hilal‐Alnaqbi Ali , Mourad Abdel‐Hamid I. , Yousef Basem F.
Published: October 2013

A mathematical model is developed to predict oxygen transfer in the fiber‐in‐fiber (FIF) bioartificial liver device. The model parameters are taken from the constructed and tested FIF modules. We extended the Krogh cylinder model by including one more zone for oxygen transfer. Cellular oxygen uptake was based on Michaelis–Menten kinetics. The effect of varying a number of important model parameters is investigated, including (1) oxygen partial pressure at the inlet, (2) the hydraulic permeability of compartment B (cell region), (3) the hydraulic permeability of the inner membrane, and (4) the oxygen diffusivity of the outer membrane. The mathematical model is validated by comparing its output against the experimentally acquired values of an oxygen transfer rate and the hydrostatic pressure drop. Three governing simultaneous linear differential equations are derived to predict and validate the experimental measurements, e.g., the flow rate and the hydrostatic pressure drop. The model output simulated the experimental measurements to a high degree of accuracy. The model predictions show that the cells in the annulus can be oxygenated well even at high cell density or at a low level of gas phase PG if the value of the oxygen diffusion coefficient Dm is 16 × 10−5. The mathematical model also shows that the performance of the FIF improves by increasing the permeability of polypropylene membrane (inner fiber). Moreover, the model predicted that 60% of plasma has access to the cells in the annulus within the first 10% of the FIF bioreactor axial length for a specific polypropylene membrane permeability and can reach 95% within the first 30% of its axial length.
Comparative modeling of proteins: A method for engaging students' interest in bioinformatics tools
Authors: Badotti Fernanda , Barbosa Alan Sales , Reis André Luiz Martins , do Valle Ítalo Faria , Ambrósio Lara , Bitar Mainá
Published: October 2013

The huge increase in data being produced in the genomic era has produced a need to incorporate computers into the research process. Sequence generation, its subsequent storage, interpretation, and analysis are now entirely computer‐dependent tasks. Universities from all over the world have been challenged to seek a way of encouraging students to incorporate computational and bioinformatics skills since undergraduation in order to understand biological processes. The aim of this article is to report the experience of awakening students' interest in bioinformatics tools during a course focused on comparative modeling of proteins. The authors start by giving a full description of the course environmental context and students' backgrounds. Then they detail each class and present a general overview of the protein modeling protocol. The positive and negative aspects of the course are also reported, and some of the results generated in class and in projects outside the classroom are discussed. In the last section of the article, general perspectives about the course from students' point of view are given. This work can serve as a guide for professors who teach subjects for which bioinformatics tools are useful and for universities that plan to incorporate bioinformatics into the curriculum. © 2013 by The International Union of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, 42(1):68–78, 2014
Transformation of ferulic acid to vanillin using a fed‐batch solid–liquid two‐phase partitioning bioreactor
Authors: Ma Xiao‐kui , Daugulis Andrew J.
Published: October 2013

Amycolatopsis sp. ATCC 39116 (formerly Streptomyces setonii) has shown promising results in converting ferulic acid (trans‐4‐hydroxy‐3‐methoxycinnamic acid; substrate), which can be derived from natural plant wastes, to vanillin (4‐hydroxy‐3‐methoxybenzaldehyde). After exploring the influence of adding vanillin at different times during the growth cycle on cell growth and transformation performance of this strain and demonstrating the inhibitory effect of vanillin, a solid–liquid two‐phase partitioning bioreactor (TPPB) system was used as an in situ product removal technique to enhance transformation productivity by this strain. The thermoplastic polymer Hytrel® G4078W was found to have superior partitioning capacity for vanillin with a partition coefficient of 12 and a low affinity for the substrate. A 3‐L working volume solid–liquid fed‐batch TPPB mode, using 300 g Hytrel G4078W as the sequestering phase, produced a final vanillin concentration of 19.5 g/L. The overall productivity of this reactor system was 450 mg/L. h, among the highest reported in literature. Vanillin was easily and quantitatively recovered from the polymers mostly by single stage extraction into methanol or other organic solvents used in food industry, simultaneously regenerating polymer beads for reuse. A polymer–liquid two phase bioreactor was again confirmed to easily outperform single phase systems that feature inhibitory or easily further degraded substrates/products. This enhancement strategy might reasonably be expected in the production of other flavor and fragrance compounds obtained by biotransformations. © 2013 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Biotechnol. Prog., 30:207–214, 2014
Viral clearance by flow‐through mode ion exchange columns and membrane adsorbers
Authors: Miesegaes G. R. , Lute S. C. , Read E. K. , Brorson K. A.
Published: October 2013

Anion exchange (AEX) is a common downstream purification operation for biotechnology products manufactured in cell culture such as therapeutic monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) and Fc‐fusion proteins. We present a head‐to‐head comparison of the viral clearance efficiency of AEX adsorbers and column chromatography using the same process fluids and comparable run conditions. We also present overall trends from the CDER viral clearance database. In our comparison of multiple brands of resins and adsorbers, clearance of three model viruses (PPV, X‐MuLV, and PR772) was largely comparable, with some exceptions which may reflect run conditions that had not been optimized on a resin/membrane specific basis. © 2013 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Biotechnol. Prog., 30:124–131, 2014
Clarification and capture of high‐concentration refold pools for E. coli‐based therapeutics using expanded bed adsorption chromatography
Authors: Xu Xuankuo , Hirpara Jeet , Epting Kevin , Jin Mi , Ghose Sanchayita , Rieble Siegfried , Li Zheng Jian
Published: October 2013

Expanded bed adsorption (EBA) chromatography was investigated for clarification and capture of high‐concentration refold pools of Escherichia coli‐based therapeutics. Refolding of denatured inclusion bodies (IBs) at high protein concentration significantly improved product throughput; however, direct filtration of the refold materials became very challenging because of high content of protein precipitates formed during refolding. In addition, irreversible protein precipitation caused by high local concentration was encountered in packed bed capture during cation exchange chromatography elution, which limited column loading capacity and capture step productivity. In this study, the two issues are addressed in one unit operation by using EBA. Specifically, EBA can handle feed streams with significant amount of particles and precipitates, which eliminated the need for refold pool clarification through filtration. The relatively broad EBA elution profile is particularly suitable for proteins of low solubility and can effectively avoid product loss previously associated with on‐column precipitation during capture. As the EBA resin (RHOBUST® FastLine SP IEX) used here has unique properties, it can be operated at high linear velocity (800–1,600 cm/h), while achieving a selectivity and impurity clearance largely comparable to the packed bed resin of the same ligand chemistry (SP Sepharose FF). Furthermore, the filtration of the EBA elution pool is easily manageable within facility capability. Overall, this study demonstrates that the EBA process helps debottleneck the purification of high‐turbidity refold pools by removing precipitates and concurrently capturing the product, which can be applied to other E. coli‐based therapeutics that also requires refolding of IBs. © 2013 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Biotechnol. Prog., 30:113–123, 2014
Cationic solid lipid nanoparticles with cholesterol‐mediated surface layer for transporting saquinavir to the brain
Authors: Kuo Yung‐Chih , Wang Cheng‐Chin
Published: October 2013

Cholesterol‐mediated cationic solid lipid nanoparticles (CSLNs) were formulated with esterquat 1 (EQ 1) and stearylamine as positively charged external layers on hydrophobic internal cores of cacao butter. These CSLNs were employed to deliver saquinavir (SQV) to the brain. The permeability of SQV across the blood–brain barrier (BBB) using SQV‐loaded CSLNs (SQV‐CSLNs) was estimated with an in vitro model of a monolayer of human brain‐microvascular endothelial cells (HBMECs) regulated by human astrocytes. The results revealed that the average diameter of SQV‐CSLNs diminished when the weight percentage of cholesterol and EQ 1 increased. The morphological images indicated a uniform size of SQV‐CSLNs with compact lipid structure. In addition, an increasing weight percentage of cholesterol and EQ 1 enhanced the zeta potential of SQV‐CSLNs. The fluorescent staining demonstrated that HBMECs could internalize SQV‐CSLNs. An increase in the weight percentage of cholesterol and EQ 1 also promoted the uptake of SQV‐CSLNs by HBMECs. Moreover, a high content of cholesterol and EQ 1 in SQV‐CSLNs increased the BBB permeability of SQV. The cholesterol‐mediated SQV‐CSLNs can be an efficacious drug delivery system for brain‐targeting delivery of antiviral agents. © 2013 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Biotechnol. Prog., 30:198–206, 2014
Structural, surface and catalytic properties of pure and ZrO2‐doped nanosized cobalt‐manganese mixed oxides
Authors: Ibrahim Shaimaa M. , Badawy Abdelrahman A. , El‐Shobaky Gamil A. , Mohamed Heba A.
Published: October 2013

The role of ZrO2‐doping of CoO–Mn2O3 system on its structural, surface and catalytic properties was studied using XRD, EDX, nitrogen adsorption at −196°C and H2O2‐decomposition at 30–50°C. The results revealed that all solids calcined at 300–500°C consisted of nanosized Co2MnO4 as a major phase together with Co3O4 phase. The surface and bulk compositions of pure and variously doped solids were completely different from each other's. The concentration of surface manganese species was much higher than that of cobalt. The addition of the smallest amount of ZrO2 (0.75 mol%) much increased the surface concentration of manganese species. The increase of calcination temperature of all solids increased progressively the catalytic activity which increased by doping with the smallest amount of ZrO2 then decreased by doping with further amounts of ZrO2 dopant falling to values smaller than that measured for pure sample.
Particles deposition at horizontal flat plate in turbulent particulate flow
Authors: Kartushinsky Alexander , Hussainov Medhat , Michaelides Efstathios E. , Rudi Ylo , Shcheglov Igor , Tisler Sergei , Krupenski Igor
Published: October 2013

The deposition of aluminium oxide 12 and 23 μm particles onto a horizontal flat plate within the laminar boundary layer in the free‐stream moderate turbulent flow was studied. The present numerical model considered the deposition onto the surface to be a probabilistic process determined both by hydrodynamics and the adhesive behaviour of particles and surface. Numerical simulation was realised for the flat‐plate laminar boundary layer. The two‐fluid approach was used for writing the Euler equations for a carrier gas and particulate phase. The effects of gravity and lift forces on the particles velocities and mass concentration, occurring within the boundary layer, and deposition were studied separately for various particle sizes. It was revealed that gravity and lift forces have decisive influence on the behaviour of solid particles taken place within the laminar boundary layer and on their deposition that is expressed via the distributions of the particles transverse velocity and mass concentration. These effects become more pronounced for the larger 23 μm particles. This fact, coupled with the higher probability of entrainment by the surface, results in their larger deposition velocity. The given study is the attempt to combine the hydrodynamic and adhesive aspects of the particles deposition for its more accurate estimate that is suitable for various practical devices.
Differential scanning calorimetry analysis of W/O emulsions prepared by miniature scale magnetic agitation and microfluidics
Authors: Lignel Sarah , Drelich Audrey , Sunagatullina Dinara , Clausse Danièle , Leclerc Eric , Pezron Isabelle
Published: October 2013

Understanding and modelling the mechanism of destabilisation of complex and opaque water‐in‐oil emulsions is very challenging. The purpose of our current study is to develop experiments to restrict the number of destabilisation mechanisms that take place in order to better understand their role in the evolution of model emulsions. We focused particularly on the effects of droplet size increase and of droplet sedimentation, which can be observed when the emulsion ages. The evolution of the water in oil emulsion was characterised by following the displacement of the water freezing transition with time by Differential Scanning Calorimetry. We present the results obtained on two different systems: first on emulsions prepared in a miniature cell with an integrated magnetic stirrer designed for experiments on ground and under microgravity conditions (FASES program). In addition, the first results obtained with a microfluidic device, in order to generate dispersed water droplets of uniform size and determine the most probable freezing temperature of the water droplets as a function of their size, are displayed.