bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effects of one-week versus one-day preoperative treatment with topical 1% prednisolone acetate in dogs undergoing phacoemulsification
Authors: McLean Nancy J. , Ward Daniel A. , Hendrix Diane V. H. , Vaughn Rachel K.
Published: February 2012

Objective—To compare the effects of 2 preoperative anti-inflammatory regimens on intraocular inflammation following phacoemulsification.

Design—Randomized controlled trial

Animals—21 dogs with immature cataracts.

Procedures—All dogs had cataract surgery via phacoemulsification, and most received prosthetic intraocular lenses. Dogs were randomly divided into 2 groups. Group A dogs were treated topically with prednisolone acetate for 7 days prior to surgery, whereas prednisolone acetate treatment commenced the evening prior to surgery in group B dogs. Postoperative care was identical for both groups. Blood-aqueous barrier breakdown was quantified by use of anterior chamber fluorophotometry, with fluorescein entry into the anterior chamber measured 2 and 9 days after surgery compared with baseline scans obtained prior to surgery. Ophthalmic examinations were performed before surgery and 1 day, 9 days, 3 weeks, 7 weeks, 3 months, and 6 months after surgery. A subjective inflammation score was established at each examination. Intraocular pressures were measured 4 and 8 hours after surgery and at each follow-up examination.

Results—There was no difference in the extent of blood-aqueous barrier disruption between the groups at 2 or 9 days after surgery. Subjective inflammation scores were also similar at most time points. Dogs in group A developed postoperative ocular hypertension at a higher frequency (60%) than did those in group B (18%).

Conclusions and Clinical Relevance—In dogs that underwent cataract surgery via phacoemulsification, a full week of topical prednisolone acetate treatment prior to surgery did not decrease postoperative inflammation, compared with commencement of topical prednisolone acetate treatment the evening prior to surgery, and was associated with a greater incidence of postoperative ocular hypertension.
Knowledge-Intensive Services in Slovakia from the Viewpoint of Innovation and Labour Productivity
Authors: Lattová Dorota
Published: February 2012

Knowledge-Intensive Services in Slovakia from the Viewpoint of Innovation and Labour Productivity

The article deals with current issues of innovation and labour productivity in knowledge-intensive services in Slovakia compared to less knowledge-intensive services. The aim of the article is to identify innovation activity of enterprises in selected branches of service sector as one of the key factors affecting labour productivity which influences competitiveness of individual enterprises as well as competitiveness of the national economy as a whole.
Multisensory Environment and Sensory Deprivation in the Treatment of Reception Defects
Authors: Kosmály Peter
Published: February 2012

Multisensory Environment and Sensory Deprivation in the Treatment of Reception Defects

This article deals with two types of alternative therapy and treatment methods. They are considered to be used in media education, in the treatment of reception defects, such as abuse, narcosis, neurosis, frustration, fetishism and superimposition. Purpose of this article is to summarize and discuss not only these media reality reception defects, but also to object them in two ways - multisensory environment within special pedagogic treatment, sensory deprivation within alternative psychiatric therapy (dark therapy, chamber and floating tanks, meditation, holotropic breathing, neuro-linguistic programming, etc.). Methodology in this study is to consider them as using media in the way of organic reception and therefore included in media anthropology, education and ethics. Within media reality a system reception feedback is needed, therefore the method "anything goes" for this use is explained. The aim of this article is to bind alternative media based methods with the research of reception of the media reality and the outstanding media anthropological issues: therapy, education, ethics, philosophy, etc. The scientific aim not only of this study, but also of author's whole work is to sustain the whole - media anthropological view - by using partial methods for media reality analysis and proving its relevance in disputing other theories being enclosed within media discourse. Also the ethics - code of dealing with technological extensions of human competence - the media - is a part of the organic reception. As the conclusion a need of such kind of research, education and treatment is objected and the examples of author's effort are explained. There is strongly recommended to create and use other media anthropology based equipment: Hitchhiker's Guide to Media Reality, A Chronicle of Abused media, blogs, a textbook, etc.
Glacier mass loss induced the rapid growth of Linggo Co on the central Tibetan Plateau
Authors: Lei Yanbin , Yao Tandong , Yi Chaolu , Wang Weicai , Sheng Yongwei , Li Junli , Joswiak Daniel
Published: February 2012

Remote-sensing and GIS techniques in conjunction with field investigations show how glacier mass loss has led to the rapid growth of Linggo Co, a glacier-fed lake on the central Tibetan Plateau, which has expanded by 21.3% in area between 1974 and 2010, with a lake-level rise of ˜11.2m. The lake volume of Linggo Co increased at a rate of 0.02 × 106, 42.67 × 106 and 65.8 × I06m3a-1 during the periods 1974-92, 1992-99 and 1999-2010, respectively. Other nonglacier-fed lakes in the vicinity (i.e. Longwei Co, Amur Co and Darngo Co Ngion) shrank considerably from the early 1970s to 1992 and then expanded from 1992 to 2010. Despite being in the same climate region, Linggo Co and the non-glacier-fed lakes have differed in response to climate change. The glaciers in the catchment of Linggo Co retreated by 2.4% in area between 1974 and 2007, and their mean thickness decreased by 6.19 ± 1.91 m between 1974 and 2000, with an associated glacier meltwater runoff of (7.52 ± 2.32) × 108 m3. The results indicate that glacier mass loss had a significant impact on the growth of Linggo Co over the past 40 years.
Parallel finite-element implementation for higher-order ice-sheet models
Authors: Perego Mauro , Gunzburger Max , Burkardt John
Published: February 2012

Higher-order models represent a computationally less expensive alternative to the Stokes model for ice-sheet modeling. In this work, we develop linear and quadratic finite-element methods, implemented on parallel architectures, for the three-dimensional first-order model of Dukowicz and others (2010) that is based on the Blatter-Pattyn model, and for the depth-integrated model of Schoof and Hindmarsh (2010). We then apply our computational models to three of the ISMIP-HOM benchmark test cases (Pattyn and others, 2008). We compare results obtained from our models with those obtained using a reliable Stokes computational model, showing that our first-order model implementation produces reliable and accurate solutions for almost all characteristic length scales of the test geometries considered. Good agreement with the reference Stokes solution is also obtained by our depth-integrated model implementation in fast-sliding regimes and for medium to large length scales. We also provide a comprehensive comparison between results obtained from our first-order model implementation and implementations developed by ISMIP-HOM participants; this study shows that our implementation is at least as good as the previous ones. Finally, a comparison between linear and quadratic finite- element approximations is carried out, showing, as expected, the better accuracy of the quadratic finite-element method.
Oligohydramnios at third trimester and perinatal outcome
Authors: Nazlima N , Fatima B
Published: February 2012

Objectives: The purpose of this study to assess the effect of oligohydramnios on perinatal outcome especially at third trimester of pregnancy. Methods: This prospective and observational study was conducted in a private specialized hospital at Dhaka city from January to December 2009. In this study 78 singleton pregnant females with gestational age from 28 - 42 weeks with less amniotic fluid index (AFI) were analyzed for perinatal outcome. Data were expressed as number (percentage). Proportion test was performed for comparison between two groups , P value <0.05 was taken as level of significance. Results:Women with oligohydramnios were significantly associated with an abnormal antepartum fetal heart rate (FHR), meconium stained fluid, Apgar score less than 7 or NICU admission. Also subjects with AFI of 5.0 cm or less had a higher rate of cesarean section for fetal distress. Conclusions: Antepartum oligohydramnios is associated with an increased risk of fetal heart rate abnormalities. Although in our population it is not predictive of adverse perinatal outcome as measured by low apgar score and NICU admission, yet this may be reflective of the aggressive antepartum and intrapartum management that these patients received. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/bjms.v11i1.9820 BJMS 2012; 11(1): 33-36
A Rare Complication of Corneal Abrasion in Otorhinolaryngology Procedure: Lessons Learnt
Authors: Irfan M , Wong CY , Siti RI
Published: February 2012

Despite their close anatomical relationship, orbital complications rarely occur during otorhinolaryngology operations. The well-known complication is the orbital injury during endoscopic sinus surgery. Procedures such as tonsillectomy or sinus surgery limited to the ostium widening rarely induce such an injury. We report two cases of corneal abrasion after otorhinolaryngological operative procedures. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/bjms.v11i1.9826 BJMS 2012; 11(1): 61-62
Contemporary treatment of a Class II division 1 case
Authors: Alam MK
Published: February 2012

A 17 year-old Bangladeshi female presented with a severe Class II division 1 incisor relationship on a mild Skeletal II base. Crowding was moderate in the upper arch. The lower arch was well aligned. Treatment was commenced using fixed appliances and followed by extractions of upper first premolars. This case illustrates the versatility of the fixed appliances in the treatment of those cases exhibiting Class II division 1 malocclusion with crowding. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/bjms.v11i1.9827 BJMS 2012; 11(1): 63-65
Influence of Post-Treatment with 75% (v/v) Ethanol Vapor on the Properties of SF/P(LLA-CL) Nanofibrous Scaffolds
Authors: Zhang Kui-Hua , Ye Qing , Yan Zhi-Yong
Published: February 2012

In order to improve the water-resistant ability of silk fibroin (SF) and SF/P(LLA-CL) blended nanofibrous scaffolds for tissue engineering applications, 75% (v/v) ethanol vapor was used to post-treat electrospun nanofibers. SEM indicated that the treated SF and SF/ P(LLA-CL) nanofibrous scaffolds maintained a nanofibrous structure and possessed good water-resistant ability. Characterization of 13C CP-MAS NMR clarified that 75% (v/v) ethanol vapor could induce SF conformation from random coil or α-helix to β-sheet. Although the water contact showed that treated SF/P(LLA-CL) blended nanofibrous scaffolds were hydrophobic, the water uptake demonstrated that their hydrophilicity was greatly superior to those of pure P(LLA-CL) nanofibrous scaffolds. Furthermore, the treated SF/P(LLA-CL) nanofibrous scaffolds, both in dry state and wet state, could retain good mechanical properties. Therefore, 75% (v/v) ethanol vapor treatment might be an ideal method to treat SF and SF/P(LLA-CL) nanofibrous scaffolds for biomedical applications.
What Is Information?: Why Is It Relativistic and What Is Its Relationship to Materiality, Meaning and Organization
Authors: Logan Robert K.
Published: February 2012

We review the historic development of concept of information including the relationship of Shannon information and entropy and the criticism of Shannon information because of its lack of a connection to meaning. We review the work of Kauffman, Logan et al. that shows that Shannon information fails to describe biotic information. We introduce the notion of the relativity of information and show that the concept of information depends on the context of where and how it is being used. We examine the relationship of information to meaning and materiality within information theory, cybernetics and systems biology. We show there exists a link between information and organization in biotic systems and in the various aspects of human culture including language, technology, science, economics and governance.
Sorbate Transport in Carbon Molecular Sieve Membranes and FAU/EMT Intergrowth by Diffusion NMR
Authors: Mueller Robert , Kanungo Rohit , Menjoge Amrish , Kiyono-Shimobe Mayumi , Koros William J. , Bradley Steven A. , Galloway Douglas B. , Low John J. , Prabhakar Sesh , Vasenkov Sergey
Published: February 2012

In this paper we present and discuss selected results of our recent studies of sorbate self-diffusion in microporous materials. The main focus is given to transport properties of carbon molecular sieve (CMS) membranes as well as of the intergrowth of FAU-type and EMT-type zeolites. CMS membranes show promise for applications in separations of mixtures of small gas molecules, while FAU/EMT intergrowth can be used as an active and selective cracking catalyst. For both types of applications diffusion of guest molecules in the micropore networks of these materials is expected to play an important role. Diffusion studies were performed by a pulsed field gradient (PFG) NMR technique that combines advantages of high field (17.6 T) NMR and high magnetic field gradients (up to 30 T/m). This technique has been recently introduced at the University of Florida in collaboration with the National Magnet Lab. In addition to a more conventional proton PFG NMR, also carbon-13 PFG NMR was used.
Synthetic Strategies to Terpene Quinones/Hydroquinones
Authors: Gordaliza Marina
Published: February 2012

The cytotoxic and antiproliferative properties of many natural sesquiterpene-quinones and -hydroquinones from sponges offer promising opportunities for the development of new drugs. A review dealing with different strategies for obtaining bioactive terpenyl quinones/hydroquinones is presented. The different synthetic approches for the preparation of the most relevant quinones/hydroquinones are described.
A New Class of Heterocycles: 1,4,3,5-Oxathiadiazepane 4,4-dioxides
Authors: Bendjeddou Amel , Abbaz Tahar , Regainia Zine , Aouf Nour-Eddine
Published: February 2012

This work reports the synthesis of novel 1,4,3,5-oxathiadiazepanes 4,4-dioxides from the reaction of N’-benzyl-N-(2-hydroxyethyl)-sarcosine or proline sulfamide with aromatic aldehydes under acid catalysis. To prepare the starting materials N-Boc-sulfamide derivatives of sarcosine or proline were alkylated with benzyl alcohol under Mitsunobu reaction conditions, the Boc group was removed chemoselectively by acidolysis, and the resulting product reduced to the corresponding alcohol in good yields.
Impaired NLRP3 Inflammasome Function in Elderly Mice during Influenza Infection Is Rescued by Treatment with Nigericin
Authors: Stout-Delgado Heather W. , Vaughan Sarah E. , Shirali Anushree C. , Jaramillo Richard J. , Harrod Kevin S.
Published: February 2012

The NLRP3 inflammasome is activated in the lung during influenza viral infection; however, the impact of aging on inflammasome function during influenza infection has not been examined. In this study, we show that elderly mice infected with a mouse-adapted strain of influenza produced lower levels of IL-1β during in vitro and in vivo infection. Dendritic cells from elderly mice exhibited decreased expression of ASC, NLRP3, and capase-1 but increased expression of pro–IL-1β, pro–IL-18, and pro–IL-33 compared with dendritic cells from young infected mice. Treatment with nigericin during influenza infection augmented IL-1β production, increased caspase-1 activity, and decreased morbidity and mortality in elderly mice. Our study demonstrates for the first time, to our knowledge, that during influenza viral infection, elderly mice have impaired NLRP3 inflammasome activity and that treatment with nigericin rescues NLRP3 activation in elderly hosts.
Addition of gemcitabine to standard therapy in locally advanced cervical cancer: A randomized comparative study
Authors: Roy Sanjoy , Maji Tapas , Chaudhuri Prabir , Lahiri Debarshi , Biswas Jaydip ,   Devleena
Published: February 2012

Background: The concurrent chemoradiotherapy for cervical cancer treatment is well accepted since 1999. This randomized, phase III trial aimed to observe if any improved outcome could be obtained capitalizing on the synergistic activity of gemcitabine, cisplatin, XRT. Materials and Methods: Stage IIB-IIIB, 18-70 years of age, KPS score ≥70, were randomized to control group and study group. Control group received cisplatin 40 mg/m 2 weekly with concurrent XRT, followed by brachytherapy and study group received gemcitabine 125 mg/m 2 weekly top of the same control group treatment. The primary end point was pathological response and toxicities along with patient compliance to treatment, late reactions, DFS and OS. Fifty patients were randomized between two arms. Results: The complete response in study and control arm was 96% and 88% respectively. Toxicities was significantly high in the study group compared to control group [leucopenia (P=0.015), skin reaction (P=0.03) and bleeding (P=0.019)]. Local recurrence rate: 8% in study arm, none in control arm. The distant failure prevailed in control arm (20% vs. 8%). On a median follow up of 21 months in control arm, the DFS was 73% whereas 83% in study arm in 16 months (P=0.69). OS in the study arm was 100% and 84.5% in the control arm (P=0.14). Conclusions: If the toxicity can be managed adequately in the combination chemo radiation group, it may produce an improvement in response. Survival benefit can also be obtained by introducing gemcitabine to cisplatin as radio sensitizer.
Bilateral angiosarcoma of breast in a young lady
Authors: Roy Sanjoy , Devleena Dr , Maji Tapas , Choudhuri Prabir , Biswas Jaydip , Lahiri Debarshi
Published: February 2012

We report a young lady with bilateral angiosarcoma of breast because of its rarity. A 29 year old unmarried female presented with bilateral breast lump. She underwent bilateral mastectomy with axillary dissection histopathology of which showed low grade angiosarcoma of left breast and high grade angiosarcoma of right breast. CT Thorax revealed right hilar and right mediastenal lymph nodes. She was treated with radiotherapy and chemotherapy postoperatively.
Persistent or recurrent Castleman′s disease - Look out for a lurking lymphoma!
Authors: Rao Shalinee , Ramesh Anita , Rajkumar Aarthi , Arcot Rekha , Kuruvilla Sarah
Published: February 2012

Castleman′s disease, a rare condition of uncertain etiology clinically presents in isolated form or as a multicentric disease. The multicentric form can develop malignancies such as Kaposi′s sarcoma or lymphomas. We present a case of Castleman′s disease with coexisting interfollicular Hodgkin′s lymphoma that was confirmed by immunohistochemistry. This case report highlights the fact that an occult lymphoma has to be ruled out in persistent or recurrent Castleman′s disease.
Multicentric sinus histicytosis (Rosai-Dorfman Disease): Computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging findings
Authors: Chandrashekhara S H , Manjunatha Y C , Muzumder Sandeep , Bahl Amit , Das Prasenjit , Suri Vaishali , Thulkar Sanjay
Published: February 2012

Sinus histicytosis (Rosai-Dorfman disease) is a rare, benign granulomatous disease that typically presents with massive cervical lymphadenopathy. Extranodal involvement along with concomitant nodal disease occurs in about 43% of cases. We present a unique case of a 30-year-old male with cervical, retroperitoneal lymphadenopathy, associated with renal and pituitary sellar masses.
Tuberculosis masquerading as oral malignancy
Authors: Kannan S , Thakkar Purvi , Dcruz Anil K
Published: February 2012

Tuberculosis of the oral cavity is a rare condition. A 55-year-old labourer was referred as a case of oral cancer for further management. The patient had no systemic symptoms. Biopsy of the lesion revealed caseating granulomatous inflammation. Chest X-ray and sputum revealed evidence of asymptomatic pulmonary tuberculosis. The purpose of this paper is to sensitize clinicians to consider oral tuberculosis as a differential diagnosis in patients with an Non-healing oral cavity ulcer.
Impacts of changes in land use and land cover on atmospheric chemistry and air quality over the 21st century
Authors: Wu S. , Mickley L. J. , Kaplan J. O. , Jacob D. J.
Published: February 2012

Abstract. The effects of future land use and land cover change on the chemical composition of the atmosphere and air quality are largely unknown. To investigate the potential effects associated with future changes in vegetation driven by atmospheric CO2 concentrations, climate, and anthropogenic land use over the 21st century, we performed a series of model experiments combining a general circulation model with a dynamic global vegetation model and an atmospheric chemical-transport model. Our results indicate that climate- and CO2-induced changes in vegetation composition and density between 2100 and 2000 could lead to decreases in summer afternoon surface ozone of up to 10 ppb over large areas of the northern mid-latitudes. This is largely driven by the substantial increases in ozone dry deposition associated with increases in vegetation density in a warmer climate with higher atmospheric CO2 abundance. Climate-driven vegetation changes over the period 2000–2100 lead to general increases in isoprene emissions, globally by 15% in 2050 and 36% in 2100. These increases in isoprene emissions result in decreases in surface ozone concentrations where the NOx levels are low, such as in remote tropical rainforests. However, over polluted regions, such as the northeastern United States, ozone concentrations are calculated to increase with higher isoprene emissions in the future. Increases in biogenic emissions also lead to higher concentrations of secondary organic aerosols, which increase globally by 10% in 2050 and 20% in 2100. Summertime surface concentrations of secondary organic aerosols are calculated to increase by up to 1 μg m−3 and double for large areas in Eurasia over the period of 2000–2100. When we use a scenario of future anthropogenic land use change, we find less increase in global isoprene emissions due to replacement of higher-emitting forests by lower-emitting cropland. The global atmospheric burden of secondary organic aerosols changes little by 2100 when we account for future land use change, but both secondary organic aerosols and ozone show large regional changes at the surface.
Molecular Characterisation of Bacterial Community Structure along the Intestinal Tract of Zebrafish (Danio rerio): A Pilot Study
Authors: Lan Chuan-Ching , Love Donald R.
Published: February 2012

The bacterial composition along the intestinal tract of Danio rerio was investigated by cultivation-independent analysis of the 16S rRNA gene. Clone libraries were constructed for three compartments of the intestinal tract of individual fish. 566 individual clones were differentiated by amplified 16S rRNA gene restriction analysis (ARDRA), and clone representatives from each operational taxonomic unit (OTU) were sequenced. As reported in other studies, we found that Proteobacteria was the most prominent phylum among clone libraries from different fish. Data generated from this pilot study indicated some compositional differences in bacterial communities. Two dominant classes, Gammaproteobacteria and Bacilli, displayed different levels of abundance in different compartments; Gammaproteobacteria increased along the intestinal tract, while Bacilli decreased its abundance along the proximal-distal axis. Less obvious spatial patterns were observed for other classes. In general, bacterial diversity in the intestinal bulb was greater than that in the posterior intestine. Interindividual differences in bacterial diversity and composition were also noted in this study.
125 Years of The American Journal of Psychology: A Historical Overview
Authors: Fuchs Alfred H.
Published: February 2012

The American Journal of Psychology celebrates 125 years of publication this year. From its inception, the Journal has attempted to record and communicate the results of research conducted in laboratories of psychology. It has also provided its readers with laboratory plans and designs for apparatus for research and demonstrations and described experimental procedures to facilitate the conduct of research. Its attention to reviews of books over a wide range of psychological topics and its inclusion of articles that provide historical perspectives on the development of psychology and its concerns broaden the context in which laboratory research is carried out. This brief overview of the Journal’s history offers a perspective on the role of the Journal in, and its contributions to, the development of scientific psychology.
When Violations of Perfect Duties Do Not Cause Strong Trait Attributions
Authors: Trafimow David , Ishikawa Yuki
Published: February 2012

It is well documented that violations of perfect duties (duties that can never be violated by moral agents) cause strong trait attributions. Brown, Trafimow, and Gregory (2005) found an exception to this general principle when the violation is performed under extreme circumstances. In the present research, we hypothesized that extreme circumstances are not necessary to weaken the attributional effect of violations of perfect duties provided that the violations were performed to help another person. Two experiments were performed in which target people violated perfect or imperfect duties for an unspecified reason or to help a third party. As expected, perfect duty violations did not result in strong trait attributions when they were performed to help someone, although they did result in strong trait attributions otherwise. Thus, the data support that the motive to help is sufficient to eliminate correspondent inferences to perfect duty violations.
An Apparent-Motion Confound Causes the Negative Exogenous Cuing Effect at SOAs With Larger Numbers of Target Locations
Authors: Chen Peii , Mordkoff J. Toby
Published: February 2012

Salient but irrelevant stimuli seem to cause an automatic orienting of covert attention, facilitating the detection of targets at the cued location for a brief period of time. However, this finding is highly dependent on the number of possible target locations, at least when the simple detection of targets is all that the task requires. Whereas small numbers of possible target locations (e.g., 2 or 3) produce the well-known advantage in response time for valid cue trials (i.e., a positive cuing effect), larger numbers of possible target locations (e.g., 6 or 8) produce a negative cuing effect. If not explained in terms of a nonattentional mechanism, this latter finding raises serious questions about the standard interpretation of positive cuing effects. The present experiment tested a particular nonattentional mechanism: that a confound between target presence and apparent motion, which occurs only on invalid cue trials, is responsible for negative cuing effect. We reduced or eliminated this confound by the use of a new type of catch trial and eliminated the negative cuing effect with large numbers of target locations.
Modality and Variability of Synesthetic Experience
Authors: Niccolai Valentina , Jennes Janina , Stoerig Petra , Van Leeuwen Tessa M.
Published: February 2012

In synesthesia, stimulation of one sensory or cognitive pathway leads to additional, involuntary experiences in a second sensory or cognitive pathway. We here review previous surveys on this neurologically based phenomenon and report the results of 63 synesthetes who completed our Internet and paper questionnaire on synesthesia. In addition to asking for personal data and information on the participant’s synesthesia, the questionnaire focused on the components of the inducer that elicit or modulate synesthesia. Synesthesia was most often developmental (92%) and of the grapheme-color type (86%). Sixty-two percent of the participants perceived time-related words in a spatial configuration. Music-color synesthesia was common (41%), and synesthesia for natural and artificial sounds (33%) was higher than in previous estimates. Eighty-one percent of participants experienced more than one form of synesthesia. Multimodal synesthesia, in which inducer and concurrent belong to 2 different sensory modalities, occurred in 92% of the participants. Overall, auditory stimuli were most often reported as inducers, and visual concurrents were most common. Modulations of the synesthetic experiences such as changes of the concurrent color, expansion within the same or to a different sensory modality, or reduction of the number of inducers over time were reported by 17% of participants. This challenges the presumed consistency of synesthesia and the adequacy of the test-retest consistency score still most commonly used to assess the veracity of reported synesthesia. Implications of the high prevalence of cross-modal synesthesia and the variability of synesthesia are discussed.
Modelling soil erosion with a downscaled landscape evolution model
Authors: Coulthard Tom J. , Hancock Greg R. , Lowry John B. C.
Published: February 2012

The measurement and prediction of soil erosion is important for understanding both natural and disturbed landscape systems. In particular numerical models of soil erosion are important tools for managing landscapes as well as understanding how they have evolved over time. Over the last 40 years a variety of methods have been used to determine rates of soil loss from a landscape and these can be loosely categorized into empirical and physically based models. Alternatively, physically based landscape evolution models (LEMs) have been developed that provide information on soil erosion rates at much longer decadal or centennial scales, over large spatial scales and examine how they may respond to environmental and climatic changes. Both soil erosion LEMs are interested in similar outcomes (landscape development and sediment delivery) yet have quite different methodologies and parameterizations. This paper applies a LEM (the CAESAR model) for the first time at time and space scales where soil erosion models have largely been used. It tests the ability of the LEM to predict soil erosion on a 30 m experimental plot on a trial rehabilitated landform in the Northern Territory, Australia. It then continues to discuss the synergies and differences between soil erosion and LEMs.

The results demonstrate that once calibrated for the site hydrology, predicted suspended sediment and bedload yields from CAESAR show a close correspondence in both volume and timing of field measured data. The model also predicts, at decadal scales, sediment loads close to that of field measured data. Findings indicate that the small‐scale drainage network that forms within these erosion plots is an important control on the timing and magnitude of sediment delivery. Therefore, it is important to use models that can alter the DEM to reflect changing topography and drainage network as well as having a greater emphasis on channel processes. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. and Commonwealth of Australia
Balancing perfectly periodic service schedules: An application from recycling and waste management
Authors: Kazan Osman , Dawande Milind , Sriskandarajah Chelliah , Stecke Kathryn E.
Published: February 2012

A national recycling and waste management company provides periodic services to its customers from over 160 service centers. The services are performed periodically in units of weeks over a planning horizon. The number of truck‐hours allocated to this effort is determined by the maximum weekly workload during the planning horizon. Therefore, minimizing the maximum weekly workload results in minimum operating expenses. The perfectly periodic service scheduling (PPSS) problem is defined based on the practices of the company. It is shown that the PPSS problem is strongly NP‐hard. Attempts to solve large instances by using an integer programming formulation are unsuccessful. Therefore, greedy BestFit heuristics with three different sorting schemes are designed and tested for six real‐world PPSS instances and 80 randomly generated data files. The heuristics provide effective solutions that are within 2% of optimality on average. When the best found BestFit schedules are compared with the existing schedules, it is shown that operational costs are reduced by 18% on average. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Naval Research Logistics 59: 160–171, 2012
On the polymerization of hexavalent uranium. An electrospray mass spectrometry study
Authors: Steppert M. , Walther C. , Fuss M. , Büchner S.
Published: February 2012

Polymerization in hexavalent uranium solutions was measured by electrospray ionization time‐of‐flight mass spectrometry in three different acidic media at pH values from 3 to 5.3 in order to detect all hydrolysis species present in solution. The aqueous solutions were directly measured without further dilution in organic solvents. At high uranyl concentrations ([U(VI)] = 10− 3 M) artifacts were observed due to the presence of more than one solution species per formed microdroplet. Those artifacts were composed of ions and neutral species being present in the same droplet. However, by analyzing the detected species carefully, the origin of the artifacts could be traced back to the physically meaningful species. Still, only general trends of the hydrolysis behavior can be deduced from the measurements at [U(VI)] = 1 ⋅ 10− 3 M. The solutions at [U(VI)] = 5 ⋅ 10− 5 M did not show any comparable artifact formation. The detected species distributions resemble the expected trends calculated from the equilibrium constants published in the Nuclear Energy Agency Thermodynamic Database (NEA‐TDB). The neutral (UO2)(CO3)0 species present in solution causes, if located in the same microdroplet as a charged species, the apparent formation of dimeric and trimeric ternary hydroxo carbonate complexes at pH 5.3. As the uncharged species is not repelled from the ionic species, it might remain in the same droplet during the droplet fission process. By dividing those detected species into the uncharged (UO2)(CO3)0 and a second ionic species, the relative abundances of the solution species can be corrected, leading to a good agreement with the predictions of the published equilibrium constants. In addition to the well‐known trimer, we report the direct mass spectrometric detection of the dimeric species. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Encoding substrates with mass tags to resolve stereospecific reactions using Nimzyme
Authors: Deng Kai , George Kevin W. , Reindl Wolfgang , Keasling Jay D. , Adams Paul D. , Lee Taek Soon , Singh Anup K. , Northen Trent R.
Published: February 2012

RATIONALE

The nanostructure‐initiator mass spectrometry based enzyme assay (Nimzyme) provides a rapid method for screening glycan modifying reactions. However, this approach cannot resolve stereospecific reactions which are common in glycobiology and are typically assayed using lower‐throughput methods (gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS) or liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry (LC/MS/MS) analysis) often in conjunction with stable isotopically labeled reactants. However, in many applications, library size necessitates the development of higher‐throughput screening approaches of stereospecific reactions from crude sample preparations. Therefore, here we test the approach of utilizing Nimzyme linkers with unique masses to encode substrate identity such that this assay can resolve stereospecific reactions.

METHODS

We utilize the nanostructure‐initiator mass spectrometry (NIMS) enzyme assay in conjuction with an accurate mass tagging approach where each reactant is tagged with a unique perfluoronated tail. Mass spectrometric analysis was conducted using conventional MALDI‐TOF instrumentation.

RESULTS

Stereospecific reaction pathways of three stereoisomers (maltose, lactose and cellobiose) to afford the same product glucose were resolved simutaneously due to the presence of unique fluorous tags on both reactants and products. Not only purified enzymes, but also crude cell lysates can be used in this assay.

CONCLUSIONS

The Nimzyme assay with accurate mass tagging provides a rapid method for screening for targeted stereospecific reactions using mass spectrometry and may be useful for high‐throughput screening and functional annotation of a wide range of glycan‐modifying enzymes. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Substituent effects on the gas‐phase fragmentation reactions of protonated peptides containing benzylamine‐derivatized lysyl residues
Authors: Simon E. S. , Papoulias P. G. , Andrews P. C.
Published: February 2012

Motivated by the need for chemical strategies designed to tune peptide fragmentation to selective cleavage reactions, benzyl ring substituent influence on the relative formation of carbocation elimination (CCE) products from peptides with benzylamine‐derivatized lysyl residues has been examined using collision‐induced dissociation (CID) tandem mass spectrometry. Unsubstituted benzylamine‐derivatized peptides yield a mixture of products derived from amide backbone cleavage and CCE. The latter involves side‐chain cleavage of the derivatized lysyl residue to form a benzylic carbocation [C7H7]+ and an intact peptide product ion [(MHn)n+ – (C7H7)+](n‐1)+. The CCE pathway is contingent upon protonation of the secondary ε‐amino group (Nε) of the derivatized lysyl residue. Using the Hammett methodology to evaluate the electronic contributions of benzyl ring substituents on chemical reactivity, a direct correlation was observed between changes in the CCE product ion intensity ratios (relative to backbone fragmentation) and the Hammett substituent constants, σ, of the corresponding substituents. There was no correlation between the substituent‐influenced gas‐phase proton affinity of Nε and the relative ratios of CCE product ions. However, a strong correlation was observed between the π orbital interaction energies (ΔEint) of the eliminated benzylic carbocation and the logarithm of the relative ratios, indicating the predominant factor in the CCE pathway is the substituent effect on the level of hyperconjugation and resonance stability of the eliminated benzylic carbocation. This work effectively demonstrates the applicability of σ (and ΔEint) as substituent selection parameters for the design of benzyl‐based peptide‐reactive reagents which tune CCE product formation as desired for specific applications. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Characterization and identification of a C‐terminal amidated mechano growth factor (MGF) analogue in black market products
Authors: Esposito Simone , Deventer Koen , Eenoo Peter Van
Published: February 2012

RATIONALE

Mechano growth factor (MGF) is a splice variant of insulin‐like growth factor that possesses anabolic properties and has not yet been approved for therapeutic use. Nevertheless, it is readily available on the black market. Although the World Anti‐Doping Agency (WADA) has banned the use of MGF in sports, no routinely performed methods have been reported for its detection. In this work, two preparations from the black market containing an unknown MGF analogue were characterized.

METHODS

Mass spectrometry characterizations of unknown preparations and a reference human MGF were performed on an Orbitrap and a triple quadrupole mass spectrometers after separation by liquid chromatography. High accuracy measurements allowed protein identification from full scan MS data, and low‐resolution full scan MS/MS provided further information on fragmentation.

RESULTS

HCD scans of the analytes showed the presence of common b series product ions in the black market preparations and the human MGF reference standard, but all the y series ions starting from (y1)+ exhibited a difference of 1 m/z unit in nominal mass. This difference was demonstrated to be due to a C‐terminal amidation of MGF. High‐resolution data demonstrated that the black market products were both C‐terminal amidated analogues of human MGF. In addition, low‐resolution MS/MS characterization revealed a potentially diagnostic transition (m/z 717.8 → 431.1) for the discrimination of C‐amidated MGF from the endogenous form.

CONCLUSIONS

Qualitative identification of a MGF C‐terminal amidated analogue in two black market products was successfully achieved. This report demonstrates that illegal MGF preparations are commercially available for use as doping agent in sports. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Dried blood spot (DBS) sample collection for determination of the oxidative stress biomarker 8‐epi‐PGF2α in humans using liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry
Authors: Bastani Nasser E. , Gundersen Thomas E. , Blomhoff Rune
Published: February 2012

RATIONALE

F2‐isoprostanes are a series of prostaglandin F2‐like compounds that are formed by free‐radical‐catalyzed peroxidation of arachidonic acid (ARA). Several F2‐isoprostanes, but in particular 8‐epi‐PGF2α, are widely used as oxidative stress biomarkers. In this study we have developed an analytical tool for finger‐tip blood sampling and analysis of 8‐epi‐PGF2α from dried blood spots (DBS).

METHODS

We have applied solid‐phase extraction (SPE) and liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry (LC/MS/MS) for the extraction, separation and detection of 8‐epi‐PGF2α in DBS and have studied the stability of this marker using the DBS collection platform.

RESULTS

The mass limit of detection (mLOD) for 8‐epi‐PGF2α extracted from DBS samples was 1.5 pg while the concentration limit of detection (cLOD) and concentration limit of quantitation (cLOQ) were 6 pg/mL and 18 pg/mL, respectively. All values based on triplicate analysis. Sufficient stability of 8‐epi‐PGF2α in DBS was achieved by preconditioning DBS paper with vitamin E and BHT.

CONCLUSIONS

The developed method is sensitive, specific, robust, efficient, and can accurately measure endogenous concentrations of 8‐epi‐PGF2α in DBS. Thus, it offers an analytical approach to measure 8‐epi‐PGF2α by a novel sample collection technique that is less invasive and costly than conventional techniques. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Optimizing the enrichment of cross‐linked products for mass spectrometric protein analysis
Authors: Fritzsche Romy , Ihling Christian H. , Götze Michael , Sinz Andrea
Published: February 2012

RATIONALE

Chemical cross‐linking in combination with a mass spectrometric analysis of the created cross‐linked products is an area of growing interest for deriving low‐resolution structural information of proteins and protein complexes. One of the greatest challenges is the complexity of the created cross‐linking mixtures, which can be met by a charge‐based enrichment of cross‐linked peptides after proteolytic digestion using strong cation‐exchange (SCX) chromatography.

METHODS

SCX chromatography was used for the enrichment of cross‐linked peptides with the N‐hydroxysuccinimide ester bis(sulfosuccinimidyl)succinate (BS3) prior to a mass spectrometric analysis by nano‐HPLC/nano‐ESI‐LTQ‐Orbitrap‐MS/MS. Bovine serum albumin (BSA) and glutathione S‐transferase (GST) were employed as model proteins.

RESULTS

Conditions for SCX enrichment were optimized for obtaining as many interpeptide cross‐linked peptides as possible in order to maximize the amount of structural information from a single experiment. With an SCX‐based enrichment step of cross‐linked products within BSA using the cross‐linker BS3, 154 interpeptidal cross‐linking products were identified during nano‐HPLC/nano‐ESI‐MS/MS analyses, whereas analyses without a prior SCX enrichment allowed the identification of merely 20 cross‐linked products. The application of the SCX enrichment strategy for the analysis of cross‐linked products of GST with BS3 allowed the identification of 26 interpeptidal cross‐linked products compared with 16 without SCX enrichment.

CONCLUSIONS

For both proteins investigated herein, BSA and GST, the introduction of an SCX‐based enrichment step prior to nano‐HPLC/nano‐ESI‐MS/MS of cross‐linked products led to a considerable gain in structural information. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Ion mobility spectrometry for microbial volatile organic compounds: a new identification tool for human pathogenic bacteria
Authors: Jünger Melanie , Vautz Wolfgang , Kuhns Martin , Hofmann Lena , Ulbricht Siobhán , Baumbach Jörg Ingo , Quintel Michael , Perl Thorsten
Published: February 2012

Presently, 2 to 4 days elapse between sampling at infection suspicion and result of microbial diagnostics. This delay for the identification of pathogens causes quite often a late and/or inappropriate initiation of therapy for patients suffering from infections. Bad outcome and high hospitalization costs are the consequences of these currently existing limited pathogen identification possibilities. For this reason, we aimed to apply the innovative method multi-capillary column–ion mobility spectrometry (MCC-IMS) for a fast identification of human pathogenic bacteria by determination of their characteristic volatile metabolomes. We determined volatile organic compound (VOC) patterns in headspace of 15 human pathogenic bacteria, which were grown for 24 h on Columbia blood agar plates. Besides MCC-IMS determination, we also used thermal desorption–gas chromatography–mass spectrometry measurements to confirm and evaluate obtained MCC-IMS data and if possible to assign volatile compounds to unknown MCC-IMS signals. Up to 21 specific signals have been determined by MCC-IMS for Proteus mirabilis possessing the most VOCs of all investigated strains. Of particular importance is the result that all investigated strains showed different VOC patterns by MCC-IMS using positive and negative ion mode for every single strain. Thus, the discrimination of investigated bacteria is possible by detection of their volatile organic compounds in the chosen experimental setup with the fast and cost-effective method MCC-IMS. In a hospital routine, this method could enable the identification of pathogens already after 24 h with the consequence that a specific therapy could be initiated significantly earlier.
On nonlinear Schrödinger equations in exterior domains
Authors: Burq N , Gérard P , Tzvetkov N
Published: February 2012

We prove a local smoothing effect and Strichartz type estimates for the Schrödinger equation on the exterior of a non-trapping obstacle. As a consequence we deduce global existence and uniqueness results for the Cauchy problem for nonlinear Schrödinger equations in these particular geometries.

On démontre un effet de régularisation local et des inégalités de type Strichartz pour l’équation de Schrödinger à l’extérieur d’un obstacle non captant. On en déduit des résultats d’existence globale et d’unicité pour l’équation de Schrödinger non linéaire.