bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Basic language comprehension and production in >100,000 young children from sixteen developing nations
Authors: BORNSTEIN MARC H. , HENDRICKS CHARLENE
Published: December 2011

Using the Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey, language comprehension and production were compared in a sample of 101,250 children aged 2 ; 00 to 9 ; 11 and a focus subsample of 38,845 children aged 2 ; 00 to 4 ; 11 from sixteen under-researched developing nations. In the whole sample, comprehension slightly exceeded production; correlations between comprehension and production by country were positive and significant, but varied in size, and the average correlation was positive, significant, and small to medium. Mean comprehension and production varied with child age, reaching an asymptote at 5 ; 00, and correlations between comprehension and production by age were positive, significant, and similar at each age. In the focus subsample, comprehension exceeded production; correlations between comprehension and production by country were positive and significant, but varied in size, and the average correlation was positive, significant, and medium in size. Children in countries with lower standards of living were less likely to demonstrate basic language comprehension or production.
Prevalence of Trypanosoma cruzi infection in pregnant Latin American women and congenital transmission rate in a non-endemic area: the experience of the Valencian Health Programme (Spain)
Authors: BARONA-VILAR C. , GIMÉNEZ-MARTÍ M. J. , FRAILE T. , GONZÁLEZ-STEINBAUER C. , PARADA C. , GIL-BRUSOLA A. , BRAVO D. , GÓMEZ M. D. , NAVARRO D. , PEREZ-TAMARIT A. , FERNANDEZ-SILVEIRA L. , FULLANA-MONTORO A. , BORRÁS R.
Published: December 2011

This study describes the results of the health programme implemented in the Valencian Community (Spain) to achieve an early diagnosis of Chagas disease in pregnant Latin American women and their newborns. During 2009 and 2010, 1975 women living in the health districts of three university hospitals were enrolled via midwives or at the time of delivery. Diagnosis of disease was performed using two serological tests with different antigens. Congenital infection was diagnosed by parasitological, molecular or serological methods from blood samples obtained at birth or in subsequent controls. The overall seroprevalence of Chagas infection in pregnant women from 16 different endemic countries was 11·4%. Infection was higher in those from countries in the Gran Chaco Region (Bolivia, 34·1%; Paraguay, 7·4%; Argentina, 5·3%). Eight newborn infants from Bolivian mothers had congenital Chagas which represents a vertical transmission rate of 3·7%. In conclusion, this work supports the benefits of offering an early diagnosis to pregnant women and newborns during routine prenatal healthcare.
Pressure effect on the Fermi resonance doublets of ν1 ∼ ν12 and ν1+ν6 ∼ ν8 in pyridine
Authors: Jiang X. L. , Zhou M. , Li Z. W. , Sun C. L. , Gao S. Q.
Published: December 2011

Raman spectra of pure pyridine, pyridine aqueous solution, and pyridine in methanol under high pressure were measured separately. Behaviors of two Fermi doublets, v1 and v12, v1+v6 and v8, occurred simultaneously in one pyridine molecule are analyzed according to their spectra, which indicates that the v1 Raman activity decreased with increasing pressure and disappeared eventually, which induced weakness and even disappearance of the Fermi resonance between v1 and v12, while the v1 Raman intensity variation had no effect on the presence of the Fermi resonance between v1+v6 and v8 as well as its variation law with increasing pressure. Those phenomena were interpreted by group theory in this article. It also indicates experimentally that all Raman bands of pyridine appeared blueshift with increasing pressure except that OH group appeared redshift. Moreover, frequency v1 shifted more quickly with increasing pressure than their counterparts did in neat liquid, so did its Raman intensity variation.
Normal modes of coupled vortex gyration in two spatially separated magnetic nanodisks
Authors: Lee Ki-Suk , Jung Hyunsung , Han Dong-Soo , Kim Sang-Koog
Published: December 2011

We found from analytical derivations and micromagnetic numerical simulations that there exist two distinct normal modes in apparently complex vortex gyrotropic motions in two dipolar-coupled magnetic nanodisks. The normal modes have characteristic higher and lower single angular eigenfrequencies with their own elliptical orbits elongated along the x (bonding axis) and y axes, respectively. The superposition of the two normal modes results in coupled vortex gyrations, which depend on the relative vortex-state configuration in a pair of dipolar-coupled disks. This normal-mode representation is a simple means of understanding the observed complex vortex gyrations in two or more dipolar-interacting disks of various vortex-state configurations.
Direct-indirect crossover in GaxIn1-xP alloys
Authors: Alberi K. , Fluegel B. , Steiner M. A. , France R. , Olavarria W. , Mascarenhas A.
Published: December 2011

The energy and composition of the direct to indirect bandgap crossover in GaxIn1-xP significantly influences its potential for optoelectronic devices, such as solar cells and light emitting diodes, however considerable discrepancies still remain in the literature with regard to the precise value of the crossover composition xc. We revisit this issue in GaxIn1-xP films epitaxially grown on GaAs substrates. Observation of concurrent yet distinct direct and indirect transitions in Ga0.719In0.281P at 2 K using time integrated and time resolved photoluminescence studies places the crossover very near the composition xC = 0.71.
Local structure and magnetic properties of Mn-doped 3C-SiC nanoparticles
Authors: Zheng H. W. , Wang Z. Q. , Liu X. Y. , Diao C. L. , Zhang H. R. , Gu Y. Z.
Published: December 2011

Mn-doped 3C-SiC nanoparticles have been fabricated by a sol-gel and carbothermal reduction method. The average particle size of the nanoparticles is about 126 nm. Raman scattering studies indicate that the transverse optical and the longitudinal optical modes shift to low wave number and the full widths at half-maximum of Raman peaks increase after Mn was doped. Extended x-ray absorption fine structure reveals that the doped-Mn atoms substitute for the C sites in the 3C-SiC lattice. Magnetic measurement results show that the room temperature intrinsic ferromagnetism (FM) order is established. The origin of the FM has been discussed in detail.
Fabrication of large-area ultra-thin single crystal silicon membranes
Authors: Dang Z. Y. , Motapothula M. , Ow Y. S. , Venkatesan T. , Breese M. B. H. , Rana M. A. , Osman A.
Published: December 2011

Perfectly, crystalline, 55 nm thick silicon membranes have been fabricated over several square millimeters and used to observe transmission ion channeling patterns showing the early evolution of the axially channeled beam angular distribution for small tilts away from the [011] axis. The reduced multiple scattering through such thin layers allows fine angular structure produced by the highly non-equilibrium transverse momentum distribution of the channeled beam during its initial propagation in the crystal to be resolved. The membrane crystallinity and flatness were measured by using proton channeling measurements and the surface roughness of 0.4 nm using atomic force microscopy.
Our struggle and its goals: a controversial Eritrean manifesto
Authors: Weldehaimanot Simon , Taylor Emily
Published: December 2011

Written in 1971 in one of Eritrea's languages, Our struggle and its goals is a controversial manifesto in Eritrea's political history. For some Eritreans, it is a malevolent document that has produced an unexpected sectarian project with disastrous consequences. For others, it is one of the best political documents ever written in the history of the Eritrean struggle. In any case, it is significant to scholarship especially to those who care about nation-building in ethnically and politically diverse societies. To make it easily available to researchers, an English translation is provided, following a short explanatory note.
Dissection of Adult Drosophila Brains
Authors: Sweeney Sean T. , Hidalgo Alicia , Steven de Belle J. , Keshishian Haig
Published: December 2011

The Drosophila nervous system provides a valuable model for studying various aspects of brain development and function. The postembryonic Drosophila brain is especially useful, because specific neuron types derive from specific progenitors at particular times. Elucidating the means by which diverse neuron types derive from a limited number of progenitors can contribute significantly to our understanding of the genetic and molecular mechanisms involved in developmental neurobiology. This protocol describes general procedures for dissecting the brain and ventral nerve cord (VNC) of adult Drosophila. The dissected tissues are suitable for further analysis, e.g., by any number of labeling techniques.
Gardella Gel Analysis to Detect Herpesvirus Saimiri Episomal DNA
Authors: Whitehouse Adrian
Published: December 2011

Herpesvirus saimiri (HVS) is capable of infecting a range of human cell types with high efficiency. The viral genome persists as high-copy-number, circular, nonintegrated episomes that segregate to progeny on cell division. This allows HVS-based vectors to transduce stably a dividing cell population and provide sustained transgene expression for an extended period of time both in vitro and in vivo. Moreover, the insertion of a bacterial artificial chromosome (BAC) cassette into the HVS genome simplifies the incorporation of large amounts of heterologous DNA for gene delivery. These properties offer characteristics similar to that of an artificial chromosome combined with an efficient delivery system. In this protocol, Gardella gel analysis is performed to determine whether the HVS genome is maintained in a nonintegrated episomal form. This method allows the identification of chromosomal/integrated DNA and episomal and linear forms of viral DNA, which run at the top, middle, and bottom of the gel, respectively. To obtain the required sensitivity to detect HVS episomes within host tissues, a modified polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based Gardella gel can also be utilized.
Single-Molecule Gold-Nanoparticle Tracking
Authors: Dunn Alexander R. , Spudich James A.
Published: December 2011

Gold nanoparticles, like single fluorophores, can be used to locate single molecules with nanometer accuracy. Unlike an optical trap, the gold particle label does not exert an external load, which is important for studying diffusive processes. Thus, a gold particle can be used analogously to a single fluorophore, providing similar information but with submillisecond time resolution. The features of gold-nanoparticle tracking (high temporal resolution, small label size, and lack of applied force) facilitate the characterization of structural properties of short-lived intermediates, as shown by our work with myosin V. This protocol provides details for gold-nanoparticle-tracking experiments, including flow cell construction, microscopy, and data analysis, along with a brief outline of actin and myosin preparation. Although details particular to our experiment are given, the approach should be generally applicable.
Functional gut disorders or disordered gut function? Small bowel dysmotility evidenced by an original technique
Authors: Malagelada C. , De lorio F. , Seguí S. , Mendez S. , Drozdzal M. , Vitria J. , Radeva P. , Santos J. , Accarino A. , Malagelada J. R. , Azpiroz F.
Published: December 2011

Background  This study aimed to determine the proportion of cases with abnormal intestinal motility among patients with functional bowel disorders. To this end, we applied an original method, previously developed in our laboratory, for analysis of endoluminal images obtained by capsule endoscopy. This novel technology is based on computer vision and machine learning techniques.

Methods  The endoscopic capsule (Pillcam SB1; Given Imaging, Yokneam, Israel) was administered to 80 patients with functional bowel disorders and 70 healthy subjects. Endoluminal image analysis was performed with a computer vision program developed for the evaluation of contractile events (luminal occlusions and radial wrinkles), non‐contractile patterns (open tunnel and smooth wall patterns), type of content (secretions, chyme) and motion of wall and contents. Normality range and discrimination of abnormal cases were established by a machine learning technique. Specifically, an iterative classifier (one‐class support vector machine) was applied in a random population of 50 healthy subjects as a training set and the remaining subjects (20 healthy subjects and 80 patients) as a test set.

Key Results  The classifier identified as abnormal 29% of patients with functional diseases of the bowel (23 of 80), and as normal 97% of healthy subjects (68 of 70) (P < 0.05 by chi‐squared test). Patients identified as abnormal clustered in two groups, which exhibited either a hyper‐ or a hypodynamic motility pattern. The motor behavior was unrelated to clinical features.

Conclusions & Inferences  With appropriate methodology, abnormal intestinal motility can be demonstrated in a significant proportion of patients with functional bowel disorders, implying a pathologic disturbance of gut physiology.
Vascular catastrophes following pancreas transplantation: an evolution in strategy at a single center
Authors: Fridell Jonathan A. , Johnson Matthew S. , Goggins William C. , Beduschi Thiago , Mujtaba Muhammad A. , Goble Michelle L. , Powelson John A.
Published: December 2011

Fridell JA, Johnson MS, Goggins WC, Beduschi T, Mujtaba MA, Goble ML, Powelson JA. Vascular catastrophes following pancreas transplantation: an evolution in strategy at a single center.  Clin Transplant 2012: 26: 164–172.  © 2011 John Wiley & Sons A/S.

Abstract:  Introduction:  Complications of pancreas transplantation involving the arterial anastomosis are potentially life threatening. In this report, we review our experience with such vascular catastrophes.

Methods:  Pancreas transplants performed between January 2003 and December 2009 were reviewed. All cases of pseudoaneurysm (PA) or arterioenteric fistula (AEF) were included.

Results:  Of 346 pancreas transplants, 10 vascular catastrophes in nine recipients were identified. There were five PAs, one involving the pancreas allograft, one involving the donor iliac artery Y‐graft stump following allograft pancreatectomy, two involving the kidney allograft, and one involving the bifurcation of the Y‐graft. The latter was treated with coil embolization, but subsequently developed into an AEF. There were five AEFs including the recipient mentioned above. Four had a failed allograft and three had discontinued immunosuppression. The final case had a clamp injury to the proximal common iliac artery that fistulized to the donor duodenum. The management, course and outcome of all nine recipients are described in detail.

Conclusion:  Vascular catastrophes such as PA and AEF are potentially life‐threatening complications of pancreas transplantation. Immediate treatment at the time of bleeding is essential and covered stenting of the involved artery may provide immediate vascular control in these situations.
Towards a Theory of Santa: Or, the Ghost of Christmas Present (Respond to this article at http://www.therai.org.uk/at/debate)
Authors: Stronach Ian , Hodkinson Alan
Published: December 2011

This account of the cultural phenomenon of Santa/Father Christmas draws on the polarities that attend the rituals of Santa/Christmas: secular/religious; commodity/gift; sacred/profane; material/spiritual etc., while also arguing that these dichotomies act together, rather than as simple oppositions. The account also draws on empirical work by the authors and a wider group of practitioner‐researchers on how young children construct and reason with Santa. We then discuss the threat to Santa from the audit culture, which involves an inversion of his benign characteristics in terms of suspicion and surveillance. Our conclusion is that Santa is more of a religious figure than he is often given credit for being, and is felt by ‘believers’ to be superior in terms of ‘delivery’, as current systems of accountability might put it. But he is threatened by an audit culture for which he is almost the epitome of Stranger Danger. ‘Santa’, after all, is an anagram of ‘Satan’.
China and world anthropology: A conversation on the legacy of Fei Xiaotong (1910–2005) (Respond to this article at http://www.therai.org.uk/at/debate)
Authors: Hamilton Gary , Chang Xiangqun
Published: December 2011

Fei Xiaotong (Fei Hsiao‐Tung, 1910–2005) obtained his PhD under Bronislaw Malinowski's supervision at the London School of Economics in 1938. Of the 20 volumes of his completed works, two books are well‐known in the West: Peasant life in China, published in English in 1939, and Xiangtu zhingguo (1947), translated as From the soil by Gary Hamilton and Zheng Wang in 1992. As one of China's finest sociologists and anthropologists, Fei was instrumental in laying a solid foundation for the development of sociological and anthropological studies in China, and his work helped to influence China's social and economic development. This is a translated, abridged and revised version of a conversation originally conducted in English, but published in Chinese to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the birth of Fei Xiaotong. Wu Zitong, the editor of China Reading Weekly, puts a series of questions to Gary Hamilton and Xiangqun Chang.
Can Truthmaker Theorists Claim Ontological Free Lunches?
Authors: Schulte Peter
Published: December 2011

Truthmaker theorists hold that propositions about higher‐level entities (e.g. the proposition that there is a heap of sand) are often made true by lower‐level entities (e.g. by facts about the configuration of fundamental particles). This generates a problem: what should we say about these higher‐level entities? On the one hand, they must exist (since there are true propositions about them), on the other hand, it seems that they are completely superfluous and should be banished for reasons of ontological parsimony. Some truthmaker theorists—most prominently David Armstrong—have tried to solve this puzzle by arguing that these entities are ‘an ontological free lunch’, i.e. real existents that are still ‘no addition of being’. This answer isprima facieattractive, but I argue in this paper that the standard approaches to truthmaking—modal theories and grounding theories—are unable to vindicate the doctrine of the ontological free lunch, and thus fail to solve the problem of higher‐level entities. Fortunately, there is a non‐standard account of truthmaking available, the reductive explanation account, which succeeds where the standard approaches fail.
Effect of Zinc Doping on Microstructures and Gas‐Sensing Properties of SnO2 Nanocrystals
Authors: Tian Shouqin , Gao Yingri , Zeng Dawen , Xie Changsheng
Published: December 2011

Pure and Zn‐doped SnO2 nanocrystals were prepared through a facile solid‐state reaction, in which zinc doping can induce the generation of orthorhombic SnO2 and control the crystallite size of nanocrystals. Most Zn‐doped SnO2 nanocrystals showed tetragonal rutile structure as well as a few orthorhombic structures. With an increase in the molar ratio of Zn/Sn from 0 to 0.133, the content of orthorhombic structure in the product gradually increased and the crystallite size of nanocrystals decreased, accompanied by an increase in sensor response of the nanocrystals to acetone. When the molar ratio of Zn/Sn was 0.133, the obtained nanocrystals had minimum crystallite size of 9.7 nm and showed the highest response of 48–100 ppm acetone, which is four times larger than that of undoped SnO2. With increasing the molar ratio of Zn/Sn to 0.4, a small amount of hexagonal ZnO was produced and the crystallite size increased although more orthorhombic structures were formed, resulting in a decrease of sensor response. Furthermore, the effects of crystallite size and the content of orthorhombic SnO2 on the gas‐sensing properties of Zn‐doped SnO2 nanocrystals were also discussed in detail.
Active and passive smoking: assessment issues in periodontal research
Authors: Walter Clemens , Kaye Elizabeth K. , Dietrich Thomas
Published: December 2011

Tobacco use, particularly active cigarette smoking, is a strong modifiable risk factor for periodontitis. Our primary aim is to provide a systematic review of the impact of environmental tobacco smoke on periodontal diseases. Nine publications were identified by electronic literature search up to September 2010. Epidemiological data for a US population sample and a cohort of Japanese men suggest that environmental tobacco smoke exposure may be associated with increase periodontitis prevalence and increased risk of periodontitis progression. Secondly, several methodological issues related to cigarette smoking in clinical and epidemiological research studies are discussed. Tobacco use history is a multi‐dimensional phenomenon, with characteristics such as intensity, duration and time since cessation. Understanding these complexities of smoking history and accurate measurement of the exposure, using biomarkers and/or self‐reported data as appropriate, are of central importance in clinical and epidemiological studies on the effects of active and passive smoking. The most appropriate approach to assess smoking exposure will vary according to the purpose and design of a particular study.
Definition of primary immunodeficiency in 2011: a “trialogue” among friends
Authors: Conley Mary Ellen , Notarangelo Luigi D. , Casanova Jean‐Laurent
Published: December 2011

There is no clear consensus about the definition of the term primary immunodeficiency in 2011. Although there is general agreement that defects in both adaptive and innate immunity should be included, issues related to the frequency of primary immunodeficiencies, the modes of inheritance, the other types of cells involved, and the required clinical phenotype are more contentious. Three friends with an interest in both the clinical and scientific aspects of primary immunodeficiency carried out a discussion or trialogue to address some of these issues.
New World Pouzolzia and Boehmeria (Urticaceae): a new species and new generic record for Paraguay, Pouzolzia amambaiensis, and additional observations on already described species of both genera
Authors: Wilmot‐Dear Christine Melanie , Friis Ib
Published: December 2011

The paper supplements a revision of the New World species of Boehmeria and Pouzozia published by the authors in 1996. Pouzolzia amambaiensis sp. nov. is described from recent material from Paraguay near the border with Brazil and represents a new generic record for Paraguay. Also recorded is a number of extensions of geographical ranges and the range of variation of Pouzolzia guatemalana, P. occidentalis, P. laevis, P. zeylanica, Boehmeria burgeriana and B. bullata subsp. coriacea.
THINKING ABOUT KINGS
Authors: SMITH CHRISTOPHER
Published: December 2011

A very large amount of writing about the Roman kings survives from antiquity but the majority of it is deemed by most modern scholars to be of no historical value. Yet much has been built on this evidence, implicitly or explicitly, in legal, anthropological and archaeological accounts; and the way in which one may read between archaeology and literary evidence for this period remains a difficult methodological problem. This paper seeks to uncover what we may legitimately and appropriately say about Roman kingship, to investigate some of the major interpretative trends of the past century or so, and to propose a more complex model of the generation of traditions about an institution and a phenomenon which may in reality have been far more fluid and unstable than the Romans themselves portrayed it.
THE SUCCESSION TO THE SPARTAN KINGSHIP, 520–400 BC
Authors: GRIFFITH-WILLIAMS BRENDA
Published: December 2011

According to ancient Greek historiographers, succession to the Spartan kingship in the sixth and fifth centuries BC followed a fixed order based on the principle of male primogeniture. A king who left no son was succeeded by his oldest surviving brother or closest collateral kinsman. If the deceased king left only a daughter, his male heir was probably expected to secure the succession by marrying her; and, if the new king already had sons by a previous wife, it is possible that they were excluded from the succession in favour of his sons by the deceased king's daughter. At least by the fifth century, Sparta had a formal procedure for the adjudication of a contested succession, or the deposition of a reigning king who was found not to be a legitimate descendant of Heracles. It may be that physical or mental incapacity could also disqualify a contender from the kingship.
A GADIBUS ROMAM MYTH AND REALITY OF AN ANCIENT ROUTE
Authors: SCHMIDT MANFRED G.
Published: December 2011

The four goblets from Vicarello, which show copies of a Roman itinerary from Gades to Rome engraved on their outside (CIL XI 3281–3284), are usually interpreted as souvenirs brought to Vicarello by Spaniards as votive offerings after a long journey. In this article it is argued that these itineraries (just like the one in Metrodorus’ poem, Anth. Pal. XIV 121) are representing the legendary Via Herculis; they are to be understood as a Roman attempt to grasp the immense mythical distance by means of exact measurement. The goblets should be dated to the 4th century AD (goblet IV being the oldest, from the very beginning of the century), not to Augustan or Trajan times.
Experimental Investigation of the Hydrodynamic Coefficients of a Remotely Operated Vehicle Using a Planar Motion Mechanism
Authors: Julca Avila Juan , Nishimoto Kazuo , Mueller Sampaio Claudio , Adamowski Julio C.
Published: December 2011

The determination of hydrodynamic coefficients of full scale underwater vehicles using system identification (SI) is an extremely powerful technique. The procedure is based on experimental runs and on the analysis of on-board sensors and thrusters signals. The technique is cost effective and it has high repeatability; however, for open-frame underwater vehicles, it lacks accuracy due to the sensors’ noise and the poor modeling of thruster-hull and thruster-thruster interaction effects. In this work, forced oscillation tests were undertaken with a full scale open-frame underwater vehicle. These conducted tests are unique in the sense that there are not many examples in the literature taking advantage of a PMM installation for testing a prototype and; consequently, allowing the comparison between the experimental results and the ones estimated by parameter identification. The Morison’s equation inertia and drag coefficients were estimated with two parameter identification methods, that is, the weighted and the ordinary least-squares procedures. It was verified that the in-line force estimated from Morison’s equation agrees well with the measured one except in the region around the motion inversion points. On the other hand, the error analysis showed that the ordinary least-squares provided better accuracy and, therefore, was used to evaluate the ratio between inertia and drag forces for a range of Keulegan–Carpenter and Reynolds numbers. It was concluded that, although both experimental and estimation techniques proved to be powerful tools for evaluation of an open-frame underwater vehicle’s hydrodynamic coefficients, the research provided a rich amount of reference data for comparison with reduced models as well as for dynamic motion simulation of ROVs.
Dynamic Properties of Small Chamber Air Gages
Authors: Rucki Miroslaw , Jermak Czeslaw Janusz
Published: December 2011

In the paper, the investigations on the dynamic properties of air gauges are presented. As an important parameter, the time response underwent the analysis. The measurement of the amplitudes of back-pressure pk dependent on the input signal circular frequency ω for the group of air gauges with various parameters has been performed, too. The obtained results underwent comparative analysis with the results of investigation of the step response. The examinations of the step response of typical back-pressure air gage with small measuring chamber and with a piezoresistive pressure transducer led to the conclusion that its behavior is very close to the first-order dynamical system. The examined air gauges could be successfully exploited in the industrial measurement of values changing in time (dynamical measurement).
Berkeley Engineering Students Demand Greater Effort to Promote Diversity
Authors: Mervis Jeffrey
Published: December 2011

Last week, a coalition of student organizations at the University of California, Berkeley, demanded action to improve the school's poor record of attracting and retaining minority and women students.
Detection of Human Papillomavirus Type 18 E7 Oncoprotein in Cervical Smears: a Feasibility Study
Authors: Ehehalt Daniela , Lener Barbara , Pircher Haymo , Dreier Kerstin , Pfister Heiko , Kaufmann Andreas M. , Frangini Sergio , Ressler Sigrun , Müller-Holzner Elisabeth , Schmitt Markus , Höfler Daniela , Rostek Ursula , Kaiser Andreas , Widschwendter Andreas , Zwerschke Werner , Jansen-Dürr Pidder
Published: December 2011

Persistent infections by high-risk human papillomaviruses (HPVs) are the main etiological factor for cervical cancer, and expression of HPV E7 oncoproteins was suggested to be a potential marker for tumor progression. The objective of this study was to generate new reagents for the detection of the HPV18 E7 oncoprotein in cervical smears. Rabbit monoclonal antibodies against recombinant E7 protein of HPV type 18 (HPV18) were generated and characterized using Western blotting, epitope mapping, indirect immunofluorescence, and immunohistochemistry. One clone specifically recognizing HPV18 E7 was used for the development of a sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The assay was validated using recombinant E7 proteins of various HPV types and lysates from E7-positive cervical carcinoma cells. A total of 14 HPV18 DNA-positive cervical swab specimens and 24 HPV DNA-negative-control specimens were used for the determination of E7 protein levels by the newly established sandwich ELISA. On the basis of the average absorbance values obtained from all 24 negative controls, a cutoff above which a clinical sample can be judged E7 positive was established. Significant E7 signals 6- to 30-fold over background were found in 7 out of 14 abnormal HPV18 DNA-positive cervical smear specimens. This feasibility study demonstrates for the first time that HPV18 E7 oncoprotein can be detected in cervical smears.
The Tetherin/BST-2 Coiled-Coil Ectodomain Mediates Plasma Membrane Microdomain Localization and Restriction of Particle Release
Authors: Hammonds Jason , Ding Lingmei , Chu Hin , Geller Ken , Robbins Andrew , Wang Jaang-Jiun , Yi Hong , Spearman Paul
Published: December 2011

Tetherin/BST-2 forms a proteinaceous tether that restricts the release of a number of enveloped viruses following viral budding. Tetherin is an unusual membrane glycoprotein with two membrane anchors and an extended coiled-coil ectodomain. The ectodomain itself forms an imperfect coil that may undergo conformational shifts to accommodate membrane dynamics during the budding process. The coiled-coil ectodomain is required for restriction, but precisely how it contributes to the restriction of particle release remains under investigation. In this study, mutagenesis of the ectodomain was used to further define the role of the coiled-coil ectodomain in restriction. Scanning mutagenesis throughout much of the ectodomain failed to disrupt the ability of tetherin to restrict HIV particle release, indicating a high degree of plasticity. Targeted N- and C-terminal substitutions disrupting the coiled coil led to both a loss of restriction and an alteration of subcellular distribution. Two ectodomain mutants deficient in restriction were endocytosed inefficiently, and the levels of these mutants on the cell surface were significantly enhanced. An ectodomain mutant with four targeted serine substitutions (4S) failed to cluster in membrane microdomains, was deficient in restriction of particle release, and exhibited an increase in lateral mobility on the membrane. These results suggest that the tetherin ectodomain contributes to microdomain localization and to constrained lateral mobility. We propose that focal clustering of tetherin via ectodomain interactions plays a role in restriction of particle release.
The Antiapoptotic Protein Mcl-1 Controls the Type of Cell Death in Theiler's Virus-Infected BHK-21 Cells
Authors: Arslan Sevim Yildiz , Son Kyung-No , Lipton Howard L.
Published: December 2011

Theiler's murine encephalomyelitis virus (TMEV) results in a persistent central nervous system infection (CNS) and immune-mediated demyelination in mice. TMEV largely persists in macrophages (Mϕs) in the CNS, and infected Mϕs
in vitro
undergo apoptosis, whereas the infection of other rodent cells produces necrosis. We have found that necrosis is the dominant form of cell death in BeAn virus-infected BHK-21 cells but that ∼20% of cells undergo apoptosis. Mcl-1 was highly expressed in BHK-21 cells, and protein levels decreased upon infection, consistent with onset of apoptosis. In infected BHK-21 cells in which Mcl-1 expression was knocked down using silencing RNAs there was a 3-fold increase in apoptotic cell death compared to parental cells. The apoptotic program switched on by BeAn virus is similar to that in mouse Mϕs, with hallmarks of activation of the intrinsic apoptotic pathway in a tumor suppressor protein p53-dependent manner. Infection of stable Mcl-1-knockdown cells led to restricted virus titers and increased physical to infectious particle (PFU) ratios, with additional data suggesting that a late step in the viral life cycle after viral RNA replication, protein synthesis, and polyprotein processing is affected by apoptosis. Together, these results indicate that Mcl-1 acts as a critical prosurvival factor that protects against apoptosis and allows high yields of infectious virus in BHK-21 cells.
Standardisation of EGFR FISH in colorectal cancer: results of an international interlaboratory reproducibility ring study
Authors: Sartore-Bianchi Andrea , Fieuws Steffen , Veronese Silvio , Moroni Mauro , Personeni Nicola , Frattini Milo , Torri Valter , Cappuzzo Federico , Borght Sara Vander , Martin Vittoria , Skokan Margaret , Santoro Armando , Gambacorta Marcello , Tejpar Sabine , Varella-Garcia Marileila , Siena Salvatore
Published: December 2011

Aims

Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) gene copy number evaluated by fluorescence in situ hybridisation (FISH) can discriminate amongKRASwild-type patients those with better outcome to EGFR-targeted therapy in metastatic colorectal cancer, further enhancing selection of patients. Nevertheless, enumeration of gene copies is challenging and the lack of analytical standardisation has limited incorporation of the test into the clinical practice. We therefore assessedEGFRFISH interlaboratory consensus among five molecular diagnostic reference centres.

Methods

A set of 12 colorectal cancer samples circulated among laboratories, and samples were scored according to commonly agreed guidelines. Reproducibility was quantified using the standard error of measurement (SEM).

Results

A SEM of 0.865 and a within-subject coefficient of variation (WSCV) of 26.8% for meanEGFRgene/nuclei and a SEM of 0.235 and a WSCV of 19.4% for the meanEGFRgene/CEP7 ratio were observed. Measurement of the fraction of cells displaying chromosome 7 polysomy showed WSCV of 46.6%, 34.0% and 51.0% for percentage of cells displaying ≤2, ≥3 and ≥4EGFRsignals, respectively. Among different slides of the same specimen, the WSCV was 6.1% for meanEGFRgene/nuclei and 3.9% for mean ofEGFRgene/CEP7 ratios.

Conclusions

Molecular diagnosis ofEGFRgene copy number by FISH varied largely among pathology centres, with fluctuations covering the whole range of proposed cut-offs of predictive usefulness from literature. Definition of a detailed scoring system and implementation of comprehensive training programmes for laboratories are therefore necessary before including the test into clinical practice.
Stability of a single tunnel in cohesive–frictional soil subjected to surcharge loading
Authors: Yamamoto Kentaro , Lyamin Andrei V. , Wilson Daniel W. , Sloan Scott W. , Abbo Andrew J.
Published: December 2011

This paper focuses mainly on the stability of a square tunnel in cohesive–frictional soils subjected to surcharge loading. Large-size noncircular tunnels are quickly becoming a widespread building technology by virtue of the development of advanced tunneling machines. The stability of square tunnels in cohesive–frictional soils subjected to surcharge loading has been investigated theoretically and numerically, assuming plane strain conditions. Despite the importance of this problem, previous research on the subject is very limited. At present, no generally accepted design or analysis method is available to evaluate the stability of tunnels or openings in cohesive–frictional soils. In this study, a continuous loading is applied to the ground surface, and both smooth and rough interface conditions between the loading and soil are modelled. For a series of tunnel geometries and material properties, rigorous lower and upper bound solutions for the ultimate surcharge loading of the considered soil mass are obtained by applying recently developed numerical limit analysis techniques. The results obtained are presented in the form of dimensionless stability charts for practical convenience, with the actual surcharge loads being closely bracketed from above and below. As a handy practical means, upper bound rigid-block mechanisms for square tunnels have also been developed, and the obtained values of collapse loads were compared with the results from numerical limit analysis to verify the accuracy of both approaches. Finally, an expression that approximates the ultimate surcharge load of cohesive–frictional soils with the inclusion of shallow square tunnels has been devised for use by practicing engineers.
EXPLORING INSIDE TILING RECOGNIZABLE PICTURE LANGUAGES TO FIND DETERMINISTIC SUBCLASSES
Authors: GIAMMARRESI DORA
Published: December 2011

Tiling recognizable two-dimensional languages, also known as REC, generalize recognizable string languages to two dimensions and share with them several theoretical properties. Nevertheless family REC is not closed under complementation and this implies that it is intrinsically non-deterministic. We consider different notions of unambiguity and determinism and the corresponding REC subclasses: they define a hierarchy inside REC. We show that some definitions of unambiguity are equivalent to particular notions of determinism and therefore the corresponding classes have linear parsing algorithms and are closed under complementation.
BLOOD GLUCOSE LEVEL NEURAL MODEL FOR TYPE 1 DIABETES MELLITUS PATIENTS
Authors: ALANIS ALMA Y. , LEON BLANCA S. , SANCHEZ EDGAR N. , RUIZ-VELAZQUEZ EDUARDO
Published: December 2011

This paper deals with the blood glucose level modeling for Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus (T1DM) patients. The model is developed using a recurrent neural network trained with an extended Kalman filter based algorithm in order to develop an affine model, which captures the nonlinear behavior of the blood glucose metabolism. The goal is to derive a dynamical mathematical model for the T1DM as the response of a patient to meal and subcutaneous insulin infusion. Experimental data given by continuous glucose monitoring system is utilized for identification and for testing the applicability of the proposed scheme to T1DM subjects.
EVAPORATION DRIVEN SELF ASSEMBLY OF NANOPARTICLES DURING SPRAY DRYING: VOLUME FRACTION DEPENDENT PACKING
Authors: BAHADUR J. , SEN D. , MAZUMDER S. , PAUL BHASKAR , KHAN ARSHAD
Published: December 2011

Hierarchically structured micrometric mesoporous silica spheres have been synthesized by evaporation driven self assembly of silica colloids under slow drying condition. The inter particle correlation inside grains has been investigated by small-angle neutron scattering. In a slow drying regime, droplets shrink isotropically leading to spherical dried grains. However, the packing of nanoparticles depends on the initial colloidal concentration. The packing of the nanoparticles for low colloidal concentration is uniform throughout the grain but at higher concentration of the colloids, dried grains possess nonuniform radial packing of the nano-particles. The average packing fraction of the nanoparticles decreases with increasing colloidal concentration due to modification in viscosity of the colloidal dispersion prior to drying.
FORMATION MECHANISM OF BaFe12O19 NANOPARTICLES PROCESSED VIA WET CHEMICAL ROUTE USING MIXED SOLVENT
Authors: ATAIE A. , MONTAZERI-POUR M.
Published: December 2011

Nanosize particles of barium hexaferrite were prepared by co-precipitation route using solution of iron and barium chlorides with a Fe+3/Ba+2 molar ratio of 11. Water and a mixture of water/ethanol with volume ratio of 1:3 were used as solvents. Co-precipitated powders were calcined at various temperatures. XRD results showed that single phase barium hexaferrite forms at 900°C for sample synthesized in aqueous solution and its formation is resulted from the reaction between mainly crystalline phases, while this temperature decreased to 700°C for sample synthesized in water/ethanol solution and the formation of barium hexaferrite consists of reactions between amorphous phases with crystalline phases. SEM micrographs of the calcined samples at 800°C indicated that the morphology of particles was affected by the type of solvent. Nano size particles of barium hexaferrite with mean particle size of almost 80 nm were observed in the SEM micrograph of sample synthesized in water/ethanol solution after calcination at 800°C. Barium hexaferrite crystallites with mean size of 35 nm, which was approximately consistent with size obtained from XRD line broadening technique, could be seen in TEM image of this sample after calcination at 700°C.
ENHANCEMENT OF FIELD EMISSION CHARACTERISTICS IN ALIGNED MULTIWALLED CARBON NANOTUBES DUE TO 70 MeV Ni6+ ION IRRADIATION
Authors: CHAKRABORTY BRAHMANANDA , SATPATI B. , MODAK P. , HAZRA K. S. , RAI P. , ROY S. , AVASTHI D. K. , MISRA D. S. , BANERJEE S.
Published: December 2011

Here we report the role of ion irradiation in the field emission characteristics of aligned multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWNTs). Aligned MWNTs show improvement in field emission characteristics under low dose 70 Mev Ni6+ ion irradiation. But field emission current density reduces for the higher dose due to adsorption of amorphous carbon and melting as well damage of carbon nanotubes (CNTs). High resolution transmission electron microscopic (HRTEM) analysis has been carried out to find the morphological changes due to ion irradiation leading to modifications in field emission characteristics. At low dose formation of dangling bond, cross-linking between different layers, exposure of buried emission sites and reduction of mutual shielding are responsible for the enhancement in field emission characteristics.
PALLDIUM SUPPORTED MCM-41 MESOPOROUS MOLECULAR SIEVES: SYNTHESIS, CHARACTERIZATION AND CATALYTIC TEST FOR THE REDUCTION OF NO BY CO
Authors: RAVAT VILAS , AGHALAYAM PREETI
Published: December 2011

Palladium supported MCM-41 molecular sieves with Si/Pd (molar) ratios of 400, 200, 100 and 50 were synthesized by hydrothermal method. All catalysts characterized by various analytical and spectroscopic techniques, viz, XRD, N2 sorption, TEM, DRUV-VIS, Raman. XRD at low angle and high angle studies suggest that the substitution of palladium and presence of palladium oxide phase in the silicate tetrahedral framework structure of MCM-41. TEM investigations confirm the highly ordered cubic structure with irregular distribution of palladium nanoparticles on surface PdMCM-41 . DRUV-VIS and Raman spectra studies indicate the presence of palladium oxide moieties in all PdMCM-41 catalysts. The effect of Si/Pd molar ratio, particle size and reusability with respect to reactor temperature on the catalytic activity of PdMCM-41 catalyst was examined. Comparative study of all these palladium substituted catalysts shows that PdMCM-41(50) catalyst having higher palladium contents shows higher activity at lower temperatures as compared with other PdMCM-41 ( Si/Pd = 100, 200, 400) catalysts.
TUNING OF BLOCK COPOLYMER-MEDIATED SYNTHESIS OF GOLD NANOPARTICLES
Authors: RAY DEBES , ASWAL V. K. , SRIVASTAVA D.
Published: December 2011

The yield and stability of synthesis of gold nanoparticles has been examined using triblock copolymer Pluronic P85 (EO26PO39EO26) at varying concentrations as a function of hydrogen tetrachloroaureate (III) hydrate (HAuCl4.3H2O) in aqueous solution. The surface plasmon resonance in the time-dependent UV-Visible spectra reveals that increase in the block copolymer concentration increases the yield of the gold nanoparticles but decreases their stability. Small-angle neutron scattering (SANS) suggests that the number density of block copolymer micelles increase almost linearly with the concentration, which is related to result in higher numbers of nucleation centers and therefore increase in the yield of gold nanoparticles. The fact that increase in the number density of nanoparticles also increases the chances of aggregation and this tends to decrease the stability at higher block copolymer concentration. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) images confirm the larger sizes of the nanoparticles formed in these systems at higher concentrations.
STUDY OF SPRAY DRIED DOPED ZINC OXIDE NANOPOWDER FOR VARISTOR APPLICATION
Authors: ANWAR M. S. , KUMAR SHALENDRA , AHMED FAHEEM , LEE CHAN GYU , KOO BON HEUN
Published: December 2011

Doped zinc oxide nanopowder was synthesized by combustion method. The as-synthesized nanopowder was spray dried with three different (20, 25, 30) percentage of solid contents. Sintered samples were characterized by scanning electron microscope (SEM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) showing the presence of secondary phases at intergranular spacing. The electrical behavior of the sintered samples was studied on the basis of the current density versus electric field (J–E) characteristics. A comparison on the electrical and microstructural properties of the varistors obtained by nanopowder and its spray dried granules was made. The best results on these characteristics were achieved through the spray drying route, obtaining a nonlinear coefficient of 167 and breakdown field of 8182 Vcm-1 at a sintering temperature of 900°C.
SINGLE STEP SYNTHESIS OF HYDROPHOBIC AND HYDROPHILIC NANOPARTICLES VIA THERMAL DECOMPOSITION
Authors: MAITY DIPAK , DING JUN
Published: December 2011

Here, we report single step synthesis of hydrophobic and hydrophilic Fe3O4 , ZnO , CoO and Y2O3:Eu nanoparticles via thermal decomposition of different organometallic complexes in oleylamine (OM) and tri(ethyleneglycol) (TREG) media, respectively. The crystal structure of the as-prepared nanoparticles is identified using X-ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). Morphology of the nanoparticles is determined by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) while the magnetic properties are measured using vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM). Thermolysis of appropriate precursors in OM and TREG medium are very capable of producing the highly dispresed hydrophobic and hydrophilic nanoparticles with diverse morphologies.