bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Surface modification of electrospun PCL scaffolds by plasma treatment and addition of adhesive protein to promote fibroblast cell adhesion
Authors: Siri S. , Wadbua P. , Amornkitbamrung V. , Kampa N. , Maensiri S.
Published: September 2010

Nanofibres fabricated from synthetic polymers via electrospinnning may be uniform and possess consistent quality; however, due to the nature of polymers, these nanofibres may not serve as suitable substrates for cell adhesion. Thus, the present work is aimed to enhance cell adherence onto the as spun poly(ϵ-caprolactone) (PCL) scaffolds via simple protein absorption, air plasma treatment and protein immobilisation methods. The as spun PCL fibres had average fibre diameter of 475·99 ± 194·52 nm with average porosity of 72·29 ± 1·90%. The laminin absorbed scaffold exhibited 20% increase in cell adhesion compared to the original scaffold. With the plasma treatment, the scaffolds increased their fibre sizes, but no significant change occurred in their porosities. The as spun PCL scaffold treated with air plasma was less hydrophobic and exhibited 66% increase in cell adherence compared to the original scaffold. When laminin protein was also included, a greater increase in cell adhesion was observed (84%). Comparing all methods, a laminin immobilised scaffold, with argon/oxygen plasma treatment followed by protein grafting with acrylic acid, showed the highest result of cell adhesion (96%). The results of the present work demonstrate the comparison of various means of using plasma treatment and laminin protein to enhance cell adherence onto the as spun PCL scaffolds, making it more suitable for tissue engineering and wound dressing applications.
Effect of solution concentration on diameter and morphology of PVA nanofibres in bubble electrospinning process
Authors: Yang R.-R. , He J.-H. , Xu L. , Yu J.-Y.
Published: September 2010

Bubble elecrospinning is an excellent and novelty method to fabricate nanofibres with high throughout. This paper investigates experimentally the effects of solution concentration and its viscosity on diameter and morphology of bubble electrospun polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) nanofibres, where pure water is used as a solvent for environmental consideration. The experiment shows that the as spun fibres change their morphology from few beads, smooth surfaces and finally to larger diameter fibres when PVA solution concentration increases gradually. An allometric relation between the fibre diameter and the solution concentration is obtained. The minimal diameter is as small as 38·3 nm.
Antireflection coatings formed from polyelectrolyte multilayers on PMMA substrate
Authors: Wang S D , Huang F-H
Published: September 2010

An antireflection coating on a polymeric methyl methacrylate substrate is fabricated by poly(allylamine hydrochloride)/poly(acrylic acid) (PAH/PAA) layer by layer deposition method. The authors investigated the effects of acidic treatments of pH 1·8 H2O, pH 2·4 0·05M MgCl2 (NaCl) and different concentrations of PAA on transmissions of the film and resistance to phase separation induced by water and NaCl solution. Different acidic treatments lead to distinct mechanisms of forming nanopores. The optimum of average transmission of the film, 96·86%, at 350–800 nm was obtained using the MgCl2 acidic treatment. The polarised water molecules, Na+ and Cl−, attract polyanions and polycations of PAH/PAA film. Therefore, the resistance to phase separation induced by water and NaCl solution is poor.
Polymorphisms at LDLR locus may be associated with coronary artery disease through modulation of coagulation factor VIII activity and independently from lipid profile
Authors: Martinelli Nicola , Girelli Domenico , Lunghi Barbara , Pinotti Mirko , Marchetti Giovanna , Malerba Giovanni , Pignatti Pier Franco , Corrocher Roberto , Olivieri Oliviero , Bernardi Francesco
Published: September 2010

High levels of coagulation factor VIII (FVIII) have been associated with cardiovascular disease. Low-density lipoprotein receptor (LDLR) has been recently demonstrated to contribute to FVIII clearance from plasma. The aim of this study was to evaluate 3 single nucleotide polymorphisms in SMARCA4-LDLR gene locus (rs1122608, rs2228671, and rs688) and FVIII coagulant activity (FVIII:c) in subjects with (n = 692) or without (n = 291) angiographically confirmed coronary artery disease (CAD). High FVIII:c levels were an independent risk factor for CAD. The rs688 and rs2228671 genotypes were predictors of FVIII:c with T alleles associated with higher FVIII:c levels. The rs2228671T allele was associated also with reduced total and LDL-cholesterol levels. With respect to the risk of CAD, no association was found for rs2228671. Consistently with higher FVIII:c levels, the rs688T allele was associated with CAD, whereas, consistently with a favorable lipid profile, the rs1122608T allele was associated with a decreased CAD prevalence. After adjustment for classic cardiovascular risk factors, including plasma lipids, rs688 remained associated with CAD (OR for T carriers: 1.67 with 95% confidence interval, 1.10-2.54). Haplotype analysis confirmed such results. Our data suggest that polymorphisms at LDLR locus modulate FVIII:c levels and may be associated with CAD risk independently from plasma lipids.
Sometimes a cigar is just a cigar
Authors: Li Shih-Hon , Lawrence Daniel A.
Published: September 2010

In this issue of Blood, Connolly and colleagues describe an elegant approach to studying the significance of specific molecular interactions in vivo. The authors have “knocked-in” a mutant form of the protease, urokinase-type plasminogen activator (uPA), into the murine uPA locus, to create a mouse strain (PlauGFDhu/GFDhu) where the interaction between endogenous uPA and its receptor (uPAR) is selectively disrupted, while leaving other functions of both uPA and uPAR intact. Their findings suggest that the primary role of uPAR in vivo is to promote fibrinolysis within tissues through localization of uPA, and that many of the previously described activities of uPAR may be secondary to this process.1
Distinct patterns of mitochondrial genome diversity in bonobos (Pan paniscus) and humans
Authors: Zsurka Gábor , Kudina Tatiana , Peeva Viktoriya , Hallmann Kerstin , Elger Christian E , Khrapko Konstantin , Kunz Wolfram S
Published: September 2010

Background

We have analyzed the complete mitochondrial genomes of 22 Pan paniscus (bonobo, pygmy chimpanzee) individuals to assess the detailed mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) phylogeny of this close relative of Homo sapiens.

Results

We identified three major clades among bonobos that separated approximately 540,000 years ago, as suggested by Bayesian analysis. Incidentally, we discovered that the current reference sequence for bonobo likely is a hybrid of the mitochondrial genomes of two distant individuals. When comparing spectra of polymorphic mtDNA sites in bonobos and humans, we observed two major differences: (i) Of all 31 bonobo mtDNA homoplasies, i.e. nucleotide changes that occurred independently on separate branches of the phylogenetic tree, 13 were not homoplasic in humans. This indicates that at least a part of the unstable sites of the mitochondrial genome is species-specific and difficult to be explained on the basis of a mutational hotspot concept. (ii) A comparison of the ratios of non-synonymous to synonymous changes (d

N

/d

S
) among polymorphic positions in bonobos and in 4902 Homo sapiens mitochondrial genomes revealed a remarkable difference in the strength of purifying selection in the mitochondrial genes of the F0F1-ATPase complex. While in bonobos this complex showed a similar low value as complexes I and IV, human haplogroups displayed 2.2 to 7.6 times increased d

N

/d

S
ratios when compared to bonobos.

Conclusions

Some variants of mitochondrially encoded subunits of the ATPase complex in humans very likely decrease the efficiency of energy conversion leading to production of extra heat. Thus, we hypothesize that the species-specific release of evolutionary constraints for the mitochondrial genes of the proton-translocating ATPase is a consequence of altered heat homeostasis in modern humans.
The chicken miR-150 targets the avian orthologue of the functional zebrafish MYB 3'UTR target site
Authors: Guillon-Munos Audrey , Dambrine Ginette , Richerioux Nicolas , Coupeau Damien , Muylkens Benoît , Rasschaert Denis
Published: September 2010

Background

The c-myb proto-oncogene is the founding member of a family of transcription factors involved principally in haematopoiesis, in diverse organisms, from zebrafish to mammals. Its deregulation has been implicated in human leukaemogenesis and other cancers. The expression of c-myb is tightly regulated by post-transcriptional mechanisms involving microRNAs. MicroRNAs are small, highly conserved non-coding RNAs that inhibit translation and decrease mRNA stability by binding to regulatory motifs mostly located in the 3'UTR of target mRNAs conserved throughout evolution. MYB is an evolutionarily conserved miR-150 target experimentally validated in mice, humans and zebrafish. However, the functional miR-150 sites of humans and mice are orthologous, whereas that of zebrafish is different.

Results

We identified the avian mature miRNA-150-5P, Gallus gallus gga-miR-150 from chicken leukocyte small-RNA libraries and showed that, as expected, the gga-miR-150 sequence was highly conserved, including the seed region sequence present in the other miR-150 sequences listed in miRBase. Reporter assays showed that gga-miR-150 acted on the avian MYB 3'UTR and identified the avian MYB target site involved in gga-miR-150 binding. A comparative in silico analysis of the miR-150 target sites of MYB 3'UTRs from different species led to the identification of a single set of putative target sites in amphibians and zebrafish, whereas two sets of putative target sites were identified in chicken and mammals. However, only the target site present in the chicken MYB 3'UTR that was identical to that in zebrafish was functional, despite the additional presence of mammalian target sites in chicken. This specific miR-150 site usage was not cell-type specific and persisted when the chicken c-myb 3'UTR was used in the cell system to identify mammalian target sites, showing that this miR-150 target site usage was intrinsic to the chicken c-myb 3'UTR.

Conclusion

Our study of the avian MYB/gga-miR-150 interaction shows a conservation of miR-150 target site functionality between chicken and zebrafish that does not extend to mammals.
Comparison of the antimicrobial activity of Ulmo honey from Chile and Manuka honey against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa.
Authors: Sherlock Orla , Dolan Anthony , Athman Rahma , Power Alice , Gethin Georgina , Cowman Seamus , Humphreys Hilary
Published: September 2010

Background

Honey has previously been shown to have wound healing and antimicrobial properties, but this is dependent on the type of honey, geographical location and flower from which the final product is derived. We tested the antimicrobial activity of a Chilean honey made byApis mellifera(honeybee) originating from the Ulmo tree (Eucryphia cordifolia), against selected strains of bacteria.

Methods

Ulmo 90 honey was compared with manuka UMF®25+ (Comvita®) honey and a laboratory synthesised (artificial) honey. An agar well diffusion assay and a 96 well minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) spectrophotometric-based assay were used to assess antimicrobial activity against five strains of methicillin-resistantStaphylococcus aureus(MRSA),Escherichia coliandPseudomonas aeruginosa.

Results

Initial screening with the agar diffusion assay demonstrated that Ulmo 90 honey had greater antibacterial activity against all MRSA isolates tested than manuka honey and similar activity againstE. coliandP. aeruginosa. The MIC assay, showed that a lower MIC was observed with Ulmo 90 honey (3.1% - 6.3% v/v) than with manuka honey (12.5% v/v) for all five MRSA isolates. For theE. coliandPseudomonasstrains equivalent MICs were observed (12.5% v/v). The MIC for artificial honey was 50% v/v. The minimum bactericidal concentration for all isolates tested for Ulmo 90 honey was identical to the MIC. Unlike manuka honey, Ulmo 90 honey activity is largely due to hydrogen peroxide production.

Conclusions

Due to its high antimicrobial activity, Ulmo 90 may warrant further investigation as a possible alternative therapy for wound healing.
Identification of tumor-associated cassette exons in human cancer through EST-based computational prediction and experimental validation
Authors: Valletti Alessio , Anselmo Anna , Mangiulli Marina , Boria Ilenia , Mignone Flavio , Merla Giuseppe , D'Angelo Vincenzo , Tullo Apollonia , Sbisà Elisabetta , D'Erchia Anna Maria , Pesole Graziano
Published: September 2010

Background

Many evidences report that alternative splicing, the mechanism which produces mRNAs and proteins with different structures and functions from the same gene, is altered in cancer cells. Thus, the identification and characterization of cancer-specific splice variants may give large impulse to the discovery of novel diagnostic and prognostic tumour biomarkers, as well as of new targets for more selective and effective therapies.

Results

We present here a genome-wide analysis of the alternative splicing pattern of human genes through a computational analysis of normal and cancer-specific ESTs from seventeen anatomical groups, using data available in AspicDB, a database resource for the analysis of alternative splicing in human. By using a statistical methodology, normal and cancer-specific genes, splice sites and cassette exons were predicted in silico. The condition association of some of the novel normal/tumoral cassette exons was experimentally verified by RT-qPCR assays in the same anatomical system where they were predicted. Remarkably, the presence in vivo of the predicted alternative transcripts, specific for the nervous system, was confirmed in patients affected by glioblastoma.

Conclusion

This study presents a novel computational methodology for the identification of tumor-associated transcript variants to be used as cancer molecular biomarkers, provides its experimental validation, and reports specific biomarkers for glioblastoma.
Quadricuspid aortic valve by using intraoperative transesophageal echocardiography
Authors: Xiao Zhenghua , Meng Wei , Zhang Eryong
Published: September 2010

Quadricuspid aortic valve is a rare congenital malformation of the aortic valve. Its diagnosis is often missed even with the use of transthoracic echocardiogram. Many of these patients progress to aortic incompetence later in life, hence requiring surgical intervention.

In the case described in this report, a 61-year-old woman is presented with the features of congestive heart failure. The preoperative transthoracic echocardiogram disclosed a moderate to severe aortic valve insufficiency but failed to reveal the quadricuspid aortic value anomaly. This case underscores the important role of three-dimensional transesophageal echocardiography for the diagnosis of quadricuspid aortic valve.
Stimulatory Effect of Insulin on 5α-Reductase Type 1 (SRD5A1) Expression through an Akt-Dependent Pathway in Ovarian Granulosa Cells
Authors: Kayampilly Pradeep P. , Wanamaker Brett L. , Stewart James A. , Wagner Carrie L. , Menon K. M. J.
Published: September 2010

Elevated levels of 5α-reduced androgens have been shown to be associated with hyperandrogenism and hyperinsulinemia, the leading causes of ovulatory dysfunction in women. 5α-Dihydrotestosterone reduces ovarian granulosa cell proliferation by inhibiting FSH-mediated mitogenic signaling pathways. The present study examined the effect of insulin on 5α-reductase, the enzyme that catalyses the conversion of androgens to their 5α-derivatives. Granulosa cells isolated from immature rat ovaries were cultured in serum-free, phenol red-free DMEM-F12 media and treated with different doses of insulin (0, 0.1, 1.0, and 10.0 μg/ml) for different time intervals up to 12 h. The expression of 5α-reductase type 1 mRNA, the predominant isoform found in granulosa cells, showed a significant (P < 0.05) increase in response to the insulin treatment up to 12 h compared with control. The catalytic activity of 5α-reductase enzyme was also stimulated in a dose-depended manner (P < 0.05). Inhibiting the Akt-dependent signaling pathway abolished the insulin-mediated increase in 5α-reductase mRNA expression, whereas inhibition of the ERK-dependent pathway had no effect. The dose-dependent increase in 5α-reductase mRNA expression as well as catalytic activity seen in response to insulin treatment was also demonstrated in the human granulosa cell line (KGN). In addition to increased mRNA expression, a dose-dependent increase in 5α-reductase protein expression in response to insulin was also seen in KGN cells, which corroborated well with that of mRNA expression. These results suggest that elevated levels of 5α-reduced androgens seen in hyperinsulinemic conditions might be explained on the basis of a stimulatory effect of insulin on 5α-reductase in granulosa cells. The elevated levels of these metabolites, in turn, might adversely affect growth and proliferation of granulosa cells, thereby impairing follicle growth and ovulation.
Anomalous H/D Isotope Effect on 35Cl NQR Frequencies and H/D Isotope Effect on 1H MAS NMR Spectra in Pyrrolidinium p-Chlorobenzoate
Authors: Nakano Ryo , Honda Hisashi , Kimura Taiki , Kyo Shin-shin , Ishimaru Shin’ichi , Miyake Ryosuke , Nakata Eiichi , Takamizawa Satoshi , Noro Sumiko
Published: September 2010

An anomalous isotope effect was observed in the 35Cl NQR frequency of pyrrolidinium p-chlorobenzoate (C4H8NH2+·ClC6H4COO−) by deuterium substitution of hydrogen atoms which form two kinds of N–H···O type hydrogen bonds. Large negative frequency shifts of the 35Cl resonance lines, reaching 309 kHz at 77 K and 267 kHz at 293 K, were obtained upon deuteration, although the Cl atom in the molecule formed no hydrogen bonds in the crystal. 1H MAS NMR lines showed significant changes by the deuterium substitution, while in contrast, small shifts of 13C CP/MAS NMR signals were obtained. Our measurements of 1H NMR spin–lattice relaxation times (T1) suggested that the H/D isotope shifts detected from the 35Cl NQR frequencies and 1H NMR spectra are due to structural changes rather than molecular dynamics. Single-crystal X-ray diffraction measurements showed two remarkable H/D isotope differences in the molecular arrangements, (i) the N–H length along the crystallographic a axis became 1 pm shorter, and (ii) the dihedral angle between benzene and the pyrrolidine ring changed by 1.1(2)° upon deuteration. Using density functional theory estimations, the anomalous 35Cl NQR frequency shifts and 1H MAS NMR line-shape changes could be explained by the dihedral angle change rather than the N–H length difference.
Reviews
Authors: Donapetry Mara , de Luca Tiago , Shakerifar Elhum , Mller Sabine
Published: September 2010

Visions of Struggle in Women's Filmmaking in the Mediterranean, Flavia Laviosa (Ed.) (2010) New York: Palgrave MacMillan, 224 pp., ISBN 978-0-230-61736-0 (hbk), 85

David Lynch: Interviews, Richard A. Barney (Ed.) (2009) Mississippi: University Press of Mississippi,
274 pp., ISBN 978-1-60473-37-5 (pbk), 22

The Documentary: Politics, Emotion, Culture, Belinda Smaill (2010) London: Palgrave Macmillan, 208 pp., ISBN 987-0-230-23751-3 (hbk), 50.00

After the Avant-Garde: Contemporary German and Austrian Experimental Film, Randall Halle and
Reinhild Steingrver (Eds) (2008) Rochester, New York: Camden House, 361 pp., ISBN 978-1-57113-365-6 (hbk), 45
Unusual extraction of plutonium(IV) from uranium(VI) and americium(III) using phosphonate based task specific ionic liquid
Authors: Rout A. , Venkatesan K. A. , Srinivasan T. G. , Vasudeva Rao P. R.
Published: September 2010

A task specific ionic liquid (TSIL), diethyl-2-(3-methylimidazolium)ethylphosphonate bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imide, ImPNTf2, was synthesized and characterized by 1H, 13C NMR, mass and IR spectroscopy. Extraction of Pu(IV), U(VI) and Am(III) from nitric acid medium by a solution of ImPNTf2 in room temperature ionic liquids (RTILs), 1-alkyl-3-methylimidazolium bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imide (alkyl = butyl or octyl), was studied as a function of concentrations of nitric acid, ImPNTf2 and temperature. The distribution ratio of Pu(IV) in ImPNTf2/bmimNTf2 decreased with increase in the concentration of nitric acid reached a minimum around 4−5 M in nitric acid followed by increase. The stoichiometry of Pu(IV)-ImPNTf2 was determined by the slope analysis of extraction data. In contrast to Pu(IV) extraction, the distribution ratios of Am(III) and U(VI) in ImPNTf2/amimNTf2 and amimNTf2 were significantly low at all nitric acid concentrations that led to unusually high separation factors for plutonium(IV) from other actinides. Viscosity of ionic liquid phase at various temperatures, and enthalpy change accompanied by the extraction of plutonium(IV) were determined and the results are reported in this paper.
Cesium sorption on studtite (UO2O2·4H2O)
Authors: Giménez Javier , Martínez-Lladó Xavier , Rovira Miquel , de Pablo Joan , Casas Ignasi , Sureda Rosa , Martinez-Esparza Aurora
Published: September 2010

One of the mechanisms that may decrease the mobility of cesium released from spent fuel in a high level nuclear waste repository (HLNW) is its sorption onto uranyl-containing alteration phases formed on the spent fuel surface such as studtite (UO2O2·4H2O). The results obtained in this work show that sorption is a very fast process; cesium in solution is sorbed in less than one hour at pH 5. Sorption as a function of initial concentration in solution was also studied between initial cesium concentrations ranging from 7.6×10−9 mol dm−3to 1.0×10−3 mol dm−3. The data have been modelled considering a Freundlich isotherm, withKFandnvalues of 10±1, and 1.4±0.1, respectively (r2=0.998). Sorption is very dependent on ionic strength, suggesting that cesium sorbs onto studtite by forming an outer-sphere complex involving electrostatic interactions. Sorption is observed to be very low at acidic pH, while relatively high at alkaline pH (i.e., almost 60% of the total cesium concentration in solution is sorbed at pH>9). The results point to the importance of sorption processes on uranyl alteration phases on the retention of radionuclides.
Studies on hydrolysis and radiolysis of tetra(2-ethylhexyl)diglycolamide (TEHDGA)/isodecyl alcohol/n-dodecane solvent system
Authors: Sharma J. N. , Ruhela R. , Singh K. K. , Kumar Manoj , Janardhanan C. , Achutan P. V. , Manohar S. , Wattal P. K. , Suri A. K.
Published: September 2010

To establish the use of TEHDGA/isodecylalcohol/n-dodecane solvent system for actinide partitioning from HLW, the hydrolytic and radiolytic stability of the solvent was investigated. Hydrolysis of TEHDGA with nitric acid at room temperature was not observed. Radiolytic degradation was observed and found to increase with increase in absorbed dose. It was found that the presence of n-dodecane enhances the degradation of TEHDGA whereas isodecyl alcohol, the phase modifier, has no such effect. At gamma-radiation dose as high as 0.2 MGy, no significant loss of TEHDGA was observed. The degradation products were identified by GC-MS, the main products were formed by cleavage of ether and amide bonds of TEHDGA molecule. The extraction behavior of Am(III) at 4.0 M HNO3 does not vary much with increase in absorbed dose, however stripping behavior is affected by the presence of acidic degradation products formed during radiolysis. The findings indicate that the solvent retains its expected extraction and stripping properties up to a high gamma-radiation dose of 0.2 MGy. Irradiated solvent was purified and made suitable for reuse by treating it with 5% w/v Na2CO3 solution, basic alumina and finally by distillation at reduced pressure.
Präzise Radarfüllstandsmessungen in Schwallrohren
Authors: Denicke Eckhard , Armbrecht Gunnar , Rolfes Ilona
Published: September 2010

Dieser Beitrag befasst sich mit der geführten Radarentfernungsmessung in Schwall- bzw. Bypassrohren im Bereich der industriellen Prozessmesstechnik zur exakten und zuverlässigen Füllstandsbestimmung in Tankanlagen. Ziel ist es, in der hoch dispersiven Umgebung der Rohre, welche aufgrund ihrer Größe als übermodete Rundhohlleiter fungieren, eine submillimetergenaue Füllstandsbestimmung zu erreichen. Normalerweise verursacht die in diesem Szenario auftretende Ausbreitung mehrerer Moden eine starke Herabsetzung der Messgenauigkeit. In dieser Veröffentlichung werden daher die Effekte der messfehlerverursachenden intermodalen Dispersion grundsätzlich untersucht und basierend darauf zwei unterschiedliche Lösungsansätze präsentiert, um die Nachteile dieser Messumgebung hinsichtlich des dispersiven Ausbreitungsverhaltens von elektromagnetischen Feldverteilungen zu umgehen. Auf der einen Seite wird ein Prototyp eines neuartigen Konzepts für kompakte, modenerhaltende Wellenleiterübergänge präsentiert. Dieses Konzept vermeidet wirkungsvoll die Anregung höherer Moden im Schwallrohr und ermöglicht gleichzeitig die Anwendung herkömmlicher, eigentlich für den Freiraum optimierter, wenig rechenintensiver Signalverarbeitungsalgorithmen. Auf der anderen Seite wird ein alternativer korrelationsbasierter Signalverarbeitungsalgorithmus präsentiert. Der Algorithmus ist in der Lage, die bisher als parasitär eingestuften Dispersionseffekte auszunutzen, um die Messgenauigkeit in Verbindung mit einfachen bzw. willkürlich ausgewählten Wellenleiterübergängen zu verbessern. Der Trade-off zwischen der Komplexität der Signalverarbeitung und dem Aufwand für den Wellenleiterübergang wird hervorgehoben und diskutiert. Um die Leistungsfähigkeit beider Ansätze zu zeigen, werden Messergebnisse im Frequenzbereich von 8,5 bis 10,5 GHz für unterschiedliche Arten von Wellenleiterübergängen präsentiert.
Individual Differences, Auditory Imagery, and the Coordination of Body Movements and Sounds in Musical Ensembles
Authors: Keller Peter E. , Appel Mirjam
Published: September 2010

The Role of Anticipatory Auditory Imagery in musical ensemble performance was investigated by examining the relationship between individual differences in auditory imagery and temporal coordination in piano duos. Vividness of imagery for upcoming sounds was assessed in 14 pianists using a task that required the production of rhythmic sequences with or without auditory feedback. Ensemble coordination was assessed by examining temporal relations between body movements (recorded by a motion capture system) and sound onsets (triggered by key strokes on two MIDI pianos) in seven duos playing two contrasting pieces with or without visual contact. Sound synchrony was found to be related to anterior-posterior body sway coordination in a manner that depended upon leader/follower relations between pianists assigned to 'primo' and 'secondo' parts. Furthermore, the quality of coordination, which was not affected markedly by whether pianists were in visual contact, was correlated with individual differences in anticipatory auditory imagery. These findings suggest that auditory imagery facilitates interpersonal coordination by enhancing the operation of internal models that simulate one's own and others' actions during ensemble performance.
The Spatiotemporal Representation of Dance and Music Gestures using Topological Gesture Analysis (TGA)
Authors: Naveda Luiz , Leman Marc
Published: September 2010

Spatiotemporal gestures in music and dance have been approached using both qualitative and quantitative research methods. Applying quantitative methods has offered new perspectives but imposed several constraints such as artificial metric systems, weak links with qualitative information, and incomplete accounts of variability. In this study, we tackle these problems using concepts from topology to analyze gestural relationships in space. The Topological Gesture Analysis (TGA) relies on the projection of musical cues onto gesture trajectories, which generates point clouds in a three-dimensional space. Point clouds can be interpreted as topologies equipped with musical qualities, which gives us an idea about the relationships between gesture, space, and music. Using this method, we investigate the relationships between musical meter, dance style, and expertise in two popular dances (samba and Charleston). The results show how musical meter is encoded in the dancer's space and how relevant information about styles and expertise can be revealed by means of simple topological relationships.
De Viaje: Elite Views of Modernity and the Porfirian Railway Boom
Authors: Matthews Michael
Published: September 2010

This study examines representations of the railroad in art, poetry, and literature printed in publications targeting middle- and upper-class audiences. It uses these sources to investigate how elite groups viewed the process of change spurred by the rapid modernization that defined the Porfiriato. It argues that the elite used this literature and art to define themselves as modern citizens and diffuse ideas about the benefits of progress, the success of the regime, and the ways civilized individuals should behave. It also shows that these groups shared anxieties about the social and cultural changes spurred by modernization.
Structure and Optical Characterization of Nanocrystalline Silicon Thin Films for Solar Cells
Authors: Morisawa Ryo , Shirakura Akira , Du Chen-Chung , Huang Jen-Rong , Liang Muh-Wang , Wu David Ch , Suzuki Tetsuya
Published: September 2010

Effects of very high frequency- plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition (VHF-PECVD) using diluted ultrapure silane at higher dilution ratio (R>30) on microstructures and optical characteristics of hydrogenated nanocrystalline silicon (nc-Si:H) film were studied. Nanocrystalline silicon films were prepared by at RF power ranging from 50 to 300 W. It was found that the transition from amorphous phase to nanocrystalline phase occurred between 100 W and 150 W. The nucleation mechanism toward nc-Si:H near the transition point of amorphous phase was discussed based on transmission electron microscopy with atomic scale. Further, it is suggested from UV-visible spectroscopy that nc-Si:H films with the best optical properties would be obtained near the transition point from the amorphous phase to the crystalline phase.
Tailoring Sol-Gel Transition Processes for the Design of Novel Shape Metal Oxide Materials
Authors: Jarvekulg Martin , Välbe Raul , Utt Kathriin , Timusk Martin , Tätte Tanel
Published: September 2010

In present paper we describe some unconventional adaptions of sol-gel method. Controlled sol-gel transformation processes of metal alkoxide based systems can lead to various novel shapes of metal alkoxide materials. Formation of different structures like tubular microstructures by gel sheet rolling, nano- and microfibres by direct drawing, as well as microtubes of metal oxides and gel dispersed liquid crystal materials are described. Different aspects of sol-gel processes leading to the formation of all of these structures are thereby discussed.
A Strategy to Simulate the Dynamics of Molecular Assemblies Over Long Times
Authors: Su Julius Tsu-Li
Published: September 2010

We propose a strategy to simulate the dynamics of molecular assemblies over long times, provided they have a hierarchical and modular nature. In the scheme, fast fluctuations are averaged into a set of effective potentials (fluctuation softened potentials or FSPs), and the remaining slower dynamics are propagated in a drastically reduced configuration space (coupled energy landscapes or CEL). As a preliminary validation of the FSPs we compute the free energy of binding of a protein complex (RNase:barstar) for different relative positionings of the proteins. As a demonstration of CEL, we simulate the dynamics of microtubule unraveling upon hydrolysis of bound nucleotides. The method should allow the use of time steps hundreds to thousands of times longer than in conventional molecular dynamics, so that with only atomic structures and interactions as input, motions over human time scales (>ms) could be simulated.
Injective mappings and solvable vector fields
Authors: Santos Filho José R. dos , Tavares Joaquim
Published: September 2010

We establish a sufficient condition for injectivity in a class of mappings defined on open connected subsets of Rn , for arbitrary n. The result relates solvability of the appropriate vector fields with injectivity of the mapping and extends a result proved by the first author for n < 3 . Furthermore, we extend the result to connected paracompact smooth oriented manifolds and show that the convexity condition imposes strong topological restrictions on the manifold.
Occurrence of Cymbasoma longispinosum Bourne, 1890 (Copepoda: Monstrilloida) in the Curuçá River estuary (Amazon Littoral)
Authors: Leite Natália R. , Pereira Luci C.C. , Abrunhosa Fernando , Pires Marcus A.B. , Costa Rauquírio M. da
Published: September 2010

The present work was carried out to verify the occurrence and distribution of Cymbasoma longispinosum Bourne, 1890 in a tropical Amazon estuary from North Brazil. Samplings were performed bimonthly from July/2003 to July/2004 at two different transects (Muriá and Curuçá rivers) situated along the Curuçá estuary (Pará, North Brazil). Samples were collected during neap tides via gentle (1 to 1.5 knots) 200 μm-mesh net tows from a small boat. Additional subsurface water samples were collected for the determination of environmental parameters. Males and females of Cymbasoma longispinosum were only observed during September and November/2003. The highest number of organisms was found in September/2003 at the Muriá River transect. The presence of C. longispinosum in samples obtained during September and November/2003 could probably be related to the reproductive period of this species in the studied estuary, which is directly related to the dry period in the region. The highest salinity values and the highest number of individuals observed in September/2003 corroborate with the previous assumption, since no C. longispinosum was found during the months comprising the rainy period (January to June).
Anti-inflammatory effect of the ethanolic extract from Bowdichia virgilioides H.B.K stem bark
Authors: Barros Wander M. , Rao Vietla S.N. , Silva Regilane M. , Lima Joaquim C.S. , Martins Domingos T.O.
Published: September 2010

Bowdichia virgilioides H.B.K stem bark (Fabaceae), locally known as "sucupira-preta", is a reputed folk-remedy to treat some inflammatory disorders. To validate its traditional claim, the ethanolic extract from B. virgilioides was evaluated in several animal models of inflammation and nociception. The extract at oral doses of 100 to 1000 mg/kg body weight caused a significant inhibition of carrageenan-induced hind paw oedema, suppression of exudate volume and leukocyte immigration in rat pleurisy induced by carrageenan, and reduction of granuloma weights in the model of subcutaneous granulomas promoted by cotton pellets. In addition, the plant extract significantly inhibited the vascular permeability increase induced by intraperitoneal acetic acid. It also showed marked antinociceptive effect in acetic acid-induced writhing test and in the second phase of formalin test in mice. These findings evidence the anti-inflammatory potential of Bowdichia virgilioides bark and supports its traditional use in inflammatory conditions.
Primary and secondary thickening in the stem of Cordyline fruticosa (Agavaceae)
Authors: Cattai Marina B. , Menezes Nanuza L. de
Published: September 2010

The growth in thickness of monocotyledon stems can be either primary, or primary and secondary. Most of the authors consider this thickening as a result of the PTM (Primary Thickening Meristem) and the STM (Secondary Thickening Meristem) activity. There are differences in the interpretation of which meristem would be responsible for primary thickening. In Cordyline fruticosa the procambium forms two types of vascular bundles: collateral leaf traces (with proto and metaxylem and proto and metaphloem), and concentric cauline bundles (with metaxylem and metaphloem). The procambium also forms the pericycle, the outermost layer of the vascular cylinder consisting of smaller and less intensely colored cells that are divided irregularly to form new vascular bundles. The pericycle continues the procambial activity, but only produces concentric cauline bundles. It was possible to conclude that the pericycle is responsible for the primary thickening of this species. Further away from the apex, the pericyclic cells undergo periclinal divisions and produce a meristematic layer: the secondary thickening meristem. The analysis of serial sections shows that the pericycle and STM are continuous in this species, and it is clear that the STM originates in the pericycle.The endodermis is acknowledged only as the innermost layer of the cortex.
Last millennium environmental changes and climate inferences in the Southeastern Atlantic forest, Brazil
Authors: Pessenda Luiz C.R. , Saia Soraya E.M.G. , Gouveia Susy E.M. , Ledru Marie-Pierre , Sifeddine Abdelfettah , Amaral Paula G.C. , Bendassolli José A.
Published: September 2010

This study presents paleoenvironmental data based on pollen, elemental and isotopic compositions of organic matter (TOC, N, d13C and d15N) and 14C dating of 170 cm lake sediment record. Samplings have been made in Lagoa Grande at Parque Estadual Turístico do Alto Ribeira - PETAR, Southern São Paulo State, Southeastern Brazil. The variations in relative frequencies (in percentage) of arboreal pollen along the core range between 40 and 80%. The d13C values ranged from -23‰ to -30‰ and C/N of ~10 to 15, indicating the contribution of terrestrial C3 plants and algae in the sediment organic matter. The d15N results presented values from 3 to 4.5‰, also suggesting a mixture of algae and terrestrial C3 plants. The 14C dating indicates modern age for the shallow horizons to ~1030 BP at the base of the core. A probable wetter climate in the period of ~370 BP to ~340 BP was inferred from the data set, which corresponds to a part of the period covered by the Little Ice Age (LIA).
In vitro antimalarial activity and cytotoxicity of some selected cuban medicinal plants
Authors: Valdés Aymé Fernández-Calienes , Martínez Judith Mendiola , Lizama Ramón Scull , Gaitén Yamilet Gutiérrez , Rodríguez Deyanira Acuña , Payrol Juan Abreu
Published: September 2010

Terrestrial plants have been demonstrated to be sources of antimalarial compounds. In Cuba, little is known about antimalarial potentials of plant species used as medicinals. For that reason, we evaluated the antimalarial activity of 14 plant species used in Cuba as antimalarial, antipyretic and/or antiparasitic. Hydroalcoholic extracts were prepared and tested in vitro for the antimalarial activity against Plasmodium falciparum Ghana strain and over human cell line MRC-5 to determine cytotoxicity. Parasite multiplication was determined microscopically by the direct count of Giemsa stained parasites. A colorimetric assay was used to quantify cytotoxicity. Nine extracts showed IC50 values lower than 100 µg/mL against P. falciparum, four extracts were classified as marginally active (SI < 4), one as partially active (Parthenium hysterophorus) exhibiting SI equal to 6.2 and two extracts as active (Bambusa vulgaris and Punica granatum), showing SI > 10. B. vulgaris showed the most potent and specific antiplasmodial action (IC50 = 4.7 µg/mL, SI = 28.9). Phytochemical characterization of active extracts confirmed the presence of triterpenoids in B. vulgaris and polar compounds with phenol free groups and fluorescent metabolites in both extracts as major phytocompounds, by thin layer chromatography. In conclusion, antimalarial use of B. vulgaris and P. hysterophorus was validated. B. vulgaris and P. granatum extracts were selected for follow-up because of their strong antimalarial activity.
Heteronomia e imputabilidade na fundamentação da metafísica dos costumes
Authors: Pavão Aguinaldo
Published: September 2010

Pretendo discutir o modo como Kant relaciona os conceitos de liberdade e moralidade na FMC. Neste livro, Kant afirma que "vontade livre e vontade submetida a leis morais são uma e mesma coisa" (FMC III: § 2/BA 98). Aparentemente apenas a vontade autônoma seria livre, não restando outra alternativa que não seja assimilar a vontade heterônoma à necessidade natural. Essa conseqüência provocaria certamente um embargo da imputabilidade das ações imorais. Quero defender que, embora Kant tenha obscurecido as distinções entre vontade livre e vontade moral, se nos ativermos à analise do conceito de vontade em FMC II: § 12 (BA 36-37), poderemos defender que não apenas a autonomia, mas também a heteronomia é livremente escolhida, tornando inteligível, assim, a imputabilidade dos atos imorais. Sustento, portanto, que é possível, apesar das ambigüidades de Kant, pensar a imputabilidade moral a partir de recursos conceituais internos à Fundamentação. Desse modo, não será necessário invocar a distinção entre Wille e Willkür desenvolvida na MC, nem mesmo outras obras para dar conta deste problema.
A importância da ordem Ciconiiformes na cadeia epidemiológica de Salmonella spp. para a saúde pública e a conservação da diversidade biológica
Authors: Silva Marcio A. , Marvulo Maria F.V. , Mota Rinaldo A. , Silva Jean C.R.
Published: September 2010

A diversidade biológica é representada por todas as unidades da natureza e sua conservação diz respeito à sobrevivência da própria espécie humana. Uma das ameaças à sua conservação são as doenças infecciosas que afetam a fauna, dentre as quais se podee incluir a salmonelose como uma das mais importantes, especialmente para a avifauna. Aves de topo de cadeia alimentar como os Ciconiiformes podem ser potenciais reservatórios e disseminadores da Salmonella spp. para outras espécies silvestres e também para populações humanas e animais domésticos, podendo causar prejuízos à saúde pública e ao meio ambiente. Objetivou-se descrever a infecção ou doença por Salmonella sp., o seu agente etiológico e sua ocorrência em Ciconiiformes, bem como demonstrar a importância destas aves na cadeia epidemiológica silvestre desta zoonose, verificando os riscos para a saúde pública e para a conservação da diversidade biológica.
Influência do laser arseneto de gálio-alumínio em feridas cutâneas de ratos
Authors: Gonçalves Reggiani Vilela , Sousa Natanael Teixeira Alves de , Silva Pedro Henrique , Barbosa Fabiano Sousa , Neves Clóvis Andrade
Published: September 2010

OBJETIVO: O presente estudo avaliou o efeito do laser arseneto de gálio-alumínio (GaAsAl) 830nm (30j/cm²) e da pomada Dersani® no processo cicatricial cutâneo de ratos wistar, em relação à proliferação fibroblástica e revascularização. MATERIAIS E MÉTODOS: Foram utilizados 18 ratos wistar adultos jovens, machos, com peso médio de 324 g, provenientes do Biotério do Centro de Ciências Biológicas da Universidade Federal de Viçosa. Foram feitas cinco feridas de 12 mm no dorso dos animais utilizando bisturi. Os animais foram divididos aleatoriamente em três grupos, cada grupo com seis animais: Grupo 1: Controle - os animais tiveram a ferida tratada com salina, Grupo 2: Feridas tratados com laser GaAsAl (830nm) 30J/cm² e Grupo 3: Feridas tratadas com Dersani®. As aplicações foram feitas diariamente durante 20 dias de experimento. O material para análise histológica foi corado com hematoxilina-eosina (HE), fotografados e analisados por meio do programa Image Pro-plus®, por contagem de pontos sob células de interesse. RESULTADOS: Foi observado maior número de fibroblastos nos grupos tratados com o laser GaAsAl e com a pomada Dersani®, quando comparados ao controle no quarto dia do experimento. No entanto, no oitavo dia o grupo tratado com laser apresentou um número significativamente menor de fibroblastos, quando comparado ao controle e ao Dersani®. Em relação à revascularização foi observada diferença significativa entre o laser e o Dersani® no oitavo dia de experimento, em que o Dersani® se mostrou mais efetivo na formação de vasos sanguíneos. CONCLUSÃO: O grupo tratado com o laser GaAsAl no quarto dia aumentou significativamente a quantidade de fibroblastos quando comparado ao controle.
Ação da TENS acupuntural em acupontos na dor induzida pela hipotermia local (0-2º C)
Authors: Montenegro Eduardo José Nepomuceno , Albuquerque Nathália Bayma de , Mariz Larissa Melo Rodrigues de , Costa Rita de Cássia da Silva , Montarroyos Camila Soares , Motta Mauricy Alves da
Published: September 2010

INTRODUÇÃO: A dor é um fenômeno multidimensional que dificulta o desenvolvimento das atividades cotidianas. A aplicação de estimulação elétrica nervosa transcutânea (transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation - TENS) está entre uma das modalidades mais usadas para o tratamento da dor. OBJETIVO: O objetivo deste estudo foi verificar se a TENS acupuntural (baixa frequência) influencia a dor aguda produzida pela hipotermia local em indivíduos saudáveis, quando os eletrodos estão localizados nos acupontos TA5 e CS6 e na aplicação placebo. MÉTODOS: Trinta e dois voluntários, de ambos os gêneros, foram alocados, aleatoriamente, nos grupos TENS e placebo. O estudo consistiu em três momentos: hipotermia sem eletroanalgesia, hipotermia com eletroanalgesia ou placebo, e hipotermia pós-eletroanalgesia ou placebo, para avaliar o efeito da TENS e do placebo na latência do limiar de dor e na intensidade da dor. RESULTADOS: Os resultados mostraram que a latência do limiar de dor aumenta significativamente quando comparados os momentos antes e depois do uso da TENS, enquanto o grupo placebo não mostrou significância entre seus ciclos de experimentação. A intensidade da dor não sofreu influencia da TENS e do placebo. CONCLUSÃO: Nossos resultados sugerem que a TENS acupuntural aplicada sobre a área dos acupontos TA5 e CS6 é eficaz em aumentar a latência do limiar de dor, mas não interfere na intensidade da dor.
Cytotoxicity of latex and non-latex orthodontic elastomeric ligatures on L929 mouse fibroblasts
Authors: Santos Rogério Lacerda dos , Pithon Matheus Melo , Martins Fernanda Otaviano , Romanos Maria Teresa Villela , Ruellas Antônio Carlos de Oliveira
Published: September 2010

This study investigated the cytotoxicity exists between latex and non-latex Orthodontic elastomeric ligatures. Six elastomeric ligatures (1 latex, 2 latex-free and 3 polyurethane) from different manufacturers were divided into 6 groups of 15 elastics each: A (Latex-free, American Orthodontics), M (Polyurethane, Morelli), G (Polyurethane,GAC International), Te (Polyurethane, Tecnident), TP (Natural latex,TP Orthodontics) and U (Latex-free,3M Unitek). The cytotoxicity assay was performed using cell cultures (L929 mouse fibroblast cell line), which were subjected to the cell viability test with neutral red ("dye-uptake") at 1, 2, 3, 7 and 28 days. Data were analyzed statistically by ANOVA and Tukey's test (α=0.05). No statistically significant differences (p>0.05) were observed between Groups M and Te in all experimental periods, except at 2 days. No significant differences (p>0.05) in cell viability were found either among Groups A, G, TP and U or between Groups M and Te at 24 h or among Groups CC, A, G, TP and U at 2 and 28 days. It may be concluded that latex-free elastomeric ligatures from American Orthodontics and Unitek trademarks induced less cell lysis compared to latex and polyurethane ligatures.