bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Nurse Practitioner Home-Based Primary Care: A Model for the Care of Frail Elders
Authors: Auer Patricia , Nirenberg Anita
Published: January 2009

Growing numbers of frail older adults find it increasingly difficult to leave their homes in order to access health care. Primary care providers in the home-based setting must have expertise in chronic illness management, illness and injury prevention, and quality-of-life care. The doctor of nursing practice brings specific competencies and nursing background to the role of primary care provider and is therefore the ideal health professional to provide primary care to frail elders in this setting. Further research is needed to determine the cost-effectiveness of home-based primary care and its effect on caregiver stress.
The use of alternative water sources on urban playing fields: are they acceptable from a community stance?
Authors: Schwecke M. A. , Simmons B.
Published: January 2009

Many cities in Australia are experiencing the effects of the current drought. This drought has illustrated the unsustainable nature of the Australian community's water consumption patterns. In order to change this unsustainable water consumption the community needs to be aware of and encouraged to make use of alternative water sources. This paper draws upon a series of community questionnaires conducted with people who live adjacent to playing fields and golf courses within the Manly Local Government Area, inside the Sydney Metropolitan Area. The questionnaires explored the communities’ attitudes towards and awareness of the use of alternative water sources on public and private recreational land. Using results from the questionnaires this paper outlines the community's attitudes towards the necessity to use alternative water sources. It also examines the need the community has to be assured that this water does not present a hazard to public health or the environment. Through development of an understanding of community attitudes and awareness, local government and relevant authorities can implement water reuse projects with support from the community.
Antibacterial Activity and Physical Properties of Glass-ionomer Cements Containing Antibiotics
Authors: Yesilyurt C. , Er K. , Tasdemir T. , Buruk K. , Celik D.
Published: January 2009

Clinical Relevance

The incorporation of low quantity antibiotics into glass-ionomer cement can be effective for use with the ART approach.
Does Adhesive Thickness Affect Resin-dentin Bond Strength After Thermal/Load Cycling?
Authors: Lodovici E. , Reis A. , Geraldeli S. , Ferracane J. L. , Ballester R. Y. , Filho L. E. R.
Published: January 2009

Clinical Relevance

The application of an extra coat of hydrophobic, solvent-free bonding resin, designed to act as an intermediate flexible layer, was not able to minimize the damage caused by thermal/mechanical load cycling in low C-factor cavities.
Influence of Oversized Dowel Space Preparation on the Bond Strengths of FRC Posts
Authors: Schmage P. , Pfeiffer P. , Pinto E. , Platzer U. , Nergiz I.
Published: January 2009

Clinical Relevance

Build-up composites could not fulfil the expectations to bond an FRC post into wide dowel spaces with the same bond strength as a precisely fitting FRC post.
Suboptimal Fault Tolerant Control Design with the Use of Discrete Optimization
Authors: Kowalczuk Zdzisław , Oliński Krzysztof
Published: January 2009

Suboptimal Fault Tolerant Control Design with the Use of Discrete Optimization

This paper presents a concept of designing fault tolerant control systems with the use of suboptimal methods. We assume that a given (nonlinear) dynamical process is described in a state space. The method consists in searching (at the off-line stage) for a trajectory of operational points of the system state space. The sought trajectory can be constrained by certain conditions, which can express faults or failures already detected. Within this approach, we are able to use the autonomous dynamics of the process in order to minimize a control cost index (a sub-optimality property). The search itself is based on finding a cheapest path in a graph structure, which represents the system's dynamics described in the state space. Such a cheapest path (if it exists) represents the sought trajectory. Another (on-line) design stage consists in tracking this trajectory by an executive controller.
Inheritance of Sensitivity to Fenthion in Resistant and Susceptible to Bacterial Speck (Pseudomonas syringae pv. tomato) Tomato Genotypes
Authors: Kozik Elżbieta , Sobiczewski Piotr
Published: January 2009

Inheritance of Sensitivity to Fenthion in Resistant and Susceptible to Bacterial Speck (Pseudomonas syringae pv. tomato) Tomato Genotypes

In developing bacterial speck (Pseudomonas syringae pv. tomato) resistant cultivars the reaction of tomato plants to fenthion (Lebaycid 50EC) can be used as an indicator in differentiation between resistant and susceptible genotypes. The presence of concentric light brown necrotic lesions on tomato leaves after spraying with Lebaycid 50EC corresponds with resistance to this disease. The method appeared to be simple, reliable and useful in tomato breeding program. Genetic analysis in F1, F2 and backcross segregation populations generated from crosses cv. Ontario 7710 (sensitive) and A100 (insensitive) indicated that sensitivity to fenthion in tomato is governed by one completely dominant gene Fen.
Phytotoxicity and potential genotoxicity of Radiowo municipal landfill leachate
Authors: Obidoska Grażyna , Jasińska Dorota
Published: January 2009

Phytotoxicity and potential genotoxicity of Radiowo municipal landfill leachate

Phytotoxicity and potential genotoxicity of Radiowo municipal landfill leachate. The most common method of municipal solid waste disposal is storing at landfills. Many hazardous substances are present in garbage and some more are formed during degradation. They may be assimilated by numerous organisms, pass through the food chain and bioaccumulate by long-term exposure in animals and humans. Therefore it seems an important tusk to monitor the toxic and genotoxic potential of municipal landfill leachates, which may contaminate waters and soils. Higher plants provide a very useful, uncomplicated and inexpensive tool for first-step screening of environmental pollutants. The objective of our study was to evaluate the phytotoxicity and potential genotoxicity of Radiowo municipal landfill leachate by the means of plant bioassays and to preliminary valuate the efficiency of zeolite as a leachate purifier. Phytotoxicity was assessed by the Allium cepa Root Elongation Bioassay and genotoxicity by the means of Allium and Vicia Root Tip Assays (RTA). Results were subjected to the F-test for the two way analysis of variance (ANOVA 2) and subsequently the Tukey's test, with statistical significance set at p = 0.05. Applied plant bioassays indicated significant phytotoxicity and potential genotoxicity of Radiowo landfill leachate The process of zeolite filtration did not eliminate, but evidently decreased phytotoxicity. It did not cause significant change in genotoxic potential of 100% leachate, but resulted in its more rapid decrease in a concentration dependent manner.
The flood extent in the lower Biebrza basin calculated by the 1D flow model for different land use scenarios
Authors: Szporak Sylwia , Mirosław-Świątek Dorota , Chormański Jarosław
Published: January 2009

The flood extent in the lower Biebrza basin calculated by the 1D flow model for different land use scenarios

The flood extent in the lower Biebrza basin calculated by the 1D flow model for different land use scenarios. An application of an steady 1D flow model for determination of a flood extent in the natural river valley is discussed in this paper. The Pasche method was used to calculate the total Darcy-Weisbach friction factor for each cross section according to the type of vegetation and flow interaction between the main channel and vegetated areas. In this approach friction caused by interaction between the main channel and vegetated areas are taken into account. The model was applied to the Biebrza Valley, fairly undisturbed river-marginal peatland, located in the north-east of Poland. Actual land use carried out in the National Park was analyzed to determine the influence of changes in the vegetation structure on the flood extent in the river valley. The obtained results show variation of a flooded area in relation to the vegetation of the floodplain.
The uncertainty of the water flow velocity data obtained in the laboratory test
Authors: Malinowska Edyta , Sas Wojciech , Szymański Alojzy
Published: January 2009

The uncertainty of the water flow velocity data obtained in the laboratory test

The uncertainty of the water flow velocity data obtained in the laboratory test. Some of the engineering constructions are significant for the environment and flood protection. There are dams for water retention as well as waste tailings dams and road embankments founded on organic soils. Constructions on soft organic soils make it necessary to calculate subsoil deformations with a special regard of the water flow. In this thesis, the approach of the water flow test in soft organic soils is presented. In the permeability test the modern flow-pump technique was applied. This technique takes into consideration organic fiber structure, large soil strain, short time of research and "real" hydraulic gradients appearing in situ. The specific behavior of soft subsoil demands to calculate the test reliability results. Therefore in the statistical analysis of the test results the suitable statistical method and the proper laboratory technique should be used. Several statistical models have been applied to the flow pump test results in order to find the correct description of water flow velocity in soft subsoil.
The use of resistivity and seismic cone penetration tests for site characterization
Authors: Lech Mariusz , Bajda Marek , Markowska-Lech Katarzyna
Published: January 2009

The use of resistivity and seismic cone penetration tests for site characterization

The use of resistivity and seismic cone penetration tests for site characterization. Recent application of cone penetration tests to geotechnical and environmental site characterization has generated a wide collection of new sensors. This paper presents methods of interpreting geotechnical in situ investigations carried out by electrical resistivity (RCPT) and seismic (SCPT) cones. It contains some fundamental equations and the description of in situ electrical resistivity and shear wave velocity measurements and presents the results of SCPT and RCPT investigations at the experimental Stegny site in Warsaw. The aim of the paper is to present the approach to determination of shear wave velocity and porosity of clayey soils. According to the test results obtained, it can be concluded that both applied techniques are very useful to estimate the distribution of clay deposits and some of their geotechnical parameters.
Beurling’s Theorem and $L^p$−$L^q$ Morgan’s Theorem for Step Two Nilpotent Lie Groups
Authors: Parui Sanjay , Sarkar Rudra P.
Published: January 2009

We prove Beurling’s theorem and

L^p

−

L^q

Morgan’s theorem for step two nilpotent Lie groups. These two theorems together imply a group of uncertainty theorems.
Vector Valued Hyperfunctions and Boundary Values of Vector Valued Harmonic and Holomorphic Functions
Authors: Domański Paweł , Langenbruch Michael
Published: January 2009

We develop the theory of hyperfunctions with values in a locally convex nonnecessarily metrizable space
E
and ﬁnd necessary conditions and sufficient conditions such that a reasonable theory of
E
-valued hyperfunctions exists. In particular, we show that it exists for various spaces of distributions but there is no such theory for the spaces of real analytic functions and distributions with compact support. We also show that vector valued hyperfunctions can be interpreted as boundary values of vector valued harmonic or holomorphic functions and, in many cases, as suitable cohomology groups.
The Action of the Steenrod Algebra on the Cohomology of $p$-Compact Groups
Authors: Hemmi Yutaka , Nishinobu Hirokazu , Ogi Kuniyuki
Published: January 2009

In the present paper, we determine the action of the Steenrod operations on the cohomology of simply connected

p

-compact groups with no

p

-torsion in the integral homologies for an odd prime

p

. To do so we study simple simply connected

p

-compact groups since any simply connected

p

-compact group with no

p

-torsion in the integral homology is a product of such

p

-compact groups.
Morphological Study of Length, Breadth and Thickness of the Ovary at Different Age Group in Bangladeshi People
Authors: Ahmed Md Shibbir , Khalil Mohsin , Rahman Md Babibur , Mannan Sabina , Sultana Seheli Zannat , Ara Zubaida Gulshan , Rahman M Mahbubur
Published: January 2009

The morphological study was done to see length, breadth and thickness of the ovary in different age group of Bangladeshi people to increase the knowledge regarding variational anatomy in our population. Sixty two postmortem tissue block containing ovary and fallopian tube along with surrounding structures were collected from 62 female cadavers of different age groups and fixed in 10% formol saline solution. Gross & fine dissections were carried out to study these morphological parameters of ovary in different age group. In the present study, findings were compared with the finding of other researchers.In this study the mean length of ovary was maximum in found in group C (46-80 years) 4.32cm and minimum was found in group A (2-13 years) 2.81cm of both side. The mean breadth of ovary was maximum in group C 2.01cm and minimum was in group A 1.38cm. The mean thickness of ovary maximum was in group C 0.971cm and minimum was in group A 0.682cm of both sides. In statistical analyses significant difference between two groups was calculated by using students ‘t' test. A difference between two groups was considered to be significant when p
Leptin and Other Factors as Determinants of Insulin Secretion and Sensitivity in Bangladeshi Type 2 Diabetic Subjects
Authors: Roy Manindra Nath , Akter Salima , Jafarulla Mohammad , Mollah Forhadul Hoque , Saha Ajanta Rani , Ali Liaquat
Published: January 2009

Background: The relative contribution of insulin secretion and sensitivity in the development of Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) vary from population to population due to the heterogeneous nature of the disease. The study was undertaken to evaluate insulin secretory capacity and sensitivity in a Bangladeshi Type 2 diabetic population and to explore the association of some of the anthropometric and biochemical factors known to modulate B-cell function and insulin action. Methods: Ninety one T2DM subjects and 32 age-matched controls were studied for their fasting plasma glucose (FPG), lipids, HbA1c (by HPLC), leptin and C-peptide (ELISA). Insulin secretion (HOMA B) and insulin sensitivity (HOMA S) were calculated by homeostasis model assessment (HOMA). Results: Both insulin secretion and sensitivity were significantly reduced in diabetic as compared to control (HOMA B%, geometric meanÂ±SD, 35.65Â±1.75 vs. 96.29Â±1.50, p < 0.001; HOMA S%, 68.66Â±1.71 vs. 104.951.63, p < 0.001). However, B-cell dysfunction was predominant than insulin resistance in predicting T2DM as the discriminate function coefficient for HOMA B (1.098) was greater than that for HOMA S (0.821). In T2DM, HOMA B had positive correlation with BMI (r=0.368, p < 0.001) and HOMA S was inversely correlated to BMI (r=-0.261, p < 0.01), WHR (r=-0.258, p < 0.01) and plasma TG (r=-0.233, p < 0.001). On multiple regression analysis HOMA B and HOMA S were found to be inversely associated to FPG (p < 0.001) and leptin (p < 0.05) in T2DM. Conclusions: Both insulin secretory dysfunction and insulin resistance are present in Bangladeshi T2DM subjects, but B-cell failure seems to be the predominant abnormality. BMI, plasma glucose, insulin and leptin are the major determinants of insulin secretory capacity and generalized as well as central obesity, plasma glucose, triglycerides, insulin and leptin are among the major determinants of insulin sensitivity in this population. Key Words: Leptin, Insulin, Diabetes Â  doi: 10.3329/jbsp.v3i0.1786 J Bangladesh Soc Physiol. 2008 Dec;(3):1-7.
What We Know About Cardiac Function of Our Retired People
Authors: Khan AKM Hafiz Uddin , Latif Shah Abdul
Published: January 2009

Background: Bangladesh is one of the twenty countries in the world with the largest elderly populations, and by 2025, along with four other Asian countries, will account for 44% of world's total elderly population. This rapidly increasing population is a new and important group in terms of social and health policy in the country. As retired geriatric population is increasing day by day and there is a striking increase in their life expectancy and age is a key risk factor for coronary artery disease and because morbidity and mortality from coronary artery diseases increase with age. so evaluation of the cardiac function of retired persons are essential.Objective: To analyze the cardiovascular function of retired geriatric population in terms of measurement of ejection fraction by echocardiography.Design: This was a cross-sectional study.Participants: 70 Retired persons aged 57 years and above without known hypertension, diabetes, renal diseases as study group and 70 healthy adult aged 18-55 years as control group were included in this study. All were obtained from different areas of greater Mymensingh districts of Bangladesh.Intervention: Ejection fraction by echocardiography.Out come measures: Ejection fraction fraction %.Results: Significant decrease of ejection fraction was found in the study group( 57 years and above) in comparison to control group.(P < 0.01) The mean ejection fraction in different age group shows that there is decrease in ejection fraction of study groups than the control groups irrespective of age.Limitation: There was scarcity of Echocardiography at Mymensingh Medical College Hospital. Color doppler echocardiograph was poorly available at the present settings. So diastolic function can not be assessed.Conclusion: Though the mean ejection fraction value was significantly decreased in 57 years and above, which was progressively decreased by age, yet nearly all the values(2.72%) were within normal physiological limits. So, it seems that the retired geriatric population was having good cardiac function in our setting. Key Words : Retirement, Geriatric, Ejection fraction, Echocardiography Â Â Â  doi: 10.3329/jbsp.v3i0.1789 Â Â  J Bangladesh Soc Physiol.2008 Dec;(3):17-22.
Serum Immunoglobulin-G Level In Children With Respiratory Tract Infection
Authors: Akhter Salma , Begum Noorzahan
Published: January 2009

Introduction- Acute respiratory tract infection is one of the important cause of death in children under 5 years of age in developing countries. Perhaps they have a reduced immunologic capacity. Objectives- To observe the serum IgG level in the children suffering from respiratory tract infection in order to evaluate the immunity status in this group of population. Study design- This cross-sectional study was conducted in the Department of Physiology, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU), Shahbagh, Dhaka from January to December 2001.Total 60 children age ranged from 3-5 years of both sexes were included in this study. Of them 30 apparently healthy children were considered as control and 30 children suffering from respiratory tract infection were considered as study group and further subdivided into 2 subgroups on the basis of presence of type of RTI. Group B1 consisted of 15 children with acute attack and B2 with recurrent attack. Method: Serum imunoglobulin G level of all the children were measured by Radial Immuno diffusion Method. Datawere analyzed by unpaired t test. Result- The mean (Â±SE) of serum IgG levels were 10.17Â±0.37, 10.05Â± 0.40 and 10.01Â± 0.52 g/l in control group and two study subgroups respectively. The data were almost similar in all the groups and no statistically significant (p > 0.05) differences were observed. Conclusion - This study reveals that there was no involvement of the IgG status with acute and recurrent respiratory tract infections in the children. Keywords - Children, Respiratory tract infection, Immunoglobulin G. Â Â  doi: 10.3329/jbsp.v3i0.1798 J Bangladesh Soc Physiol.2008 Dec;(3):55-57.
Cultural and Health Management Practices of the Garo Community of Bangladesh: A Case Study of the Garos of Greater Mymensingh District
Authors: Sarker Md Moklesur Rahman , Ghani Abdul
Published: January 2009

An extensive survey study was carried out on different aspects of health management practices of the Garo communities in Bangladesh to assess their actual present health status. The study was carried out on 1205 respondents out of 40,173 total Garo people of the study area of greater Mymensingh district. The study revealed that Garos enjoy a better health status than the common Bengali community. It was also observed that traditional cultural practices have great influence on the health management of the Garos. Many of the Garos think that diseases result from the dissatisfaction of the gods and goddesses or curses of the evil spirits. Thus they sacrifice animals to please the spirits to get relief of their diseases. Almost all the Garos use water from tube well (53.69%) or puller pump (44.81%) for drinking, bathing and cleaning purposes. Every family has a latrine. Almost everybody is concerned about regular dental care and half of the Garos are concerned about family planning. Garos eat a wider variety of foods including numerous natural plants as vegetables, some of which have medicinal values. Traditionally Garos are fond of drinking wine, prepared from boiled rice. The study also revealed that the Garos are generally less attacked by diseases than the common Bengali people. This may be attributed to their better living environment, food habits, cleanliness, hard work in the fields and sufficient rest after work and, after all, consciousness about health and diseases. But yet, diseases are quite common in this community; the most common one being Malaria. Most of the Garos take treatment from their traditional health practitioners although treatment of modern Allopathic system is available in the local Christian hospitals. About 55.68% of the Garos expressed their firm faith on their traditional treatment systems. In spite of some superstitions about diseases and health, the overall health status of the Garos is comparatively better than the majority of the mainland Bengali community. Key Words: Garo community, Garo culture, Health management practices, Traditional healers Â Â Â  doi:10.3329/sjps.v1i1.1783 S. J. Pharm. Sci. 1(1&2): 29-37
Conditions for partial nitrification in biofilm reactors and a kinetic explanation
Authors: Pérez Julio , Costa Engràcia , Kreft Jan‐Ulrich
Published: January 2009

Nitrification is a two‐step process in which ammonia is incompletely oxidized by ammonia‐oxidizing bacteria or archaea (AOB) to nitrite, which is then further oxidized to nitrate by nitrite‐oxidizing bacteria (NOB). Literature reports show that segregation of initially coexisting ammonia and nitrite oxidizing populations co‐immobilized in gel cubes and cultured in a set‐up with three reactors in series (without recirculation) is attained. In those studies NOB were present and nitrite was oxidized mainly in the last reactor. We developed a mathematical model for immobilized biomass that allows for one‐dimensional gradients of metabolites and changes of porosity within the gel due to growth. The model reproduced the experimentally observed compartmentalization under the conditions used by Noto et al. (Noto et al., 1998. Water Res 32(3): 769– 773), using standard kinetic parameters of nitrifying bacteria including free ammonia inhibition of AOB and NOB. The model predicted compartmentalization when the ammonium load was sufficiently high and liquid phase mixing sufficiently limited (close to plug‐flow). Modeling results demonstrated that inhibition of NOB by free ammonia did not substantially contribute to the compartmentalization in biofilm reactors. Additional simulations identified the higher oxygen affinity of AOB as the key parameter leading to compartmentalization (i.e., partial nitrification) in artificial and natural biofilms since they enable the formation of oxygen gradients. As a result, a tendency for compartmentalization was found even at equal competitiveness. Biotechnol. Bioeng. 2009;103: 282–295. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Secondary follicle growth and oocyte maturation by culture in alginate hydrogel following cryopreservation of the ovary or individual follicles
Authors: Xu Min , Banc Anna , Woodruff Teresa K. , Shea Lonnie D.
Published: January 2009

An option for fertility preservation for women facing a cancer diagnosis involves the cryopreservation of ovarian tissue for later re‐transplantation or in vitro culture, with in vitro culture preferred to avoid reintroduction of the cancer. Small, immature follicles survive the freeze‐thaw process, and can be matured through in follicle maturation (IFM) that involves an initial growth of the follicle and subsequent maturation of the oocyte. The ovarian tissue can be cryopreserved in two forms: (i) cortical strips consisting of follicles and surrounding stroma (Cryo‐Ov) or (ii) individually isolated follicles (Cryo‐In). The aim of this study was to assess the follicle growth and oocyte maturation for follicles that were cryopreserved either as strips or individually using a slow‐freezing cryopreservation method. The two follicle groups, together with non‐cryopreserved control follicles, were grown in an alginate‐based three‐dimensional culture system for 12 days. The overall survival, size increase and antrum formation rates were comparable among the three groups. At day 12 of culture, Androstenedione levels were decreased in the Cryo‐Ov group relative to the other two, and the ratio of progesterone to estradiol was increased in the two cryopreserved groups relative to the control. Both Gja1 (known as connexin 43) and Gja4 (known as connexin 37) mRNA expression were decreased at day 6 in the cryopreserved groups relative to controls, and by day 12, Gja1 was similar for all three groups. Moreover, Cryo‐In resulted in lower GVBD rate indicating some impaired oocyte development. Overall, the present study demonstrated that mouse preantral follicles, either within ovarian tissues or individually isolated, could be successfully cryopreserved by the slow‐freezing method, as evidenced by post‐thaw follicle development and steroidgenesis, oocyte maturation and molecular markers for oocyte and/or granulosa cells connection. Biotechnol. Bioeng. 2009;103: 378–386. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Grafting of antibacterial polymers on stainless steel via surface‐initiated atom transfer radical polymerization for inhibiting biocorrosion by Desulfovibrio desulfuricans
Authors: Yuan S.J. , Xu F.J. , Pehkonen S.O. , Ting Y.P. , Neoh K.G. , Kang E.T.
Published: January 2009

To enhance the biocorrosion resistance of stainless steel (SS) and to impart its surface with bactericidal function for inhibiting bacterial adhesion and biofilm formation, well‐defined functional polymer brushes were grafted via surface‐initiated atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) from SS substrates. The trichlorosilane coupling agent, containing the alkyl halide ATRP initiator, was first immobilized on the hydroxylated SS (SS‐OH) substrates for surface‐initiated ATRP of (2‐dimethylamino)ethyl methacrylate (DMAEMA). The tertiary amino groups of covalently immobilized DMAEMA polymer or P(DMAEMA), brushes on the SS substrates were quaternized with benzyl halide to produce the biocidal functionality. Alternatively, covalent coupling of viologen moieties to the tertiary amino groups of P(DMAEMA) brushes on the SS surface resulted in an increase in surface concentration of quaternary ammonium groups, accompanied by substantially enhanced antibacterial and anticorrosion capabilities against Desulfovibrio desulfuricans in anaerobic seawater, as revealed by antibacterial assay and electrochemical studies. With the inherent advantages of high corrosion resistance of SS, and the good antibacterial and anticorrosion capabilities of the viologen‐quaternized P(DMAEMA) brushes, the functionalized SS is potentially useful in harsh seawater environments and for desalination plants. Biotechnol. Bioeng. 2009;103: 268–281. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Self‐renaturing enzymes: Design of an enzyme‐chaperone chimera as a new approach to enzyme stabilization
Authors: Bergeron Lisa M. , Gomez Lizabeth , Whitehead Timothy A. , Clark Douglas S.
Published: January 2009

Molecular chaperones in aqueous‐organic mixtures can broaden the utility of biocatalysis by stabilizing enzymes in denaturing conditions. We have designed a self‐renaturing enzyme‐chaperone chimera consisting of penicillin amidase and a thermophilic chaperonin that functions in aqueous‐organic mixtures. The flexible linker separating the enzyme and chaperone domains was optimized and the design was extended to incorporate a chitin binding domain to facilitate immobilization of the chimera to a chitin support. The initial specific activity of penicillin amidase was not compromised by the enzyme‐chaperone fusion or by immobilization. The total turnover number of immobilized chimera for amoxicillin synthesis in aqueous‐methanol mixtures was 2.8 times higher after 95 h than the total turnover number of the immobilized penicillin amidase lacking a chaperone domain. Similarly, in 32% methanol the soluble chimera was active for over three times longer than the enzyme alone. This approach could easily be extended to other enzyme systems. Biotechnol. Bioeng. 2009;102: 1316–1322. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Environmental strategies and green product development: an overview on sustainability‐driven companies
Authors: Albino Vito , Balice Azzurra , Dangelico Rosa Maria
Published: January 2009

To respond effectively and efficiently to the environmental sustainability challenge, an important role can be played by companies, through appropriate strategies and operations, such as green processes and product development. In this paper, we investigate whether the development of green products is supported by the environmental strategic approaches adopted by sustainability‐driven companies, and whether there are economic sector or geographical area specificities. To this purpose, first we develop a taxonomy of environmental strategies and we define measurable proxies for both the environmental strategic approaches identified and the green product development. Then, we study a sample represented by the companies included in the Dow Jones Sustainability World Index (DJSWI). The methodology used is based on the content analysis of companies' websites and relevant documents, such as environmental and sustainability reports. The main result is that the levels of adoption of different environmental strategic approaches are higher for green product developers than for green product non‐developers. Moreover, the most implemented strategic approaches for green product developers vary depending on the economic sector, while a more homogeneous behaviour is found from the geographical perspective. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and ERP Environment.
National culture, regulation and country interaction effects on the association of environmental management systems with environmentally beneficial innovation
Authors: Wagner Marcus
Published: January 2009

I address in a comparative perspective the question of whether environmental management systems and particular managerial activities to reduce negative environmental impacts have a positive influence on the probability of firms carrying out environmental innovations. Based on binary and multinomial discrete choice models, I study the relationship of a number of determinants to the occurrence of environmental innovations based on data from a survey carried out in 2001 in nine European states. I find evidence that environmental management systems are associated with process innovations, but that this is moderated by the interaction of environmental management system implementation with country location. I do not find that environmental management systems are associated with product innovations or that a moderating effect of country location exists. County‐specific national cultures and regulatory regimes moderate the association of environmental management system implementation with environmental product and process innovations, respectively. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and ERP Environment.
Design and realization of the cooperative work system based on equipments sharing
Authors: Yan Bo , Chen Yi‐Yun , Gui Shou‐Ping
Published: January 2009

With analysis on the necessity and functions of the equipments sharing platform and the cooperative work system for colleges and universities, this paper designs the cooperative work system to provide cooperative support for resource query and reservation. The system classifies users' resource application roles, divides users' application information into different cooperative grades, and provides a basis for users' cooperative work. Functions, authorization, page flow, operating methods, and relevant database table of cooperative roles are shown in detail. At the same time, the ASP system will be introduced into the system, and a special fee management system will be established for effective management of the system. Functions and page flow of the fee management system are also designed. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Comput Appl Eng Educ 17: 372–378, 2009; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com); DOI 10.1002/cae.20195
Cytotoxic Rhodium(III) and Iridium(III) Polypyridyl Complexes: Structure–Activity Relationships, Antileukemic Activity, and Apoptosis Induction
Authors: Dobroschke Mara , Geldmacher Yvonne , Ott Ingo , Harlos Melanie , Kater Lisa , Wagner Laura , Gust Ronald , Sheldrick William S. , Prokop Aram
Published: December 2008

Whereas the cytostatic agents mer‐[RhX3(DMSO)(pp)] (X=Cl, Br; pp=phen, dpq) are considerably more potent than their facial isomers, this order is reversed for the analogous kinetically more inert IrIII polypyridyl complexes. The complexes induce specific apoptotic cell death in leukemia and lymphoma cells via the intrinsic mitochondrial pathway and cause negligible necrotic damage.

magnified image

Meridional rhodium(III) polypyridyl complexes of the type mer‐[RhX3(DMSO)(pp)] (X=Cl, pp=phen 1, dpq 2, dppz 3; X=Br, pp=phen 4) represent a promising class of potent cytostatic agents for the treatment of lymphoma and leukemia. Exposure of their DMSO solutions to light leads to slow isomerization to mixtures of the mer and the generally less active fac isomers. As a result, the IC50 values of 1 and 2 toward HT‐29 cells increase from 0.19 and 0.069 μM on immediate use in the dark to 0.66 and 0.312 μM, respectively, after exposure of their DMSO stock solutions to light for 7 days. In striking contrast, the complexes mer‐[IrX3(DMSO)(phen)] (X=Cl 7, Br 8) are significantly less cytotoxic than their facial IrIII polypyridyl counterparts: IC50=20.3 μM for 7 and 4.6 μM for fac‐[IrCl3(DMSO)(phen)] 5 toward MCF‐7 cells. The IC50 values for the complexes fac‐[IrX3(L)(pp)] 9–13 decrease in the orders: a) Cl>Br for X and b) H2O>DMSO for L. Specific apoptotic cell death by DNA fragmentation was detected for leukemia (NALM‐6) and lymphoma (BJAB) cells after incubation with 2, 3, and 11 (X=Br, L=H2O, pp=phen) for 72 h. Loss of the mitochondrial membrane potential in lymphoma cells indicates that apoptosis is mediated via the intrinsic mitochondrial pathway. LDH release assays after 1 or 3 h demonstrate that necrotic damage is negligible.
Matrix‐free high‐resolution imaging mass spectrometry with high‐energy ion projectiles
Authors: Nakata Yoshihiko , Honda Yoshiro , Ninomiya Satoshi , Seki Toshio , Aoki Takaaki , Matsuo Jiro
Published: January 2009

The importance of imaging mass spectrometry (MS) for visualizing the spatial distribution of molecular species in biological tissues and cells is growing. We have developed a new system for imaging MS using MeV ion beams, termed MeV‐secondary ion mass spectrometry (MeV‐SIMS) here, and demonstrated more than 1000‐fold increase in molecular ion yield from a peptide sample (1154 Da), compared to keV ion irradiation. This significant enhancement of the molecular ion yield is attributed to electronic excitation induced in the near‐surface region by the impact of high energy ions. In addition, the secondary ion efficiency for biologically important compounds (>1 kDa) increased to more than 1010 cm−2, demonstrating that the current technique could, in principle, achieve micrometer lateral resolution. In addition to MeV‐SIMS, peptide compounds were also analyzed with cluster‐SIMS and the results indicated that in the former method the molecular ion yields increased substantially compared to the latter. To assess the capability of MeV‐SIMS to acquire heavy‐ion images, we have prepared a micropatterned peptide surface and successfully obtained mass spectrometric imaging of the deprotonated peptides (m/z 1153) without any matrix enhancement. The results obtained in this study indicate that the MeV‐SIMS technique can be a powerful tool for high‐resolution imaging in the mass range from 100 to over 1000 Da. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Characterisation of the phenolic and flavonoid fractions and antioxidant power of Italian honeys of different botanical origin
Authors: Pichichero Elena , Canuti Lorena , Canini Antonella
Published: January 2009

BACKGROUND: Twenty‐seven Italian honey samples of different floral origin were analysed for total phenolic and flavonoid contents by a spectrophotometric method and for antioxidant power and radical‐scavenging activity by the ferric‐reducing/antioxidant power (FRAP) and 1,1‐diphenyl‐2‐picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) assays respectively. In addition, the phenolic and flavonoid profiles were analysed using high‐performance liquid chromatography with UV detection (HPLC‐UV).

RESULTS: The results of this study showed that honey contains copious amounts of phenolics and flavonoids. HPLC‐UV analysis showed a similar qualitative polyphenolic profile for all honey samples analysed. The main difference among samples was in the contribution of individual analytes, which was affected by floral origin. Total phenolic and flavonoid contents varied from 60.50 to 276.04 mg gallic acid equivalent kg−1 and from 41.88 to 211.68 mg quercetin equivalent kg−1 respectively. The antioxidant capacity was high and differed widely among samples. The FRAP value varied from 1.265 to 4.396 mmol Fe2+ kg−1, while the radical‐scavenging activity expressed as DPPH‐IC50 varied from 7.08 to 64.09 mg mL−1. Correlations between the parameters analysed were found to be statistically significant (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSION: The present study shows that honey contains high levels of phenolics and flavonoids and that the distribution of these compounds is influenced by the honey's floral origin. Copyright © 2009 Society of Chemical Industry
Does brand social power mean market might? Exploring the influence of brand social power on brand evaluations
Authors: Crosno Jody L. , Freling Traci H. , Skinner Steven J.
Published: January 2009

The importance of brand equity has been recognized in the marketing literature for years. Although researchers generally agree there is a social component to brand equity, empirical work in this area stops short of exploring the brand's ability to exert a social influence on consumers and their choices. The present manuscript attempts to address this deficit and extend the brand equity literature by proposing a new construct—brand social power. Drawing from research on social influence and perceived power, five bases of brand social power are identified and a conceptual attempt is made to integrate brand social power with existing brand equity frameworks. The impact of brand social power is also examined empirically at the level of individual power bases, for overall brand social power, and in terms of brand equity. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Validation of the freezing of gait questionnaire in patients with Parkinson's disease
Authors: Giladi Nir , Tal Joseph , Azulay Tali , Rascol Oliver , Brooks David J. , Melamed Eldad , Oertel Wolfgang , Poewe Werner H. , Stocchi Fabrizio , Tolosa Eduardo
Published: January 2009

To revalidate the Freezing of Gait Questionnaire (FOG‐Q), patients with Parkinson's disease (PD) were randomly assigned to receive rasagiline (1 mg/day) (n = 150), entacapone (200 mg with each dose of levodopa) (n = 150), or placebo (n = 154). Patients were assessed at baseline and after 10 weeks using the FOG‐Q, Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS), Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), and Parkinson's Disease Questionnaire (PDQ‐39). FOG‐Q dimensionality, test–retest reliability, and internal reliability were examined. Convergent and divergent validities were assessed by correlating FOG‐Q with UPDRS, BDI, and PDQ‐39. Comparisons between FOG‐Q item 3 and UPDRS item 14 were also made. Principal component analysis indicated that FOG‐Q measures a single dimension. Test–retest reliability and internal reliability of FOG‐Q score was high. FOG‐Q was best correlated to items of the UPDRS relating to walking, general motor issues, and mobility. Correlations between baseline and endpoint suggested that FOG‐Q item 3 is at least as reliable as UPDRS item 14. At baseline, 85.9% of patients were identified as “Freezers” using FOG‐Q item 3 (≥1) and 44.1% using UPDRS item 14 (≥1) (P < 0.001). FOG‐Q was a reliable tool for the assessment of treatment intervention. FOG‐Q item 3 was effective as a screening question for the presence of FOG. © 2007 Movement Disorder Society
Genetic association study of the P‐type ATPase ATP13A2 in late‐onset Parkinson's disease
Authors: Rakovic Aleksandar , Stiller Barbara , Djarmati Ana , Flaquer Antonia , Freudenberg Jan , Toliat Mohammad‐Reza , Linnebank Michael , Kostic Vladimir , Lohmann Katja , Paus Sebastian , Nürnberg Peter , Kubisch Christian , Klein Christine , Wüllner Ullrich , Ramirez Alfredo
Published: December 2008

A role of ATP13A2 in early‐onset Parkinsonism (EOP) has been proposed. Conversely, the contribution of this ATPase to late‐onset Parkinson's disease (PD) remains unexplored. We therefore conducted a case–control association study in this age‐of‐onset group with PD. The initial sample was of German origin and consisted of 220 patients with late‐onset PD (mean age of onset 60.1 years) and 232 age‐matched unrelated controls. Five single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) covering ATP13A2 and its common haplotypes were genotyped. The overall association results in this sample were negative. Interestingly, gender stratification gave a positive result for SNP rs11203280 (PUNC = 0.016) in men. This result could not be reproduced in a replication sample of German and Serbian origin composed of 161 patients with late‐onset PD (mean age of onset 51.7 years) and 150 age‐ and ethnic‐matched controls. In conclusion, we found no consistent evidence for an association between ATP13A2 and late‐onset PD. © 2008 Movement Disorder Society
Improved asymmetry of gait in Parkinson's disease with DBS: Gait and postural instability in Parkinson's disease treated with bilateral deep brain stimulation in the subthalamic nucleus
Authors: Johnsen Erik L. , Mogensen Poul H. , Sunde Niels Aa. , Østergaard Karen
Published: December 2008

Postural instability is a sign of progression of Parkinson's disease (PD) and often resistant to levodopa treatment. To explore the effect of bilateral deep brain stimulation (DBS) of the subthalamic nucleus (STN) on postural stability and gait, full body gait analyses were performed without medication, OFF and ON DBS in eight PD patients and 12 healthy age‐matched controls. DBS setting was changed at least 3 hours before gait analysis. To describe asymmetry most and least affected sides (MAS and LAS) were rated with the Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale, motor part and quantitative gait analysis with the Vicon 612 gait analysis system. Stride length and gait velocity but not cadence improved ON DBS. The distances between the heel markers and center of mass (COM) were asymmetric and reduced OFF DBS. STN DBS increased the distances significantly and reduced asymmetry. The improvement in heel to COM distance was larger on the MAS compared with the LAS. OFF DBS knee momentum asymmetry was inversed so that LAS was more impaired than MAS. ON DBS asymmetry improved. PD patients OFF DBS place the heel too close to COM. The most affected body side has the most impaired swing and the result is a smaller knee moment on the opposite and least affected body side and an asymmetric gait pattern with disturbed balance OFF STN DBS. The asymmetry OFF DBS improved ON DBS. We suggest that DBS facilitates symmetric gait and thereby improves balance during gait. © 2008 Movement Disorder Society
Speciation of Zn‐aminopolycarboxylic complexes by electrospray ionization mass spectrometry and ion chromatography with inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry
Authors: Chen ZuLiang , Owen Gary , Megharaj Mallavarapu , Naidu Ravendra
Published: January 2009

The speciation of Zn‐aminopolycarboxylic complexes was investigated using both electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI‐MS) and ion chromatography (IC) with inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP‐MS). The resulting ESI mass spectra indicated that [Zn(HEDTA)]1−, [Zn(NTA)]1−, [Zn(EDTA)]2− and [Zn(DTPA)]3− were all simultaneously detected in solution; [Zn(NTA)]1− exhibited the weakest intensity of all these Zn‐aminopolycarboxylic complexes. IC/ICP‐MS was also successfully used to separate Zn complexes by anion‐exchange chromatography using a mobile phase containing 30 mM (NH4)2HPO4 at pH 7.5 giving reasonable resolution within 15 min. A weak peak attributable to the poor stability [Zn(NTA)]1− ion was also observed using IC/ICP‐MS. With the exception of [Zn(NTA)]1−, detection limits ranging from 0.5 to 1.0 µg/L were obtained and the proposed method was used for the determination of Zn aminopolycarboxylic complexes in soil solution. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Income Volatility and Psychological Depression
Authors: Prause JoAnn , Dooley David , Huh Jimi
Published: January 2009

Income volatility appears to be increasing especially among lower income workers. Such volatility may reflect the ongoing shift of economic risk from employers to employees as marked by decreasing job security and employer‐provided benefits. This study tests whether absolute volatility or downward volatility in income predict depression controlling for prior depression. A sample (n = 4,493) from the National Longitudinal Survey of Youth (NLSY79) with depression (CESD) measured at age 40 and prior depression measured eight to 10 years earlier was utilized. Downward volatility (frequency of income loss) was positively associated with depression; adjusting for downward volatility and other covariates, absolute volatility was negatively associated with depression. An interaction indicated a positive association between downward volatility and depression only when absolute volatility was high. These findings apply to respondents in a narrow age range (30 s) and the results warrant replication to identify the mediators linking absolute volatility and income loss to depression.