bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Illusion, Deception and Dehumanization: Neocolonial Reinforcement of Colonial Legacy and the Role of English
Authors: Alam Mohammed Sarwar
Published: November 2012

Under the holy mask of civilizing the world, colonizers have done the unholy task of forming and deforming societies to serve their vested interests. Over centuries, they have skillfully dominated colonized societies through illusion, deception and dehumanization. In the face of national liberation movements, they had to retreat physically, but the inhuman legacy they left behind continues to benefit them in the absence of strong resistive decolonizing discourses. Predatory globalization, through destructive development culture is now the prevailing mode of recolonization which is turning our dreams for a just global society into an ever illusive one. In this context, echoing the views expressed in On the Abolition of the English Department (Ngugi: 1968), this paper argues that English Language and Literature departments have been largely responsible for not forming a strong decolonizing culture and discourse. Also, this paper arrives at an understanding that like Caliban in Shakespeare, English Language now, with growing awareness across the globe, could be used to expose, curse and resist deceptions of the recolonizing forces. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/iiucs.v7i0.12259 IIUC Studies Vol.7 2011: 55-62
CLT Classrooms: Teachers' Role & A Bangladesh Perspective
Authors: Tarannum Sawsan
Published: November 2012

This paper is designed to look at the role of teacher talk and teacher-student interaction in the management of communicative English learning. In particular, the focus is given on the activities of the teachers in a communicative English language classroom. For the organization of the classroom, teacher talk is of crucial importance. The language which teachers use is important for the organization and management of a communicative English language classroom, because it is the medium through which teachers either succeed or fail to implement their teaching plans. In this paper I have tried to discuss the role of a teacher in a communicative way. Teachers have to play different roles in CLT classrooms; therefore I will focus on their functions in general and their problems in the context of Bangladesh in particular. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/iiucs.v7i0.12265 IIUC Studies Vol.7 2011: 131-146
Teaching - Learning Situation of Speaking in English at the University Level: A Case Study
Authors: Hosain Md Iqbal
Published: November 2012

This paper intends to find out the problems that the students face in speaking in English at the different universities in Bangladesh. It investigates the merits and demerits of the existing teaching methodology of English at the university level. With a view to finding out the causes of the students lack of competence in speaking in English, some authentic data have been collected from the different universities of the country. And after a thorough analysis, a suggestion has been made for teachers to use some pragmatic ways of improving speaking skills in English. It further examines the different techniques of teaching speaking in English at the university level along with its curriculum and testing system, and offers some easy and modern methods of teaching English. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/iiucs.v7i0.12267 IIUC Studies Vol.7 2011: 179-196
The Influence of the Local Varieties on the Sound Patterns of English: A Case Study of Bangladeshi Tertiary Students
Authors: Hoque Muhammad Azizul
Published: November 2012

This paper is an outcome of the study that was directed to investigate the influence of the local varieties on the sound patterns of English of Bangladeshi tertiary students. The study deals with the existing pronunciation style and tries to identify the problems in the light of the rural background of the students. The study is qualitative by nature illuminating qualitative data, and the methods of data collection consist of record keeping of words through direct interview, reading passages and dialogues. The results of the study are the mispronunciation of English words because of the influence of local varieties, ignorance and lack of the Standard English pronunciation system, etc. On the basis of the findings, some pedagogical implications and recommendations have been made. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/iiucs.v7i0.12268 IIUC Studies Vol.7 2011: 197-220
RNAi in Arthropods: Insight into the Machinery and Applications for Understanding the Pathogen-Vector Interface
Authors: Barnard Annette-Christi , Nijhof Ard , Fick Wilma , Stutzer Christian , Maritz-Olivier Christine
Published: November 2012

The availability of genome sequencing data in combination with knowledge of expressed genes via transcriptome and proteome data has greatly advanced our understanding of arthropod vectors of disease. Not only have we gained insight into vector biology, but also into their respective vector-pathogen interactions. By combining the strengths of postgenomic databases and reverse genetic approaches such as RNAi, the numbers of available drug and vaccine targets, as well as number of transgenes for subsequent transgenic or paratransgenic approaches, have expanded. These are now paving the way for in-field control strategies of vectors and their pathogens. Basic scientific questions, such as understanding the basic components of the vector RNAi machinery, is vital, as this allows for the transfer of basic RNAi machinery components into RNAi-deficient vectors, thereby expanding the genetic toolbox of these RNAi-deficient vectors and pathogens. In this review, we focus on the current knowledge of arthropod vector RNAi machinery and the impact of RNAi on understanding vector biology and vector-pathogen interactions for which vector genomic data is available on VectorBase.
Molecular Mechanisms of Pharmaceutical Drug Binding into Calsequestrin
Authors: Subra Arun K. , Nissen Mark S. , Lewis Kevin M. , Muralidharan Ashwin K. , Sanchez Emiliano J. , Milting Hendrik , Kang ChulHee
Published: November 2012

Calsequestrin (CASQ) is a major Ca2+-storage/buffer protein present in the sarcoplasmic reticulum of both skeletal (CASQ1) and cardiac (CASQ2) muscles. CASQ has significant affinity for a number of pharmaceutical drugs with known muscular toxicities. Our approach, with in silico molecular docking, single crystal X-ray diffraction, and isothermal titration calorimetry (ITC), identified three distinct binding pockets on the surface of CASQ2, which overlap with 2-methyl-2,4-pentanediol (MPD) binding sites observed in the crystal structure. Those three receptor sites based on canine CASQ1 crystal structure gave a high correlation (R2 = 0.80) to our ITC data. Daunomycin, doxorubicin, thioridazine, and trifluoperazine showed strong affinity to the S1 site, which is a central cavity formed between three domains of CASQ2. Some of the moderate-affinity drugs and some high-affinity drugs like amlodipine and verapamil displayed their binding into S2 sites, which are the thioredoxin-like fold present in each CASQ domain. Docking predictions combined with dissociation constants imply that presence of large aromatic cores and less flexible functional groups determines the strength of binding affinity to CASQ. In addition, the predicted binding pockets for both caffeine and epigallocatechin overlapped with the S1 and S2 sites, suggesting competitive inhibition by these natural compounds as a plausible explanation for their antagonistic effects on cardiotoxic side effects.
Selection of Suitable Reference Genes for Normalization of Quantitative Real-Time PCR in Cartilage Tissue Injury and Repair in Rabbits
Authors: Peng Xiao-Xiang , Zhao Rong-Lan , Song Wei , Chu Hai-Rong , Li Meng , Song Shu-Ya , Li Guang-Zhou , Liang Dong-Chun
Published: November 2012

When studying the altered expression of genes associated with cartilage regeneration by quantitative real-time RT-PCR (RT-qPCR), reference genes with highly stable expression during different stages of chondrocyte developmental are necessary to normalize gene expression accurately. Until now, no reports evaluating expression changes of commonly used reference genes in rabbit articular cartilage have been published. In this study, defects were made in rabbit articular cartilage, with or without insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) treatment, to create different chondrocyte living environments. The stability and intensity of the expressions of the candidate reference genes glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH), 18S Ribosomal RNA (18S rRNA), cyclophilin (CYP), hypoxanthine phosphoribosyl transferase (HPRT1), and β-2-microglobulin (B2M) were evaluated. The data were analyzed by geNorm and NormFinder. B2M and 18S rRNA were identified to be suitable reference genes for rabbit cartilage tissues.
Genetic Diversity and Population Structure of Busseola segeta Bowden (Lepidoptera; Noctuidae): A Case Study of Host Use Diversification in Guineo-Congolian Rainforest Relic Area, Kenya
Authors: Ong'amo George O. , Ru Bruno P. Le , Campagne Pascal , Branca Antoine , Calatayud Paul-Andre , Capdevielle-Dulac Claire , Silvain Jean-Francois
Published: November 2012

Habitat modification and fragmentation are considered as some of the factors that drive organism distribution and host use diversification. Indigenous African stem borer pests are thought to have diversified their host ranges to include maize [Zea mays L.] and sorghum [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench] in response to their increased availability through extensive cultivation. However, management efforts have been geared towards reducing pest populations in the cultivated fields with few attempts to understand possible evolution of "new" pest species. Recovery and growing persistence of Busseola segeta Bowden on maize (Zea mays L.) in Kakamega called for studies on the role of wild host plants on the invasion of crops by wild borer species. A two-year survey was carried out in a small agricultural landscape along the edge of Kakamega forest (Kenya) to assess host range and population genetic structure of B. segeta. The larvae of B. segeta were found on nine different plant species with the majority occurring on maize and sorghum. Of forty cytochrome b haplotypes identified, twenty-three occurred in both wild and cultivated habitats. The moths appear to fly long distances across the habitats with genetic analyses revealing weak differentiation between hosts in different habitats (FST = 0.016; p = 0.015). However, there was strong evidence of variation in genetic composition between growing seasons in the wild habitat (FST = 0.060; p < 0.001) with emergence or disappearance of haplotypes between habitats. Busseola segeta is an example of a phytophagous insect that utilizes plants with a human induced distribution range, maize, but does not show evidence of host race formation or reduction of gene flow among populations using different hosts. However, B. segeta is capable of becoming an important pest in the area and the current low densities may be attributed to the general low infestation levels and presence of a wide range of alternative hosts in the area.
Cultivable Alginate Lyase-Excreting Bacteria Associated with the Arctic Brown Alga Laminaria
Authors: Dong Sheng , Yang Jie , Zhang Xi-Ying , Shi Mei , Song Xiao-Yan , Chen Xiu-Lan , Zhang Yu-Zhong
Published: November 2012

Although some alginate lyases have been isolated from marine bacteria, alginate lyases-excreting bacteria from the Arctic alga have not yet been investigated. Here, the diversity of the bacteria associated with the brown alga Laminaria from the Arctic Ocean was investigated for the first time. Sixty five strains belonging to nine genera were recovered from six Laminaria samples, in which Psychrobacter (33/65), Psychromonas (10/65) and Polaribacter (8/65) were the predominant groups. Moreover, 21 alginate lyase-excreting strains were further screened from these Laminaria-associated bacteria. These alginate lyase-excreting strains belong to five genera. Psychromonas (8/21), Psedoalteromonas (6/21) and Polaribacter (4/21) are the predominant genera, and Psychrobacter, Winogradskyella, Psychromonas and Polaribacter were first found to produce alginate lyases. The optimal temperatures for the growth and algiante lyase production of many strains were as low as 10–20 °C, indicating that they are psychrophilic bacteria. The alginate lyases produced by 11 strains showed the highest activity at 20–30 °C, indicating that these enzymes are cold-adapted enzymes. Some strians showed high levels of extracellular alginate lyase activity around 200 U/mL. These results suggest that these algiante lyase-excreting bacteria from the Arctic alga are good materials for studying bacterial cold-adapted alginate lyases.
Determining Enzyme Kinetics for Systems Biology with Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy
Authors: Eicher Johann J. , Snoep Jacky L. , Rohwer Johann M.
Published: November 2012

Enzyme kinetics for systems biology should ideally yield information about the enzyme’s activity under in vivo conditions, including such reaction features as substrate cooperativity, reversibility and allostery, and be applicable to enzymatic reactions with multiple substrates. A large body of enzyme-kinetic data in the literature is based on the uni-substrate Michaelis–Menten equation, which makes unnatural assumptions about enzymatic reactions (e.g., irreversibility), and its application in systems biology models is therefore limited. To overcome this limitation, we have utilised NMR time-course data in a combined theoretical and experimental approach to parameterize the generic reversible Hill equation, which is capable of describing enzymatic reactions in terms of all the properties mentioned above and has fewer parameters than detailed mechanistic kinetic equations; these parameters are moreover defined operationally. Traditionally, enzyme kinetic data have been obtained from initial-rate studies, often using assays coupled to NAD(P)H-producing or NAD(P)H-consuming reactions. However, these assays are very labour-intensive, especially for detailed characterisation of multi-substrate reactions. We here present a cost-effective and relatively rapid method for obtaining enzyme-kinetic parameters from metabolite time-course data generated using NMR spectroscopy. The method requires fewer runs than traditional initial-rate studies and yields more information per experiment, as whole time-courses are analyzed and used for parameter fitting. Additionally, this approach allows real-time simultaneous quantification of all metabolites present in the assay system (including products and allosteric modifiers), which demonstrates the superiority of NMR over traditional spectrophotometric coupled enzyme assays. The methodology presented is applied to the elucidation of kinetic parameters for two coupled glycolytic enzymes from Escherichia coli (phosphoglucose isomerase and phosphofructokinase). 31P-NMR time-course data were collected by incubating cell extracts with substrates, products and modifiers at different initial concentrations. NMR kinetic data were subsequently processed using a custom software module written in the Python programming language, and globally fitted to appropriately modified Hill equations.
Indium-Carrier Minerals in Polymetallic Sulphide Ore Deposits: A Crystal Chemical Insight into an Indium Binding State Supported by X-ray Absorption Spectroscopy Data
Authors: Figueiredo Maria-Ondina , Silva Teresa Pereira da , Oliveira Daniel de , Rosa Diogo
Published: November 2012

Indium is a typical chalcophile element of the Earth’s crust, with a very low average content that seldom forms specific minerals, occurring mainly as dispersed in polymetallic sulphides. Indium recovery is based primarily on zinc extraction from sphalerite, the prototype of so-called tetrahedral sulphides, wherein metal ions fill half of the available tetrahedral sites within the cubic closest packing of sulphur anions, leaving interstices accessible for further in-filling. Ascertaining the tendency towards the establishment of In-In interactions through an x-ray absorption spectroscopy approach would efficiently contribute to understanding the behavior of indium in the carrier mineral. The successful results of applying such a near-edge absorption (XANES) study at In L3-edge to samples collected at the Lagoa Salgada polymetallic orebody in the Iberian Pyrite Belt (IPB) are described and the crystal chemistry of indium is re-evaluated, disclosing a potential clue for the metal binding state in polymetallic sulphides.
Substituted N-Benzylpyrazine-2-carboxamides: Synthesis and Biological Evaluation
Authors: Servusová Barbora , Eibinová Drahomíra , Doležal Martin , Kubíček Vladimír , Paterová Pavla , Peško Matúš , Kráľová Katarína
Published: November 2012

A series of twelve amides was synthesized via aminolysis of substituted pyrazinecarboxylic acid chlorides with substituted benzylamines. Compounds were characterized with analytical data and assayed in vitro for their antimycobacterial, antifungal, antibacterial and photosynthesis-inhibiting activity. 5-tert-Butyl-6-chloro-N-(4-methoxybenzyl)pyrazine-2-carboxamide (12) has shown the highest antimycobacterial activity against Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MIC = 6.25 µg/mL), as well as against other mycobacterial strains. The highest antifungal activity against Trichophyton mentagrophytes, the most susceptible fungal strain tested, was found for 5-chloro-N-(3-trifluoromethylbenzyl)-pyrazine-2-carboxamide (2, MIC = 15.62 µmol/L). None of the studied compounds exhibited any activity against the tested bacterial strains. Except for 5-tert-butyl-6-chloro-N-benzylpyrazine-2-carboxamide (9, IC50 = 7.4 µmol/L) and 5-tert-butyl-6-chloro-N-(4-chlorobenzyl)pyrazine-2-carboxamide (11, IC50 = 13.4 µmol/L), only moderate or weak photosynthesis-inhibiting activity in spinach chloroplasts (Spinacia oleracea L.) was detected.
Fabrication of Mesoporous Silica Shells on Solid Silica Spheres Using Anionic Surfactants and Their Potential Application in Controlling Drug Release
Authors: El-Toni Ahmed , Khan Aslam , Ibrahim Mohamed , Al-Hoshan Mansour , Labis Joselito
Published: November 2012

In this work, mesoporous shells were constructed on solid silica cores by employing anionic surfactante. A co-structure directing agent (CSDA) has assisted the electrostatic interaction between negatively charged silica particles and the negatively charged surfactant molecules. Synthetic parameters such as reaction time and temperature had a significant impact on the formation of mesoporous silica shelld and their textural properties such as surface area and pore volume. Core-mesoporous shell silica spheres were characterized by small angle X-ray scattering, transmission electron microscopy, and N2 adsorption–desorption analysis. The synthesized particles have a uniformly mesoporous shell of 34–65 nm and possess a surface area of ca. 7–324 m2/g, and pore volume of ca. 0.008–0.261 cc/g. The core-mesoporous shell silica spheres were loaded with ketoprofen drug molecules. The in vitro drug release study suggested that core-mesoporous shell silica spheres are a suitable nanocarrier for drug molecules offering the possibility of having control over their release rate.
Preparation of Candesartan and Atorvastatin Nanoparticles by Solvent Evaporation
Authors: Vaculikova Eliska , Grunwaldova Veronika , Kral Vladimir , Dohnal Jiri , Jampilek Josef
Published: November 2012

The solubility, absorption and distribution of a drug are involved in the basic aspects of oral bioavailability Solubility is an essential characteristic and influences the efficiency of the drug. Over the last ten years, the number of poorly soluble drugs has steadily increased. One of the progressive ways for increasing oral bioavaibility is the technique of nanoparticle preparation, which allows many drugs to thus reach the intended site of action. Candesartan cilexetil and atorvastatin, belonging to class II of the biopharmaceutical classification system, were chosen as model active pharmaceutical ingredients in this study. Forty samples were prepared either by antisolvent precipitation/solvent evaporation method or by the emulsion/solvent evaporation technique with various commonly used surface-active excipients as nanoparticle stabilizers. All samples were analyzed by means of dynamic light scattering. The particle size of the determined 36 nanoparticle samples was to 574 nm, whereas 32 samples contained nanoparticles of less than 200 nm. Relationships between solvents and excipients used and their amount are discussed. Based on the results the investigated solvent evaporation methods can be used as an effective and an affordable technique for the preparation of nanoparticles.
Lipophilic Micronutrients and Adipose Tissue Biology
Authors: Landrier Jean-François , Marcotorchino Julie , Tourniaire Franck
Published: November 2012

Lipophilic micronutrients (LM) constitute a large family of molecules including several vitamins (A, D, E, K) and carotenoids. Their ability to regulate gene expression is becoming increasingly clear and constitutes an important part of nutrigenomics. Interestingly, adipose tissue is not only a main storage site for these molecules within the body, but it is also subjected to the regulatory effects of LM. Indeed, several gene regulations have been described in adipose tissue that could strongly impact its biology with respect to the modulation of adipogenesis, inflammatory status, or energy homeostasis and metabolism, among others. The repercussions in terms of health effects of such regulations in the context of obesity and associated pathologies represent an exciting and emerging field of research. The present review will focus on the regulatory effects of vitamin A, D, E and K as well as carotenoids on adipose tissue biology and physiology, notably in the context of obesity and associated disorders.
Prostatic Response to Supranutritional Selenium Supplementation: Comparison of the Target Tissue Potency of Selenomethionine vs. Selenium-Yeast on Markers of Prostatic Homeostasis
Authors: Waters David J. , Shen Shuren , Kengeri Seema S. , Chiang Emily C. , Combs Gerald F. , Morris J. Steven , Bostwick David G.
Published: November 2012

Prostate cancer is the product of dysregulated homeostasis within the aging prostate. Supplementation with selenium in the form of selenized yeast (Se-yeast) significantly reduced prostate cancer incidence in the Nutritional Prevention of Cancer Trial. Conversely, the Selenium and Vitamin E Cancer Prevention Trial (SELECT) showed no such cancer-protective advantage using selenomethionine (SeMet). The possibility that SeMet and Se-yeast are not equipotent in promoting homeostasis and cancer risk reduction in the aging prostate has not been adequately investigated; no direct comparison has ever been reported in man or animals. Here, we analyzed data on prostatic responses to SeMet or Se-yeast from a controlled feeding trial of 49 elderly beagle dogs—the only non-human species to frequently develop prostate cancer during aging—randomized to one of five groups: control; low-dose SeMet, low-dose Se-yeast (3 μg/kg); high-dose SeMet, high-dose Se-yeast (6 μg/kg). After seven months of supplementation, we found no significant selenium form-dependent differences in toenail or intraprostatic selenium concentration. Next, we determined whether SeMet or Se-yeast acts with different potency on six markers of prostatic homeostasis that likely contribute to prostate cancer risk reduction—intraprostatic dihydrotestosterone (DHT), testosterone (T), DHT:T, and epithelial cell DNA damage, proliferation, and apoptosis. By analyzing dogs supplemented with SeMet or Se-yeast that achieved equivalent intraprostatic selenium concentration after supplementation, we showed no significant differences in potency of either selenium form on any of the six parameters over three different ranges of target tissue selenium concentration. Our findings, which represent the first direct comparison of SeMet and Se-yeast on a suite of readouts in the aging prostate that reflect flux through multiple gene networks, do not further support the notion that the null results of SELECT are attributable to differences in prostatic consequences achievable through daily supplementation with SeMet, rather than Se-yeast.
Lipa, B. et al. Tsunami Arrival Detection with High Frequency (HF) Radar. Remote Sens. 2012, 4, 1448-1461
Authors: Lipa Belinda , Isaacson James , Nyden Bruce , Barrick Donald
Published: November 2012

We neglected to state that the radar data from Tokushima and Anan is owned by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism, Shikoku Regional Development Bureau, Komatsushima port and airport office, Japan. Lipa et al. [1] describe results on tsunami detection using data measured by two radars located at Tokushima and Anan on the Kii channel. This data is owned by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism, Shikoku Regional Development Bureau, Komatsushima port and airport office, Japan. Locations of the radars are shown in Figure 4(a,c) [1]. Results of the data analysis are given in Section 3.1.2, plotted in Figure 6 and listed in Table 1 [1]. [...]
How Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) Trendsfrom Advanced Very High Resolution Radiometer (AVHRR) and Système Probatoire d’Observation de la Terre VEGETATION (SPOT VGT) Time Series Differ in Agricultural Areas: An Inner Mongolian Case Study
Authors: Yin He , Udelhoven Thomas , Fensholt Rasmus , Pflugmacher Dirk , Hostert Patrick
Published: November 2012

Detailed information from global remote sensing has greatly advanced ourunderstanding of Earth as a system in general and of agricultural processes in particular.Vegetation monitoring with global remote sensing systems over long time periods iscritical to gain a better understanding of processes related to agricultural change over longtime periods. This specifically relates to sub-humid to semi-arid ecosystems, whereagricultural change in grazing lands can only be detected based on long time series. Byintegrating data from different sensors it is theoretically possible to construct NDVI timeseries back to the early 1980s. However, such integration is hampered by uncertainties inthe comparability between different sensor products. To be able to rely on vegetationtrends derived from integrated time series it is therefore crucial to investigate whether vegetation trends derived from NDVI and phenological parameters are consistent acrossproducts. In this paper we analyzed several indicators of vegetation change for a range ofagricultural systems in Inner Mongolia, China, and compared the results across differentsatellite archives. Specifically, we compared two of the prime NDVI archives—AVHRR Global Inventory Modeling and Mapping Studies (GIMMS) and SPOT Vegetation (VGT)NDVI. Because a true accuracy assessment of long time series is not possible, we furthercompared SPOT VGT NDVI with NDVI from MODIS Terra as a benchmark. We foundhigh similarities in interannual trends, and also in trends of the seasonal amplitude andintegral between SPOT VGT and MODIS Terra (r > 0.9). However, we observedconsiderable disagreements in NDVI-derived trends between AVHRR GIMMS and SPOTVGT. We detected similar discrepancies for trends based on phenological parameters, suchas amplitude and integral of NDVI curves corresponding to seasonal vegetation cycles.Inconsistencies were partially related to land cover and vegetation density. Differentpre-processing schemes and the coarser spatial resolution of AVHRR GIMMS introducedfurther uncertainties. Our results corroborate findings from other studies that vegetationtrends derived from AVHRR GIMMS data not always reflect true vegetation changes. Amore thorough understanding of the factors introducing uncertainties in AVHRR GIMMStime series is needed, and we caution against using AVHRR GIMMS data in regionalstudies without applying regional sensitivity analyses.
Toward In Situ Monitoring of Water Contamination by Nitroenergetic Compounds
Authors: Johnson Brandy J. , Leska Iwona A. , Medina Alejandro , Dyson Norris F. , Nasir Mansoor , Melde Brian J. , Taft Jenna R. , Charles Paul T.
Published: November 2012

We have previously described the application of novel porous organosilicate materials to the preconcentration of nitroenergetic targets from aqueous solution prior to HPLC analysis. The performance of the sorbents and the advantages of these types of materials over commercially available solid phase extraction sorbents have been demonstrated. Here, the development of systems for application of those sorbents to in situ monitoring is described. Considerations such as column pressure, particulate filtration, and component durability are discussed. The diameter of selected column housings, the sorbent bed depth, and the frits utilized significantly impact the utility of the sorbent columns in the prototype system. The impact of and necessity for improvements in the morphological characteristics of the sorbents as they relate to reduction in column pressure are detailed. The results of experiments utilizing a prototype system are presented. Data demonstrating feasibility for use of the sorbents in preconcentration prior to ion mobility spectrometry is also presented.
A WSN-Based Tool for Urban and Industrial Fire-Fighting
Authors: Clemente Alberto De San Bernabe , Martínez-de Dios José Ramiro , Baturone Aníbal Ollero
Published: November 2012

This paper describes a WSN tool to increase safety in urban and industrial fire-fighting activities. Unlike most approaches, we assume that there is no preexisting WSN in the building, which involves interesting advantages but imposes some constraints. The system integrates the following functionalities: fire monitoring, firefighter monitoring and dynamic escape path guiding. It also includes a robust localization method that employs RSSI-range models dynamically trained to cope with the peculiarities of the environment. The training and application stages of the method are applied simultaneously, resulting in significant adaptability. Besides simulations and laboratory tests, a prototype of the proposed system has been validated in close-to-operational conditions.
Factors Influencing Deoxynivalenol Accumulation in Small Grain Cereals
Authors: Wegulo Stephen N.
Published: November 2012

Deoxynivalenol (DON) is a mycotoxin produced by the plant pathogenic fungi Fusarium graminearum and F. culmorum. These and other closely related fungi cause a disease known as Fusarium head blight (FHB) in small grain cereals. Other mycotoxins produced by FHB-causing fungi include nivalenol, T-2 toxin, and zearalenone. Ingestion of mycotoxin-contaminated food and feed can lead to toxicosis in humans and animals, respectively. DON is the predominant and most economically important of these mycotoxins in the majority of small grain-producing regions of the world. This review examines the factors that influence DON accumulation in small grain cereals from an agricultural perspective. The occurrence and economic importance of FHB and DON in small grain cereals, epidemiological factors and cereal production practices that favor FHB development and DON accumulation in grain under field conditions, and regulatory/advisory standards for DON in food and feed are discussed. This information can be used to develop strategies that reduce DON accumulation in grain before harvest and to mitigate the human and animal health risks associated with DON contamination of food and feed.
Discovery and Early Development of AVI-7537 and AVI-7288 for the Treatment of Ebola Virus and Marburg Virus Infections
Authors: Iversen Patrick L. , Warren Travis K. , Wells Jay B. , Garza Nicole L. , Mourich Dan V. , Welch Lisa S. , Panchal Rekha G. , Bavari Sina
Published: November 2012

There are no currently approved treatments for filovirus infections. In this study we report the discovery process which led to the development of antisense Phosphorodiamidate Morpholino Oligomers (PMOs) AVI-6002 (composed of AVI-7357 and AVI-7539) and AVI-6003 (composed of AVI-7287 and AVI-7288) targeting Ebola virus and Marburg virus respectively. The discovery process involved identification of optimal transcript binding sites for PMO based RNA-therapeutics followed by screening for effective viral gene target in mouse and guinea pig models utilizing adapted viral isolates. An evolution of chemical modifications were tested, beginning with simple Phosphorodiamidate Morpholino Oligomers (PMO) transitioning to cell penetrating peptide conjugated PMOs (PPMO) and ending with PMOplus containing a limited number of positively charged linkages in the PMO structure. The initial lead compounds were combinations of two agents targeting separate genes. In the final analysis, a single agent for treatment of each virus was selected, AVI-7537 targeting the VP24 gene of Ebola virus and AVI-7288 targeting NP of Marburg virus, and are now progressing into late stage clinical development as the optimal therapeutic candidates.
New and Emerging Viruses of Blueberry and Cranberry
Authors: Martin Robert R. , Polashock James J. , Tzanetakis Ioannis E.
Published: November 2012

Blueberry and cranberry are fruit crops native to North America and they are well known for containing bioactive compounds that can benefit human health. Cultivation is expanding within North America and other parts of the world raising concern regarding distribution of existing viruses as well as the appearance of new viruses. Many of the known viruses of these crops are latent or asymptomatic in at least some cultivars. Diagnosis and detection procedures are often non-existent or unreliable. Whereas new viruses can move into cultivated fields from the wild, there is also the threat that devastating viruses can move into native stands of Vaccinium spp. or other native plants from cultivated fields. The aim of this paper is to highlight the importance of blueberry and cranberry viruses, focusing not only on those that are new but also those that are emerging as serious threats for production in North America and around the world.
The memory effect of nanoscale memristors investigated by conducting scanning probe microscopy methods
Authors: Moreno César , Munuera Carmen , Obradors Xavier , Ocal Carmen
Published: November 2012

We report on the use of scanning force microscopy as a versatile tool for the electrical characterization of nanoscale memristors fabricated on ultrathin La0.7Sr0.3MnO3 (LSMO) films. Combining conventional conductive imaging and nanoscale lithography, reversible switching between low-resistive (ON) and high-resistive (OFF) states was locally achieved by applying voltages within the range of a few volts. Retention times of several months were tested for both ON and OFF states. Spectroscopy modes were used to investigate the I–V characteristics of the different resistive states. This permitted the correlation of device rectification (reset) with the voltage employed to induce each particular state. Analytical simulations by using a nonlinear dopant drift within a memristor device explain the experimental I–V bipolar cycles.
Influence of intramolecular hydrogen bonds on the binding potential of methylated β-cyclodextrin derivatives
Authors: Wenz Gerhard
Published: November 2012

Various heptasubstituted derivatives of β-cyclodextrin (β-CD) bearing 1, 2 and 3 methyl substituents per glucose unit were synthesized by regioselective methods. Binding free energies and binding enthalpies of these hosts towards 4-tert-butylbenzoate and adamantane-1-carboxylate were determined by isothermal titration microcalorimetry (ITC). It was found that methyl substituents at the secondary positions of β-CD lead to a tremendous reduction of the binding potential, while methylation at the primary positions significantly improved binding. Stabilizing intramolecular hydrogen bonds between the glucose units were made responsible for the high binding potentials of those β-CD derivatives that possess secondary hydroxy groups.
Pretreatment Viral Dna Stratifies Mortality Risk in Patients Receiving Antiviral Therapy for Severe Acute Exacerbation of Chronic Hepatitis B
Authors: Hsu Yao-Chun , Wu Chun-Ying , Chang Chi-Yang , Tai Chih-Min , Tseng Cheng-Hao , Perng Daw-Shyong , Mo Lein-Ray , Lin Jaw-Town
Published: November 2012

Background

Prognostic factors have not been elucidated for severe acute exacerbation of chronic hepatitis B treated with antiviral therapy. This study aimed to explore the role of baseline viral load in predicting mortality.

Methods

This retrospective cohort study screened consecutive chronic hepatitis B patients ( n=84) receiving antiviral therapy for severe acute exacerbation, defined as abrupt elevation of serum alanine aminotransferase >10x the upper limit of normal along with hyperbilirubinaemia. Survival pattern was evaluated by the Kaplan–Meier method and predictors for mortality determined by the Cox regression analysis.

Results

A total of 66 patients were eligible and followed-up for a median of 23 months (range 0.1–75.0). Overall, 20 (30.3%) patients died during the study period, with the vast majority ( n=17) succumbing rapidly within 3 months of severe acute exacerbation. The multivariate Cox model revealed that mortality was associated with baseline viral DNA level (HR 1.49 per log copies/ml, 95% CI 1.13, 1.96), international normalized ratio for prothrombin time (HR 2.68 per unit, 95% CI 1.81, 3.98), platelet count (HR 0.87 per 104 cells/ml, 95% CI 0.78, 0.98) and age (HR 1.10 per year, 95% CI 1.05, 1.15). A significant interaction existed between viral DNA and prolonged prothrombin time ( P=0.005). Stratified analyses further demonstrated that pronounced coagulopathy heralded death irrespective of viral load, whereas serum level of viral DNA stratified mortality risk among those without marked coagulopathy.

Conclusions

Pretreatment viral DNA level stratifies risk of death in patients with severe acute exacerbation of chronic hepatitis B before the manifestation of overt liver failure.
Successful Treatment of Epstein–Barr Virus Encephalitis in the Setting of HIV-Associated Neurocognitive Disorder: A Diagnostic and Therapeutic Challenge
Authors: Trevillyan Janine M , Mahony Andrew A , McLean Catriona , Hoy Jennifer F
Published: November 2012

We report a challenging case of HIV-associated neurocognitive disorder with superimposed Epstein–Barr virus (EBV) encephalitis. The patient presented with an abnormal MRI brain scan, and EBV DNA that was detected in the cerebrospinal fluid and brain biopsy, which also demonstrated histopathological findings consistent with the diagnosis. This occurred on the background of a 12-month period of gradual cognitive decrease secondary to HIV-associated dementia. Invasive testing was required to reach the diagnosis in this case, highlighting the importance of thorough investigation of neurological impairment in HIV-positive patients. Clinicopathological recovery was achieved through optimization of antiretroviral therapy and use of valganciclovir.
La consultation de neurologie fœtale : l'image du fœtus et son devenir
Authors: Billette de Villemeur Thierry , Moutard Marie-Laure
Published: November 2012

Résumé Quand l’anomalie neurologique dépistée par l’échographie se révèle – au terme d’une approche pluridisciplinaire – d’une particulière gravité, les parents sont confrontés à un choix aussi impossible qu’incontournable entre la poursuite de la grossesse et son interruption. Comment les soutenir en pareille situation ? En leur apportant l’information médicale la plus fiable et la plus précise possible, mais aussi en leur permettant de confronter celle-ci avec tous les autres éléments en jeu, y compris les moins rationnels.
L'imagerie médicale dans le diagnostic des maladies neurodégénératives
Authors: Dormont Didier
Published: November 2012

Résumé Didier Dormont expose les apports les plus récents de l’imagerie médicale au diagnostic de la maladie d’Alzheimer, y compris à un stade précoce. Les progrès rapides de la recherche permettent en effet d’envisager la possibilité d’un tel diagnostic chez des patients encore asymptomatiques – ce qui, en l’absence de traitement curatif, ne manquerait pas de poser douloureusement la question de leur prise en charge.
Intrapulmonary G-CSF Rescues Neutrophil Recruitment to the Lung and Neutrophil Release to Blood in Gram-Negative Bacterial Infection in MCP-1−/− Mice
Authors: Balamayooran Gayathriy , Batra Sanjay , Theivanthiran Balamayooran , Cai Shanshan , Pacher Pal , Jeyaseelan Samithamby
Published: November 2012

We previously demonstrated that MCP-1 is important for E. coli–induced neutrophil migration to the lungs. However, E. coli neither disseminates nor induces death in mice. Furthermore, the cell types and the host defense mechanisms that contribute to MCP-1–dependent neutrophil trafficking have not been defined. In this study, we sought to explore the cell types and the mechanisms associated with Klebsiella pneumoniae–mediated MCP-1–dependent neutrophil influx. MCP-1−/− mice are more susceptible to pulmonary K. pneumoniae infection and show higher bacterial burden in the lungs and dissemination. MCP-1−/− mice also display attenuated neutrophil influx, cytokine/chemokine production, and activation of NF-κB and MAPKs following intratracheal K. pneumoniae infection. rMCP-1 treatment in MCP-1−/− mice following K. pneumoniae infection rescued impairment in survival, bacterial clearance, and neutrophil accumulation in the lung. Neutrophil numbers in the blood of MCP-1−/− mice were associated with G-CSF concentrations in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid and blood. Bone marrow or resident cell–derived MCP-1 contributed to bacterial clearance, neutrophil accumulation, and cytokine/chemokine production in the lungs following infection. Furthermore, exogenous MCP-1 dose dependently increased neutrophil counts and G-CSF concentrations in the blood. Intriguingly, administration of intratracheal rG-CSF to MCP-1−/− mice after K. pneumoniae infection rescued survival, bacterial clearance and dissemination, and neutrophil influx in MCP-1−/− mice. Collectively, these novel findings unveil an unrecognized role of MCP-1 in neutrophil-mediated host immunity during K. pneumoniae pneumonia and illustrate that G-CSF could be used to rescue impairment in host immunity in individuals with absent or malfunctional MCP-1.
Myocarditis Complicating Pregnancy in Dengue Hemorrhagic Fever
Authors: Koshy J.M. , John M.
Published: November 2012

Dengue hemorrhagic fever (DHF) is a spectrum of disease ranging from uncomplicated febrile illness to various devastating hemorrhagic manifestation and refractory shock. Cardiac complication in dengue fever (DF) is not common. Myocarditis has been a known complication of dengue fever. We report the case of myocarditis complicating DHF in a 34 years old female at 36 weeks of gestation with probable fetal myopericarditis.
Higher Risk of Infection with Dengue at the Weekend among Male Singaporeans
Authors: Cook Alex R. , Carrasco Luis R. , Lee Vernon J. , Ooi Eng Eong , Chen Mark I-C , Lye David C. , Leo Yee Sin
Published: November 2012

A growing body of evidence suggests that dengue infection in Singapore predominantly occurs away from the home, but when and where dengue transmission occurs is unclear, confounding control efforts. The authors estimate days of the week in which dengue inpatients in Singapore were infected during the period 2006–2008, based on the day they became febrile and historical data on the incubation period, using Bayesian statistical methods. Among male inpatients, the relative risk of infection is an estimated 57% higher at the weekend, suggesting infections associated with the home or leisure activities. There was no evidence of elevated risk of infection at the weekend for female inpatients. The study motivates further research identifying locales frequented in the week leading up to onset to improve the effective targeting of vector control efforts.
Transformation and fate of microphytobenthos carbon in subtropical shallow subtidal sands: A 13C‐labeling study
Authors: Oakes Joanne M. , Eyre Bradley D. , Middelburg Jack J.
Published: November 2012

Microphytobenthos (MPB) in photic sediments are highly productive but the fate of this production remains uncertain. Over 33 d, tracing of 13C from added bicarbonate in subtropical shallow subtidal sand showed rapid transfer of MPB‐derived carbon to deeper sediment; below 2 cm (31% within 60 h) and 5 cm (18%). Despite their high turnover (5.5 d) and only representing ~ 8% of sediment organic carbon, MPB represented up to 35% of the 13C retained in sediments, demonstrating substantial carbon recycling. Carbon was rapidly transferred to heterotrophs, but their contribution to sediment 13C was similar to their biomass contribution (< 0.1% to 3.8%), with the exception of the foraminifera Cellanthus craticulatus, which accounted for up to 33% of the 13C within sediment. There was little loss of MPB‐derived carbon via dissolved organic carbon (DOC) effluxes (3%) or resuspension (minimal). Respiration was the major loss pathway (63%), reflecting the high microbial biomass typical of lower latitudes. Given that MPB take up dissolved inorganic carbon (DIC) from overlying water, and the carbon they fix is released as DIC, MPB in subtropical sands are unlikely to substantially alter the form of carbon transported offshore (i.e., there is no conversion to DOC), but processing within the sediment may alter its δ13C value. Given that 31% of fixed carbon remained in sediments after 33 d, subtropical sands may act as a carbon sink, thereby affecting the quantity of carbon transported offshore.
This Filthy Plant: The Inspiration of a Central Sudanic Scholar in the Debate on Tobacco
Authors: van Dalen Dorrit
Published: November 2012

In the seventeenth century, tobacco was fiercely debated from England to Istanbul. Muslim scholars from Bornu and Baghirmi participated in this debate and maintained that smoking was forbidden by divine law, long after their counterparts in the heartlands of Islam allowed it. The question addressed here is why and how the adamant rejection of tobacco in central sudanic Africa was formulated. The study is based on a number of Arabic manuscripts from the region and focuses on a treatise, written around 1700, by Muḥammad al-Wālī b. Sulaymān. It is argued that he was as much inspired by the popular opinion about tobacco in his home-environment as by the writings of scholars from the Middle East. In folktales, tobacco was literally demonised, and the rejection of “pagan” smokers helped to mark new social boundaries. The dominant position regarding smoking was the result of an exchange between islamic learning and popular culture in the region.