bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Marine bivalve shell geochemistry and ultrastructure from modern low pH environments: environmental effect versus experimental bias
Authors: Hahn S. , Rodolfo-Metalpa R. , Griesshaber E. , Schmahl W. W. , Buhl D. , Hall-Spencer J. M. , Baggini C. , Fehr K. T. , Immenhauser A.
Published: May 2012

Abstract. Bivalve shells can provide excellent archives of past environmental change but have not been used to interpret ocean acidification events. We investigated carbon, oxygen and trace element records from different shell layers in the mussels Mytilus galloprovincialis combined with detailed investigations of the shell ultrastructure. Mussels from the harbour of Ischia (Mediterranean, Italy) were transplanted and grown in water with mean pHT 7.3 and mean pHT 8.1 near CO2 vents on the east coast of the island. Most prominently, the shells recorded the shock of transplantation, both in their shell ultrastructure, textural and geochemical record. Shell calcite, precipitated subsequently under acidified seawater responded to the pH gradient by an in part disturbed ultrastructure. Geochemical data from all test sites show a strong metabolic effect that exceeds the influence of the low-pH environment. These field experiments showed that care is needed when interpreting potential ocean acidification signals because various parameters affect shell chemistry and ultrastructure. Besides metabolic processes, seawater pH, factors such as salinity, water temperature, food availability and population density all affect the biogenic carbonate shell archive.
Uncertainties in model predictions of nitrogen fluxes from agro-ecosystems in Europe
Authors: Kros J. , Heuvelink G. B. M. , Reinds G. J. , Lesschen J. P. , Ioannidi V. , de Vries W.
Published: May 2012

Abstract. To assess the responses of nitrogen and greenhouse gas emissions to pan-European changes in land cover, land management and climate, an integrated dynamic model, INTEGRATOR, has been developed. This model includes both simple process-based descriptions and empirical relationships, and uses detailed GIS-based environmental and farming data in combination with various downscaling methods. This paper analyses the propagation of uncertainties in model inputs and model parameters to outputs of INTEGRATOR, using a Monte Carlo analysis. Uncertain model inputs and parameters were represented by probability distributions, while spatial correlation in these uncertainties was taken into account by assigning correlation coefficients at various spatial scales. The uncertainty propagation was analysed for the emissions of NH3, N2O and NOx and N leaching to groundwater and N surface runoff to surface water for the entire EU27 and for individual countries. Results show large uncertainties for N leaching and N runoff (relative errors of ~19 % for Europe as a whole), and smaller uncertainties for emission of N2O, NH3 and NOx (relative errors of ~12 %). Uncertainties for Europe as a whole were much smaller compared to uncertainties at Country level, because errors partly cancelled out due to spatial aggregation.
Stability of a power law relation between characteristics of earthquakes and electric precursors
Authors: Dologlou E.
Published: May 2012

Abstract. New data were used to test the credibility of a previously reported power law relation between the stress drop of earthquakes and the lead time of precursory SES. Here, we found that the critical exponent of this power law is very sensitive and remains stable around 0.33 only for appropriate sets of data. This value is in full agreement with the reported one in literature for critical phenomena. That means this power law is not an artifact, but probably implies that real physical dynamic processes evolving to criticality are present in the pre-focal area when the SES is emitted. An attempt to advance the underlying physics of the interconnection of the stress drop and the lead time of the precursory SES is still in progress.
Development of a management tool for reservoirs in Mediterranean environments based on uncertainty analysis
Authors: Gómez-Beas R. , Moñino A. , Polo M. J.
Published: May 2012

Abstract. In compliance with the development of the Water Framework Directive, there is a need for an integrated management of water resources, which involves the elaboration of reservoir management models. These models should include the operational and technical aspects which allow us to forecast an optimal management in the short term, besides the factors that may affect the volume of water stored in the medium and long term. The climate fluctuations of the water cycle that affect the reservoir watershed should be considered, as well as the social and economic aspects of the area. This paper shows the development of a management model for Rules reservoir (southern Spain), through which the water supply is regulated based on set criteria, in a sustainable way with existing commitments downstream, with the supply capacity being well established depending on demand, and the probability of failure when the operating requirements are not fulfilled. The results obtained allowed us: to find out the reservoir response at different time scales, to introduce an uncertainty analysis and to demonstrate the potential of the methodology proposed here as a tool for decision making.
Efficacy and Tolerance of Levodopa to Treat Amblyopia: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Yang Xubo , Luo Deyi , Liao Meng , Chen Bingjie , Liu Longqian
Published: May 2012

Purpose.

Amblyopia is the leading cause of visual impairment in children, affecting up to 4% of the general population. Several clinical trials evaluated the efficacy of levodopa versus placebo in treating amblyopia. However, the results appeared contradictory, suggesting both beneficial and ineffective. The aim of this study was to address the efficacy and tolerance of levodopa on amblyopia.

Methods.

Randomized controlled trials were identified and extracted from PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science, and the Cochrane library. The quality of included trials was assessed by using Jadad score and heterogeneity was analyzed using chi-square test. Both efficacy and tolerance endpoints were evaluated. Data were extracted and analyzed using standard meta-analysis.

Results.

A total of 6 trials were identified from the search strategy. The pooled mean difference of endpoint logMAR of levodopa versus placebo was −0.11 (95% confidence interval −0.19~-0.02, p=0.01). Amblyopic patients receiving levodopa did not show significantly higher frequent adverse events than those receiving placebo.

Conclusions.

The use of levodopa is an effective and safe option for the treatment of amblyopia, and levodopa can be considered as first-line treatment of amblyopia.
Presence of CSE1L protein in urine of patients with urinary bladder urothelial carcinomas
Authors: Tai Cheng-Jeng , Liao Ching-Fong , Su Tzu-Cheng , Shen Ko-Hung , Chang Chun-Chao , Lin Shu-Hui , Yeh Chung-Min , Shen Shing-Chuan , Lee Woan-Ruoh , Chiou Jeng-Fong , Lin Chih-Hung , Chen Ying-Chun , Shih Hsin-Yi , Yeh Kun-Tu , Jiang Ming-Chung
Published: May 2012

The chromosome segregation 1-like (CSE1L) protein is highly expressed in most cancers and has been shown to be secreted by tumor cells. We studied the presence of CSE1L in the urine of patients with bladder urothelial carcinomas. The results of our immunohistochemical analysis showed a high expression of CSE1L in bladder cancer specimens, while the normal bladder specimens only showed a very faint staining in some cells. Immunoblotting showed that CSE1L was present in urine of patients with bladder cancer. Urinary CSE1L-positive cases were detected in 95% (57/60) of patients with bladder urothelial carcinomas or the atypical/suspicious cases with urothelial atypia. No CSE1L was detected in urine of healthy controls (p<0.01). Our results suggest that urinary CSE1L deserves further evaluation for the screening of bladder cancer.
BAT-25 polymorphism in Chinese from Jiangsu province and its implication for locus microsatellite instability screening
Authors: Zheng Yan Ying , Xie Ling , Liu Li , Zhang Shu Peng , Wu Xiao Bin , Le Zhu Chang , Lai Ren Sheng
Published: May 2012

Background

Colorectal cancer is one of the most common tumors with high mortality in China. Microsatellite instability (MSI) analysis is important for the diagnosis of hereditary non-polyposis colorectal cancer (HNPCC) and for the prediction of 5-FU chemotherapy efficiency of colorectal tumors, especially in terms of therapeutic response and overall survival rates. Among the MSI markers recommended by the NIH/NCI, BAT-25 has been extensively studied for its major role in MSI. BAT-25 presents different polymorphisms in different ethnic populations and studies of its polymorphisms in the Chinese population are still very limited.

Aims

To analyze the frequency of constitutive polymorphic variation at the BAT-25 locus in Chinese from Jiangsu Province and its implication for locus MSI screening.

Methods

The frequency of allelic variation at the BAT-25 locus of cervical cells from 500 healthy women and blood from 16 healthy males was assessed by direct sequencing. Twenty samples were also analyzed by fragment analysis. DNA extracted from blood of 94 patients with gastrointestinal cancer or endometrial cancer was analyzed by fragment analysis.

Results

After comparison with the sequencing results, the more frequent allele lengths were 126–127 bp, 128–129 bp, 129–130 bp, respectively consistent with the 24 poly(T) (T24), T25 and T26 alleles. At the BAT-25 locus, 516 healthy individuals had respectively 1.36%, 97.28% and 1.36% of the T24, T25 and T26. Whereas for the 94 cancer patients allelic frequencies were 0.53%, 1.06%, 96.8%, 1.6% for T15, T24, T25 and T26 alleles respectively. Sixteen healthy males had only the T25 allele and heterozygous T15 was only found in 1 male patient with colon cancer.

Conclusion

We established the relation between fragment length and thymine repeats in BAT-25. The results showed that the BAT-25 locus is quasimonomorphic in Chinese from Jiangsu province. Moreover we showed that variant alleles of BAT-25 were found more likely in blood from cancer patients than in healthy individuals, suggesting the need to perform comparative studies between tumor and blood, or normal tissue, as to obtain a correct MSI identification.
Cerium-Doped Endohedral Fullerene: A Density-Functional Theory Study
Authors: AlZahrani A. Z.
Published: May 2012

First-principles total energy calculations of the structural and electronic properties of Ce-doped fullerene have been performed within the framework of the density functional theory at the generalized gradient approximation level. Among various locations, Ce atom was found to engage with the six-fold carbon ring. The total energy is found to significantly change as the Ce atom being shifted from the center of the cage toward the edge close to the six-membered ring where the total energy reaches its local minimum. Moreover, repulsive interaction between Ce atom and the cage components turns as the adatom directly interacts with the six C atoms of the ring. The lowest-energy CeC60 geometry is found to have a binding energy of approximately 5.34 eV, suggesting strong interaction of the dopant with the cage members. Furthermore, fundamental key structural parameters and the total density of states of the optimized structure have been determined and compared with the available data.
A Gibbs Sampler for the Multidimensional Item Response Model
Authors: Sheng Yanyan , Headrick Todd C.
Published: May 2012

Current procedures for estimating compensatory multidimensional item response
theory (MIRT) models using Markov chain Monte Carlo (MCMC) techniques are inadequate in that they do not directly model the interrelationship between
latent traits. This limits the implementation of the model in various applications and further prevents the development of other types of IRT models that offer advantages not realized in existing models. In view of this, an MCMC algorithm is proposed for MIRT models so that the actual latent structure is
directly modeled. It is demonstrated that the algorithm performs well in modeling parameters as well as intertrait correlations and that the MIRT model can be used to explore the relative importance of a latent trait in answering each
test item.
Relation of High-Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol and Apoprotein A1 Levels with Presence and Severity of Coronary Obstruction
Authors: Sáez Y. , Vacas M. , Santos M. , Sáez de Lafuente J. P. , Sagastagoitia J. D. , Molinero E. , Iriarte J. A.
Published: May 2012

The aim of this work was to investigate the relationship between different lipids parameters with presence and severity of coronary obstruction angiographically evaluated. 897 patients (629 men and 268 women) underwent an angiography and blood extraction to determine concentrations of lipid markers: total cholesterol (TC), HDL cholesterol (HDLc), triglycerides, LDL cholesterol (LDLc), apolipoprotein A1 (apoA1), apolipoprotein B100 (apoB), non-HDL cholesterol and total cholesterol/HDLc, apoB100/apoA1 and LDLc/HDLc ratios. Multivariate analysis revealed that low HDLc levels were independently associated with the presence of coronary obstruction (OR: 0.982, 95% CI 0.969–0.996). In relation to severity of coronary stenosis, only apoA1 levels (OR: 0.990, 95% CI 0.980–1.000) and apoB/apoA1 ratio (OR: 3.243, 95% CI 1.095–9.608) were independent predictors. Our study demonstrated that HDLc was the only lipid parameter negatively and significantly associated with the presence of coronary obstruction, whereas apoA1 levels and apoB/apoA1 ratio were independent predictors of stenosis severity.
First Observations of Energy Budget and Bulk Fluxes at Ny Ålesund (Svalbard) during a 2010 Transition Period as Analyzed with the BEAR Station
Authors: Weill Alain , Eymard Laurence , Vivier Frédéric , Matulka Ania , Loisil Rodrigue , Amarouche Nadir , Panel Jean Michel , Lourenço Antonio , Viola Angelo , Vitale Vito , Argentini Stefania , Kupfer Heike
Published: May 2012

A small-size meteorological mast, BEAR (Budget of Energy for Arctic regions) has been developed as a part of a new autonomous buoy for monitoring the sea ice mass balance. BEAR complements observations of the thickness and thermodynamic properties of the ice/snow pack determined by the so-called Ice-T (Ice-Thickness) buoy, giving access to bulk fluxes and energy budget at the surface, using meteorological measurements. The BEAR mast has been tested with success during ten days in April-May 2010 at Ny Alesund, in the Svalbard archipelago (Norway) showing that meteorological data were close to measurements at the same level of the Italian Climate Change Tower (CCT) from the ISAC-CNR. A discussion is undertaken on bulk fluxes determination and uncertainties. Particularly, the strategy to systematically use different relevant fluxes parameterizations is pointed out to explore flux range uncertainty before to analyze energy budget. Net radiation, bulk fluxes and energy budget are estimated using as average 10 minutes, 24 hours and the ten days of the experiment. The observation period was very short, but we observe a spring transition when the net radiation begins to warm the surface while the very small turbulent heat flux cools the surface.
Albizia Benth Oil Maleinised Polyesteramides: Synthesis, Structure, and Characteristics
Authors: Akintayo C. O. , Akintayo E. T. , Azeez M. A.
Published: May 2012

Albizia benth oil (ABO) has been employed in the preparation of polyesteramide resin via the condensation of hydroxyethylamide derivatives of ABO fatty acids and phthalic anhydride. The maleinised Albizia benth oil polyesteramide was prepared, using maleinised hydroxyethylamide derivatives of ABO obtained by appending maleate half esters onto the hydroxyethylamide derivative of ABO and phthalic anhydride. Structural elucidation and characterisation of the products carried out revealed that maleic anhydride can successfully be used to modify polyesteramides, to improve its properties such as drying, flexibility, scratch hardness, impact resistance, chemical resistance, and lower curing temperature.
Partitioning a PPI Network into Overlapping Modules Constrained by High-Density and Periphery Tracking
Authors: Altaf-Ul-Amin Md. , Wada Masayoshi , Kanaya Shigehiko
Published: May 2012

This paper presents an algorithm called DPClusO for partitioning simple graphs into overlapping modules, that is, clusters constrained by density and periphery tracking. The major advantages of DPClusO over the related and previously published algorithm DPClus are shorter running time and ensuring coverage, that is, each node goes to at least one module. DPClusO is a general-purpose clustering algorithm and useful for finding overlapping cohesive groups in a simple graph for any type of application. This work shows that the modules generated by DPClusO from several PPI networks of yeast with high-density constraint match with more known complexes compared to some other recently published complex generating algorithms. Furthermore, the biological significance of the high density modules has been demonstrated by comparing their P values in the context of Gene Ontology (GO) terms with those of the randomly generated modules having the same size, distribution, and zero density. As a consequence, it was also learnt that a PPI network is a combination of mainly high-density and star-like modules.
Comprehensive Analysis of Bacterial Flora in Postoperative Maxillary Cyst Fluid by 16S rRNA Gene and Culture Methods
Authors: Sano Naoto , Yamashita Yoshio , Fukuda Kazumasa , Taniguchi Hatsumi , Goto Masaaki , Miyamoto Hiroshi
Published: May 2012

Intracystic fluid was aseptically collected from 11 patients with postoperative maxillary cyst (POMC), and DNA was extracted from the POMC fluid. Bacterial species were identified by sequencing after cloning of approximately 580 bp of the 16S rRNA gene. Identification of pathogenic bacteria was also performed by culture methods. The phylogenetic identity was determined by sequencing 517–596 bp in each of the 1139 16S rRNA gene clones. A total of 1114 clones were classified while the remaining 25 clones were unclassified. A total of 103 bacterial species belonging to 42 genera were identified in POMC fluid samples by 16S rRNA gene analysis. Species of Prevotella (91%), Neisseria (73%), Fusobacterium (73%), Porphyromonas (73%), and Propionibacterium (73%) were found to be highly prevalent in all patients. Streptococcus mitis (64%), Fusobacterium nucleatum (55%), Propionibacterium acnes (55%), Staphylococcus capitis (55%), and Streptococcus salivarius (55%) were detected in more than 6 of the 11 patients. The results obtained by the culture method were different from those obtained by 16S rRNA gene analysis, but both approaches may be necessary for the identification of pathogens, especially of bacteria that are difficult to detect by culture methods, and the development of rational treatments for patients with POMC.
Determination of Patulin in Apple Juice from Fuji Apples Stored in Different Conditions in Southern Brazil
Authors: Do Amparo Hudson Couto , Cavichon Elissa , Baratto Cesar Milton , Tondo Eduardo Cesar , Gelinski Jane Mary Lafayette Neves
Published: May 2012

The rapid increase in the global production of apples has led to improved monitoring and control of toxic substances present in apples and their derivatives. One of these toxic substances is patulin, a mycotoxin and secondary metabolite produced by different fungi species of the genera Penicillium, Aspergillus, Gymnoascus, Paecilomyces and Byssochlamys. This study evaluated patulin levels in juice produced from Fuji apples subjected to different temperature conditions and storage times in southern Brazil. The apples were divided into groups weighing 1 kg and stored at the following temperatures: 0ºC, 5ºC, 6.7ºC, 19.5ºC and 25ºC. Sub-samples of each group were processed to determine their patulin level by HPLC at the following intervals: 0 (control group), 7, 14 and 21 days. After 28 days of storage at all temperatures, the apples could not be analyzed due to their deterioration. The results indicated that at all temperatures; there was variation in the patulin levels. The smallest patulin value was observed in apple juice stored at 19.5°C and 25°C.
A Total Polyphenol Content of Mate (Ilex paraguariensis) and Other Plants-derived Beverages
Authors: Hartwig Vanessa Graciela , Brumovsky Luis Alberto , Fretes Maria Raquel
Published: May 2012

The total polyphenol content (TPC) of three maté (Ilex paraguariensis St. Hil.) beverages under typical consumer conditions in Argentina: Hot Maté, Cold Maté and Maté tea-bag, were determined.TPC was measured by the Folin-Ciocalteu method and expressed as gallic and chlorogenic acid equivalents (GAE and CAE, respectively). In Hot Maté, the intake would be 5.15 ± 0.55 g CAE /500 mL and 2.9 ±0.4 g GAE/500 mL; in Cold Maté, the intake would be 1.9 ± 0.4 g CAE /500 mL and 1.1 ± 0.2 g GAE/500 mL; one cup of Maté Tea-bag infusion (200 mL) contains between 0.55 ± 0.05 g CAE and 0.295 ± 0.015 g GAE. Comparison of the TPC of several beverages provided evidence that beverages of maté are rich sources of antioxidant phenolics. Among several ways of consumption of maté, the Hot Maté provides the highest intake of total polyphenols.
Nutritional and Organoleptic Properties of Wheat (Triticum aestivum) and Beniseed (Sesame indicum) Composite Flour Baked Foods
Authors: Emmanuel-Ikpeme Christine , Eneji Christopher , Igile Godwin
Published: May 2012

Eating snacks during lunch periods has become a way of life for school children and the busy working class people in most urban cities in developing nations like Nigeria. Providing nutritious and healthy snacks remains a major challenge for the food industry to tackle, including the issue of sugar and carbohydrate contents in snacks which predisposes obesity. Nutritional and sensory characteristics of baked foods produced from wheat/beniseed flour composite were investigated with the aim of producing healthy and nutritious baked foods. Beniseed was substituted in wheat flour so as to increase the protein content and enhance the nutritive value of baked food produced from such composite flour. Beniseed was substituted in wheat flour at 3 levels (10%, 20%, 30%) with other ingredients to produce bread and cake. The samples were analyzed for proximate content, vitamin A and C, antinutrients, minerals and sensory properties. Proximate and mineral contents, as well as Vitamin A and C content of the bread and cake showed significant increases (P>0.05) with increase in beniseed substitution levels. The level of total oxalate and soluble oxalate significantly increased (P<0.05), while phytate and tannins significantly (P<0.05) decreased with increase in beniseed substitution level. There was no significant difference (P<0.05) in the panelist ratings for taste, color, flavor, texture and overall acceptability of 10% beniseed substitution for bread and up to 20% beniseed substitution for cake with the control. The results indicate that a healthy and nutritious snack could be produced from wheat and beniseed flour composite. This study is of public health significance in Nigeria.
¿Por qué los clientes de restaurantes realizan boca-oreja negativo?
Authors: Moliner Velázquez Beatriz , Fuentes Blasco María
Published: May 2012

One of the most important complaint behaviour of dissatisfied consumers with a service is negative word-of-mouth. Despite the extensive literature on interpersonal communication, research on word-of-mouth in the context of unsatisfactory experiences still has certain limitations. This study aims to analyze the negative word-of-mouth process investigating the contribution of a set of variables such as level of dissatisfaction, likelihood of success in complaining and negative affects. So we analyze the causal relationships between these variables and we identify direct, indirect and mediators effects. The results were obtained from a sample of dissatisfied customers with restaurants and show dissatisfaction and affects have a direct and positive effect on negative word-of-mouth, while the effect of likelihood of success in complaining is indirect by dissatisfaction. These relationships represent significant business implications and new lines of research to advance the study of this type of response.
Identificación y medición del liderazgo de opinión, la satisfacción y la lealtad del público en un servicio cultural
Authors: Flores Zamora Javier , García Madariaga Miranda Jesús
Published: May 2012

In order to maintain and improve the relationships with their audiences, art organizations measure the service offered through several indicators that should be interrelated and analyzed with an integrated perspective. On the one hand, measurement of the audiences experience and their future intentions in relation to the arts venue; on the other, identification of individuals who are opinion leaders and can contribute to increase the organizations loyalty indices. The marketing literature offers extensive information regarding the experience received and the patrons future intentions. However, there is little material about opinion leadership and its impact towards loyalty. We seek to expand this perspective and develop a multidimensional scale that allow managers to measure and integrate these two areas, in the context of an art service. A structured based questionnaire was used and data was collected in an art venue, in London, UK.
Main Challenges for High Performance NAS Battery: Materials and Interfaces
Authors: Wen Zhaoyin , Hu Yingying , Wu Xiangwei , Han Jinduo , Gu Zhonghua
Published: May 2012

The progress in the research work and real applications of sodium‐sulfur (NAS) battery in large scale energy storage is introduced. The key materials and interfaces of the battery, particularly the role of Shanghai Institute of Ceramics, Chinese Academy of Sciences (SICCAS), are systematically reviewed. As the most important and difficult part, the high‐quality beta‐ alumina ceramic electrolyte tubes are prepared by a low‐cost solid state reaction process; their sealing performance and interfacial behavior with molten sodium and sulfur electrodes could be substantially improved by glass ceramic type sealants and surface modification, respectively. Combination of carbon and additives like SiO2 with different wetting behaviors for sulfur and the discharge product sulfides is shown to be significant in improving the electrochemical performances of NAS battery. Conductive ceramic coatings are developed as anti‐corrosion media of the current collector of sulfur electrode; this is identified as an effective route to protect the metal parts.
Highly Conductive Few‐Layer Graphene/Al2O3 Nanocomposites with Tunable Charge Carrier Type
Authors: Fan Yuchi , Jiang Wan , Kawasaki Akira
Published: May 2012

An ex situ strategy for fabrication of graphene oxide (GO)/metal oxide hybrids without assistance of surfactant is introduced. Guided by this strategy, GO/Al2O3 hybrids are fabricated by two kinds of titration methods in which GO and Al2O3 colloids are utilized as titrant for hybrids of low and high GO content respectively. After sintered by spark plasma sintering, few‐layer graphene (FG)/Al2O3 nanocomposites are obtained and GO is well reduced to FG simultaneously. A percolation threshold as low as 0.38 vol.% is achieved and the electrical conductivity surpasses 103 Sm−1 when FG content is only 2.35 vol.% in FG/Al2O3 composite, revealing the homogeneous dispersion and high quality of as‐prepared FG. Furthermore, it is found that the charge carrier type changes from p‐ to n‐type as graphene content becomes higher. It is deduced that this conversion is related to the doping effect induced by Al2O3 matrix and is thickness‐dependent with respect to FG.
High Frequency of Leaf Swallowing and its Relationship to Intestinal Parasite Expulsion in “Village” Chimpanzees at Bulindi, Uganda
Authors: Mclennan Matthew R. , Huffman Michael A.
Published: May 2012

Self‐medication by great apes to control intestinal parasite infections has been documented at sites across Africa. Chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes) swallow the leaves of certain plant species whole, without chewing. Previous studies demonstrated a relationship between chimpanzee leaf swallowing and expulsion of nematode worms (Oesophagostomum sp.) and tapeworms (Bertiella sp.) in dung. We investigated the relationship between leaf swallowing and parasite expulsion in chimpanzees inhabiting a fragmented forest–farm mosaic at Bulindi, Uganda. During 13 months whole undigested leaves occurred in chimpanzee dung at a considerably higher frequency (10.4% of dungs) than at other sites (0.4–4.0%). Leaf swallowing occurred year‐round and showed no pronounced seasonality. Chimpanzees egested adults of multiple species of Oesophagostomum (including O. stephanostomum) and proglottids of two tapeworms—Bertiella sp. and probably Raillietina sp. The latter may not be a true infection, but the byproduct of predation on domestic fowl. Compared to previous studies, the co‐occurrence of whole leaves and parasites in chimpanzee dung was low. Whereas the presence of leaves in dung increased the probability of adult nematode expulsion, no association between leaf swallowing and the shedding of tapeworm proglottids was apparent. Anthropogenic habitat changes have been linked to alterations in host–parasite interactions. At Bulindi, deforestation for agriculture has increased contact between apes and people. Elevated levels of leaf swallowing could indicate these chimpanzees are especially vulnerable to parasite infections, possibly due to environmental changes and/or increased stress levels arising from a high frequency of contact with humans. Frequent self‐medication by chimpanzees in a high‐risk environment could be a generalized adaptation to multiple parasite infections that respond differently to the behavior. Future parasitological surveys of apes and humans at Bulindi are needed for chimpanzee health monitoring and management, and to investigate the potential for disease transmission among apes, people, and domestic animals. Am. J. Primatol. 74:642–650, 2012. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Recent Advances in Azaborine Chemistry
Authors: Campbell Patrick G. , Marwitz Adam J. V. , Liu Shih‐Yuan
Published: May 2012

The chemistry of organoboron compounds has been primarily dominated by their use as powerful reagents in synthetic organic chemistry. Recently, the incorporation of boron as part of a functional target structure has emerged as a useful way to generate diversity in organic compounds. A commonly applied strategy is the replacement of a CC unit with its isoelectronic BN unit. In particular, the BN/CC isosterism of the ubiquitous arene motif has undergone a renaissance in the past decade. The parent molecule of the 1,2‐dihydro‐1,2‐azaborine family has now been isolated. New mono‐ and polycyclic B,N heterocycles have been synthesized for potential use in biomedical and materials science applications. This review is a tribute to Dewar’s first synthesis of a monocyclic 1,2‐dihydro‐1,2‐azaborine 50 years ago and discusses recent advances in the synthesis and characterization of heterocycles that contain carbon, boron, and nitrogen.
The surface modification of magnetic poly(methyl acrylate) microspheres with dendron and application in Au(III) adsorption
Authors: Liu Xiang , Guan Yueping , Wang Qiang , Ren Xiufeng , Yang Mingzhu
Published: May 2012

An improved suspension polymerization method for preparation of the magnetic poly(methyl acrylate) microspheres (mPMA‐DVB) was investigated. Through subsequent reaction with methyl acrylate (MA) and ethylenediamine (EDA), the magnetic poly(methyl acrylate) microspheres with dendron surface was obtained, and the magnetic poly(methyl acrylate) microspheres with dendron surface reacted with carbon bisulfide and sodium hydroxide to create sodium dithiocarbamate. Following, the resultant magnetic microspheres with dendron surface modification were used to adsorb Au(III) from aqueous solution. The result showed that the capacity of amino groups on the surface of the mPMA microspheres increased from 1.67 mmol/g for the magnetic polymer microspheres with G0 dendron to 4.35 mmol/g with G3 dendron, and the adsorption capacity rose from 0.1981 g/g with G0 dendron to 0.7853 g/g with G3 dendron. The effects of solution pH, the adsorption temperature, the adsorption time, and the initial concentration of Au(III) on the adsorption of Au(III) were studied, the optimum pH for Au(III) adsorption was found at pH = 1, the adsorption capacity achieved the maximum in 60 min, and the adsorption process was endothermic reaction and conformed to pseudo‐second‐order kinetic models. Furthermore, the adsorption process was in accordance with the Langmuir model. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2012
Solution properties of a novel ampholytic polyphenylene sulfide
Authors: Xiao Hui , Tao Rong , Cui Wei , Zhang Shuai , Li Rui Hai
Published: May 2012

A polyampholyte was prepared from polyphenylene sulfide (PPS) by sulfonation, followed by bromination, and then the substitution of bromine by a quaternary ammonium group and tertiary amine group. The aqueous solution properties of the polyelectrolyte and polyampholyte with different ionic groups were investigated by viscometric measurement and rheological behavior measurement. The results show that the viscosities of the polyelectrolyte and polyampholyte were not only dependent on the nature of acid and base substituents along the polymer chain but also on the external factors, such as pH and small‐molecule electrolytes. In pure water, the rheological behavior of the polyelectrolyte showed an obvious critical shear rate in this circumstance; the polyampholyte showed a relatively stable shear rate compared with the polyelectrolyte. However, in salt‐saturated water, the viscosity decreased quickly with increasing shear rate. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci., 2013
Mechanical, thermal, and microwave properties of conducting composites of polypyrrole/polypyrrole‐coated short nylon fibers with acrylonitrile butadiene rubber
Authors: Pramila Devi D. S. , Nair Ajalesh. B. , Jabin T. , Kutty Sunil K. N.
Published: May 2012

Pyrrole was polymerized in the presence of anhydrous ferric chloride as oxidant and p‐toluene sulfonic acid as dopant. Polypyrrole‐coated short nylon fibers were prepared by polymerizing pyrrole in the presence of short nylon fibers. The resultant polypyrrole (PPy) and PPy‐coated nylon fiber (F‐PPy) were then used to prepare rubber composites based on acrylonitrile butadiene rubber (NBR). The cure pattern, direct current (DC) conductivity, mechanical properties, morphology, thermal degradation parameters, and microwave characteristics of the resulting composites were studied. PPy retarded the cure reaction while F‐PPy accelerated the cure reaction. Compared to PPy, F‐PPy was found to be more effective in enhancing the DC conductivity of NBR. The tensile strength and modulus values increased on adding PPy and F‐PPy to NBR, suggesting a reinforcement effect. Incorporation of PPy and F‐PPy improved the thermal stability of NBR. The absolute value of the dielectric permittivity, alternating current (AC) conductivity, and absorption coefficient of the conducting composites prepared were found to be much greater than the gum vulcanizate. PPy and F‐PPy were found to decrease the dielectric heating coefficient and skin depth significantly. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2012
A novel honey‐based nanofibrous scaffold for wound dressing application
Authors: Maleki H. , Gharehaghaji A. A. , Dijkstra P. J.
Published: May 2012

In this study, nanofiber meshes were produced from aqueous mixtures of poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) and honey via electrospinning. The Electrospinning process was performed at different PVAs to honey ratios (100/0, 90/10, 80/20, 70/30, and 60/40). Dexamethasone sodium phosphate was selected as an anti‐inflammatory drug and incorporated in the electrospinning solutions. Its release behavior was determined. Uniform and smooth nanofibers were formed, independent of the honey content. In case honey content increased up to 40%, some spindle‐like beads on the fibers were observed. The diameter of electrospun fibers decreased as the ratio of honey increased. The release characteristics of the model drug from both the PVA and PVA/honey (80/20) nanofibrous mats were studied and statistical analysis was performed. All electrospun fibers exhibited a large initial burst release at a short time after incubation. The release profile was similar for both PVA and PVA/honey (80/20) drug‐loaded nanofibers. This study shows that an anti‐inflammatory drug can be released during the initial stages and honey can be used as a natural antibiotic to improve the wound dressing efficiency and increase the healing rate. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci, 2013
Preparation and characterization of several types of polyvinyl butyral hollow fiber membranes by thermally induced phase separation
Authors: Kitaura Toshihiko , Fadzlina Wan Nur , Ohmukai Yoshikage , Maruyama Tatsuo , Matsuyama Hideto
Published: May 2012

Hollow fiber membranes were prepared by thermally induced phase separation from three types of polyvinyl butyral (PVB) and a blend of two of these polymers. Although the difference in the chemical composition of the PVB polymers used was not remarkable, their respective membrane performances were quite different. With a high phase separation temperature the pore size of the prepared membrane was large, because structure growth occurred for a long time. Water permeability tests of the wet membranes showed the results that corresponded to the pore sizes of the membranes. By contrast, the results for the dried membrane appeared to be related to the hydrophilicity of the PVB polymer and independent of pore size in the wet condition. Although the membrane with high wettability had low mechanical strength, the membrane from the polymer blend of two different PVB polymers showed adequate wettability and mechanical strength. This produced a hollow fiber membrane with favorable characteristics for application in water treatment. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci., 2013
Antarctic ozone depletion and trends in tropopause Rossby wave breaking
Authors: Ndarana T. , Waugh D. W. , Polvani L. M. , Correa G. J. P. , Gerber E. P.
Published: May 2012

Trends in summer tropopause Rossby wave breaking (RWB) are examined using meteorological reanalyses and model integrations. The reanalyses for the last 30 years show large increases in RWB on the equatorward side of the tropospheric jet and weak decreases on the poleward side. Comparable changes in RWB are found in general circulation model integrations whose stratospheric ozone differs between 1960 and 2000 levels, but not in integrations that differ only in their greenhouse gas concentrations and sea‐surface temperatures. These results indicate that the formation of the ozone hole has led to changes in RWB frequency during southern summer. Copyright © 2012 Royal Meteorological Society
Maternal tea consumption during early pregnancy and the risk of spina bifida
Authors: Yazdy Mahsa M. , Tinker Sarah C. , Mitchell Allen A. , Demmer Laurie A. , Werler Martha M.
Published: May 2012

Studies have demonstrated that catechin, an antioxidant found in tea, can reduce the bioavailability of folate. Because periconceptional folic acid intake has been demonstrated to reduce the risk of spina bifida, tea consumption may put pregnant women at risk because of its possible antifolate properties. Using data collected in the Slone Epidemiology Center Birth Defects Study, we examined whether tea consumption during early pregnancy was associated with an increased risk of spina bifida. Mothers of 518 spina bifida cases and 6424 controls were interviewed within 6 months after delivery about pregnancy events and exposures. Data on tea intake were collected during three periods (1976–1988, 1998–2005 and 2009–2010). Logistic regression models were used to calculate odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs), adjusted for study center. Intake of both periconceptional food folate and diet and supplemental folic acid were examined as a potential effect modifier. For 1976 to 1988, ORs were not elevated for daily tea intake. For 1998 and onward, ORs were also close to 1.0, but there was a modest increase for those who drank more than 3 cups/day (OR, 1.92; 95% CI, 0.84–4.38). Among women with total folic acid intake greater than 400 μg, consumption of 3 cups or more of tea per day was associated with an increased risk of spina bifida in 1976 to 1988 (OR, 2.04; 95% CI, 0.69–7.66) and in the later periods (OR, 3.13; 95% CI, 0.87–11.33). Our data do not support an overall association between tea consumption and spina bifida, but there is a suggestion of a possible interaction between higher levels of folic acid intake and tea consumption. Birth Defects Research (Part A) 2012. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
The Use of Ultrasonography to Study Teratogenicity in Ruminants: Evaluation of Ipomoea carnea in Goats
Authors: Gotardo André T. , Schumaher Breno H. , Pfister James A. , Traldi Anneliese S. , Maiorka Paulo C. , Spinosa Helenice S. , Górniak Silvana L.
Published: May 2012

Background: Ipomoea carnea (I. carnea) is a poisonous plant found in Brazil and other tropical countries that often poison livestock. The plant contains the alkaloids calystegines and mainly swainsonine, which inhibit cellular enzymes and cause systematic cell death. The objective of this study was to evaluate the perinatal effects of I. carnea in goats. Methods: Forty‐seven pregnant goats were randomly allocated into 5 treatment groups and given the following doses (g/kg BW) of I. carnea: 0 (IC0), 1.0 (IC1), 3.0 (IC3), 5.0 (IC5) and 7.5 (IC7). The treatment animals were given fresh I. carnea from day 27 of gestation to parturition. Weight gains and serum biochemistry were evaluated. Fetuses were evaluated using ultrasonographic measurements. Results: Goats from the IC7 group showed clinical signs of poisoning. Ultrasound examination revealed that I. carnea feeding in all treatment groups reduced fetal movement compared to the controls. There was an increase in the total number of birth defects (retrognathia and arthrogyposis) in the IC7 and IC5 groups compared to the controls. Conclusion: The results show that I. carnea has teratogenic potential in goats. In addition, ultrasounds were useful in evaluating fetotoxicity and teratogenicity. Birth Defects Res (Part B) 00:1–7, 2012. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
An ultra scale‐down approach to assess the impact of the choice of recombinant P. pastoris strain on dewatering performance in centrifuges
Authors: Lopes Adriana G. , Khan Nadia , Liddell John , Keshavarz‐Moore Eli
Published: May 2012

Pichia pastoris is becoming a desirable host in the biopharmaceutical industry for therapeutics production. It grows on methanol to high cell densities ≥100 g DCW/L and secretes foreign proteins at high titers. However, the culture conditions to reach high cell densities pose a challenge to the processability by primary recovery operations, in particular centrifugation, used for cell removal. This work aims to assess the impact of recombinant P. pastoris strain selection on centrifugal dewatering. Normally, the choice of P. pastoris recombinant strain is based on best target protein expression levels; however, it is unknown whether the choice of strain will have an impact on performance of centrifugation operation. To achieve this aim, a previously developed laboratory ultra‐scale down (USD) methodology that successfully predicted centrifugal dewatering of pilot‐scale disk‐type machines, was used in this work. Two recombinant P. pastoris strains, namely a X‐33 and a glycoengineered Pichia strain, were used to perform fermentations secreting different products. The resulting harvested fermentation culture properties were analyzed and the dewatering performances of a pilot‐ and a large‐scale disk‐type centrifuge were evaluated using the USD methodology. The choice of P. pastoris strain was found to have a considerable impact on dewatering performance, with P. pastoris X‐33 strain reaching better dewatering levels than the glycoengineered strain. The USD method proved to be a useful tool to determine optimal conditions under which the large scale centrifuge needed to be operated, reducing the need for repeated pilot‐scale runs during early stages of process development for therapeutic products. © 2012 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Biotechnol. Prog., 28: 1029–1036, 2012
Prospective, multicenter European study of the GORE flow reversal system for providing neuroprotection during carotid artery stenting
Authors: Nikas Dimitrios , Reith Wolfgang , Schmidt Andrej , Duda Stephan , Mathias Klaus , Cremonesi Alberto , Dill Harold , Formgren Johan , Pieniazek Piotr , Musialek Piotr , Hornung Marius , Sievert Horst , Reimers Bernhard
Published: May 2012

Background

Embolic protection devices (EPDs) are used to provide protection against brain embolization during carotid artery stenting (CAS) to treat carotid artery stenosis, but the optimal type of EPD has not been determined. Distally positioned filters are commonly used but do not provide protection during crossing of the lesion. This prospective, multicenter study investigated a proximally placed device (GORE Flow Reversal System) that reverses blood flow in the internal carotid artery during CAS, thereby directing emboli away from the brain.

Methods

Outcomes in 122 patients (28% symptomatic), who underwent CAS using the flow reversal system were assessed (intention‐to‐treat analysis). The primary endpoint was a major adverse event (MAE; defined as death or stroke) within 30 days of CAS. The secondary endpoint was a myocardial infarction (MI) or nonstroke‐related neurologic event within 30 days.

Results

The flow reversal system could not be used in one patient because of severe vessel tortuosity and in two patients (1.6%) because of intolerance. The 30‐day MAE rate and the secondary endpoint rate were each 1.6%. No patient in the series died or had an MI within 30 days. No patient who was symptomatic before CAS had an MAE. One symptomatic and one asymptomatic patient had a transient ischemic attack.

Conclusions

Use of the GORE Flow Reversal System during CAS had a high rate of technical success and low 30‐day rates of adverse neurologic and cardiac events. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Organocatalytic 1,4‐Addition Reaction of α,β‐γ,δ‐Diunsaturated Aldehydes versus 1,6‐Addition Reaction
Authors: Hayashi Yujiro , Okamura Daichi , Umemiya Shigenobu , Uchimaru Tadafumi
Published: May 2012

Among 1,4‐addition and 1,6‐addition reactions, 1,4‐addition reaction is the main reaction mode in the Michael reaction of α,β‐γ,δ‐diunsaturated aldehyde with several nucleophiles catalyzed by diphenylprolinol silyl ether via iminium ion intermediate. The 1,4‐addition products, which possess excellent enantioselectivity and alkene moiety, are useful chiral building blocks. The ab initio calculation indicates that 1,4‐addition reaction is preferable in terms of π‐orbital coefficient and Mulliken/CHelpG atomic charge.