bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The impact of Breeam on the design of buildings
Authors: Haroglu Hasan
Published: November 2012

Over the past few years, the Building Research Establishment environmental assessment method (Breeam) has increasingly been used for building projects in the UK. This presents design teams with numerous challenges, not the least of which is the need to manage and accommodate the Breeam requirements in their design. This paper examines the impact of the Breeam assessment process on the design of building projects in the UK using eight case studies. The main effects were found to be in the areas of building features, materials and water services. This impact varied from project to project depending on the building type, location, targeted/required Breeam rating, date of assessment and the assessor's role, as well as the team's knowledge of the assessment process. There were significant design changes in the cases aiming to achieve the highest Breeam rating. The results suggest in some cases that Breeam may limit design teams in their design by drawing their attention to achieving Breeam credits rather than the building in its entirety. For instance, Breeam tends to dictate design solutions rather than focusing on the intention – as an example, a designer may focus more on major leak detection than saving water. The paper also discusses potential incorporation of Breeam requirements into building regulations.
Linking old‐growth forest composition, structure, fire history, climate and land‐use in the mountains of northern México
Authors: Cortés Montaño Citlali , Fulé Peter Z. , Falk Donald A. , Villanueva-Díaz José , Yocom Larissa L.
Published: November 2012

Old‐growth forests are biologically and ecologically valuable systems that are disappearing worldwide at a rapid rate. México still holds large areas covered by temperate forests in the mountains of the Sierra Madre Occidental, but few of these retain old‐growth characteristics. We studied four sites with remnant old‐growth forests in Mesa de las Guacamayas, a site in the Sierra Madre Occidental in northwestern Chihuahua, to assess their composition, structure, and age characteristics. Overstory tree densities and basal areas at each site were based on measurements of all trees >1.3 m tall. The overstory was dominated by largePinus durangensis,P. strobiformis, andPseudotsuga menziesii(270–335 trees ha−1, basal area 24–42 m2ha−1), with a subcanopy formed mostly of oaks. This species composition, combined with the lack of vertical structural development, and thus of fuel ladders, suggests that these forests are relatively resistant to severe wildfire. We evaluated forest attributes in the context of local fire regimes and regional climatic patterns, and found that frequent disturbance by surface fires has been part of the study sites' histories for at least 250 years. While climate was a driver of fire regimes historically in this mountain range, humans appear to have played a role in interruptions of the fire regime in the second half of the 20th century. Age distributions showed recruitment to the canopy over ∼250 years, while fires in the four sites recurred every 6–12 years. Temporary interruption of the fire regime in the mid‐20th century at three sites was associated with increased tree establishment, especially by broadleaved species. One site had an uninterrupted fire regime and showed continuous tree establishment, consistent with the self‐reinforcing role of frequent fire in regulating live and dead fuel loads. Remnant old‐growth forests such as those we sampled are becoming increasingly rare in the Sierra Madre Occidental. The biodiversity and ecological processes that they support are highly threatened and their conservation must be made a priority in the U.S.‐México borderlands.
Beyond the mean: The role of variability in predicting ecological effects of stream temperature on salmon
Authors: Steel E. Ashley , Tillotson Abby , Larsen Donald A. , Fullerton Aimee H. , Denton Keith P. , Beckman Brian R.
Published: November 2012

Alterations in variance of riverine thermal regimes have been observed and are predicted with climate change and human development. We tested whether changes in daily or seasonal thermal variability, aside from changes in mean temperature, could have biological consequences by exposing Chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha) eggs to eight experimental thermal regimes. Thermal variance impacted both emergence timing and development at emergence. Further, genetics influenced the magnitude of that response. Ecological implications include: (1) changes in thermal variability, independent of warming, have the potential to alter the timing of life history processes, (2) the commonly‐used degree day accumulation model is not sufficient to predict how organisms respond to altered temperature regimes, and (3) there are likely to be genetic differences in how individuals and populations respond to future water temperature regimes.
Effects of Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi on Seed and Protein Yield under Water‐Deficit Stress in Mung Bean
Authors: Habibzadeh Yagoob , Pirzad Alireza , Zardashti Mohammad Reza , Jalilian Jalal , Eini Omid
Published: November 2012

Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi are considered to have the potential to increase the tolerance of host plants to water‐deficit stress. This is due to their apparent role in water and nutrient uptake and transfer to their host plants. To evaluate the effects of mycorrhizal fungi species and water‐deficit stress on mung bean [Vigna radiata (L.) R. Wilczek var. radiata] plants, a 2‐yr split‐plot experiment based on a randomized complete block design with three replications was conducted in the field in 2009 and 2010. Treatments were the application of various irrigation levels (irrigation after 50, 100, 150, and 200 mm of evaporation from a Class A pan as the main plot) and inoculation with two mycorrhizal fungal species (Glomus mosseae, G. intraradices, and uninoculated plants as subplots). Our results from 2 yr of experiment indicates that the highest (1833.51 and 479.15 kg ha−1) and lowest (1139.56 and 333.99 kg ha−1) seed and protein yield were obtained from plants irrigated after 50 and 200 mm of evaporation, respectively; however, the maximum (0.60 kg m−3) and minimum (0.32 kg m−3) ecosystem water use efficiency was observed in plants irrigated after 200 and 50 mm of evaporation, respectively. Seed yield, biological yield, leaf P, leaf N, protein percentage, protein yield, harvest index of protein, and ecosystem water use efficiency were improved in mycorrhizal plants compared with the non‐mycorrhizal plants. Our results suggest that both G. mosseae and G. intraradices significantly improved the yield (seed and protein) and reduced the water‐deficit stress in mung bean plants in the field.
Quantifying Plant Age and Available Water Effects on Soybean Leaf Conductance
Authors: Matthews Jessica L. , Fiscus Edwin L. , Smith Ralph C. , Heitman Joshua L.
Published: November 2012

Given the ever‐present threat of drought and the knowledge that water availability is the strongest limiting factor in vegetation growth, it is important to characterize the effect of water limitations on agricultural production. In this study, a small field plot technique for controlling soil moisture content suitable for physiological research in moist, humid areas was tested. We characterized the effect of water stress on total leaf conductance (gl) for two distinct determinate soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] genotypes. Based on these findings, a model of gl as a function of plant age and soil moisture content was formulated and validated. The dependency of gl on plant age was well represented by a parabolic function that increased throughout the vegetative period, peaked around anthesis, and decreased throughout the reproductive period and senescence. A sigmoidal function explained the relation of gl to plant‐available soil water content. This new empirical model effectively quantifies the response of gl to plant‐available soil water and plant age with a functional form similar to the abscisic acid related Tardieu–Davies model.
Depictions of Husbands in Miscarriage Accounts
Authors: Fairchild Jennifer L. , Arrington Michael Irvin
Published: November 2012

Little research has employed social support literature to investigate the support needs of women coping with the loss of a child—or the potential of partners to fulfill those needs. The researchers gathered miscarriage narratives through interviews with 24 women and analyzed the depictions of supportive and unsupportive responses from husbands. Narrators perceived partners either as ideal support sources or as clueless to enact support.
The Carathéodory topology for multiply connected domains I
Authors: Comerford Mark
Published: November 2012

We consider the convergence of pointed multiply connected domains in the Carathéodory topology. Behaviour in the limit is largely determined by the properties of the simple closed hyperbolic geodesics which separate components of the complement. Of particular importance are those whose hyperbolic length is as short as possible which we call meridians of the domain. We prove continuity results on convergence of such geodesics for sequences of pointed hyperbolic domains which converge in the Carathéodory topology to another pointed hyperbolic domain. Using these we describe an equivalent condition to Carathéodory convergence which is formulated in terms of Riemann mappings to standard slit domains.
Embedding of dendriform algebras into Rota-Baxter algebras
Authors: Gubarev Vsevolod , Kolesnikov Pavel
Published: November 2012

Following a recent work [Bai C., Bellier O., Guo L., Ni X., Splitting of operations, Manin products, and Rota-Baxter operators, Int. Math. Res. Not. IMRN (in press), DOI: 10.1093/imrn/rnr266] we define what is a dendriform dior trialgebra corresponding to an arbitrary variety Var of binary algebras (associative, commutative, Poisson, etc.). We call such algebras di- or tri-Var-dendriform algebras, respectively. We prove in general that the operad governing the variety of di- or tri-Var-dendriform algebras is Koszul dual to the operad governing di- or trialgebras corresponding to Var!. We also prove that every di-Var-dendriform algebra can be embedded into a Rota-Baxter algebra of weight zero in the variety Var, and every tri-Var-dendriform algebra can be embedded into a Rota-Baxter algebra of nonzero weight in Var.
A rapid microtitre plate Folin-Ciocalteu method for the assessment of polyphenols
Authors: Attard Everaldo
Published: November 2012

Several methods have been described for the determination of phenolic compounds in animal and plant products using the Folin-Ciocalteu (FC) assay. Most of these methods describe the use of this reagent and sodium carbonate in spectrophotometric methods. The macro FC assay was compared with two micro FC assays carried out on a microplate reader. Excellent correlation was obtained among the three assays with a molar extinction coefficient of 5.228±0.187x103 M−1 cm−1. The micro assay may serve as a high throughput method for the rapid determination of polyphenols in various samples.
Current distribution and spreading of Euphorbia davidii (E. dentata agg.) in Europe
Authors: Barina Zoltán , Shevera Myroslav , Sîrbu Culiţă , Pinke Gyula
Published: November 2012

Of the Euphorbia dentata aggregate, both E. dentata and E. davidii have been reported from Europe. A revision of herbarium and published materials, however, indicates that only E. davidii can be confirmed in Europe. Although known in Europe since 1968, most records are from the 1990s. There are 46 known populations scattered throughout the continent, in Russia, Ukraine, Moldova, Romania, Bulgaria, Hungary, Italy, Belgium, Switzerland and France. Most populations are small and restricted to railway areas; however, the species can also invade agricultural fields. Due to its wide distribution, the growing number of recently established populations, and its invasive ability, special attention should be paid to changes in distribution and population sizes in Europe.
Experimental investigation of bubble and drop formation at submerged orifices
Authors: Dietrich Nicolas , Mayoufi Nadia , Poncin Souhil , Li Huai-Zhi
Published: November 2012

The aim of this study was to investigate bubble/drop formation at a single submerged orifice in stagnant Newtonian fluids and to gain qualitative understanding of the formation mechanism. The effects of various governing parameters were studied. Formation behavior of bubbles and drops in Newtonian aqueous solutions were investigated experimentally under different operating conditions with various orifices. The results show that the volume of the detached dispersed phase (bubble or drop) increases with the viscosity of the continuous phase (or dispersion medium), surface tension, orifice diameter, and dispersed phase flow rate. A PIV system was employed to measure the velocity flow field quantitatively during the bubble/drop formation, giving interesting information useful for the elucidation of the fundamental formation process at the orifice. It was revealed that the orifice shape strongly influences the size of the bubble formed. Furthermore, based on a simple mass balance, a general correlation successfully predicting both bubble and drop sizes has been proposed.
Comparison of polymeric and ceramic membranes performance in the process of micellar enhanced ultrafiltration of cadmium(II) ions from aqueous solutions
Authors: Staszak Katarzyna , Karaś Zofia , Jaworska Karolina
Published: November 2012

A comparison of polymeric and ceramic membranes in the ultrafiltration process was studied and presented. This study was conducted on the separation of cadmium(II) ions, with particular reference to parameters such as hydrodynamic permeability coefficient, membrane fouling, amount of surfactant in the permeate, efficiency, and effectiveness of the process. The effect of ionic (SDS) and non-ionic (Rofam 10) surfactants or their mixture was investigated. The hydrodynamic permeability coefficient of the ceramic membrane was found to be much lower in comparison to those of the polymeric ones (1.69 × 10−7 m3 h−1 m−2 Pa−1, 5.66 × 10−7 m3 h−1 m−2 Pa−1, and 9.26 × 10−7 m3 h−1 m−2 Pa−1 for ceramic, CA, and PVDF, respectively). However, filtration of the surfactants solutions did not cause permanent blocking of pores and the surface of the ceramic membrane in contrast to the polymeric ones. No significant differences in surfactants permeation through the membranes tested were observed. Concentration of the surfactant in the permeate was lower than 1 CMC for the Rofam 10 solution and exceeded the CMC by about 40 % for the SDS solution. Better separation properties of polymer membranes for the separation of cadmium(II) ions from micellar systems were identified.
Effects of enzymes and hydrocolloids on physical, sensory, and shelf-life properties of wheat bread
Authors: Mikuš Ľubomír , Kováčová Mária , Dodok Ladislav , Medveďová Alžbeta , Mikušová Lucia , Šturdík Ernest
Published: November 2012

This study compares two types of enzymes: maltogenic amylase (Novamyl 10000 BG) and lipase (Lipopan F BG, Lipopan Xtra BG), both separately and in combination, and seven hydrocolloids (guar gum, xanthan gum, carrageenan, β-glucan, carob gum, and carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC)) on the physical and sensory properties of a bakery product (white wheat bread). Their effect was observed on the baking characteristics of volume, specific volume, shape, mass, shelf-life (penetration and water activity test), and overall taste. The best results in shelf-life extension from the hydrocolloids were shown by β-glucan, a combination of xanthan gum + carrageenan and guar gum. From the enzymes, the best results were achieved with Lipopan Xtra BG and Novamyl 10000 BG + Lipopan F BG combination. The sensory properties (e.g. taste, colour, shape, aroma, elasticity, hardness) were evaluated by ten trained panellists, holding certification in sensory analysis. β-Glucan and Novamyl 10000 BG + Lipopan F BG combination increased the bread volume significantly and also were deemed to afford the most favourable taste.
Analysis of V(C, N) nanoparticles in a medium carbon bainitic microalloyed steel and their influence on strengthening
Authors: Rancel Lucia , Gómez Manuel , Medina Sebastián F. , Valles Pilar
Published: November 2012

Continuous cooling transformation diagrams were plotted for a microalloyed steel in dilatometric tests at different cooling rates, and maximum and minimum cooling rates for bainite formation were determined. Austenite grain and bainite packet sizes were measured in three bainitic microstructures obtained by continuous cooling from austenitisation temperatures of 950, 1 050 and 1 150 °C, respectively. The results show that bainitic packet growth cannot exceed the austenite grain boundaries where it has nucleated. V(C, N) particle size was measured using field emission gun scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy, respectively. Both techniques yielded very similar values, but transmission electron microscopy is preferable due to its higher resolution and the possibility to carry out electron diffraction and dispersive X-ray analyses. The presence of precipitates has contributed to raising the yield strength, which can be predicted by Orowan's expression.
Effects of molecular polarity on nanofluidic behavior in a silicalite
Authors: Lu Weiyi , Kim Taewan , Zhao Cang , Qiao Yu
Published: November 2012

While “like attracts like” is common sense for large surfaces, here we show that in a nanopore the effective solid–liquid interfacial tension can be quite independent of the liquid polartiy. Moreover, as the liquid molecules and ions are confined, their behavior can be either reversible or irreversible, depending on the liquid composition. These unique phenomena can be attributed to the confinement effects and the absence of bulk liquid phase in the nanoenvironment.
Microstructure evolution in pure aluminium processed by equal channel angular pressing at elevated temperature
Authors: Subbarayan S. , Roven H. J. , Chen Y. J. , Skaret P. C.
Published: November 2012

The potential for significant grain refinement in pure aluminium (99.9%) processed by means of equal channel angular pressing at 523 K (T/T
m ∼ 0.6) has been demonstrated. The mean grain size was significantly reduced from 1.2 mm to 4 µm after eight passes. The stored energy and high-angle grain boundary fraction increase until 6 passes and then remain almost constant until 8 passes. The grain refinement occurred in two stages, initially driven by the evolution of deformation inhomogeneties (deformation bands, microbands) and then through recovery and the interaction of deformation inhomogeneties into fine grains.
The Process of Exiting Vegetarianism: An Exploratory Study
Authors: Menzies Kenneth , Sheeshka Judy
Published: November 2012

Purpose: The experience, reasons, and contexts associated with leaving vegetarianism were explored.

Methods: Interviews were conducted with a convenience sample of 19 ex-vegetarians and 15 continuing vegetarians.

Results: Exiting vegetarianism is similar to the process of leaving other important individual identities, including exiting diets containing meat. It is a process, not an event, and partially a response to inconvenience, particularly when the person's table companions were not vegetarians. Major life changes and declines in self-perceived health provided occasions to reassess life choices, including the vegetarian commitment. Ex-vegetarians interpreted their vegetarianism as a transition to a new, healthier diet. Including a comparison group of continuing vegetarians revealed that the ex-vegetarians were more likely to have become vegetarians as a result of concern about the well-being of animals and the environment, not animal rights, a value more difficult to compromise.

Conclusions: Exiting processes show the five central food values of taste, health, time, cost, and social relationships undermine people's commitment to a diet chosen largely for moral reasons.
Recurrent pediatric central nervous system low-grade gliomas: the role of surveillance neuroimaging in asymptomatic children
Authors: Udaka Yoko T. , Yeh-Nayre Lanipua A. , Amene Chiazo S. , VandenBerg Scott R. , Levy Michael L. , Crawford John R.
Published: November 2012

Object

Pediatric low-grade glioma (LGG) is the most common brain tumor of childhood. Except for the known association of gross-total resection and improved survival rates, relatively little is known about the clinical and radiographic predictors of recurrent disease and the optimal frequency of surveillance MRI. The authors sought to determine the clinical and radiographic features associated with recurrent or progressive disease in a single-institutional series of children diagnosed with primary CNS LGG.

Methods

The authors performed a retrospective analysis of data obtained in 102 consecutive patients diagnosed at Rady Children's Hospital–San Diego between 1994 and 2010 with a biopsy-proven LGG exclusive of a diagnosis of neurofibromatosis. Tumor location, patient age, sex, and symptomatology were correlated with tumor progression or recurrence. Magnetic resonance imaging characteristics and neuroimaging surveillance frequency were analyzed in those children with progressive or recurrent disease.

Results

Forty-six of 102 children diagnosed with an LGG had evidence of recurrent or progressive disease between 2 months and 11 years (mean 27.3 months) after diagnosis. In the larger group of 102 children, gross-total resection was associated with improved progression-free survival (p = 0.012). The location of tumor (p = 0.26), age at diagnosis (p = 0.69), duration of symptoms (p = 0.72), histological subtype (p = 0.74), sex (p = 0.53), or specific chemotherapeutic treatment regimen (p = 0.24) was not associated with tumor progression or recurrence. Sixty-four percent of children with recurrent or progressive disease were asymptomatic, and recurrence was diagnosed by surveillance MRI alone. All children less than 2 years of age in whom the tumor was diagnosed were asymptomatic at the time of progression (p = 0.04). Thirteen percent (6 of 46) of the children had disease recurrence 5 years after initial diagnosis; all of them had undergone an initial subtotal resection. Tumor progression was associated with either homogeneous or patchy T1-weighted post–Gd administration MRI enhancement in 94% of the cases (p = 0.0001).

Conclusions

Children diagnosed with recurrent LGG may be asymptomatic at the time of recurrence. The authors' findings support the need for routine neuroimaging in a subset of children with LGGs, even when gross-total resection has been achieved, up to 5 years postdiagnosis. The authors found that T1-weighted MR images obtained before and after Gd administration alone may be sufficient to diagnose LGG recurrence and may represent an effective strategy worthy of further validation in a larger multiinstitutional cohort.
Occipitocervical fusion using a contoured rod and wire construct in children: a reappraisal of a vintage technique
Authors: Klimo Paul , Astur Nelson , Gabrick Kyle , Warner William C. , Muhlbauer Michael S.
Published: November 2012

Object

Many methods to stabilize and fuse the craniocervical junction have been described. One of the early designs was a contoured (Luque) rod fixated with wires, the so-called Hartshill-Ransford loop. In this study, the authors report their 20-year experience with this surgical technique in children.

Methods

The authors reviewed the medical records of patients 18 years of age or younger who underwent dorsal occipitocervical fusion procedures between March 1992 and March 2012 at Le Bonheur Children's Hospital using a contoured rod and wire construct. Data on basic patient characteristics, causes of instability, neurological function at presentation and at last follow-up, details of surgery, complications, and radiographic outcome were collected.

Results

Twenty patients (11 male) were identified, with a mean age of 5.5 years (range 1–18 years) and a median follow-up of 43.5 months. Fourteen patients had atlantooccipital dislocation, 2 patients had atlantoaxial fracture–dissociations, 2 had Down syndrome with occipitocervical and atlantoaxial instability, 1 had an epithelioid sarcoma from the clivus to C-2, and 1 had an anomalous atlas with resultant occipitocervical instability. Surgical stabilization extended from the occiput to C-1 in 3 patients, C-2 in 6, C-3 in 8, and to C-4 in 3. Bone morphogenetic protein was used in 2 patients. Two patients were placed in a halo orthosis; the rest were kept in a hard collar for 6–8 weeks. All patients were neurologically stable after surgery. One patient with a dural tear experienced wound dehiscence with CSF leakage and required reoperation. Eighteen patients went on to achieve fusion within 6 months of surgery; 1 patient was initially lost to follow-up, but recent imaging demonstrated a solid fusion. There were no early hardware or bone failures requiring hardware removal, but radiographs obtained 8 years after surgery showed that 1 patient had an asymptomatic fractured rod. There were no instances of symptomatic junctional degeneration, and no patient was found to have increasing lordosis over the fused segments. Five (31%) of the 16 trauma patients required a shunt for hydrocephalus.

Conclusions

Despite the proliferation of screw-fixation techniques for craniocervical instability in children, the contoured rod–wire construct remains an effective, less expensive, and technically easier alternative that has been in use for almost 30 years. It confers immediate stability, and therefore most patients will not need to be placed in a halo device postoperatively. A secondary observation in our series was the high (30%) rate of hydrocephalus requiring a shunt in patients with traumatic instability.
A PEV Charging Service Model for Smart Grids
Authors: Shuaib Khaled , Zhang Liren , Gaouda Ahmed , Abdel-Hafez Mohammed
Published: November 2012

Plug-in Electric Vehicles (PEVs) are envisioned to be more popular during the next decade as part of Smart Grid implementations. Charging multiple PEVs at the same time within a power distribution area constitutes a major challenge for energy service providers. This paper discusses a priority-based approach for charging PEVs in a Smart Grid environment. In this work, ideas from the communication network paradigm are being utilized and tailored toward achieving the desired objective of monitoring and controlling PEVs electric load in Smart Grid. A detailed example is given to show how uncontrolled penetration of PEVs can impact distribution transformer reliability. The paper introduces the concept of Charging Quality of Service (CQoS) as a smart electric vehicle charging scheme and models it using a priority-controlled leaky bucket approach. The performance of such a model is investigated under the umbrella of a Smart Grid environment.
Förster Resonance Energy Transfer (FRET) as a Tool for Dissecting the Molecular Mechanisms for Maturation of the Shigella Type III Secretion Needle Tip Complex
Authors: Dickenson Nicholas , Picking William
Published: November 2012

Förster resonance energy transfer (FRET) provides a powerful tool for monitoring intermolecular interactions and a sensitive technique for studying Å-level protein conformational changes. One system that has particularly benefited from the sensitivity and diversity of FRET measurements is the maturation of the Shigella type III secretion apparatus (T3SA) needle tip complex. The Shigella T3SA delivers effector proteins into intestinal cells to promote bacterial invasion and spread. The T3SA is comprised of a basal body that spans the bacterial envelope and a needle with an exposed tip complex that matures in response to environmental stimuli. FRET measurements demonstrated bile salt binding by the nascent needle tip protein IpaD and also mapped resulting structural changes which led to the recruitment of the translocator IpaB. At the needle tip IpaB acts as a sensor for host cell contact but prior to secretion, it is stored as a heterodimeric complex with the chaperone IpgC. FRET analyses showed that chaperone binding to IpaB’s N-terminal domain causes a conformational change in the latter. These FRET analyses, with other biophysical methods, have been central to understanding T3SA maturation and will be highlighted, focusing on the details of the FRET measurements and the relevance to this particular system.
Cancer Cell Response to Anthracyclines Effects: Mysteries of the Hidden Proteins Associated with These Drugs
Authors: Tyleckova Jirina , Hrabakova Rita , Mairychova Katerina , Halada Petr , Radova Lenka , Dzubak Petr , Hajduch Marian , Gadher Suresh J. , Kovarova Hana
Published: November 2012

A comprehensive proteome map of T-lymphoblastic leukemia cells and its alterations after daunorubicin, doxorubicin and mitoxantrone treatments was monitored and evaluated either by paired comparison with relevant untreated control and using multivariate classification of treated and untreated samples. With the main focus on early time intervals when the influence of apoptosis is minimized, we found significantly different levels of proteins, which corresponded to 1%–2% of the total amount of protein spots detected. According to Gene Ontology classification of biological processes, the highest representation of identified proteins for all three drugs belong to metabolic processes of proteins and nucleic acids and cellular processes, mainly cytoskeleton organisation and ubiquitin-proteasome pathway. Importantly, we observed significant proportion of changes in proteins involved in the generation of precursor metabolites and energy typical for daunorubicin, transport proteins participating in response to doxorubicin and a group of proteins of immune system characterising response to mitoxantrone. Both a paired comparison and the multivariate evaluation of quantitative data revealed daunorubicin as a distinct member of the group of anthracycline/anthracenedione drugs. A combination of identified drug specific protein changes, which may help to explain anti-cancer activity, together with the benefit of blocking activation of adaptive cancer pathways, presents important approaches to improving treatment outcomes in cancer.
Generation of the First Structure-Based Pharmacophore Model Containing a Selective “Zinc Binding Group” Feature to Identify Potential Glyoxalase-1 Inhibitors
Authors: Al-Balas Qosay , Hassan Mohammad , Al-Oudat Buthina , Alzoubi Hassan , Mhaidat Nizar , Almaaytah Ammar
Published: November 2012

Within this study, a unique 3D structure-based pharmacophore model of the enzyme glyoxalase-1 (Glo-1) has been revealed. Glo-1 is considered a zinc metalloenzyme in which the inhibitor binding with zinc atom at the active site is crucial. To our knowledge, this is the first pharmacophore model that has a selective feature for a “zinc binding group” which has been customized within the structure-based pharmacophore model of Glo-1 to extract ligands that possess functional groups able to bind zinc atom solely from database screening. In addition, an extensive 2D similarity search using three diverse similarity techniques (Tanimoto, Dice, Cosine) has been performed over the commercially available “Zinc Clean Drug-Like Database” that contains around 10 million compounds to help find suitable inhibitors for this enzyme based on known inhibitors from the literature. The resultant hits were mapped over the structure based pharmacophore and the successful hits were further docked using three docking programs with different pose fitting and scoring techniques (GOLD, LibDock, CDOCKER). Nine candidates were suggested to be novel Glo-1 inhibitors containing the “zinc binding group” with the highest consensus scoring from docking.
Lipases as Tools in the Synthesis of Prodrugs from Racemic 9-(2,3-Dihydroxypropyl)adenine
Authors: Brabcová Jana , Blažek Jiří , Janská Lucie , Krečmerová Marcela , Zarevúcka Marie
Published: November 2012

Lipases from Geotrichum candidum 4013 (extracellular lipase and cell-bound lipase) were immobilized by adsorption on chitosan beads. The enzyme preparations were tested in the synthesis of ester prodrugs from racemic 9-(2,3-dihydroxypropyl)adenine in dimethylformamide with different vinyl esters (acetate, butyrate, decanoate, laurate, palmitate). The transesterification activities of these immobilized enzymes were compared with commercially available lipases (lipase from hog pancreas, Aspergillus niger, Candida antarctica, Pseudomonas fluorescens). Lipase from Candida antarctica was found to be the most efficient enzyme regarding chemical yield of the desired products, while transesterification by lipase from Aspergillus niger resulted in lower yields.
Influence of Nonpolar Substances on the Extraction Efficiency of Six Alkaloids in Zoagumhwan Investigated by Ultra Performance Liquid Chromatography and Photodiode Array Detection
Authors: Zhao Yanling , Jia Lei , Yang Hongbo , Wang Jiabo , Zhang Ping , Li Ruisheng , Gong Man , Luo Shengqiang , Liu Shijing , Xiao Xiaohe
Published: November 2012

A reverse phase ultra performance liquid chromatography and photodiode array (UPLC-PDA) detection method was established for the determination of six alkaloids in Zoagumhwan (ZGW), and further for investigating the influence of nonpolar substances on the extraction efficiency of these alkaloids. The method was based on a BEH C18 (50 mm × 2.1 mm, 1.7 μm) column and mobile phase of aqueous phosphoric acid and acetonitrile including 0.05% buffer solution under gradient elution. ZGW samples of ZGW I, II, III and IV were obtained and prepared by pre-processing the crude materials of Coptidis rhizoma and Evodiae fructus using four technologies, namely direct water decoction, removal of nonpolar substances in Evodiae fructus by supercritical fluid extraction (SFE), removal of nonpolar substances in ZGW by SFE and removal of nonpolar substances in ZGW by steam distillation. The developed and validated UPLC-PDA method was precise, accurate and sensitive enough based on the facts that the six alkaloids showed good regression (r > 0.9998), the limit of detections and quantifications for six alkaloids were less than 28.8 and 94.5 ng/mL, respectively, and the recovery was in the range of 98.56%–103.24%. The sequence of the total contents of six alkaloids in these samples was ZGW II > ZGW IV > ZGW III > ZGW I. ZGW II, in which nonpolar substances, including essential oils, were firstly removed from Evodiae fructus by SFE, had the highest content of the total alkaloids, indicating that extraction efficiency of the total alkaloids could be remarkably increased after Evodiae fructus being extracted by SFE.
Novel Rearrangements in the Reactions Directed Toward Preparation of Spiro-N,N-ketals: Reactions of Naphthalene-1,8-diamine with Ninhydrin and Isatin
Authors: Akita Motoko , Seto Hideyuki , Aoyama Reiko , Kimura Junko , Kobayashi Keiji
Published: November 2012

Spiro-N,N-ketal 5, consisting of a phthaloperine heterocyclic ring and a naphtha[1,8-ef][1,4]diazepine ring, was obtained along with spiro-N,N-ketal 2 via 2,2-condensation in the reaction of ninhydrin with naphthalene-1,8-diamine. Their molecular structures were elucidated by X-ray crystal structural analysis. Aside from these spiro compounds, the diazapleiadiene compound 3 formed by 1,2-condensation and the 1,4-isoquinolinedione compound 4 arising from ring expansion were isolated. When isatin was reacted with naphthalene-1,8-diamine, spiro-N,N-ketal 6 and the two 1H-perimidine-based compounds 7 and 8 were isolated. Compound 8 was revealed to undergo a fast dynamic prototropic tautomerization in solution. Plausible mechanisms of the formation of the products are proposed.
Effects of Diets Supplemented with Branched-Chain Amino Acids on the Performance and Fatigue Mechanisms of Rats Submitted to Prolonged Physical Exercise
Authors: Falavigna Gina , Junior Jonas , Rogero Marcelo , Pires Ivanir , Pedrosa Rogério , Junior Eivor , Castro Inar , Tirapegui Julio
Published: November 2012

This study aimed to determine the effects of diets chronically supplemented with branched-chain amino acids (BCAA) on the fatigue mechanisms of trained rats. Thirty-six adult Wistar rats were trained for six weeks. The training protocol consisted of bouts of swimming exercise (one hour a day, five times a week, for six weeks). The animals received a control diet (C) (n = 12), a diet supplemented with 3.57% BCAA (S1) (n = 12), or a diet supplemented with 4.76% BCAA (S2) (n = 12). On the last day of the training protocol, half the animals in each group were sacrificed after one hour of swimming (1H), and the other half after a swimming exhaustion test (EX). Swimming time until exhaustion was increased by 37% in group S1 and reduced by 43% in group S2 compared to group C. Results indicate that the S1 diet had a beneficial effect on performance by sparing glycogen in the soleus muscle (p < 0.05) and by inducing a lower concentration of plasma ammonia, whereas the S2 diet had a negative effect on performance due to hyperammonemia (p < 0.05). The hypothalamic concentration of serotonin was not significantly different between the 1H and EX conditions. In conclusion, chronic BCAA supplementation led to increased performance in rats subjected to a swimming test to exhaustion. However, this is a dose-dependent effect, since chronic ingestion of elevated quantities of BCAA led to a reduction in performance.
Tungsten Toxicity in Plants
Authors: Adamakis Ioannis-Dimosthenis , Panteris Emmanuel , Eleftheriou Eleftherios
Published: November 2012

Tungsten (W) is a rare heavy metal, widely used in a range of industrial, military and household applications due to its unique physical properties. These activities inevitably have accounted for local W accumulation at high concentrations, raising concerns about its effects for living organisms. In plants, W has primarily been used as an inhibitor of the molybdoenzymes, since it antagonizes molybdenum (Mo) for the Mo-cofactor (MoCo) of these enzymes. However, recent advances indicate that, beyond Mo-enzyme inhibition, W has toxic attributes similar with those of other heavy metals. These include hindering of seedling growth, reduction of root and shoot biomass, ultrastructural malformations of cell components, aberration of cell cycle, disruption of the cytoskeleton and deregulation of gene expression related with programmed cell death (PCD). In this article, the recent available information on W toxicity in plants and plant cells is reviewed, and the knowledge gaps and the most pertinent research directions are outlined.
Impact of Aerosol Model Selection on Water-Leaving Radiance Retrievals from Satellite Ocean Color Imagery
Authors: McCarthy Sean , Gould Richard , Richman James , Kearney Courtney , Lawson Adam
Published: November 2012

We examine the impact of atmospheric correction, specifically aerosol model selection, on retrieval of bio-optical properties from satellite ocean color imagery. Uncertainties in retrievals of bio-optical properties (such as chlorophyll, absorption, and backscattering coefficients) from satellite ocean color imagery are related to a variety of factors, including errors associated with sensor calibration, atmospheric correction, and the bio-optical inversion algorithms. In many cases, selection of an inappropriate or erroneous aerosol model during atmospheric correction can dominate the errors in the satellite estimation of the normalized water-leaving radiances (nLw), especially over turbid, coastal waters. These errors affect the downstream bio-optical properties. Here, we focus on the impact of aerosol model selection on the nLw radiance estimates by comparing Aerosol Robotic Network-Ocean Color (AERONET-OC) measurements of nLw and aerosol optical depth (AOD) to satellite-derived values from Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) and Sea-viewing Wide Field-of-view Sensor (SeaWiFS). We also apply noise to the satellite top-of-atmosphere (TOA) radiance values in the two near-infrared (NIR) wavelengths used for atmospheric correction, to assess the effect on aerosol model selection and nLw retrievals. In general, for the data sets examined, we found that as little as 1% uncertainty (noise) in the NIR TOA radiances can lead to the selection of a different pair of bounding aerosol models, thus changing nLw retrievals. We also compare aerosol size fraction retrieved from AERONET and size fraction represented by aerosol models selected during atmospheric correction.
A Comparison between Local and Global Spaceborne Chlorophyll Indices in the St. Lawrence Estuary
Authors: Montes-Hugo Martin , Fiorani Luca , Marullo Salvatore , Roy Suzanne , Gagné Jean-Pierre , Borelli Rodolfo , Demers Serge , Palucci Antonio
Published: November 2012

Spaceborne chlorophyll indices based on red fluorescence (wavelength = 680 nm) and water leaving radiance (Lw) in the visible spectrum (i.e., 400–700 nm) were evaluated in the St Lawrence Estuary (SLE) during September of 2011. Relationships between chlorophyll concentration (chl) and fluorescence were constructed based on fluorescence line height (FLH) measurements derived from a compact laser-based spectrofluorometer developed by ENEA (CASPER) and using spectral bands corresponding to the satellite sensor MERIS (MEdium Resolution Imaging Spectrometer). Chlorophyll concentration as estimated from CASPER (chlCASPER) was relatively high NE of the MTZ (upper Estuary), and nearby areas influenced by fronts or freshwater plumes derived from secondary rivers (lower estuary). These findings agree with historical shipboard measurements. In general, global chl products calculated from Lw had large biases (up to 27-fold overestimation and 50-fold underestimation) with respect to chlCASPER values. This was attributed to the smaller interference of detritus (mineral + organic non-living particulates) and chromophoric dissolved organic matter on chlCASPER estimates. We encourage the use of spectrofluorometry for developing and validating remote sensing models of chl in SLE waters and other coastal environments characterized by relatively low to moderate (<10 g·m−3) concentrations of detritus.
Identification of Cell-Surface Molecular Interactions under Living Conditions by Using the Enzyme-Mediated Activation of Radical Sources (EMARS) Method
Authors: Honke Koichi , Kotani Norihiro
Published: November 2012

Important biological events associated with plasma membranes, such as signal transduction, cell adhesion, and protein trafficking, are mediated through the membrane microdomains. We have developed a novel method termed enzyme-mediated activation of radical sources (EMARS) to identify coclustering molecules on the cell surface under living conditions, which features a radical formation from an aryl azide reagent by horseradish peroxidase (HRP). For identification of molecules labeled by the EMARS reaction, antibody array system and mass spectrometry-based proteomics approaches are available. Spatio- temporally-regulated interaction between b1 integrin and ErbB4 involved in fibronectin-dependent cell migration and therapeutic antibody-stimulated interaction between FGFR3 and CD20 were discovered using the EMARS method.
Surgical management of radial head luxation in a dog using an external skeletal traction device
Authors: Yeadon R. , Farrell M. , Fitzpatrick N.
Published: November 2012

A five-month-old Airedale Terrier was presented with a history of right thoracic limb lameness. Clinical and radiographic examinations revealed caudolateral luxation of the right radial head. Surgical intervention involved an oblique proximal radial osteotomy and gradual craniomedial traction of the radial head using an external skeletal fixator (ESF) incorporating a traction device. The radial head was gradually reduced over 16 days. After radiographic confirmation of appropriate radial head reduction, a consolidation phase followed, with removal of the traction ESF after 24 days. Follow-up radiographs documented remodelling of the radial head. Clinical follow-up three years postoperatively revealed nearly normal ground reaction forces. Activity was unrestricted and there was no requirement for analgesic medications.
Surgical repair of a tibial fracture in a two-week-old grey seal (Halichoerus grypus)
Authors: Hespel A.-M. , Bernard F. , Davies N. J. , Huuskonen V. , Skelly C. , David F.
Published: November 2012

Objective: To report the successful management of a suspected infected tibial fracture in a common grey seal.

Study design: Case report.

Animal: Female common grey seal (Halichoerus grypus), 2 weeks old, 20 kg.

Methods: A closed, complete, transverse fracture of the left tibial distal diaphysis was debrided, reduced and stabilized using a string-of-pearls (SOP) locking plate covered with polymethylmethacrylate impregnated with gentamicin. Fracture of the ipsilateral fibula was left untreated. Postoperative radiographs were obtained immediately, and at 10 days, three weeks, and six weeks post-surgery, and a computed tomographic examination was performed 2.5 months post-surgery. A species-specific progressive rehabilitation programme was conducted.

Results: Bone healing of both fractures and absence of injury of the distal tibial growth plate were evident on the 2.5 month follow-up examination, and also full range-of-motion of the flipper was preserved and no lameness or difficulty with swimming and hunting were detected. On computed tomography, signs of chronic left coxofemoral and ilial wing trauma were incidentally detected. The seal was released three months postoperatively.

Conclusion: A transverse infected distal fracture of the tibia and fibula in a young common grey seal was successfully managed with the combination of single SOP plating of the tibia, local antibiotic release and a specific rehabilitation programme.

Clinical relevance: Surgical treatment of a long-bone fracture in a wild immature grey seal was successful with a combination of techniques adapted to the species.
Lalangue en questions
Authors: Simonney Dominique
Published: November 2012

Résumé Lalangue , néologisme de Lacan, fusionne les signifiants langue et la , donc le nom et l’article qui le désigne. Cette création langagière née de l’emboutissement de deux signifiants a connu depuis son énonciation par Lacan, en novembre 1971, lors d’une conférence à la chapelle de l’hôpital Sainte-Anne, de très larges développements dans son enseignement. Lacan a entre autres précisé qu’il s’agissait de la langue maternelle, celle qui nomme, à travers ses modulations, sa musicalité (penser à la lallation) les premiers objets que rencontre l’enfant. Lalangue échappe, au moins en partie, aux lois du langage (thème développé par J.-C. Milner). Mais il n’y a pas de langue de lalangue : Lacan revient sur la poésie amoureuse de Dante et sur ce qu’il qualifie d’échec à créer une langue nouvelle. Si lalangue est bien faite pour dire une certaine musique (harmonie ?) de l’amour, elle ne se laisse pas dompter par le cadre du langage, qui, lui, dit tout autre chose, à travers ses lois : la règle, la limite, donc la castration. Dès lors, la place de lalangue dans la cure pose question : d’où mon titre. Bien que reprise largement par les analystes, mais dans des acceptions souvent contradictoires, notamment quant à son usage dans la cure, lalangue fait à mon avis quelque peu encore figure d’ ovni (objet vocal non identifié) dans notre champ.