bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Antigenic Diversity Among Portuguese Clinical Isolates of Helicobacter pylori
Authors: Vitoriano Inês , Rocha‐Gonçalves Alexandra , Carvalho Teresa , Oleastro Mónica , Calado Cecília R. C. , Roxo‐Rosa Mónica
Published: March 2011

Background:  The human gastroduodenal pathogen, Helicobacter pylori, is characterized by an unusual extent of genetic heterogeneity. This dictates differences in the antigenic pattern of strains resulting in heterogeneous human humoral immune responses. Here, we examined the antigenic variability among a group of 10 strains isolated from Portuguese patients differing in age, gender, and H. pylori‐associated gastric diseases.

Material and Methods:  Immunoassays were performed on two‐dimensional electrophoresis gels obtained for the proteome of each strain, using a commercial pool of antibodies produced in rabbit, against the whole cell lysate of an Australian H. pylori strain. Relevant proteins were identified by mass spectrometry.

Results:  Immunoproteomes of the Portuguese strains showed no correlation between the number of antigenic proteins or the antigenic profile, and the disease to which each strain was associated. The Heat shock protein B was the unique immunoreactive protein common to all of them. Additionally, seven proteins were found to be antigenic in at least 80% of strains: enoyl‐(acyl‐carrier‐protein) reductase (NADH); Catalase; Flagellin A; 2 isoforms of alkyl hydroperoxide reductase; succinyl‐CoA transferase subunit B; and an unidentified protein. These proteins were present in the proteome of all tested strains, suggesting that differences in their antigenicity are related to antigenic variance.

Conclusions:  This study showed evidence of the variability of antigenic pattern among H. pylori strains. We believe that this fact contributes to the failure of anti‐H. pylori vaccines and the low accuracy of serological tests based on a low number of proteins or antigens of only one strain.
Helicobacter pylori Infection, Intestinal Metaplasia, and Gastric Cancer Risk in Eastern Siberia
Authors: Tsukanov Vladislav Vladimirovich , Butorin Nikolai Nikolaevich , Maady Ayas Sergeevich , Shtygasheva Olga Vladimirovna , Amelchugova Olga Sergeevna , Tonkikh Julia Leongardovna , Fassan Matteo , Rugge Massimo
Published: March 2011

Background:  The incidence of gastric cancer (GC) is extremely high in Russia and eastern Siberia, where information on the epidemiology of Helicobacter pylori infection is fragmentary.

Aims:  To assess the prevalence of both H. pylori infection (including CagA status) and intestinal metaplasia (IM) in Russian and eastern Siberian populations carrying a different risk of GC.

Materials and Methods:  A sample of 2129 consecutive patients was considered, including 689 Europoids and 1440 Mongoloids (493 Evenks, 533 Khakass people, and 414 Tuvans), who all underwent serum sampling and upper gastrointestinal endoscopy. H. pylori status was established (ELISA, urease test, and histology), and IgG anti‐CagA antibodies were assessed (ELISA) in H. pylori‐positive cases. At least 3 biopsy samples per patient were considered, and IM was scored as present versus absent. The prevalence of H. pylori, CagA+ve status, and IM was compared with the incidence of GC according to the regional cancer registries.

Results:  The prevalence of H. pylori was similar for the Europoids and Mongoloids (93.6 vs 94.3%). The prevalence of CagA+ve infection was as follows: Europoids 61.2%, Evenks 36.4%, Khakass 44.0%, Tuvans 60.0% (p1vs2 < .001; p1vs3 < .001; p2vs4 < .001; p3vs4 < .001). The prevalence of IM was as follows: Europoids 10.7%, Evenks 5.1%, Khakass 9.8%, and Tuvans 23.4% (p1vs2 = .001; p1vs4 < .001; p2vs4 < .001; p3vs4 < .001). The incidence of GC (per 100,000 population/year) was as follows: Europoids 33.2; Evenks 18.2; Khakass 20.2; Tuvans 50.7 (p1vs2 = 0.04; p1vs3 = .05; p2vs4 < .001; p3vs4 < .001).

Conclusion:  H. pylori infection is consistently high in Russian and eastern Siberian populations; ethnicities with similar prevalence of CagA+ve status had different prevalence of IM and incidence of GC. As expected, IM prevalence correlated with the incidence of GC. Host‐related and/or environmental factors may explain discrepancies between H. pylori status, the prevalence of IM, and the incidence of GC.
Development of the DESIGN‐R with an observational study: An absolute evaluation tool for monitoring pressure ulcer wound healing
Authors: Matsui Yuko , Furue Masutaka , Sanada Hiromi , Tachibana Takao , Nakayama Takeo , Sugama Junko , Furuta Katsunori , Tachi Masahiro , Tokunaga Keiko , Miyachi Yoshiki
Published: March 2011

DESIGN is a seven‐item (depth, exudates, size, inflammation/infection, granulation, necrosis, and pocket) monitoring scale for pressure ulcers developed in 2002 by the scientific education committee of the Japanese Society of Pressure Ulcers. DESIGN is a very useful tool for chronological monitoring of each pressure ulcer, but a key limitation of this tool is its inability to compare the wound‐healing process among different pressure ulcers in different patients due to a lack of statistical item weighting. Our aim was to weight DESIGN items by statistical analysis and develop a new validated tool to overcome this limitation. Subjects comprised 3,601 patients with pressure ulcers. Patients were followed every week during the study period. To establish the weighting of each item and grade, we estimated the probabilities of wound healing at 12‐month follow‐up using multivariable Cox's regression analysis. Weighting (−β value) for each item in order of the highest rank was: pocket, 2.289; size, 1.573; inflammation/infection, 0.778; granulation tissue, 0.682; exudate, 0.543; and necrotic tissue, 0.529. Based on these findings, a new, validated “DESIGN‐Rating tool” for monitoring the progression of pressure ulcer healing was developed, implying the development of an absolute evaluation tool and clinical indicator to assess the quality of medical care.
Purkinje‐Related Arrhythmias Part I: Monomorphic Ventricular Tachycardias
Authors: NOGAMI AKIHIKO
Published: March 2011

Purkinje‐related monomorphic ventricular tachycardias (VTs) can be classified into four distinct groups: (1) verapamil‐sensitive left fascicular VT, (2) Purkinje fiber‐mediated VT post infarction, (3) bundle branch reentry (BBR) and interfascicular reentry VTs, and (4) focal Purkinje VT. There are three subtypes of fascicular VTs: (1) left posterior fascicular VT with a right bundle branch block (RBBB) configuration and superior axis; (2) left anterior fascicular VT with an RBBB configuration and right‐axis deviation; and (3) upper septal fascicular VT with a narrow QRS configuration. The mechanism of the fascicular VT is macroreentry. While the antegrade limb of the circuit is a midseptal abnormal Purkinje fiber in the anterior and posterior fascicular VTs, the antegrade limb of the upper septal fascicular VT is both the anterior and posterior fascicles, and the retrograde limb is a midseptal abnormal Purkinje fiber. Purkinje fiber‐mediated VT post infarction also exhibits verapamil sensitivity, and the surviving muscle bundles within the myocardium and Purkinje system are components of the reentry circuit. BBR‐VT and interfascicular reentry VT are amenable to being cured by the creation of bundle or fascicular block. The mechanism of focal Purkinje VT is abnormal automaticity from the distal Purkinje system, and the ablation target is the earliest Purkinje activation during the VT. It is difficult to distinguish verapamil‐sensitive fascicular VT from focal Purkinje VT by the 12‐lead electrocardiogram; however, focal Purkinje VT is not responsive to verapamil
. The recognition of the heterogeneity of these VTs and their unique characteristics should facilitate an appropriate diagnosis and therapy. (PACE 2011; 34:624–650)
No Increased Bleeding Events with Continuation of Oral Anticoagulation Therapy for Patients Undergoing Cardiac Device Procedure
Authors: LI HUNG‐KEI , CHEN FRANK C. , REA ROBERT F. , ASIRVATHAM SAMUEL J. , POWELL BRIAN D. , FRIEDMAN PAUL A. , SHEN WIN‐KUANG , BRADY PETER A. , BRADLEY DAVID J. , LEE HON‐CHI , HODGE DAVID O. , SLUSSER JOSHUA P. , HAYES DAVID L. , CHA YONG‐MEI
Published: March 2011

Background: Switching warfarin for heparin has been a practice for managing periprocedural anticoagulation in high‐risk patients undergoing device‐related procedures. We sought to investigate whether continuation of warfarin sodium therapy without heparin bridging is safe and, when it is continued, the optimal international normalized ratio (INR) without increased bleeding risk at time of device‐related procedure.

Methods and Results: We retrospectively studied 766 consecutive patients taking warfarin long term who underwent device‐related procedures. Patients were grouped by treatment: discontinued warfarin (−warfarin, n = 243), no interruption of warfarin (+warfarin, n = 324), and discontinued warfarin with heparin bridging (+heparin, n = 199). The study primary endpoint was systemic bleeding or formation of moderate or severe pocket hematoma within 30 days of the procedure. Thirty‐one (4%) patients had bleeding events, including pocket hematoma in 29 patients. The bleeding events occurred more often for +heparin (7.0%) than −warfarin (2.1%) or +warfarin (3.7%, P = 0.029). For +warfarin group, INR of 2.0–2.5 at time of procedure did not increase bleeding risk compared with INR less than 1.5 (3.7% vs 3.4%; P = 0.72), but INR greater than 2.5 increased the bleeding risk (10.0% vs 3.4%; P = 0.029). Concomitant aspirin use with warfarin significantly increased bleeding risk than warfarin alone (5.6% vs 1.4%, P = 0.02). Median length of hospitalization was significantly shorter for +warfarin than +heparin (1 vs 6 days; P < 0.001).

Conclusion: Continuation of oral anticoagulation therapy with an INR level of <2.5 does not impose increased risk of bleeding for device‐related procedures, although precaution is necessary to avoid supratherapeutic anticoagulation levels. (PACE 2011; 34:868–874)
Atrial Flutter a Manifestation of Cardiac Tamponade
Authors: PABÓN GUILLERMO MORA , RAMÍREZ JOHN A.
Published: March 2011

Atrial flutter (AFL) is a common arrhythmia that is associated with postpericardiotomy and pericarditis. The relationship of AFL with tamponade has rarely been reported. A case of AFL with acute pericarditis and cardiac tamponade is thus presented here. PACE 2012; 35:e97–e99)
Parameter Signature of a Reel Problem
Authors: FYKE FRAZIER E. , McCEARLEY SANDRA S.
Published: March 2011

Clinics involved in follow‐up of cardiac implantable electronic devices, especially implantable cardiac defibrillators (ICDs), increasing rely upon remote monitoring. This case describes the parameter signature characteristic of an uncommon but well‐described syndrome. Analysis of the nature and timing of the sequence of abnormalities contained in the archived device data, all of which is available for review via remote monitoring, reveals the cause for failure of this primary prevention ICD system. (PACE 2011; 34:1031–1033)
Surgical Electrocautery Facilitated Transseptal Puncture in Children
Authors: ELAYI CLAUDE SAMY , GURLEY JOHN CARL , DI SESSA THOMAS GERALD , KAKAVAND BAHRAM
Published: March 2011

Background: Transseptal puncture has been performed in adults and children for decades. However, transseptal puncture can be challenging especially in pediatric patients because of an elastic septum and small atria. In adults, dedicated radiofrequency (RF) to facilitate transseptal puncture has become routine.

Objectives: We wanted to assess whether RF could be used routinely in children to facilitate transseptal procedure.

Method: The study population included all children referred to our electrophysiology lab who underwent an ablation requiring a transseptal puncture over a period of 10 months. RF was applied at the time of transseptal puncture. The source of RF was standard surgical electrocautery device with the electrosurgical pen in direct contact with the transseptal needle applied for a short period of time during transseptal puncture. RF output was set initially at 30 W in cut mode. All procedures were performed under general anesthesia. Patients were followed for possible complications.

Results: Thirteen patients (ages 11.6 ± 3.6 years, range 5–17 years, five boys) were included. One patient had left ventricular tachycardia, and the remainder had a supraventricular tachycardia with a left‐sided accessory pathway. In all but two patients, a single attempt with an RF output of 30 W applied for less than 2 seconds was sufficient to cross the septum. In two patients, three attempts were needed with a last successful attempt using 35 W. No complications were observed either acutely or during the follow‐up.

Conclusion: Transseptal puncture facilitated by RF energy can be performed in children routinely and safely. (PACE 2011; 34:827–831)
Palpography Detects Mechanical Dyssynchrony and Worsens with Right Ventricular Pacing and Reduced Left Ventricular Ejection Fraction
Authors: SHARIF DAWOD , RADZIEVSKY NAIRA , SAMNIAH NEMER , HASSAN AMIN , KUSHNIR ALON , ROSENSCHEIN URI
Published: March 2011

Background: QRS width and echocardiography‐derived indices are limited predictors of response to resynchronization therapy. We applied digital palpography, using vibration resonance imaging, to investigate the effects of right ventricular pacing and left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) on mechanical and electrical dyssynchrony.

Methods: Forty‐nine subjects were examined: 24 normal controls, 18 subjects with right ventricular apical pacing (12 with reduced LVEF), and seven subjects with reduced LVEF and narrow QRS. Digital measurement of QRS width was performed. Electric dyssynchrony index (EDI) was measured as the time interval between peak R‐waves of the same QRS complex of simultaneously recorded standard limb electrocardiograms, L1 and L2. A matrix of 6 × 6 vibration recording transducers was applied to chest. The interval between the onset of Q‐wave and the peak of amplitude vibration for each transducer was measured, and a three‐dimensional map for the whole matrix of transducers was generated. Median values (QE1) were measured. Mechanical vibration systolic dyssynchrony index (VSDI) for each subject was determined as the standard deviation of the difference between the median value and each transducer interval.

Results: EDI was larger in subjects with right ventricular pacing. Mechanical dyssynchrony indices were larger with pacing and reduced LVEF. EDI correlated with QRS width (r2= 0.7), with VSDI (r2= 0.42), and with QE1 (r2= 0.74). QRS width correlated with QE1 (r2= 0.75).

Conclusions: Digital chest palpography can determine dyssynchrony indices that are larger in subjects with right ventricular pacing and reduced LVEF and correlate with parameters of electrical dyssynchrony. (PACE 2011; 34:875–883)
Continuing Medical Education Activity in Echocardiography
Authors: Fan Pohoey , Motoki Hirohiko , Koyama Jun , Tomita Takeshi , Aizawa Kazunori , Kasai Hiroki , Koshikawa Megumi , Izawa Atsushi , Kumazaki Setsuo , Takahasi Masafumi , Ikeda Uichi
Published: March 2011

Article Title: Transient Pseudorestic Pattern of Transmitral Flow Velocity Curve in Patients with Paroxysmal Atrial Fibrllation (Echocardiography 2011;28:288)
[123I]FP‐CIT (DaTscan) SPECT Brain Imaging in Patients with Suspected Parkinsonian Syndromes
Authors: Hauser Robert A. , Grosset Donald G.
Published: March 2011

OBJECTIVE

To review [123I]FP‐CIT (Ioflupane I 123, DaTscan) SPECT imaging and its role in clinical practice.

BACKGROUND

[123I]FP‐CIT is a radiopharmaceutical that binds reversibly to striatal presynaptic dopamine transporters.

METHODS

We review the two principal multicenter clinical trials of [123I]FP‐CIT SPECT imaging and provide additional, previously unreported information. Study 1 was a trial of [123I]FP‐CIT SPECT in patients with early suspected parkinsonism that compared baseline scans to the consensus clinical diagnosis established 3 years later. Study 2 was a trial of [123I]FP‐CIT SPECT in patients with established diagnoses of parkinsonian syndrome (PS) or essential tremor (ET).

RESULTS

In Study 1, positive percent agreement (abnormal baseline scan and clinical diagnosis of PS at 36 months [n= 71]) was 78‐79%. Negative percent agreement (normal baseline scan and a clinical diagnosis of non‐PS at 36 months [n= 28]) was 97%. In study 2, positive percent agreement (abnormal scan and a clinical diagnosis of PS [n= 158]) was 92‐97%. Negative percent agreement (normal scan and a clinical diagnosis of ET [n= 27]) was 74‐96%.

CONCLUSION

[123I]FP‐CIT SPECT brain imaging is used to assist in the evaluation of adult patients with suspected PS and may help differentiate ET from PS as an adjunct to other diagnostic evaluations.
Treatment of the open abdomen with topical negative pressure therapy: a retrospective study of 46 cases
Authors: Caro Aleidis , Olona Carles , Jiménez Andrea , Vadillo Jordi , Feliu Francesc , Vicente Vicente
Published: March 2011

The open abdomen is an ongoing challenge for professionals engaged in its treatment. The change in the integrity of the abdominal wall, the loss of fluids, heat and proteins and contamination of the wound are the main problems. The objective of this article is to describe our experience using the abdominal dressing vacuum‐assisted closure therapy in treatment of the open abdomen. Since December 2006, all patients requiring treatment with the open abdomen technique have been treated with the abdominal dressing system and vacuum‐assisted closure therapy (VAC® KCI, San Antonio, USA). The results obtained with this technique in non traumatic patients are analysed herein. The abdominal dressing system was used on 46 patients in the period between January 2006 and December 2009, with a mean 63 years old (29–80), with a gender distribution of 33 men (72%) and 13 women (28%). Closure of the abdominal wall was possible in 24 patients, 5 of which were primary in the recent postoperative phase, 5 had primary suture of the fascia and application of the supra‐aponeurotic prosthesis and 14 had closure of the abdominal wall with a composite polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) and polypropylene mesh. Second intention closure took place in the remaining 22 patients (48%), as their conditions did not allow primary closure. The mean treatment time with abdominal dressing was 26 days (6–92) with an average of eight changes per patient. The abdominal dressing topical negative pressure system is a useful option for consideration in the event of needing to leaves the abdomen open. It stabilises the abdominal wall and quantifies and collects exudate from the wound, protects the intra‐abdominal viscera and keeps the fascia intact and the cutaneous plane for subsequent closure of the wall.
Differences in Diet Between Spider Monkey Groups Living in Forest Fragments and Continuous Forest in Mexico
Authors: Chaves Óscar M. , Stoner Kathryn E. , Arroyo‐Rodríguez Víctor
Published: March 2011

Forest fragmentation can lead to reductions in food availability, especially for some large‐bodied tropical mammals such as spider monkeys. During a 15\xE2\x80\x90mo period, we assessed the diet of Geoffroyi's spider monkey (Ateles geoffroyi) in continuous forest and fragments in the Lacandona region, southern Mexico, and related differences in diet to differences in vegetation structure and composition. We found that both forest types presented top food species for monkeys (e.g., Spondias spp., Brosimum alicastrum), but the sum of the importance value index of these species and the density of large trees were lower in fragments than in continuous forest. We also found that, compared with continuous forest, monkeys in fragments diversified their overall diet, increased consumption of leaves, and reduced the time they spent feeding on trees in favor of more time feeding on hemiepiphytes (particularly Ficus spp.) and palms, both of which were common in fragments. We attribute these changes to the relative food scarcity of the most favored feeding plants in forest fragments. Overall, our findings suggest that monkeys are able to adjust their diet to food availability in fragments, and thus persist in small‐ and medium‐sized fragments. Although it is unlikely that the small size of two of the three study fragments (14 and 31 ha) can maintain viable populations of monkeys in the long term, they may function as stepping stones, facilitating inter‐fragment movements and ultimately enhancing seed dispersal in fragmented landscapes.
Upslope Range Shifts of Andean Dung Beetles in Response to Deforestation: Compounding and Confounding Effects of Microclimatic Change
Authors: Larsen Trond H.
Published: March 2011

Warmer, and sometimes drier, conditions associated with global climate change are driving many species to shift poleward and/or upslope. I hypothesized that microclimatic changes related to deforestation cause similar shifts for forest species persisting within degraded landscapes. This appears to be the first study to examine this novel hypothesis. I examined elevational distributions of dung beetle communities along parallel intact and disturbed elevational gradients from 290 to 3450 m asl in the Andes of southeastern Peru. Deforested sites were consistently warmer and drier than forested sites. To maintain the same ambient temperature as in forest, species in a deforested landscape would need to shift on average 489±59 m upslope. Dung beetle species showed a mean upslope range shift of 132±64 m (maximum=743 m) in the deforested landscape. Eight species occurred farther upslope in the degraded landscape, while none shifted downslope. In addition to upper range limit expansions, six species shifting upslope also showed range contractions or population declines at their lower range boundary. High elevation and disturbance‐tolerant species did not show range shifts. These findings suggest that land‐use change may both confound and compound the influence of global climate change on biodiversity. Synergies between habitat degradation and climate change could more than double previous range shift projections for this century, leading to unexpectedly rapid changes in biodiversity, especially for sensitive organisms such as tropical insects. On the other hand, range shifts caused by habitat degradation may be mistakenly attributed to global climate change.

Abstract in Spanish is available in the online version of this article.
Economic Incentives to Prevent Aquatic Invasive Species in Wetlands
Authors: Fernandez Linda
Published: March 2011

Wetlands are threatened by invasive species worldwide through vectors of aquaculture and aquarium activity. While maritime shipping has received most of the attention for invasive species control, shipping represents a mobile, transitory source of invasion, unlike aquaculture, and aquarium activities that occur in public wetlands. The public wetlands invasive species problem is modeled to compare incentives for one or all users of the public wetlands to reduce the threat of invasive species from aquaculture and aquarium trade activities. The incentives for individual versus coordinated behavior are examined, along with the conditions for all wetland users to select preemptive effort to reduce the invasive species threat. There is great potential for an environmental bond in the lease arrangements to foster preemptive effort to reduce invasive species in wetlands.

Partout dans le monde, les zones humides sont menacées par des espèces envahissantes introduites par l’aquaculture et l’aquariophilie. Bien que le contrôle des espèces envahissantes ait surtout visé le transport maritime, il demeure que ce dernier constitue une source d’invasion mobile et transitoire contrairement aux activités d’aquaculture et d’aquariophilie qui se déroulent dans les zones humides situées sur des terres publiques. Nous avons élaboré un modèle qui représente le problème des espèces envahissantes dans les zones humides sur des terres publiques afin de comparer les stimulants individuels et les stimulants collectifs qui visent à réduire la menace que posent les espèces envahissantes issues de l’aquaculture et de l’aquariophilie. Nous avons examiné les stimulants qui favorisent un comportement individuel ou un comportement coordonné, de même que les conditions qui motiveraient tous les utilisateurs de zones humides à choisir les efforts préventifs pour réduire la menace que posent les espèces envahissantes. La possibilité d’inclure une obligation environnementale dans les contrats de location afin d’encourager les efforts préventifs pour réduire les espèces envahissantes dans les zones humides est grande.
Ionization structure and Fe Kα energy for irradiated accretion discs
Authors: Zhou X. L. , Zhao Y. H. , Soria R.
Published: March 2011

We study the radial ionization structure at the surface of an X-ray illuminated accretion disc. We plot the expected iron Kα line energy as a function of the Eddington ratio and of the distance of the emitting matter from the central source, for a non-rotating and a maximally rotating black hole. We compare the predicted disc line energies with those measured in an archival sample of active galactic nuclei observed with Chandra, XMM–Newton and Suzaku, and discuss whether the line energies are consistent with the radial distances inferred from reverberation studies. We also suggest using rapidly variable iron Kα lines to estimate the viscosity parameter of an accretion disc. There is a forbidden region in the line energy versus Eddington ratio plane, at low Eddington ratios, where an accretion disc cannot produce highly ionized iron Kα lines. If such emission is observed in low-Eddington-ratio sources, it is coming from either a highly ionized outflow or a blueshifted component from fast-moving neutral matter.
Functional Properties of Protein Fractions of Channel Catfish (Ictalurus punctatus) and Their Effects in an Emulsion System
Authors: Yin Huaixia , Wan Yuting , Pu Jianing , Bechtel Peter J. , Sathivel Subramaniam
Published: March 2011

Abstract:  This study demonstrated the feasibility of producing soluble protein (CFSP) and insoluble protein (CFISP) fractions from catfish muscle protein. CFSP and CFISP contained 60.6% and 73.8% protein and 8.6% and 20.3% fat, respectively. Both CFSP and CFISP contained essential amino acids. Differences were observed between physicochemical properties of the 2 protein fractions, including nitrogen solubility, emulsion stability, and fat adsorption capacity. The flow and viscoelastic properties of the emulsions prepared with CFSP and CFISP were investigated using a rheometer. The power law model and the Casson model were used to determine the flow behavior index (n), consistency index (K), and yield stress. Emulsion containing CFSP (ECFSP) had a higher K value than emulsion containing CFISP (ECFISP). Both ECFSP and ECFISP emulsions exhibited pseudoplastic behavior and viscoelastic characteristics. The G′ (an elastic or storage modulus) and G″ (a viscous or loss modulus) values for ECFSP were higher than ECFISP. Catfish muscle tissue can be easily separated into soluble and insoluble protein powders that have desirable functional properties.
Quantification of Gaping, Bruising, and Blood Spots in Salmon Fillets Using Image Analysis
Authors: Balaban Murat O. , Ünal Şengör Gülgün F. , Soriano Mario Gil , Ruiz Elena Guillén
Published: March 2011

Abstract:  An image analysis method was developed to quantify the gaping, bruising, and blood spots of red salmon (Oncorhynchus nerka) fillets. Images of 15 fillets with various levels of gaping were taken either with a dSLR camera, or with a video camera. Also, the same fillets were recorded using the same camera both under regular illumination, and under polarized illumination. In either case, light at an angle was used to highlight the gapes in the flesh. An image analysis method was developed that can adaptively apply an L*threshold value to the image depending on the average color of the fillet, and quantify the resulting percent of the fillet area that has an L* value less than or equal to L*threshold. Polarized lighting changed the color by eliminating artifacts resulting from reflections. It is recommended to use polarized light for this purpose. Both cameras could be used adequately to quantify defects. The proper setting of the L*threshold value depended on the camera and on the polarized light. No correlation could be found between the average L* value of the fillets and the L*threshold value. It was possible to quantify the gaping, bruising, and blood spots on the salmon fillets using this method, which can be the first step toward the automation of this operation.

Practical Application:  Gaping, bruising, and blood spots can be recognized and quantified by analyzing images of salmon fillets. Polarized light is recommended to eliminate color artifacts caused by reflected light. This can be used to automate the detection of these defects.
Efficiency of Trapping Methylglyoxal by Phenols and Phenolic Acids
Authors: Lo Chih‐Yu , Hsiao Wen‐Tuan , Chen Xiu‐Yu
Published: March 2011

Abstract:  The carbonyl stress that leads to the formation of advanced glycation end products (AGEs) has drawn much attention recently because of its micro‐ and macrovascular implications. During monitoring of methylglyoxal (MG), the efficiency of phenolics to directly trap MG can be demonstrated. Twenty compounds consisting of a single benzene ring structure with the addition of at least one hydroxyl group were allowed to react with MG at 37 °C for 1 h under physiological conditions in pH 7.4 phosphate buffer solution. Compounds composed of a benzene structure with a mono‐hydroxyl substitute cannot react with MG. Among benzenediols and di‐hydroxyl benzoic acids, only hydroquinone reacted with MG and showed a 13% decrease in MG. Nevertheless, high reactivity was shown for 3 benzenetriols. The percentages of MG remaining were 45%, 51%, and 36% for pyrogallol, 1,2,4‐trihydroxybenzene, and 1,3,5‐trihydroxybenzene, respectively. When a carboxyl group is added to the benzenetriols, steric hindrance and carbon electron charges on benzene ring are the influential factors in reactivity. Using computational chemistry calculations, a carbon electron charge of −0.24 was the minimum value for high reactivity.
ORAChromatography and Total Phenolics Content of Peanut Root Extracts
Authors: Holland Kevin W. , Balota Maria , Eigel III William N. , Mallikarjunan Parameswarakumar , Tanko James M. , Zhou Kequan , O’Keefe Sean F.
Published: March 2011

Abstract:  A large number of compounds have been reported in peanut plants. Many of these compounds are phytoalexins, which are produced by plants experiencing environmental stress and often exhibit antioxidant activity. It is difficult to determine which of the many compounds has the greatest impact on total antioxidant capacity in a mixture. The objectives of this research were to examine the oxygen‐radical absorbing capacity (ORAC) value and total phenolic contents of peanut root extracts and peanut root extract fractions collected via HPLC. Peanut roots were extracted from four different cultivars (Brantley, NC‐12, Phillips, and Wilson) with 70% aqueous ethanol with ultrasonic assistance. Each cultivar was sampled in duplicate. The extracts were fractionated into 18 3‐min fractions by HPLC using a C‐18 column. Fractions and crude extracts were freeze dried. ORAC values and total phenolic content were then determined for all fractions and crude extracts. Fractions had a significant effect on the μM TE/mg gallic acid equivalents (GAE). ORAC values ranged from −46.89 μM TE to 185 μM TE in HPLC fractions. ORAChromatography can be used to focus on antioxidants in complex samples.
Different habitat selection by two sympatric Maculinea butterflies at small spatial scale
Authors: KŐRÖSI ÁDÁM , ÖRVÖSSY NOÉMI , BATÁRY PÉTER , HARNOS ANDREA , PEREGOVITS LÁSZLÓ
Published: March 2011

Abstract.  1. Worldwide extinction of species due to habitat loss and habitat degradation can be recognised among butterflies pronouncedly. Therefore, conservation biologists devote special attention to identify the most important ecological factors affecting distribution and survival of butterflies. These efforts have been dominated by landscape‐scale studies, although variation in habitat quality at smaller spatial scales may be of crucial importance. This applies for the highly specialised Maculinea species, which usually do not form classic metapopulations.

2. Maculinea nausithous and Maculinea teleius use the same larval food plant and usually occupy the same habitats in Europe. Afforestation of meadows due to abandonment is a major threat for these species. However, few if any studies have assessed the effects that proximity of forest edges may have on the habitat selection by adult butterflies at the scale of local populations. Here, we aimed to test these effects within one habitat fragment based on an intensive mark–release–recapture sampling.

3. Distribution of M. nausithous was aggregated and its density was highly positively influenced by the proportion of afforested meadow edges, while M. teleius showed no preference for afforested edges. Despite their different within‐habitat distribution, the movement of both species was restricted to smaller parts of the habitat.

4. Our results suggest that M. nausithous has a narrower niche in the study region, which is most likely due to that its only host ant can find suitable microclimatic conditions at the afforested edges of wet meadows. This implies that habitat patches are not equally used by the two species and hence different management approaches are desirable for their conservation.
Isotopic and elemental fractionation of solar wind implanted in the Genesis concentrator target characterized and quantified by noble gases
Authors: HEBER Veronika S. , WIENS Roger C. , JUREWICZ Amy J. G. , VOGEL Nadia , REISENFELD Daniel B. , BAUR Heinrich , McKEEGAN Kevin D. , WIELER Rainer , BURNETT Donald S.
Published: March 2011

Abstract– We report concentrations and isotopic compositions of He, Ne, and Ar measured with high spatial resolution along a radial traverse of a silicon carbide (SiC) quadrant of the Genesis mission concentrator target. The Ne isotopic composition maps instrumental fractionation as a function of radial position in the target: the maximum observed isotopic fractionation is approximately 33‰ per mass unit between the center and periphery. The Ne fluence is enhanced by a factor of 43 at the target center and decreases to 5.5 times at the periphery relative to the bulk solar wind fluence. Neon isotopic profiles measured along all four arms of the “gold cross” mount which held the quadrants in the concentrator target demonstrate that the concentrator target was symmetrically irradiated during operation as designed. We used implantation experiments of Ne into SiC and gold to quantify backscatter loss and isotopic fractionation and compared measurements with numerical simulations from the code “stopping and range of ions in matter.” The 20Ne fluence curve as a function of radial distance on the target may be used to construct concentration factors relative to bulk solar wind for accurate corrections for solar wind fluences of other light elements to be measured in the concentrator target. The Ne isotopic composition as a function of the radial distance in the SiC quadrant provides a correction for the instrumental mass‐dependent isotopic fractionation by the concentrator and can be used to correct measured solar wind oxygen and nitrogen isotopic compositions to obtain bulk solar wind isotopic compositions.
Dyslexia, authorial identity, and approaches to learning and writing: A mixed methods study
Authors: Kinder Julianne , Elander James
Published: March 2011

Background. Dyslexia may lead to difficulties with academic writing as well as reading. The authorial identity approach aims to help students improve their academic writing and avoid unintentional plagiarism, and could help to understand dyslexic students’ approaches to writing.

Aims. (1) To compare dyslexic and non‐dyslexic students’ authorial identity and approaches to learning and writing; (2) to compare correlations between approaches to writing and approaches to learning among dyslexic and non‐dyslexic students; (3) to explore dyslexic students’ understandings of authorship and beliefs about dyslexia, writing and plagiarism.

Sample. Dyslexic (n= 31) and non‐dyslexic (n= 31) university students.

Method. Questionnaire measures of self‐rated confidence in writing, understanding of authorship, knowledge to avoid plagiarism, and top‐down, bottom‐up and pragmatic approaches to writing (Student Authorship Questionnaire; SAQ), and deep, surface and strategic approaches to learning (Approaches and Study Skills Inventory for Students; ASSIST), plus qualitative interviews with dyslexic students with high and low SAQ scores.

Results. Dyslexic students scored lower for confidence in writing, understanding authorship, and strategic approaches to learning, and higher for surface approaches to learning. Correlations among SAQ and ASSIST scores were larger and more frequently significant among non‐dyslexic students. Self‐rated knowledge to avoid plagiarism was associated with a top‐down approach to writing among dyslexic students and with a bottom‐up approach to writing among non‐dyslexic students. All the dyslexic students interviewed described how dyslexia made writing more difficult and reduced their confidence in academic writing, but they had varying views about whether dyslexia increased the risk of plagiarism.

Conclusions. Dyslexic students have less strong authorial identities, and less congruent approaches to learning and writing. Knowledge to avoid plagiarism may be more salient for dyslexic students, who may benefit from specific interventions to increase confidence in writing and understanding of authorship. Further research could investigate how dyslexic students develop approaches to academic writing, and how that could be affected by perceived knowledge to avoid plagiarism.
Improved Controller Performance of Selected Hybrid SOFC-GT Plant Signals Based on Practical Control Schemes
Authors: Tsai Alex , Tucker David , Groves Craig
Published: March 2011

This paper compares and demonstrates the efficacy of implementing two practical single input single output multiloop control schemes on the dynamic performance of selected signals of a solid oxide fuel cell gas turbine (SOFC-GT) hybrid simulation facility. The hybrid plant located at the U.S. Department of Energy National Energy Technology Laboratory in Morgantown, WV is capable of simulating the interaction between a 350 kW solid oxide fuel cell and a 120 kW gas turbine using a hardware in the loop configuration. Previous studies have shown that the thermal management of coal based SOFC-GT hybrid systems is accomplished by the careful control of the cathode air stream within the fuel cell (FC). Decoupled centralized and dynamic decentralized control schemes are tested for one critical airflow bypass loop to regulate cathode FC airflow and modulation of turbine electric load to maintain synchronous turbine speed during system transients. Improvements to the studied multivariate architectures include: feed-forward control for disturbance rejection, antiwindup compensation for actuator saturation, gain scheduling for adaptive operation, bumpless transfer for manual to auto switching, and adequate filter design for the inclusion of derivative action. Controller gain tuning is accomplished by Skogestad’s internal model control tuning rules derived from empirical first order plus delay time transfer function models of the hybrid facility. Avoidance of strong input-output coupling interactions is achieved via relative gain array, Niederlinski index, and decomposed relative interaction analysis, following recent methodologies in proportional integral derivative control theory for multivariable processes.
CFD Analysis of Gear Windage Losses: Validation and Parametric Aerodynamic Studies
Authors: Hill Matthew J. , Kunz Robert F. , Medvitz Richard B. , Handschuh Robert F. , Long Lyle N. , Noack Ralph W. , Morris Philip J.
Published: March 2011

A computational fluid dynamics (CFD) method has been applied to gear configurations with and without shrouding. The goals of this work have been to validate the numerical and modeling approaches used for these applications and to develop physical understanding of the aerodynamics of gear windage loss. Several spur gear geometries are considered, for which experimental data are available. Various canonical shrouding configurations and free spinning (no shroud) cases are studied. Comparisons are made with experimental data from open literature, and data recently obtained in the NASA Glenn Research Center Gear Windage Test Facility, Cleveland, OH. The results show good agreement with the experiment. The parametric shroud configuration studies carried out in the Glenn experiments and the CFD analyses elucidate the physical mechanisms of windage losses as well as mitigation strategies due to shrouding and newly proposed tooth contour modifications.
Electrodeposition of cobalt nanowires on H-terminated conductive Si(111) surfaces using coblock polymer templating
Authors: Curry Michael L. , Crews Kristy , Warke Vishal , Bakker Martin Gerard , Hong Kunlun , Mays Jimmy , Britt Phillip , Li Xuefa , Wang Jin
Published: March 2011

The authors have investigated the formation of block copolymer nanocavities on H-terminated conducting Si(111) surfaces as templates for the electrochemical growth of perpendicular metallic nanowire arrays. Poly(styrene)-block-poly(methyl methacrylate) block copolymers (PS-b-PMMA) of appropriate block length and PS to PMMA ratio were used to create a self-assembled array of perpendicular nanocavities in which the PS majority phase is continuous and surrounds cylinders of the minority PMMA phase. Here, we report that H-terminated conducting Si(111) surfaces are also capable of inducing a perpendicular orientation in block copolymers, which—in all likelihood—is a direct result of the H-termination (i.e., removal of the oxide layer). Atomic force microscopy reveals that an acetic acid wash of the annealed block copolymer causes the minority PMMA component to be rearranged, giving rise to cavities that are perpendicular to the conducting Si substrate. Subsequently, scanning electron microscopy reveals that electrodeposition into the nanocavities can be achieved, producing an array of metallic nanopillars, 20 nm in diameter.
Impacts of anisotropic tilt mosaics of state-of-the-art m-plane freestanding GaN substrates on the structural and luminescent properties of m-plane AlxGa1−xN epilayers
Authors: Hazu K. , Kagaya M. , Hoshi T. , Onuma T. , Chichibu S. F.
Published: March 2011

Impacts of grown-in anisotropic tilt mosaics of state-of-the-art m-plane freestanding GaN (FS-GaN) substrates on the structural and luminescent properties of m-plane AlxGa1−xN epilayers are described. The results of cross-sectional transmission-electron microscopy and transmission-electron diffraction analyses reveal the following plane defects formation, even in mostly pseudomorphic epilayers: (i) The formation of basal-plane stacking faults (BSFs) is hard to avoid in the case of lattice-mismatched AlxGa1−xN thick film growth and (ii) the anisotropic greater m-plane tilt mosaic along the a-axis (twist in c-plane) of FS-GaN gives rise to pronounced formation of surface striations along the c-axis and planar-defect network (PDN) located on prismatic {101¯0} planes and pyramidal {11¯0n} planes, which are often terminated by BSF, especially in the case of the epilayers grown by NH3-source molecular-beam epitaxy. These PDNs are assigned by spatially resolved cathodoluminescence (CL) and time-resolved photoluminescence measurements to associate with a characteristic emission peak approximately 200–300 meV lower than the near-band-edge (NBE) emission peak. Based on our database made with the aid of the positron-annihilation technique, three deep-state CL bands are correlated with cation vacancies (VIII) and cation-vacancy complexes. The intensity of the emission band originating from VIII-oxygen complexes was weaker by more than two orders of magnitude than the NBE peak.
Image potential of C60: A density functional theory calculation
Authors: Huang Haiming , Li Zhibing , Wang Weiliang , Chen Guihua
Published: March 2011

The authors investigated the image potential of C60 with a composite quantum chemistry method. The image potential is found to be almost isotropic. The image potential of isolated C60 is similar to that of an isolated ideal metal sphere with the radius of C60, while the image potential of grounded C60 is significantly different from that of a grounded ideal metal sphere. At a distance of 1.6 nm from the grounded C60, the image electric force exhibits a knee point. This phenomenon is attributed to the correlation between the testing electron and electronic structure of C60 and to the electron confinement in small systems.
Endovascular treatment of patients with intracranial stenosis with moyamoya-type collaterals
Authors: Natarajan Sabareesh K , Karmon Yuval , Tawk Rabih G , Hauck Erik F , Hopkins L Nelson , Siddiqui Adnan H , Levy Elad I
Published: March 2011

Purpose

The authors report the endovascular treatment of intracranial stenosis in six patients with moyamoya-type collaterals.

Patients

All patients previously had experienced a stroke or transient ischemic attack. Lesion locations included a unilateral M1-segment lesion in five patients; and ipsilateral internal carotid artery (ICA)-T, M1 and A1 lesions with contralateral supraclinoid ICA stenosis in one patient. Mean M1 stenosis was 77.3±14.3%.

Results

Six patients had balloon angioplasty; in one, a Wingspan stent deployed successfully after angioplasty failed to relieve the stenosis. Mean post-treatment stenosis was 41.0±33.0%. In one patient, vessel rupture occurring during angioplasty caused severe disability. Two patients were asymptomatic for 4 years and 6 months, respectively. One asymptomatic patient had severe restenosis re-treated with intracranial stenting. Two patients became symptomatic and had re-treatment at 1 and 2 months, respectively.

Conclusion

Endovascular treatment of intracranial stenosis with moyamoya-type collaterals is possible but is associated with high rates of symptomatic restenosis and target-lesion revascularization.
SMOOTH PROJECTIVE SYMMETRIC VARIETIES WITH PICARD NUMBER ONE
Authors: RUZZI ALESSANDRO
Published: March 2011

We classify the smooth projective symmetric G-varieties with Picard number one (and G semisimple). Moreover, we prove a criterion for the smoothness of the simple (normal) symmetric varieties whose closed orbit is complete. In particular we prove that, given a such variety X which is not exceptional, then X is smooth if and only if an appropriate toric variety contained in X is smooth.
A PROJECTION APPROACH TO THE NUMERICAL ANALYSIS OF LIMIT LOAD PROBLEMS
Authors: CARLIER GUILLAUME , COMTE MYRIAM , IONESCU IOAN , PEYRÉ GABRIEL
Published: March 2011

This paper proposes a numerical scheme to approximate the solution of (vectorial) limit load problems. The method makes use of a strictly convex perturbation of the problem, which corresponds to a projection of the deformation field under bounded deformation and incompressibility constraints. The discretized formulation of this perturbation converges to the solution of the original landslide problem when the amplitude of the perturbation tends to zero. The projection is computed numerically with a multi-step gradient descent on the dual formulation of the problem.
ALEXANDER POLYNOMIALS OF RIBBON LINKS
Authors: HILLMAN JONATHAN A.
Published: March 2011

We give a simple argument to show that every polynomial f(t) ∈ ℤ[t] such that f(1) = 1 is the Alexander polynomial of some ribbon 2-knot whose group is a 1-relator group, and we extend this result to links.
KNOTTED SURFACES IN 3-SPACE WITH SIMPLE FOLD PROJECTIONS
Authors: TAKAHASHI YUKI
Published: March 2011

We consider a surface embedded in the 3-space. Such a surface is called unknotted if the closures of the complementary regions in the 3-sphere are both handlebodies. In this paper, we give a sufficient condition for a torus in the 3-space to be unknotted by using a projection onto a plane. We also prove that this condition is not sufficient for surfaces of higher genera.