bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Quantifying uncertainty in the trophic magnification factor related to spatial movements of organisms in a food web
Authors: McLeod Anne M , Arnot Jon A , Borgå Katrine , Selck Henriette , Kashian Donna R , Krause Ann , Paterson Gord , Haffner G Doug , Drouillard Ken G
Published: November 2014

Trophic magnification factors (TMFs) provide a method of assessing chemical biomagnification in food webs and are increasingly being used by policy makers to screen emerging chemicals. Recent reviews have encouraged the use of bioaccumulation models as screening tools for assessing TMFs for emerging chemicals of concern. The present study used a food web bioaccumulation model to estimate TMFs for polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in a riverine system. The uncertainty associated with model predicted TMFs was evaluated against realistic ranges for model inputs (water and sediment PCB contamination) and variation in environmental, physiological, and ecological parameters included within the model. Finally, the model was used to explore interactions between spatial heterogeneity in water and sediment contaminant concentrations and theoretical movement profiles of different fish species included in the model. The model predictions of magnitude of TMFs conformed to empirical studies. There were differences in the relationship between the TMF and the octanol–water partitioning coefficient (KOW) depending on the modeling approach used; a parabolic relationship was predicted under deterministic scenarios, whereas a linear TMF–KOW relationship was predicted when the model was run stochastically. Incorporating spatial movements by fish had a major influence on the magnitude and variation of TMFs. Under conditions where organisms are collected exclusively from clean locations in highly heterogeneous systems, the results showed bias toward higher TMF estimates, for example the TMF for PCB 153 increased from 2.7 to 5.6 when fish movement was included. Small underestimations of TMFs were found where organisms were exclusively sampled in contaminated regions, although the model was found to be more robust to this sampling condition than the former for this system. Integr Environ Assess Manag 2014;X:000–000. ©2014 SETAC Integr Environ Assess Manag 2015;11:306–318. © 2014 SETAC

Key Points

The model predictions of magnitude of TMFs conformed to empirical studies. Sampling regimes had an important influence on the magnitude and variation of TMFs, as did incorporation of spatial movements by fish. When organisms were sampled exclusively from clean locations in highly heterogeneous systems the TMF showed bias towards high estimates when fish movements were allowed for. Small underestimations of TMFs were found when organisms were sampled exclusively in contaminated regions for this system.
RNA‐Seq‐based toxicogenomic assessment of fresh frozen and formalin‐fixed tissues yields similar mechanistic insights
Authors: Auerbach Scott S. , Phadke Dhiral P. , Mav Deepak , Holmgren Stephanie , Gao Yuan , Xie Bin , Shin Joo Heon , Shah Ruchir R. , Merrick B. Alex , Tice Raymond R.
Published: November 2014

Formalin‐fixed, paraffin‐embedded (FFPE) pathology specimens represent a potentially vast resource for transcriptomic‐based biomarker discovery. We present here a comparison of results from a whole transcriptome RNA‐Seq analysis of RNA extracted from fresh frozen and FFPE livers. The samples were derived from rats exposed to aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) and a corresponding set of control animals. Principal components analysis indicated that samples were separated in the two groups representing presence or absence of chemical exposure, both in fresh frozen and FFPE sample types. Sixty‐five percent of the differentially expressed transcripts (AFB1 vs. controls) in fresh frozen samples were also differentially expressed in FFPE samples (overlap significance: P < 0.0001). Genomic signature and gene set analysis of AFB1 differentially expressed transcript lists indicated highly similar results between fresh frozen and FFPE at the level of chemogenomic signatures (i.e., single chemical/dose/duration elicited transcriptomic signatures), mechanistic and pathology signatures, biological processes, canonical pathways and transcription factor networks. Overall, our results suggest that similar hypotheses about the biological mechanism of toxicity would be formulated from fresh frozen and FFPE samples. These results indicate that phenotypically anchored archival specimens represent a potentially informative resource for signature‐based biomarker discovery and mechanistic characterization of toxicity. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Multimodal and multiplex spectral imaging of rat cornea ex vivo using a white‐light laser source
Authors: Segawa Hiroki , Kaji Yuichi , Leproux Philippe , Couderc Vincent , Ozawa Takeaki , Oshika Tetsuro , Kano Hideaki
Published: November 2014

We applied our multimodal nonlinear spectral imaging microscope to the measurement of rat cornea. We successfully obtained multiple nonlinear signals of coherent anti‐Stokes Raman scattering (CARS), third‐order sum frequency generation (TSFG), and second harmonic generation (SHG). Depending on the nonlinear optical processes, the cornea tissue was visualized with different image contrast mechanism simultaneously. Due to white‐light laser excitation, multiplex CARS and TSFG spectra were obtained. Combined multimodal and spectral analysis clearly elucidated the layered structure of rat cornea with molecular structural information. This study indicates that our multimodal nonlinear spectral microscope is a promising bioimaging method for tissue study.

Multimodal nonlinear spectral images of rat cornea at corneal epithelium and corneal stroma in the in‐plane (XY) direction. With use of the combinational analysis of different nonlinear optical processes, detailed molecular structural information is available without staining or labelling.

magnified image

Multimodal nonlinear spectral images of rat cornea at corneal epithelium and corneal stroma in the in‐plane (XY) direction. With use of the combinational analysis of different nonlinear optical processes, detailed molecular structural information is available without staining or labelling.
Endoscopic ultrasonography‐guided pancreatic cyst ablation (with video)
Authors: Oh Hyoung‐Chul , Seo Dong Wan
Published: November 2014

Pancreatic cystic lesions are being diagnosed with increasing frequency owing to the widespread use of cross‐sectional imaging. Although most pancreatic cysts are detected incidentally, they represent a wide spectrum of histopathology, and neoplastic cysts appear to be more prevalent than previously estimated. Some histologic types have malignant potential. Considering the perioperative morbidity associated with surgical resection, deciding whether to operate or observe an indeterminate pancreatic cyst is challenging, and there is a strong clinical need to develop a minimally invasive approach. EUS‐guided pancreatic cyst ablation has been investigated in several clinical trials, and may represent a viable alternative to surgical resection.
The effects of bruising and temperature on enzyme activity and textural qualities of tomato juice
Authors: Held Matthew T , Anthon Gordon E , Barrett Diane M
Published: November 2014

BACKGROUND

During harvest and transportation, processing tomatoes are exposed to elevated temperatures, compression and vibration in the harvester and truck, making them prone to bruising. The objective of this study was to determine how bruising and exposure to high temperatures affect pectin methylesterase (PME) activation and the textural quality of tomato juice.

RESULTS

Tomatoes were both hand and mechanically harvested using current harvest practices. Mechanically harvested fruits were significantly softer, had greater PME activity and greater juice consistency than hand harvested fruits. In a controlled bruising study, whole tomatoes were exposed to various compressive forces at 21 or 40 °C and held for 0 or 4 h. Greater bruising force and higher temperature resulted in a decrease in firmness and an increase in PME activity. Consistency of tomato juice improved when tomatoes were exposed to 40 °C. Tomatoes subjected to a temperature range from 21 to 65 °C had activated PME at 40 °C and increased activity as temperature increased. Consistency increased at 35 °C but decreased with increasing temperature.

CONCLUSION

Tomatoes harvested using current mechanical techniques are likely to be less firm and have increased PME activity; however, increased consistency of processed juice is observed. Tomatoes harvested at higher temperatures are also likely to have better consistency when processed. © 2014 Society of Chemical Industry
Identification of 19 phthalic acid esters in dairy products by gas chromatography with mass spectrometry
Authors: Wu Pinggu , Cai Chenggang , Yang Dajin , Wang Liyuan , Zhou Yan , Shen Xianghong , Ma Bingjie , Tang Jun
Published: November 2014

A detection method for 19 kinds of phthalic acid ester compounds analyzed by n‐hexane/ether/acetonitrile 1:7:8 v/v/v mixed solvent extraction, quick, easy, cheap, effective, rugged, and safe purification and internal standard method of quantitative gas chromatography with mass spectrometry was established. This method can effectively remove interfering materials, such as lipids, fatty acids, and pigments, from dairy products. The 19 kinds of phthalic acid ester compounds were within a 0.025–0.2 mg/kg range, the recovery rate was 65.2–125.7%, relative standard deviation was 7.9–15.4% (n = 6), and the limit of detection was 0.005–0.02 mg/kg. Concentrations of the 19 kinds of phthalic acid ester compounds ranged between 0.01 and 0.12 mg/kg in ten dairy materials and 20 dairy products. The established method is simple, rapid, accurate, and highly sensitive.
Determination of the polyphenolic content of a Capsicum annuum L. extract by liquid chromatography coupled to photodiode array and mass spectrometry detection and evaluation of its biological activity
Authors: Mokhtar Meriem , Soukup Jan , Donato Paola , Cacciola Francesco , Dugo Paola , Riazi Ali , Jandera Pavel , Mondello Luigi
Published: November 2014

The present study was aimed to investigate the polyphenolic profile of a pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) extract from Algeria and evaluate its biological activity. The total polyphenol content of the extract was determined as 1.373 mg of gallic acid equivalents (±0.0046), whereas the flavonoids were determined as 0.098 mg of quercetin (±0.0015). The determination of the complete polyphenolic profile of the extract was achieved by liquid chromatography with an RP‐amide column in combination with photodiode array and mass spectrometry detection through an electrospray ionization interface. A total of 18 compounds were identified, of which five were reported for the first time in the sample tested. Quercetin rhamnoside was the most abundant compound (82.6 μg/g of fresh pepper) followed by quercetin glucoside (19.86 μg/g). The antioxidant activity and antimicrobial effects were also determined. For the antimicrobial tests assessed against Gram‐positive and Gram‐negative bacteria, kaempferol showed the strongest inhibitory effect followed by quercetin and caffeic acids. In the study of the cytotoxicity of the extract, the cancer cells (U937) were more affected than the normal cells (peripheral blood mononucleated cells), with more than 62% inhibition at the highest concentration.
Sinonasal and ventral skull base Inflammatory pseudotumor: A systematic review
Authors: Desai Stuti V. , Spinazzi Eleonora F. , Fang Christina H. , Huang Grace , Tomovic Senja , Liu James K. , Baredes Soly , Eloy Jean Anderson
Published: November 2014

Objectives/Hypothesis

Inflammatory pseudotumor is a benign idiopathic inflammatory process often misdiagnosed as an infection or neoplasm. This review analyzes all reported cases of sinonasal and ventral skull base inflammatory pseudotumor to date, and provides a framework for evaluation and management of this uncommon condition.

Data Sources

MEDLINE/PubMed database.

Review Methods

A search for articles related to sinonasal and ventral skull base inflammatory pseudotumor, along with bibliographies of those articles, was performed. Demographics, presentation, radiographic findings, treatment, follow‐up, and outcome were analyzed.

Results

Thirty‐three articles were reviewed, including a total of 87 patients. The most common presenting symptom was vision change (58.6%). Sinonasal and ventral skull base inflammatory pseudotumor was found in the cavernous sinus in 46.0% of cases. The lesion appeared isointense (66.7% of cases) and homogeneously enhancing on T1‐weighted magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), whereas it appeared hypointense on T2‐weighted MRI in 90.7% of cases. Inflammatory pseudotumor appeared hyperdense on computed tomography in 78.9% of cases. Histopathological analysis of biopsied specimens revealed presence of inflammatory cells (94.4%) and fibrosis (80.3%). Corticosteroids alone were the most common treatment modality (55.2%), resulting in disease‐free patients in 22.9% of cases over a median follow‐up period of 17.6 months. Surgical management alone was uncommon (8.0%), but showed high success rate (57.1%).

Conclusion

This review is the most comprehensive analysis of sinonasal and ventral skull base inflammatory pseudotumor to date. Radiologic findings and histopathological analysis are essential for diagnosis. Corticosteroids are the most common treatment modality. Surgery, although uncommon, appears to be an efficacious treatment modality.

Level of Evidence

N/A Laryngoscope, 125:813–821, 2015
Oxyethylation of carbochain and heterochain polyamides
Authors: Rafikov S. R. , Chelnokova G. N. , Zhuravleva I. V. , Gribkova P. N.
Published: November 2014

Carbochain and heterochain polyamides are highly reactive compounds and may be quite easily converted to various polymer analogs, including compounds with graft side chains. We have studied the relations in the polyoxyethylation of heterochain and carbochain polyamides of various structure under different conditions. Under heterogeneous conditions the reaction takes place not only at the surface, but in the entire body of the film or fiber, although not to the same degree. On heterogeneous polyoxyethylation of heterochain polyamides graft polymers were obtained with up to 55% content of polyethylene oxide, with varying polyethylene oxide chain lengths and with different degrees of substitution of the groups. The formation of polyoxyethylated polyamides with high polyethylene oxide contents is facilitated by the use of a large excess of ethylene oxide and a lower degree of orientation of the films and fibers. In the polyoxyethylation of heterochain polyamides, as a result of crosslinking insoluble products may form which are greatly swelled in the various solvents. The branching and crosslinking of the macromolecules has been found to result from the reaction of the terminal carboxyl groups of the polyamides and the hydroxyl groups of the polyethylene oxide graft. On polyoxyethylation of polyamides not containing terminal carboxyl groups non‐cross‐linked, soluble, graft polymers are formed. In the heterogeneous polyoxyethylation of Polyacrylamide films, graft polymers with up to 65% polyethylene oxide content were obtained. In this case the reaction is also accompanied by the formation of crosslinks. In the reaction process one or both of the hydrogens of an amide group may be replaced by polyethylene oxide chains.
Thermal aging of polychloroprene
Authors: Kössler I. , Matyska B. , Poláček J.
Published: November 2014

The aging of polychloroprene has been studied at normal and elevated temperatures in air, in oxygen, and in nitrogen. A comparison of the molecular weight distribution curves for fresh specimens and for specimens aged under various conditions showed that on aging the polymer becomes heterogeneous. A large increase in the high molecular fractions shows that reactions leading to crosslinking prevail over those leading to degradation. Crosslinking (at least in the beginning) is caused mainly by peroxide bonds, as indicated by the spontaneous and ultrasonic degradation of the first fractions of the aged polymer. This conclusion has also received support in a comparison of the ultrasonic degradation of unfractionated fresh and aged polymer. It can be seen from the infrared spectra that on aging in air there is an increase in the carboxyl, aldehyde, CO, and OH group content, as well as in the number of conjugated double bonds. The number of CCl==CH, CH2, and CR1R2==CHR3 groups diminishes. The formation of conjugated double bonds was also found to take place during crystallization. The ultimate degree of crystallization greatly fell during the aging process (from 34 to 0%); the rate of crystallization, obeying well the Avrami equation for n = 2, changed only to an insignificant extent. On the basis of the measurements made it has been concluded that on lowering the crystallization capacity to 3.5% the degree of crosslinking is larger than in the case of vulcanized natural rubber with a 0.05% sulfur content. The chemical reactions leading to loss in crystallizability proceed with an activation energy of 8.5 kcal./mole, which approaches the value for the energy of activation of hydrogen chloride evolution (9.5 kcal./mole). The evolution of hydrogen chloride is initiated by oxidation reactions and is related to the polymer structure. Products of the decomposition of tetraethylthiuram disulfide or polysulfides were detected in considerable amounts among the gaseous aging products.
Reactions of polymerization and degradation by gamma‐rays
Authors: Rossi C. , Bianchi U.
Published: November 2014

The polymerization of monomers and the degradation of polymers have been the object of numerous researches. In the scientific literature there are many experimental values and many relationships which try to explain the kinetics of the two reactions of polymerization and degradation. In general, it is observed that if a monomer such as styrene has been irradiated with a known dose, there is formation of a polymer, whereas if polystyrene high of molecular weight, is irradiated there is observable degradation. This led us to the supposition that there must be an equilibrium molecular weight which is characteristic of the dose of radiation employed. Our hypothesis surmised that for each polymerization and degradation one must have an equilibrium between the energy which the polymer receives from gamma radiation and the maximum energy that can be removed by the molecule, which is also related to its structure. Starting with this hypothesis we calculated the relations between the equilibrium molecular weight and the dose of radiation employed, as well as the distribution of molecular weight as a function of the time and dose of radiation received. We have verified our hypothesis experimentally in making tests of polymerization and degradation with styrene monomer and polystyrene in chloroform solution. A Co60 source was used and the experiments were carried out at three intensities: 20, 37, and 61 r/min. The experimental results have lead us to believe that there is really an equilibrium molecular weight which can be reached either by polymerizing the monomer in chloroform solution, or by degradating (also in solution) a polymer with a molecular weight higher than the equilibrium value. The results we obtained are in agreement with the predictions of the theory which was made.
Polymerization on oxide catalysts
Authors: Topchiev A. V.
Published: November 2014

A short review of define polymerization on oxide catalysts is given. Crystalline polypropylene, polyvinyl cyclohexane, and other polymers were synthesized by means of chromium oxide catalysts. The effect of various factors on the activity of oxide catalysts in polymerization is discussed. Under certain conditions of thermal treatment of chromium oxide, CrO3 may be converted into chromium or aluminum chromates, thus increasing considerably the catalyst stability.
Polymerization in the presence of organic compounds of alkali metals
Authors: Spirin Yu. L. , Polyakov D. K. , Gantmakher A. R. , Medvedev S. S.
Published: November 2014

A study was made of the effect of the nature of the alkaline metal and of the medium on the rate of polymerization and on the structure of the polymer chain. The rate of polymerization of styrene and isoprene with an ethyllithium catalyst in hydrocarbon medium has been shown to increase on addition of polar compound triethylamine, ether, and tetrahydrofuran, to the solvent. The limiting concentration of triethylamine, above which increase in the polymerization rate in the presence of ethyllithium is no longer observed, is considerably higher in the case of isoprene than styrene. This is in agreement with the data on the kinetics of ethyllithium‐catalyzed polymerization of styrene and isoprene in hydrocarbon medium, according to which the limiting concentration of ethyllithium, above which dependence of the polymerization rate on the catalyst concentration is no longer observed, is considerably lower for isoprene than for styrene. The difference in polymerization kinetics of isoprene and styrene is explained by the fact that more amine is required to dissociate polymerization‐inactive polyisoprene‐lithium associates. By the copolymerization method it has been shown, in harmony with published data, that the mechanism of chain growth in the presence of ethyllithium changes on passing over from a hydrocarbon to a polar solvent and also on changing alkyllithium for organosodium compounds. The specific features of alkyllithium catalysts in hydrocarbon medium are interpreted as due to the participation of the lithium component of the catalyst besides the carbanion in the chain growth.
Grafting of methyl methacrylate on polyvinyl alcohol films under the action of X‐radiation
Authors: Szántó I. , GÁL K.
Published: November 2014

The possibility of Converting water‐soluble polyvinyl alcohol films to water‐insoluble ones by graft copolymerization is of practical interest. With the use of x‐radiation we bave carried out the graft polymerization of methyl methacrylate onto polyvinyl alcohol films 0.025–0.03 mm. thick. To enhance the grafting effect the influence of various methanol‐methyl methacrylate mixtures on the process was studied. The kinetics was investigated dilatometrically with periodic irradiation. It was established that polymerization slows down on interruption of the irradiation. During irradiation the polymerization rate depends linearly upon the time, i.e., upon the radiation dose. The greatest grafting effect (1700%) was observed at a methanol concentration of 50–60 mole‐% with continuous radiation. The dependence of the grafting process on the methanol concentration is described by a convex curve with a maximum at the above value. We have also been able to throw some light on the part played by methanol in the graft copolymerization process. The products obtained at a radiation dose of 4 × 106 r are insoluble in water, benzene, and acetone.
Data on the reaction kinetics of ziegler catalysts
Authors: Simon A. , Ghymes G.
Published: November 2014

The purpose of this work was to study the formation and composition of the catalysts and the process of Ziegler polymerization of ethylene. In the investigation of the reaction rates we observed a great difference between the two types of catalyst complexes obtained with Al(C2H5)2Cl and Al(C2H5)3 with TiCl4, especially with respect to the effect of the molar ratio of the catalyst components. An increase in the Al/Ti molar ratio decreased the polymerization rate with the Al(C2H5)3−TiCl4 catalyst and increased the rate with the Al(C2H5)2Cl−TiCl4 catalyst. The rate of catalyst formation is much slower for the Al(C2H5)2Cl catalyst; moreover, with this catalyst, the overall polymerization rate shows a dependence on the catalyst age, i.e., the length of time between mixing of the catalyst components and the beginning of polymerization. For the triethylaluminum−TiCl4 catalyst this aging time does not play so important a role. The composition of the catalyst prepared with Al(C2H5)3 varies with the molar ratio of the components and becomes stable only at a molar ratio of 3; the composition of the solid residue obtained with Al(C2H5)2Cl−TiCl4 is constant for molar ratios of Al/Ti in the range 0.3–1.1, and its empirical formula is Al2Ti5Cl19(C2H5)2.
Proliferation and Osteogenic Differentiation of Mesenchymal Stem Cells Induced by a Short Isoform of NELL-1
Authors: Pang Shen , Shen Jia , Liu Yi , Chen Feng , Zheng Zhong , James Aaron W. , Hsu Ching-Yun , Zhang Hong , Lee Kevin S. , Wang Chunling , Li Chenshuang , Chen Xuepeng , Jia Haichao , Zhang Xinli , Soo Chia , Ting Kang
Published: November 2014

Neural epidermal growth factor-like (NEL)-like protein 1 (NELL-1) has been identified as an osteoinductive differentiation factor that promotes mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) osteogenic differentiation. In addition to full-length NELL-1, there are several NELL-1-related transcripts reported. We used rapid amplification of cDNA ends to recover potential cDNA of NELL-1 isoforms. A NELL-1 isoform with the N-terminal 240 amino acid (aa) residues truncated was identified. While full-length NELL-1 that contains 810 aa residues (NELL-1810) plays an important role in embryologic skeletal development, the N-terminal-truncated NELL-1 isoform (NELL-1570) was expressed postnatally. Similar to NELL-1810, NELL-1570 induced MSC osteogenic differentiation. In addition, NELL-1570 significantly stimulated MSC proliferation in multiple MSC-like populations such as murine C3H10T1/2 MSC cell line, mouse primary MSCs, and perivascular stem cells, which is a type of stem cells proposed as the perivascular origin of MSCs. In contrast, NELL-1810 demonstrated only limited stimulation of MSC proliferation. Similar to NELL-1810, NELL-1570 was found to be secreted from host cells. Both NELL-1570 expression lentiviral vector and column-purified recombinant protein NELL-1570 demonstrated almost identical effects in MSC proliferation and osteogenic differentiation, suggesting that NELL-1570 may function as a pro-osteogenic growth factor. In vivo, NELL-1570 induced significant calvarial defect regeneration accompanied by increased cell proliferation. Thus, NELL-1570 has the potential to be used for cell-based or hormone-based therapy of bone regeneration. Stem Cells  2015;33:904–915
Budgeting carbon for urbanization in China
Authors: Pan Jiahua , Liu Jie , Zhu Chun
Published: November 2014

China's urbanization in the post‐reform period since 1978 is especially notable for three features: large scale, fast speed, and long process. And it is now facing challenges in land, energy, water resources, and environment. All these challenges are linked to the emissions of carbon dioxide. As China is expected to have a cap on emissions, there must be a limit to emissions over the process of urbanization in China. In this article, a comprehensive analysis is implemented aimed at budgeting carbon for China's urbanization from 2020 to 2040. By incorporating the concept and principle of ecological civilization into China's urbanization, the constraint on carbon budget not only increases the market demand for raw materials, labor, and commodities that act as the main driving forces for economic growth, but also guarantees the state energy safety and contributes to the global ecological security. WIREs Energy Environ 2015, 4:406–409. doi: 10.1002/wene.153

This article is categorized under:

Energy and Climate > Climate and Environment

Energy Policy and Planning > Climate and Environment
Ionic α‐helical polypeptides toward nonviral gene delivery
Authors: Zhang Rujing , Song Ziyuan , Yin Lichen , Zheng Nan , Tang Haoyu , Lu Hua , Gabrielson Nathan P. , Lin Yao , Kim Kyung , Cheng Jianjun
Published: November 2014

The advent of polymeric materials has significantly promoted the development and rapid growth of various technologies in biomedical applications, such as tissue engineering and controlled drug and gene delivery. Water‐soluble polypeptides bearing functional side chains and adopting stable secondary structures are a new class of functional polymeric materials of potentially broad applications in medicine and biotechnology. In this article, we summarize our recent effort on the design and synthesis of the water‐soluble α‐helical ionic polypeptides originally developed in our laboratory and highlight their applications in cell membrane penetration and nonviral gene/small interfering RNA (siRNA) delivery. WIREs Nanomed Nanobiotechnol 2015, 7:98–110. doi: 10.1002/wnan.1307

This article is categorized under:

Nanotechnology Approaches to Biology > Nanoscale Systems in Biology

Biology-Inspired Nanomaterials > Peptide-Based Structures
Plasmonic biosensors
Authors: Hill Ryan T.
Published: November 2014

The unique optical properties of plasmon resonant nanostructures enable exploration of nanoscale environments using relatively simple optical characterization techniques. For this reason, the field of plasmonics continues to garner the attention of the biosensing community. Biosensors based on propagating surface plasmon resonances (SPRs) in films are the most well‐recognized plasmonic biosensors, but there is great potential for the new, developing technologies to surpass the robustness and popularity of film‐based SPR sensing. This review surveys the current plasmonic biosensor landscape with emphasis on the basic operating principles of each plasmonic sensing technique and the practical considerations when developing a sensing platform with the various techniques. The ‘gold standard’ film SPR technique is reviewed briefly, but special emphasis is devoted to the up‐and‐coming localized surface plasmon resonance and plasmonically coupled sensor technology. WIREs Nanomed Nanobiotechnol 2015, 7:152–168. doi: 10.1002/wnan.1314

This article is categorized under:

Diagnostic Tools > Biosensing

Diagnostic Tools > Diagnostic Nanodevices
Severe maternal morbidity and near miss due to postpartum hemorrhage in a national multicenter surveillance study
Authors: Rocha Filho Edilberto A. , Costa Maria L. , Cecatti Jose G. , Parpinelli Mary A. , Haddad Samira M. , Pacagnella Rodolfo C. , Sousa Maria H. , Melo Elias F. , Surita Fernanda G. , Souza Joao P. ,   Brazilian Network for Surveillance of Severe Maternal Morbidity Study Group
Published: November 2014

Objective

To assess the occurrence of severe maternal complications owing to postpartum hemorrhage (PPH) and its associated factors.

Methods

A secondary analysis of data from a multicenter cross‐sectional prospective surveillance study included 9555 cases of severe maternal morbidity at 27 centers in Brazil between July 2009 and June 2010. Complications of PPH, conditions of severity management, and sociodemographic and obstetric characteristics were assessed. Factors independently associated with severe maternal outcome (SMO) were identified using multiple regression analysis.

Results

Overall, 1192 (12.5%) of the 9555 women experienced complications owing to PPH (981 had potentially life‐threatening conditions, 181 maternal near miss, and 30 had died). The SMO ratio was 2.6 per 1000 live births among women with PPH and 8.5 per 1000 live births among women with other complications. Women with PPH had a higher risk of blood transfusion and return to the operating theater than did those with complications from other causes. Maternal age, length of pregnancy, previous uterine scar, and cesarean delivery were the main factors associated with an increased risk of SMO secondary to PPH.

Conclusion

PPH frequently leads to severe maternal morbidity. A surveillance system can identify the main causes of morbidity and could help to improve care, especially among women identified as being at high risk of PPH.
Geochemistry of carbon dioxide mineral waters of the Choigan natural complex (northeastern Tuva)
Authors: Kopylova Yu.G. , Guseva N.V. , Arakchaa K.D. , Khvashchevskaya A.A.
Published: November 2014

The abundance of various chemical elements (including trace, rare-earth, and radioactive) in the carbon dioxide mineral waters of the Choigan complex has been investigated. Three groups of waters are recognized according to the geochemical conditions and chemical composition: groundwaters of regional-jointing zone with oxidizing conditions; CO2-enriched groundwaters of regional-jointing zone with oxidizing conditions; and groundwaters of fault zones with reducing conditions. It is shown that water–rock interaction intensified by high temperature and carbon dioxide action is the main process determining the chemical composition of groundwaters.
Scandium in the coals of Northern Asia (Siberia, the Russian Far East, Mongolia, and Kazakhstan)
Authors: Arbuzov S.I. , Volostnov A.V. , Mashen’kin V.S. , Mezhibor A.M.
Published: November 2014

We present new original data on the geochemistry of scandium in the coals of Asian Russia, Mongolia, and Kazakhstan. In general, the studied coals are enriched in Sc as compared with the average coals worldwide. Coal deposits with abnormally high, up to commercial, Sc contents were detected in different parts of the study area. The factors for the accumulation of Sc in coals have been identified. The Sc contents of the coals depend on the petrologic composition of coal basins (composition of rocks in their framing) and the facies conditions of coal accumulation. We have established the redistribution and partial removal of Sc from a coal seam during coal metamorphism. The distribution of Sc in deposits and coal seams indicates the predominantly hydrogenic mechanism of its anomalous concentration in coals and peats. The accumulation of Sc in the coals and peats is attributed to its leaching out of the coal-bearing rocks and redeposition in a coal (peat) layer with groundwater and underground water enriched in organic acids. The enrichment of coals with Sc requires conditions for the formation of Sc-enriched coal-bearing rocks and conditions for its leaching and transport to the coal seam. Such conditions can be found in the present-day peatland systems of West Siberia and, probably, in ancient basins of peat (coal) accumulation.
The Blagodatnoe gold-sulfide deposit (Yenisei Ridge, Russia): the nature of geophysical anomalies and the succession and causes of formation of petrophysical zoning
Authors: Kolmakov Yu.V.
Published: November 2014

Data on geophysical fields and petrophysical heterogeneity, parageneses and the thermodynamic conditions and age of their formation, and fluid inclusions were used for the genetic reconstruction of petrophysical zoning at the Blagodatnoe gold-sulfide deposit. Petrophysical associations of the preore and ore stages of the deposit formation are clearly reflected in anomalies of the magnetic and natural electric fields and the aureoles of radioactive elements. At the early preore stage (752 Ma), reduced solutions with high activity of K, enriched in U, Th, and, probably, Au, were supplied to intensely foliated tectonic zones. Their interaction with initial metasedimentary rocks gave rise to contiguous zones of quartz–muscovite and chlorite metasomatic rocks. Accompanying graphitization led to a high electrochemical activity of the metasomatic rocks, which generated anomalies of up to –300 mV in the natural electric field; the most intensely carbonized zones became enriched with U (up to 6.5 × 10–4%) and, probably, Au. The quartz–muscovite metasomatic rocks accumulated Th and K (up to 29 × 10–4% and 4%, respectively), whereas the chlorite metasomatic rocks accumulated rock-forming elements (particularly Fe), which led to the compaction of these rocks and the acceleration due to gravity in local positive anomalies. The nonmagnetic character of the fresh pre-ore metasomatic rocks suggests the predominantly pyritic composition of early sulfides. At the ore stage (698 Ma), the minerals were deposited from H2O–CO2–As–S solutions at 560 to 315 °C. The activity of these solutions caused a redistribution of radioactive elements and a high petrophysical differentiation of the ore-bearing structure. The amplitudes of the anomalies above this structure vary from 500 to 80 nT in the magnetic field and from –130 to + 10 mV in the natural electric field. It has been found that the hydrothermal fluid hardly affected the polarization properties of graphitized rocks at the maximum temperatures but caused an intense removal of U and the development of magnetic pyrrhotite after pyrite. The temperature decrease in the mineral-forming system was favorable for the formation of siderite. Carbonaceous schists which experienced carbonatization lost their electrochemical activity. The binding of carbon dioxide in the solid phase influenced the migration capability of trace elements and their zonal distribution. With this evolution of the solution, Th accumulated at the lower levels of the mineralized zone, whereas the upper levels of the deposit became enriched with U. Productive gold–arsenopyrite–pyrite–pyrrhotite paragenesis with anomalous magnetic susceptibility evolved at the ore stage. The late galena–sphalerite–chalcopyrite paragenesis (365 Ma) was of strictly local occurrence and reduced the magnetic susceptibility of ores.
Effects of borehole casing on TEM response
Authors: Kozhevnikov N.O. , Antonov E.Yu. , Kamnev Ya.K. , Olenchenko V.V. , Plotnikov A.E. , Stefanenko S.M. , Shein A.N.
Published: November 2014

The effect the metal casing of a vertical borehole may exert on transient electromagnetic (TEM) responses has been studied in a field experiment. Eddy currents in the casing affect transients only slightly at early times, but the casing effect predominates at late times. Therefore, early-time TEM response measured near a borehole can provide information on shallow subsurface. The late-time TEM signals induced by the eddy currents in the casing show exponential behavior b⋅ exp(–t/τ). The time constant τ refers to the rate of eddy current decay in the casing; the amplitude b is M12⋅ M23⋅ L–1⋅ τ–1, where L is the casing self-inductance, and M12 and M23 are the mutual inductances between the transmitter loop and the borehole and between the borehole and the receiver, respectively. Both M12 and M23 are controllable, while M23 is especially important for survey applications: by reducing it, one can reduce the casing effect on the TEM data.

© 2014, V.S. Sobolev IGM, Siberian Branch of the RAS. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
The Theology of the Book of Revelation
Authors: Bauckham Richard
Published: November 2014

The Book of Revelation is a work of profound theology. But its literary form makes it impenetrable to many modern readers and open to all kinds of misinterpretations. Richard Bauckham explains how the book's imagery conveyed meaning in its original context and how the book's theology is inseparable from its literary structure and composition. Revelation is seen to offer not an esoteric and encoded forecast of historical events but rather a theocentric vision of the coming of God's universal kingdom, contextualised in the late first-century world dominated by Roman power and ideology. It calls on Christians to confront the political idolatries of the time and to participate in God's purpose of gathering all the nations into his kingdom. Once Revelation is properly grounded in its original context it is seen to transcend that context and speak to the contemporary church. This study concludes by highlighting Revelation's continuing relevance for today.
Dreams of Modernity
Authors: Marcus Laura
Published: November 2014

Laura Marcus is one of the leading literary critics of modernist literature and culture. Dreams of Modernity: Psychoanalysis, Literature, Cinema covers the period from around 1880 to 1930, when modernity as a form of social and cultural life fed into the beginnings of modernism as a cultural form. Railways, cinema, psychoanalysis and the literature of detection - and their impact on modern sensibility - are four of the chief subjects explored. Marcus also stresses the creativity of modernist women writers, including H. D., Dorothy Richardson and Virginia Woolf. The overriding themes of this work bear on the understanding of the early twentieth century as a transitional age, thus raising the question of how 'the moderns' understood the conditions of their own modernity.
Le monde avant la création de l'homme
Authors: Flammarion Camille
Published: November 2014

French astronomer Camille Flammarion (1842–1925) won acclaim for bringing science to a general readership. His Astronomie populaire (1880) and its translation into English as Popular Astronomy (1894) are both reissued in this series. The present work, on the origins of the Earth and humankind, sold tens of thousands of copies. Flammarion's original purpose was to update Zimmermann's Le monde avant la création de l'homme, published a quarter of a century earlier. However, scientific understanding had progressed so much that he decided to rewrite the work completely. First published in 1886, it contains some 400 wood engravings depicting dramatic landscapes, dinosaurs, fossils and much more. Ranging from early chapters on the universe and solar system, through to later discussion of the emergence of humankind after aeons of evolution, this book will prove an absorbing read for those interested in a nineteenth-century perspective on the origins of life.
The Elements of Materia Medica and Therapeutics
Authors: Pereira Jonathan
Published: November 2014

After training as an apothecary and surgeon, Jonathan Pereira (1804–53) taught materia medica for many years. His lectures at the medical school in London's Aldersgate Street were highly successful and formed the basis for the first edition of his major encyclopaedic work on medicinal substances. A pioneering text in the field of pharmacology, Pereira's work, which he subsequently updated in further editions, provided pharmacists and medical professionals with a more rigorous scientific understanding of the drugs and remedies they prescribed. After Pereira's death, medical jurist Alfred Swaine Taylor (1806–80) and physician George Owen Rees (1813–89) prepared this revised and expanded fourth edition, interspersed with instructive woodcuts. Volume 2 is divided into two parts. Part 2 (1857) contains new articles, additional illustrations and a separate index. It concludes the analysis of organic compounds, both vegetable and animal.
Deliberation, Democracy, and Civic Forums
Authors: Karpowitz Christopher F. , Raphael Chad
Published: November 2014

Innovative forums that integrate citizen deliberation into policy making are revitalizing democracy in many places around the world. Yet controversy abounds over whether these forums ought to be seen as authentic sources of public opinion and how they should fit with existing political institutions. How can civic forums include less powerful citizens and ensure that their perspectives are heard on equal terms with more privileged citizens, officials, and policy experts? How can these fragile institutions communicate citizens' policy preferences effectively and legitimately to the rest of the political system? Deliberation, Democracy, and Civic Forums proposes creative solutions for improving equality and publicity, which are grounded in new theories about democratic deliberation, a careful review of research and practice in the field, and several original studies. This book speaks to scholars, practitioners, and sponsors of civic engagement, public management and consultation, and deliberative and participatory democracy.
A Dictionary of the Economic Products of India
Authors: Watt George
Published: November 2014

A Scottish doctor and botanist, George Watt (1851–1930) had studied the flora of India for more than a decade before he took on the task of compiling this monumental work. Assisted by numerous contributors, he set about organising vast amounts of information on India's commercial plants and produce, including scientific and vernacular names, properties, domestic and medical uses, trade statistics, and published sources. Watt hoped that the dictionary, 'though not a strictly scientific publication', would be found 'sufficiently accurate in its scientific details for all practical and commercial purposes'. First published in six volumes between 1889 and 1893, with an index volume completed in 1896, the whole work is now reissued in nine separate parts. Volume 1 (1889) opens with the prefatory matter, along with lists of works consulted, contributors and abbreviations. It contains entries from Abaca (a name in the Philippines for Manila hemp) to Buxus (a genus of evergreen shrubs).
Wood
Authors: Boulger George Simonds
Published: November 2014

An eminent botanist and natural historian, George Simonds Boulger (1853–1922) wrote a number of books on plant life in the British Isles. First published in 1902, this manual explores the characteristics and uses of one of the most abundant and versatile natural materials. In the first part, Boulger outlines the general biological function and uses of wood. He also describes the classification of wood, and the durability of different timbers. The second part catalogues the types of wood that are used commercially. Boulger explains the distinguishing characteristics and uses of hundreds of different kinds of timber, which are listed alphabetically. Featuring 82 illustrations, the book also includes appendices explaining some of the terminology and science of wood, and a select bibliography. Boulger's work on economic botany, The Uses of Plants (1889), is also reissued in the Cambridge Library Collection.
Dictionary of Phrase and Fable
Authors: Brewer Ebenezer Cobham
Published: November 2014

First published in 1870, this 'museum of literary odds and ends' was condensed from material in a manuscript that was thrice the size of the finished book. At the end of his life, Ebenezer Cobham Brewer (1810–97) substantially revised and updated the Dictionary in 1895 and it has appeared in new versions ever since. Reissued here in its first edition, the work reflects Brewer's distinct style and draws on a lifetime's reading. Elucidating the etymology of some 20,000 unusual and everyday words and phrases, the collection touches on diverse subjects ranging from history and literature to mythology and magic. Brewer's charming preface describes the book as an 'alms-basket of words' and promises to examine terms such as 'killed with kindness' and 'kettle of fish'. Readers will be enlightened as to the original meaning of familiar and unfamiliar phrases, many of which have fallen out of use yet testify to the richness of an evolving language.
The Trees of Great Britain and Ireland
Authors: Elwes Henry John , Henry Augustine
Published: November 2014

Although without formal scientific training, Henry John Elwes (1846–1922) devoted his life to natural history. He had studied birds, butterflies and moths, but later turned his attention to collecting and growing plants. Embarking on his most ambitious project in 1903, he recruited the Irish dendrologist Augustine Henry (1857–1930) to collaborate with him on this well-illustrated work. Privately printed in seven volumes between 1906 and 1913, it covers the varieties, distribution, history and cultivation of tree species in the British Isles. The strictly botanical parts were written by Henry, while Elwes drew on his extensive knowledge of native and non-native species to give details of where remarkable examples could be found. Each volume contains photographic plates as well as drawings of leaves and buds to aid identification. The species covered in Volume 5 (1910) include pine, cypress and oak.