bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Beneficial effects of donor‐specific transfusion on renal allograft outcome
Authors: Jovičić Svetlana , Ležaić Visnja , Simonović Ruzica , Djukanović Ljubica
Published: March 2010

Jovičić S, Ležaić V, Simonović R, Djukanović L. Beneficial effects of donor‐specific transfusion on renal allograft outcome.  Clin Transplant 2011: 25: 317–324. © 2010 John Wiley & Sons A/S.

Abstract:  Introduction:  Donor‐specific transfusion (DST) is claimed to improve graft survival in living kidney transplantation. The aim of this study was to determine the influence of DST on the incidence of acute rejection (AR), graft function and survival in the early and late post‐transplantation period in transfusion‐naïve patients.

Methods:  Three patient groups were compared: group 1 received DST (n = 18), group 2 patients received no transfusion prior to surgery (n = 13) and group 3 consisted of 132 randomly transfused patients. The DST protocol consisted of infusion of fresh whole donor blood (3 × 150 mL) at two‐wk intervals accompanied by three d of azathioprine. All patients were grafted within one month after the third DST. Triple drug immunosuppression based on cyclosporine A was given to all patients.

Results:  DST and polytransfused patients experienced significantly less AR compared with group 2 patients. Two‐yr graft function was significantly better in patients in groups 1 and 3 compared with group 2. Although similar eight‐yr patient and graft survival was found in all the groups, delayed graft function patients had the longest graft half‐life.

Conclusion:  DST imposes a significant beneficial effect on the incidence of AR, DGF and graft function during the first post‐transplantation year in transfusion‐naïve patients receiving standard immunosuppression therapy.
Ips typographus population development after a severe storm in a nature reserve in southern Sweden
Authors: Komonen A. , Schroeder L. M. , Weslien J.
Published: March 2010

Large‐scale natural disturbances pose challenges for the management of protected areas and may have undesirable consequences for commercial plantations nearby. A storm, which felled nearly 10 000 m3 of spruce forest in the Osaby nature reserve in southern Sweden, allowed us to study the subsequent population development of the spruce bark beetle (Ips typographus L.). Two summers after the storm, an exceptionally high proportion (74%) of wind‐felled trees had been successfully colonized by the bark beetle, and all living spruce trees had been killed. On standing trees, colonization density was three times higher, and reproductive success one‐fourth, that on wind‐felled trees. The negative relationship between colonization density and reproductive success indicates that intra‐specific competition is one of the main mechanisms reducing I. typographus population growth when the beetles switch from wind‐felled to standing trees after storm disturbances. Indeed, there was no significant difference in beetle production between wind‐felled and standing trees. Furthermore, there were no differences in colonization density, reproductive success or production at different heights in standing trees; however, a higher proportion of the new adults emerged at the tree‐tops rather than lower down before overwintering. Our results also demonstrate that a large proportion (ca. 50%) of the I. typographus population that developed in the storm‐fell area apparently overwintered under the bark of standing trees.
Conflicts between feeding and reproduction in amphibious snakes (sea kraits, Laticauda spp.)
Authors: BRISCHOUX FRANÇOIS , BONNET XAVIER , SHINE RICHARD
Published: March 2010

If reproduction impairs an organism's ability to perform other fitness‐related activities, natural selection may favour behavioural adjustments to minimize these conflicts. This is presumably the reason why many animals are anorexic during the breeding season. We studied amphibious sea snakes, a group whose ecology facilitates teasing apart the causal links between reproduction and feeding. In both Laticauda laticaudata and L. saintgironsi in New Caledonia, adult females cease feeding as their eggs develop. The advantages of foregoing feeding do not relate to thermoregulation (because foraging does not entail lower body temperatures), nor are they attributable to physical constraints on abdominal volume (because in a snake's linear body, there is little overlap between the stomach and the oviducts). Instead, female sea kraits appear to cease feeding because their bodily distension impedes locomotor ability, rendering them less effective at foraging and more vulnerable to aquatic predators.
Familial associations of Alzheimer disease and essential tremor with Parkinson disease
Authors: Costello S. , Bordelon Y. , Bronstein J. , Ritz B.
Published: March 2010

Background:  We constructed a cohort of first‐degree relatives of participants in a population‐based case–control study of Parkinson disease (PD) and compared the occurrence of Alzheimer disease (AD) and essential tremor (ET) in relatives of PD cases and controls.

Methods:  We relied on proband interviews to assess family history in 372 probands with incident PD confirmed by a movement disorder specialist and 404 controls from three rural California counties.

Results:  Overall, for the 2980 first‐degree relatives of PD cases, the risk of AD was not increased compared with the 2981 relatives of controls. But relatives of younger onset PD cases (≤60 years of age) were three times more likely to have received an AD diagnosis [hazard ratios (HR): 2.86; 95%CI: 1.44, 5.71]. Our data also suggest that some relatives of PD probands might be at a slightly increased risk of receiving an ET diagnosis, especially relatives of tremor dominant cases (HR: 1.69; 95%CI 0.99, 2.88), younger onset cases (HR: 2.03; 95%CI 0.93, 4.44), and male relatives (HR: 2.31; 95%CI 1.13, 4.73). In addition, fathers of cases were almost 15 years younger than fathers of controls when diagnosed with ET. Results were stable in sensitivity analyses.

Conclusion:  Our study suggests a familial susceptibility to AD amongst first‐degree relatives of younger onset PD cases.
Functional magnetic resonance imaging and c‐Fos mapping in rats following a glucoprivic dose of 2‐deoxy‐d‐glucose
Authors: Dodd Garron T. , Williams Steve R. , Luckman Simon M.
Published: March 2010

J. Neurochem.(2010)113, 1123–1132.

The glucose analogue, 2‐deoxy‐d‐glucose (2‐DG) is an inhibitor of glycolysis and, when administered systemically or centrally, induces glucoprivation leading to counter‐regulatory responses, including increased feeding behaviour. Investigations into how the brain responds to glucoprivation could have important therapeutic potential, as disruptions or defects in the defence of the brain’s ‘glucostatic’ circuitry may be partly responsible for pathological conditions resulting from diabetes and obesity. To define the ‘glucostat’ brain circuitry further we have combined blood‐oxygen‐level‐dependent pharmacological‐challenge magnetic resonance imaging (phMRI) with whole‐brain c‐Fos functional activity mapping to characterise brain regions responsive to an orexigenic dose of 2‐DG [200 mg/kg; subcutaneous (s.c.)]. For phMRI, rats were imaged using a T2*‐weighted gradient echo in a 7T magnet for 60 min under α‐chloralose anaesthesia, whereas animals for immunohistochemistry were unanaesthetised and freely behaving. These complementary methods demonstrated functional brain activity in a number of previously characterised glucose‐sensing brain regions such as those in the hypothalamus and brainstem following administration of 2‐DG compared with vehicle. As the study mapped whole‐brain functional responses, it also identified the orbitofrontal cortex and striatum (nucleus accumbens and ventral pallidum) as novel 2‐DG‐responsive brain regions. These regions make up a corticostriatal connection with the hypothalamus, by which aspects of motivation, salience and reward can impinge on the hypothalamic control of feeding behaviour. This study, therefore, provides further evidence for a common integrated circuit involved in the induction of feeding behaviour, and illustrates the valuable potential of phMRI in investigating central pharmacological actions.
Differential vulnerability of neurons in Huntington’s disease: the role of cell type‐specific features
Authors: Han Ina , You YiMei , Kordower Jeffrey H. , Brady Scott T. , Morfini Gerardo A.
Published: March 2010

J. Neurochem.(2010)113, 1073–1091.

Abnormal expansion of a polyglutamine tract in huntingtin (Htt) protein results in Huntington’s disease (HD), an autosomal dominant neurodegenerative disorder involving progressive loss of motor and cognitive function. Contrasting with the ubiquitous tissue expression of polyglutamine‐expanded Htt, HD pathology is characterized by the increased vulnerability of specific neuronal populations within the striatum and the cerebral cortex. Morphological, biochemical, and functional characteristics of neurons affected in HD that might render these cells more vulnerable to the toxic effects of polyglutamine‐Htt are covered in this review. The differential vulnerability of neurons observed in HD is discussed in the context of various major pathogenic mechanisms proposed to date, and in line with evidence showing a ‘dying‐back’ pattern of degeneration in affected neuronal populations.
Rarest of the rare: advances in combining evolutionary distinctiveness and scarcity to inform conservation at biogeographical scales
Authors: Cadotte Marc W. , Jonathan Davies T.
Published: March 2010

Aim In an era of global habitat loss and species extinction, conservation biology is increasingly becoming a science of triage. A key approach has been the designation of global biodiversity hotspots – areas of high species richness and endemism – prioritizing regions that are disproportionately valuable. However, traditional hotspot approaches leave absent information on species evolutionary histories. We argue that prioritizing the preservation of evolutionary diversity is one way to maximize genotypic and functional diversity, providing ecosystems with the greatest number of options for dealing with an uncertain future.

Location Global.

Methods We review methods for encapsulating phylogenetic diversity and distinctiveness and provide an illustration of how phylogenetic metrics can be extended to include data on geographical rarity and inform conservation prioritization at biogeographic scales.

Results Abundance‐weighted metrics of evolutionary diversity can be used to simultaneously prioritize populations, species, habitats and biogeographical regions.

Main conclusion Policy makers need to know where scarce conservation funds should be focused to maximize gains and minimize the loss of biological diversity. By incorporating these evolutionary diversity metrics into prioritization schemes, managers can better quantify the valuation of different regions based on evolutionary information.
Maternal and neonatal outcomes in the Torres Strait Islands with a sixfold increase in type 2 diabetes in pregnancy over six years
Authors: FALHAMMAR Henrik , DAVIS Bronwyn , BOND Dianne , SINHA Ashim K.
Published: March 2010

Background:  Torres Strait Islander population has a high prevalence of type 2 diabetes (T2DM).

Aims:  To review pregnancy data of women and their newborns living in the Torres Strait area.

Methods:  All medical charts of mothers and their neonates delivered in two one‐year periods (1999 and 2005/2006) were reviewed. The initial screening test for diabetes in pregnancy (DIP) was a random blood glucose level followed by an oral glucose challenge test in 1999 and from 2000 an oral glucose tolerance test.

Results:  Diabetes in pregnancy increased by 4.3–13.3% and T2DM by 0.8–4.6%. During the two periods, 258 and 196 mothers delivered respectively 84–92% by midwives/general practitioners at the local hospital and 7–16% by midwives/obstetricians at the regional hospital; in 2005/2006, 58% of women with DIP delivered at the regional hospital. Screening increased from 89.2 to 99.5%. DIP mothers were older and heavier with more hypertension and previous miscarriages. Parity decreased in the DIP mother during the two periods. Caesarean section was five times more common for DIP in 2005/2006 versus non‐DIP, while in 1999, there was no difference. In 1999, the DIP infants were heavier, longer (P = 0.053) and had a larger head circumference not seen 2005/2006. There was more neonatal trauma, hypoglycaemia and IV dextrose in the DIP infants. Breastfeeding numbers increased in DIP. In 2005/2006, follow‐up of gestational diabetes occurred in 47% (all normal).

Conclusion:  A massive increase in DIP was seen. The neonatal outcomes improved slightly. There is need for improvement in follow‐up of gestational diabetes.
Short‐term clinical and quality‐of‐life outcomes in women treated by the TVT‐Secur procedure
Authors: LIM Jeanette L. , De CUYPER Eva M.J. , CORNISH Ann , FRAZER Malcolm
Published: March 2010

Background:  The TVT‐Secur (Ethicon, Somerville, NJ, USA) is a minimally invasive suburethral synthetic sling used in the treatment of female stress urinary incontinence. It claims to cause less postoperative pain and to enable performing in an office setting. However, this may be at the expense of a significant learning curve and a higher early failure rate.

Aims:  To assess objectively the success rate of the TVT‐Secur procedure in the ‘U’ configuration at six months. Secondary outcomes focussed on subjective success rates, complications, patient satisfaction and quality‐of‐life (QOL).

Methods:  A prospective observational study was undertaken at two tertiary referral urogynaecology centres. A cohort of 42 consecutive patients with urodynamic stress incontinence who underwent the TVT‐Secur procedure in the ‘U’ configuration between November 2006 and August 2007 were followed up for six months. Three standardised QOL questionnaires were completed preoperatively and at six months. A urogenital history, visual analogue score (VAS) for patient satisfaction, uroflow and urinary stress test were performed at six months.

Results:  Recruitment was ceased prematurely because of a high number of early failures. Objective and subjective success rates at six months were 58.3% and 51.3% respectively. Complications included urinary tract infections, voiding difficulty, groin discomfort, haematoma, vaginal pain, tape erosion and intra‐operative dislodgement of tape. Prevalence of de novo urge incontinence was 10.3%. Only symptom‐specific QOL scores improved and only 48.6% indicated a high level satisfaction (VAS ≥ 80%) with TVT‐Secur.

Conclusion:  On the basis of this limited study, we are hesitant to recommend the ‘U’ configuration of the TVT‐Secur over its more established counterparts, the TVT and TVT‐O.
Creating a Sacred Space: An Iglesia Evangélica Response to Global Homelessness1
Authors: Martell‐Otero Loida I.
Published: March 2010

Abstract:  Writing from the perspective of a bicoastal Puerto Rican evangélica (Latina/o popular Protestantism), the author argues that the contemporary ‘problem of immigration’ is really an expression of global dislocation that has led to migratory patterns of ‘homelessness’. While there may be myriad causes of global dislocation, she suggests that insofar as the Latina/o community is concerned, a principal cause is the exportation, and therefore immigration, of U.S. expansionist policies (i.e., ‘corporate immigration’) into Latin America and the Caribbean. The church needs to re‐vision “im/migrants” (the global homeless), itself, and God to respond adequately to the globally displaced. The article provides a brief synopsis of how past and present ‘corporate immigration’ has caused global dislocation for Puerto Ricans and Mexicans. Biblical understandings of stranger, as expressed through such terms as gēr and nōkrî, provide scriptural and theological bases that allow the author to envision creation, and therefore salvation, as the living out of a ‘sacred space’. The author then concludes with the affirmation that the church, as the incarnated witness of that space, is called to treat all migratory dislocated people as ‘kin’ and thus it is called to provide a ‘sacred space’ wherein the globally homeless can find safe haven—a home—amid their familia (kin).
Through Neural Stimulation to Behavior Manipulation: A Novel Method for Analyzing Dynamical Cognitive Models
Authors: Hope Thomas , Stoianov Ivilin , Zorzi Marco
Published: March 2010

The dynamical systems’ approach to cognition (Dynamicism) promises computational models that effectively embed cognitive processing within its more natural behavioral context. Dynamical cognitive models also pose difficult, analytical challenges, which motivate the development of new analytical methodology. We start by illustrating the challenge by applying two conventional analytical methods to a well‐known Dynamicist model of categorical perception. We then introduce our own analysis, which works by analogy with neural stimulation methods, and which yields some novel insights into the way the model works. We then extend and apply the method to a second Dynamicist model, which captures the key psychophysical trends that emerge when humans and animals compare two numbers. The results of the analysis—which reveals units with tuning functions that are monotonically related to the magnitudes of the numbers that the agents must compare—offer a clear contribution to the contentious debate concerning the way number information is encoded in the brain.
Patients' experiences of the impact of periodontal disease
Authors: O'Dowd Louise K. , Durham Justin , McCracken Giles I. , Preshaw Philip M.
Published: March 2010

O'Dowd LK, Durham J, McCracken GI, Preshaw PM. Patients' experiences of the impact of periodontal disease. J Clin Periodontol 2010; 37: 334–339. doi: 10.1111/j.1600‐051X.2010.01545.x.

Aim: To examine critically patients' experiences of the impact of periodontal disease on their daily lives.

Material and Methods: Semi‐structured interviews of a purposive sample of patients with periodontal conditions were conducted using a flexible evolving topic guide. Data collection and analysis were an inductive, iterative process that occurred concurrently. The data were organized in a framework and recurrent themes identified. Interviews occurred until it was felt that no new themes or ideas were being expressed by respondents (n=14).

Results: Effects of periodontal disease on patients' daily lives included impairment, functional limitation, discomfort and disability (including physical, psychosocial and social disability). A large number of the emergent themes from the analysis were relevant to the domains of Locker's conceptual model of oral health. The domain within Locker's model that had no data relevant to it in the context of periodontal disease was death. Two additional themes emerged that appeared unrelated to Locker's model, these were stigma and retrospective regret.

Conclusion: Periodontal disease reportedly affects patients' lives in a negative manner in a variety of ways. This is of relevance in the management of patients with periodontitis.
Evaluation of an injectable rhGDF‐5/PLGA construct for minimally invasive periodontal regenerative procedures: a histological study in the dog
Authors: Kwon David H. , Bennett William , Herberg Samuel , Bastone Patrizia , Pippig Susanne , Rodriguez Nancy A. , Susin Cristiano , Wikesjö Ulf M. E.
Published: March 2010

Kwon DH, Bennett W, Herberg S, Bastone P, Pippig S, Rodriguez NA, Susin C, Wikesjö UME. Evaluation of an injectable rhGDF‐5/PLGA construct for minimally invasive periodontal regenerative procedures: a histological study in the dog. J Clin Periodontol 2010; 37: 390–397. doi: 10.1111/j.1600‐051X.2010.01546.x.

Aim: To evaluate the injectability, biocompatibility, safety, and periodontal wound healing/regeneration following application of a novel bioresorbable recombinant human growth/differentiation factor‐5 (rhGDF‐5)/poly(lactic‐co‐glycolic acid) (PLGA) construct.

Material and Methods: Periodontal pockets (3 × 6 mm, width × depth) were surgically created over the buccal roots of the second and fourth mandibular pre‐molars in eight adult Hound Labrador mongrel dogs. Surgeries including injection of the rhGDF‐5/PLGA construct into the pockets were sequenced that four animals provided 2‐/4‐week and four animals 6‐/8‐week observations of sites receiving rhGDF‐5/PLGA or serving as sham‐surgery control.

Results: The rhGDF‐5/PLGA construct was easy to prepare and apply. Approximately 0.2 ml (93 μg rhGDF‐5)/tooth was used. Clinical and radiographic healing was exemplary without adverse events. Healing was characterized by a non‐specific connective tissue attachment, acellular/cellular cementum, periodontal ligament (PDL), bone regeneration, and a junctional epithelium. PLGA fragments were observed in 4/7, 2/8, and 1/8 sites at 2, 4, and 6 weeks, respectively. Associated inflammatory reactions exhibited no limiting effect on periodontal wound healing/regeneration. Root resorption/ankylosis was not observed. Bone formation showed apparent increased maturity (lamellar bone) at 6 weeks in sites receiving rhGDF‐5/PLGA compared with the control. Both protocols exhibited significant increases in PDL, cementum, and bone regeneration over time, without significant differences between treatments. In time, PDL and cementum regeneration was twofold greater for the control at 4 weeks (p=0.04) while increased bone formation was observed at sites receiving rhGDF‐5/PLGA (p<0.01).

Conclusions: In conclusion, the rhGDF‐5/PLGA construct appears to be a safe technology for injectable, ease‐of‐use application of rhGDF‐5‐stimulated periodontal wound healing/regeneration. Additional work to optimize the polymer carrier and rhGDF‐5 release kinetics/dose might be required before evaluating the efficacy of this technology in clinical settings using minimally invasive approaches.
Oral juvenile xanthogranuloma: report of two cases and literature review
Authors: Dissanayaka W.L. , Jayasooriya P.R. , Wickramasuriya G. , Dias D.K. , Tilakaratne W.M.
Published: March 2010

Juvenile xanthogranuloma (JXG) is a benign histiocytic tumour predominantly seen in the skin. Oral lesions are rare and the present article reports two cases of oral JXG, one that developed in the posterior palate of a 15 year old boy and the other which developed in the right side maxillary antrum of a 2 year old child. The purpose of this article is to describe two additional cases of oral JXG, one a histologically atypical JXG and the other a clinically rare JXG.
IMPROVEMENT IN EXAMINATION TECHNIQUE FOR TEACHERS OF BOTANY
Authors: Jennison H. M.
Published: March 2010

Abstract

As the title suggests, the writer offers something in the way of improvement of the traditional written examination. A comparison of the essay type of examination with the newer objective type leaves little in favor of the former where a measure of the student's knowledge of a subject is the chief purpose of the examiner. Several examples of objective tests are given and methods of devising the newer type of examination are discussed in the complete paper. Nearly five years experimenting and use of the newer examination in connection with teaching classes in Botany at the University of Tennessee finds the writer more favorably disposed to the use of this type of examination because (1) it can be made to measure what it is really intended to measure, (2) degree to which personal judgment is eliminated in grading, (3) it possesses reliability in accuracy and consistency of measurement, (4) it may be quickly and easily scored, (5) less fatiguing for student as well as instructor.
Problem Department
Authors: Willerding Margaret F.
Published: March 2010

This department aims to provide problems of varying degrees of difficulty which will interest anyone engaged in the study of mathematics.

All readers are invited to propose problems and to solve problems here proposed. Drawings to illustrate the problems should be well done in India ink. Problems and solutions will be credited to their authors. Each solution or proposed problem sent the Editor should have the author's name introducing the problem or solution as on the following pages.

The editor of the Department desires to serve her readers by making it interesting and helpful to them. Address suggestions and problems to Margaret F. Willerding, San Diego State College, San Diego, Calif., 92115
Letter to the Editor
Authors: Benson Robert L.
Published: March 2010

Mr. George G. Mallinson, Editor School Science and Mathematics
Treatment of an osteoblastic osteosarcoma in an aged gelding
Authors: Springer T. , Elce Y. A. , Green E.
Published: March 2010

A 27‐year‐old Thoroughbred gelding was examined for a right nasal mass visible inside the right nares. Airflow through the right nostril was absent. Endoscopy and radiography revealed the mass to occupy the entire right nasal passage. Nasal biopsies were inconclusive, soen blocresection was performed. A diagnosis of an incompletely resected osteoblastic osteosarcoma was made. Endoscopic biopsies performed 4 weeks post surgery revealed osteosarcoma cells present in the caudal right nasal cavity. Metastatic disease was not present in mandibular lymph node aspirates or on thoracic radiographs. The right nasal passage was irradiated with 12 treatments over the course of 4 weeks. Comfort and quality of life were excellent during treatment and no adverse side effects were noted. Endoscopy and follow‐up biopsies at 1, 2, 4, 12 and 14 months post radiation therapy have not found any evidence of regrowth of the osteosarcoma.
Urinothorax in a Quarter Horse filly
Authors: Vander Werf K. A. , Beard L. A. , McMurphy R. M.
Published: March 2010

An 18 h old Quarter Horse filly, while being treated for diarrhoea, was evaluated for a distended abdomen and electrolyte abnormalities. Peritoneal and pleural fluid was detected by ultrasound and a presumptive diagnosis of a ruptured bladder was made. Intravenous fluid therapy was instituted to correct the electrolyte abnormalities prior to surgical repair of the bladder tear. Anaesthetic complications included hypoxaemia and decreased compliance secondary to the pleural effusion; therefore, a thoracocentesis was performed. Analysis of the pleural fluid revealed a pleural fluid to serum creatinine ratio of >1.0, indicative of urinothorax. The filly recovered from anaesthesia and was discharged on systemic antimicrobials. Urinothorax should be considered in cases of uroperitoneum with concurrent pleural effusion. Early detection may decrease patient morbidity and anaesthetic complications.
Permanent colostomy after small colon prolapse in a parturient mare
Authors: Espinosa Buschiazzo C. A. , Cancela M. C. J. , Simian M. V.
Published: March 2010

Small colon prolapse is a possible complication during parturition and diarrhoea. A case diagnosed in a mare during birth labour was reduced by the attending veterinarian at the farm, and referred to the authors for evaluation. After thorough physical examination, blood and peritoneal fluid tests, a ruptured mesocolon was suspected and the mare explored under general anaesthesia by a median celiotomy approach. During the procedure the affected mesocolon‐rectum was confirmed and a resection of the intestine elected. After prolapsing the segment of damaged viscera a permanent end colostomy was performed. Fourteen months later and after an uneventful recovery, the mare was in a very good physical condition and waiting to be covered for the next breeding season.
Dystocia in Friesian mares: Prevalence, causes and outcome following caesarean section
Authors: Maaskant A. , De Bruijn C. M. , Schutrups A. H. , Stout T. A. E.
Published: March 2010

Friesian horses appear to suffer a relatively high incidence of dystocia but there are, to the authors' knowledge, no published reports on the incidence or types of dystocia in Friesian horses. A retrospective survey of clinical details and post treatment recovery was performed for 66 mares referred to Wolvega Equine Hospital for dystocia during 2001–2006. Friesian mares appear to be particularly prone to dystocia due to fetal ankylosis or transverse presentation. However, despite dystocia of relatively long duration prior to caesarean section, post operative survival and fertility of mares and, more surprisingly, survival of foals were similar to those reported in surveys for other breeds.
Trema micrantha toxicity in horses in Brazil
Authors: BANDARRA P. M. , PAVARINI S. P. , RAYMUNDO D. L. , CORRÊA A. M. R. , PEDROSO P. M. O. , DRIEMEIER D.
Published: March 2010

After ingesting green leaves of T. micrantha, 2 horses showed apathy, locomotor deficit, blindness, recumbency, paddling, coma and death. The main gross findings were scattered haemorrhages, enhanced lobular pattern of the liver, and cerebral oedema. Histological changes included disseminated haemorrhages, massive hepatocellular necrosis, neuronal degeneration, Alzheimer type II astrocytes and cerebral perivascular oedema. Clinicopathological findings which were comparable with those observed in Trema micrantha poisoned ruminants, associated with epidemiological evidence suggested the diagnosis.Trema micrantha poisoning should be evaluated as a possible cause in the diagnosis of equine hepatopathy and occasional secondary encephalopathy.
Optimization of Mesh-Based Anodes for Direct Methanol Fuel Cells
Authors: Chetty Raghuram , Scott Keith , Kundu Shankhamala , Muhler Martin
Published: March 2010

Platinum based binary and ternary catalysts were prepared by thermal decomposition onto a titanium mesh and were evaluated for the anodic oxidation of methanol. The binary Pt:Ru catalyst with a composition of 1:1 gave the highest performance for methanol oxidation at 80°C. The effect of temperature and time for thermal decomposition was optimized with respect to methanol oxidation, and the catalysts were characterized by cyclic voltammetry, linear sweep voltammetry, scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction studies, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The best catalyst was evaluated in a single fuel cell, and the effect of methanol concentration, temperature, and oxygen/air flow was studied. The mesh-based fuel cell, operating at 80°C with 1 mol dm3 methanol, gave maximum power densities of 38 mW cm−2 and 22 mW cm−2 with 1 bar (gauge) oxygen and air, respectively.
Anode Side Diffusion Barrier Coating for Solid Oxide Fuel Cells Interconnects
Authors: Froitzheim J. , Niewolak L. , Brandner M. , Singheiser L. , Quadakkers W. J.
Published: March 2010

During the operation of solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs) the Ni base anode and/or Ni-mesh is in direct contact with the ferritic steel interconnect or the metallic substrate. For assuring long-term stack operation a diffusion barrier layer with high electronic conductivity may be needed to impede interdiffusion between the various components. A pre-oxidation layer on the ferritic steel turned out to be not viable as a barrier layer since a Ni-layer tends to dissociate the oxide scale. Therefore the potential of ceria as a diffusion barrier layer for the anode side of the SOFC was estimated. The barrier properties of a ceria coating between the Ni and the ferritic steel Crofer 22 APU were tested for 1000 h in Ar–4H2–2H2O at 800°C. Conductivity experiments were performed in the same atmosphere at different temperatures. After long-term exposures no indication of interdiffusion between Ni and ferritic steel could be detected, however, sputtered coatings on ferritic steel substrates showed significantly lower conductivities than bulk ceria samples because of void formation between the ceria and the oxide on the steel surface. The latter could be prevented by an intermediate copper layer, which resulted in overall area specific resistance values lower than 20 mΩ cm2 after 100 h exposure at 800°C.
A Novel Input Ripple Current Suppressing Topology Configuration and Controller for Residential Fuel Cell Power Conditioning System
Authors: Wang Yong
Published: March 2010

Proton exchange membrane fuel cell (PEMFC)’s power conditioning system (PCS) for residential application always contains two stage converter configuration of the dc-dc converter and the power grid connection dc-ac inverter. As known well, the inverter tends to draw an ac ripple current at twice the output frequency. For fuel cell system, the ripple current has worse effect than the other system, since it reduces the fuel cell system’s output capacity and wastes the fuel. Worst of all, it shortens the fuel cell’s life span. In this paper, first, the power grid connection PEMFC PCS’s ripple current source and propagation are analyzed. Then, a ripple suppressing PCS topology configuration and controller are proposed to achieve the low input ripple current control.
Development of a 600 W Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cell Power System for the Hazardous Mission Robot
Authors: Lee Sang-Yeop , Min In-Gyu , Kim Hyoung-Juhn , Nam Suk Woo , Lee Jaeyoung , Kim Sun Ja , Jang Jong Hyun , Cho EunAe , Song Kwang Ho , Hong Seong-Ahn , Lim Tae-Hoon
Published: March 2010

Due to the advantage of fuel cells over secondary batteries such as long operation time, many efforts were executed in order to use fuel cells as main power sources of small electronic devices such as laptop computers and mobile phones. For the same reason, fuel cells are promising power sources for the hazardous mission robots. Fuel cells are able to increase their radius action through extension of operation time. Despite this advantage, there still exist technical barriers such as increasing power density, efficient hydrogen storage, and fast startup of the power system. First, in order to increase power density, the united stack including proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFC) and membrane humidifying cells were developed. Also, the hydrogen generating system using NaBH4 solution was employed to store hydrogen effectively. In addition, to shorten start-up time, hybrid control of PEMFC and Li-ion battery was adopted. The approaches mentioned above were evaluated. The developed PEMFC/humidifier stack showed high performance. As compared with full humidification condition by external humidifiers, the performance decrease was only 1% even though hydrogen was not humidified and air was partially humidified. Besides, by integrating the PEMFC and the humidifier into a single stack, considerable space for tubing between them was saved. Also, the hydrogen generator operated well with the PEMFC system and allowed for effective fuel storing and refueling. In addition, due to the efficient hybrid control of PEMFC and battery, start-up time was significantly shortened and capacity of PEMFC was reduced, resulting in compactness of the power system. In conclusion, a 600 W PEMFC power system was developed and successfully operated with the robot. Through development and evaluation of the PEMFC power system, the possibility of PEMFC as a novel power source for the hazardous mission robot was verified.
ac Impedance Study of a Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cell Stack Under Various Loading Conditions
Authors: Dale N. V. , Mann M. D. , Salehfar H. , Dhirde A. M. , Han T.
Published: March 2010

This paper presents the ac impedance study and analysis of a proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cell operated under various loading conditions. Ballard’s 1.2 kW Nexa™ fuel cell used for this study is integrated with a control system. The PEM fuel cell stack was operated using room air and pure hydrogen (99.995%) as input. Impedance data were collected for the fuel cell to study the behavior of the stack and groups of cells under various loads. Single cell impedance analysis was also performed for individual cells placed at different locations in the stack. The ac impedance analysis, also known as electrochemical impedance analysis, showed low frequency inductive effects and mass transport losses due to liquid water accumulation at high current densities. Results show that the stack run time to achieve steady state for impedance measurements is important. Using impedance plots, the average Ohmic resistance for the whole stack was estimated to be 41 mΩ, the same value obtained when summing the resistance value of all individual cells. Impedance analysis for groups of cells at different locations in the stack shows changes in both polarization resistance and capacitive component only in the low frequency region. At high frequencies, single cell inductive and capacitive behavior varied as a function of location in the stack. The effects of artifacts on the high frequency loop and on the high and low frequency intercept loops are also discussed.
Modeling of an Intermediate Temperature Solid Oxide Fuel Cell Using the Adaptive Neuro-Fuzzy Inference System (ANFIS)
Authors: Vural Yasemin , Akay Diyar , Pourkashanian Mohamed , Ingham Derek B.
Published: March 2010

The modeling of an intermediate temperature solid oxide fuel cell using an adaptive neuro-fuzzy inference system (ANFIS) has been presented. The results show that a well trained and well tested ANFIS model has the capability to predict the fuel cell performance under varying operational conditions depending on the availability of the data and can be used as an alternative to the physical models in the sense that the results can be produced in a fast and cost effective way. The performance of the model in regions where there is data deficiency has been discussed.
Techno-Economic Optimal Design of Solid Oxide Fuel Cell Systems for Micro-Combined Heat and Power Applications in the U.S.
Authors: Braun Robert J.
Published: March 2010

A techno-economic optimization study investigating optimal design and operating strategies of solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) micro-combined heat and power (CHP) systems for application in U.S. residential dwellings is carried out through modeling and simulation of various anode-supported planar SOFC-based system configurations. Five different SOFC system designs operating from either methane or hydrogen fuels are evaluated in terms of their energetic and economic performances and their overall suitability for meeting residential thermal-to-electric ratios. Life-cycle cost models are developed and employed to generate optimization objective functions, which are utilized to explore the sensitivity of the life-cycle costs to various system designs and economic parameters and to select optimal system configurations and operating parameters for eventual application in single-family, detached residential homes in the U.S. The study compares the results against a baseline SOFC-CHP system that employs primarily external steam reforming of methane. The results of the study indicate that system configurations and operating parameter selections that enable minimum life-cycle cost while achieving maximum CHP-system efficiency are possible. Life-cycle cost reductions of over 30% and CHP efficiency improvements of nearly 20% from the baseline system are detailed.
Performance Enhancement of Alkaline Direct Methanol Fuel Cells by Ni/Al Layered Double Hydroxides
Authors: Ganley Jason C. , Karikari Nana K. , Raghavan Dharmaraj
Published: March 2010

This paper reports the results of fuel cell performance tests detailing the effects of Ni/Al layered double hydroxide (Ni-LDH) on the performance of alkaline direct methanol fuel cells (DMFCs). It is desirable to enhance the maximum rate of methanol consumption at a fuel cell’s anode so that expensive bimetallic catalysts (such as Pt-Ru) would not be as essential to remedy the well-known sluggish kinetics and Pt catalyst deactivation tendencies of DMFCs. The test cells were constructed using partially hydrolyzed polyvinyl alcohol film membranes impregnated with a 10 M potassium hydroxide electrolyte. The cells were tested at a constant temperature of 40°C, and the effect of the addition of Ni-LDH to the membrane surface was studied by comparison of fuel cell polarization and power production curves of cells with Pt or Pt-Ru anodes paired with Pt cathodes. The benefits of Ni-LDH addition to DMFCs are clearly shown vis-à-vis the extended operating current densities and associated increases in power density for each catalyst type. The enhancement effect of Ni-LDH appears largely as enhancement of cell mass transport. Cells constructed with Pt anodes and membrane surfaces modified by Ni-LDH perform very nearly as well as Ni-LDH-free cells using bimetallic Pt-Ru anodes.
Off-Design Analysis of a MCFC-Gas Turbine Hybrid Plant
Authors: Iora P. , Campanari S. , Salogni A.
Published: March 2010

The paper presents a model for the off-design analysis of a hybrid plant based on a MCFC and a gas-turbine. The model is used to define a possible regulation strategy for the power plant, minimizing the performance decay at partial load and allowing investigation of the interaction issues among the different plant components. The hybrid plant reflects at nominal conditions the expected performances for the 500 kW-class MCFC plant proposed by Ansaldo Fuel Cells. The simulation is carried out respecting the matching of the gas-turbine and the part-load behavior of the fuel cell and the heat exchangers. The gas-turbine is modeled through compressor and turbine performance maps, and the FC is modeled through a finite volume code. The results indicate the possibility to regulate effectively the plant power output acting on the turbine shaft speed, the air-to-fuel ratio, the bypass of cathode air, and the fuel utilization, achieving very high part-load efficiency and respecting constraints on the admitted operating range for the plant components.
Genome Sequence of the Edible Cyanobacterium
Arthrospira
sp. PCC 8005
Authors: Janssen P. J. , Morin N. , Mergeay M. , Leroy B. , Wattiez R. , Vallaeys T. , Waleron K. , Waleron M. , Wilmotte A. , Quillardet P. , de Marsac N. Tandeau , Talla E. , Zhang C.-C. , Leys N.
Published: March 2010

We determined the genome sequence of
Arthrospira
sp. PCC 8005, a cyanobacterial strain of great interest to the European Space Agency for its nutritive value and oxygenic properties in the Micro-Ecological Life Support System Alternative (MELiSSA) biological life support system for long-term manned missions into space.
Repellent Taxis in Response to Nickel Ion Requires neither Ni
2+
Transport nor the Periplasmic NikA Binding Protein
Authors: Englert Derek L. , Adase Christopher A. , Jayaraman Arul , Manson Michael D.
Published: March 2010

Ni
2+
and Co
2+
are sensed as repellents by the
Escherichia coli
Tar chemoreceptor. The periplasmic Ni
2+
binding protein, NikA, has been suggested to sense Ni
2+
. We show here that neither NikA nor the membrane-bound NikB and NikC proteins of the Ni
2+
transport system are required for repellent taxis in response to Ni
2+
.
The
Escherichia coli mqsR
and
ygiT
Genes Encode a New Toxin-Antitoxin Pair
Authors: Kasari Villu , Kurg Kristi , Margus Tõnu , Tenson Tanel , Kaldalu Niilo
Published: March 2010

Toxin-antitoxin (TA) systems are plasmid- or chromosome-encoded protein complexes composed of a stable toxin and a short-lived inhibitor of the toxin. In cultures of
Escherichia coli
, transcription of toxin-antitoxin genes was induced in a nondividing subpopulation of bacteria that was tolerant to bactericidal antibiotics. Along with transcription of known toxin-antitoxin operons, transcription of
mqsR
and
ygiT
, two adjacent genes with multiple TA-like features, was induced in this cell population. Here we show that
mqsR
and
ygiT
encode a toxin-antitoxin system belonging to a completely new family which is represented in several groups of bacteria. The
mqsR
gene encodes a toxin, and ectopic expression of this gene inhibits growth and induces rapid shutdown of protein synthesis
in vivo
.
ygiT
encodes an antitoxin, which protects cells from the effects of MqsR. These two genes constitute a single operon which is transcriptionally repressed by the product of
ygiT
. We confirmed that transcription of this operon is induced in the ampicillin-tolerant fraction of a growing population of
E. coli
and in response to activation of the HipA toxin. Expression of the MqsR toxin does not kill bacteria but causes reversible growth inhibition and elongation of cells.
Prokaryotic Ubiquitin-Like Protein Provides a Two-Part Degron toMycobacteriumProteasome Substrates
Authors: Burns Kristin E. , Pearce Michael J. , Darwin K. Heran
Published: March 2010

Prokaryotic ubiquitin-like protein (Pup) is a posttranslational modifier that targets proteins for degradation by the mycobacterial proteasome. We show that the disordered amino terminus of Pup is required for degradation, while the helical carboxyl terminus mediates its attachment to proteins. Thus, Pup has distinct regions that either interact with pupylation enzymes or initiate proteasomal degradation.
Genetic and Functional Analysis of the Soluble Oxaloacetate Decarboxylase from
Corynebacterium glutamicum
Authors: Klaffl Simon , Eikmanns Bernhard J.
Published: March 2010

Soluble, divalent cation-dependent oxaloacetate decarboxylases (ODx) catalyze the irreversible decarboxylation of oxaloacetate to pyruvate and CO
2
. Although these enzymes have been characterized in different microorganisms, the genes that encode them have not been identified, and their functions have been only poorly analyzed so far. In this study, we purified a soluble ODx from wild-type
C. glutamicum
about 65-fold and used matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization-time of flight (MALDI-TOF) analysis and peptide mass fingerprinting for identification of the corresponding
odx
gene. Inactivation and overexpression of
odx
led to an absence of ODx activity and to a 30-fold increase in ODx specific activity, respectively; these findings unequivocally confirmed that this gene encodes a soluble ODx. Transcriptional analysis of
odx
indicated that there is a leaderless transcript that is organized in an operon together with a putative
S
-adenosylmethionine-dependent methyltransferase gene. Biochemical analysis of ODx revealed that the molecular mass of the native enzyme is about 62 ± 1 kDa and that the enzyme is composed of two ∼29-kDa homodimeric subunits and has a

K
m

for oxaloacetate of 1.4 mM and a
V
max
of 201 μmol of oxaloacetate converted per min per mg of protein, resulting in a
k
cat
of 104 s
−1
. Introduction of plasmid-borne
odx
into a pyruvate kinase-deficient
C. glutamicum
strain restored growth of this mutant on acetate, indicating that a high level of ODx activity redirects the carbon flux from oxaloacetate to pyruvate
in vivo
. Consistently, overexpression of the
odx
gene in an
l
-lysine-producing strain of
C. glutamicum
led to accumulation of less
l
-lysine. However, inactivation of the
odx
gene did not improve
l
-lysine production under the conditions tested.