bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Simulating pH effects in an algal‐growth hydrodynamics model1
Authors: James Scott C. , Janardhanam Vijayasarathi , Hanson David T. 
Published: May 2013

Models and numerical simulations are relatively inexpensive tools that can be used to enhance economic competitiveness through operation and system optimization to minimize energy and resource consumption, while maximizing algal oil yield. This work uses modified versions of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's Environmental Fluid Dynamics Code (EFDC) in conjunction with the U.S. Army Corp of Engineers' water‐quality code (CE‐QUAL) to simulate flow hydrodynamics coupled to algal growth kinetics. The model allows the flexibility of manipulating a host of variables associated with algal growth such as temperature, light intensity, and nutrient availability. pH of the medium is a newly added operational parameter governing algal growth that affects algal photosynthesis, differential availability of inorganic forms of carbon, enzyme activity in algae cell walls, and oil production rates. A single‐layer algal‐growth/hydrodynamic model without pH limitation was verified by comparing solution curves of algal biomass and phosphorus concentrations to an analytical solution. Media pH, now included in the model as a growth‐limiting factor, can be entered as a measured value or calculated based on CO2 concentrations. Upon adding the ability to limit growth due to pH, physically reasonable results have been obtained from the model both with and without pH limitation. When the model was used to simulate algal growth from a pond experiment in the greenhouse, a least‐squares fitting technique yielded a maximum algal production (subsequently modulated by limitation factors) of 1.05 d−1. Overall, the measured and simulated biomass concentrations in the greenhouse pond were in close agreement.
Lean on me: Effects of social support on low socioeconomic‐status pregnant women
Authors: Byrd‐Craven Jennifer , Massey Amber R. 
Published: May 2013

AbstractThis study identified how close relationships are related to low‐income pregnant women's ability to cope and overall health. Previous research has shown that stress during pregnancy is related to long‐term negative physical and psychological health outcomes for both the mother and the infant. Lower socioeconomic status has been related to higher morbidity and mortality across the lifespan. Women typically rely on close relationships for social support to help reduce stress. However, stress levels can be elevated when women engage in co‐rumination. Co‐rumination is defined as excessive problem discussion with negative‐affect focus. Thirty‐one low‐income pregnant women from central Oklahoma, USA, reported their daily stressors, social support, communication habits with friends and family, and general health in a series of questionnaires at a prenatal visit. The results revealed that daily stressors, co‐rumination with friends, and the relationship with the baby's father were related to physical pain and depressive symptoms. The results suggested that specific social support dynamics, such as co‐rumination, during pregnancy have implications for the health of low‐income mothers and their infants.
Use of Ultrasound and Fluoroscopy Guidance in Percutaneous Radiofrequency Lesioning of the Sensory Branches of the Femoral and Obturator Nerves
Authors: Chaiban Gassan , Paradis Tyler , Atallah Joseph 
Published: May 2013

AbstractHip pain is a common condition that is often seen in patients with multiple comorbidities. Often surgery is not an option due to these comorbidities. Percutaneous radiofrequency lesioning of the articular branches of the obturator and femoral nerves is an alternative treatment for hip pain. Traditionally, fluoroscopy is used to guide needle placement. We report a case where a novel approach was used with ultrasound guidance to visualize vascular and soft tissue structures in real time. The use of ultrasound might help to guide the needle to avoid vascular complications due to anatomical variation between patients.
Modulated neural processing of Western harmony in folk musicians
Authors: Brattico Elvira , Tupala Tiina , Glerean Enrico , Tervaniemi Mari 
Published: May 2013

AbstractA chord deviating from the conventions of Western tonal music elicits an early right anterior negativity (ERAN) in inferofrontal brain regions. Here, we tested whether the ERAN is modulated by expertise in more than one music culture, as typical of folk musicians. Finnish folk musicians and nonmusicians participated in electroencephalography recordings. The cadences consisted of seven chords. In incongruous cadences, the third, fifth, or seventh chord was a Neapolitan. The ERAN to the Neapolitans was enhanced in folk musicians compared to nonmusicians. Folk musicians showed an enhanced P3a for the ending Neapolitan. The Neapolitan at the fifth position was perceived differently and elicited a late enhanced ERAN in folk musicians. Hence, expertise in more than one music culture seems to modify chord processing by enhancing the ERAN to ambivalent chords and the P3a to incongruous chords, and by altering their perceptual attributes.
The effect of acute mental stress on limb vasodilation is unrelated to total peripheral resistance
Authors: Paine Nicola J. , Ring Christopher , Bosch Jos A. , McIntyre David , Veldhuijzen van Zanten Jet J. C. S. 
Published: May 2013

AbstractMental stress can trigger myocardial infarction, with poor vascular responses to stress implicated as a pathway. Vascular stress reactivity can be assessed by different methods, such as total peripheral resistance (TPR) and forearm blood flow (FBF). Little is known about how these vascular assessments are linked. This was examined in two separate studies. Healthy men (Study 1: N = 29, Study 2: N = 23) completed rest and mental arithmetic (Study 1: 8 min, Study 2: 16 min). In both studies, heart rate, mean arterial pressure, and FBF increased in response to stress. In Study 1, no changes in TPR were seen, but Study 2 found stress‐induced increases in TPR. FBF was not linked to TPR at any time (all ps > .05). It appears that limb vasculature and TPR responses to stress do not give the same information about impairments of the vasculature. These findings are relevant to the interpretation of prior research findings and the design of future studies on stress and vascular responses.
How German Geopolitics Passed Through the Netherlands, 1920–1945: A Case Study in the Geography of one of Geography's ‘Projects’
Authors: van der Wusten Herman , de Pater Ben 
Published: May 2013

AbstractGerman geopolitics emerged from the early 1920s. It was noticed in the Netherlands but not broadly embraced. In public discourse the term ‘geopolitics’ was hardly ever used between the First and Second World Wars but it became a bit more common with the looming threat of a second war and during the German occupation. Meanwhile Dutch geographers took note of the efforts of Haushofer and his circle. Around 1930, their initial reaction to this project took various forms – constructive criticism, co‐operation and indignant dismissal – but the attention waned over the decade. During the occupation Nazi‐friendly geographers discussed the launching of a new geopolitics. The generally shared Dutch preference for aloofness, neutrality and recourse to international law as the way to approach international relations precluded the formation of a large, responsive public for German geopolitics. The high status of German academia provided an initial audience of Dutch academic geographers.
Mobile policies and shifting contexts: city‐regional competitiveness strategies in Amsterdam and Dublin
Authors: Bontje Marco , Lawton Philip 
Published: May 2013

AbstractIn the past decade international competitiveness has become the top priority of national, regional and urban governments in the advanced capitalist economy. Attracting and retaining creative and high‐educated talent as well as creative and knowledge‐intensive firms are considered essential ingredients of urban and city‐regional ‘recipes for success’. Amsterdam and Dublin have, at both city‐ and city‐regional level, been very active in preparing and implementing competitiveness strategies in which fostering and stimulating creativity, knowledge and innovation play a leading role. The crisis since 2008 has made a reconsideration of these strategies necessary. Is ‘creative knowledge’ still the preferred road ahead, and if it is, can existing competitiveness strategies be continued or should new strategies be developed?
Ranking the effectiveness of autologous blood conservation measures through validated modeling of independent clinical data
Authors: Singbartl Günter , Held Anna‐Lena , Singbartl Kai 
Published: May 2013

BackgroundFuture supply with allogeneic blood transfusions faces several crucial challenges that warrant thorough (re‐)evaluation of existing alternatives. Meta‐analyses have indicated a significant potential for autologous blood conservation (ABC) measures to reduce the need for allogeneic blood transfusions. The quality of currently available studies, however, prohibits definite conclusions. Under these circumstances, mathematical modeling offers unique opportunities to compare various ABC measures and to test the impact of different variables on efficacy and effectiveness.Study Design and MethodsWe performed an extensive search for clinical ABC studies, focusing on acute normovolemic hemodilution (ANH), intraoperative blood salvage (IBS), or preoperative autologous deposit (PAD). Only ABC studies providing a minimum set of clinical variables were included. Using a clinically validated mathematical model, we then calculated maximal allowable blood loss (efficacy) and increase in red blood cell (RBC) mass (effectiveness) to rank the three techniques.ResultsWe identified 21 clinical ABC studies, including 3926 patients, as suitable for our model. Our model shows that IBS with high recovery rates is the most efficacious and effective ABC measure. PAD will reveal nearly similar efficacy and effectiveness, only if sufficient time for RBC regeneration has passed and if 4 PAD units or more are available. Our model further demonstrates that ANH as well as IBS with low recovery rates are the least efficacious and effective alternatives.ConclusionsIBS appears to be the most efficacious and effective ABC measure. PAD can only reduce the need for allogeneic blood transfusions under certain circumstances. ANH does not appear to play an important role in ABC.
On the use of a single‐fiber multipoint plastic scintillation detector for 192Ir high‐dose‐rate brachytherapy
Authors: Therriault‐Proulx François , Beddar Sam , Beaulieu Luc 
Published: May 2013

Purpose:The goal of this study was to prove the feasibility of using a single‐fiber multipoint plastic scintillation detector (mPSD) as anin vivo verification tool during 192Ir high‐dose‐rate brachytherapy treatments.Methods:A three‐point detector was built and inserted inside a catheter‐positioning template placed in a water phantom. A hyperspectral approach was implemented to discriminate the different optical signals composing the light output at the exit of the single collection optical fiber. The mPSD was tested with different source‐to‐detector positions, ranging from 1 to 5 cm radially and over 10.5 cm along the longitudinal axis of the detector, and with various integration times. Several strategies for improving the accuracy of the detector were investigated. The device's accuracy in detecting source position was also tested.Results:Good agreement with the expected doses was obtained for all of the scintillating elements, with average relative differences from the expected values of 3.4 ± 2.1%, 3.0 ± 0.7%, and 4.5 ± 1.0% for scintillating elements from the distal to the proximal. A dose threshold of 3 cGy improved the general accuracy of the detector. An integration time of 3 s offered a good trade‐off between precision and temporal resolution. Finally, the mPSD measured the radioactive source positioning uncertainty to be no more than 0.32 ± 0.06 mm. The accuracy and precision of the detector were improved by a dose‐weighted function combining the three measurement points and known details about the geometry of the detector construction.Conclusions:The use of a mPSD for high‐dose‐rate brachytherapy dosimetry is feasible. This detector shows great promise for development ofin vivo applications for real‐time verification of treatment delivery.
Cytolytic Activity of the Human Papillomavirus Type 16 E711-20Epitope-Specific Cytotoxic T Lymphocyte Is Enhanced by Heat Shock Protein 110 inHLA-A*0201Transgenic Mice
Authors: Ding Zhenzhen , Ou Rongying , Ni Bing , Tang Jun , Xu Yunsheng 
Published: May 2013

ABSTRACTHeat shock proteins (HSPs) have been successfully applied to a broad range of vaccines as biological adjuvants to enhance the immune response. The recently defined HSP110, in particular, exhibits strong protein binding affinity and is capable of enhancing the immunogenicity of protein antigens remarkably more than other HSP family members. In our previous study, we verified that murine HSP110 (mHSP110) significantly enhanced the immune response of a C57BL/6 mouse model to the H-2d-restricted human papillomavirus (HPV) E749-57epitope (short peptide spanning the 49th to 57th amino acid residues in the E7 protein). To determine whether HSP110 similarly enhances the immunogenicity of human epitope peptides, we used theHLA-A2transgenic mouse model to investigate the efficacy of the mHSP110 chaperone molecule as an immunoadjuvant of the human HLA-A2-restricted HPV16 E711-20epitope vaccine. Results showed that mHSP110 efficiently formed a noncovalently bound complex with the E711-20epitope. The mHSP110-E711-20complex induced epitope-specific splenocyte proliferation and E711-20-specific gamma interferon (IFN-γ) secretion. Importantly, cytotoxic T lymphocytes primed by the mHSP110-E711-20complex exerted strong cytolytic effects on target T2cells pulsed with the E711-20peptide or TC-1 cells transfected with theHLA-A2gene. In addition, the mHSP110-E711-20complex elicited strongerex vivoandin vivoantitumor responses than either emulsified complete Freund's adjuvant or HSP70-chaperoned E711-20peptide. These collective data suggest that HSP110 is a promising immunomodulator candidate for peptide-based human cancer vaccines, such as for the HLA-A2-restricted E711-20epitope.
Fluoroquinolone and Macrolide Resistance-Associated Mutations in Mycoplasma genitalium
Authors: Tagg Kaitlin A. , Jeoffreys Neisha J. , Couldwell Deborah L. , Donald Jennifer A. , Gilbert Gwendolyn L. 
Published: May 2013

ABSTRACT

Mycoplasma genitalium
is a significant sexually transmitted pathogen, causing up to 25% of cases of nongonococcal urethritis in men, and it is strongly associated with cervicitis and pelvic inflammatory disease in women. Currently, the usual first-line treatment is the macrolide antibiotic azithromycin, but an increasing incidence of treatment failure over the last 5 years suggests the emergence of antibiotic resistance. The mutations responsible for macrolide resistance have been found in the 23S rRNA gene in numerous
M. genitalium
populations. A second-line antibiotic, the fluoroquinolone moxifloxacin, was thought to be a reliable alternative when azithromycin began to fail, but recent studies have identified mutations that may confer fluoroquinolone resistance in the genes
parC
and
gyrA
. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of antibiotic resistance in
M. genitalium
in Sydney, Australia, by detecting relevant mutations in the 23S rRNA gene,
parC
, and
gyrA. M. genitalium
-positive DNA extracts of specimens, collected from patients attending sexual health clinics in Sydney, were tested by PCR amplification and DNA sequence alignment. The 186 specimens tested included 143 initial patient specimens and 43 second, or subsequent, specimens from 24 patients. We identified known macrolide resistance-associated mutations in the 23S rRNA gene in 43% of the initial patient samples and mutations potentially associated with fluoroquinolone resistance in
parC
or
gyrA
sequences in 15% of the initial patient samples. These findings support anecdotal clinical reports of azithromycin and moxifloxacin treatment failures in Sydney. Our results indicate that further surveillance is needed, and testing and treatment protocols for
M. genitalium
infections may need to be reviewed.
Rapid and Reliable Identification of Staphylococcus aureus Capsular Serotypes by Means of Artificial Neural Network-Assisted Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy
Authors: Grunert Tom , Wenning Mareike , Barbagelata María Sol , Fricker Martina , Sordelli Daniel O. , Buzzola Fernanda R. , Ehling-Schulz Monika 
Published: May 2013

ABSTRACT

Staphylococcus aureus
capsular polysaccharides (CP) are important virulence factors and represent putative targets for vaccine development. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to develop a high-throughput method to identify and discriminate the clinically important
S. aureus
capsular serotypes 5, 8, and NT (nontypeable). A comprehensive set of clinical isolates derived from different origins and control strains, representative for each serotype, were used to establish a CP typing system based on Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy and chemometric techniques. By combining FTIR spectroscopy with artificial neuronal network (ANN) analysis, a system was successfully established, allowing a rapid identification and discrimination of all three serotypes. The overall accuracy of the ANN-assisted FTIR spectroscopy CP typing system was 96.7% for the internal validation and 98.2% for the external validation. One isolate in the internal validation and one isolate in the external validation failed in the classification procedure, but none of the isolates was incorrectly classified. The present study demonstrates that ANN-assisted FTIR spectroscopy allows a rapid and reliable discrimination of
S. aureus
capsular serotypes. It is suitable for diagnostic as well as large-scale epidemiologic surveillance of
S. aureus
capsule expression and provides useful information with respect to chronicity of infection.
Multicenter Evaluation of the Vitek MS Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption Ionization–Time of Flight Mass Spectrometry System for Identification of Gram-Positive Aerobic Bacteria
Authors: Rychert Jenna , Burnham Carey-Ann D. , Bythrow Maureen , Garner Omai B. , Ginocchio Christine C. , Jennemann Rebecca , Lewinski Michael A. , Manji Ryhana , Mochon A. Brian , Procop Gary W. , Richter Sandra S. , Sercia Linda , Westblade Lars F. , Ferraro Mary Jane , Branda John A. 
Published: May 2013

ABSTRACTMatrix-assisted laser desorption ionization–time of flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF) is gaining momentum as a tool for bacterial identification in the clinical microbiology laboratory. Compared with conventional methods, this technology can more readily and conveniently identify a wide range of organisms. Here, we report the findings from a multicenter study to evaluate the Vitek MS v2.0 system (bioMérieux, Inc.) for the identification of aerobic Gram-positive bacteria. A total of 1,146 unique isolates, representing 13 genera and 42 species, were analyzed, and results were compared to those obtained by nucleic acid sequence-based identification as the reference method. For 1,063 of 1,146 isolates (92.8%), the Vitek MS provided a single identification that was accurate to the species level. For an additional 31 isolates (2.7%), multiple possible identifications were provided, all correct at the genus level. Mixed-genus or single-choice incorrect identifications were provided for 18 isolates (1.6%). Although no identification was obtained for 33 isolates (2.9%), there was no specific bacterial species for which the Vitek MS consistently failed to provide identification. In a subset of 463 isolates representing commonly encountered important pathogens, 95% were accurately identified to the species level and there were no misidentifications. Also, in all but one instance, the Vitek MS correctly differentiatedStreptococcus pneumoniaefrom other viridans group streptococci. The findings demonstrate that the Vitek MS system is highly accurate for the identification of Gram-positive aerobic bacteria in the clinical laboratory setting.
High Genetic Diversity of Newcastle Disease Virus in Poultry in West and Central Africa: Cocirculation of Genotype XIV and Newly Defined Genotypes XVII and XVIII
Authors: Snoeck Chantal J. , Owoade Ademola A. , Couacy-Hymann Emmanuel , Alkali Bello R. , Okwen Mbah P. , Adeyanju Adeniyi T. , Komoyo Giscard F. , Nakouné Emmanuel , Le Faou Alain , Muller Claude P. 
Published: May 2013

ABSTRACT
Despite rampant Newcastle disease virus (NDV) outbreaks in Africa for decades, the information about the genetic characteristics of the virulent strains circulating in West and Central Africa is still scarce. In this study, 96 complete NDV fusion gene sequences were obtained from poultry sampled in Cameroon, Central African Republic, Côte d'Ivoire, and Nigeria between 2006 and 2011. Based on rational criteria recently proposed for the classification of NDV strains into classes, genotypes, and subgenotypes, we revisited the classification of virulent strains, in particular those from West and Central Africa, leading to their grouping into genotype XIV and newly defined genotypes XVII and XVIII, each with two subgenotypes. Phylogenetic analyses revealed that several (sub)genotypes are found in almost every country. In Cameroon, most strains were related to vaccine strains, but a single genotype XVII strain was also found. Only three highly similar genotype XVII strains were detected in Central African Republic. Subgenotypes XVIIa, XVIIIa, and XVIIIb cocirculated in Côte d'Ivoire, while subgenotypes XIVa, XIVb, XVIIa, XVIIb, and XVIIIb were found in Nigeria. While these genotypes are so far geographically restricted, local and international trade of domestic and exotic birds may lead to their spread beyond West and Central Africa. A high genetic diversity, mutations in important neutralizing epitopes paired with suboptimal vaccination, various levels of clinical responses of poultry and wild birds to virulent strains, strains with new cleavage sites, and other genetic modifications found in these genotypes tend to undermine and complicate NDV management in Africa.
A Carboxy-Terminally Truncated Human CPSF6 Lacking Residues Encoded by Exon 6 Inhibits HIV-1 cDNA Synthesis and Promotes Capsid Disassembly
Authors: Hori Takanori , Takeuchi Hiroaki , Saito Hideki , Sakuma Ryuta , Inagaki Yoshio , Yamaoka Shoji 
Published: May 2013

ABSTRACTSince HIV-1 replication is modulated at multiple stages by host cell factors, identification and characterization of those host cell factors are expected to contribute to the development of novel anti-HIV therapeutics. Previous studies showed that a C-terminally truncated cytosolic form of cleavage and polyadenylation-specific factor 6 (CPSF6-358) inhibits HIV-1 infection through interference with HIV-1 trafficking to the nucleus. Here we identified and characterized a different configuration of C-terminally truncated human CPSF6 (hCPSF6-375) through cDNA expression cloning coupled with ganciclovir-mediated lethal selection. Notably, hCPSF6-375, but not mouse CPSF6-358 (mCPSF6-358) as previously reported, remarkably interfered with viral cDNA synthesis after HIV-1 infection. Moreover, we found that hCPSF6-375 aberrantly accelerated the disassembly of the viral capsid in target cells, while CPSF6-358 did not. Sequence comparison of CPSF6-375 and CPSF6-358 cDNAs showed a lack of exon 6 and additional coding sequence for 54 amino acid residues in the C terminus of hCPSF6-375. Mutational analyses revealed that the residues encoded by exon 6, but not the C-terminal 54 residues in hCPSF6-375, is responsible for impaired viral cDNA synthesis by hCPSF6-375. This is the first report demonstrating a novel mode of HIV-1 inhibition by truncated forms of CPSF6 that involves rapid capsid disassembly and inhibition of viral cDNA synthesis. These findings could facilitate an increased understanding of viral cDNA synthesis in light of the viral capsid disassembly.