bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Ethical and Policy Concerns pertaining to Rice Landraces in Asia
Authors: Gupta Abhik 
Published: February 2012

Domestication of rice (Oryza sativa L.) from the wild species O. rufipogon and O. nivara by Neolithic Asian farmers more than 10,000 years ago represents one of the most important events in human history, as this crop is the major staple food of over one-third of the world’s population, meeting around 20 % of the global calorie intake. The Asian rice, O. sativa, which is grown worldwide, has three major “variety groups” or subspecies: indica varieties of the Indian subcontinent; tropical japonica or javanica varieties very common in southeast Asia and southern China; and temperate japonica varieties predominantly cultivated in northeastern Asia. Furthermore, cultivation and farmer selection over a long period of time have given rise to over 120,000 varieties or farmer’s landraces of rice. These include glutinous and non-glutinous landraces, aromatic landraces; those taking different times to mature; with different levels of tolerance to abiotic stresses like cold, drought, submergence and salinity; and even differing in their resistance to pests and diseases. However, a few hundred “high-yielding” “improved” varieties have largely replaced these traditional landraces, with the latter finding their place of preservation in the rice germplasm banks. While it is true that various genes of the traditional landraces have been incorporated into many modern varieties, questions arise as to the ethical propriety of banishing ‘live’ and ‘flourishing’ life forms that are also integrally linked to the culture of many communities, to a ‘synthetic, and overtly utilitarian existence. The present paper aims to discuss these issues in the light of ethical principles as well as policies pertaining to traditional knowledge and practices.DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/bioethics.v2i1.9811 Bangladesh Journal of Bioethics 2011; 2(1): 7-12
Clinical Research on the Ophthalmic Factors Affecting 3D Asthenopia
Authors: Kim Seung-Hyun , Suh Young-Woo , Song Jong-Suk , Park Ji-Hye , Kim Yong Yeon , Huh Kuhl , Son Jaebum , Kham Keetaek , Jeong Taeuk , Pyo Kyung Soo 
Published: February 2012

Purpose:
Watching three-dimensional (3D) images is known to induce ocular and non-ocular symptoms, such as eye discomfort, fatigue, headache, and nausea, which can be referred to as “3D asthenopia”. This study investigated ophthalmic factors associated with 3D asthenopia.

Methods:
One hundred fifteen volunteers, aged 18 to 55 years, were enrolled in this study. 3D images were shown to all volunteers with 3D high-definition television for 90 minutes. Subjects who felt eyestrain were assigned to the asthenopia group (14 subjects) and subjects without symptoms were assigned to the control group (22 subjects). Ophthalmic factors including visual acuity, refractive errors, interpupillary distance, intraocular pressure, tear break-up time, near point of accommodation, presence of strabismus, stereoacuity, and retinal abnormalities were evaluated and compared between the two groups.

Results:

Six subjects in the asthenopia group had exophoria and 1 subject in the control group had constant exotropia. None of these participants had previously noticed symptoms of strabismus. Only the presence of strabismus was significantly different between the groups (
P
= .008).

Conclusion:
The presence of exophoria may be a risk factor for 3D asthenopia, and 3D television may induce asthenopia by exacerbating this latent problem.
State estimation for asynchronous multirate multisensor nonlinear dynamic systems with missing measurements
Authors: Yan Liping , Xiao Bo , Xia Yuanqing , Fu Mengyin 
Published: February 2012

SUMMARYThis paper is concerned with the state estimation for a kind of nonlinear multirate multisensor asynchronous sampling dynamic system. There are N sensors observing a single target independently at multiple sampling rates, and the dynamic system is formulated at the highest sampling rate. Observations are obtained asynchronously, and each sensor may lose data randomly at a certain probability. The fused state estimate is generated using multiscale system theory and the modified sigma point Kalman filter. It is shown that our main results improve and extend the existing sigma point Kalman filter for which the samples are obtained multirate nonuniformly. Measurements randomly missing with Bernoulli distribution could also be allowed in this paper. Finally, the feasibility and efficiency of the presented algorithm is illustrated by a numerical simulation example.Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Polycythemia vera and essential thrombocythemia: 2012 update on diagnosis, risk stratification, and management
Authors: Tefferi Ayalew 
Published: February 2012

AbstractDisease overview:Polycythemia vera (PV) and essential thrombocythemia (ET) are myeloproliferative neoplasms primarily characterized by erythrocytosis and thrombocytosis, respectively. Other disease features include leukocytosis, splenomegaly, thrombohemorrhagic complications, vasomotor disturbances, pruritus, and a small risk of disease progression into acute myeloid leukemia or myelofibrosis.Diagnosis:Almost all patients with PV harbor aJAK2mutation. When PV is suspected, the presence of aJAK2mutation confirms the diagnosis and its absence, combined with normal or increased serum erythropoietin level, excludes the diagnosis. Differential diagnosis of ET had to include chronic myelogenous leukemia and prefibrotic myelofibrosis. AJAK2mutation is found in approximately 60% of patients with ET.Risk stratification:Current risk stratification in PV and ET is designed to estimate the likelihood of thrombotic complications: high‐risk is defined by the presence of age >60 years or presence of thrombosis history; low‐risk is defined by the absence of both of these two risk factors. Presence of extreme thrombocytosis (platelet count >1,000 × 109/L) might be associated with acquired von Willebrand syndrome (AvWS) and, therefore, risk of bleeding. Risk factors for shortened survival in both PV and ET include advanced age, leukocytosis, and history of thrombosis.Risk‐adapted therapy:Survival is near‐normal in ET and reasonably long in PV. The 10‐year risk of leukemic/fibrotic transformation is <1%/1% in ET and <3%/10% in PV. In contrast, the risk of thrombosis exceeds 20%. The main goal of therapy is therefore to prevent thrombohemorrhagic complications and this is effectively and safely accomplished by the use of low‐dose aspirin (PV and ET), phlebotomy (PV) and hydroxyurea (high risk PV and ET). Treatment with busulfan or interferon‐α is usually effective in hydroxyurea failures. Screening for clinically significant AvWS is recommended before administrating aspirin in the presence of extreme thrombocytosis. Am. J. Hematol. 87:285–293, 2012. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Mechanistic Studies on the Pd‐catalyzed Direct CH Arylation of 2‐Substituted Thiophene Derivatives with Arylpalladium Bipyridyl Complexes
Authors: Steinmetz Marc , Ueda Kirika , Grimme Stefan , Yamaguchi Junichiro , Kirchberg Sylvia , Itami Kenichiro , Studer Armido 
Published: February 2012

AbstractDirect CH phenylation of 2‐ethylthiophene and 2‐chlorothiophene with PhPdI(bipy) complex to form either the corresponding 4‐phenyl or 5‐phenylthiophene derivative is studied under stoichiometric conditions using various Lewis acids as additives. It is shown that reactions occur via the corresponding cationic Pd complex (PhPdbipy+) and that the counteranion determines the regioselectivity. High‐level DFT calculations reveal that CC bond formation occurs via a carbopalladation pathway and not via electrophilic palladation. These calculations give some indications regarding the regioselectivity of the thiophene arylation.
Delta Scuti stars in the Praesepe cluster observed by the MOST satellite
Authors: Breger M. , Hareter M. , Endl M. , Kuschnig R. , Weiss W.W. , Matthews J.M. , Guenther D.B. , Moffat A.F.J. , Rowe J.F. , Rucinski S.M. , Sasselov D. 
Published: February 2012

AbstractThe Praesepe cluster contains a number of δ Sct and γ Dor pulsators. Asteroseismology of cluster stars is simplified by the common distance, age and stellar abundances. Since asteroseismology requires a large number of known frequencies, the small pulsation amplitudes of these stars require space satellite campaigns. The present study utilizes photometric MOST satellite measurements in order to determine the pulsation frequencies of two evolved (EP Cnc, BT Cnc) and two main‐sequence (BS Cnc, HD 73872) δ Sct stars in the Praesepe cluster. The frequency analysis of the 2008 and 2009 data detected up to 34 frequencies per star with most amplitudes in the submillimag range. In BS Cnc, two modes showed strong amplitude variability between 2008 and 2009. The frequencies ranged from 0.76 to 41.7 cd–1. After considering the different evolutionary states and mean stellar densities of these four stars, the differences and large ranges in frequency remain (© 2011 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Reintroducing photosynthesis
Authors: Vila F. , Sanz A. 
Published: February 2012

AbstractThis article reports on conceptual difficulties related to photosynthesis and respiratory metabolism of a Plant Physiology course for undergraduate students that could hinder their better learning of metabolic processes. A survey of results obtained in this area during the last 10 academic years was performed, as well as a specific test, aimed to find out prior conceptual schemes in the students. The test included only basic, general questions on plant metabolism, and was passed on the first day of the course. Scores obtained by different groups of students were compared. Survey of students' performance in previous years shows that questions on plant metabolism result in significantly lower number of correct answers than for the rest of questions, despite reiteration of its teaching in prior educational levels. Some areas such as respiration or light‐independent reactions of photosynthesis, as well as concepts and terminology related to electrochemistry, seem to be particularly difficult. The specific test also shows differences among the different groups of students included in this investigation. Our results point out that reiteration of a particular subject in the curricula at different educational levels does not result in a coherent enough conceptual scheme in the students. To help students in this task, it is recommended to teach the general processes also in advanced courses in which these processes are taught in great detail. In this way, settlement of the appropriate conceptual scheme may be reinforced.
Using biocatalysis to integrate organic chemistry into a molecular biology laboratory course
Authors: Beers Mande , Archer Crystal , Feske Brent D. , Mateer Scott C. 
Published: February 2012

AbstractCurrent cutting‐edge biomedical investigation requires that the researcher have an operational understanding of several diverse disciplines. Biocatalysis is a field of science that operates at the crossroads of organic chemistry, biochemistry, microbiology, and molecular biology, and provides an excellent model for interdisciplinary research. We have developed an inquiry‐based module that uses the mutagenesis of the yeast reductase, YDL124w, to study the bioorganic synthesis of the taxol side‐chain, a pharmacologically important molecule. Using related structures, students identify regions they think will affect enzyme stereoselective, design and generate site‐specific mutants, and then characterize the effect of these changes on enzyme activity. This laboratory activity gives our students experience, working in a scientific discipline outside of biology and exposes them to techniques and equipment they do not normally work with in a molecular biology course. These inter‐disciplinary experiences not only show the relevance of other sciences to biology, but also give our students the ability to communicate more effectively with scientists outside their discipline.
Unintended consequences: Unlimited access, invisible work and the future of the information profession in cultural heritage organizations
Authors: F. Marty Paul 
Published: February 2012

AbstractEditor's SummaryInformation professionals are challenged to deliver simple yet expansive results for the end user, who is typically unaware of increasingly complex systems behind the scenes. Visitors to libraries, museums and archives expect free and unlimited access to resources, but know little of the museum as an information source and the information professional as a service provider, compiling, organizing and delivering the resources of cultural heritage organizations. Changing mindsets are necessitating a change in the ways these organizations interact with visitors, prompting the need for more active engagement with resource users and even collaboration in developing resources. While technological change is fairly easy, sociological change is harder. Information professionals must challenge long traditions and deeply held philosophies to meet public expectations for expanded access to museum resources. But they must also advocate for their own contributions, using socio‐technical skills to leverage their work through new platforms and channels to gain broader community recognition, respect and value.
The future of museum scholarly catalogues
Authors: Honeysett Nik 
Published: February 2012

AbstractEditor's SummaryMuseum scholarly catalogues have been the mainstay for delivering authoritative collection information, capturing rich illustrations and reflecting research. But rising costs and shrinking distributions are fueling a move from analog to digital. The Getty Foundation is exploring building a framework for seamlessly compiling and publishing catalogues directly online from a museum's collections management system. Such a shift is a sharp departure from tradition, with numerous cultural and curatorial implications requiring support from catalogue creators and consumers and involving new image licensing considerations as well as production contributors with new skill sets. Collections management software will need to support authoring and publishing needs. The Getty is using the new process to create both a print and an online version of a collection catalogue. In the process, it is reimagining the museum scholarly catalogue as it transitions from a product to a service.
Comparative study of thin sectional anatomical images from Chinese Visible Human data set and computed tomography images of superior mediastinum
Authors: Wu Yi , Luo Na , Tan Li‐Wen , Fang Bing‐Ji , Li Ying , Xie Bing , Xu Hao‐Tong , Hu Nan , Yang Wei‐Ping , Wu Wei , Lamers Wouter H. , Zhang Shao‐Xiang 
Published: February 2012

AbstractThe structures of superior mediastinum and their spatial relationships are complex and difficult to master. This study aimed to compare visualization of the superior mediastinum based on computed tomography (CT) images and on the thin sections of the Chinese visible human (CVH) data set to provide a sectional anatomical basis for diagnostic imaging of superior mediastinal pathology. CVH sections of the mediastinum of a 35‐year old male were compared with plain and enhanced CT images of a 45‐year old male without apparent abnormalities in the upper chest. In addition, a three‐dimensional model based on the CVH sections was compared with a model based on CT images. Although CT imaging is noninvasive and can be carried out in many individuals, its weakness is clearly the visualization of small soft tissue structures. In this respect, the sectional anatomical approach of the CVH images is complementary, as it visualizes these small soft tissue structures due to the higher resolution in the plain of sectioning and the color of the different structures in the section. Three‐dimensional surface and volume rendering of reconstructions of the CVH data set can help medical students and less experienced thoracic surgeons to familiarize themselves with the topographic anatomy of the superior mediastinal structures and their spatial relationships, and thus with interpreting CT images of patients. Clin. Anat. 25:1051–1061, 2012. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
A novel, minimally invasive access technique versus standard 18‐gauge needle set for femoral access
Authors: Ben‐Dor Itsik , Maluenda Gabriel , Mahmoudi Michael , Torguson Rebecca , Xue Zhenyi , Bernardo Nelson , Lindsay Joseph , Satler Lowell F. , Pichard Augusto D. , Waksman Ron 
Published: February 2012

AbstractObjective: To compare access site complications with the Micropuncture® 21 gauge (G) needle set to the standard 18G needle in patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) using the femoral approach. Background: Vascular access site complications are the most common problems after PCI. The Micropuncture 21G needle set was recently introduced to minimize such complications. Methods: A cohort of 3,243 consecutive patients was studied. Patients receiving thrombolytics, IIb/IIIa antagonist, coumadin, or intra‐aortic balloon pump were excluded. Micropuncture access was used in 544 patients and standard 18G needle in 2,699. All access sites were managed with a vascular closure device. Primary endpoints included vascular perforation or limb ischemia requiring repair, retroperitoneal bleeding, pseudoaneurysm, arteriovenous fistula, and groin hematoma (>4 cm). Results: Patients undergoing PCI with Micropuncture were at higher risk: they were older (65.9 ± 9 vs. 64.7 ± 11.8, P = 0.03); had lower body surface area (1.9 ± 0.2 vs. 2.0 ± 0.3, P = 0.02); more prevalent peripheral vascular disease [119 (21.9%) vs. 380 (14.1%), P < 0.001] and renal failure [106 (19.6%) vs. 318 (11.8%), P < 0.001]. Overall, there was no significant difference in the access site complications rate using Micropuncture vs. standard needle, 7 (1.3%) vs. 27 (1.0%), respectively, P = 0.54. The Micropuncture group had significantly higher retroperitoneal bleeding, 0.7% vs. 0.18%, P = 0.04. After multivariable adjustment, only age remained significantly associated with vascular complications (OR 1.03, P = 0.04). Conclusions: Femoral access using the Micropuncture technique did not reduce the incidence of vascular complications and the marginally higher than expected retroperitoneal bleeding is based on very small numbers. The routine use of the Micropuncture set and its technique should be revisited. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Modified correction‐factor analysis for mass transfer in double‐pass rectangular membrane modules
Authors: Yeh H. M. , Ho C. D. , Chiang C. S. , Chen C. H. 
Published: February 2012

AbstractMass transfer in mass exchangers, such as membrane extractors and dialysers, can be analogous to heat transfer in heat exchangers with correction‐factor analysis. In present study, the expressions of mass‐transfer rate and correction‐factor charts for mass transfer in parallel‐flow double‐pass rectangular membrane modules were modified by the modified correction‐factor analysis, instead of the conventional correction‐factor analysis. They are explicit, instead of implicit in the conventional correction‐factor analysis. The results can be readily calculated without using trial‐and‐error method. Experimental results confirm the predicted values for membrane extraction of acetic acid from aqueous solution by methyl isobutyl ketone, as well as for dialysing from aqueous solution, in the double‐pass devices. © 2012 Canadian Society for Chemical Engineering
Gait Speed and Dependence in Activities of Daily Living in Older Adults With Severe Aortic Stenosis
Authors: Green Philip , Woglom Abigail E. , Genereux Philippe , Maurer Mathew S. , Kirtane Ajay J. , Hawkey Marian , Schnell Susan , Sohn Jeanie , Moses Jeffrey W. , Leon Martin B. , Smith Craig R. , Williams Mathew , Kodali Susheel 
Published: February 2012

AbstractBackgroundIn the transcatheter aortic valve replacement era, characterization of functional status in older adults with aortic stenosis (AS) is essential. Gait speed (GS) is emerging as a marker of frailty and predictor of outcomes in older adults undergoing cardiovascular intervention. The objective of this study was to delineate the prevalence of slow GS, evaluate the association of GS with factors used in standard cardiovascular assessments, and evaluate the association of GS with dependence in activities of daily living (ADLs) in older adults with AS.HypothesisWe hypothesized that gait speed would not be associated with clinical factors, but would be associated with ADLs.MethodsWe evaluated GS, ADLs dependence, and Society of Thoracic Surgery score along with clinical and functional assessments in 102 older adults with AS being evaluated for transcatheter valve. Gait speed <0.5 m/s was considered slow, and GS ≥0.5 m/s was considered preserved. We assessed the association of covariates with GS as well as with ADLs dependence.ResultsMedian GS was 0.37 m/s (interquartile range, 0.0–0.65 m/s). Sixty‐four (63%) subjects had slow GS. Of commonly employed clinical covariates, only prior coronary intervention and serum albumin were weakly associated with GS. However, GS was independently associated with ADLs dependence (Odds ratio: 1.52 [1.21‐1.91] for every 0.1 m/s decrease in GS; P = 0.0003).ConclusionsAlthough the prevalence of slow GS in a population of elderly patients with severe AS being screened for transcatheter valve was high, there were only weak associations between GS and other risk stratifying tools. The strong association between GS and dependent functional status suggests that assessment of gait speed is a useful, objectively measurable, risk stratification tool in this population.Dr. Maurer is supported by a grant from the NIH/NIA AG036778‐02. The other authors have no funding, financial relationships, or conflicts of interest to disclose.
Striatal dopamine in bulimia nervosa: A pet imaging study
Authors: Broft Allegra , Shingleton Rebecca , Kaufman Jenna , Liu Fei , Kumar Dileep , Slifstein Mark , Abi‐Dargham Anissa , Schebendach Janet , Van Heertum Ronald , Attia Evelyn , Martinez Diana , Walsh B. Timothy 
Published: February 2012

AbstractObjective:Bulimia nervosa (BN) has been characterized as similar to an addiction, though the empirical support for this characterization is limited. This study utilized PET imaging to determine whether abnormalities in brain dopamine (DA) similar to those described in substance use disorders occur in BN.Method:PET imaging with [11C]raclopride, pre/post methylphenidate administration, to assess dopamine type 2 (D2) receptor binding (BPND) and striatal DA release (ΔBPND).Results:There was a trend toward lower D2 receptor BPND in two striatal subregions in the patient group when compared with the control group. DA release in the putamen in the patient group was significantly reduced and, overall, there was a trend toward a difference in striatal DA release. Striatal DA release was significantly associated with the frequency of binge eating.Discussion:These data suggest that BN is characterized by abnormalities in brain DA that resemble, in some ways, those described in addictive disorders. © 2012 by Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Double Arylation of Acetylenedicarboxylate with B(C6F5)3
Authors: Nakatsuka Hiroshi , Fröhlich Roland , Kitamura Masato , Kehr Gerald , Erker Gerhard 
Published: February 2012

AbstractDimethyl acetylenedicarboxylate reacts with 2 mol‐equiv. B(C6F5)3 by C6F5 transfer to the central acetylenic C≡C bond with formation of a tail‐to‐tail coupled bis(boron ester enolate) system. The central hexasubstituted butadiene unit of this unique system reacts with dimethyl maleate in a Diels–Alder reaction to give a hydroquinone derivative.