bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Influence of the insecticide pyriproxyfen on the flight muscle differentiation of Apis mellifera (Hymenoptera, Apidae)
Authors: Fernandez Fernanda Corrêa , Da Cruz‐Landim Carminda , Malaspina Osmar 
Published: January 2012

AbstractThe Brazilian africanized Apis mellifera is currently considered as one of the most important pollinators threatened by the use of insecticides due to its frequent exposition to their toxic action while foraging in the crops it pollinated. Among the insecticides, the most used in the control of insect pragues has as active agent the pyriproxyfen, analogous to the juvenile hormone (JH). Unfortunately the insecticides used in agriculture affect not only the target insects but also beneficial nontarget ones as bees compromising therefore, the growth rate of their colonies at the boundaries of crop fields. Workers that forage for provisions in contaminated areas can introduce contaminated pollen or/and nectar inside the beehives. As analogous to JH the insecticide pyriproxyfen acts in the bee's larval growth and differentiation during pupation or metamorphosis timing. The flighty muscle is not present in the larvae wingless organisms, but differentiates during pupation/metamorphosis. This work aimed to investigate the effect of pyriproxyfen insecticide on differentiation of such musculature in workers of Brazilian africanized honey bees fed with artificial diet containing the pesticide. The results show that the bees fed with contaminated diet, independent of the insecticide concentration used, show a delay in flight muscle differentiation when compared to the control. Microsc. Res. Tech. 75:844–848, 2012. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Comparison between two different methods for evaluating rumen papillae measures related to different diets
Authors: Scocco Paola , Brusaferro Andrea , Catorci Andrea 
Published: January 2012

AbstractAlthough the Geographical Information System (GIS), which integrates computerized drawing computer assisted design (CAD) and relational databases (data base management system (DBMS)), is best known for applications in geographical and planning cartography, it can also use many kinds of information concerning the territory. A multidisciplinary project was initiated since 5 years a multidisciplinary study was initiated to use GIS to integrate environmental and ecological data with findings on animal health, ethology, and anatomy. This study is chiefly aimed at comparing two different methods for measuring the absorptive surface of rumen papillae. To this scope, 21 female sheep (Ovis aries) on different alimentary regimes (e.g., milk and forage mixed diet, early herbaceous diet, dry hay diet, and fresh hay diet at the maximum of pasture flowering and at the maximum of pasture dryness) were used; after slaughtering, 20 papillae were randomly removed from each sample collected from four indicator regions of rumen wall, placed near a metric reference and digitally photographed. The images were developed with the ArcGIS™ software to calculate the area of rumen papillae by means of GIS and to measure their mid‐level width and length to calculate the papillae area as previously performed with a different method. Spatial measurements were analyzed using univariate and multivariate methods. This work demonstrates that the GIS methodology can be efficiently used for measuring the absorptive surface of rumen papillae. In addition, GIS demonstrated to be a rapid, precise, and objective tool when compared with previously used method. Microsc. Res. Tech. 2012. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
CHM/REP1 cDNA delivery by lentiviral vectors provides functional expression of the transgene in the retinal pigment epithelium of choroideremia mice
Authors: Tolmachova Tanya , Tolmachov Oleg E. , Wavre‐Shapton Silene T. , Tracey‐White Dhani , Futter Clare E. , Seabra Miguel C. 
Published: January 2012

AbstractBackgroundChoroideremia (CHM) is a progressive X‐linked degeneration of three ocular layers: photoreceptors, retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) and choroid, caused by the loss of Rab Escort Protein‐1 (REP1). As a recessive monogenic disorder, CHM is potentially curable by gene addition therapy. The present study aimed to evaluate the potential use of lentiviral vectors carrying CHM/REP1 cDNA transgene for CHM treatment.MethodsWe generated lentiviral vectors carrying either CHM/REP1 cDNA or EGFP transgene under the control of the elongation factor‐1α promoter (EF‐1α) or its shortened version EFS. We transduced human (HT1080) and dog (D17) cells, CHM patient's fibroblasts and mouse primary RPE cells in vitro, as well as wild‐type and CHM mouse retinas in vivo by subretinal injections. Transgene expression was confirmed by immunoblotting, fluorescence‐activated cell sorting, immunofluorescence and confocal microscopy. CHM/REP1 transgene functionality was assessed by an in vitro prenylation assay.ResultsLentiviral vectors with CHM/REP1 and EGFP transgenes efficiently transduced HT1080, D17 and CHM fibroblast cells; CHM/REP1 transgene lead to an increase in prenylation activity. Subretinal injections of lentiviral vectors into mouse retinas resulted in efficient transduction of the RPE (30–35% of total RPE cells transduced after a 1‐µl injection), long‐term expression for at least 6 months and a decrease in amount of unprenylated Rabs in the CHM RPE. Transduction of neuroretinal cells was restricted to the injection site.ConclusionsLentiviral CHM/REP1 cDNA transgene rescues the prenylation defect in CHM mouse RPE and thus could be used to restore REP1 activity in the RPE of CHM patients. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The influence of local factors on the prediction of fumonisin contamination in maize
Authors: Torelli Emanuela , Firrao Giuseppe , Bianchi Gianluca , Saccardo Federica , Locci Romano 
Published: January 2012

AbstractBACKGROUND: Contamination by mycotoxins is a major concern to the maize industry in north‐east Italy where maize grain is often spoiled by Fusarium spp. In this work, fumonisins, deoxynivalenol and zearalenone were determined and an artificial neural network (ANN) model suitable for predicting mycotoxin contamination of maize at harvest time was developed.RESULTS: The occurrence of deoxynivalenol and zearalenone was very limited, while fumonisins concentration ranged from 163 and to 3663 µg kg−1 in 2007, and from 333 to 11473 µg kg−1 in 2008. Statistical data analysis of factors affecting fumonisins concentration revealed that irrigation, chemical treatment against the European corn borer and harvest date significantly affected the level of contamination (P < 0.05), although the relevance of the factors was different in 2007 and 2008. The neural network approach showed a significant correlation between ascertained values and predictions based on agronomic data.CONCLUSION: This is the first time that an artificial neural network has been used to predict fumonisin accumulation in maize: the prediction has been shown to have the potential for the development of a new approach for the rapid cataloging of grain lots. Copyright © 2012 Society of Chemical Industry
Gas‐phase oxidation of cresol isomers initiated by OH or NO3 radicals in the presence of NO2
Authors: Jørgensen Solvejg 
Published: January 2012

AbstractWe have studied the reaction mechanism for both the NO3‐ and OH‐initiated atmospheric oxidation of three cresol isomers, p‐cresol, m‐cresol, and o‐cresol, in the presence of high NO2 concentration. We have focused on the reaction mechanism leading to ring‐retaining products. Geometries of the reactants, intermediates, transition states, and products have been optimized at DFT‐BB1K level of theory with the 6‐311+G(d,p) basis set. The single point energy calculations have been carried out at the CCSD(T) level of theory with the cc‐pVDZ basis set. Several energetically favorable reaction pathways were revealed for the first time. In the NO3‐initiated reaction, the NO3 radical is added to the carbon atom with the OH group, then the NO2 radical is added to one of the neighboring carbon atoms, and finally HNO3 is eliminated, leading to a methylnitrophenol isomer. In the OH‐initiated reaction, the OH radical is added to the carbon atom adjacent to the carbon atom with the OH group; second, the NO2 radical is added to the carbon atom with the original OH group, and, finally, HNO2 is eliminated, leading to a dihydroxymethylbenzene isomer. The calculated results were compared with available experimental observations. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Chem Kinet 44: 165–178, 2012
Safety analysis of percutaneous dilational tracheostomies with bronchoscopy in the obese patient
Authors: McCague Andrew , Aljanabi Harith , Wong David T. 
Published: January 2012

AbstractObjectives/Hypothesis:Since originally described in 1985 by Ciaglia, percutaneous dilational tracheostomy (PDT) has grown in popularity, and today is widely used for critically ill patients requiring long‐term mechanical ventilation. Since the inception of PDT, obesity has been considered a relative contraindication to its use. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the risks of PDT in obese patients.Study Design:Retrospective review.Methods:A retrospective review was performed of prospectively collected data from 426 patients who underwent PDT at a single teaching institution from July 2003 to October 2009. The groups were separated into those who had a body mass index (BMI) of <30 or ≥30 kg/m2. The following variables were collected: blood loss at the time of procedure, difficulty in tracheotomy dilation and/or tracheostomy placement, presence of tracheal ring breaks, any bleeding episodes requiring treatment by surgery or blood transfusion, pre‐ and postprocedure pneumonia, and stoma infection requiring antibiotics. All tracheostomies were placed using the Ciaglia Blue Rhino Introducer Kit (Cook Medical Inc., Bloomington, IN). Statistical analysis was performed with nonparametric statistics using χ2 testing with P < .05 as significant.Results:No statistically significant difference was found between the obese and nonobese groups for any of the variables studied. Similar results were found when BMI of 40 was used for grouping.Conclusions:PDT can be performed safely in obese patients. There were no statistically significant differences in measured variables found between the two study groups. This study supports the use of intensive care unit bedside PDT in the obese population.
Adenotonsillar hypertrophy: Correlation between obstruction types and cardiopulmonary complications
Authors: Tatlıpınar Arzu , Biteker Murat , Meriç Kaan , Bayraktar Gülüm İvgin , Tekkeşin Ahmet İlker , Gökçeer Tanju 
Published: January 2012

AbstractObjectives/Hypothesis:To evaluate the association of upper airway obstruction (UAO) type and cardiopulmonary complications in children. The effect of obstruction type on quality of life and severity of obstructive symptoms were also investigated.Study Design:Cross‐sectional study.Methods:A Brodsky scale and adenoid‐nasopharynx ratio (ANR) were used to categorize tonsil and adenoid size, respectively. The patients were divided into four groups according to obstruction type: adenoid hypertrophy only (ANR ≥ 0.63, tonsil grade 1 or 2), adenoid and tonsil hypertrophy (ANR ≥ 0.63, tonsil grade 3 or 4), tonsillar hypertrophy only (ANR < 0.63, tonsil grade 3 or 4), and normal (ANR < 0.63, tonsil grade 1 or 2). Mean pulmonary artery pressure (MPAP), tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion (TAPSE), and right ventricle myocardial performance index (RVMPI) were evaluated for each patient. The obstructive sleep apnea questionnaire (OSA‐18) and Brouilette symptom score questionnaire were completed by each child's parents.Results:MPAP was higher in patients with adenoid hypertrophy and adenoid and tonsil hypertrophy in comparison with the normal group. The P values were .079 and .055, respectively, when comparing TAPSE and RVMPI measurents in adenoid and tonsil hypertrophy and normal patients. A significant correlation was found between ANR and MPAP, RVMP, and TAPSE. The patients in the adenoid and tonsil hypertrophy group had the highest Brouilette symptom and OSA‐18 scores.Conclusions:Patients with adenoid and tonsil hypertrophy are at a higher risk for cardiopulmonary complications, poorer quality of life, and more severe UAO symptoms and should have priority for surgical treatment to prevent cardiopulmonary complications.
Anaerobic and microaerophilic pathogens in the biofilm formation on voice prostheses: A pilot study
Authors: Bertl Kristina , Zatorska Beata , Leonhard Matthias , Matejka Michael , Schneider‐Stickler Berit 
Published: January 2012

AbstractObjectives/Hypothesis:Voice rehabilitation with voice prostheses is a standard therapy in laryngectomized patients. Biofilm formation on the surface of the voice prostheses causes device failure and requires frequent replacements. Studies analyzing the biofilm of voice prostheses have mainly focused on aerobic bacteria. Anaerobic bacteria as an integral part of the biofilms on voice prostheses have not been investigated yet.Study Design:Prospective pilot study on the occurrence of anaerobic and microaerophilic pathogens in biofilm formation on voice prostheses.Methods:Biofilm samples of 15 voice prostheses were analyzed using a polymerase chain reaction‐based hybridization method regarding the presence of 11 selected anaerobic and microaerophilic pathogens.Results:In 80% of the voice prostheses, at least one and up to 10 of the tested bacteria could be identified. Fusobacterium nucleatum was the pathogen most often present (73%). Other frequently occurring pathogens were Treponema denticola (40%), Tannerella forsythia (33%), and Eikenella corrodens (33%). There was no correlation between the number of identified bacteria and the indwelling times (mean, 127 days; maximum, 344 days; minimum, 22 days).Conclusions:For the first time, anaerobic and microaerophilic pathogens have been identified as part of the biofilm formation on the surface of voice prostheses. Those pathogens might be responsible for accelerated biofilm formation and reduced lifetime of the voice prostheses.
Tools to Simulate Distributive Mixing in Twin‐Screw Extruders
Authors: Sarhangi Fard Arash , Hulsen Martien A. , Meijer Han E. H. , Famili Navid M. H. , Anderson Patrick D. 
Published: January 2012

AbstractThe application of the mapping method in finite element modeling is extended to quantitatively compare mixing in different twin‐screw extruder layouts. The mapping method provides volumetric quantities, which are crucial for the analysis and optimization of mixing based on the tracking of particles in the velocity field. A new approach to the mapping method is developed to analyze mixing in complex, dynamic open geometries. Several screw configurations and different types of conveying screws are compared, changing the pitch and gap widths. The volume‐weighted intensity of segregation is used as a mixing measure. magnified image
The p73 G4C14‐to‐A4T14 polymorphism is associated with risk of lung cancer in the Han nationality of North China
Authors: Zhang Xiaoai , Li Xu , Wu Zhihao , Lin Fangcai , Zhou Hong 
Published: January 2012

Abstractp73, a structural and functional homolog of p53, plays an important role in tumor carcinogenesis. Previous studies have suggested that the association between the p73 G4C14‐to‐A4T14 polymorphism and the risk of lung cancer, but the results have not been entirely consistent. We examined whether the p73 G4C14‐to‐A4T14 polymorphism was related to the risk of developing lung cancer in a Chinese population. The p73 G4C14‐to‐A4T14 polymorphism was genotyped in 293 lung cancer patients and 380 cancer‐free controls of Han nationality in North China using PCR‐RFLP. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to calculate adjusted odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs). We observed that compared with the GC/GC genotype, the genotypes containing AT allele (GC/AT + AT/AT genotypes) were associated with significantly increased susceptibility to lung cancer (OR, 1.48; 95% CI, 1.08–2.02; P = 0.014). In addition, compared with the GC/GC genotype, the GC/AT genotype was also significantly associated with increased susceptibility to lung cancer (OR, 1.46; 95% CI, 1.06–2.02; P = 0.046). Our findings suggest that the p73 G4C14‐to‐A4T14 polymorphism contributes to the risk of developing lung cancer in Chinese population. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
The effect of patent expiration on the market position of drugs
Authors: Statman Meir 
Published: January 2012

AbstractA sample of 12 major drugs is used to examine the effect of patent expiration on market shares and prices in the US market. The results indicate that patent expiration has, at least for the first few years, only a small effect on the market shares and prices of the original drags. Efforts to increase price competion in drug markets, however, may change this situation in the future. The declining effective patent period for drugs and the declining profitability of drug innovation raise the concern that efforts to foster price competition might result in lower levels of innovation.
International pharmaceutical supply prices: Definitions — problems — policy implications
Authors: Von Grebmer K. 
Published: January 2012

AbstractIn cases where the buyer and the seller of goods and services are companies belonging to the same group the prices charged for goods and services are called ‘international delivery prices’ or ‘international transfer prices’. The peculiarities of research‐based companies are such that attempts to ascertain in practice what constitutes an ‘appropriate’ international delivery price are beset by a number of problems. Any scheme that is devised to solve the problems of international transfer prices should feature general ‘rules’ on how the various countries ought to share in central costs. As international transfer prices are a prerequisite for an efficient world economy based on the division of labour an agreement should be reached on the design and content of suitable delivery price systems for a research‐intensive industry.
Technology and market structure in the analysis of exchange
Authors: Moss S. J. 
Published: January 2012

AbstractEconomists treat the ‘market’ as a black box in which prices rise and fall to equate supplies with demands. Obviously, however, markets are usually collections of institutions. Using conventional methods of economic analysis, it is argued that certain physical characteristics of commodities, the technologies of their production and use, and buyer and seller concentration lead to the development of particular institutional arrangements composing markets. These institutional arrangements are efficient in the sense that they require the least use of resources in effecting transactions.
Discounting inflation — a note
Authors: Hill Stephen , Gough Julian 
Published: January 2012

AbstractThe aim of this paper is to clarify the confused issue of the effect of inflation on the discounting procedure for investment appraisal. The standard approach is considered, together with the impact of inflation, and the problem of how to adjust the standard approach to take account of inflation. The point is made that it is usually easiest to estimate expected returns in current prices, in which case the discount rate should reflect the real opportunity cost of capital, to avoid mixing real returns and nominal interest in a manner which leads to the rejection of worthwhile projects. An example is given of how the real rate of interest can be computed from the nominal rate of interest and the rate of inflation, and the difference this makes to discounting a sample project. The paper then illustrates how real rates of interest have frequently been negative over the past decade and how this implies that projects may be acceptable even if the sum of future undiscounted returns is less than the initial outlay. The conclusion drawn is that investors should maximize economic profit defined as the surplus over opportunity cost, which reduces the deterrent of nominally high interest rates, for the maximization of surplus over opportunity cost has the corollary of minimization of opportunity loss.
A new approach to peak load pricing
Authors: Main Robert S. 
Published: January 2012

AbstractThis paper explores an alternative method of ‘solving’ the problem of recurring time variable demands in a public utility context. It views the utility's load curve as a series of horizontal layers or ‘slices’ of varying lengths, rather than as a series of vertical slices as in the traditional approach. Several cases are examined, and traditional time‐of‐day pricing is shown to be inefficient or inapplicable in some of them, while ‘demand‐layer’ pricing, based on horizontal slicing, is efficient. In still other cases, neither method of pricing is efficient.
Market servicing by multinational manufacturing firms: Exporting versus foreign production
Authors: Buckley Peter J. , Pearce Robert D. 
Published: January 2012

AbstractThe foreign market servicing behaviour of multinational manufacturing firms evolves over time as a result of the firms' reaction to internal and external pressures. The interplay of immobile ‘location factors’ with internal ‘ownership factors’ under the control of individual enterprises exercises a powerful influence on the choice between exporting and foreign investment. Plant economies of scale encourage exporting, whilst firm level economies of scale, such as the internalization of the fruits of research, may predispose the firm towards foreign investment. Socio‐political and cultural elements arising particularly from the nationality of ownership of the firm also influence market servicing strategy.
The cost of capital in the international firm
Authors: Giddy Ian H. 
Published: January 2012

AbstractThis paper argues that the international firm should use the firm's global weighted average cost of capital to evaluate investment decisions, domestic and international, and to judge the performance of affiliates at home and abroad. The paper discusses the adjustment necessary to quantitate exchange risk and to account for financing that is subsidized or tied to particular investments. Foreign subsidiaries, it is argued, do not have an independent capital structure because their liabilities are explicitly or implicitly the obligation of the parent firm.
The firm's insurance decision. Some questions raised by the capital asset pricing model
Authors: Main Brian G. M. 
Published: January 2012

AbstractUsing the capital asset pricing model it is shown that the firm will be indifferent towards insurance against specific risks. Insurance against systematic risks involves a transfer of these non‐diversifiable risks from the firm to the insurance company, and will thus only be available at a price which reflects the ‘market price of risk’. Again the firm will be indifferent towards insurance. This then leads to the investigation of alternative motivations for a firm purchasing insurance — the costs of financial distress, human capital considerations, asymmetry of information and tax laws.
Innovations and market structure in West German industries
Authors: Neumann M. , Böbel I. , Haid A. 
Published: January 2012

AbstractThe authors analyse the relationship between industry concentration and industry's R&D and innovative activities, for West German industries during the period 1965–1977. The most striking result produced by a single equation model and a simultaneous equations model is the adverse impact of size and industry concentration on productivity growth. On the other hand, however, both size and concentration give rise to faster growth of sales which in turn enhances productivity growth.