bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
IMMUNOMAGNETIC REDUCTION FOR FETAL FIBRONECTIN DETECTION — A NOVEL METHOD TO DETECT THE PRETERM BIOMARKER
Authors: Chen Chen-Yu , Chang Chia-Chen , Yu Chun , Yang Shieh-Yueh , Lin Chii-Wann 
Published: July 2011

Preterm birth is the main cause of perinatal morbidity and mortality throughout the world. Fetal fibronectin (fFN) is one type of glycoprotein detected in the interface of the choriodecidual junction. Preterm labor is related to the disruption of the choriodecidual junction and thus fFN releases in the ectocervix or posterior vaginal fornix. Quantization of fFN can assist the diagnosis and prevention of preterm birth.In this work, we developed an immunoassay, the immunomagnetic reduction (IMR), to quantitatively detect fFN. It was found that the low detection limit for fFN via IMR is less than 10 ng/ml, which is much lower than clinic criteria 50 ng/ml. In addition to the high sensitivity, IMR assay shows such merits as low cost and high reliability for detecting fFN.
TIME-FREQUENCY ANALYSIS OF MISMATCH NEGATIVITY IN SCHIZOPHRENIA PATIENTS IN TAIWAN
Authors: Hsu Jung-Lung , Hsieh Ming H. , Tseng Yi-Li , Chiu Ming-Jang , Liu Chih-Min , Jaw Fu-Shan , Hwu Hai-Gwo 
Published: July 2011

Background: Event-related potentials (ERPs) are currently utilized to study information processing under the influence of neuropsychiatric disorders and are candidate endophenotypes of schizophrenia. However, the traditional ERP approach discards most oscillatory information in the EEG through grand averaging process. This study tried to focus on ERP component of mismatch negativity (MMN) between control and schizophrenia groups in Taiwan. In addition to traditional (grand average) ERP approach, we also compared the time-frequency analysis results of the mismatch negativity.Methods: MMN values were recorded in 55 schizophrenia patients and 42 controls using an auditory oddball paradigm for the duration of the MMN. Besides the traditional grand average approach, the continuous data files were also used for time-frequency analysis via ERP wavelab. Six parameters were explored: event-related spectral perturbation, WTav, avWT, induced activity, intertrial phase coherence and intertrial linear coherence.Results: Traditional ERP approach discovered that group difference occurred in MMN mean amplitude which was compatible with the previous literature. In time-frequency analysis, schizophrenia subjects have lower intertrial phase coherence than controls.Conclusion: Deficit in preattentive sensory information processing, such as MMN, is prominent in Taiwanese schizophrenia subjects. It may also play a role in the basic integrated neural network activity, which could be further explored by time-frequency approach.
Increased T Cell Proliferative Responses to Islet Antigens Identify Clinical Responders to Anti-CD20 Monoclonal Antibody (Rituximab) Therapy in Type 1 Diabetes
Authors: Herold Kevan C. , Pescovitz Mark D. , McGee Paula , Krause-Steinrauf Heidi , Spain Lisa M. , Bourcier Kasia , Asare Adam , Liu Zhugong , Lachin John M. , Dosch H. Michael ,   the Type 1 Diabetes TrialNet Anti-CD20 Study Group
Published: July 2011

Abstract
Type 1 diabetes mellitus is believed to be due to the autoimmune destruction of β-cells by T lymphocytes, but a single course of rituximab, a monoclonal anti-CD20 B lymphocyte Ab, can attenuate C-peptide loss over the first year of disease. The effects of B cell depletion on disease-associated T cell responses have not been studied. We compare changes in lymphocyte subsets, T cell proliferative responses to disease-associated target Ags, and C-peptide levels of participants who did (responders) or did not (nonresponders) show signs of β-cell preservation 1 y after rituximab therapy in a placebo-controlled TrialNet trial. Rituximab decreased B lymphocyte levels after four weekly doses of mAb. T cell proliferative responses to diabetes-associated Ags were present at baseline in 75% of anti-CD20– and 82% of placebo-treated subjects and were not different over time. However, in rituximab-treated subjects with significant C-peptide preservation at 6 mo (58%), the proliferative responses to diabetes-associated total (p = 0.032), islet-specific (p = 0.048), and neuronal autoantigens (p = 0.005) increased over the 12-mo observation period. This relationship was not seen in placebo-treated patients. We conclude that in patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus, anti-B cell mAb causes increased proliferative responses to diabetes Ags and attenuated β-cell loss. The way in which these responses affect the disease course remains unknown.
Predictors of Atrial Fibrillation following Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting
Authors: Sabzi Feridoun , Zokaei Abdol Hamid , Moloudi Abdol Rasoul 
Published: July 2011

Background Atrial fibrillation (AF) is a frequent and serious complication of coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery. Methods: We undertook a retrospective review of the records of patients undergoing CABG at Imam Ali Hospital between February 1, 2003 and February 1, 2006. The patients were divided in two groups, ie, Group A (AF) and Group B (no AF). The association between the occurrence of AF following CABG and other variables was compared with respect to continuous or categorical variables by t-test and χ2-test. Results Multivariate logistic regression analysis of potentially predictive factors in univariate analysis showed that opium use, type of operation, and crossclamp time were predictors of AF following CABG. Conclusion This study identifies some new predictors of postoperative AF, control of which could lead to a lower incidence of AF and reduced morbidity, mortality, and resource utilization for patients undergoing cardiac surgery.
Germanium and Germanium Compounds
Authors: Thomas Dennis W. , Mahmood Tariq , Lindhal Charles B. 
Published: July 2011

AbstractGermanium was discovered in 1886, however, no uses were established for it over the first half of its known existence. The available resources of germanium are associated with certain zinc and lead‐zinc‐copper sulfide ores. Germanium is recovered from zinc concentrates or fly ash from coal and recycled material. No mineral is mined solely for its germanium content The largest occurrence of germanium is found in China, Russia, and the United States. Only germanium metal and germanium dioxide are commercially quoted and would be suitable for trading on a quasi‐commodity basis. The toxicity of germanium compounds is generally of low order.The markets for germanium are infrared optics, fiber optics, catalysts, electronics and solar panels.
Nanowire‐Based Three‐Dimensional Transparent Conducting Oxide Electrodes for Extremely Fast Charge Collection
Authors: Noh Jun Hong , Han Hyun Soo , Lee Sangwook , Kim Jin Young , Hong Kug Sun , Han Gil‐Sang , Shin Hyunjung , Jung Hyun Suk 
Published: July 2011

AbstractA 3D transparent conducting oxide (3D‐TCO) has been fabricated by growing Sn‐doped indium oxide (ITO) nanowire arrays on glass substrates via a vapor transport method. The 3D TCO charge‐collection properties have been compared to those of conventional two‐dimensional TCO (2D‐TCO) thin films. For use as a photoelectrode in dye‐sensitized solar cells, ITO‐TiO2 core‐shell nanowire arrays were prepared by depositing a 45 nm‐thick mesoporous TiO2 shell layer consisting of ∼6 nm anatase nanoparticles using TiCl4 treatments. Dye‐sensitized solar cells fabricated using these ITO‐TiO2 core‐shell nanowire arrays show extremely fast charge collection owing to the shorter electron paths across the 45 nm‐thick TiO2 shell compared to the 2D TCO. Interestingly, the charge‐collection time does not increase with the overall electrode thickness, which is counterintuitive to conventional diffusion models. This result implies that, in principle, maximum light harvesting can be achieved without hindering the charge collection. The proposed new 3D TCO should also be attractive for other photovoltaic applications where the active layer thickness is limited by poor charge collection.
Single Nanostructure Electrochemical Devices for Studying Electronic Properties and Structural Changes in Lithiated Si Nanowires
Authors: McDowell Matthew T. , Cui Yi 
Published: July 2011

AbstractNanostructured Si is a promising anode material for the next generation of Li‐ion batteries, but few studies have focused on the electrical properties of the Li‐Si alloy phase, which are important for determining power capabilities and ensuring sufficient electrical conduction in the electrode structure. Here, we demonstrate an electrochemical device framework suitable for testing the electrical properties of single Si nanowires (NWs) at different lithiation states and correlating these properties with structural changes via transmission electron microscopy (TEM). We find that single Si NWs usually exhibit Ohmic I–V response in the lithiated state, with conductivities two to three orders of magnitude higher than in the delithiated state. After a number of sequential lithiation/delithiation cycles, the single NWs show similar conductivity after each lithiation step but show large variations in conductivity in the delithiated state. Finally, devices with groups of NWs in physical contact were fabricated, and structural changes in the NWs were observed after lithiation to investigate how the electrical resistance of NW junctions and the NWs themselves affect the lithiation behavior. The results suggest that electrical resistance of NW junctions can limit lithiation. Overall, this study shows the importance of investigating the electronic properties of individual components of a battery electrode (single nanostructures in this case) along with studying the nature of interactions within a collection of these component structures.
Measurement of testosterone in infant fecal samples
Authors: Thompson Amanda L. , Whitten Patricia L. , Lampl Michelle 
Published: July 2011

AbstractObjectives:This study reports the validation of a noninvasive method for repeated assessment of testosterone from infant fecal samples.Methods:Fecal samples were collected from cotton diaper liners, subjected to methanol extraction, and assayed using a modified commercial testosterone RIA kit.Results:Method validity was supported by a recovery near 100%, a sensitivity of 1.23 pg/ml, and inter‐ and intra‐assay coefficients of variations less than 10 and 15%, respectively. Testosterone was detected in all samples from male and female infants aged 2 weeks to 15 months.Conclusions:Fecal assessment is supported as a novel, non‐invasive tool for studying testosterone during early human development. Am. J. Hum. Biol., 2011. © 2011 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Mach's principle and higher‐dimensional dynamics
Authors: Mashhoon B. , Wesson P.S. 
Published: July 2011

AbstractWe briefly discuss the current status of Mach's principle in general relativity and point out that its last vestige, namely, the gravitomagnetic field associated with rotation, has recently been measured for the earth in the GP‐B experiment. Furthermore, in his analysis of the foundations of Newtonian mechanics, Mach provided an operational definition for inertial mass and pointed out that time and space are conceptually distinct from their operational definitions by means of masses. Mach recognized that this circumstance is due to the lack of any a priori connection between the inertial mass of a body and its Newtonian state in space and time. One possible way to improve upon this situation in classical physics is to associate mass with an extra dimension. Indeed, Einstein's theory of gravitation can be locally embedded in a Ricci‐flat 5D manifold such that the 4D energy‐momentum tensor appears to originate from the existence of the extra dimension. An outline of such a 5D Machian extension of Einstein's general relativity is presented.
Nitridosilicate und Oxonitridosilicate: von keramischen Materialien zu struktureller und funktioneller Diversität
Authors: Zeuner Martin , Pagano Sandro , Schnick Wolfgang 
Published: July 2011

AbstractSilicate sind eine der wichtigsten Verbindungsklassen auf diesem Planeten, und mehr als 1000 Vertreter wurden im Mineralreich bereits identifiziert. Zusätzlich wurden auch mehrere hundert künstliche Silicate synthetisiert. Der Ersatz von Sauerstoff durch Stickstoff führt zur strukturell vielseitigen Klasse der Nitridosilicate. Siliciumnitrid, eines der wichtigsten nichtoxidischen keramischen Materialien, ist die binäre Stammverbindung der Nitridosilicate, und sie symbolisiert die inhärenten Materialeigenschaften dieser Verbindungen. Allerdings ist eine breite systematische Erforschung der Nitridosilicate erst in den letzten Dekaden erfolgt. Mittlerweile haben diese und verwandte Verbindungen ein bemerkenswertes Ausmaß an industrieller Anwendung erreicht. Dieser Aufsatz illustriert jüngste Fortschritte bei der Synthese, der Aufklärung von Struktur‐Eigenschafts‐Beziehungen und den Anwendungen von Nitridosilicaten, Oxonitridosilicaten und den verwandten SiAlONen.
Convergent Evolution Driven by Similar Feeding Mechanics in Balaenopterid Whales and Pelicans
Authors: Field Daniel J. , Lin Sheng Chuan , Ben‐Zvi Micha , Goldbogen Jeremy A. , Shadwick Robert E. 
Published: July 2011

AbstractEngulfment‐feeding Bryde's whale (Balaenoptera edeni) off the Pacific coast of Mexico. Rorqual whales and brown pelicans exhibit convergent modes of engulfment feeding. See Figure 1A in Field et al., on page 1274, in this issue.
Adaptive consensus protocol for networks of multiple agents with nonlinear dynamics using neural networks
Authors: Liu Yang , Jia Yingmin 
Published: July 2011

AbstractIn this paper, an adaptive protocol is proposed to solve the consensus problem of multi‐agent systems with high‐order nonlinear dynamics by using neural networks (NNs) to approximate the unknown nonlinear system functions. It is derived that all agents achieve consensus if the undirected interaction graph is connected, and the transient performance of the multi‐agent system is also investigated. It shows that the adaptive protocol and the consensus analysis can be easily extended to switching networks by the existing LaSalle's Invariance Principle of switched systems. A numerical simulation illustrates the effectiveness of the proposed consensus protocol.Copyright © 2011 John Wiley and Sons Asia Pte Ltd and Chinese Automatic Control Society
Logistic regression when covariates are random effects from a non‐linear mixed model
Authors: De la Cruz Rolando , Marshall Guillermo , Quintana Fernando A. 
Published: July 2011

AbstractIn many studies, the association of longitudinal measurements of a continuous response and a binary outcome are often of interest. A convenient framework for this type of problems is the joint model, which is formulated to investigate the association between a binary outcome and features of longitudinal measurements through a common set of latent random effects. The joint model, which is the focus of this article, is a logistic regression model with covariates defined as the individual‐specific random effects in a non‐linear mixed‐effects model (NLMEM) for the longitudinal measurements. We discuss different estimation procedures, which include two‐stage, best linear unbiased predictors, and various numerical integration techniques. The proposed methods are illustrated using a real data set where the objective is to study the association between longitudinal hormone levels and the pregnancy outcome in a group of young women. The numerical performance of the estimating methods is also evaluated by means of simulation.
A practical home‐made microcentrifuge for teaching purposes
Authors: Morán Paloma , Galindo Juan 
Published: July 2011

AbstractWe report a practical home‐made microcentrifuge to be used for teaching purposes. It was made using a salad spinner and two polymerase chain reaction (PCR) tubes racks. It can accommodate 2 standard size 96‐well plates or 24 strips or up to 192 microfuge tube. The centrifuge is hand‐operated and is ideal for short spin down purposes. Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Education Vol. 39, No. 4, pp. 298‐299, 2011
Elementary education preservice teachers' understanding of biotechnology and its related processes
Authors: Chabalengula Vivien Mweene , Mumba Frackson , Chitiyo Jonathan 
Published: July 2011

AbstractThis study examined preservice teachers' understanding of biotechnology and its related processes. A sample comprised 88 elementary education preservice teachers at a large university in the Midwest of the USA. A total of 60 and 28 of the participants were enrolled in introductory and advanced science methods courses, respectively. Most participants had taken two integrated science courses at the college level. Data were collected using a questionnaire, which had open‐ended items and which required participants to write the definitions and examples of the following terms: biotechnology, genetic engineering, cloning and genetically modified foods. The results indicate that preservice teachers had limited understanding of biotechnology and its related processes. The majority of the preservice teachers provided poor definitions, explanations, and examples of biotechnology, genetic engineering and genetically modified foods. Surprisingly, however, a moderate number of preservice teachers correctly defined cloning and provided correct examples of cloning. Implications for science teacher education, science curriculum, as well as recommendations for further research are discussed. Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Education Vol. 39, No. 4, pp. 321‐325, 2011
A laboratory‐intensive course on the experimental study of protein–protein interactions
Authors: Witherow D.Scott , Carson Sue 
Published: July 2011

AbstractThe study of protein–protein interactions is important to scientists in a wide range of disciplines. We present here the assessment of a lab‐intensive course that teaches students techniques used to identify and further study protein–protein interactions. One of the unique elements of the course is that students perform a yeast two‐hybrid screen and identify novel protein–protein interactions in what is essentially the beginning of an independent research project in the context of a class. While students benefit from the research‐like experience, data is actively generated that can be further studied in independent research projects. Student learning outcomes were assessed using a questionnaire that was given to students before and after the course. The results indicate that students' conceptual and technical understanding of the methodologies taught in the class increased, and that hands‐on experience in the lab was perceived to be the most important component of the course. Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Education Vol. 39, No. 4, pp. 300‐308, 2011
The concept lens diagram: A new mechanism for presenting biochemistry content in terms of “big ideas”
Authors: Rowland Susan L. , Smith Christopher A. , Gillam Elizabeth M. A. , Wright Tony 
Published: July 2011

AbstractA strong, recent movement in tertiary education is the development of conceptual, or “big idea” teaching. The emphasis in course design is now on promoting key understandings, core competencies, and an understanding of connections between different fields. In biochemistry teaching, this radical shift from the content‐based tradition is being driven by the “omics” information explosion; we can no longer teach all the information we have available. Biochemistry is a core, enabling discipline for much of modern scientific research, and biochemistry teaching is in urgent need of a method for delivery of conceptual frameworks. In this project, we aimed to define the key concepts in biochemistry. We find that the key concepts we defined map well onto the core science concepts recommended by the Vision and Change project. We developed a new method to present biochemistry through the lenses of these concepts. This new method challenged the way we thought about biochemistry as teachers. It also stimulated the majority of the students to think more deeply about biochemistry and to make links between biochemistry and material in other courses. This method is applicable to the full spectrum of content usually taught in biochemistry. Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Education Vol. 39, No. 4, pp. 267–279, 2011
The ethical implications of genetic testing in the classroom
Authors: Taylor Ann T. S. , Rogers Jill Cellars 
Published: July 2011

AbstractThe development of classroom experiments where students examine their own DNA is frequently described as an innovative teaching practice. Often these experiences involve students analyzing their genes for various polymorphisms associated with disease states, like an increased risk for developing cancer. Such experiments can muddy the distinction between classroom investigation and medical testing. Although the goals and issues surrounding classroom genotyping do not directly align with those of clinical testing, instructors can use the guidelines and standards established by the medical genetics community when evaluating the ethics of human genotyping. We developed a laboratory investigation and discussion which allowed undergraduate science students to explore current DNA manipulation techniques to isolate their p53 gene, followed by a dialogue probing the ethical implications of examining their sample for various polymorphisms. Students never conducted genotyping on their samples because of the ethical concerns presented in this paper, so the discussion replaced the actual genetic testing in the class. A science faculty member led the laboratory portion, while a genetic counselor facilitated the discussion of the ethical concepts underlying genetic counseling: autonomy, beneficence, confidentiality, and justice. In their final papers, students demonstrated an understanding of the practice guidelines established by the genetics community and acknowledged the ethical considerations inherent in p53 genotyping. Given the burgeoning market for personalized medicine, teaching undergraduates about the psychosocial and ethical dimensions of human genetic testing is important and timely. Moreover, incorporating a genetic counselor in the classroom discussion provided a rich and dynamic discussion of human genetic testing. Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Education Vol. 39, No. 4, pp. 253–260, 2011
Clustering of Escherichia coli Type‐1 Fimbrial Adhesins by Using Multimeric Heptyl α‐D‐Mannoside Probes with a Carbohydrate Core
Authors: Almant Mehdi , Moreau Vincent , Kovensky José , Bouckaert Julie , Gouin Sébastien G. 
Published: July 2011

AbstractHeptyl α‐D‐mannoside (HM) is a strong inhibitor of the FimH lectin that mediates the initial adhesion of the uropathogenic Escherichia coli (E. coli) to the bladder cells. We designed a set of multivalent HM ligands based on carbohydrate cores with structural valencies that range from 1 to 7. The chemical strategy used to construct the regular hydrophilic structures consisted of the repetition of a critical glucoside fragment. A primary amino group was grafted at the sugar reducing end to couple the multimers to a fluorescent label. A one‐pot synthetic approach was developed to tether the ligands and the fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC) probe to the scaffold simultaneously. Isothermal calorimetry with the monomeric FimH lectin revealed nanomolar affinities and saturation of all structurally available binding sites on the multivalent HM ligands. Direct titrations domain showed almost strict correlation of enthalpy–entropy compensation with increasing valency of the ligand, whereas reverse titration calorimetry demonstrated negative cooperativity between the first and the second binding site of the divalent heptyl mannoside. A multivalency effect was nevertheless observed by inhibiting the haemagglutination of type‐1 piliated UTI89 E. coli, with a titer as low as 60 nM for the heptavalent HM ligand. An FITC‐labeled HM trimer showed capture and cross‐linking of living bacteria in solution, a phenomenon not previously described with low‐valency ligands.