bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Scanning Electron Microscopy
Authors: Fischer Elizabeth R. , Hansen Bryan T. , Nair Vinod , Hoyt Forrest H. , Dorward David W. 
Published: May 2012

AbstractScanning electron microscopy (SEM) remains distinct in its ability to allow topographical visualization of structures. Key elements to consider for successful examination of biological specimens include appropriate preparative and imaging techniques. Chemical processing induces structural artifacts during specimen preparation, and several factors need to be considered when selecting fixation protocols to reduce these effects while retaining structures of interest. Particular care for proper dehydration of specimens is essential to minimize shrinkage and is necessary for placement under the high‐vacuum environment required for routine operation of standard SEMs. Choice of substrate for mounting and coating specimens can reduce artifacts known as charging, and a basic understanding of microscope settings can optimize parameters to achieve desired results. This unit describes fundamental techniques and tips for routine specimen preparation for a variety of biological specimens, preservation of labile or fragile structures, immune‐labeling strategies, and microscope imaging parameters for optimal examination by SEM. Curr. Protoc. Microbiol. 25:2B.2.1‐2B.2.47. © 2012 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Genetic Manipulation of Agrobacterium
Authors: Morton Elise R. , Fuqua Clay 
Published: May 2012

AbstractAgrobacterium species are plant‐associated relatives of the rhizobia. Several species cause plant diseases such as crown gall and hairy root, although there are also avirulent species. A. tumefaciens is the most intensively studied species and causes crown gall, a neoplastic disease that occurs on a variety of plants. Virulence is specified by large plasmids, and in the case of A. tumefaciens, this is called the Ti (tumor‐inducing) plasmid. During pathogenesis virulent agrobacteria copy a segment of the Ti plasmid and transfer it to the plant, where it subsequently integrates into the plant genome, and expresses genes that result in the disease symptoms. A. tumefaciens has been used extensively as a plant genetic engineering tool and is also a model microorganism that has been well studied for host‐microbe associations, horizontal gene transfer, cell‐cell communication, and biofilm formation. This unit describes standard protocols for genetic manipulation of A. tumefaciens. Curr. Protoc. Microbiol. 25:3D.2.1‐3D.2.15. © 2012 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Growth and Laboratory Maintenance of Pseudomonas aeruginosa
Authors: LaBauve Annette E. , Wargo Matthew J. 
Published: May 2012

AbstractPseudomonas aeruginosa is a common, free‐living, Gram‐negative bacterium that can cause significant disease as an opportunistic pathogen. Rapid growth, facile genetics, and a large suite of virulence‐related phenotypes make P. aeruginosa a common model organism to study Gram‐negative opportunistic pathogens and basic microbiology. This unit describes the basic laboratory growth and maintenance of P. aeruginosa. Curr. Protoc. Microbiol. 25:6E.1.1‐6E.1.8. © 2012 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Separation and Isolation of BTV dsRNA Segments and Viral Proteins
Authors: Li Joseph K.‐K. , Huang I‐Jen , Hayama Emiko 
Published: May 2012

AbstractBluetongue virus (BTV) genome contains ten double‐stranded RNA segments. The sequence of the plus strand of each of the BTV genomic double‐stranded RNAs is the same as that of its mRNA, which encodes for a single viral protein, except the smallest S4 segment which can encode for two nonstructural proteins, primarily for the release assistance of the viral progeny. The separation and isolation of each BTV dsRNA segment and viral protein have provided extensive data related to its viral infection, pathology, suppression of host cellular functions, and eventual apoptosis of the infected host cells. This cytoplasmic virus is also an animal killer that costs the U.S. livestock industry at least $125 million yearly. However, this virus has no known effect on humans. Thus, it is very safe to carry out investigation with the virus, preferably in a BSL‐2 laboratory. Curr. Protoc. Microbiol. 25:15C.5.1‐15C.5.22. © 2012 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Interaction of antimicrobial peptides, BP100 and pepR, with model membrane systems as explored by brownian dynamics simulations on a coarse‐grained model
Authors: Alves Carla S. , Kairys Visvaldas , Castanho Miguel A. R. B. , Fernandes Miguel X. 
Published: May 2012

AbstractThis work focuses on the conformational and dynamic properties of the antimicrobial peptides (AMPs), BP100 and pepR, when confined within model membrane systems. Brownian dynamics (BD) simulations of a coarse‐grained model of each respective peptide in an environment reproducing the phospholipid bilayer were carried out. Simple mean‐field potentials were used to reproduce three physically different model phosphatidylcholine (PC) membrane systems. Based on the simplicity of the peptide‐membrane models used, 1 μs simulations were performed. With the appropriate choice of parameters, the structure and dynamics of each peptide were recovered from each of the simulated BD trajectories. BP100 was observed to adopt a α‐helical conformation when confined in each PC membrane. For pepR under the same conditions, the formation of an N‐terminal α‐helix was detected, whereas the C‐terminus appeared to be less ordered. The dynamic properties of each peptide were characterized in terms of local and global motions. BP100 tended to localize with no preferred orientation approximately halfway across each membrane leaflet, whereas pepR localized near the membrane core with no preferred orientation. Overall, the peptide dynamics were found to vary according to the size of the peptide, as well as the width of the membrane environment. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Biopolymers (Pept Sci) 98: 294–312, 2012.
Cytological diagnosis of paracoccidioidomycosis: A report of four cases
Authors: de Souza Vianna Leonora Maciel , Pirani Carneiro Fabiana , Calvalca Tavares Alexandre , Soares Takano Gustavo Henrique , Silva Guerra Eliete Neves , de Melo Nilce Santos 
Published: May 2012

AbstractParacoccidioidomycosis (PCM) is a common deep mycosis in South America caused by Paracoccidioides brasiliensis, a dimorphic fungus. Biopsy is the most frequent diagnostic method. The aim of this article is reporting four cases of PCM, in which intraoral involvement simulated squamous‐cell carcinoma and was diagnosed by exfoliative cytology. We highlight this diagnostic tool as a simple, low cost, painless, noninvasive, and fast diagnostic method for PCM. Diagn. Cytopathol. 2013;41:374–376. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Eye size variation reflects habitat and daily activity patterns in colubrid snakes
Authors: Liu Yang , Ding Li , Lei Juan , Zhao Ermi , Tang Yezhong 
Published: May 2012

AbstractThe functioning of the vertebrate eye depends on its absolute size, which is presumably adapted to specific needs. Eye size variation in lidless and spectacled colubrid snakes was investigated, including 839 specimens belonging to 49 genera, 66 species and subspecies. Variations of adult eye diameters (EDs) in both absolute and relative terms between species were correlated with parameters reflecting behavioral ecology. In absolute terms, eye of arboreal species was larger than in terrestrial and semiaquatic species. For diurnal species, EDs of terrestrial species do not differ from semiaquatic species; for nocturnal species the ED of terrestrial species is larger than fossorial species but not different from semiaquatic species. In relative terms, ED did not differ significantly by habitat for diurnal species. Although the ED of terrestrial species is larger than fossorial species there were no differences for nocturnal species between semiaquatic and fossorial snakes. In contrast to other vertebrates studied to date, colubrid EDs in absolute and relative terms are larger in diurnal than in nocturnal species. These observations suggest that among colubrid snakes, eye size variation reflects adaptation to specific habitats, foraging strategies and daily activities, independently of phylogeny. J. Morphol. 2012. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Parental caregiving of children prior to hematopoietic stem cell transplant
Authors: Rodday Angie Mae , Pedowitz Elizabeth J. , Mayer Deborah K. , Ratichek Sara J. , Given Charles W. , Parsons Susan K. ,   on behalf of the HSCT‐CHESS Study
Published: May 2012

AbstractUsing the Caregiver Reaction Assessment (CRA), we assessed positive reactions and burdens of the caregiving experience among parental caregivers (n = 189) of children scheduled to undergo hematopoietic stem cell transplant. Although widely used in non‐parental caregivers, the CRA has not been used in parents of pediatric patients. Reliability (Cronbach's alpha: .72–.81 vs. .63) and concurrent validity (correlation: .41–.61 vs. .28) were higher for negatively framed than positively framed subscales. Results indicate that the caregiving experience is complex. The parents experienced high caregiver's esteem and moderate family support, but also negative impacts on finances and schedule, and to a lesser degree, health. Compared to non‐parental caregivers, parental caregivers experienced higher esteem and more impact on finances and schedule. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Res Nurs Health 35:328–339, 2012
Crystallization and morphology of polyamide 1010/single‐walled carbon nanotube nanocomposites under elevated pressure
Authors: Wang Biao , Wan Tong , Zeng Wei , Zhou Xiaoming , Zhang Xuequan 
Published: May 2012

AbstractPolyamide 1010/single‐walled carbon nanotube (PA1010/SWNT) nanocomposites prepared by melt compounding were treated under a pressure of 2.0 GPa and at three different temperatures (250, 300 and 350 °C) for 30 min. Then, all the samples were naturally cooled to room temperature from the melt prior to release of the applied pressure. The melting temperature and crystallinity of high pressure crystallized samples were shifted to a high value after the treatment temperatures under pressure. The infrared spectrum of the high pressure crystallized samples showed a considerable improvement of crystalline order, a closer packing of the polymer chains due to the shorter NC bond length, and the presence of a large proportion of free NH groups resulting from antiparallel chains in flat zigzag conformation. Wide‐angle X‐ray diffraction measurements indicated that the high pressure gave rise to an increase in crystallite dimensions as well as to a decrease of the distance between the crystal planes bonded by the hydrogen bond (100) planes and by the van der Waals force (010) planes. Scanning electron microscope images showed that denser texture, thicker covering layers on the tubes and regular cubic sugar‐like crystals with a lateral length of about 1.5 µm could be detected on the fracture surface of PA1010/SWNT nanocomposites crystallized under pressure. Copyright © 2012 Society of Chemical Industry
Management Strategy for Symptomatic Bisphosphonate-Associated Incomplete Atypical Femoral Fractures
Authors: Saleh Anas , Hegde Vishal V. , Potty Anish G. , Schneider Robert , Cornell Charles N. , Lane Joseph M. 
Published: May 2012

Background Long-term bisphosphonate use has often been associated with atypical femoral fractures. These fractures evolve from incomplete femoral fractures. A previous study demonstrated that the presence of a radiolucent line in an incomplete fracture can indicate a high risk of progression to complete fracture. Questions/Purposes The aim of this study is to present a management strategy for symptomatic bisphosphonate-associated incomplete atypical femoral fractures. Specific study questions include the following: (1) Is there a difference in the prognosis of these fractures based on the presence or absence of a radiolucent fracture line? (2) Can treatment with teriparatide assist in clinical/radiographic healing of these incomplete fractures? (3) Is there a characteristic biochemical profile in these patients? Patients and Methods We retrospectively examined all femur radiographs ordered by the metabolic bone disease service at our hospital between July 1, 2006 and July 1, 2011 and identified 10 patients with a total of 14 incomplete fractures. Nine patients received bisphosphonates for a mean duration of 10 ± 5 years (range, 4–17). The mean follow-up since the time of diagnosis was 20 ± 11 months (range, 6–36 months). Results Five fractures did not have a radiolucent fracture line and were treated conservatively with partial weight-bearing restrictions and pharmacologic therapy. All five of these fractures healed with conservative management. Nine fractures had a radiolucent fracture line, and only two of these were treated successfully with conservative management including teriparatide. Six of the eight patients with a radiolucent line elected for surgical prophylaxis after 3 months of conservative management, whereas one patient underwent surgical prophylaxis without a trial of conservative management. Regarding the biochemical profiles, bone turnover markers for our patient cohort were in the lower quartile. Conclusions Fractures without a radiolucent line appear to respond to conservative management and not require surgical prophylaxis. Teriparatide treatment may hold promise in promoting healing of these fractures.
The pollution of pristine material in compressible turbulence
Authors: Pan Liubin , Scannapieco Evan , Scalo John 
Published: May 2012

AbstractThe first generation of stars had very different properties than later stellar generations, as they formed from a ‘pristine’ gas that was completely free of heavy elements. Normal star formation took place only after the first stars had polluted the surrounding turbulent interstellar gas, increasing its local heavy-element mass concentration, $Z$, beyond a ‘critical’ threshold value, ${Z}_{c} $ ($1{0}^{\ensuremath{-} 8} \lesssim {Z}_{c} \lesssim 1{0}^{\ensuremath{-} 5} $). Motivated by this astrophysical problem, we investigate the fundamental physics of the pollution of pristine fluid elements in statistically homogeneous and isotropic compressible turbulence. Turbulence stretches the pollutants, produces concentration structures at small scales, and brings the pollutants and the unpolluted flow in closer contact. The pristine material is polluted when exposed to the pollutant sources or the fluid elements polluted by previous mixing events. Our theoretical approach employs the probability distribution function (p.d.f.) method for turbulent mixing, as the fraction of pristine mass corresponds to the low tail of the density-weighted concentration p.d.f. We adopt a number of p.d.f. closure models and derive evolution equations for the pristine fraction from the models. To test and constrain the prediction of theoretical models, we conduct numerical simulations for decaying passive scalars in isothermal turbulent flows with Mach numbers of 0.9 and 6.2, and compute the mass fraction, $P({Z}_{c} , t)$, of the flow with $Z\leq {Z}_{c} $. In the Mach 0.9 flow, the evolution of $P({Z}_{c} , t)$ is well-described by a continuous convolution model and goes as $\dot {P} ({Z}_{c} , t)= P({Z}_{c} , t)\ln [P({Z}_{c} , t)] / {\tau }_{\mathit{con}} $, if the mass fraction of the polluted flow is larger than ${\approx }0. 1. $ If the initial pollutant fraction is smaller than ${\approx }0. 1, $ an early phase exists during which the pristine fraction follows an equation derived from a nonlinear integral model: $\dot {P} ({Z}_{c} , t)= P({Z}_{c} , t)[P({Z}_{c} , t)\ensuremath{-} 1] / {\tau }_{\mathit{int}} $. The time scales ${\tau }_{\mathit{con}} $ and ${\tau }_{\mathit{int}} $ are measured from our simulations. When normalized to the flow dynamical time, the decay of $P({Z}_{c} , t)$ in the Mach 6.2 flow is slower than at Mach 0.9 because the time scale for scalar variance decay is slightly larger and the low tail of the concentration p.d.f. broadens with increasing Mach number. We show that $P({Z}_{c} , t)$ in the Mach 6.2 flow can be well fitted using a formula from a generalized version of the self-convolution model.
PLATINUM CITY AND THE NEW SOUTH AFRICAN DREAM
Authors: Rajak Dinah 
Published: May 2012

ABSTRACTMuch has been written about the persistence of economic apartheid, inscribed in the geography of South Africa's cities, producing spatial configurations that are reminiscent of the old order of segregation while simultaneously embodying the particular inequities and divisions of the new neo-liberal order (Turok 2001; Harrison 2006). Through an ethnographic study of Rustenburg, the urban hub of South Africa's platinum belt (once labelled the ‘fastest growing city in Africa’ after Cairo), I explore how the failure of urban integration maps onto the failure of the promise of market inclusion. What is particular about mid-range towns such as Rustenburg is that the opportunities of ‘empowerment through enterprise’ are seen, or believed, to be all the more attainable than in large cities. Here the extended supply chains of the mining industry and the expanding secondary economy appear to offer limitless possibilities to share in the boons of the platinum boom. Yet as this account shows, the disjuncture and friction between corporate authority and local government have given rise to increasing fragmentation and exclusion, as only a very few are able to grasp the long-anticipated rewards of the new South African dream.
LEARNING THROUGH PLAY: AN ETHNOGRAPHIC STUDY OF CHILDREN'S RIDDLING IN ETHIOPIA
Authors: Jirata Tadesse Jaleta 
Published: May 2012

ABSTRACTAlthough the educational value of African oral traditions, particularly folktales, has been discussed widely in social studies of children, education and folklore, riddling is not commonly investigated as a part of children's everyday social practice. In this article, I present riddling as a part of children's expressive culture, through which they play together and learn about their local environment. I generated the data through ten months of ethnographic fieldwork among Guji people in southern Ethiopia. Based on analyses of the times and locations of this activity, as well as the social interaction involved, I argue that children perform riddling in order to entertain themselves and to learn from their immediate social and natural environment through discrete peer networks.
HOW DEBT BECAME CARE: CHILD PAWNING AND ITS TRANSFORMATIONS IN AKUAPEM, THE GOLD COAST, 1874–1929
Authors: Coe Cati 
Published: May 2012

ABSTRACTStudies of slavery in Africa have noted the persistence of those relations in different forms, such as pawning, that allow social changes in power, status and wealth to be weathered more gradually. As pawning itself became less frequent, did other kinds of relationship take its place? Some scholars have argued that pawning was folded into marriage and fatherhood; others that there are continuities with fosterage and domestic servant arrangements today. This article examines the question of pawning's transformations in Akuapem, a region in south-eastern Ghana involved in forms of commercial agriculture that were heavily dependent on slave labour and the capital raised by pawning. Ultimately, it argues that debt became key to fatherhood and fosterage relations between children and adults, changing from a short-term exchange to more lifelong reciprocal relations of care.
Voting Behaviour among the Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgendered Electorate
Authors: Perrella Andrea M.L. , Brown Steven D. , Kay Barry J. 
Published: May 2012

Abstract.The gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered (GLBT) population is a good example of a demographic group that has been understudied because it is difficult to develop a subsample of sufficient size from typical national samples. Here we exploit the extraordinary size of a 2006 online election day survey (with about 35,000 respondents) to examine how the GLBT community behaves politically. While it will surprise no one that this community bestowed little support on Stephen Harper's Conservative party in the 2006 federal election, the factors behind such a consistent vote pattern are not adequately understood. In order to shed more light on the voting behaviour of the GLBT electorate, we develop a socio-demographic profile of the group, and explore three explanatory angles: 1) salience of issue campaign dynamics, given that the same-sex marriage issue was prominent in 2006; 2) ideological and attitudinal proclivities; and 3) strategic considerations.Résumé.La population gaie, lesbiennes, bisexuels et transgenres (GLBT) est un exemple d'un groupe démographique qui a été peu étudié, car il est difficile de développer un sous-échantillon de taille suffisante à partir d'échantillons nationaux. Ici, nous exploitons la taille extraordinaire d'une enquête enligne du jour du scrutin fédérale du 2006 (avec environ 35.000 répondants) d'examiner comment la communauté GLBT se comporte politiquement. Bien qu'il ne surprendra personne que cette communauté accordé peu d'appui sur Parti conservateur de Stephen Harper lors de l'élection fédérale de 2006, les facteurs qui expliquent un tel motif ne sont pas bien compris. Afin de jeter plus de lumière sur le comportement de vote de l'électorat GLBT, nous développons un profil sociodémographique de cette groupe, et d'explorer trois angles explicatives: 1) pertinence de la question du mariage de même sexe, 2) tendances idéologiques, et 3) des considérations stratégiques.
Does Autonomy Matter?
Authors: Happaerts Sander 
Published: May 2012

Abstract. Sustainable development needs to be tackled at all governmental levels. Moreover, policies need to be integrated, horizontally and vertically. This article studies the efforts of subnational governments and their strategies towards vertical policy integration. Four cases are compared: Quebec (Canada), Flanders (Belgium), North Rhine-Westphalia (Germany) and North Holland (the Netherlands). The assumption is that their approaches are determined by their degree of autonomy, which involves their competences within their own borders (self-rule) and their influence on national decision making (shared rule). The findings, however, show that degree of autonomy does not shape the subnational governments' stance towards vertical policy integration for sustainable development. Rather, it is influenced by other factors, such as political dynamics. The analysis also puts forward that the degree of self-rule of subnational governments has a large influence on the content of sustainable development policies, not only at the subnational, but also at the national level.Résumé. Le développement durable doit être poursuivi à tous les niveaux de pouvoir. En plus, les politiques doivent être intégrées horizontalement et verticalement. Cet article étudie les efforts des gouvernements sous-nationaux et leurs stratégies envers l'intégration politique verticale. Il compare quatre cas d'étude: le Québec (Canada), la Flandre (Belgique), la Rhénanie-du-Nord-Westphalie (Allemagne) et la Hollande Septentrionale (Pays-Bas). L'assomption est que leur approche se détermine par leur degré d'autonomie, qui est constitué par leurs compétences à l'intérieur de leurs propres frontières (self-rule) et par leur pouvoir à influencer la prise de décision nationale (shared rule). Cependant, les résultats démontrent que le degré d'autonomie ne détermine pas la position des gouvernements sous-nationaux envers l'intégration politique verticale pour le développement durable. Leur position est influencée plutôt par d'autres facteurs, tels que le contexte politique. L'analyse propose aussi que le degré de self-rule des gouvernements sous-nationaux a une grande influence sur le contenu des politiques de développement durable, non pas seulement au niveau sous-national, mais aussi au niveau national.