bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Implant stability in the treatment of MRSA bone implant infections with linezolid versus vancomycin in a rabbit model
Authors: Schroeder Kerstin , Simank Hans‐Georg , Lorenz Helga , Swoboda Stefanie , Geiss Heinrich K. , Helbig Lars 
Published: August 2011

AbstractThe increasing prevalence of methicillin‐resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infections represents a significant healthcare burden. Vancomycin and linezolid exhibit potent clinical and microbiological activity in MRSA infections. Our purpose was to investigate the efficacy of linezolid versus vancomycin in experimental implant infections and the influence on implant stability in a rabbit model. Thirty‐six female New Zealand White rabbits received surgical insertion of titanium implants into their distal femurs and were randomly assigned to six groups (A: infected, no treatment; B: infected, vancomycin; C: infected, linezolid; D: no infection, no treatment; E/F: no infection, vancomycin or linezolid, respectively). Antibiotics were administered, and plasma levels determined. Bone‐implant specimens were tested for mechanical stability of fixation. Quantitative histomorphometry of bone and soft tissue was performed using computerized image analysis. Plasma levels of linezolid and vancomycin were within the respective therapeutic ranges. Microbiological analysis of specimens from infected rabbits showed MRSA tissue colonization in all untreated animals, in two of six vancomycin‐treated animals, and in none of the linezolid‐treated animals. Antibiotic treatment improved mechanical stability significantly (p = 0.004) with both vancomycin and linezolid. Mechanical testing correlated with histomorphometry results. A significant negative correlation was found between displacement of the implant and the percentage of calcified tissue around the implant, and a significant positive correlation was found between displacement of the implant and the amount of noncalcified tissue. Our data indicate that both treatment regimens improved implant stability. © 2011 Orthopaedic Research Society Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 30:190–195, 2012
Use of near‐infrared spectroscopy to distinguish carbon and nitrogen originating from char and forest‐floor material in soils: usefulness of a genetic algorithm
Authors: Vohland Michael , Michel Kerstin , Ludwig Bernard 
Published: August 2011

AbstractSeveral algorithms exist for the calibration procedures of near‐infrared spectra in soil‐scientific studies, but the potential of a genetic algorithm (GA) for spectral feature selection and interpretation has not yet been sufficiently explored. Objectives were (1) to test the usefulness of near‐infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) for a prediction of C and N from char and forest‐floor Oa material in soils using either a partial least squares (PLS) method or a GA‐PLS approach and (2) to discuss the mechanisms of GA feature selection for the examined constituents. Calibration and validation were carried out for measured reflectance spectra in the visible and near‐IR region (400–2500 nm) on an existing set of 432 artificial mixtures of C‐free soil, char (lignite, anthracite, charcoal, or a mixture of the three coals), and forest‐floor Oa material. For all constituents (total C and N, C and N from all coals and from the Oa material, C derived from mixed coal, charcoal, lignite, and anthracite), the GA‐PLS approach was superior over the full‐spectrum PLS method. The RPD values (ratio of standard deviation of the laboratory results to standard error of prediction) ranged from 2.4 to 5.1 in the validation and indicated a better category of prediction for three constituents: “approximate quantitative” instead of a “distinction between high and low” for C derived from mixed coal and “good” instead of “approximate quantitative” for C and N derived from all coals. Overall, this study indicates that the approach using GA may have a greater potential than the PLS method in NIRS.
Cadmium‐ and barium‐toxicity effects on growth and antioxidant capacity of soybean (Glycine max L.) plants, grown in two soil types with different physicochemical properties
Authors: Melo Leônidas Carrijo Azevedo , Alleoni Luís Reynaldo Ferracciú , Carvalho Giselle , Azevedo Ricardo Antunes 
Published: August 2011

AbstractThe pollution of agricultural soils by metals is of growing concern worldwide, and is increasingly subject to regulatory limits. However, the effect of metal pollutants on the responses of plants can vary with soil types. In this study, we examined the growth and antioxidant responses of soybean plants exposed to contrasting soils (Oxisol and Entisol), which were artificially contaminated with cadmium (Cd) or barium (Ba). Cadmium reduced plant growth at concentrations higher than 5.2 mg (kg soil)–1, while Ba only affected plant growth at 600 mg kg–1. Such levels are higher than the limits imposed by the Brazilian environmental legislation. Lipid peroxidation was increased only at a Cd concentration of 10.4 mg kg–1 in the Oxisol, after 30 d of exposure. Twelve superoxide dismutase (SOD; EC 1.15.1.1) isoenzymes were evaluated, most of which were classified as Cu/Zn forms. The SOD activity in the leaves of plants grown in the Oxisol decreased over time, whilst remaining high in the Entisol. Catalase (CAT; EC 1.11.1.6) activity in the leaves exhibited little response to Cd or Ba, but increased over time. Glutathione reductase (GR; EC 1.6.4.2) activity was reduced over time when exposed to the higher Cd concentrations, but increased following Ba exposure in the Oxisol. The enzyme‐activity changes were mainly dependent on soil type, time of exposure and, to a lesser extent, the metal concentration of the soil. Soybean plants grown in a sandy soil with a low buffering capacity, such as Entisol, suffer greater oxidative stress than those grown in a clay soil, such as Oxisol.
Using Moran's I and geostatistics to identify spatial patterns of soil nutrients in two different long‐term phosphorus‐application plots
Authors: Fu Weijun , Zhao Keli , Zhang Chaosheng , Tunney Hubert 
Published: August 2011

AbstractThe spatial variation of soil nutrients especially the soil test phosphorus (STP) in grassland soils is becoming important because of the use of soil‐nutrients information as a basis for policies such as the recently EU‐introduced Nitrates Directive. Up to now, the small‐scale spatial variation of soil nutrients in grassland has not been studied. The main aim of this study was to investigate the spatial patterns of soil nutrients in two grazed grassland plots with a long‐term (38 y) P‐application experiment, in order to better understand the spatial variation of soil nutrients and the correlation among soil nutrients in grasslands. Two small areas (one from a high‐P background and the other from a medium‐P background) were selected. Soil samples (304 per study area) were collected based on a 1 m × 1 m grid system. The samples were analyzed for STP, Mg, K, pH, and lime requirement (LR). The results were analyzed using conventional statistics, Moran's I, geostatistics, and a GIS.Based on the global Moran's I values, significant positive spatial autocorrelations were found for STP, Mg, pH, and LR in both study areas. Spatial clusters and spatial outliers were detected using the local Moran's I index. Clear linear‐shaped high‐high or low‐low value clusters of the studied variables except K were observed in the study areas due to long‐term usage of machine spreader or other agricultural‐management methods in the past. The corresponding linear patterns were further found in the spatial‐distribution maps. Small spatial patches were found for soil K revealing that it had a random spatial distribution related to the relatively uniform K fertilizer in the study areas. The spatial clusters revealed by local Moran's I were in line with the spatial patterns in the distribution maps.
Near‐infrared spectroscopy for rapid estimation of microbial properties in reclaimed mine soils
Authors: Chodak Marcin 
Published: August 2011

AbstractSeveral chemical and microbial properties of mine soils need to be measured for comprehensive assessment of the reclamation success. The objective of this study was to evaluate the ability of NIR spectroscopy to predict organic C (Corg), total N (Nt), and several microbial properties of mine soils reclaimed for forestry. Soils samples (n = 154) were collected at two reclaimed areas in central and S Poland, and their spectra in the NIR region (including the visible range, 400–2500 nm) were recorded. A half of the samples was used to develop calibration equations, and another half was used for validation. The modified partial least squares regression was applied to build calibration equations using the whole spectrum (0 to 2nd derivative). The best predictions were obtained for Corg and Nt (ratio of standard deviation to standard error of prediction in the validation stage [RPD] = 3.4 and 4.1; the regressions coefficients [a] of linear regression [measured against predicted values] = 0.94 and 0.96; correlation coefficients [r] = 0.96 and 0.97, respectively). Very well predictive models applicable for quantitative measurements were obtained also for microbial biomass, basal respiration, and the activities of dehydrogenase and acid phosphatase (RPD = 2.3–2.5, a = 0.90–0.99, r = 0.90–0.92). Prediction of urease activity was slightly worse (RPD = 2.1, a = 0.88, r = 0.87) but sufficient for rough estimation. The obtained results indicated the ability of NIR spectroscopy to predict complex soil microbial properties. Therefore, application of this analytical method may improve the assessment of recovery of microbial functions in reclaimed post‐mining barrens.
Effects of lignin‐modified Populus tremuloides on soil organic carbon
Authors: Roque‐Rivera Raysa , Talhelm Alan F. , Johnson Dale W. , Chiang Vincent L. , Pregitzer Kurt S. 
Published: August 2011

AbstractSeveral genes in the aspen genome have been modified to generate stem wood with lower lignin content and an altered lignin composition. Lower lignin in wood reduces the time and energy required for pulping. Further, this modification can also increase the allocation of photosynthate to cellulose and total biomass production, potentially increasing CO2‐sequestration capacity. However, widespread planting of trees with altered lignin content and composition could alter soil organic‐C dynamics in complex ways. To further examine the effects of altered lignin biosynthesis on plant growth and accrual of soil organic C (SOC), we conducted a repeated greenhouse study with four lines of transgenic aspen (Populus tremuloides Michx.) and one wild‐type (control) aspen. Accrual of aspen‐derived SOC was quantified by growing aspen trees (C3 plants) in C4 soil and measuring changes in the natural abundance of δ13C. We measured plant growth, biomass, and C content and combined these data with SOC measurements to create C budgets for the plant mesocosms. Lignin modifications resulted in differences in the accrual of aspen‐derived SOC and total mesocosm C, primarily due to differences in biomass between genetically modified lines of aspen. One genetic alteration (low lignin, line 23) was able to perform similarly or better than the wild‐type aspen (control, line 271) without altering SOC. Alterations in lignin structure (S : G ratios) had negative effects on biomass production and SOC formation. The addition of new (aspen‐derived) SOC was proportional to the loss of existing SOC, evidence for a priming effect. The pool of new SOC was related to total plant biomass, suggesting that the effects of lignin modification on SOC are driven by changes in plant growth.
Developing Interpretation Plans to Promote Traditional Rural Buildings as Built Heritage Attractions
Authors: Porto Simona M. C. , Leanza Paola M. , Cascone Giovanni 
Published: August 2011

ABSTRACTThe present study suggests an innovative method that could be applied by local authorities to develop heritage interpretation plans aimed at promoting traditional rural buildings (TRBs) as built heritage attractions, while preserving their original features. Cultural heritage interpretation (CHI) methods and tools were used. They offer the advantage to create a kind of ‘understanding’ that would lead tourists and local communities to protect TRBs from inappropriate alterations and modifications that often occur when TRBs are reused also for tourism purposes.The proposed method was applied to TRBs located in an area of the South‐Eastern Sicily (Italy). Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Effects of outdoor advertising: Does location matter?
Authors: Wilson Rick T. , Till Brian D. 
Published: August 2011

AbstractThe growth and success of outdoor advertising is in large part due to the medium's ability to reach an increasingly elusive and mobile consumer. However, this success has come with a price. Public pressure and regulation have begun to eliminate or curtail many outdoor advertising locations, leading practitioners to question the effectiveness of the remaining outdoor advertising sites. Using associative learning techniques, these studies investigate what effect, if any, the environment in which outdoor advertising appears has on the attitudes, beliefs, and purchase intent of the advertised brand. The results of four experiments presented here suggest that the background environment does not impact advertising effectiveness, and practitioner concern of such may be unfounded. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Happiness as a predictor of service quality and commitment for utilitarian and hedonic services
Authors: Hellén Katarina , Sääksjärvi Maria 
Published: August 2011

AbstractIn services research, little attention has been devoted to long‐term intrinsic personality traits. Long‐term personality traits predict short‐term affective states and thus understanding them is important from a service standpoint. Further, identifying long‐term personality traits facilitates the targeting of customers who are predisposed to evaluate services in a positive manner. This study focuses on one long‐term affective trait, happiness, and examines its impact on service evaluation and commitment, as it has been shown that the level of happiness affects whether people perceive life events, both great and small, in a positive or negative manner. Three studies were conducted to research the issue. The first study shows that customers who are happier evaluate service quality in utilitarian services in a more positive manner than do customers who are less happy. The second study shows that for hedonic services, involvement serves as an antecedent to perceived service quality; happier customers are also more involved in hedonic services, and thus perceive service quality in a more positive manner. Study 3 examines the link between happiness and commitment and shows that customers who are happier are also more prone to be committed to hedonic services. These results contribute to the marketing literature by showing that customers are predisposed to evaluate service quality in line with their level of happiness in the case of both utilitarian and hedonic services. Thus, marketing scholars and practitioners ought to recognize that service quality and commitment are partially predetermined by the personality of the customer and that some customers are more difficult to please than others. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Optimization of Structure Based Virtual Screening Protocols Against Thymidine Monophosphate Kinase Inhibitors as Antitubercular Agents
Authors: Ul‐Haq Zaheer , Uddin Reaz , Gul Sana 
Published: August 2011

AbstractThymidine monophosphate kinase from Mycobacterium tuberculosis (TMPKMtub) is an established drug target against tuberculosis. The enzyme TMPKMtub is responsible for the survival of bacterium MTB and required to synthesize an essential building block of the bacterial DNA which is thymidine triphosphate (TTP). There are several potent inhibitors available against the target enzyme but the majority are substrate analogues. Recently, three dimensional structures of the enzyme TMPKMtub inhibitor complexes were resolved using X‐ray crystallography. These available crystal structures were the basis of initiating a structure based lead identification campaign against TMPKMtub. The available information was utilized to perform structure‐based virtual screening against TMPKMtub with the hope to diversify the structures of the current inhibitors. In order to setup the protocol, 10 000 out of 45 000 drug‐like molecules were randomly selected from National Cancer Institute’s (NCI) database. Additionally 105 known inhibitors along with 11 natural substrates were mixed with the 10 000 selected compounds. For the current study, a rigid based docking algorithm, i.e., FRED has been utilized to set up an efficient docking and scoring protocol. The methods including enrichment curves, consensus scoring and ROC curves are providing useful insights into the setting up of a suitable structure‐based docking protocol against TMPKMtub. As a result, an optimum docking and scoring function has been identified for future large scale virtual screening. In the present work, we have demonstrated a rational choice of protocol for structure based virtual screening of chemical libraries and help to understand the influence of receptor flexibility by using multiple geometries.
Coenzyme Q10 suppresses oxLDL‐induced endothelial oxidative injuries by the modulation of LOX‐1‐mediated ROS generation via the AMPK/PKC/NADPH oxidase signaling pathway
Authors: Tsai Kun‐Ling , Chen Li‐Hsin , Chiou Shih‐Hwa , Chiou Guang‐Yuh , Chen Yu‐Chih , Chou Hsiang‐Yun , Chen Liang‐Kung , Chen Hsiao‐Yun , Chiu Tsan‐Hung , Tsai Chiou‐Sheng , Ou Hsiu‐Chung , Kao Chung‐Lan 
Published: August 2011

AbstractScope: The lectin‐like oxidized low‐density lipoprotein receptor (LOX‐1) is one pivot receptor for oxidized low‐density lipoprotein (oxLDL) in human endothelial cells. Co‐enzyme Q10 (Co Q10) has been widely used in clinical intervention. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying its protective effects against oxidative stress in endothelial cells are still largely unknown. This study was designed to test the hypothesis that Co Q10 mitigates oxLDL‐induced endothelial oxidative injuries via modulation of LOX‐1‐mediated reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation and explored the role of AMP‐activated protein kinase (AMPK), a negative regulator of NADPH oxidase.Methods and results: Human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) were pretreated with Co Q10 and then incubated with oxLDL for 24 h. Co Q10 attenuated oxLDL‐elicited LOX‐1 expression and ROS generation by suppression of NADPH oxidase activation. Co Q10 rescued dephosphorylation of AMPK caused by oxLDL that in turn led to an activation of NADPH oxidase by PKC. The results were confirmed using AMPK siRNA. Moreover, oxLDL‐suppressed Akt/eNOS and enhanced p38 phosphorylation, which in turn activated NF‐κB pathway. These detrimental events were ameliorated by Co Q10.Conclusion: These results provide new highlight onto the possible molecular mechanisms of how Q10 suppresses oxLDL‐induced endothelial oxidative injuries by the modulation of LOX‐1‐mediated ROS generation via the AMPK/PKC/NADPH oxidase signaling pathway.
The effects of acrolein on the thioredoxin system: Implications for redox‐sensitive signaling
Authors: Myers Charles R. , Myers Judith M. , Kufahl Timothy D. , Forbes Rachel , Szadkowski Adam 
Published: August 2011

AbstractThe reactive aldehyde acrolein is a ubiquitous environmental pollutant and is also generated endogenously. It is a strong electrophile and reacts rapidly with nucleophiles including thiolates. This review focuses on the effects of acrolein on thioredoxin reductase (TrxR) and thioredoxin (Trx), which are major regulators of intracellular protein thiol redox balance. Acrolein causes irreversible effects on TrxR and Trx, which are consistent with the formation of covalent adducts to selenocysteine and cysteine residues that are key to their activity. TrxR and Trx are more sensitive than some other redox‐sensitive proteins, and their prolonged inhibition could disrupt a number of redox‐sensitive functions in cells. Among these effects are the oxidation of peroxiredoxins and the activation of apoptosis signal regulating kinase (ASK1). ASK1 promotes MAP kinase activation, and p38 activation contributes to apoptosis and a number of other acrolein‐induced stress responses. Overall, the disruption of the TrxR/Trx system by acrolein could be significant early and prolonged events that affect many aspects of redox‐sensitive signaling and oxidant stress.
Two‐step anomalous diffusion tensor imaging
Authors: Hall Matt G. , Barrick Thomas R. 
Published: August 2011

We extend the formalism of anomalous diffusion imaging to include directional anisotropy of fitted parameters. The resulting technique is termed anomalous diffusion tensor imaging (aDTI), and allows the directional properties of the distributed diffusion coefficient (α) and the anomalous diffusion exponent, (γ) to be analysed using the same analytical techniques as regular diffusion tensor imaging (DTI). Together, these parameters quantify the rate of diffusion (α) and the complexity of the diffusion environment (γ).We generated tensor images for the anomalous exponent tensor (Γ) and distributed diffusivity tensor (A) from in vivo human brain data and present images of eigenvalues, eigenvectors, Trace/3 (Tr), fractional anisotropy (FA) and tensor shape measures. In white matter, A is found to have a median Tr = 0.56 × 10− 3mm2s− 1, FA = 0.58 and Γ Tr = 0.69, FA = 0.13.We observed that white matter shows a similar anisotropic geometry for the distributed diffusion tensor as for the regular diffusion tensor, whereas the anomalous exponent tensor exhibits a different shape characteristic which may be informative of tissue microstructure. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The semantics of alarm definitions: enabling systematic reasoning about alarms
Authors: Wallin Stefan , Leijon Viktor , Nordlander Johan , Bystedt Nicklas 
Published: August 2011

SUMMARYThe development and integration of an alarm interface between network elements and a network management system is a costly process, largely because of the informal way in which alarm interfaces are expressed and communicated. Low‐quality alarm documentation and confusion around fundamental concepts like alarm states and alarm types are typical consequences of current practices. If alarm interfaces were expressed in a more formal manner, costs could be reduced and more advanced analysis and automation would be enabled. We present a novel approach to alarm interfaces by providing a formal alarm model together with a domain‐specific language that allows us to specify both the alarm models and the constraints placed on the alarm models in a consistent manner. This means that we can verify the consistency of an alarm interface and automatically generate artifacts such as alarm correlation rules or alarm documentation based only on the model. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.