bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Comparison between intensity normalization techniques for dynamic susceptibility contrast (DSC)‐MRI estimates of cerebral blood volume (CBV) in human gliomas
Authors: Ellingson Benjamin M. , Zaw Taryar , Cloughesy Timothy F. , Naeini Kourosh M. , Lalezari Shadi , Mong Sandy , Lai Albert , Nghiemphu Phioanh L. , Pope Whitney B. 
Published: January 2012

AbstractPurpose:To compare “standardization,” “Gaussian normalization,” and “Z‐score normalization” intensity transformation techniques in dynamic susceptibility contrast magnetic resonance imaging (DSC‐MRI) estimates of cerebral blood volume (CBV) in human gliomas. DSC‐MRI is a well‐established biomarker for CBV in brain tumors; however, DSC‐MRI estimates of CBV are semiquantitative. The use of image intensity transformation algorithms provides a mechanism for obtaining quantitatively similar CBV maps with the same intensity scaling.Materials and Methods:The coefficient of variance (CV) in normal‐appearing white matter and relative contrast between tumor regions and normal tissue was compared between the three CBV transformations across five different MR scanners in 96 patients with gliomas.Results:The results suggest all normalization techniques improved variability and relative tumor contrast of CBV measurements compared with nonnormalized CBV maps. The results suggest Gaussian normalization of CBV maps provided slightly lower CV in normal white matter and provided slightly higher tumor contrast for glioblastomas (WHO grade IV) compared with other techniques.Conclusion:The results suggest Gaussian normalization of leakage‐corrected CBV maps may be the best choice for image intensity correction for use in large‐scale, multicenter clinical trials where MR scanners and protocols vary widely due to ease of implementation, lowest variability, and highest tumor to normal tissue contrast. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2012;35:1472–1477. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Direct screening of herbal blends for new synthetic cannabinoids by MALDI‐TOF MS
Authors: Gottardo Rossella , Chiarini Anna , Dal Prà Ilaria , Seri Catia , Rimondo Claudia , Serpelloni Giovanni , Armato Ubaldo , Tagliaro Franco 
Published: January 2012

Since 2004, a number of herbal blends containing different synthetic compounds mimicking the pharmacological activity of cannabinoids and displaying a high toxicological potential have appeared in the market. Their availability is mainly based on the so‐called “e‐commerce”, being sold as legal alternatives to cannabis and cannabis derivatives. Although highly selective, sensitive, accurate, and quantitative methods based on GC–MS and LC–MS are available, they lack simplicity, rapidity, versatility and throughput, which are required for product monitoring. In this context, matrix‐assisted laser desorption ionization‐time of flight mass spectrometry (MALDI‐TOF MS) offers a simple and rapid operation with high throughput. Thus, the aim of the present work was to develop a MALDI‐TOF MS method for the rapid qualitative direct analysis of herbal blend preparations for synthetic cannabinoids to be used as front screening of confiscated clandestine preparations. The sample preparation was limited to herbal blend leaves finely grinding in a mortar and loading onto the MALDI plate followed by addition of 2 µl of the matrix/surfactant mixture [α‐cyano‐4‐hydroxy‐cinnamic acid/cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB)]. After drying, the sample plate was introduced into the ion source for analysis. MALDI‐TOF conditions were as follows: mass spectra were analyzed in the range m/z 150–550 by averaging the data from 50 laser shots and using an accelerating voltage of 20 kV.The described method was successfully applied to the screening of 31 commercial herbal blends, previously analyzed by GC–MS. Among the samples analyzed, 21 contained synthetic cannabinoids (namely JWH‐018, JWH‐073, JWH‐081, JWH‐250, JWH‐210, JWH‐019, and AM‐694).All the results were in agreement with GC–MS, which was used as the reference technique. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Dial M for mentor: Reflections on mentoring in film, television, and literature
Authors: Schuttler Richard 
Published: January 2012

AbstractBy Jonathan Gravells and Susan WallaceCharlotte, NC: Information Age Publishing Company. 2011. 148 pp. ISBN: 978‐1‐6173‐5429‐8. $85.99 Hardcover, $45.99 PaperbackReviewed by Richard Schuttler, PhD
Diversity: A normative study for education, health care, administrative, and manufacturing industries
Authors: Andrulis Richard S. , Ligon Ginamarie S. , Zongrone Bianca M. 
Published: January 2012

AbstractAn organization that encourages diversity through its practices and policies creates a favorable climate affecting a broad range of organizational attitudes, perceptions, and performance. This study provides insight into where organizations are today in achieving diversity in their workforce.
Organizational cultures: Obstacles to women in the UK construction industry
Authors: Worrall Lisa 
Published: January 2012

AbstractThe global economic downturn coupled with recent changes in UK law have led to a sizable reduction in public sector funding. As a result, both public and private sector organizations are under greater pressure to provide evidence of their activities in promoting equality and diversity in their use of public sector funds. This requirement poses a particular challenge for the UK construction industry, which remains largely White male dominated. Empirical data gathered from a series of semistructured questionnaires and focus groups that have received managerial and soft skills training are analyzed and discussed in this article in an effort to establish the organizational cultural obstacles that women face in working in the UK construction industry. The findings outline that White male‐dominated organizational cultures, inflexible work practices, and a lack of supportive networks serve as obstacles to women in the UK construction industry. This study concludes with recommendations for the expansion of training opportunities for women to encourage workforce diversity within the UK construction industry.
Health‐promoting phytochemicals of Italian common wheat varieties grown under low‐input agricultural management
Authors: Di Silvestro Raffaella , Marotti Ilaria , Bosi Sara , Bregola Valeria , Carretero Antonio Segura , Sedej Ivana , Mandic Anamarija , Sakac Marijana , Benedettelli Stefano , Dinelli Giovanni 
Published: January 2012

AbstractBACKGROUND: The increasing interest in organic food products and environmental friendly practices has emphasised the importance of selecting crop varieties suitable for the low‐input sector. Moreover, in recent years the relationship between diet and human health has gained much attention among consumers. The aim of this study was to comparatively evaluate the agronomic performance and the nutrient and phytochemical composition of old and modern Italian wheat genotypes grown under low‐input management.RESULTS: Research highlighted that several old wheat genotypes were comparable to the modern ones in terms of agronomic performance and nutrient content. Genotype and environmental conditions (growing season), as well as their interaction, significantly affected the phytochemical composition of wheat grains for most of the analysed bioactive compounds. High variability was observed among the wheat genotypes for dietary fibre (154.7–183.3 g kg−1), polyphenol (1.94–2.77 mg g−1), tocopherol (9.1–21.2 mg kg−1) and carotenoid (701.4–3243 µg kg−1) content.CONCLUSION: The comparative study of old and modern wheat varieties highlighted that, under low‐input conditions, ancient genotypes may equal modern ones in terms of agronomic traits and additionally provide nutraceutical value‐added wheat grains. The most promising ancient varieties for the unique phytochemical profiles are Gentil rosso, Marzuolo d'aqui and Verna. Copyright © 2012 Society of Chemical Industry
Anti‐obesity effect of a standardised ethanol extract from Curcuma longa L. fermented with Aspergillus oryzae in ob/ob mice and primary mouse adipocytes
Authors: Ho Jin‐Nyoung , Jang Ja Young , Yoon Ho‐Geun , Kim Yongjae , Kim Sunoh , Jun Woojin , Lee Jeongmin 
Published: January 2012

AbstractBACKGROUND: We examined the anti‐obesity effect of fermented Curcuma longa L. (turmeric) standardised ethanol extract (FTE) in the C57BL/6J ob/ob mouse model. Mice were fed a chow diet containing FTE (0, 200, or 500 mg kg−1 body weight) for 9 weeks.RESULTS: Supplementation with FTE significantly reduced body weight gain and retroperitoneal and epididymal adipose tissue weights compared to the ob/ob control group. Additionally, total cholesterol and triglyceride levels in serum and liver were significantly decreased in FTE‐200 and FTE‐500 groups when compared to those of the ob/ob control group, whereas the high‐density lipoprotein‐cholesterol level was significantly increased. The levels of serum adiponectin as well as mRNA expression of lipases, such as hormone sensitive lipase and adipose triglyceride lipase, were clearly increased. In primary adipocytes of C57BL/6J mice, FTE treatment caused a significant increase glycerol release and hormone sensitive lipase levels and decreased perilipin A levels.CONCLUSION: These results suggest that supplementation of FTE has potent anti‐obesity effects by controlling body weight, fat mass, serum lipids, and hepatic lipids. Moreover, FTE could be considered a potential resource for the treatment of obesity through its promotion of lipolysis via the protein kinase A pathway. Copyright © 2012 Society of Chemical Industry
Chemical fingerprint analysis of Fritillaria delavayi Franch. by high‐performance liquid chromatography
Authors: Duan Baozhong , Huang Linfang , Chen Shilin 
Published: January 2012

AbstractBulbus of Fritillaria delavayi Franch. is the most commonly used antitussive and apophlegmatic in China and commonly prepared by water decoction. In this study, a novel and reliable method of high‐performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) was developed both for quantitative analysis of 10 bioactive compounds (uracil, cytidine, inosine, uridine, guanosine, thymidine, adenosine, hypoxanthine, adenine and 2‐deoxyadenosine) and chemical fingerprint analysis of F. delavayi Franch. In quantitative analysis, 10 compounds showed good regressions (R2 > 0.9982) within test ranges and the recovery of the method was in the range of 96.33–104.51%. In the fingerprint analysis, 11 characteristic peaks were selected to evaluate the similarities of F. delavayi Franch. samples, and the HPLC chromatograms of 16 samples from different regions of China showed similar patterns. The results from the experiment demonstrated that the combinations of the quantitative and chromatographic fingerprint analysis offer an efficient way to evaluate the quality consistency of F. delavayi Franch.
Application of solid‐phase microextraction and gas chromatography‐mass spectrometry for the determination of chlorophenols in leather
Authors: de Souza Silveira Cristine D. , Martendal Edmar , Soldi Valdir , Carasek Eduardo 
Published: January 2012

AbstractThis paper proposes a new analytical procedure based on the headspace solid‐phase microextraction (HS‐SPME) technique and gas chromatography‐selected ion monitoring‐mass spectrometry (GC‐SIM‐MS) for the determination of 16 phenols extracted from leather samples. The optimized conditions for the HS‐SPME were obtained through two experimental designs – a two‐level fractional factorial design followed by a central composite design – using the commercial SPME fiber polyacrylate 85 μm (PA). The best extraction conditions were as follows: 200 μL of derivatizing agent (acetic anhydride), 20 mL of saturated aqueous NaCl solution and extraction time and temperature of 50 min and 75°C, respectively. All optimized conditions were obtained with fixed leather sample mass (250 mg), vial volume (40 mL) and phosphate buffer pH (12) and concentration (50 mmol/L). Detection limits ranging from 0.03 to 0.20 ng/g, and relative standard deviation (RSD) lower than 10.23% (n=6) for a concentration of 800 ng/g (chlorophenols) and 1325 ng/g (2‐phenylphenol) in the splitless mode were obtained. The recovery was studied at three concentration levels by adding different amounts of phenols to the leather sample and excellent recoveries ranging from 90.0 to 107.2% were obtained. The validated method was shown to be suitable for the quantification of phenols in leather samples, as it is simple, relatively fast and sensitive.
Accurate determination of extra‐column band broadening using peak summation
Authors: Verstraeten Matthias , Liekens Anuschka , Desmet Gert 
Published: January 2012

AbstractThe present contribution addresses the problem of the accurate determination of the extra‐column band‐broadening dispersion by applying the method of moments (MOM) on pulse response experiments. The MOM provides the only mathematically rigorous way to determine the variance of a pulse response, but suffers from the fact that the obtained variance values usually depend very strongly and unpredictably on the selected integration boundaries. In the present study, it is investigated whether the MOM cannot be made more accurate by repeating the pulse response experiment a number of times, then add all measured peaks (after retention time alignment) and subsequently perform the integration on this summed peak. Testing this approach for a number of different integration boundary detection methods consistently more accurate results are obtained than when the different repeat response pulses are integrated individually and the variances are averaged afterwards. It was also found that adding five repeats already leads to a significant improvement of the variance estimate, whereas the addition of 10–20 repeats is needed before the variance estimate converges to a steady value.
Quantification of γ‐aminobutyric acid in the heads of houseflies (Musca domestica) and diamondback moths (Plutella xylostella (L.)), using capillary electrophoresis with laser‐induced fluorescence detection
Authors: Shi Xueyan , Liang Pei , Song Dunlun , Yang Wenling , Gao Xiwu 
Published: January 2012

AbstractA novel method was developed for quantifying the levels of γ‐aminobutyric acid (GABA) in the heads of houseflies (Musca domestica) and diamondback moths (Plutella xylostella (L.)), using capillary electrophoresis with laser‐induced fluorescence detection (CE‐LIF). The GABA in sample was derivatized with 4‐chloro‐7‐nitro‐2,1,3‐benzoxadiazole (NBD‐Cl) prior to CE‐LIF analysis. In total, 32 mmol/L borate buffer, at pH 9.2 and containing 5.3 mmol/L β‐cyclodextrin (β‐CD) and 10.4 mmol/L sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS), was determined to be the optimum CE background electrolyte (BGE) for GABA analysis. The detection limit of GABA was 0.016 μmol/L. The relative standard deviations (RSDs) of the migration time and peak area of GABA were 1.78 and 4.93%, respectively. The average recoveries of 0.97, 3.88, and 5.83 μmol/L of GABA, each added to the head sample of housefly, ranged from 88.9 to 110.5%. This method is simple and applicable to GABA assays of the heads of insects. With this newly developed CE‐LIF method, the amounts of GABA in the heads of houseflies (M. domestica) and diamondback moths (P. xylostella (L.)) were measured. The results are relevant to the understandings of some insecticides and insecticide‐resistance mechanisms in pests.
Application of counter‐current chromatography as a new pretreatment method for the determination of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in environmental water
Authors: Cao Xueli , Yang Chunlei , Pei Hairun , Li Xinghong , Xu Xiaobai , Ito Yoichiro 
Published: January 2012

AbstractCounter‐current chromatography (CCC) was investigated as a new sample pretreatment method for the determination of trace polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in water environmental samples. The experiment was performed with a non‐aqueous binary two‐phase solvent system composed of n‐heptane and acetonitrile. The CCC column was first filled with the upper stationary phase, and then a large volume of water sample was pumped into the column while the CCC column was rotated at 1600 rpm. Finally, the trace amounts of PAHs extracted and enriched in the stationary phase were eluted out by the lower mobile phase and determined by gas chromatography–flame ionization detector (GC‐FID) or gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC‐MS). The enrichment and cleanup of PAHs can be fulfilled online by this method with high recoveries (84.1–103.2%) and good reproducibility (RSDs: 4.9–12.2%) for 16 EPA PAHs under the optimized CCC pretreatment conditions. This method has been successfully applied to determine PAHs in lake water where 8 PAHs were detected in the concentration of 40.9–89.9 ng/L. The present method is extremely suitable for the preparation of large volume of environmental water sample for the determination of trace amounts of organic pollutants including PAHs as studied in this paper.
Modeling the electrophoresis of highly charged peptides: Application to oligolysines
Authors: Wu Hengfu , Allison Stuart A. , Perrin Catherine , Cottet Herve 
Published: January 2012

AbstractThe “coarse‐grained” bead modeling methodology, BMM, is generalized to treat electrostatics at the level of the nonlinear Poisson–Boltzmann equation. This improvement makes it more applicable to the important class of highly charged macroions and highly charged peptides in particular. In the present study, the new nonlinear Poisson–Boltzmann, NLPB‐BMM procedure is applied to the free solution electrophoretic mobility of low molecular mass oligolysines (degree of polymerization 1–8) in lithium phosphate buffer at pH 2.5. The ionic strength is varied from 0.01 to 0.10 M) and the temperature is varied from 25 to 50°C. In order to obtain quantitative agreement between modeling and experiment, a small amount of specific phosphate binding must be included in modeling. This binding is predicted to increase with increasing temperature and ionic strength.
Simultaneous determination of parabens and synthetic musks in water by stir‐bar sorptive extraction and thermal desorption‐gas chromatography‐mass spectrometry
Authors: Ramírez Noelia , Borrull Francesc , Marcé Rosa Maria 
Published: January 2012

AbstractThis study focuses on a method for simultaneously determining personal care products in a wide range of polarities in different water matrices. The method is based on stir‐bar sorptive extraction followed by thermal desorption‐gas chromatography‐mass spectrometry. Prior to extraction, the parabens were acetylated to improve their affinity for the polydimethylsiloxane phase of the stir bar. The method showed good linearity, repeatability and reproducibility between days for all compounds and limits of detection at low ng/L levels (between 0.02 and 0.3 ng/L). The proposed method is also environmentally friendly, because it does not use organic solvents, and reduces the risk of external pollution, due to the minimal manipulation of the sample required. The method developed was successfully applied for the analysis of personal care products in different kinds of water matrices: influents and effluents of urban and industrial wastewater treatment plants, effluents of a reverse osmosis treatment plant and river waters. The influents of urban treatment plants generally showed the highest values for synthetic musks, with concentrations of up to 2219 ng/L of galaxolide, whereas the highest concentrations of parabens were detected in the industrial treatment plants influents.
Effects of low‐density feeding on elk–fetus contact rates on Wyoming feedgrounds
Authors: Creech Tyler G. , Cross Paul C. , Scurlock Brandon M. , Maichak Eric J. , Rogerson Jared D. , Henningsen John C. , Creel Scott 
Published: January 2012

AbstractHigh seroprevalance forBrucella abortusamong elk on Wyoming feedgrounds suggests that supplemental feeding may influence parasite transmission and disease dynamics by altering the rate at which elk contact infectious materials in their environment. We used proximity loggers and video cameras to estimate rates of elk‐to‐fetus contact (the primary source of brucellosis transmission) during winter supplemental feeding. We compared contact rates during high‐density and low‐density (LD) feeding treatments that provided the same total amount of food distributed over different areas. Low‐density feeding led to >70% reductions in total number of contacts and number of individuals contacting a fetus. Proximity loggers and video cameras provided similar estimates of elk–fetus contact rates. Elk contacted fetuses and random control points equally, suggesting that elk were not attracted to fetuses but encountered them incidentally while feeding. The modeled relationship between contact rate and disease prevalence is nonlinear and LD feeding may result in large reductions in brucellosis prevalence, but this depends on the amount of transmission that occurs on and off feedgrounds. © 2012 The Wildlife Society.
PRIORITISING SOIL QUALITY ASSESSMENT THROUGH THE SCREENING OF SITES: THE USE OF PUBLICLY COLLECTED DATA
Authors: Bone J. , Barraclough D. , Eggleton P. , Head M. , Jones D. T. , Voulvoulis N. 
Published: January 2012

ABSTRACTEmergence of policies dealing with concern over soil degradation and anthropogenic impacts to soil is likely to increase the requirement for assessment of soil quality and identification of soils at risk from degradation. An example is the proposed EU Soil Framework Directive, which features the identification of areas requiring protection from soil degradation. There have been some serious objections to such requirements on the grounds of resource and capital demands. To help to address these concerns, this work proposes a strategic set of indicators based on measured soil quality indicators. These can be used in screening locations to assess the likelihood of degradation and indicate areas for further detailed assessment. This will allow further emphasis to be placed on a smaller number of locations, which could lead to cost and resource efficiencies. Indicators have been used in the past in assessment of soil quality; they are parameters which can be measured and correspond to assessment criteria to measure and help monitor the status and changes. The study reviews the current state of soil quality assessment including methods and indicators that are used to collect data and approaches used to assess data to determine areas subject to soil degradation. Methods and practicalities for data collection and screening are discussed, including the need for further pilot testing and protocol development. Use of public data collection could allow more resource efficient protection of soils, in addition to benefits of public engagement, and raising awareness of the importance of soils and soil biodiversity. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.