bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Mycolic acids as diagnostic markers for tuberculosis case detection in humans and drug efficacy in mice
Authors: Shui Guanghou , Bendt Anne K. , Jappar Ignasius A. , Lim Hui Ming , Laneelle Marie , Hervé Maxime , Via Laura E. , Chua Gek Huey , Bratschi Martin W. , Zainul Rahim Siti Zarina , Michelle Ang Lay Teng , Hwang Soo‐Hee , Lee Jong‐Soek , Eum Seok‐Yong , Kwak Hyun‐Kyung , Daffé Mamadou , Dartois Véronique , Michel Gerd , Barry Clifton E. , Wenk Markus R. 
Published: December 2011

AbstractMycolic acids are attractive diagnostic markers for tuberculosis (TB) infection because they are bacteria‐derived, contain information about bacterial species, modulate host–pathogen interactions and are chemically inert. Here, we present a novel approach based on mass spectrometry. Quantification of specific precursor → fragment transitions of approximately 2000 individual mycolic acids (MAs) resulted in high analytical sensitivity and specificity. We next used this tool in a retrospective case–control study of patients with pulmonary TB with varying disease burdens from South Korea, Vietnam, Uganda and South Africa. MAs were extracted from small volume sputum (200 µl) and analysed without the requirement for derivatization. Infected patients (70, 19 of whom were HIV+) could be separated from controls (40, 20 of whom were HIV+) with a sensitivity and specificity of 94 and 93%, respectively. Furthermore, we quantified MA species in lung tissue of TB‐infected mice and demonstrated effective clearance of MA levels following curative rifampicin treatment. Thus, our results demonstrate for the first time the feasibility and clinical relevance of direct detection of mycobacterial lipids as biomarkers of TB infection.
The reinforcement contribution to the cyclic behaviour of reinforced concrete beam hinges
Authors: Visintin Phillip , Oehlers Deric J. , Wu Chengwing , Griffith Michael C 
Published: December 2011

SUMMARYThe cyclic behaviour of plastic hinges is an essential component in tracking the behaviour of RC frames to failure, not only for monotonically increasing force/pressure loads such as under extreme wind loads but also for dynamic displacement‐driven loads such as under earthquake ground motions. To describe member deformations at ultimate loading, traditional moment–curvature techniques have required the use of an empirical hinge length to predict rotations, and despite much research a definitive generic expression for this empirical hinge length is yet to be defined. To overcome this problem, a discrete rotation approach, which directly quantifies the rotation between crack faces using mechanics, has been developed for beams and been shown to be accurate under monotonic loading. In this paper, the discrete rotation approach for monotonic loads is extended to cope with cyclic loads for dynamic analyses, and this has led to the development of a new partial interaction numerical simulation capable of allowing for reversals of slip of the reinforcing bars. This numerical tool should be very useful for the nonlinear analysis of reinforced concrete beams and reinforced concrete columns with small axial loads under severe dynamic loads. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Transverse free vibrations of continuous bridges with abutment restraint
Authors: Tubaldi E. , Dall'Asta A. 
Published: December 2011

SUMMARYThis paper analyzes the dynamic behaviour of continuous bridges with transverse abutment restraint. These are a particular class of multi‐span bridges whose transverse motion is restrained at the abutments.The transverse dynamic behaviour of these partially‐restrained bridges is described by a model consisting of a two‐dimensional simply‐supported beam with intermediate visco‐elastic restraints. A minimal set of characteristic problem parameters that completely describe the dynamic response is initially identified and an analytical solution is developed for particular configurations. The influence of these characteristic parameters on the properties of the dynamic systems are analyzed by considering the undamped and the damped free vibrations separately.Successively, in order to cover more general and complex configurations of realistic bridges, an extension of the definition of the characteristic parameters is proposed. The results obtained considering selected case studies are finally presented. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Feasibility of upward evacuation by escalator — An experimental study
Authors: Okada Naoko , Hasemi Yuji , Moriyama Shuji 
Published: December 2011

SUMMARYThis paper describes group upward evacuation experiments using escalators that were designed to investigate the feasibility of evacuation by escalators for large underground buildings. The experiments were conducted using 22‐m‐high (50‐m‐long) and 5.7‐m‐high (12.2‐m‐long) escalators in a convention facility in Tokyo. In order to consider the potential benefits of using escalators moving towards an exit for evacuation, the experiments included both stationary and upward moving modes of the escalators. Walking behavior such as walking velocity and the effective flow coefficient was measured for solo walking pedestrians and groups in various arrangements. The influence of slow pedestrians (elderly, etc.) on the group evacuation was examined by using subjects wearing an elderly simulator (Instant Senior). The following conclusions were drawn with respect to the walking behavior on an escalator: (1) the walking velocity was nearly constant throughout the 22‐m‐high escalator lane, (2) the walking velocity of a solo pedestrian was 0.03–0.10 m/s slower on a moving escalator than on a stationary escalator, (3) group evacuation on an escalator was strongly affected by the existence of slow pedestrians, (4) the walking velocity of a solo pedestrian on a stationary escalator was nearly identical to that on a stairway, and (5) the effective flow coefficient at the escalator entrance was dictated by the moving velocity of pedestrians on the escalator lane. Numerical evacuation simulations on a real and very deep subway station using the experimental results demonstrate a 46% reduction in the evacuation time by the use of escalators moving toward exits. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A penalized four‐dimensional variational data assimilation method for reducing forecast error related to adaptive observations
Authors: Hossen M.J. , Navon I.M. , Fang F. 
Published: December 2011

SUMMARYFour‐dimensional variational (4D‐Var) data assimilation method is used to find the optimal initial conditions by minimizing a cost function in which background information and observations are provided as the input of the cost function. The optimized initial conditions based on background error covariance matrix and observations improve the forecast. The targeted observations determined by using methods such as adjoint sensitivity, observation sensitivity, or singular vectors may further improve the forecast. In this paper, we are proposing a new technique—consisting of a penalized 4D‐Var data assimilation method that is able to reduce the forecast error significantly. This technique consists in penalizing the cost function by a forecast aspect defined over the verification domain at the verification time. The results obtained using the penalized 4D‐Var method show that the initial condition is optimally estimated, thus resulting in a better forecast by significantly reducing the forecast error over the verification domain at verification time. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Discovery of Silurian sponge spicules from the Argentine Precordillera
Authors: Beresi M. S. 
Published: December 2011

An association of silicified spicules of hexactinellid sponges was collected from Silurian sandstones at the top of the La Chilca Formation, cropping out at Cerro del Fuerte, 20 km east of Jáchal, in the San Juan Precordillera of west‐central Argentina. This is the first occurrence of a Silurian spicule fauna recorded at higher palaeolatitudes from Argentina and the entire South American part of Gondwana. The spicules were extracted by means of formic acid treatment from sandstones of the uppermost part of the La Chilca Formation, which ranges in age from the late Hirnantian to Llandovery, based on graptolites, brachiopods and conodonts. The spicule association is composed only of scarce siliceous hexactine‐based spicules which cannot be attributed to any specific hexactinellid taxon. The fragmentary preservation of this allochthonous sponge assemblage points toward preburial transport. These spicules represent the only microfauna found in the uppermost sandstones. Macrofossils are absent. No conodonts have been recovered in these levels. Two interpretations on the spicules of the Precordillera can be argued: (a) that those early Silurian hexactinellids could have occurred in quartz sandstones of the shore‐facies to off‐shore transitional associations, in the upper La Chilca Formation, or (b) that these sponges flourished in mainly calcareous shales in quiet deep‐water conditions, and that their fragile spicules were removed and deposited by oceanic currents, on the top of the outer‐shelf sand bars.Both hypotheses on the palaeoenvironmental origin of these spicules are substantially different, but the scarcity of spicules does not allow a more precise interpretation. The discovery of these hexactinellid spicules provides a new perspective on Silurian sponge occurrence and distribution for the Argentine Precordillera. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Astrogliosis involves activation of retinoic acid‐inducible gene‐like signaling in the innate immune response after spinal cord injury
Authors: de Rivero Vaccari Juan Pablo , Minkiewicz Julia , Wang Xiaoliang , De Rivero Vaccari Juan Carlos , German Ramon , Marcillo Alex E. , Dietrich W. Dalton , Keane Robert W. 
Published: December 2011

AbstractSpinal cord injury (SCI) induces a glial response in which astrocytes become activated and produce inflammatory mediators. The molecular basis for regulation of glial‐innate immune responses remains poorly understood. Here, we examined the activation of retinoic acid‐inducible gene (RIG)‐like receptors (RLRs) and their involvement in regulating inflammation after SCI. We show that astrocytes express two intracellular RLRs: RIG‐I and melanoma differentiation‐associated gene 5. SCI and stretch injury of cultured astrocytes stimulated RLR signaling as determined by phosphorylation of interferon regulatory factor 3 (IRF3) leading to production of type I interferons (IFNs). RLR signaling stimulation with synthetic ribonucleic acid resulted in RLR activation, phosphorylation of IRF3, and increased expression of glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) and vimentin, two hallmarks of reactive astrocytes. Moreover, mitochondrial E3 ubiquitin protein ligase 1, an RLR inhibitor, decreased production of GFAP and vimentin after RIG‐I signaling stimulation. Our findings identify a role for RLR signaling and type I IFN in regulating astrocyte innate immune responses after SCI. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Genetic approaches to study glial cells in the rodent brain
Authors: Pfrieger Frank W. , Slezak Michal 
Published: December 2011

AbstractThe development, function, and pathology of the brain depend on interactions of neurons and different types of glial cells, namely astrocytes, oligodendrocytes, microglia, and ependymal cells. Understanding neuron–glia interactions in vivo requires dedicated experimental approaches to manipulate each cell type independently. In this review, we first summarize techniques that allow for cell‐specific gene modification including targeted mutagenesis and viral transduction. In the second part, we describe the genetic models that allow to target the main glial cell types in the central nervous system. The existing arsenal of approaches to study glial cells in vivo and its expansion in the future are key to understand neuron–glia interactions under normal and pathologic conditions. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Retracted: Oxidative stress induced by aluminum oxide nanomaterials after acute oral treatment in Wistar rats
Authors: Prabhakar P. V. , Reddy Utkarsh A. , Singh S. P. , Balasubramanyam A. , Rahman M. F. , Indu Kumari S. , Agawane Sachin B. , Murty U. S. N. , Grover Paramjit , Mahboob Mohammed 
Published: December 2011

ABSTRACTThis study investigated the oxidative stress induced after acute oral treatment with 500, 1000 and 2000 mg kg−1 doses of Al2O3‐30 and −40 nm and bulk Al2O3 in Wistar rats. Both the nanomaterials induced significant oxidative stress in a dose‐dependent manner in comparison to the bulk. There was no significant difference between the two nanomaterials. However, the effect decreased with increase with time after treatment. The histopathological examination showed lesions only in liver with Al2O3 nanomaterials at 2000 mg kg−1. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Two‐year drinking water carcinogenicity study of methyl tertiary‐butyl ether (MTBE) in Wistar rats
Authors: Dodd Darol , Willson Gabrielle , Parkinson Horace , Bermudez Edilberto 
Published: December 2011

ABSTRACTMethyl tertiary‐butyl ether (MTBE) has been used as a gasoline additive to reduce tailpipe emissions and its use has been discontinued. There remains a concern that drinking water sources have been contaminated with MTBE. A two‐year drinking water carcinogenicity study of MTBE was conducted in Wistar rats (males, 0, 0.5, 3, 7.5 mg ml−1; and females, 0, 0.5, 3, and 15 mg ml−1). Body weights were unaffected and water consumption was reduced in MTBE‐exposed males and females. Wet weights of male kidneys were increased at the end of two years of exposure to 7.5 mg ml−1 MTBE. Chronic progressive nephropathy was observed in males and females, was more severe in males, and was exacerbated in the high MTBE exposure groups. Brain was the only tissue with a statistically significant finding of neoplasms. One astrocytoma (1/50) was found in a female rat (15 mg ml−1). The incidence of brain astrocytomas in male rats was 1/50, 1/50, 1/50 and 4/50 for the 0, 0.5, 3 and 7.5 mg ml−1 exposure groups, respectively. This was a marginally significant statistical trend, but not statistically significant when pairwise comparisons were made or when multiple comparisons were taken into account. The incidence of astrocytoma fell within historical control ranges for Wistar rats, and the brain has not been identified as a target organ following chronic administration of MTBE, ethyl tert‐butyl ether, or tertiary butyl alcohol (in drinking water) to mice and rats. We conclude that the astrocytomas observed in this study are not associated with exposure to MTBE. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Modeling nonlinear optics of nanosystems with sum‐over‐states model
Authors: Tian Wei Quan 
Published: December 2011

AbstractThree‐stage strategies (ladder rule, few state model (FSM), and parallelization) were proposed to improve the computational efficiency of the sum‐over‐states (SOS) model in nonlinear optics (NLO) modeling. Ladder rule decomposes NLO coefficients of the nth state into the (n−1)th term and the contribution from the (n−1)th to the nth state without loss of rigor in theory. FSM singles out the states with substantial contribution to NLO. Those strategies are universal to all (including revised and simplified) SOS models. The computing cost reduces roughly to C/(ni−1) (C is a constant and i is the rank (order) of the NLO coefficients). © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Comput Chem, 2012
Ethanol production from wood via concentrated acid hydrolysis, chromatographic separation, and fermentation
Authors: Heinonen Jari , Tamminen Anu , Uusitalo Jaana , Sainio Tuomo 
Published: December 2011

AbstractBACKGROUND: Production of bioethanol from wood using concentrated acid hydrolysis has received less attention than the dilute acid hydrolysis route. The feasibility of producing lignocellulosic bioethanol from spruce and birch via concentrated acid hydrolysis was studied experimentally. Hydrolysis with sulfuric acid, chromatographic purification of the hydrolysate, and fermentation of the monosaccharides were investigated.RESULTS: Monosaccharide yields of 70% were obtained in the hydrolysis of spruce and birch. Only low amounts of by‐products were formed. With chromatographic purification of the hydrolysate, over 90% of the hydrolysis acid was recovered for recycling, and furfural and HMF were removed completely. Most of the acetic acid was recovered in a separate fraction. The monosaccharide yield in a single pass separation was approximately 70%. In the fermentation, S. cerevisiae produced higher amounts of ethanol and more efficiently than P. stipitis. Chromatographically purified hydrolysates gave higher ethanol productivities and yields than Ca(OH)2 neutralized hydrolysates.CONCLUSIONS: Chromatographic purification of concentrated acid lignocellulosic hydrolysates has advantages when compared with neutralization with Ca(OH)2. With chromatography, most of the inhibitory compounds can be removed from the hydrolysates. In addition, due to the recycling of the hydrolysis acid, the economy of the bioethanol manufacturing process is increased considerably. Copyright © 2011 Society of Chemical Industry
Color compensation in nitrite‐reduced meat batters incorporating paprika or tomato paste
Authors: Bázan‐Lugo Eduardo , García‐Martínez Ignacio , Alfaro‐Rodríguez Rosa Hayde , Totosaus Alfonso 
Published: December 2011

AbstractBACKGROUND: Nitrite is a key ingredient the manufacture of meat products, forming a stable pink color characteristic of cured products, retarding the development of rancidity and off‐odors and flavors during storage, and preventing microbial growth. The negative aspects of nitrite and the demands for healthy foods result in the need to reduce nitrite in cured meat products. Paprika or tomato has been employed as natural pigments in meat products. The objective of this work was to determine the effect of incorporating paprika powder or tomato paste on the texture, rancidity and instrumental and sensory color compensation in nitrite‐reduced meat batters.RESULTS: Addition of tomato paste improved moisture content, resulting in harder but less cohesive samples as compared to control and paprika‐containing meat batters. Color characteristics of reduced nitrite samples obtained higher a* red coloration (8.9 for paprika and 7.7–8.0 for tomato paste), as compared to control samples (5.65). Instrumental color was low in control samples, with high values for tomato paste and paprika samples. Nonetheless, tomato paste used to compensate color in nitrite‐reduced meat batters was ranked closer to the control sample in sensory evaluation.CONCLUSION: Color characteristics—instrumental and sensory—in these kinds of meat products were enhanced by the addition of 2.5–3.0% of tomato paste, presenting results close to the non‐reduced nitrite control. Similarly, antioxidant components of tomato paste or paprika reduced lipid oxidation. Nitrite reduction from 150 to 100 ppm could be achieved employing tomato paste as a natural pigment to improve color and texture. Copyright © 2011 Society of Chemical Industry
Outcomes following oesophageal stent insertion for palliation of malignant strictures: A large single centre series
Authors: Battersby Nicholas J. , Bonney Glenn K. , Subar Daren , Talbot Laura , Decadt Bart , Lynch Niall 
Published: December 2011

AbstractBackgroundSelf‐expanding metal stents (SEMS) are an accepted intervention for malignant dysphagia. Stents vary in ease of insertion, removability, migration and occlusion rates. This series reports the complications, morbidity and mortality associated with several SEMS.MethodA prospective database of patients undergoing fluoroscopic guided oesophageal stent insertion for malignancy between June 2001 and June 2009 was analysed. Patient demographics, intervention outcomes and tumour variables were correlated with stent failure and patient survival. Multivariate analysis was performed to evaluate predictors for stent failure.ResultsTwo hundred and seventy‐three stents were deployed using nine different types of SEMS. The median Mellow–Pinkas dysphagia score significantly improved from 3 to 1 post‐stent insertion (P < 0.001), with a technical success rate of 98%. Stent complications occurred in 95 (36%) patients [recurrent dysphagia n = 49 (19%), migration n = 24 and occlusion n = 25]. Multivariate analysis demonstrates that the covered Niti S stent fails significantly more than the double‐layered Niti S stent (OR = 4, P < 0.005).ConclusionOesophageal stent insertion provides good palliation for malignant dysphagia, however recurrent dysphagia remains a problem. This major complication occurs more frequently with covered Niti S stents than double‐layered Niti S stents. This finding may aid the stent choice used in advanced oesophageal malignancy. J. Surg. Oncol. 2012; 105:60–65. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Foraging preferences of Canada geese among turfgrasses: Implications for reducing human–goose conflicts
Authors: Washburn Brian E. , Seamans Thomas W. 
Published: December 2011

AbstractCanada geese (Branta canadensis) can cause serious damage to turfgrass areas and create human health and safety concerns (e.g., collisions with aircraft, disease transmission). We conducted a study during 2005–2007 to determine if Canada geese exhibit a feeding preference among various commercially available turfgrasses. Behavioral responses of captive geese to 9 turfgrasses, bare ground, and litter were observed over 6 4‐week trials during July–September following the installation of selected turfgrasses into experimental arenas. Captive geese preferred to forage on Kentucky bluegrass, creeping bentgrass, and fine fescue sods compared to centipedegrass, St. Augustinegrass, and zoysiagrass. Forage qualities and macronutrient levels varied among the turfgrasses and might explain the foraging preferences geese exhibited during this study. Canada goose feeding rate was positively correlated with crude protein, nitrogen content, and calcium, but negatively correlated with acid detergent fiber content, within various turfgrasses. Our findings suggest careful selection of turfgrasses could be an effective method for reducing Canada goose conflicts in urban and suburban areas. © 2011 The Wildlife Society.
Response of double‐crested cormorants to a large‐scale egg oiling experiment on Lake Huron
Authors: Ridgway Mark S. , Middel Trevor A. , Pollard J. Bruce 
Published: December 2011

AbstractWe report on a management experiment examining the effects of large‐scale egg oiling on double‐crested cormorant nest abundance and measures of seasonal cormorant density (bird‐days/km2) from 2000 to 2005. We employed the staircase design to distinguish transient responses to management treatments from site and year effects that generally contribute to variation in populations. The response to egg oiling in Georgian Bay was as expected with a decline in nest abundance attributable to egg oiling. In the North Channel, nest abundance did not decline because of egg oiling but increased, reflecting either retention of nesting adults or recruitment to colonies. This surprising outcome may stem from fish escapement from pen rearing facilities in the vicinity of the oiling experiment in the North Channel. We observed no effect of egg oiling on the July–August seasonal density of cormorants. The strongest effect size was associated with site effects followed by year effects for nest abundance and seasonal density. The effect size of egg oiling on variation in nest abundance did not exceed 5% for any year in both the North Channel and Georgian Bay. Fish pen culture appears to affect coastal distribution of cormorants. © 2011 The Wildlife Society.