bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Isomeric differentiation of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons using silver nitrate reactive desorption electrospray ionization mass spectrometry
Authors: Eftekhari Mohammad , Ismail Ali I. , Zare Richard N. 
Published: July 2012

RATIONALEPolycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are nonpolar and difficult to detect by desorption electrospray ionization. We present a new detection method based on cationization with silver ions, which has the added advantage of being able to differentiate PAHs with the same mass but different structure.METHODS9,10‐Diphenylanthracene and triptycene, in addition to four different groups of PAH isomers: (1) anthracene and phenanthrene, (2) pyrene and fluoranthene, (3) benz[a]anthracene, benz[b]anthracene (tetracene), and chrysene (4) benzo[a]pyrene and benzo[k]fluoranthene, were deposited on a paper surface and bombarded with methanol droplets containing silver nitrate. The resulting microdroplets entered a quadruple mass spectrometer for mass analysis.RESULTSThe mass spectrum shows [PAH]+, [Ag + OH + PAH]+, and [Ag(PAH)n]+ (n = 1, 2) (and [PAH + O2]+ in the case of benz[b]anthracene) ions. PAHs having a bay structure, such as phenanthrene, showed a different tendency to interact with silver ions from those PAHs having a linear arrangement of the fused benzene rings, such as anthracene. The ratios of the [PAH]+ peak intensity to that of [Ag–PAH]+, [Ag + OH + PAH]+, [Ag(PAH)2]+, and [PAH + O2]+ were used to differentiate the PAH isomers sharing the same molecular formula with different structures. For isomeric mixtures the [PAH]+ to [Ag + OH + PAH]+ ratio was found to be the most useful parameter. The uncertainty in the mole fraction of an isomeric mixture was ±0.09, ±0.13, ±0.25, and ±0.1 for phenanthrene‐anthracene, fluoranthene‐pyrene, benz[a]anthracene‐chrysene, and benzo[a]pyrene‐benzo[k]fluoranthene, respectively.CONCLUSIONSA simple method has been developed for the detection of PAHs in desorption electrospray ionization mass spectrometry based on Ag(I) cationization. The method showed a capability to differentiate PAHs isomers (having the same molecular mass) in isomeric mixture with an uncertainty in the mole fraction of about ±0.1. At high inlet temperature and voltage, this method showed better sensitivity but less ability to differentiate between isomeric species. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Dead‐time correction for time‐of‐flight secondary‐ion mass spectral images: a critical issue in multivariate image analysis
Authors: Tyler Bonnie J. , Peterson Richard E. 
Published: July 2012

AbstractDead‐time effects result in a non‐linear detector response in the common time‐of‐flight secondary‐ion mass spectrometry instruments. This can result in image artifacts that can often be misinterpreted. Although the Poisson correction procedure has been shown to effectively eliminate this non‐linearity in spectra, applying the correction to images presents difficulties because the low number of counts per pixel can create large statistical errors. The efficacy of three approaches to dead‐time correction in images has been explored. These approaches include: pixel binning, image segmentation and a binomial statistical correction. When few pixels are fully saturated, all three approaches work satisfactorily. When a large number of pixels are fully saturated, the statistical approach fails to remove the dead‐time artifacts revealed by multivariate analysis. Pixel binning is accurate at higher levels of saturation so long as the bin size is much smaller than the feature size. The segmentation approach works well independent of feature size or the number of fully saturated pixels but requires an accurate segmentation algorithm. It is recommended that images be collected under conditions that minimize the number of fully saturated pixels. When this is impractical and small features are present in the image, segmentation can provide an accurate way to correct for the detector saturation effect. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Estimating changes in emissions from bus rapid transit: making best use of transport sector experience
Authors: Sayeg Philip , Bray David 
Published: July 2012

AbstractBus rapid transit (BRT) systems have been implemented in the last 30 years in Europe, Latin America, Oceania, United Kingdom, Asia, and North America to provide improved levels of public transport service. The associated benefits of reduced greenhouse gas emissions and energy consumption have been increasingly recognized. The clean development mechanism (CDM) provides two approved methodologies for estimating and verifying reduced greenhouse gas emissions due to modal switch induced by BRT. However, the methods do not fully account for established transport sector experience on the complexities of forecasting and measuring the direct and induced changes in travel behavior. Incorporation of relevant experience from the transport sector would lead to improved methods for ex ante estimation of changes in emissions and energy consumption. Similarly, by focusing on the key factors that influence emissions and energy consumption, verification procedures could be made more relevant and efficient. Transport sector experience also indicates limitations in the approach used to derive the baseline case in the CDM methodologies (i.e., the situation that would have been the case without the project). Current CDM methodologies also do not distinguish between vehicle drivers and passengers when considering the impact of a switch from private vehicles, and do not adequately take account of the changes in location and travel behavior that could occur. These limitations, which are equally applicable to other rapid transit improvement projects, are reviewed, and examples are given of the extent of misestimation that could occur. Consideration is also given to improved methodologies. The benefits of learnings from the transport sector are illustrated.This article is categorized under:

Energy Efficiency > Economics and Policy
Energy Policy and Planning > Economics and Policy
Energy and Development > Economics and Policy
Energy and Development > Climate and Environment
Offshore wind—an overview
Authors: MacAskill Allan , Mitchell Paul 
Published: July 2012

In this article, the state of the art technology developments and challenges that need to be overcome as the emerging offshore wind industry matures over the coming decade to become a significant source of electricity generation are discussed. A brief summary of the history and drivers of the offshore wind industry is provided followed by more detailed analysis of the current market, focusing on the major developments in Northwest Europe. The offshore wind industry is in the process of shifting from shallow water, near shore projects, to deeper water projects, much farther from shore. This has necessitated the development of larger turbines, a range of substructures, and more advanced installation techniques. The primary components constituting an offshore windfarm—turbines, foundations, substructures, electrical and transmission infrastructure, installation, and operations and maintenance—are analyzed and the opportunities for improvements in both technology and productivity within each component are presented. Technical advances in turbines, substructures, vessels, and the electrical infrastructure will allow larger turbines to be constructed and deployed. These, combined with productivity improvements gained through serial production in manufacturing and construction, represent the most significant ways in which the industry will advance in the future.This article is categorized under:

Wind Power > Systems and Infrastructure
Masquelet's procedure and bone morphogenetic protein in congenital pseudarthrosis of the tibia in children: A case series and meta-analysis
Authors: Dohin Bruno , Kohler Remi 
Published: July 2012

Purpose A type 2 recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein (rhBMP2) and Masquelet's procedure were used in three children presenting with congenital pseudarthrosis of the tibia (CPT). Recent studies on CPT suggested the presence in situ of pathologic tissues promoting pseudarthrosis. The authors hypothesized that large segmental resection of pseudarthrosis could improve prognosis of the CPT. Masquelet's procedure and rhBMP2 have been advocated for the treatment of long bone defect. Method The authors report three cases of CPT in children treated with Masquelet's procedure and application of rhBMP2. They analyzed all published cases of CPT similarly treated. Results In the present study, Masquelet's procedure did not improve the results in the treatment of CPT, but segmental bone reconstruction was possible. Bone healing was obtained in three out of the five applications of rhBMP2. In one case, the patient's parents asked for leg amputation. Analysis of the 33 published cases with the application of BMP in CPT points to a 62 % healing rate in this pathology. Conclusion The authors confirmed that segmental bone reconstruction is possible in CPT using Masquelet's procedure. In the literature, the success rate of the application of rhBMP in CPT appears to be lower than the healing rate usually reported without BMP. Nevertheless, the strict selection of patients, limited number of cases, and their heterogeneity make interpreting the results difficult. However, the theoretical risk which the children are exposed to during the use of BMP makes rigorous selection of the indications necessary. Finally, the interest of rhBMP2 application in Masquelet's procedure remained to be proven.
Seroepidemiology ofStrongyloides stercoralisin Dhaka, Bangladesh
Authors: SULTANA YASMIN , GILBERT GWENDOLYN L. , AHMED BE-NAZIR , LEE ROGAN 
Published: July 2012

SUMMARYHuman strongyloidiasis is a neglected tropical disease with global distribution and this infection is caused by the parasitic nematodeStrongyloides stercoralis. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of strongyloidiasis in Dhaka, Bangladesh. Sera from 1004 residents from a slum (group A) and 299 from city dwellers (group B) were tested for total IgG and IgG subclasses toStrongyloidesantigen. There was a significant difference (P < 0·001) in IgG seroprevalence between group A (22%) and group B (5%). Reactive IgG subclasses (IgG1 and IgG4) were also higher in group A (P < 0·05). The seroprevalence of strongyloidiasis in group A increased with age but was unrelated to sex. The presence of reactive IgG toStrongyloidesantigen had no correlation with either socio-economic or personal hygiene factors. However, a history of diarrhoea in a family member, in the past 6 months, but not in the respondents was associated with detection of antibodies toS. stercoralis(P < 0·01). None of the sera from either group had an HTLV-I reaction. This study demonstrates that strongyloidiasis is prevalent in Dhaka, especially among slum dwellers, but concurrent infection with HTLV-I was not found. Future epidemiological studies should identify individual risk factors and other communities at risk so that appropriate interventions can be planned.
Horizontal transmission of Thelohania contejeani in the endangered white-clawed (Austropotamobius pallipes) and the invasive signal crayfish (Pacifastacus leniusculus)
Authors: IMHOFF EMILY M. , MORTIMER ROBERT J. G. , CHRISTMAS MARTIN , DUNN ALISON M. 
Published: July 2012

SUMMARYThe microsporidian parasite Thelohania contejeani causes porcelain disease and has been implicated in mass mortalities in populations of the endangered European crayfish Austropotamobius pallipes. However, the route of parasite transmission is not known. This paper investigates the horizontal transmission of T. contejeani between A. pallipes hosts as well as its transmissibility to the invasive signal crayfish (Pacifastacus leniusculus). Field collected juvenile A. pallipes and P. leniusculus were assigned to 1 of 3 experimental treatments; fed heavily infected A. pallipes tissue, exposed to water from tanks housing heavily parasitized A. pallipes, and a control group to provide an estimate of the baseline infection levels in the field. After 26 weeks, abdominal muscle samples were screened by PCR for T. contejeani. Infection was significantly higher in the treatment groups (83% in the cannibalism treatment, 42% in the water exposure treatment) than in the control group (4%), providing evidence for horizontal transmission of the parasite between A. pallipes hosts. Cannibalism and scavenging are common amongst crayfish, providing transmission opportunities in the field. The study also provides the first direct evidence for transmission of the parasite from an indigenous European crayfish species to the invasive signal crayfish, with 50% of P. leniusculus in each treatment, and 8% of control animals infected. We discuss the possibility that high density populations of the invasive signal crayfish may serve either as reservoirs or sinks for the parasite.
Integrating the landscape epidemiology and genetics of RNA viruses: rabies in domestic dogs as a model
Authors: BRUNKER K. , HAMPSON K. , HORTON D. L. , BIEK R. 
Published: July 2012

SUMMARYLandscape epidemiology and landscape genetics combine advances in molecular techniques, spatial analyses and epidemiological models to generate a more real-world understanding of infectious disease dynamics and provide powerful new tools for the study of RNA viruses. Using dog rabies as a model we have identified how key questions regarding viral spread and persistence can be addressed using a combination of these techniques. In contrast to wildlife rabies, investigations into the landscape epidemiology of domestic dog rabies requires more detailed assessment of the role of humans in disease spread, including the incorporation of anthropogenic landscape features, human movements and socio-cultural factors into spatial models. In particular, identifying and quantifying the influence of anthropogenic features on pathogen spread and measuring the permeability of dispersal barriers are important considerations for planning control strategies, and may differ according to cultural, social and geographical variation across countries or continents. Challenges for dog rabies research include the development of metapopulation models and transmission networks using genetic information to uncover potential source/sink dynamics and identify the main routes of viral dissemination. Information generated from a landscape genetics approach will facilitate spatially strategic control programmes that accommodate for heterogeneities in the landscape and therefore utilise resources in the most cost-effective way. This can include the efficient placement of vaccine barriers, surveillance points and adaptive management for large-scale control programmes.
Cicero's ‘Response of the haruspices’ and the Voice of the Gods
Authors: Beard Mary 
Published: July 2012

AbstractThis article explores the religious importance of Cicero's De Haruspicum Responso against the background of prodigy-handling in Republican Rome. Comparing the prodigy in question to an ‘auditory epiphany’, it argues that key issues raised by the speech include the nature of the divine voice, the relationship of the prodigious ‘rumbling and clattering’ to the gods themselves, and the ambiguous temporalities implied by Roman practices of divination. The article also suggests that De Haruspicum Responso proposes a significant overlap between religious and political speech, and it questions the radical split often assumed between the religious ideology of Cicero's philosophical and his more ‘public’ works.
Bangladesh anthrax outbreaks are probably caused by contaminated livestock feed
Authors: FASANELLA A. , GAROFOLO G. , HOSSAIN M. J. , SHAMSUDDIN M. , BLACKBURN J. K. , HUGH-JONES M. 
Published: July 2012

SUMMARYIn Bangladesh from 1 July to 30 September 2010 there were 104 animal cases of anthrax and 607 associated human cases. This investigation was conducted in Sirajganj district in December 2010, on eight farms where animal cases had occurred.Bacillus anthraciswas recovered from soil samples and turbinate bones on six farms. Canonical single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) analysis showed that all the isolates belonged to the major lineage A, sublineage A.Br.001/002 of China and South East Asia while a multilocus variable-number tandem-repeat (VNTR) analysis (MLVA) with 15 VNTRs demonstrated three unique genotypes. The single nucleotide repeat (SNR) analyses showed two SNR types in 97 out of 99 isolates; nevertheless, due to its higher discriminatory power the presence of two isolates with different SNR-type polymorphisms were detected within two MLVA genotypes. The epidemic occurred during the monsoon season, a time of extensive flooding, suggesting that the source was contaminated feed, not grazing, which is supported by the genetic variance.
Years of potential life lost for six major enteric pathogens, Germany, 2004–2008
Authors: WERBER D. , HILLE K. , FRANK C. , DEHNERT M. , ALTMANN D. , MÜLLER-NORDHORN J. , KOCH J. , STARK K. 
Published: July 2012

SUMMARYIn industrialized countries, acute infectious enteric diseases are usually mild, but they can also cause death. They do so, however, at different ages. Using 2004–2008 German notification data, we computed and compared crude and premature mortality [three different measures of years of potential life lost (YPLL)] of illnesses caused by Campylobacter spp., Listeria monocytogenes, norovirus, rotavirus, non-typhoidal Salmonella spp., and Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC). Among ∼1·5 million notified illnesses, those caused by norovirus were the most frequent. The highest annual mortality was registered for salmonellosis (0·55/1 000 000 population), but listeriosis accounted for the highest number of YPLL (n=4245). Disregarding death at advanced age (i.e. >70 years), STEC illness (n=757) and rotavirus gastroenteritis (n=648) ranked second and third, following listeriosis (n=2306). Routine surveillance captures only a fraction of all incident cases and deaths, under-ascertaining the true burden of disease. Weighting death by age permits a different view on the disease burden individual enteric pathogens cause and particularly underscores the public health importance of listeriosis prevention.
A case of neonatal Marfan syndrome with good late follow-up: is it possible to avoid an early unfavourable outcome?
Authors: Brito-Filho Sérgio L. S. , Oporto Victor , Campos Orlando , Álvares Ana B. , Carvalho Antonio C. 
Published: July 2012

AbstractWe report a case of a child with neonatal Marfan syndrome who was submitted for clinical and surgical treatment with good late outcome 9 years after the first cardiac operation.
Aorta–right atrial tunnel closure using the transcatheter technique: a case of a 3-year-old child
Authors: Baykan Ali , Narin Nazmi , Ozyurt Abdullah , Uzum Kazim 
Published: July 2012

AbstractAorta–right atrial tunnel is a rare congenital defect. If it is not treated, critical complications can occur. Surgical closure is the treatment of choice, but with increasing experience in transcatheter techniques and the introduction of new occluder devices the percutaneous technique is now a successful modality for closure. In this paper, we report the case of a 3-year-old child with aorta–right atrial tunnel whose defect was closed with the vascular plug 4 device.
Cardiac troponin I after cardiopulmonary bypass in infants in comparison with older children
Authors: Gupta-Malhotra Monesha , Kern Jeffrey H. , Flynn Patrick A. , Schiller Myles S. , Quaegebeur Jan M. , Friedman Deborah M. 
Published: July 2012

AbstractObjectiveAt the present time, there is a trend towards performing open heart surgery at a younger age. Myocardium of infants has been thought to be more vulnerable to cardiopulmonary bypass in comparison with adults. For this study, we evaluated the degree of myocardial injury by measurement of cardiac troponin levels in infants in comparison with older children for similar surgeries.MethodsSerum was collected before bypass, after bypass, and daily after surgery and serum cardiac troponin I level (micrograms per litre). The demographic data, cardiac diagnoses, types of surgery performed, and peri-operative parameters were collected.ResultsOf the 21 children enrolled consecutively, five were infants. Among the 21 patients, four patients had post-operative peak troponin values greater than 100 (three were infants) and all four patients survived and had normal left ventricular systolic function upon discharge echocardiogram. The five infants had peak troponin levels of 222.3, 202, 129, 26.7, and 82.3. The post-operative peak troponin levels were significantly higher in infants (mean 132.5 with a standard deviation of 81.6) than in the older children (mean 40.3 with a standard deviation of 33.4), although there was no significant difference in bypass time, bypass temperature, cross-clamp time, or the length of stay in the intensive care unit between the two age groups.ConclusionsHigher troponin release is seen in infants in comparison with older children after bypass for similar surgeries. A troponin level greater than 100 after bypass does not necessarily predict death or a severe cardiovascular event in the very young.
UniMoG—a unifying framework for genomic distance calculation and sorting based on DCJ
Authors: Hilker Rolf , Sickinger Corinna , Pedersen Christian N.S. , Stoye Jens 
Published: July 2012

AbstractSummary: UniMoG is a software combining five genome rearrangement models: double cut and join (DCJ), restricted DCJ, Hannenhalli and Pevzner (HP), inversion and translocation. It can compute the pairwise genomic distances and a corresponding optimal sorting scenario for an arbitrary number of genomes. All five models can be unified through the DCJ model, thus the implementation is based on DCJ and, where reasonable, uses the most efficient existing algorithms for each distance and sorting problem. Both textual and graphical output is possible for visualizing the operations.Availability and implementation: The software is available through the Bielefeld University Bioinformatics Web Server at http://bibiserv.techfak.uni-bielefeld.de/dcj with instructions and example data.Contact: rhilker@cebitec.uni-bielefeld.de
Cell-Dock: high-performance protein–protein docking
Authors: Pons Carles , Jiménez-González Daniel , González-Álvarez Cecilia , Servat Harald , Cabrera-Benítez Daniel , Aguilar Xavier , Fernández-Recio Juan 
Published: July 2012

Abstract
Summary: The application of docking to large-scale experiments or the explicit treatment of protein flexibility are part of the new challenges in structural bioinformatics that will require large computer resources and more efficient algorithms. Highly optimized fast Fourier transform (FFT) approaches are broadly used in docking programs but their optimal code implementation leaves hardware acceleration as the only option to significantly reduce the computational cost of these tools. In this work we present Cell-Dock, an FFT-based docking algorithm adapted to the Cell BE processor. We show that Cell-Dock runs faster than FTDock with maximum speedups of above 200×, while achieving results of similar quality.
Availability and implementation: The source code is released under GNU General Public License version 2 and can be downloaded from http://mmb.pcb.ub.es/~cpons/Cell-Dock.
Contact: djimenez@ac.upc.edu or juanf@bsc.es
Supplementary Information: Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.