bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Budget of N2O emissions at the watershed scale: role of land cover and topography (the Orgeval basin, France)
Authors: Vilain G. , Garnier J. , Passy P. , Silvestre M. , Billen G.
Published: March 2012

Abstract. Agricultural basins are the major source of N2O emissions, with arable land accounting for half of the biogenic emissions worldwide. Moreover, N2O emission strongly depends on the position of agricultural land in relation with topographical gradients, as footslope soils are often more prone to denitrification. The estimation of land surface area occupied by agricultural soils depends on the available spatial input information and resolution. Surface areas of grassland, forest and arable lands were estimated for the Orgeval sub-basin using two cover representations: the pan European CORINE Land Cover 2006 database (CLC 2006) and a combination of two databases produced by the IAU IDF (Institut d'Aménagement et d'Urbanisme de la Région d'Île-de-France), the MOS (Mode d'Occupation des Sols) combined with the ECOMOS 2000 (a land-use classification). In this study, we have analyzed how different land-cover representations influence and introduce errors into the results of regional N2O emissions inventories. A further introduction of the topography concept was used to better identify the critical zones for N2O emissions, a crucial issue to better adapt the strategies of N2O emissions mitigation. Overall, we observed that a refinement of the land-cover database led to a 5 % decrease in the estimation of N2O emissions, while the integration of the topography decreased the estimation of N2O emissions up to 25 %.
Inverse method for estimating respiration rates from decay time series
Authors: Forney D. C. , Rothman D. H.
Published: March 2012

Abstract. Long-term organic matter decomposition experiments typically measure the mass lost from decaying organic matter as a function of time. These experiments can provide information about the dynamics of carbon dioxide input to the atmosphere and controls on natural respiration processes. Decay slows down with time, suggesting that organic matter is composed of components (pools) with varied lability. Yet it is unclear how the appropriate rates, sizes, and number of pools vary with organic matter type, climate, and ecosystem. To better understand these relations, it is necessary to properly extract the decay rates from decomposition data. Here we present a regularized inverse method to identify an optimally-fitting distribution of decay rates associated with a decay time series. We motivate our study by first evaluating a standard, direct inversion of the data. The direct inversion identifies a discrete distribution of decay rates, where mass is concentrated in just a small number of discrete pools. It is consistent with identifying the best fitting "multi-pool" model, without prior assumption of the number of pools. However we find these multi-pool solutions are not robust to noise and are over-parametrized. We therefore introduce a method of regularized inversion, which identifies the solution which best fits the data but not the noise. This method shows that the data are described by a continuous distribution of rates which we find is well approximated by a lognormal distribution, and consistent with the idea that decomposition results from a continuum of processes at different rates. The ubiquity of the lognormal distribution suggest that decay may be simply described by just two parameters; a mean and a variance of log rates. We conclude by describing a procedure that estimates these two lognormal parameters from decay data. Matlab codes for all numerical methods and procedures are provided.
Sedimentary phosphorus and iron cycling in and below the oxygen minimum zone of the northern Arabian Sea
Authors: Kraal P. , Slomp C. P. , Reed D. C. , Reichart G.-J. , Poulton S. W.
Published: March 2012

Abstract. In this study, we investigate phosphorus (P) and iron (Fe) cycling in sediments along a depth transect from within to well below the oxygen minimum zone (OMZ) in the northern Arabian Sea (Murray Ridge). Pore-water and solid-phase analyses show that authigenic formation of calcium phosphate minerals (Ca-P) is largely restricted to where the OMZ intersects the seafloor topography, likely due to higher depositional fluxes of reactive P. Nonetheless, increased ratios of organic carbon to organic P (Corg/Porg) and to total reactive P (Corg/Preactive) in surface sediments indicate that the overall burial efficiency of P relative to Corg decreases under the low bottom water oxygen concentrations (BWO) in the OMZ. The relatively constant Fe/Al ratio in surface sediments along the depth transect suggest that corresponding changes in Fe burial are limited. Sedimentary pyrite contents are low throughout the ~25-cm sediment cores at most stations, as commonly observed in the Arabian Sea OMZ. However, pyrite is an important sink for reactive Fe at one station in the OMZ. A reactive transport model (RTM) was applied to quantitatively investigate P and Fe diagenesis at an intermediate station at the lower boundary of the OMZ (bottom water O2: ~14 μ mol l−1). The RTM results contrast with earlier findings in showing that Fe redox cycling can control authigenic apatite formation and P burial in Arabian Sea sediment. In addition, results suggest that a large fraction of the sedimentary Ca-P is not authigenic, but is instead deposited from the water column and buried. Dust is likely a major source of this Ca-P. Inclusion of the unreactive Ca-P pool in the Corg/P ratio leads to an overestimation of the burial efficiency of reactive P relative to Corg along the depth transect. Moreover, the unreactive Ca-P accounts for ~85% of total Ca-P burial. In general, our results reveal large differences in P and Fe chemistry between stations in the OMZ, indicating dynamic sedimentary conditions under these oxygen-depleted waters.
Degradation state of organic matter in surface sediments from the Beaufort Shelf: a lipid approach
Authors: Rontani J.-F. , Charriere B. , Petit M. , Vaultier F. , Heipieper H. J. , Link H. , Chaillou G. , Sempéré R.
Published: March 2012

Abstract. The lipid content of surface sediments collected on the Beaufort Shelf was examined. Particular attention was given to biotic and abiotic degradation products of sterols and monounsaturated fatty acids. By using sitosterol and campesterol degradation products as tracers of the degradation of terrestrial higher plant inputs and brassicasterol degradation products as tracers of degradation of phytoplanktonic organisms, it could be observed that autoxidation, photooxidation and biodegradation processes act much more intensively on higher plant debris than on phytoplanktonic organisms. Examination of oxidation products of monounsaturated fatty acids showed that photo- and autoxidation processes act more intensively on bacteria than on phytodetritus. Enhanced damages induced by singlet oxygen (transferred from senescent phytoplanktonic cells) in bacteria were attributed to the lack of an adapted antioxidant system in these microorganisms. The strong oxidative stress observed in the sampled sediments resulted in the production of significant amounts of epoxyacids and unusually very high proportions of monounsaturated fatty acids with a trans double bond. The formation of epoxyacids was attributed to peroxygenases (enzymes playing a protective role against the deleterious effects of fatty acid hydroperoxides in vivo), while cis/trans isomerization was probably induced by thiyl radicals produced during the reaction of thiols with hydroperoxides. Our results confirm the important role played by abiotic oxidative processes in the degradation of marine bacteria and do not support the generally expected refractory character of terrigenous material deposited in deltaic systems.
The regional aerosol-climate model REMO-HAM
Authors: Pietikäinen J.-P. , O'Donnell D. , Teichmann C. , Karstens U. , Pfeifer S. , Kazil J. , Podzun R. , Fiedler S. , Kokkola H. , Birmili W. , O'Dowd C. , Baltensperger U. , Weingartner E. , Gehrig R. , Spindler G. , Kulmala M. , Feichter J. , Jacob D. , Laaksonen A.
Published: March 2012

Abstract. REMO-HAM is a new regional aerosol-climate model. It is based on the REMO regional climate model and includes all of the major aerosol processes. The structure for aerosol is similar to the global aerosol-climate model ECHAM5-HAM, for example the aerosol module HAM-M7 has been coupled with a two-moment stratiform cloud scheme. In this work, we have evaluated the model and compared the results against ECHAM5-HAM and measurements. Four different measurement sites was chosen for the comparison of total number concentrations, size distributions and gas phase sulfur dioxide concentrations: Hyytiälä in Finland, Melpitz in Germany, Mace Head in Ireland and Jungfraujoch in Switzerland. REMO-HAM is run with two different resolutions: 50×50 km2 and 10×10 km2. Based on our simulations, REMO-HAM can represent the measured values reasonably well. The total number concentrations are slightly underestimated, which is probably due to the missing boundary layer nucleation and online secondary organic aerosol model. The differences in the total number concentrations between REMO-HAM and ECHAM5-HAM can be mainly explained by the difference in the nucleation mode. From the meteorological point of view, REMO-HAM represents the precipitation fields and 2 m temperature profile very well compared to measurement. Overall, we have shown that REMO-HAM is a functional aerosol-climate model, which will be used in further studies.
Coherence and predictability of extreme events in irregular waves
Authors: Latifah A. L. , van Groesen E.
Published: March 2012

Abstract. This paper concerns the description and the predictability of a freak event when at a certain position information in the form of a time signal is given. The prediction will use the phase information for an estimate of the position and time of the occurrence of a large wave, and to predict the measure of phase coherence at the estimated focussing position. The coherence and the spectrum will determine an estimate for the amplitude. After adjusting for second order nonlinear effects, together this then provides an estimate of the form of a possible freak wave in the time signal, which will be described by a pseudo-maximal signal. In the exceptional case of a fully coherent signal, it can be described well by a so-called maximal signal. We give four cases of freak waves for which we compare results of predictions with available measured (and simulated) results by nonlinear AB-equation (van Groesen and Andonowati, 2007; van Groesen et al., 2010). The first case deals with dispersive focussing, for which all phases are (designed to be) very coherent at position and time of focussing; this wave is nearly a maximal wave. The second case is the Draupner wave, for which the signal turns out to be recorded very close to its maximal wave height. It is less coherent but can be described in a good approximation as a pseudo-maximal wave. The last two cases are irregular waves which were measured at MARIN (Maritime Research Institute Netherlands); in a time trace of more than 1000 waves freak-like waves appeared "accidentally". Although the highest wave is less coherent than the other two cases, this maximal crest can still be approximated by a pseudo-maximal wave.
In a Porcine Model of Mixed Acidemia HES 130/0.4 May Support More Stable Hemodynamics during CVVH when Compared to Gelatine
Authors: Keckel Tobias , Russ Martin , Bedarf Janis R. , Ott Sascha , Hiebl Bernhard , Haacke Nadine , Wagner Johanna J. , Unger Juliane K.
Published: March 2012

Purpose

Continuous veno-venous hemofiltration (CVVH) and mixed acidemia often occur simultaneously in critically ill patients. In a previous study in non-acidemic pigs we found that colloids and CVVH interact specifically with respect to hemodynamic stability, with favorable effects for 6% HES 130/0.4 versus 4% gelatine (GEL) infusion. In a porcine model, we investigated whether these colloid-type associated differences are still dominant under acidemic conditions.

Methods

We utilized 5 groups, a non-acidemic reference group receiving HES130 and CVVH; two acidemic groups receiving HES130 infusion (one with and one without CVVH); and two acidemic groups receiving GEL infusion (one with and one without CVVH). Mixed acidemia (pH ∼7.20) was established by low tidal volume ventilation and acid infusion. Stable acidemia/CVVH application was maintained for 3 hours. Hemodynamics and blood gases were recorded.

Results

Mixed acidemia led to a significant decrease in MAP and increase in MPAP in all groups. CVVH led to a further decrease in MAP but improved MPAP. During CVVH, HES130 ensured significantly higher MAP, Hb, and DO2 values than GEL infusion. In the groups without CVVH these differences between HES 130/0.4 and GEL were not observed.

Conclusions

As in a previous study in non-acidemic pigs, we found a colloid-specific influence of HES130 versus GEL on hemodynamics during CVVH under acidemia. Again, HES130 infusion may lead to favorable effects. In contrast, acidemia without CVVH application was dominant over the impact of a respective colloid. The application of a CVVH seems to be an important trigger for the overall circulatory response to a particular colloid.
Identifying Future Risks to UK Agricultural Crop Production
Authors: Knox Jerry , Morris Joe , Hess Tim
Published: March 2012

Internationally, agriculture is widely regarded as one of the sectors at most risk from a changing climate. This is due to the impact of increased temperatures, reduced rainfall and increased frequency of extreme events, not only in the tropics but also in temperate environments. In the UK, growers also face a range of ‘non-climate’ risks, which, it is often argued, present a potentially greater and more immediate threat to sustainable food production than climate change. This paper highlights the climate and non-climate impacts on crop production, the adaptation options and the institutional and regulatory barriers to their uptake by farmers. It concludes that there are likely to be both positive impacts (for example, yield gains) and negative impacts (for example, increased water stress). Either way, there will be a need for new investments in adaptive management and technology, including new collaborations between the public and private sectors, to enable UK agriculture to respond to the potential effects of climate change.
The Diversity Issue Revisited: International Students in Clinical Environment
Authors: Pitkäjärvi Marianne , Eriksson Elina , Pitkälä Kaisu
Published: March 2012

Background. Globalization within higher education leads to an increase in cultural and linguistic diversity in student populations. The purpose of this study was to explore culturally diverse health care students’ experiences in clinical environment in Finland, and to compare them with those of native Finnish students’ participating in the same program. Method. A cross-sectional survey was performed at 10 polytechnic faculties of health care in Finland. 283 respondents (148 international and 95 Finnish students) responded to items concerning clinical rotation. The survey included items grouped as dimensions: (1) welcoming clinical environment, (2) unsupportive clinical environment, (3) approach to cultural diversity, (4) communication, and (5) structural arrangements. Results. International students felt as welcome on their placements as Finnish students. Concerning structural arrangements set up to facilitate preceptorship and approach to cultural diversity in the learning environment, the two groups’ opinions were similar. However, international students were more likely than Finnish students to experience their clinical learning environment as unsupportive (). In addition, their experiences of communication with the staff was poorer than that of their Finnish peers’ (). Conclusions. Awareness of strategies that enhance understanding, acceptance, and appreciation of cultural and linguistic diversity in any health care setting are needed.
Breeding Bird Relationships to Landscape Metrics in Coastal Plain Georgia
Authors: Hanberry Brice B. , Demarais Stephen , Jones Jeanne C.
Published: March 2012

Some avian species in the southeastern United States are declining, and population decreases may arise from changes in vegetation type area or structural condition. Our objective was to compare abundance of conservation priority bird species with landscape variables. We found, even in the highly forested Coastal Plain of Georgia, that areal extent and core area of cover types were related to abundance for certain bird species. Acadian flycatcher and field sparrow had models that incorporated positive area variables. Downy woodpecker, northern parula, orchard oriole, prairie warbler, and summer tanager had models that included positive area and edge associations with varying scales and vegetation types. Edge appeared in models for red-bellied woodpecker, blue jay, and brown-headed cowbird. More than half of all species did not have models that met prediction thresholds. Systematic assessment of area requirements for declining species provides information for management, conservation, and research.
The Spherical Boundary and Volume Growth
Authors: Buckley Stephen M. , Kokkendorff Simon L.
Published: March 2012

We consider the spherical boundary, a conformal boundary using a special class of conformal distortions. We prove that certain bounds on volume growth of suitable metric measure spaces imply that the spherical boundary is “small” (in cardinality or dimension) and give examples to show that the reverse implications fail. We also show that the spherical boundary of an annular convex proper length space consists of a single point. This result applies to l2-products of length spaces, since we prove that a natural metric, generalizing such “norm-like” product metrics on a (possibly infinite) product of unbounded length spaces, is annular convex.
An Endoreversible Thermodynamic Model Applied to the Convective Zone of the Sun
Authors: Ortuño-Araujo J. , Barranco-Jiménez M. A. , Zsargo Janos , Angulo-Brown F.
Published: March 2012

Within the context of finite-time thermodynamics (FTTs) some models of convective atmospheric cells have been proposed to calculate the efficiency of the conversion of solar energy into wind energy and also for calculating the surface temperature of the planets of the solar system. One of these models is the Gordon and Zarmi (GZ) model, which consists in taking the sun-earth-wind system as a FTT-cyclic heat engine where the heat input is solar radiation, the working fluid is the earth's atmosphere and the energy in the winds is the work produced. The cold reservoir to which the engine rejects heat is the 3 K surrounding universe. In the present work we apply the GZ-model to investigate some features of the convective zone of the sun by means of a possible structure of successive convective cells along the well-established convective region of the sun. That is, from 0.714 RS up to RS being RS the radius of the sun. Besides, we estimate the number of cells of the model, the possible size of the cells, their thermal efficiency, and also their average power output. Our calculations were made by means of two FTT regimes of performance: the maximum power regime and the maximum ecological function regime. Our results are in reasonable agreement with others reported in the literature.
Structure and mechanical properties of low‐density polyethylene/spherical silica nanocomposites prepared by melt mixing: The joint action of silica's size, functionality, and compatibilizer
Authors: Jeziórska Regina , Świerz‐Motysia Barbara , Zielecka Maria , Szadkowska Agnieszka , Studziński Maciej
Published: March 2012

Low‐density polyethylene/spherical silica (LDPE/SGS) nanocomposites, containing 1, 2, and 6 wt % neat and modified (having amine functional groups) silica nanoparticles, were prepared by melt mixing using a twin‐screw corotating extruder. To improve the dispersion degree of the nanoparticles, glicydyl methacrylate grafted ethylene/n‐octene copolymer (EOR‐g‐GMA) containing 0.6 wt % GMA was used as a compatibilizer. It was observed that mechanical properties such as tensile strength, Young's modulus, and impact strength increase and are mainly affected by the loading and size of silica nanoparticles as well as by the EOR‐g‐GMA. The addition of modified silica and EOR‐g‐GMA resulted in a further enhancement of mechanical properties due to the improved interfacial adhesion. Storage and loss modulus values of prepared nanocomposites measured by dynamic‐mechanical thermal analysis were sensitive to the microstructure of the nanocomposites. Higher storage and loss modulus are evidence that the nanocomposites became stiffer. By adding the modified silica and EOR‐g‐GMA further increase in storage and loss modulus were observed due to the better dispersion of silica nanoparticles and increased compatibility between silica and the LDPE matrix. Both permitted a much more efficient transfer of stress from the polymer matrix to the silica nanoparticles. The improved barrier properties of all nanocomposites can also be mentioned as a positive effect. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2012
Identifying mangrove areas for fisheries enhancement; population assessment in a patchy habitat
Authors: Lebata Ma. Junemie Hazel , Walton Mark E. , Biñas Joseph B. , Primavera Jurgenne H. , Vay Lewis Le
Published: March 2012

Small‐scale fisheries are an important element of the ecosystem goods and services that mangrove habitats provide, especially to poorer coastal communities that rely most on natural resources, and have similar values to payments for ecosystem services (PES) under carbon‐trading schemes.

In advance of fishery‐enhancement trials for the mud crab Scylla olivacea, a mark–recapture study was conducted to estimate population size and turnover in 50 ha of isolated mangrove on Panay Island, Philippines. A total of 811 crabs were released in six sessions with an overall recapture rate of 41.5 ± 3.6%. Population size ranged from 607–1637 individuals.

There was a high degree of site‐fidelity, with 45.5% of recaptures in the same sampling areas as releases. Total mortality was 0.79 month‐1, with fishing mortality accounting for 95% of overall mortality.

Von Bertalanffy and Gompertz growth models yielded estimates for L∞ (carapace width) of 117.3 ± 14.7 and 110.6 ± 2.1 mm and for k of 2.16 ± 0.74 and 3.25 ± 0.81, respectively. Crab densities of 12–33 individuals ha‐1 in the study area were lower than in other mangrove systems owing to intermittent recruitment, while growth rates indicated no limitation in terms of food supply.

The study demonstrates that in specific mangrove habitats that are below carrying capacity, there is potential for fisheries enhancement to sustain or increase direct economic benefits from mangrove ecosystems and hence promote community engagement in broader conservation and PES initiatives.

Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
“Feeling” others' painful actions: The sensorimotor integration of pain and action information
Authors: Morrison India , Tipper Steve P. , Fenton‐Adams Wendy L. , Bach Patric
Published: March 2012

Sensorimotor regions of the brain have been implicated in simulation processes such as action understanding and empathy, but their functional role in these processes remains unspecified. We used functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) to demonstrate that postcentral sensorimotor cortex integrates action and object information to derive the sensory outcomes of observed hand–object interactions. When subjects viewed others' hands grasping or withdrawing from objects that were either painful or nonpainful, distinct sensorimotor subregions emerged as showing preferential responses to different aspects of the stimuli: object information (noxious vs. innocuous), action information (grasps vs. withdrawals), and painful action outcomes (painful grasps vs. all other conditions). Activation in the latter region correlated with subjects' ratings of how painful each object would be to touch and their previous experience with the object. Viewing others' painful grasps also biased behavioral responses to actual tactile stimulation, a novel effect not seen for auditory control stimuli. Somatosensory cortices, including primary somatosensory areas 1/3b and 2 and parietal area PF, may therefore subserve somatomotor simulation processes by integrating action and object information to anticipate the sensory consequences of observed hand–object interactions. Hum Brain Mapp, 2013. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Influence of preoxidizing treatments on the preparation of iron‐containing activated carbons for catalytic wet peroxide oxidation of phenol
Authors: Martínez Fernando , Pariente M. Isabel , Botas Juan Ángel , Melero Juan Antonio , Rubalcaba Alicia
Published: March 2012

BACKGROUND: Iron species were heterogeneously supported over activated carbons (AC) after different oxidizing pre‐treatments. The influence of the oxidizing method on the iron yield and the physicochemical properties of the iron‐containing activated carbons (Fe/AC) were studied. Thereafter, the activity and stability of Fe/AC catalysts for the wet peroxide oxidation of phenol as model pollutant was evaluated.

RESULTS: The pre‐oxidizing treatment with HNO3 was the most appropriate for iron incorporation, providing a Fe/AC catalyst with the highest TOC removal and oxidant efficiency. A high stability of the catalysts was observed with low values of iron leaching (below 1.5% of their initial iron contents). The best Fe/AC catalyst was studied at different reaction temperatures and initial phenol concentrations.

CONCLUSION: The promising results for the Fe/AC catalyst using HNO3 pre‐oxidizing treatment lay in the remarkable adsorption capacity of the carbon matrix and the potential activity of the iron species as Fenton‐like catalyst for the generation of oxidizing hydroxyl radicals. Copyright © 2012 Society of Chemical Industry
Catalytic deoxygenation of fatty acids and their derivatives to hydrocarbon fuels via decarboxylation/decarbonylation
Authors: Santillan‐Jimenez Eduardo , Crocker Mark
Published: March 2012

Fatty acids and their derivatives can be converted to renewable and carbon‐neutral fuel‐like hydrocarbons that are entirely fungible with fossil fuels. Typically, these hydrocarbon‐based biofuels are obtained through hydrotreating, a method which has the significant disadvantages of requiring problematic sulfided catalysts and high pressures of hydrogen. In recent years, decarboxylation/decarbonylation has been proposed as an alternative method, as this approach has the advantages of permitting the use of simpler catalysts and requiring less hydrogen than hydrotreating. In this contribution, the deoxygenation of fatty acids and their derivatives to fuel‐like hydrocarbons via decarboxylation/decarbonylation is critically reviewed. The main aspects discussed include the influence of the feed, catalyst, reactor system and reaction conditions on the decarboxylation/decarbonylation reaction, as well as the reaction mechanism and catalyst deactivation/regeneration. Copyright © 2012 Society of Chemical Industry
Amazon Fan biomarker evidence against the Pleistocene rainforest refuge hypothesis?
Authors: Maslin Mark A. , Ettwein Virginia J. , Boot Christopher S. , Bendle James , Pancost Richard D.
Published: March 2012

Ocean Drilling Program Leg 155 Site 942 on the Amazon Fan is an ideal location for monitoring palaeoclimatic changes within a significant proportion of the Amazon Basin. We present n‐alkane δ13C and taraxerol and laevoglucosan concentration records from this site covering the last 38 ka. The entire n‐alkane δ13C record is constrained between −31‰ and −34‰, which is well within the isotopic range occupied by C3 vegetation. The concentration and relative abundance of taraxerol, a mangrove indicator, varies by over an order of magnitude, but seems to have had no effect on the n‐alkane δ13C record. The laevoglucosan concentrations are extremely low during the last glacial period, suggesting a relatively low occurrence of forest fires. Laevoglucosan concentrations are highest between 13.5 and 12.5 ka, suggesting an increased incidence of Amazon forest fires at the very end of the Younger Dryas. These records, combined with previously published pollen records from Site 932, reveal no evidence for massive incursions of grasslands into Amazonia during the last glacial period, despite evidence of reduced outflow of the Amazon River indicating more arid conditions. We therefore suggest that savannah encroachment, as proposed by the Pleistocene refuge hypothesis, can be refuted as an explanation for high species endemism within the Amazon Basin, and alternative explanations are required. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A novel salvage approach for pedicle axial flap—free‐ization of pedicle internal mammary artery perforator flap
Authors: Chen Wei‐Fan , Tsao Chung‐Kan , Cheng Ming‐Huei
Published: March 2012

A pedicle flap with distal segment compromise is classically managed by allowing tissue demarcation, debridement of non‐viable tissue, and local tissue manipulation to achieve wound closure. When aggressive debridement leaves insufficient tissue for defect coverage, the original flap is often discarded. We present a case of distal necrosis of a pedicle internal mammary artery perforator flap for cheek reconstruction. The flap, which was rendered too small after debridement for defect coverage in its pedicle form, was converted to a free flap. The technical details of such conversion and potential feasibility of applying this conversion to other compromised pedicle flaps are discussed. We hypothesized that the principle of “free‐ization” can be applied effectively for salvage of other failing pedicle flaps with axial blood supply. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microsurgery, 2012.
Liquid crystalline properties of cholesteric elastomers based on a mesogenic monomer containing menthyl groups
Authors: Hu Jian‐She , Zhang Xia , Li Dan , Meng Qing‐Bao
Published: March 2012

A new chiral mesogenic monomer (MLC) based on menthyl groups and the corresponding cholesteric elastomers (LCE1–LCE3) were prepared. Their chemical structures and purity were characterized by Fourier transform infrared, nuclear magnetic resonance and elemental analyses. The liquid crystalline properties were investigated by differential scanning calorimetry, polarizing optical microscopy, thermogravimetric analysis and X‐ray diffraction. The selective reflection of light for MLC was characterized with ultraviolet/visible/near infrared. The effect of the content of crosslinking units on the liquid crystalline behaviour of LCE1–LCE3 is discussed. The experimental results show that the chiral monomer and the corresponding elastomers containing menthyl groups can show mesomorphism when a flexible linkage chain is inserted between the mesogenic core and the bulky terminal menthyl fragments to reduce the steric effect. MLC exhibited a chiral smectic C phase, a cholesteric phase and a cubic blue phase. LCE1–LCE3 with a low content of crosslinking units showed a cholesteric phase because of the introduction of the nematic crosslinking unit. With increasing content of crosslinking units, the corresponding glass transition temperature increased, while the clearing temperature decreased. Thermogravimetric analysis showed that LCE1–LCE3 have good thermal stability. Copyright © 2012 Society of Chemical Industry
Effects of different ventilation strategies on lung injury in newborn rabbits
Authors: Hua Shaodong , Zhang Xiaoying , Zhang Sheng , Xu Jing , Feng Zhichun
Published: March 2012

Background

The results from experimental and clinical studies have shown that mechanical ventilation (MV) and/or hyperoxia may aggravate a pre‐existing lung injury, or even cause lung injury in healthy lungs, despite the fact that it might be the only life‐saving intervention available to a patient. The present study was designed to investigate the roles of MV and hyperoxia in the pathogenesis of lung injury.

Methods

Newborn New Zealand white rabbits were randomly assigned to an unventilated air control group or to one of the 2 × 3 × 3 ventilation strategies using a factorial design. The experimental groups were assigned different fractions of inspired oxygen (FiO2), peak inspiratory pressures (PIP), and respiratory times (RT). The lung wet‐to‐dry ratio (W/D), lung histopathology scores, and cells in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) were analyzed for each group. The apoptosis levels were studied by immunohistochemistry and a terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end‐labeling (TUNEL) assay.

Results

Different ventilation regimes induced alterations in microvascular permeability, differential histopathological grading, WBC and/or neutrophil and/or lymphocyte influx, and apoptosis levels; moreover, there were significant correlations and interaction effects between these indices.

Conclusions

Our data demonstrate that different ventilation regimes can induce lung injury and that the interaction effects of the FiO2, the PIP and the RT may play crucial roles in the pathogenesis of lung injury. Pediatr Pulmonol. 2012. 47:1103–1112. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Spirometry and forced oscillations in the detection of airway hyperreactivity in asthmatic children
Authors: Peták Ferenc , Czövek Dorottya , Novák Zoltán
Published: March 2012

Background

Provocation tests are routinely used to detect airway hyperreactivity (AH) in the diagnosis of asthma. We compared the sensitivities of the forced oscillation technique (FOT) and spirometry in the detection of AH in asthmatic children.

Methods

FOT and spirometry were performed in 20 asthmatic children (aged 5–18 years) following aerosolized histamine and methacholine at an interval of 2 weeks. The respiratory system input impedance was measured by FOT; the resistance at 6 Hz (R6), the average resistance between 4 and 24 Hz, the area under the reactance curve (AX) and the resonant frequency were extracted from these recordings. Spirometry was used to obtain forced expiratory volumes and flow parameters.

Results

Following provocation with the two agonists, the FOT detected the airway response as early as spirometry. When the greater variability of the impedance parameters was taken into account, the two methods were observed to have similar sensitivities. Among the lung function parameters studied, AX and R6 were the most sensitive for the demonstration of AH.

Conclusions

Our findings demonstrate that FOT is as suitable as spirometry for the measurement of bronchoconstriction and thus it may be considered for the detection of AH in asthmatic children. Since its application requires minimal cooperation, this approach imposes less stress and may be particularly favorable in the diagnosis of asthma at a young age. Pediatr Pulmonol. 2012. 47:956–965. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Site‐specific fluorescein labeling of human insulin
Authors: Liu Fa , Kohn Wayne D. , Mayer John P.
Published: March 2012

Three fluorescein derivatives of human insulin (HI, 1) labeled at positions NαA1, NαB1 and NεB29 respectively, were synthesized using an N‐trifluoroacetyl‐based protecting group scheme. The Tfa protecting group introduced by reaction with ethyl trifluoroacetate was found to be stable in aqueous and organic media and efficiently removed under mild basic conditions. Copyright © 2012 European Peptide Society and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Antioxidant/Antibacterial Activities of a Topical Phytopharmaceutical Formulation Containing a Standardized Extract of Baccharis incarum, an Extremophile Plant Species from Argentine Puna
Authors: Nuño Gabriela , Zampini Iris C. , Ordoñez Roxana M. , Alberto María R. , Arias Myriam E. , Isla María I.
Published: March 2012

The antimicrobial and antioxidant activities of standardized extracts of Baccharis incarum in 60° and 80° ethanol and of a phytopharmaceutical formulation obtained from them were measured. Baccharis tinctures showed antimicrobial activity against clinically isolated antibiotic resistant Staphylococcus aureus and Enterococcus faecalis, with MIC values of 40–80 µg GAE/mL. Both tinctures exhibited ABTS●+ scavenging activity with SC50 values between 1.6 and 4.0 µg GAE/mL. The tinctures were not genotoxic in the Salmonella assay. For this reason, the tincture in 60° ethanol was incorporated into a topical pharmaceutical formulation (Hydrogel/ Carbopol® 934). The phytopharmaceutical formulation also showed antibacterial and antioxidant activities in the in vitro assays. The hydrogel showed microbiological, chemical, physical and functional stability during storage at room temperature. Studies that measure drug release as a determination of bioavailability were also carried out using the Franz diffusion cell (FC). The results demonstrated the release of two bioactive compounds (chlorogenic acid and 4′,5‐dihydroxy‐3′,3,6,7,8‐pentamethoxyflavone) from the phytotherapic preparation in HPLC studies of FC receptor solution. In consequence, the phytopreparation applied topically could be used to treat skin and soft tissue infection produced by methicillin‐resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) or Enterococcus faecalis and opens new opportunities for the use of active natural ingredients in the cosmeceutical field as antiacne and antioxidant. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The Anxiolytic Potential and Psychotropic Side Effects of an Echinacea Preparation in Laboratory Animals and Healthy Volunteers
Authors: Haller József , Freund Tamás F. , Pelczer Katalin Gyimesi , Füredi János , Krecsak Laszlo , Zámbori János
Published: March 2012

We investigated the toxicity, psychotropic side effects and anxiolytic potential of an Echinacea angustifolia extract that produced promising effects in laboratory tests performed earlier. Rats were studied in the elevated plus‐maze, conditioned fear, open‐field, object recognition and conditioned place preference tests. Toxicity was studied in rats after intragastric administration. The preparation decreased anxiety in the elevated plus‐maze and ameliorated contextual conditioned fear. No lethality or behavioural signs of discomfort were noticed in rats treated with 1000 and 3000 mg/kg Echinacea angustifolia. The extract was without effect in tests of locomotion (open‐field), memory (object recognition) and rewarding potential (conditioned place preference) within a wide dose range. A pharmacological formulation based on the same E. angustifolia extract was tested in human subjects. One or two tablets per day were administered for 1 week to healthy volunteers scoring high on the State‐Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI). The tablets contained 20 mg of the plant extract. Data were collected using a structured self‐assessment diary technique. The high dose (2 tablets per day) decreased STAI scores within 3 days in human subjects, an effect that remained stable for the duration of the treatment (7 days) and for the 2 weeks that followed treatment. The lower dose (1 tablet per day) did not affect anxiety significantly. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Effects of Ilex latifolia and Camellia sinensis on Cholesterol and Circulating Immune Complexes in Rats Fed with a High‐Cholesterol Diet
Authors: Luo Xian‐Yang , Li Na‐Na , Liang Yue‐Rong
Published: March 2012

Hypercholesterolaemia is one of the risk factors for atherosclerosis and subsequent cardiovascular disease. Here, we investigated the effects of dietary supplementation with Ilex latifolia or green tea (Camellia sinensis) on the levels of plasma total cholesterol, high‐density lipoprotein cholesterol and circulating immune complexes in Sprague Dawley rats fed with a high‐cholesterol diet. We demonstrated that daily administration by gavage of I. latifolia or C. sinensis at doses of 1.0 or 2.0 g/kg body weight for 30 days resulted in a significant decrease in plasma total cholesterol levels and circulating immune complexes and an increase in high‐density lipoprotein cholesterol in rats fed with a high‐cholesterol diet compared with levels in the high‐cholesterol diet control group. C. sinensis was more effective than I. latifolia. I. latifolia and C. sinensis could be used as food supplements to protect against the development of hypercholesterolaemia. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Sustainability, student affairs, and students
Authors: Kerr Kathleen G. , Hart‐Steffes Jeanne S.
Published: March 2012

Divisions of student affairs play a crucial role in the sustainability movement in colleges and universities. This chapter presents a review of the work being done on college campuses and by major professional associations to integrate sustainability into the student affairs mission.
Moving beyond green: Sustainable development toward healthy environments, social justice, and strong economies
Authors: Edwards Keith E.
Published: March 2012

Sustainability initiatives in higher education in general and student affairs specifically must recognize the impact of our present decisions on environmental health, social justice, and economic strength. Efforts must push beyond “green” ideas to identify solutions that move toward a future that is environmentally capable, more just and equitable, and economically viable for all.
The Helioseismic and Magnetic Imager (HMI) Investigation for the Solar Dynamics Observatory (SDO)
Authors: Scherrer P. H. , Schou J. , Bush R. I. , Kosovichev A. G. , Bogart R. S. , Hoeksema J. T. , Liu Y. , Duvall T. L. , Zhao J. , Title A. M. , Schrijver C. J. , Tarbell T. D. , Tomczyk S.
Published: March 2012

The Helioseismic and Magnetic Imager (HMI) instrument and investigation as a part of the NASA Solar Dynamics Observatory (SDO) is designed to study convection-zone dynamics and the solar dynamo, the origin and evolution of sunspots, active regions, and complexes of activity, the sources and drivers of solar magnetic activity and disturbances, links between the internal processes and dynamics of the corona and heliosphere, and precursors of solar disturbances for space-weather forecasts. A brief overview of the instrument, investigation objectives, and standard data products is presented.
Design and Ground Calibration of the Helioseismic and Magnetic Imager (HMI) Instrument on the Solar Dynamics Observatory (SDO)
Authors: Schou J. , Scherrer P. H. , Bush R. I. , Wachter R. , Couvidat S. , Rabello-Soares M. C. , Bogart R. S. , Hoeksema J. T. , Liu Y. , Duvall T. L. , Akin D. J. , Allard B. A. , Miles J. W. , Rairden R. , Shine R. A. , Tarbell T. D. , Title A. M. , Wolfson C. J. , Elmore D. F. , Norton A. A. , Tomczyk S.
Published: March 2012

The Helioseismic and Magnetic Imager (HMI) investigation (Solar Phys. doi:10.1007/s11207-011-9834-2, 2011) will study the solar interior using helioseismic techniques as well as the magnetic field near the solar surface. The HMI instrument is part of the Solar Dynamics Observatory (SDO) that was launched on 11 February 2010. The instrument is designed to measure the Doppler shift, intensity, and vector magnetic field at the solar photosphere using the 6173 Å Fe i absorption line. The instrument consists of a front-window filter, a telescope, a set of waveplates for polarimetry, an image-stabilization system, a blocking filter, a five-stage Lyot filter with one tunable element, two wide-field tunable Michelson interferometers, a pair of 40962 pixel cameras with independent shutters, and associated electronics. Each camera takes a full-disk image roughly every 3.75 seconds giving an overall cadence of 45 seconds for the Doppler, intensity, and line-of-sight magnetic-field measurements and a slower cadence for the full vector magnetic field. This article describes the design of the HMI instrument and provides an overview of the pre-launch calibration efforts. Overviews of the investigation, details of the calibrations, data handling, and the science analysis are provided in accompanying articles.
Image Quality of the Helioseismic and Magnetic Imager (HMI) Onboard the Solar Dynamics Observatory (SDO)
Authors: Wachter R. , Schou J. , Rabello-Soares M. C. , Miles J. W. , Duvall T. L. , Bush R. I.
Published: March 2012

We describe the imaging quality of the Helioseismic and Magnetic Imager (HMI) onboard the Solar Dynamics Observatory (SDO) as measured during the ground calibration of the instrument. We describe the calibration techniques and report our results for the final configuration of HMI. We present the distortion, modulation transfer function, stray light, image shifts introduced by moving parts of the instrument, best focus, field curvature, and the relative alignment of the two cameras. We investigate the gain and linearity of the cameras, and present the measured flat field.
Wavelength Dependence of the Helioseismic and Magnetic Imager (HMI) Instrument onboard the Solar Dynamics Observatory (SDO)
Authors: Couvidat Sébastien , Schou Jesper , Shine Richard A. , Bush Rock I. , Miles John W. , Scherrer Philip H. , Rairden Richard L.
Published: March 2012

The Helioseismic and Magnetic Imager (HMI) instrument will produce Doppler-velocity and vector-magnetic-field maps of the solar surface, whose accuracy is dependent on a thorough knowledge of the transmission profiles of the components of the HMI optical-filter system. Here we present a series of wavelength-dependence calibration tests, performed on the instrument from 2005 onwards, to obtain these profiles. We obtained the transmittances as a function of wavelength for the tunable and non-tunable filter elements, as well as the variation of these transmittances with temperature and the angle of incidence of rays of light. We also established the presence of fringe patterns produced by interferences inside the blocking filter and the front window, as well as a change in transmitted intensity with the tuning position. This thorough characterization of the HMI-filter system confirmed the very high quality of the instrument, and showed that its properties are well within the required specifications to produce superior data with high spatial and temporal resolution.