bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Effect of the Hedge Horizon on Optimal Hedge Size and Effectiveness When Prices are Cointegrated
Authors: Juhl Ted , Kawaller Ira G. , Koch Paul D.
Published: September 2011

This study compares two alternative regression specifications for sizing hedge positions and measuring hedge effectiveness: a simple regression on price changes and an error correction model (ECM). We show that, when the prices of the hedged item and the hedging instrument are cointegrated, both specifications yield similar results which depend on the hedge horizon (i.e., the time frame for measuring price changes). In particular, the estimated hedge ratio and regression R2 will both be small when price changes are measured over short intervals, but as the hedge horizon is lengthened both measures will converge toward one. These results imply that, when prices are cointegrated, a longer hedge horizon will yield an optimal hedge ratio closer to one, while at the same time enhancing the ability to qualify for hedge accounting. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Jrl Fut Mark 32:837–876, 2012
Production and hedging under state‐dependent preferences
Authors: Wong Kit Pong
Published: September 2011

This study examines the behavior of the competitive firm under output price uncertainty and state‐dependent preferences. When there is a futures market for hedging purposes, the firm's optimal production decision is independent of the output price uncertainty and of the state‐dependent preferences. If the futures contracts are unbiased, the firm's optimal futures position is an over‐hedge or an under‐hedge, depending on whether the firm is correlation averse or correlation loving, and on whether the output price is positively or negatively expectation dependent on the state variable. When the firm has access not only to the unbiased futures but also to fairly priced options, sufficient conditions are derived under which the firm's optimal hedge position includes both hedging instruments. This study thus establishes a hedging role of options, which is over and above that of futures, in the case of state‐dependent preferences. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Jrl Fut Mark 32:945–963, 2012
Fitting and testing for the implied volatility curve using parametric models
Authors: Chang Chuang‐Chang , Chou Pin‐Huang , Liao Tzu‐Hsiang
Published: September 2011

Numerous issues have arisen over the past few decades relating to the implied volatility smile in the options market; however, the extant literature reveals that relatively little effort has thus far been placed into comparing the various implied volatility models, essentially as a result of the lack of any theoretical foundation on which to base such comparative analysis. In this study, we use a comprehensive options database and employ methods of combining the various hypothesis tests to compare the different implied volatility models. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study of its kind to address this issue using combination tests. Our empirical results reveal that the linear piecewise model is the most appropriate model for capturing the implied volatility smile, with additional robustness checks confirming the validity of this finding.
Effects of eastern redcedar encroachment on soil hydraulic properties along Oklahoma's grassland‐forest ecotone
Authors: Wine Michael L. , Ochsner Tyson E. , Sutradhar Apurba , Pepin Rachael
Published: September 2011

In north‐central Oklahoma eastern redcedar (Juniperus virginiana), encroachment into grassland is widespread and is suspected of reducing streamflow, but the effects of this encroachment on soil hydraulic properties are unknown. This knowledge gap creates uncertainty in understanding the hydrologic effects of eastern redcedar encroachment and obstructs fact‐based management of encroached systems. The objective of this study was to quantify the effects of eastern redcedar encroachment into tallgrass prairie on soil hydraulic properties. Leaf litter depth, soil organic matter, soil water repellency, soil water content, sorptivity, and unsaturated hydraulic conductivity were measured near Stillwater, OK, along 12 radial transects from eastern redcedar trunks to the center of the grassy intercanopy space. Eastern redcedar encroachment in the second half of the 20th century caused the accumulation of 3 cm of hydrophobic leaf litter near the trunks of eastern redcedar trees. This leaf litter was associated with increased soil organic matter in the upper 6 cm of soil under eastern redcedar trees (5.96% by mass) relative to the grass‐dominated intercanopy area (3.99% by mass). Water repellency was more prevalent under eastern redcedar than under grass, and sorptivity under eastern redcedar was 0.10 mm s−1/2, one seventh the sorptivity under adjacent prairie grasses (0.68 mm s−1/2). Median unsaturated hydraulic conductivity under grass was 2.52 cm h−1, four times greater than under eastern redcedar canopies (0.57 cm h−1). Lower sorptivity and unsaturated hydraulic conductivity would tend to decrease infiltration and increase runoff, but other factors such as rainfall interception by the eastern redcedar canopy and litter layer, and preferential flow induced by hydrophobicity must be examined before the effects of encroachment on streamflow can be predicted. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Origin and dynamics of groundwater salinity in the alluvial plains of western Delhi and adjacent territories of Haryana State, India
Authors: Lorenzen Gunnar , Sprenger Christoph , Baudron Paul , Gupta Dinesh , Pekdeger Asaf
Published: September 2011

Groundwater salinity is a widespread problem and a challenge to water resources management. It is an increasing concern in the alluvial plains of Delhi and neighbouring Haryana state as well as a risk for agricultural production water supply and sustainable development. This study aims to identify potential sources of dissolved salts and the driving mechanisms of salinity ingress in the shallow aquifer. It combines a comprehensive review of environmental conditions and the analysis of groundwater samples from 25 sampling points. Major ions are analysed to describe the composition and distribution of saline groundwater and dissolution/precipitation dynamics. Density stratification and local upconing of saline waters were identified by multilevel monitoring and temperature logging. Bromide–chloride ratios hold information on the formation of saline waters, and nitrate is used as an indicator for anthropogenic influences. In addition, stable isotope analysis helps to identify evaporation and to better understand recharge processes and mixing dynamics in the study region. The results lead to the conclusion that surface water and groundwater influx into the poorly drained semiarid basin naturally results in the accumulation of salts in soil, sediments and groundwater. Human‐induced changes of environmental conditions, especially the implementation of traditional canal and modern groundwater irrigation, have augmented evapotranspiration and led to waterlogging in large areas. In addition, water‐level fluctuations and perturbation of the natural hydraulic equilibrium favour the mobilisation of salts from salt stores in the unsaturated zone and deeper aquifer sections. The holistic approach of this study demonstrates the importance of various salinity mechanisms and provides new insights into the interference of natural and anthropogenic influences. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Combined effects of FLT3 and NF‐κB selective inhibitors on acute myeloid leukemia in vivo
Authors: Wang Chunmei , Lu Jie , Wang Yumei , Bai Songting , Wang Yingchao , Wang Lu , Sheng Guangyao
Published: September 2011

FMS‐like tyrosine kinase 3 (FLT3) is an independent poor prognostic marker of acute myeloid leukemia (AML), and strategies that specifically target FLT3 are therefore of substantial interest. However, previous studies with FLT3 inhibitors as single agents in patients with AML showed few clinical responses. In the present study, combined effects of FLT3 selective inhibitor (SC‐203048) and NF‐κB selective inhibitor (Parthenolide, PTL) on AML xenograft tumor growth in vivo were examined, and the possible antitumor mechanisms by which SC‐203048 and PTL affect AML xenograft tumor growth were also detected. Results showed that the tumor growth was strongly inhibited, and increased cell apoptosis was also observed after treatments, especially in the combination group; meanwhile, the expressions of FLT3, p65, cyclin D1, and Bc1‐2 decreased significantly, and the expression of nuclear Silencing mediator for retinoic acid and thyroid hormone receptors (SMRT) increased notably. All results indicate that synergism exists between FLT3 and NF‐κB inhibitors, and inhibitors combination treatment may be a potential strategy for AML. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biochem Mol Toxicol 26:35–43 2012; View this article online at wileyonlinelibrary.com. DOI 10.1002/jbt.20411
Fractional dimension of binary Knuth semifield planes
Authors: Polverino Olga , Trombetti Rocco
Published: September 2011

We prove that semifield planes π(𝕂2m) coordinatized by the commutative binary Knuth semifield 𝕂2m, m=nk (m odd) are fractional dimensional with respect to a subplane isomorphic to PG(2, 4) if either n=9 or n≡\0(mod 3) and one of the trinomials xn+xs+1, s∈{1, 2, 3, 5}, is irreducible over the Galois field 𝔽2. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Combin. Designs 20: 317–327, 2012
Activity of matrix metallo proteinases (MMPs) and the tissue inhibitor of MMP (TIMP)‐1 in electromagnetic field‐exposed THP‐1 cells
Authors: Patruno Antonia , Pesce Mirko , Marrone Alessandro , Speranza Lorenza , Grilli Alfredo , De Lutiis Maria Anna , Felaco Mario , Reale Marcella
Published: September 2011

Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and tissue inhibitors of MMPs (TIMPs) are the main determinants of tissue remodeling in both physiological and pathological processes. Metabolic processes, which generate oxidants and antioxidants can be influenced by environmental factors such as electromagnetic fields (EMF). We analyzed the effects of EMF on the activity and expression of MMPs in THP‐1 cells. Cells were exposed to a 50 Hz, 1 mT EMF for 24 h and incubated with or without LPS. Our data indicate that THP‐1 cells exposed to EMF causes a reduction of anti‐oxidant enzyme activity and an enhancement of nitrogen intermediates involving the iNOS pathway. We then analyzed the role of nitration of TIMP‐1 in increasing the activity of MMPs in EMF exposed cells. Molecular modeling tools were employed to identify the most plausible sites in the active conformation of TIMP‐1; at least two protein sites, Y120 and Y38 and/or Y72 were identified. Reactive nitrogen species (RNS) may affect protein targets, such as TIMP‐1, which are crucial for the regulation of MMP activities by oxidation of sulfydryl groups, or by nitration of tyrosine residues. These results may suggest a pathway connecting an imbalance of MMPs and their cognate inhibitor TIMP‐1. J. Cell. Physiol. 227: 2767–2774, 2012. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Histone deacetylase inhibitors induce mitochondrial elongation
Authors: Lee Jee Suk , Yoon Young Geol , Yoo Seung Hee , Jeong Na Young , Jeong Seung Hun , Lee Sang Yeob , Jung Dai‐il , Jeong Seon‐Yong , Yoo Young Hyun
Published: September 2011

Although various stimuli‐inducing cell demise are known to alter mitochondrial morphology, it is currently debated whether alteration of mitochondrial morphology is per se responsible for apoptosis execution or prevention. This study was undertaken to examine the effect of histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitors on mitochondrial fusion–fission equilibrium. The mechanism underlying HDAC inhibitor‐induced alteration of mitochondrial morphology was examined in various cells including primary cultured cells and untransformed and cancer cell lines treated with seven different HDAC inhibitors. Suberoylanilide hydroxamic acid (SAHA)‐induced mitochondrial elongation in both Hep3B and Bcl‐2‐overexpressing Hep3B cells, apart from its apoptosis induction function. SAHA significantly decreased the expression of mitochondrial fission protein Fis1 and reduced the translocation of Drp1 to the mitochondria. Fis1 overexpression attenuated SAHA‐induced mitochondrial elongation. In addition, depletion of mitochondrial fusion proteins, Mfn1 or Opa1, by RNA interference also attenuated SAHA‐induced mitochondrial elongation. All of the HDAC inhibitors we examined induced mitochondrial elongation in all the cell types tested at both subtoxic and toxic concentrations. These results indicate that HDAC inhibitors induce mitochondrial elongation, irrespective of the induction of apoptosis, which may be linked to alterations of mitochondrial dynamics regulated by mitochondrial morphology‐regulating proteins. Since mitochondria have recently emerged as attractive targets for cancer therapy, our findings that HDAC inhibitors altered mitochondrial morphology may support the rationale for these agents as novel therapeutic approaches against cancer. Further, the present study may provide insight into a valuable experimental strategy for simple manipulation of mitochondrial morphology. J. Cell. Physiol. 227: 2856–2869, 2012. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
PEG coating reduces NMR relaxivity ofMn0.5Zn0.5Gd0.02Fe1.98O4hyperthermia nanoparticles
Authors: Issa Bashar , Qadri Shahnaz , Obaidat Ihab M. , Bowtell Richard W. , Haik Yousef
Published: September 2011

Purpose:

To investigate both T1 and T2 MR relaxation enhancement of Gd substituted Zn‐Mn ferrite magnetic nanoparticles. Both uncoated and polyethylene glycol (PEG) coated particles were used.

Materials and Methods:

Chemical co‐precipitation was used to synthesize particles in the formMn0.5Zn0.5Gd0.2Fe1.98O4suitable for hyperthermia applications. Physical characterization of the magnetic nanoparticles included SEM, TEM, ICP, and SQUID. T1 and T2 measurements were performed at 1.5 Tesla (T).

Results:

The saturation magnetization was 12.86 emu/g while the particle's magnetic moment was 1.86 × 10−19J/T. The particle size increased due to coating, while 1/T1 and 1/T2 relaxivities (26°C) decreased from 2.5 to 0.7 and from 201.3 to 76.6 s−1mM−1, respectively, at a magnetic field 1.5T.

Conclusion:

The reduction in both 1/T1 and 1/T2 is attributed to increased distance of closest approach between the protons and the magnetic core caused by the shielding provided by the high molecular weight PEG. 1/T2 data are compared with existing theoretical models using a modified radius that takes into account both possible agglomeration of the particles and increased inter‐particle separation induced by PEG coating. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2011;. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Dexamethasone indirectly induces Ndrg2 expression in rat astrocytes
Authors: Takahashi Kou , Saitoh Akiyoshi , Yamada Misa , Iwai Takashi , Inagaki Masatoshi , Yamada Mitsuhiko
Published: September 2011

N‐myc downstream‐regulated gene 2 (Ndrg2) has been associated with cell proliferation, differentiation, and apoptosis. Ndrg2 expression in the brain is induced by glucocorticoid treatment or chronic stress in vivo. It has been postulated that glucocorticoid‐induced Ndrg2 expression in astrocytes is regulated by the glucocorticoid response element half‐site (GRE1/2) upstream of the Ndrg2 transcription site. Here we examined the mechanisms of dexamethasone‐induced Ndrg2 expression in rat astrocytes. Ndrg2 mRNA expression in primary astrocytes was significantly increased after 24 hr of exposure to dexamethasone in a concentration‐dependent manner. Dexamethasone‐induced Ndrg2 mRNA and protein expression was blocked by pretreatment with RU486, a glucocorticoid receptor antagonist. Moreover, dexamethasone‐induced Ndrg2 mRNA expression was reduced by pretreatment with the protein synthesis inhibitor cycloheximide. The Ndrg2 reporter assay showed that deletion of a putative GRE1/2, located upstream of Ndrg2, did not affect induction by dexamethasone. A region between –755 and –701 bp from the transcription start site was shown to regulate induction by dexamethasone using promoter constructs progressively deleted from the 5′ to 3′ ends. This region contained the predicted transcription factor binding sites for early B‐cell factor 1 (Ebf1), nuclear factor‐κB (NFκB), and paired box gene 5 (Pax5). Mutation at the NFκB‐ or Pax5‐binding site, but not the Ebf1 binding site, abolished dexamethasone‐induced promoter activation. These results indicate that Ndrg2 expression was indirectly induced by dexamethasone at the DNA level, potentially by the binding of NFκB or Pax5 to the transcription factor binding sites, and GRE1/2 was not involved in this induction. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Performance, carcass, gastrointestinal tract and meat quality traits, and selected blood parameters of broilers fed diets supplemented with humic substances
Authors: Ozturk Ergin , Ocak Nuh , Turan Alev , Erener Guray , Altop Aydin , Cankaya Soner
Published: September 2011

BACKGROUND: The effects of humic substances (HS) on quality traits (colour, water‐holding capacity, and pH) of breast and thigh meats and on blood minerals (calcium and phosphorus) and on metabolites (glucose, total protein, triglyceride and cholesterols) as well as on the performance, carcass, and gastrointestinal tract (gut) traits of broilers were studied. In total, 480 male chicks (ROSS 308) were allocated to four treatments, each with five replicates containing 24 birds. While control birds were fed a diet (mash form) with no additives (0 HS), other treatment birds were fed with diets containing HS at 0.5 (0.5 HS), 1.0 (1 HS) or 1.5 (1.5 HS) g kg−1 from 1 to 42 days of age.

RESULTS: The body and carcass weights and feed efficiency increased (P < 0.05) by 1.5 HS, and blood cholesterol decreased (P < 0.05) by 1 HS and 1.5 HS compared to 0 HS. The 0.5 HS decreased (P < 0.10) low‐density lipoprotein compared to 0 HS. The 0.5 HS resulted in thigh meat and breast meat that were lighter and darker than those found in the other groups and 1.5 HS respectively (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSION: Feeding with a diet containing HS caused a measurable variation in the meat quality and blood cholesterol as well as the performance, carcass, and gut traits of broilers. Copyright © 2011 Society of Chemical Industry
Early stages of the recovery stroke in myosin II studied by molecular dynamics simulations
Authors: Baumketner Andrij , Nesmelov Yuri
Published: September 2011

The recovery stroke is a key step in the functional cycle of muscle motor protein myosin, during which pre‐recovery conformation of the protein is changed into the active post‐recovery conformation, ready to exersice force. We study the microscopic details of this transition using molecular dynamics simulations of atomistic models in implicit and explicit solvent. In more than 2 μs of aggregate simulation time, we uncover evidence that the recovery stroke is a two‐step process consisting of two stages separated by a time delay. In our simulations, we directly observe the first stage at which switch II loop closes in the presence of adenosine triphosphate at the nucleotide binding site. The resulting configuration of the nucleotide binding site is identical to that detected experimentally. Distribution of inter‐residue distances measured in the force generating region of myosin is in good agreement with the experimental data. The second stage of the recovery stroke structural transition, rotation of the converter domain, was not observed in our simulations. Apparently it occurs on a longer time scale. We suggest that the two parts of the recovery stroke need to be studied using separate computational models.
The ABC of non‐inferiority margin setting from indirect comparisons
Authors: Julious Steven A.
Published: September 2011

In a non‐inferiority trial to assess a new investigative treatment, there may need to be consideration of an indirect comparison with placebo using the active control in the current trial. We can, therefore, use the fact that there is a common active control in the comparisons of the investigative treatment and placebo. In analysing a non‐inferiority trial, the ABC of: Assay sensitivity, Bias minimisation and Constancy assumption needs to be considered. It is highlighted how the ABC assumptions can potentially fail when there is placebo creep or a patient population shift. In this situation, the belief about the placebo response expressed in terms of a prior probability in Bayesian formulation could be used with the observed treatment effects to set the non‐inferiority limit. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The use of a triple quadrupole linear ion trap mass spectrometer with electrospray ionisation for fragmentation studies of selected antifungal drugs
Authors: Zgoła‐Grześkowiak Agnieszka , Grześkowiak Tomasz
Published: September 2011

Fragmentation studies of three antifungal drugs, clotrimazole, fluconazole and clioquinol ,were performed. A triple quadrupole linear ion trap mass spectrometer was used for this purpose. This type of equipment enables MS3 spectra to be obtained which lead to better understanding of fragmentation pathways. Nevertheless, it is rarely used for fragmentation studies. The results obtained here for the antifungal drugs gave further insight into fragmentation pathways of clotrimazole and fluconazole. Moreover, fragmentation of clioquinol was investigated which had not been presented before. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Backtracking the movements of a migratory bird: a case study of a white‐fronted goose (Anser albifrons)
Authors: Horacek Micha
Published: September 2011

The occurrence of avian influenza has brought attention to migrating birds and their migratory routes as possible carriers and gates, respectively, of the pathogenic influenza virus. There is a need to verify migration routes and to back‐track the migration routes of infected animals. Stable isotope analysis of bird feathers is a valuable tool for studying the migratory pattern of birds, by gaining information about the environmental conditions during the growth of the feathers. Ideally, if different feathers that have grown during different periods are investigated, not only can information about the molting region be extracted, but also some clues can be obtained about stop‐overs during the migration of individual animals, enabling the reconstruction of the pathway. In the presented case study the hydrogen, carbon nitrogen and sulfur stable isotope ratios of different types of feathers (primaries, down feathers and blood pinfeathers) from one white‐fronted goose specimen have been determined. These ratios differ significantly for some elements. By taking into account the different time of growth of the respective feathers, the isotope data can be interpreted with respect to the animal migration route from the summer (and molting) to the wintering region. This is the first paper to attempt to map the migration pathway using different types of feather from a single individual. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Execution profiling blueprints
Authors: Bergel Alexandre , Bañados Felipe , Robbes Romain , Binder Walter
Published: September 2011

Although traditional approaches to code profiling help locate performance bottlenecks, they offer only limited support for removing these bottlenecks. The main reason is the lack of detailed visual runtime information to identify and eliminate computation redundancy. We provide three profiling blueprints that help identify and remove performance bottlenecks. The structural distribution blueprint graphically represents the CPU consumption share for each method and class of an application. The behavioral distribution blueprint depicts the distribution of CPU consumption along method invocations and hints at method candidates for caching optimizations. The behavioral evolution blueprint compares profiles of different versions of a software system and highlights performance‐critical changes in the system. These three blueprints helped us to significantly optimize Mondrian, an open source visualization engine. Our implementation is freely available for the Pharo development environment and has been evaluated in a number of different scenarios. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Industrial Experiment of Steelmaking in a Top‐Bottom‐Side Blown Converter with Slag Splashing Process
Authors: Zhong Liangcai , Zhou Xiaobin , Zhu Yingxiong , Chen Boyu , Huang Biaocai , Ke Jianxiang
Published: September 2011

A side purging tuyere was applied in the bath side wall in a top and bottom blown converter to form a top‐bottom‐side(TBS) blown converter and side gas was injected into the converter through the side tuyere during steelmaking process with slag splashing. The metallurgical results from the TBS converter were compared with those from another top and bottom blown converter in the same workshop in the industrial experiment. It is found from the results that consumption of ferrous charges can be reduced and lime consumption of a ton of molten steel can be decreased by about 3 kg in the TBS blown converter. It can enhance dephosphorization capability and lower oxidization of slag and liquid steel. The average [%C] × [%O] at tapping is 0.0025 in the TBS converter, which increases yielding rates of alloy elements.
PBX1: A Novel Stage-Specific Regulator of Adipocyte Development
Authors: Monteiro Miguel C. , Sanyal Mrinmoy , Cleary Michael L. , Sengenès Coralie , Bouloumé Anne , Dani Christian , Billon Nathalie
Published: September 2011

Although adipocyte terminal differentiation has been extensively studied, the early steps of adipocyte development and the embryonic origin of this lineage remain largely unknown. Here we describe a novel role for the pre-B-cell leukemia transcription factor one (PBX1) in adipocyte development using both mouse embryonic stem cells (mESCs) and human multipotent adipose-derived stem (hMADS) cells. We show that Pbx1−/− mESCs are unable to generate adipocytes, despite normal expression of neuroectoderm and neural crest (NC) markers. Early adipocyte lineage markers are not induced in Pbx1−/− mESCs, suggesting that Pbx1 controls the generation and/or the maintenance of adipocyte progenitors (APs) from the NC. We further characterize the function of PBX1 in postnatal adipogenesis and show that silencing of PBX1 expression in hMADS cells reduces their proliferation by preventing their entry in the S phase of the cell cycle. Furthermore, it promotes differentiation of hMADS cells into adipocytes and partially substitutes for glucocorticoids and rosiglitazone, two key proadipogenic agents. These effects involve direct modulation of PPARγ activity, most likely through regulation of the biosynthesis of PPARγ natural endogenous ligand(s). Together, our data suggest that PBX1 regulates adipocyte development at multiple levels, promoting the generation of NC-derived APs during embryogenesis, while favoring APs proliferation and preventing their commitment to the adipocyte lineage in postnatal life.
Learning a new world: Reflections on being a first‐generation college student and the influence of TRIO programs
Authors: Graham LaKresha
Published: September 2011

As an African‐American woman growing up in a working‐class neighborhood, the author initially did not have mentors who could guide her successfully to college. However, the TRIO programs professionally and personally prepared Graham for higher education and an academic career.
Developmental toxicity of benzyl benzoate in rats after maternal exposure throughout pregnancy
Authors: Koçkaya E. Arzu , Kılıç Aysun
Published: September 2011

The maternal and fetal toxicity of benzyl benzoate, commonly used as antiparasitic insecticide, was evaluated in pregnant rats after a daily oral dose of 25 and 100 mg/kg. Biochemical, histopathological, and morphological examinations were performed. Dams were observed for maternal body weights and food and water consumption and subjected to caesarean section on (GD) 20. Maternal and fetal liver, kidney, heart, brain, and placenta were examined histopathologically under light microscope. Maternal and fetal liver and placenta were stained immunohistochemically for vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). Morphometric analysis of fetal body lengths, placental measurements, and fetal skeletal stainings was performed. Statistically significant alterations in biochemical parameters and placental and skeletal measurements were determined in treatment groups. In addition to histopathological changes, considerable differences were observed in the immunolocalization of VEGF in treatment groups. These results demonstrated that benzyl benzoate and its metabolites can transport to the placenta and eventually enter the fetuses. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Environ Toxicol 29: 40–53, 2014.
Diatomaceous earth as a protective vehicle for bacteria applied for self-healing concrete
Authors: Wang J Y , De Belie N , Verstraete W
Published: September 2011

Crack repair is crucial since cracks are the main cause for the decreased service life of concrete structures. An original and promising way to repair cracks is to pre-incorporate healing agents inside the concrete matrix to heal cracks the moment they appear. Thus, the concrete obtains self-healing properties. The goal of our research is to apply bacterially precipitated CaCO3 to heal cracks in concrete since the microbial calcium carbonate is more compatible with the concrete matrix and more environmentally friendly relative to the normally used polymeric materials. Diatomaceous earth (DE) was used in this study to protect bacteria from the high-pH environment of concrete. The experimental results showed that DE had a very good protective effect for bacteria. DE immobilized bacteria had much higher ureolytic activity (12–17 g/l urea was decomposed within 3 days) than that of un-immobilized bacteria (less than 1 g/l urea was decomposed within the same time span) in cement slurry. The optimal concentration of DE for immobilization was 60% (w/v, weight of DE/volume of bacterial suspension). Self-healing in cracked specimens was visualized under light microscopy. The images showed that cracks with a width ranging from 0.15 to 0.17 mm in the specimens containing DE immobilized bacteria were completely filled by the precipitation. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy dispersive spectrometry (EDS) were used to characterize the precipitation around the crack wall, which was confirmed to be calcium carbonate. The result from a capillary water absorption test showed that the specimens with DE immobilized bacteria had the lowest water absorption (30% of the reference ones), which indicated that the precipitation inside the cracks increased the water penetration resistance of the cracked specimens.
Alkaptonuria in France: past experience and lessons for the future
Authors: Aquaron Robert Raphael
Published: September 2011

Alkaptonuria (AKU) is an autosomal recessive disorder due to homogentisate 1,2‐dioxygenase (HGD) deficiency in the liver and characterized by a triad of signs, according to chronology of appearance: homogentisic aciduria (HGA ) or alkaptonuria, ochronosis then ochronotic arthropathy. This inborn error of metabolism is caused by mutations in the HGD gene. In this work we report observations of 96 AKU French patients from 81 families collected in the literature since 1882 and from our personal contribution since 1986, giving an incidence of the disease of around 1:680,000 (96/64.106). As expected for an autosomal recessive disorder the main findings of this study were: a slight predominance of males (51/93, 54,8%) over females (42/93, 45,2%), a strong predominance of sibships with one affected individual (68/81, 84,0%) over sibships with two (11/81, 13.6%) and three(2/81, 2.4%) affected individuals. AKU families are scaterred among the French territory suggesting that most cases occured in non‐consanguineous unions. Consanguinity was only found in five families. Other peculiarities of this study were (a) ten of these families have both parents from a foreign geographical origin: Poland(3), Italy(3), Portugal(2), Ukraine(1) and India(1) and four families with only one foreign parent (Algeria, Armenia, Serbia, UK), (b) HGD mutations were found in 23 families, (c) four of theses 96 patients were seen by us respectively 28, 29, 39 and 45 years after their report in the literature and (d) seven patients present cardiac and/or renal complications.
Woodland Management in Hampshire, 900 to 1815
Authors: ALBERY ALAN
Published: September 2011

The coppice and underwood trades in north Hampshire lasted almost unchanged for over one thousand years, yet the conspicuously wooded landscape of today is no more than three hundred years old. The landscape is an outcome of the enclosure of the common fields and replacement of their temporary dead-hedges by permanent living hedges, together with a radical reorganisation of the methods by which both wood and timber were grown, managed and marketed. These processes abolished the old extensive, open landscape, comprised of coppices, underwood, timber and rough grazing: the land-use system now termed wood pasture. It created the closed landscape of intensively managed woodland that prospered between 1750 and 1870. Evidence is drawn from the records of Crown, church, college and lay estates, besides contemporary comment, interpreted in the light of experience in restoring and managing an area of wood pasture.
Establishing,versusMaintaining, Brain Function: A Neuro-computational Model of Cortical Reorganization after Injury to the Immature Brain
Authors: Varier Sreedevi , Kaiser Marcus , Forsyth Rob
Published: September 2011

The effect of age at injury on outcome after acquired brain injury (ABI) has been the subject of much debate. Many argue that young brains are relatively tolerant of injury. A contrasting viewpoint due to Hebb argues that greater system integrity may be required for the initial establishment of a function than for preservation of an already-established function. A neuro-computational model of cortical map formation was adapted to examine effects of focal and distributed injury at various stages of development. This neural network model requires a period of training during which it self-organizes to establish cortical maps. Injuries were simulated by lesioning the model at various stages of this process and network function was monitored as “development” progressed to completion. Lesion effects are greater for larger, earlier, and distributed (multifocal) lesions. The mature system is relatively robust, particularly to focal injury. Activities in recovering systems injured at an early stage show changes that emerge after an asymptomatic interval. Early injuries cause qualitative changes in system behavior that emerge after a delay during which the effects of the injury are latent. Functions that are incompletely established at the time of injury may be vulnerable particularly to multifocal injury. (JINS, 2011,17, 1030–1038)
Numerical models of salt marsh evolution: Ecological, geomorphic, and climatic factors
Authors: Fagherazzi Sergio , Kirwan Matthew L. , Mudd Simon M. , Guntenspergen Glenn R. , Temmerman Stijn , D'Alpaos Andrea , van de Koppel Johan , Rybczyk John M. , Reyes Enrique , Craft Chris , Clough Jonathan
Published: September 2011

Salt marshes are delicate landforms at the boundary between the sea and land. These ecosystems support a diverse biota that modifies the erosive characteristics of the substrate and mediates sediment transport processes. Here we present a broad overview of recent numerical models that quantify the formation and evolution of salt marshes under different physical and ecological drivers. In particular, we focus on the coupling between geomorphological and ecological processes and on how these feedbacks are included in predictive models of landform evolution. We describe in detail models that simulate fluxes of water, organic matter, and sediments in salt marshes. The interplay between biological and morphological processes often produces a distinct scarp between salt marshes and tidal flats. Numerical models can capture the dynamics of this boundary and the progradation or regression of the marsh in time. Tidal channels are also key features of the marsh landscape, flooding and draining the marsh platform and providing a source of sediments and nutrients to the marsh ecosystem. In recent years, several numerical models have been developed to describe the morphogenesis and long‐term dynamics of salt marsh channels. Finally, salt marshes are highly sensitive to the effects of long‐term climatic change. We therefore discuss in detail how numerical models have been used to determine salt marsh survival under different scenarios of sea level rise.
Investigation of the effect of external periodic flow pulsation on a cylinder wake using linear stability analysis
Authors: Lu Liang , Papadakis George
Published: September 2011

The aim of this paper is to investigate the receptivity of cylinder wake to external periodic flow pulsation at low Reynolds number using linear stability analysis. The inlet flow pulsation appears as a forcing term in the linearised equation set. The full non-linear N-S equations as well as the linearised set for small perturbations around the time-averaged flow are solved using an in-house finite volume solver. The results are first validated against reference data for growth rate and frequency of the most unstable eigenmode for flow past a fixed cylinder with steady base flow at various Reynolds numbers. A special numerical technique is developed to separate the components of the solution in the wake that vary with the natural shedding frequency and the external pulsating frequency. The developed approach requires temporal integration over one period of vortex shedding and solution of a 4×4 linear system at every cell of the domain. The results show that both cross-stream and streamwise velocity components in the near cylinder region are strongly affected by flow pulsation, and its effect is spatially localised in the near wake. Increasing the pulsation frequency reduces the spatial extent within which pulsation plays an important role. A symmetric shedding pattern is established and at every period of external pulsation, two pairs of symmetric vortices are shed from the top and bottom of the cylinder. The width of the wake periodically widens and narrows, which is similar to “wake breathing” observed in a streamwise oscillating cylinder.
Unattenuated conical spin wave in spiral magnet: The role of Dzyaloshinskii-Moriya interaction
Authors: Guo Y. J. , Tao Y. M. , Chen X. , Qin M. H. , Dong S. , Liu J.-M.
Published: September 2011

A direct inter-conversion between conduction electron spin-current and spin wave spin-current has been experimentally realized in Pt/Y3Fe5O12 and Pt/Y3Fe5O12/Pt heterostructures [Y. Kajiwara et al., Nature 464, 262 (2010)]. We investigate the dynamics of this inter-conversion in an in-plane spiral magnet with the nearest-neighboring interaction and Dzyaloshinskii-Moriya interaction, using the modified Landau-Lifshitz-Gilbert equation. The calculations indicate that an unattenuated conical spin wave in the spiral magnet can be excited by a spin-torque representing a conduction-electron spin-current. The substantial role of the Dzyaloshinskii-Moriya interaction in stabilizing such unattentuated spin wave transmission is revealed. In addition, the influences of the spin-torque term and damping coefficient on the stability of the spin wave transmission are discussed.
Secondary flow structures due to interaction between a finite-span synthetic jet and a 3-D cross flow
Authors: Elimelech Yossef , Vasile Joseph , Amitay Michael
Published: September 2011

An experimental investigation was performed to study the formation of secondary flow structures due to the interaction of a finite-span synthetic jet with a three-dimensional boundary layer over a finite and swept-back wing configuration (cross-sectional profile of the NACA 4421, aspect ratio of 4 and sweep back angle of 30°). The investigation was carried out at a chord based Reynolds number of 105, two angles of attack of 9° and 15.5°, and two blowing ratios of 0.8 and 1.2. Stereoscopic particle image velocimetry (PIV) data were collected around a single synthetic jet actuator in the mid-span of the swept-back wing configuration. The effect of the blowing ratio was analyzed based on the three-dimensional flow field using time-averaged and phase-averaged statistics. Detailed boundary layer profiles show the actuation effects in cases where the jet is introduced to locally attached or separated flow fields, which are determined by the model’s angle of attack. Similar to the interaction of a synthetic jet with a flow over an unswept wing, the flow field in the vicinity of the synthetic jet orifice becomes highly three-dimensional with very distinct secondary flow structures. The flow field is governed by the superposition of two kinds of flow structures: (1) spanwise structures that are generated along the orifice’s span due to the synthetic jet’s vortex pairs and (2) streamwise structures that are associated with the finite span of the jet (edge vortices). These flow structures are formed almost immediately downstream of the synthetic jet orifice and evolve into a well-organized three-dimensional flow field farther downstream.
Extreme subwavelength electric GHz metamaterials
Authors: Kolb P. W. , Salter T. S. , McGee J. A. , Drew H. D. , Padilla W. J.
Published: September 2011

We investigate electric GHz metamaterial resonator arrays with strong electric responses with the goal of reducing the resonator size in comparison to the excitation wavelength. By exploiting capactive coupling between adjacent resonators, we achieve a large effective capacitance and strong coupling to the applied electric field. By adding meander lines to connect the electrodes, we are able to lower the resonant frequency to about 3 GHz and obtain a ratio of wavelength to resonator size of about 30. Additionally, we propose a straight forward path to lower this ratio to about 70. In contrast to other low-frequency designs, our designs do not require vias and maintain strong coupling to the applied field.
Room-temperature photoluminescence from nitrogenated carbon nanotips grown by plasma-enhanced hot filament chemical vapor deposition
Authors: Wang B. B. , Cheng Q. J. , Chen Y. A. , Ostrikov K.
Published: September 2011

Nitrogenated carbon nanotips with a low atomic concentration of nitrogen have been synthesized by using a custom-designed plasma-enhanced hot-filament plasma chemical vapor deposition system. The properties (including morphology, structure, composition, photoluminescence, etc.) of the synthesized nitrogenated carbon nanotips are investigated using advanced characterization tools. The room-temperature photoluminescence measurements show that the nitrogenated carbon nanotips can generate two distinct broad emissions located at ∼405 and ∼507 nm, respectively. Through the detailed analysis, it is shown that these two emission bands are attributed to the transition between the lone pair valence and σ* bands, which are related to the sp3 and sp2 C–N bonds, respectively. These results are highly relevant to advanced applications of nitrogenated carbon nanotips in light emitting optoelectronic devices.
Local heating-induced plastic deformation in resistive switching devices
Authors: Jiang W. , Kamaladasa R. J. , Lu Y. M. , Vicari A. , Berechman R. , Salvador P. A. , Bain J. A. , Picard Y. N. , Skowronski M.
Published: September 2011

Resistive switching is frequently associated with local heating of the switching structure. The mechanical effect of such heating on Pt/SrTiO3 (001) Schottky barriers and on Pt/SrZrO3/SrRuO3/SrTiO3 switching devices was examined. The extent and magnitude of Joule heating was assessed using IR microscopy at power dissipation levels similar to what others have reported during electroforming. Lines aligned along the [100] and [010] directions were observed spreading laterally around the locally heated area imaged by IR. Atomic force microscopy, transmission electron microscopy. and electron channeling contrast imaging suggest these lines are slip lines due to the plastic deformation induced by the local compressive stresses created by Joule heating. The deformation pattern is identical to that produced by nanoindentation. The implications of deformation for resistive switching systems are discussed.
Effect of axial and transverse magnetic fields on the flow behavior of ferrofluids featuring different levels of interparticle interaction
Authors: Reindl M. , Odenbach S.
Published: September 2011

A study is conducted on the influence of magnetic fields on the flow behavior of two ferrofluids with different levels of interparticle interaction, determined by prior rheological measurements. A Taylor-Couette system is used as a model for the investigations. A homogeneous magnetic field is applied in axial and transverse direction relative to the rotational axis of the system. The results presented comprise changes in the flow structure of the Taylor-vortex flow and the stabilization of the circular Couette flow due to magnetic fields.
Hall magnetohydrodynamic reconnection in the plasmoid unstable regime
Authors: Baalrud S. D. , Bhattacharjee A. , Huang Y.-M. , Germaschewski K.
Published: September 2011

A set of reduced Hall magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) equations are used to evaluate the stability of large aspect ratio current sheets to the formation of plasmoids (secondary islands). Reconnection is driven by resistivity in this analysis, which occurs at the resistive skin depth dη≡SL-1/2LνA/γ, where SL is the Lundquist number, L, the length of the current sheet, νA, the Alfvén speed, and γ, the growth rate. Modifications to a recent resistive MHD analysis [N. F. Loureiro et al., Phys. Plasmas 14, 100703 (2007)] arise when collisions are sufficiently weak that dη is shorter than the ion skin depth di ≡ c/ωpi. Secondary islands grow faster in this Hall MHD regime: the maximum growth rate scales as (di/L)6/13SL7/13νA/L and the number of plasmoids as (di/L)1/13SL11/26, compared to SL1/4νA/L and S3/8, respectively, in resistive MHD.
Variability of physical characteristics of electro-sprayed poly(3-hexylthiophene) thin films
Authors: Ali M. , Abbas M. , Shah S. K. , Bontempi E. , Colombi P. , Di Cicco A. , Gunnella R.
Published: September 2011

Structural and electronic properties of homogeneous poly(3-hexylthiophene) (P3HT) films obtained from the electro-spray method were presented by means of grazing incidence x-ray diffraction, atomic force microscopy, optical absorption, photoelectron spectroscopy, and (photo)electrical conductivity. Starting from different solution concentrations and flow rate conditions, differently assembled thin films were obtained whose physical properties were peculiarly different from those ones obtained by other deposition methods. If properly refined, the method could in principle broaden the spectrum of the existing nano and microscale structures of the P3HT thin films.
Effect of oxygen content on magnetic properties of layered cobaltites PrBaCo2O5+δ
Authors: Ganorkar Shraddha , Priolkar K. R. , Sarode P. R. , Banerjee A.
Published: September 2011

The effect of oxygen content on the magnetic properties of the layered perovskites has been investigated. The samples, PrBaCo2O5+δ (0.35 ≤ δ ≤ 0.80), were prepared by sol-gel method and characterized by X-ray diffraction and dc magnetization. A detailed magnetic phase diagram for PrBaCo2O5+δ is presented. It is found that unlike in the case of heavier rare-earths, ferromagnetic interactions are present at all temperatures below TC and even in the antiferromagnetically ordered phase. Moreover, in compounds with lower oxygen content, short range ferromagnetic interactions are present even above TC. This dependence of magnetic properties on oxygen content in these layered perovskites has been linked to the changes in polyhedra around the Co ions.