bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Anti-tumor necrosis factor therapy improves insulin resistance, beta cell function and insulin signaling in active rheumatoid arthritis patients with high insulin resistance
Authors: Stagakis Ilias , Bertsias George , Karvounaris Stylianos , Kavousanaki Melina , Virla Dimitra , Raptopoulou Amalia , Kardassis Dimitrios , Boumpas Dimitrios T , Sidiropoulos Prodromos I
Published: June 2012

Introduction

Prevalence of insulin resistance and the metabolic syndrome has been reported to be high in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients. Tumor necrosis factor (TNF), a pro-inflammatory cytokine with a major pathogenetic role in RA, may promote insulin resistance by inducing Ser312 phosphorylation (p-Ser312) of insulin receptor substrate (IRS)-1 and downregulating phosphorylated (p-)AKT. We examined whether anti-TNF therapy improves insulin resistance in RA patients and assessed changes in the insulin signaling cascade.

Methods

Prospective study of RA patients receiving anti-TNF agents (infliximab, n = 49, adalimumab, n = 11, or etanercept, n = 1) due to high disease activity score in 28 joints (DAS28 > 5.1). A complete biochemical profile was obtained at weeks 0 and 12 of treatment. Insulin resistance, insulin sensitivity and pancreatic beta cell function were measured by the Homeostasis Model Assessment (HOMA-IR), the Quantitative Insulin Sensitivity Check Index (QUICKI) and the HOMA-B respectively. Protein extracts from peripheral blood mononuclear cells were assayed by western blot for p-Ser312 IRS-1 and p-AKT. RA patients treated with abatacept (CTLA4.Ig) were used as a control group for insulin signaling studies.

Results

At study entry, RA patients with high insulin resistance (HOMA-IR above median) had significantly higher mean DAS28 (P = 0.011), serum triglycerides (P = 0.015), and systolic blood pressure levels (P = 0.024) than patients with low insulin resistance. After 12 weeks of anti-TNF therapy, patients with high insulin resistance demonstrated significant reduction in HOMA-IR (P < 0.001), HOMA-B (P = 0.001), serum triglycerides (P = 0.039), and increase in QUICKI (P < 0.001) and serum HDL-C (P = 0.022). Western blot analysis in seven active RA patients with high insulin resistance showed reduction in p-Ser312 IRS-1 (P = 0.043) and increase in p-AKT (P = 0.001) over the study period. In contrast, the effect of CTLA4.Ig on p-Ser312 IRS-1 and p-AKT levels was variable.

Conclusions

Anti-TNF therapy improved insulin sensitivity and reversed defects in the insulin signaling cascade in RA patients with active disease and high insulin resistance. The impact of these biochemical changes in modifying cardiovascular disease burden in active RA patients remains to be seen.
Investigation of the role of endosomal Toll-like receptors in murine collagen-induced arthritis reveals a potential role for TLR7 in disease maintenance
Authors: Alzabin Saba , Kong Philip , Medghalchi Mino , Palfreeman Andrew , Williams Richard , Sacre Sandra
Published: June 2012

Introduction

Endosomal toll-like receptors (TLRs) have recently emerged as potential contributors to the inflammation observed in human and rodent models of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). This study aims to evaluate the role of endosomal TLRs and in particular TLR7 in the murine collagen induced arthritis (CIA) model.

Methods

CIA was induced by injection of collagen in complete Freund's adjuvant. To investigate the effect of endosomal TLRs in the CIA model, mianserin was administered daily from the day of disease onset. The specific role of TLR7 was examined by inducing CIA in TLR7-deficient mice. Disease progression was assessed by measuring clinical score, paw swelling, serum anti-collagen antibodies histological parameters, cytokine production and the percentage of T regulatory (Treg) cells.

Results

Therapeutic administration of mianserin to arthritic animals demonstrated a highly protective effect on paw swelling and joint destruction. TLR7-/- mice developed a mild arthritis, where the clinical score and paw swelling were significantly compromised in comparison to the control group. The amelioration of arthritis by mianserin and TLR7 deficiency both corresponded with a reduction in IL-17 responses, histological and clinical scores, and paw swelling.

Conclusions

These data highlight the potential role for endosomal TLRs in the maintenance of inflammation in RA and support the concept of a role for TLR7 in experimental arthritis models. This study also illustrates the potential benefit that may be afforded by therapeutically inhibiting the endosomal TLRs in RA.
Spinster Ecology: Rachel Carson, Sarah Orne Jewett, and Nonreproductive Futurity
Authors: Ensor Sarah
Published: June 2012

In this essay, Ensor suggests that the figure of the spinster can help resolve the problems of futurity that confront queer ecocriticism insofar as the spinster practices an avuncular form of stewardship, tending the future without contributing directly to it. By looking at a series of texts that take up this mode of invested indirection in their content and form alike, she argues for a spinster ecology that alters our notion not only of where the future lies but also of how (or if) it arrives. Ensor turns first to Silent Spring to argue that Rachel Carson’s intransitive understanding of ecological consequence confounds the gestures of refusal and negation that have dominated recent queer theoretical treatments of the future. She then looks to Sarah Orne Jewett to suggest that the complex futurity of Silent Spring has a literary correlate in the indirect unfolding and muted tonality of The Country of the Pointed Firs. Ultimately, Ensor contends that paying heed to figures like the spinster might inspire a queer ecocritical practice attentive to affects customarily considered too weak to be socially efficacious. By redefining where and how we see the future, the spinster alters our sense of how we might best move toward it, no longer permitting us to understand the present and future as mutually delimiting terms. The result is a model of care that allows distance, indirection, and aloofness to persist, and that transforms the vexed concept of “enoughness” from a chastening limitation to a quietly affirmative state.
Comparison in Catalytic Activities of Sulfated Zirconia and Sulfated Tin Oxide for Converting Free Fatty Acids in Crude Palm Oil to Their Methyl Esters
Authors: Nuithitikul Kamchai , Limtrakul Jumras
Published: June 2012

For the first time, the catalytic activities of sulfated zirconia and sulfated tin oxide have been directly compared for esterification of free fatty acids (FFA) in crude palm oil to produce fatty acid methyl esters (FAME). Both sulfated zirconia and sulfated tin oxide catalysts were prepared by hydroxide precipitation, followed with impregnation using sulfuric acid as the source of sulfate. The concentrations of sulfuric acid were varied. The sulfated zirconia and sulfated tin oxide catalysts were characterized by XRD, nitrogen adsorption, elemental analysis, FTIR and potentiometric titration. Esterification of FFA in crude palm oil was carried out in a stirred-tank reactor equipped with a reflux condenser. The influences of the amount of methanol and catalysts were investigated. The results have revealed that both sulfated zirconia and sulfated tin oxide well catalyze the esterification of FFA to produce FAME. Sulfated tin oxide is, on average, 2 times more active than sulfated zirconia. Increasing the concentration of sulfuric acid used in the preparation of both catalysts results in higher sulfur contents and greater acidities of the catalysts. As a result, the conversions of FFA increase. Moreover, the conversions of FFA have been found to increase with the amounts of methanol and catalysts up to certain values and then level off.
On the domain of meromorphy of
a multivariate Euler product of Igusa type
Authors: Delabarre Ludovic
Published: June 2012

This work is an answer to a problem posed by N. Kurokawa and H. Ochiai concerning the natural boundary of meromorphy of a multivariate Euler product of Igusa type. More generally, we introduce and determine the maximal domain of meromorphy of a class of multivariate non-uniform Euler products.
Platinum organometallic compounds: classification and analysis of crystallographic and structural data. Part I. Monomeric Pt(0) and partly of Pt(II) with PtC4, PtA3B and PtC2A2 chromophores
Authors: Melnik Milan , Holloway Clive E.
Published: June 2012

This review covers over 110 monomeric Pt(0) organometallics and 220 monomeric Pt(II) organometallics. The predominant geometry for Pt(0) is square planar, with some examples of two-, five-, and six-coordinated. The monomeric Pt(II) organometallics in the review covers only those with the chromophores PtC4, PtA3B and PtC2A2. The most common ligand, besides C donor ligands, which are of a wide variety, is PPh3. At least two types of isomerism occur in the platinum organometallics analysed in this review: cis-trans and distortion. Relations between Pt-ligand bond distances, bond angles and transeffect are discussed regarding steric and electronic influence.
CEO Pay, Managerial Power, and SFAS 123(R)
Authors: Skantz Terrance R.
Published: June 2012

This study presents evidence that option expensing, whether voluntary under SFAS 123 or mandatory under SFAS 123(R), is associated with changes in CEO compensation that are beneficial to shareholders. I find that the reporting benefits of aggregate-employee option grants under SFAS 123 are associated with the change in the mix of CEO option grants and stock grants that occurs after SFAS 123(R), suggesting that reporting benefits of option grants may have influenced some CEO compensation decisions. Additionally, I find that the reduction in CEO pay after SFAS 123(R) is greater when shareholders have more power to act in their own best interest and when there is evidence of pre-expensing CEO compensation rents. The findings suggest that SFAS 123 may have encouraged inefficient, CEO-preferential pay practices and that SFAS 123(R) may have contributed to a reduction in CEO compensation inefficiencies.

Data Availability: All data are publicly available.
Culture and perception of leadership: Ideal leader in the country of origin and the country of residence - case of Germany. Study report (part two)
Authors: Witkowski Stanisław , Grotthus Magdalena
Published: June 2012

The present paper is a supplement to the earlier report (Witkowski, Grotthus, 2011) from the intercultural research concerned with an ideal leader prototype from an immigrant's perspective. In the present part, the authors focus consecutively on four groups of foreigners (Poland, Eastern Europe, Latin Europe, Latin America) working in Germany. Comparison of outstanding leader prototypes in the country of origin and Germany yielded significant differences in all groups.
Organizational forms of coordination and integration of activities in project management
Authors: Skalik Jan
Published: June 2012

Solving the problems connected to coordination in managing complex projects is crucial for their successful completion. The paper discusses organizational forms of coordination in implementing a project and the factors that should be considered when selecting them, so that the amount of coordinating potential generated by the chosen form is proportionate to the actual needs in this field.
Endogenous or exogenous innovative development in companies on regional level? Case study - lubuskie voivoidship
Authors: Świadek Arkadiusz , Wiśniewska Joanna
Published: June 2012

At the moment endogenous growth theory has become increasingly popular in the world of science, particularly in developed countries. This article aims to show, for lubuskie case, the needs and sense of applying this theory in the Polish regions. Due to the low level of economic development of many Polish regions, including Lubuskie, they are unable to growth in a comparable rate as regions in developed countries. This explains the economic divergence between polish regions and the highly developed regions of Europe and the World. Stimulating economic growth are insufficient in such cases, because of the weakness of the internal factors in regions. Therefore it is important to strengthen an external impulses to keep internal development. It means that the endogenous growth theory is no reason to exist, in conditions of poor Polish regions. Without external inputs there can't be convergences processes. Therefore, the economic development of the of Polish regions should be based on the exogenous growth theory.
Developing the innovation potential of a medium sized family business functioning in a global supply chain
Authors: Dzikowski Piotr
Published: June 2012

Most domestic companies from the SME sector cannot afford to bear the risk of unsuitable technological, market and financial decisions related to innovation activities. The risk of failure can be significantly reduced by entering into a cooperation with customers standing at a much higher level of innovative development. The main goal of this article is to describe the process of gradually increasing the innovative capacity of the Polish family business that has been achieved through the cooperation within the global industrial chain operating in the field of public service vehicle industry.
Regional differences in telecommunications infrastructure and development of enterprises
Authors: Malinowski Mariusz
Published: June 2012

The aim of this article is to determine the effect of various elements of telecommunication infrastructure for the development of enterprises in individual voivodeships. In the first part of the article the present author has characterized the telecommunications infrastructure and presented it as a factor in the development of enterprises. In the second part, based on statistical data, the relationship between the development of telecommunications infrastructure and the enterprise development in individual voivodeships in 2006-2010 was examined.
The assessment of situation of business companies in Żagań during the economic crisis - research results
Authors: Jędrzejczak-Gas Janina
Published: June 2012

The assessment of situation of business companies in Żagań during the economic crisis - research results This article aims the situation assessment of the companies in Żagań during the period between the first quarter of 2010. and the first quarter of 2011 and collect their forecasts for the following period. The analysis and evaluation will address the overall economic situation of the surveyed companies, barriers to economic activity, changes in employment, demand, sales and prices. The results presented in the research article will allow to verify the hypothesis: In the period between the first quarter of 2010 and the first quarter of 2011 there was an increase in economic optimism of companies in Żagań. Companies did not suffered the effects of the global crisis and in the analyzed period, they reported better results than the forecast the early 2010.
Enzymatic Synthesis and Chemical Recycling of Novel Polyester-Type Thermoplastic Elastomers
Authors: Yagihara Tsukuru , Matsumura Shuichi
Published: June 2012

Novel polyester-type thermoplastic elastomers based on poly(alkylene succinate)s were synthesized by the lipase-catalyzed copolymerization of cyclic diol/succinate oligomer and cyclic diol/alkylthiosuccinate oligomer. These copolymers exhibited biodegradabilities by activated sludge and a wide range of thermal and mechanical properties that were dependent on the molecular structure and the content of side alkylthio groups. The degree of crystallinity of the copolymer decreased with increasing content of alkylthio groups, which were introduced into the polymer chain as a soft segment. Furthermore, lipase-catalyzed depolymerization of these copolymers into cyclic oligomers and repolymerization of the oligomers was carried out. A repolymerized copolymer having the same Mw and monomer composition as the initial copolymer was obtained, indicating the chemical recyclability of the copolymer.
Communicating African Spirituality through Ecology: Challenges and Prospects for the 21st Century
Authors: Gumo Sussy , Gisege Simon O. , Raballah Evans , Ouma Collins
Published: June 2012

This review was set in the context of African spirituality and ecology. Specifically, the review addressed issues of African spirituality and the environment from a Kenyan context. Through analyses on existing literature, we examined African worldviews, determined how African spirituality was communicated through the environment, evaluated African ways of regulating the use of the environment, and explored challenges facing African spirituality and ecology today. Results show that African spirituality has been enhanced through the environment where humanity worshipped and venerated everything under the earth, on earth, between the earth and heavens and in the heavens above. Consequently, various methods to restrict the utilization of certain natural resources are employed as a way of conserving the environment. Additional findings demonstrate that African spirituality and ecology are currently facing a number of challenges, hence a major challenge of sustainability of African spirituality in regard to environment. From a spiritual point of view, it is therefore recommended that environmental diversity should be conserved through sustainable development where every person from grassroots level is involved in protecting and maintaining God’s creation. We conclude that African knowledge and belief systems on environmental sustainability could be revitalized and used in environmental conservation.
CRITICAL REFLECTIONS ON THE CONCEPT OF MAINTENANCE
Authors: Lind Hans , Muyingo Henry
Published: June 2012

The purpose of the paper is to critically evaluate the conceptual distinction between investment and maintenance. The study starts from a number of definitions in the literature and discusses these from the perspective of standard investment theory. The article argues that the standard concept of investment covers all relevant decisions and also puts the focus on the future consequences of decision and not whether it restores an earlier standard or not. The research implications are that investment and maintenance planning need to be analysed together and that the distinction between investment and maintenance is uninteresting from a decision theoretic and resource allocation perspective. The practical implications of the article are that what usually is called investment planning and maintenance planning need to be integrated. The originality in the paper lies primarily in the questioning of the usefulness of the concept of maintenance in a dynamic age where the relation to earlier characteristics and functions becomes less and less interesting. The role of the maintenance concept is now primarily related to various administrative systems (accounting, taxation) but is not so relevant from a forward looking resource allocation perspective.
INDUSTRIALIZED HOUSING IN CHINA: A COIN WITH TWO SIDES
Authors: Zhang Xiaoling , Skitmore Martin
Published: June 2012

China today is experiencing a time when housing is needed more than ever and one approach satisfying this need is by industrialization – a streamlined process aimed at generating profits and promoting energy efficiency in the housing sectors. Although large housing programs have been completed in China, few housing projects have been built in an industrialized manner. One contributing factor is that industrialization is not omnipotent and, just as a coin has two sides, not all the outcomes of industrialization are beneficial. In this paper, a preliminary assessment is made of these two sides – the benefits and hindrances of industrialized housing in China – by literature review and survey. Case studies are used to verify the questionnaire survey results and from which the advantages and disadvantages involved are compared. The findings indicate the need for formulating policies to encourage industrialized housing in China and for well-planned R&D themes to be implemented simultaneously with industry practices in the near future.
OFFICE QUALITY CLASSIFICATION THEORETICAL AND EMPIRICAL ISSUES
Authors: Olayonwa Ganiyu Onatunde , Iman Abdul Hamid Mar , Ismail Suriatini
Published: June 2012

Office quality classification literature recognises identification of office classes through division of office market rent distribution into intervals but failed to provide sound theoretical framework and comprehensive empirical approach to this method. This paper theorised that as office rental levels are a function of office quality; high quality office classes should have their mean rents greater than average market rent and mean rents of low quality classes. Also that heterogeneous nature of property coupled with lack of perfect information to market participants could result into differential evaluation of rent and quality of the same property by different market participants. The behaviour of participants normally reflects in distribution of market rent by depicting natural breaks in the distribution that could be captured by univariate data exploration. Frequency and histograms of rent distributions that were assumed to depict the behaviour of market participants were used to divide rent distribution to intervals to identify office quality classes. The results of this classification were validated by discriminant analysis. 67% and 59% accuracies were achieved for estimation and holdout subsamples respectively. This paper extended theoretical and empirical approaches in office quality classification. The proposed empirical approach could be used in future classification research.
DEVELOPING A CONCESSION PRICING MODEL FOR PPP HIGHWAY PROJECTS
Authors: Xu Yelin , Skibniewski Miroslaw J. , Zhang Yongmei , Chan Albert P. C. , Yeung John F. Y.
Published: June 2012

The concession pricing is one of the most important issues during the negotiation period of PPP contracts. Pricing should vary in accordance with risks assumed by the private sector and embody equitable risk sharing between the government and the private sector to lower the minimum feasible concession price and ensure effective risk management. In this study, a general concession pricing model is developed through cost-benefit analysis from the perspective of the private sector. The model integrates project risk variables, price parameters, and other financial elements into a concession pricing formula based on cash flow table. Meanwhile, to cope with the occurrence of unforeseeable losses triggered by risk factors, such as interest rate fluctuation, inflation, traffic volume change, etc., a price adjustment mechanism is established to adjust the initial price and ensure the project's financial viability. The concession pricing model and adjustment mechanism allow the government and the private sector to reach a consensus on the tariff scheme of a PPP project. It is believed that the model is beneficial to create a “win-win” situation for both the government and the private sector.
Transactivation of Inducible Nitric Oxide Synthase Gene by Kruppel-like Factor 6 Regulates Apoptosis during Influenza A Virus Infection
Authors: Mgbemena Victoria , Segovia Jesus A. , Chang Te-Hung , Tsai Su-Yu , Cole Garry T. , Hung Chiung-Yu , Bose Santanu
Published: June 2012

Influenza A virus (flu) is a respiratory tract pathogen causing high morbidity and mortality among the human population. NO is a cellular mediator involved in tissue damage through its apoptosis of target cells and resulting enhancement of local inflammation. Inducible NO synthase (iNOS) is involved in the production of NO following infection. Although NO is a key player in the development of exaggerated lung disease during flu infection, the underlying mechanism, including the role of NO in apoptosis during infection, has not been reported. Similarly, the mechanism of iNOS gene induction during flu infection is not well defined in terms of the host transactivator(s) required for iNOS gene expression. In the current study, we identified Kruppel-like factor 6 (KLF6) as a critical transcription factor essential for iNOS gene expression during flu infection. We also underscored the requirement for iNOS in inducing apoptosis during infection. KLF6 gene silencing in human lung epithelial cells resulted in the drastic loss of NO production, iNOS promoter-specific luciferase activity, and expression of iNOS mRNA following flu infection. Chromatin immunoprecipitation assay revealed a direct interaction of KLF6 with iNOS promoter during in vitro and in vivo flu infection of human lung cells and mouse respiratory tract, respectively. A significant reduction in flu-mediated apoptosis was noted in KLF6-silenced cells, cells treated with iNOS inhibitor, and primary murine macrophages derived from iNOS knockout mice. A similar reduction in apoptosis was noted in the lungs following intratracheal flu infection of iNOS knockout mice.
Cutting Edge: Impaired MHC Class I Expression in Mice Deficient for Nlrc5/Class I Transactivator
Authors: Biswas Amlan , Meissner Torsten B. , Kawai Taro , Kobayashi Koichi S.
Published: June 2012

MHC class I and class II are crucial for the adaptive immune system. Although regulation of MHC class II expression by CIITA has long been recognized, the mechanism of MHC class I transactivation has been largely unknown until the recent discovery of NLRC5/class I transactivator. In this study, we show using Nlrc5-deficient mice that NLRC5 is required for both constitutive and inducible MHC class I expression. Loss of Nlrc5 resulted in severe reduction in the expression of MHC class I and related genes such as β2-microglobulin, Tap1, or Lmp2, but did not affect MHC class II levels. IFN-γ stimulation could not overcome the impaired MHC class I expression in Nlrc5-deficient cells. Upon infection with Listeria monocyogenes, Nlrc5-deficient mice displayed impaired CD8+ T cell activation, accompanied with increased bacterial loads. These findings illustrate critical roles of NLRC5/class I transactivator in MHC class I gene regulation and host defense by CD8+ T cell responses.
Assessing Simazine Degradation Patterns in California Citrus Orchards with Different Simazine Use Histories
Authors: Abit M. Joy M. , Shaner Dale L. , Krutz L. Jason , Rainbolt Christine M. , O'Connell Neil V. , Faber Ben A. , Hanson Bradley D.
Published: June 2012

Simazine is commonly used to control broadleaf weeds and annual grasses in perennial tree and vine crops because of its relatively low cost and long residual activity. Simazine may be subject to enhanced biodegradation in some areas which can result in decreased herbicide persistence and reduced residual weed control. Laboratory studies were conducted to determine if rapid simazine degradation occurs in California citrus orchards and if degradation rates are correlated with simazine use history. In the Central Valley, simazine degradation curves indicate that simazine degradation rate is more rapid in soils with a simazine use history (adapted) compared to soils with no recent use (non-adapted). In these soils, simazine dissipation was two- to three-fold faster in adapted compared with the non-adapted soils. However, in southern California, simazine dissipation and mineralization were not substantially different among soils with different simazine use histories. Repeated simazine use in California orchards can lead to the development of enhanced microbial degradation of the herbicide. However, soil type and long-term cropping factors can affect persistence and distribution of herbicide-degrading microbial populations in California orchards.
Intraspecific ITS Variability in the Kingdom Fungi as Expressed in the International Sequence Databases and Its Implications for Molecular Species Identification
Authors: Nilsson R. Henrik , Kristiansson Erik , Ryberg Martin , Hallenberg Nils , Larsson Karl-Henrik
Published: June 2012

The internal transcribed spacer ( ITS) region of the nuclear ribosomal repeat unit is the most popular locus for species identification and subgeneric phylogenetic inference in sequence-based mycological research. The region is known to show certain variability even within species, although its intraspecific variability is often held to be limited and clearly separated from interspecific variability. The existence of such a divide between intra- and interspecific variability is implicitly assumed by automated approaches to species identification, but whether intraspecific variability indeed is negligible within the fungal kingdom remains contentious. The present study estimates the intraspecific ITS variability in all fungi presently available to the mycological community through the international sequence databases. Substantial differences were found within the kingdom, and the results are not easily correlated to the taxonomic affiliation or nutritional mode of the taxa considered. No single unifying yet stringent upper limit for intraspecific variability, such as the canonical 3% threshold, appears to be applicable with the desired outcome throughout the fungi. Our results caution against simplified approaches to automated ITS-based species delimitation and reiterate the need for taxonomic expertise in the translation of sequence data into species names.
CH4, CO, and H2O spectroscopy for the Sentinel-5 Precursor mission: an assessment with the Total Carbon Column Observing Network measurements
Authors: Galli A. , Butz A. , Scheepmaker R. A. , Hasekamp O. , Landgraf J. , Tol P. , Wunch D. , Deutscher N. M. , Toon G. C. , Wennberg P. O. , Griffith D. W. T. , Aben I.
Published: June 2012

Abstract. The TROPOspheric Monitoring Instrument (TROPOMI) will be part of ESA's Sentinel-5 Precursor (S5P) satellite platform scheduled for launch in 2015. TROPOMI will monitor methane and carbon monoxide concentrations in the Earth's atmosphere by measuring spectra of back-scattered sunlight in the short-wave infrared (SWIR). S5P will be the first satellite mission to rely uniquely on the spectral window at 4190–4340 cm−1 (2.3 μm) to retrieve CH4 and CO. In this study, we investigated if the absorption features of the three relevant molecules CH4, CO, and H2O are adequately known. To this end, we retrieved total columns of CH4, CO, and H2O from absorption spectra measured by two ground-based Fourier transform spectrometers that are part of the Total Carbon Column Observing Network (TCCON). The retrieval results from the 4190–4340 cm−1 range at the TROPOMI resolution (0.45 cm−1) were then compared to the CH4 results obtained from the 6000 cm−1 region, and the CO results obtained from the 4190–4340 cm−1 region at the higher TCCON resolution (0.02 cm−1). For TROPOMI-like settings, we were able to reproduce the CH4 columns to an accuracy of 0.3% apart from a constant bias of 1%. The CO retrieval accuracy was, through interference, systematically influenced by the shortcomings of the CH4 and H2O spectroscopy. In contrast to CH4, the CO column error also varied significantly with atmospheric H2O content. Unaddressed, this would introduce seasonal and latitudinal biases to the CO columns retrieved from TROPOMI measurements. We therefore recommend further effort from the spectroscopic community to be directed at the H2O and CH4 spectroscopy in the 4190–4340 cm−1 region.
Mesoscale connectivity through a natural levee
Authors: Newman A. E. , Keim R. F.
Published: June 2012

Abstract. Natural levees are potentially locally important zones of lateral seepage between stream channels and floodplain backswamps because their relatively coarser soils provide pathways of high hydraulic conductivity in an otherwise low conductivity system. Therefore, understanding the rates and mechanisms of subsurface exchange of water and solutes through natural levees may be necessary for understanding biogeochemical cycling in floodplains. We measured imposed hydraulic gradients and solute tracers in 19 shallow monitoring wells within a 580 m3 volume of natural levee in the Atchafalaya Basin, Louisiana. We modeled residence time distributions of pressure and tracers using a simple linear system to quantify spatially variable transport velocities and infer dominant flow mechanisms at a mesoscale. The spatial mean velocity of pressure transport was faster than the mean velocity of tracer transport by two orders of magnitude (1.7 × 10−2 and 4.6 × 10−4 m s−1, respectively), and the variance of pressure velocities was less than the variance of tracer velocities by seven orders of magnitude (1.4 × 104 min2 and 7.9 × 1011 min2, respectively). Higher spatial variability of tracer velocities compared to pressure velocities indicates different functioning mechanisms of mass versus energy transport and suggests preferential flow. Effective hydraulic conductivities, which ranged in magnitude from 10−1 to 106 and from 10−1 to 103 m d−1 for pressure and tracers, respectively, were higher than would be predicted by soil texture. We conclude that, in this fine-grained system, preferential flowpaths control water and solute exchange through natural levees. These findings are important for future studies of water and solute cycling in riverine wetlands, and rates of exchange may be particularly useful for modeling water and nutrient budgets in similar systems.
One‐Step Synthesis of Strained Bicyclic Carboxylic and Boronic Amino Esters via Ruthenium‐Catalysed Tandem Carbene Addition/Cyclopropanation of Enynes
Authors: Bray Chloé Vovard‐Le , Klein Hubert , Dixneuf Pierre H. , Macé Aurélie , Berrée Fabienne , Carboni Bertrand , Dérien Sylvie
Published: June 2012

The reaction of 1,6‐ and 1,7‐enynes, derived from carboxylic and boronic amino acids, with diazo compounds in the presence of the (cyclooctadiene)(pentamethylcyclopentadiene)ruthenium chloride complex [RuCl(cod)(C5Me5)] catalyst leads to the formation of strained bicyclic proline or homoproline derivatives in good yields. This catalytic transformation proceeds under mild conditions, in one step from easily accessible enynes and was applied to various protecting groups. High stereoselectivities for the created alkenyl chain and excellent diastereoselectivities for proline derivatives were obtained.
Safety concerns regarding binge drinking in pregnancy: A review
Authors: Conover Elizabeth Ann , Jones Kenneth Lyons
Published: June 2012

BACKGROUND

There is ongoing debate about the risks to the fetus associated with maternal binge drinking. This makes it difficult to counsel patients about the potential risks associated with their use of alcohol during pregnancy.

METHODS

This article reviews the literature on animal and human studies regarding binge drinking (four to five drinks at one time in humans, or the equivalent in laboratory animals).

RESULTS

Animal studies provide evidence that high doses of alcohol over a short period of time can be more damaging than lower doses over a long period of time. Human data are more inconsistent, especially in terms of the association with malformations. Although neurobehavioral effects are the most commonly reported adverse outcome, some studies do not find such an association. Conclusions are confounded by the design of many studies, which fail to document pattern and total amount of alcohol consumption at one time. In addition, it has been suggested there is a bias against the null effect in publications.

CONCLUSION

Although the evidence in humans is not conclusive, the incidence of binge exposures in pregnancy is high, and it appears prudent to counsel patients to avoid this exposure whenever possible. Women inadvertently exposed to a single binge episode of alcohol early in the first trimester before pregnancy recognition can be reassured that the risks for adverse effects in their baby are likely low if they are able to discontinue use for the duration of the pregnancy. Unfortunately, there may be some residual fetal risk. Birth Defects Research (Part A) 94:570–575, 2012. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
A novel fluorescent assay for oxytetracycline hydrochloride based on fluorescence quenching of water‐soluble CdTe nanocrystals
Authors: Gao Chao , Liu Zhen , Chen Jianqiu , Yan Zhengyu
Published: June 2012

A novel assay for oxytetracycline hydrochloride (OTC) based on fluorescence quenching was developed from the interaction between functionalized cadmium telluride quantum dots (CdTe QDs) and OTC. Optimum conditions for the detection of OTC were found after investigating all factors. Under optimum conditions, luminescence of CdTe nanocrystals (λex = 365 nm, λem = 562 nm) was quenched by OTC in a concentration‐dependent manner best described by a modified Stern‐Volmer type equation. Good linearity was obtained with a regression coefficient of 0.9999 in the range of 1.34 ~ 13.4 x 10‐5 mol/L and a limit of detection of 3.08 x 10‐7 mol/L. In addition, the quenching mechanism was also established. The results imply that the close proximity of OTC‐CdTe was driven by electrostatic attraction and the resulting effective electron transfer from OTC to QDs could be responsible for fluorescence quenching of CdTe‐QDs. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Introduction
Authors: Weaver Melissa
Published: June 2012

Editor's Summary

New Orleans was the site of the 3rd ASIS&T Summit on Research Data Access & Preservation (RDAP), held March 22–23, 2012. This Bulletin features articles reflecting the major themes of the summit, including challenges and opportunities for future RDAP efforts. Data citation is highlighted as a critical aspect of RDAP. The RDAP12 website describes the program and additional resources, and presentation slides and some poster material are available on SlideShare. Plans are underway for RDAP13, to be held in Baltimore, Maryland, in April 2013. A community planning email listserv is open to all.
Session summary: The RDAP12 panel on training data management practitioners
Authors: Hu Xiao
Published: June 2012

Editor's Summary

Attendees at the ASIS&T Research Data Access and Preservation (RDAP) Summit, held in March 2012, discussed education and training for data managers and considered data literacy as a critical skill comparable to information and digital literacy. George Mason University, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute and the School of Information Studies at Syracuse University in collaboration with the Cornell University Library are leading the way in programs offering degrees and certificates on data science research and education. Most educational materials are available online. There was agreement on the need for expanding the numbers of skilled data management practitioners and addressing data manager training in grants for heavily data‐driven projects, though the balance between theory and practice prompted diverging opinions.
Session summary: The RDAP12 data citation panel practitioners
Authors: Mayernik Matthew S.
Published: June 2012

Editor's Summary

The data citation panel of the March 2012 Research Data Access and Preservation (RDAP) Summit targeted an issue that has eluded agreement. The practice of data citation has ranged from general acknowledgements to citing papers describing data to specifically citing the original data. A task group on data citation standards and practices, under the aegis of the International Council for Science, organized a workshop and report and will deliver the results of a survey on current practices. The group's forthcoming white paper will examine emerging proposals for standardization and best practices, tools and infrastructure to support data citation, challenges and opportunities. While panelists and attendees acknowledged the difficulty of standardization at an international level, the emergence of DataCite and ORCID for citing data and authors, respectively, are positive signs.
Taxonomies, biology and baseball: The need for fieldwork
Authors: Ven Eman Jay
Published: June 2012

Editor's Summary

Between baseball and biology, a surprising point of conjunction is taxonomy. A baseball afficionado's proposed three categories for players in spring training could serve as a start for an expanded classification generalizable to all sports. At the same time, a biologist laments what seems to be the abandonment of biological taxonomic classification field studies for pure lab work. The common point is the value of taxonomies for facilitating understanding of the field, whether biology or baseball, from a broad perspective and on a detailed level. Taxonomies define a conceptual space, clarify groupings and identify relationships between concepts, and can help reveal trends and prompt insights for a domain.
Recommendations for the Production of Silicon Carbide‐derived Carbon Based on Intrinsic Kinetic Data
Authors: Knorr T. , Strobl F. , Glenk F. , Etzold B. J. M.
Published: June 2012

Recommendations for mode of operation and critical dimensions regarding inner mass transfer limitation were deduced for the technical extraction of silicon from silicon carbide to produce nanoporous carbon (carbide‐derived carbon, CDC). The recommendations are based on intrinsic kinetics derived from experimental data and reaction engineering simulation of the transient process (shrinking‐core like mechanism). As the reaction takes place at 1000 °C under chlorine atmosphere, kinetic data as well as diffusion coefficients are extracted from integral conversion data in a lab scale reactor. The reaction rate dependency for varying chlorine concentrations is represented best by a Hougen‐Watson type rate approach with dissociative adsorption of a reactant. From the experimental data the effective diffusion coefficient of chlorine in the resulting nanoporous carbon could also be derived to 4 · 10–8 m2s–1 at 1000 °C.
Gel Sculpture: Moldable, Load‐Bearing and Self‐Healing Non‐Polymeric Supramolecular Gel Derived from a Simple Organic Salt
Authors: Sahoo Pathik , Sankolli Ravish , Lee Hee‐Young , Raghavan Srinivasa R. , Dastidar Parthasarathi
Published: June 2012

An easy access to a library of simple organic salts derived from tert‐butoxycarbonyl (Boc)‐protected L‐amino acids and two secondary amines (dicyclohexyl‐ and dibenzyl amine) are synthesized following a supramolecular synthon rationale to generate a new series of low molecular weight gelators (LMWGs). Out of the 12 salts that we prepared, the nitrobenzene gel of dicyclohexylammonium Boc‐glycinate (GLY.1) displayed remarkable load‐bearing, moldable and self‐healing properties. These remarkable properties displayed by GLY.1 and the inability to display such properties by its dibenzylammonium counterpart (GLY.2) were explained using microscopic and rheological data. Single crystal structures of eight salts displayed the presence of a 1D hydrogen‐bonded network (HBN) that is believed to be important in gelation. Powder X‐ray diffraction in combination with the single crystal X‐ray structure of GLY.1 clearly established the presence of a 1D hydrogen‐bonded network in the xerogel of the nitrobenzene gel of GLY.1. The fact that such remarkable properties arising from an easily accessible (salt formation) small molecule are due to supramolecular (non‐covalent) interactions is quite intriguing and such easily synthesizable materials may be useful in stress‐bearing and other applications.
The Effects of Ultrasound and Light on Indocyanine‐Green‐Treated Tumour Cells and Tissues
Authors: Nomikou Nikolitsa , Sterrett Christine , Arthur Ciara , McCaughan Bridgeen , Callan John F. , McHale Anthony P.
Published: June 2012

Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is emerging as a treatment modality for the management of neoplastic disease. Despite considerable clinical success, its application for the treatment of deep‐seated lesions is constrained by the inability of visible light to penetrate deeply into tissues. An emerging alternative approach exploits the fact that many photosensitisers respond to ultrasound, eliciting cytotoxic effects on target cells and tissues; this has become known as sonodynamic therapy (SDT). The objectives of this study were 1) to determine whether the IR‐absorbing dye, indocyanine green (ICG), can be employed as a sonosensitiser and 2) to determine whether ultrasound can be used to enhance ICG‐mediated PDT. Exposing ICG‐treated mouse fibrosarcoma cells to ultrasound at an energy density of 30 J cm−2 decreased cell viability by 65 %. Prior exposure of ICG‐treated cells to light (λ 830 nm) and subsequent treatment with ultrasound led to a 90 % decrease in cell viability. In combination treatments a synergistic effect was observed at lower doses of ultrasound. Microscopic examination of cell populations treated with light or ultrasound demonstrated the production of intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS). Using a mouse tumour model, treatment with light, ultrasound, or a combination thereof led to respective decreases in tumour growth of 42, 67, and 98 % at day 27 post‐treatment. These results could provide a means of circumventing light‐penetration issues that currently challenge the widespread use of PDT in the treatment of cancer.
Population structure and demographic history of a tropical lowland rainforest tree species Shorea parvifolia (Dipterocarpaceae) from Southeastern Asia
Authors: Iwanaga Hiroko , Teshima Kosuke M. , Khatab Ismael A. , Inomata Nobuyuki , Finkeldey Reiner , Siregar Iskandar Z. , Siregar Ulfah J. , Szmidt Alfred E.
Published: June 2012

Distribution of tropical rainforests in Southeastern Asia has changed over geo‐logical time scale, due to movement of tectonic plates and/or global climatic changes. Shorea parvifolia is one of the most common tropical lowland rainforest tree species in Southeastern Asia. To infer population structure and demographic history of S. parvifolia, as indicators of temporal changes in the distribution and extent of tropical rainforest in this region, we studied levels and patterns of nucleotide polymorphism in the following five nuclear gene regions: GapC, GBSSI, PgiC, SBE2, and SODH. Seven populations from peninsular Malaysia, Sumatra, and eastern Borneo were included in the analyses. STRUCTURE analysis revealed that the investigated populations are divided into two groups: Sumatra‐Malay and Borneo. Furthermore, each group contained one admixed population. Under isolation with migration model, divergence of the two groups was estimated to occur between late Pliocene (2.6 MYA) and middle Pleistocene (0.7 MYA). The log‐likelihood ratio tests of several demographic models strongly supported model with population expansion and low level of migration after divergence of the Sumatra‐Malay and Borneo groups. The inferred demographic history of S. parvifolia suggested the presence of a scarcely forested land bridge on the Sunda Shelf during glacial periods in the Pleistocene and predominance of tropical lowland rainforest at least in Sumatra and eastern Borneo.
Equivalent circuit model for electric double layer capacitors and its applications
Authors: Yamashiro Susumu , Nakamura Koichi
Published: June 2012

For a better understanding and detailed analysis of the electric behavior of EDLCs, we present one dynamic equivalent circuit model and two static ones, each of which consists of a resistance and a capacitance varying with voltage. A dynamic model based on the differential capacity is used to simulate the discharging curves. Also, two static models based on the integral and the effective capacity are used to estimate the energy efficiency and constant current charging–discharging time. Owing to the same energy‐oriented approach as is used in defining the effective capacity, the static model based on this capacity shows its superiority in estimating the efficiency and capacitance over another static model based on the integral capacity. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Electr Eng Jpn, 180(4): 29–37, 2012; Published online in Wiley Online Library (wileyonlinelibrary.com). DOI 10.1002/eej.21300