bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Contract models for TBM drives in hard rock – codes in Austria and Switzerland and their practical implementation / Vertragsmodelle für TBM Vortriebe im Festgestein – Regelwerke in Österreich und der Schweiz und deren praktische Umsetzung
Authors: Schneider Eckart , Spiegl Markus
Published: February 2012

The Austrian standard conditions of contract for underground works with continuous tunnelling have been available since 2005. Until then, contract conditions for sequential and continuous tunnelling were combined in a single code. In Switzerland, major transport tunnels were already being bored with TBMs at the start of the 1970s, much earlier than in Austria. Corresponding standard conditions have been available there for many years, most recently revised in 2004. In this article, the most important provisions of the Austrian and Swiss conditions of contract are presented and commented. Their implementation on specific projects is described through some significant projects. A comparison between Austria and Switzerland, where there has also been a standard bill of quantities for TBM drives for a long while – the Norm‐Positions‐Katalog – which is generally accepted and used practically universally, indeed show a basic similarity in the essential points, but in the implementation of the details there are still considerable differences.

Seit 2005 gibt es in Österreich eine eigene Werkvertragsnorm für Untertagebauarbeiten mit kontinuierlichem Vortrieb. Bis dahin waren die Vertragsbestimmungen für zyklische und kontinuierliche Vortriebe in einem einzigen Regelwerk zusammengefasst. In der Schweiz wurden schon ab Anfang der 1970er‐Jahre, also wesentlich früher als in Österreich, große Verkehrstunnelbauten mit Tunnelvortriebsmaschinen realisiert. Eine entsprechende Werkvertragsnorm gibt es dort seit vielen Jahren. Zuletzt wurde sie 2004 aktualisiert. Im Beitrag werden die wichtigsten Bestimmungen der österreichischen und der schweizerischen Werkvertragsnormen vorgestellt und kommentiert. Ihre projektspezifische Ausformung wird anhand signifikanter Projekte dargestellt. Ein Vergleich zwischen Österreich und der Schweiz, wo es außerdem seit langem eine Standard‐Leistungsbeschreibung für TBM‐Vortriebe – den Norm‐Positions‐Katalog – gibt, der generell akzeptiert ist und praktisch flächendeckend angewendet wird, zeigt zwar eine grundsätzliche Übereinstimmung in wesentlichen Punkten, in der Ausformung der Details bestehen jedoch erhebliche Unterschiede.
Palomino HRT – Exploration drillings in two geological formations
Authors: Walter Andreas , Guimarães Carlos , Gerstner Reinhold
Published: February 2012

The Palomino HPP, with an installed capacity of 80 MW, is under construction in the Central Mountains of the Dominican Republic. The geological investigations for the 13.53 km long headrace tunnel were highly restricted due to difficult access in the mountain areas, high tunnel overburden as well as precautionary environmental protections in the National Park José del Carmen Ramirez. With respect to the approximately 12.4 km long TBM drive an exploration programme was carried out during excavation, to detect fractured zones as well as the presence of pressurised groundwater in advance.

Palomino HRT – Erkundungsbohrungen in zwei geologischen Gebirgsarten

Im zentralen Bergland der Dominikanischen Republik wird das Wasserkraftwerk Palomino mit einer Nennleistung von 80 MW errichtet. Aufgrund der schwierigen Zugänglichkeit, der hohen Überlagerungen und der naturschutzbedingen Einschränkungen im Nationalpark José del Carmen Ramirez war die geologische Erkundung entlang des 13,53 km langen Druckstollens stark eingeschränkt. Für den etwa 12,4 km langen TBM‐Abschnitt wurde, um Störzonen oder das Antreffen druckhafter Gebirgswässer im Vortrieb vorab zu erkennen, ein ausführliches Vorauserkundungsprogram konzipiert.
Astrocyte immune responses in epilepsy
Authors: Aronica Eleonora , Ravizza Teresa , Zurolo Emanuele , Vezzani Annamaria
Published: February 2012

Astrocytes, the major glial cell type of the central nervous system (CNS), are known to play a major role in the regulation of the immune/inflammatory response in several human CNS diseases. In epilepsy‐associated pathologies, the presence of astrogliosis has stimulated extensive research focused on the role of reactive astrocytes in the pathophysiological processes that underlie the development of epilepsy. In brain tissue from patients with epilepsy, astrocytes undergo significant changes in their physiological properties, including the activation of inflammatory pathways. Accumulating experimental evidence suggests that proinflammatory molecules can alter glio‐neuronal communications contributing to the generation of seizures and seizure‐related neuronal damage. In particular, bothin vitroandin vivodata point to the role of astrocytes as both major source and target of epileptogenic inflammatory signaling. In this context, understanding the astroglial inflammatory response occurring in epileptic brain tissue may provide new strategies for targeting astrocyte‐mediated epileptogenesis. This article reviews current evidence regarding the role of astrocytes in the regulation of the innate immune responses in epilepsy. Both clinical observations in drug‐resistant human epilepsies and experimental findings in clinically relevant models will be discussed and elaborated, highlighting specific inflammatory pathways (such as interleukin‐1β/toll‐like receptor 4) that could be potential targets for antiepileptic, disease‐modifying therapeutic strategies. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Network coordination and performance among MNEs in Latin America
Authors: De La Torre José R. , Chacar Aya
Published: February 2012

We propose that to be successful under major environmental changes, an organizational response must fit the new environmental contingencies. We employ the political and economic reforms in Latin America during the 1990s as a natural experiment in which to examine these phenomena. Increased market integration should lead firms to establish closer managerial coordination among subsidiaries to an extent proportional to the strength of external changes. Firms that retain under‐ or overstructured organizations will underperform those whose response is fitting to environmental changes particular to their industry. Moreover, firms that exhibit an appropriate regional response are likely to have organizational capabilities transferable to a global level. Data obtained through a survey of MNEs operating in Latin America by 2000 and from Compustat support the theory proposed.
Corpus callosum damage predicts disability progression and cognitive dysfunction in primary‐progressive MS after five years
Authors: Bodini Benedetta , Cercignani Mara , Khaleeli Zhaleh , Miller David H. , Ron Maria , Penny Sophie , Thompson Alan J. , Ciccarelli Olga
Published: February 2012

We aim to identify specific areas of white matter (WM) and grey matter (GM), which predict disability progression and cognitive dysfunction after five years in patients with primary‐progressive multiple sclerosis (PPMS). Thirty‐two patients with early PPMS were assessed at baseline and after five years on the Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS), and EDSS step‐changes were calculated. At year five, a subgroup of 25 patients and 31 healthy controls underwent a neuropsychological assessment. Baseline imaging consisted of dual‐echo (proton density and T2‐weighted), T1‐weighted volumetric, and diffusion tensor imaging. Fractional anisotropy (FA) maps were created, and fed into tract‐based spatial statistics. To compensate for the potential bias introduced by WM lesions, the T1 volumes underwent a lesion‐filling procedure before entering a voxel‐based morphometry protocol. To investigate whether FA and GM volume predicted EDSS step‐changes over five years and neuropsychological tests scores at five years, voxelwise linear regression analyses were performed. Lower FA in the splenium of the corpus callosum (CC) predicted a greater progression of disability over the follow‐up. Lower FA along the entire CC predicted worse verbal memory, attention and speed of information processing, and executive function at five years. GM baseline volume did not predict any clinical variable. Our findings highlight the importance of damage to the interhemispheric callosal pathways in determining physical and cognitive disability in PPMS. Disruption of these pathways, which interconnect motor and cognitive networks between the two hemispheres, may result in a disconnection syndrome that contributes to long‐term physical and cognitive disability. Hum Brain Mapp, 2013. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
The role of chunk tightness and chunk familiarity in problem solving: Evidence from ERPs and fMRI
Authors: Wu Lili , Knoblich Guenther , Luo Jing
Published: February 2012

Multiple factors of task difficulty keep problem solvers from finding the crucial thinking steps required to solve insight problems. In this study, we distinguished two difficulty factors, chunk familiarity and chunk tightness, and investigated their effects on chunk decomposition—a specific type of insight that depends on the process of breaking up perceptual patterns or chunks into elements so that they can be reorganized to form a new meaning. Subjects solved problems that required decomposing Chinese characters that differed in chunk familiarity and chunk tightness. Brain activity was recorded using the electroencephalogram and functional magnetic resonance imaging. The results showed that chunk familiarity could be overcome through an inhibition of familiar meanings, whereas overcoming chunk tightness required visual‐spatial processing. Furthermore, chunk familiarity posed an additional difficulty when chunk tightness was high. This result demonstrates that the difficulty sources in a problem do not always simply add up. Rather, the difficulty of a problem can reside in the interaction of particular sources of difficulty. Hum Brain Mapp, 2013. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Severe necroinflammatory reaction caused by natural killer cell-mediated Fas/Fas ligand interaction and dendritic cells in human hepatocyte chimeric mouse
Authors: Okazaki Akihito , Hiraga Nobuhiko , Imamura Michio , Hayes Nelson C. , Tsuge Masataka , Takahashi Shoichi , Aikata Hiroshi , Abe Hiromi , Miki Daiki , Ochi Hidenori , Tateno Chise , Yoshizato Katsutoshi , Ohdan Hideki , Chayama Kazuaki
Published: February 2012

The necroinflammatory reaction plays a central role in hepatitis B virus (HBV) elimination. Cluster of differentiation (CD)8-positive cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs) are thought to be a main player in the elimination of infected cells, and a recent report suggests that natural killer (NK) cells also play an important role. Here, we demonstrate the elimination of HBV-infected hepatocytes by NK cells and dendritic cells (DCs) using urokinase-type plasminogen activator/severe combined immunodeficiency mice, in which the livers were highly repopulated with human hepatocytes. After establishing HBV infection, we injected human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) into the mice and analyzed liver pathology and infiltrating human immune cells with flow cytometry. Severe hepatocyte degeneration was observed only in HBV-infected mice transplanted with human PBMCs. We provide the first direct evidence that massive liver cell death can be caused by Fas/Fas ligand (FasL) interaction provided by NK cells activated by DCs. Treatment of mice with anti-Fas antibody completely prevented severe hepatocyte degeneration. Furthermore, severe hepatocyte death can be prevented by depletion of DCs, whereas depletion of CD8-positive CTLs did not disturb the development of massive liver cell apoptosis.

Conclusion:

Our findings provide the first direct evidence that DC-activated NK cells induce massive HBV-infected hepatocyte degeneration through the Fas/FasL system and may indicate new therapeutic implications for acute severe/fulminant hepatitis B. (HEPATOLOGY 2012)
Fluoride enrichment in aquifers of the Thar Desert: controlling factors and its geochemical modelling
Authors: Singh Chander Kumar , Kumari Rina , Singh Neha , Mallick Javed , Mukherjee Saumitra
Published: February 2012

The groundwater is the only source of drinking water in the Jaisalmer district of Rajasthan, India. The study area is a part of the Thar Desert. It has low and scattered population and no industries; hence, the possibility of anthropogenic input of fluoride is almost negligible. Thus, the enrichment of fluoride is only possible due to geochemical processes taking place in the groundwater of the region. A total of 100 groundwater samples, 34 samples from Jaisalmer and 66 samples from the Pokharan administrative blocks, were collected. It was observed that the concentration of fluoride ranged from 0.08 mg/l to 4.56 mg/l in the groundwater of Jaisalmer and from 0.56 mg/l to 6.60 mg/l in the samples of the Pokharan block. The alkaline condition (average pH, 7.7 ± 0.22 and 8.01 ± 0.25 in Jaisalmer and the Pokharan administrative block, respectively) in the region favours fluorite dissolution. Ion exchange, dissolution of calcite, semi‐arid climate, alkaline conditions and weathering are responsible for fluoride enrichment in the groundwater of the study area. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Estimating agricultural deep drainage lag times to groundwater: application to Antelope Valley, California, USA
Authors: Grismer Mark E.
Published: February 2012

Estimates of groundwater volumes available in semiarid regions that rely on water balance calculations require the determination of both surface to groundwater lag times and volumes from irrigation or rainfall initiated recharge. Subsurface geologic material hydraulic properties (e.g. hydraulic conductivities, water retention functions) necessary for unsaturated flow modelling are rarely available as are the instrumented field tests that might determine such lag times. Here we develop a simple two‐parameter (specific yield, Sy, and pore‐size distribution index, λ), one‐dimensional unsaturated flow model from simplifications of the Richards equation (using the Brooks‐Corey relationships) to determine lag times from agricultural deep drainage associated with the irrigation of alfalfa hay and various row crops in the Antelope Valley of California, USA. Model‐predicted lag times to depths of 85 m bgs (below ground surface) were similar to that measured in a 2‐year ponded recharge field trial, slightly overestimating that measured by approximately 15% (0.51 vs 0.44 years). Lag time estimates were most sensitive to estimated deep percolation rates and roughly equally sensitive to the model hydraulic parameters. Generally, as subsurface material textures coarsen towards larger Sy and λ values for all Sy >10%, lag times progressively increase; however, at Sy <10%, lag times decrease substantially suggesting that particular combinations of Sy and λ values that may be associated with similarly textured materials can result in the prediction of different lag times for Sy approximately 10%. Overall, lag times of 1–3 years to a depth of 69 m bgs were estimated from deep drainage of agricultural irrigation across a variety of irrigation schedules and subsurface materials. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Visualizing probabilistic flood forecast information: expert preferences and perceptions of best practice in uncertainty communication
Authors: Pappenberger Florian , Stephens Elisabeth , Thielen Jutta , Salamon Peter , Demeritt David , van Andel Schalk Jan , Wetterhall Fredrik , Alfieri Lorenzo
Published: February 2012

The aim of this article is to improve the communication of the probabilistic flood forecasts generated by hydrological ensemble prediction systems (HEPS) by understanding perceptions of different methods of visualizing probabilistic forecast information. This study focuses on interexpert communication and accounts for differences in visualization requirements based on the information content necessary for individual users. The perceptions of the expert group addressed in this study are important because they are the designers and primary users of existing HEPS. Nevertheless, they have sometimes resisted the release of uncertainty information to the general public because of doubts about whether it can be successfully communicated in ways that would be readily understood to nonexperts. In this article, we explore the strengths and weaknesses of existing HEPS visualization methods and thereby formulate some wider recommendations about the best practice for HEPS visualization and communication. We suggest that specific training on probabilistic forecasting would foster use of probabilistic forecasts with a wider range of applications. The result of a case study exercise showed that there is no overarching agreement between experts on how to display probabilistic forecasts and what they consider the essential information that should accompany plots and diagrams. In this article, we propose a list of minimum properties that, if consistently displayed with probabilistic forecasts, would make the products more easily understandable. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Prediction of the impact of climate change on drought: an evaluation of six UK catchments using two stochastic approaches
Authors: Chun Kwok Pan , Wheater Howard , Onof Christian
Published: February 2012

Under future climate scenarios, possible changes of drought patterns pose new challenges for water resources management. For quantifying and qualifying drought characteristics in the UK, the drought severity indices of six catchments are investigated and modelled by two stochastic methods: autoregressive integrated moving average (ARIMA) models and the generalized linear model (GLM) approach. From the ARIMA models, autocorrelation structures are first identified for the drought index series, and the unexplained variance of the series is used to establish empirical relationships between drought and climate variables. Based on the ARIMA results, mean sea level pressure and possibly the North Atlantic Oscillation index are found to be significant climate variables for seasonal drought forecasting. Using the GLM approach, occurrences and amounts of rainfall are simulated with conditioning on climate variables. From the GLM‐simulated rainfall for the 1980s and 2080s, the probabilistic characteristics of the drought severity are derived and assessed. Results indicate that the drought pattern in the 2080s is less certain than for the 1961–1990 period, based on the Shannon entropy, but that droughts are expected to be more clustered and intermittent. The 10th and 50th quantiles of drought are likely higher in the 2080s scenarios, but there is no evidence showing the changes in the 90th quantile extreme droughts. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Protein pathway activation mapping reveals molecular networks associated with antiestrogen resistance in breast cancer cell lines
Authors: van Agthoven Ton , Godinho Marcia F.E. , Wulfkuhle Julia D. , Petricoin Emanuel F. , Dorssers Lambert C.J.
Published: February 2012

Previously, we have identified a panel of breast cancer antiestrogen resistance (BCAR) genes. Several of these genes have clinical relevance because mRNA or protein levels associate with tamoxifen resistance or tumor aggressiveness. We postulated that changes in activation status of protein signaling networks induced by BCAR genes may provide better insight into the mechanisms underlying antiestrogen resistance. Key signal transduction pathways were analyzed for changes in activation or expression using reverse‐phase protein microarrays probed with 78 antibodies against signaling proteins with known roles in tumorigenesis. We used ZR‐75‐1‐derived cell lines transduced with AKT1, AKT2, BCAR1, BCAR3, BCAR4, EGFR, GRB7, HRAS, HRASv12 or HEF1 and MCF7‐derived cell lines transduced with BCAR3, BCAR4 or EGFR. In the antiestrogen‐resistant cell lines, we observed increased phosphorylation of several pathways involved in cell proliferation and survival. All tamoxifen‐resistant cell lines contained high levels of phosphorylated AKT and its biochemically linked substrates Forkhead box O1/3. The activation of ERBB2, ERBB3 and the downstream modulators focal adhesion kinase and SHC were activated in cells with overexpression of BCAR4. Remarkable differences were observed for the levels of activated AMPK alpha1, cyclins, STAT5, STAT6, ERK1/2 and BCL2. The comparison of the cell signaling networks in estrogen‐dependent and ‐independent cell lines revealed biochemically linked kinase–substrate markers that comprised systemically activated signaling pathways involved in tamoxifen resistance. Our results show that this model provides insights into the molecular and cellular mechanisms of breast cancer progression and antiestrogen resistance. This knowledge may help the development of novel targeted treatments.
Regulation of glycogen synthase kinase‐3 by thymosin beta‐4 is associated with gastric cancer cell migration
Authors: Ryu Yun‐Kyoung , Lee Yu‐Sun , Lee Geun‐Hee , Song Kyu‐Sang , Kim Yong‐Sung , Moon Eun‐Yi
Published: February 2012

Thymosin beta‐4 (Tβ4), actin‐sequestering protein, plays important roles in many cellular functions including cancer cell migrations. Glycogen synthase kinase (GSK) in Wnt signaling pathway is a key molecule to control intercellular interaction. Here, we investigated whether GSK‐3 activity is regulated by Tβ4 and it is associated with Tβ4‐mediated migration in gastric cancer cells. Various expression level of Tβ4 was observed in human gastric tumor tissues. Migration in gastric cancer cells, SNU638 and SNU668, was dependent on a relative expression level of Tβ4. Cell migration was higher in SNU668 with a higher expression level of Tβ4 than that in SNU638 with a lower Tβ4. Although the level of phosphorylated(p)‐GSK‐3α (inactive), β‐catenin, E‐cadherin and E‐cadherin:β‐catenin complex was relatively higher, p‐GSK‐3β (inactive) was lower in SNU638 compared to those in SNU668 cells. LiCl, GSK‐3α/β inhibitor, reduced lung metastasis of B16F10 mouse melanoma cells and SNU668 cell migration. Small interference (si)RNA of GSK‐3α increased SNU638 cell migration in accordance with the reduction of E‐cadherin:β‐catenin complex formation through a decrease in β‐catenin and E‐cadherin. Expression level of GSK‐3α/β, β‐catenin and E‐cadherin in SNU668 and SNU638 was reversed by Tβ4‐siRNA and by the treatment with acetylated‐serine‐aspartic acid‐lysine‐proline (SDKP) tetrapeptide of Tβ4, respectively. E‐cadherin expression in SNU638 cells was decreased by β‐catenin‐siRNA. PD98059, MEK inhibitor, or U0126, ERK inhibitor, reduced SNU668 cell migration accompanying an increase in p‐GSK‐3α, β‐catenin and E‐cadherin. Taken together, data indicated that the expression of GSK‐3α, β‐catenin and E‐cadherin could be negatively regulated by Tβ4‐induced ERK phosphorylation. It suggests that Tβ4 could be a novel regulator to control Wnt signaling pathways.
The Role of Subjective Illness Beliefs and Attitude Toward Recovery Within the Relationship of Insight and Depressive Symptoms Among People With Schizophrenia Spectrum Disorders
Authors: Cavelti Marialuisa , Beck Eva‐Marina , Kvrgic Sara , Kossowsky Joe , Vauth Roland
Published: February 2012

Objective

Low levels of insight are a risk factor for treatment nonadherence in schizophrenia, which can contribute to poor clinical outcome. On the other hand, high levels of insight have been associated with negative outcome, such as depression, hopelessness, and lowered quality of life. The present study investigates mechanisms underlying the association of insight and depressive symptoms and protective factors as potential therapeutic targets.

Methods

One hundred and forty‐two outpatients with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder (35.2% women, mean age of 44.83 years) were studied using questionnaires and interviews to assess insight, depressive symptoms, recovery attitude, and illness appraisals with regard to course, functional impairments, and controllability. Psychotic and negative symptoms were assessed as control variables. The cross‐sectional data were analyzed using structural equation models and multiple linear regression analyses with latent variables.

Results

Higher levels of insight and psychotic symptoms were associated with more depressive symptoms. The association of negative symptoms with depressive symptoms was not significant. The relationship between insight and depressive symptoms was mediated by the participants’ perception of their illness as being chronic and disabling, as well as suppressed by their expectation of symptom control due to treatment. Finally, the association of insight and depressive symptoms was less pronounced in the patients with a positive recovery attitude than in those without this protective factor.

Conclusions

To achieve recovery, which includes symptom reduction, functional improvement, and subjective well‐being, it is necessary to prevent depressive symptoms as indicators of a demoralization process, which may arise as a consequence of growing insight. Possible treatment strategies focusing on changes of dysfunctional beliefs about the illness and the self and inducing a positive recovery attitude are discussed.
Targeting HMGB1 inhibits ovarian cancer growth and metastasis by lentivirus‐mediated RNA interference
Authors: Chen Jie , Liu Xiaoyan , Zhang Jie , Zhao Yueran
Published: February 2012

High‐mobility group box 1 (HMGB1), a nuclear and extracellular protein, is implicated in the development and progression of some types of cancers. However, no information is available to date regarding the function of HMGB1 in ovarian cancer. In this study, we performed cDNA microarray analysis and identified HMGB1 as a gene dramatically elevated in the highly invasive subclone S1 compared with the low invasive subclone S21 derived from the same cell line SKOV3. Then lentivirus vector with HMGB1 shRNA was constructed and infected the highly invasive cell line S1, A1, and HO8910PM. Real‐time RT‐PCR, Western blot, and IHC results confirmed the down‐regulation of HMGB1 expression by its shRNA was about 80–90% at both the mRNA and protein levels. Knockdown of HMGB1 significantly suppressed ovarian cancer cell proliferation and induced cell cycle arrest at the G1/G0 phase, which was accompanied by decreased expressions of cyclin D1 and PCNA. Furthermore, knockdown of HMGB1 induced ovarian cancer cell apoptosis, which was mediated by increased expression of Bax and decreased expression of Bcl‐2. Finally, knockdown of HMGB1 significantly inhibited ovarian cancer cell invasion and metastasis, which was regulated by decreased expressions of MMP2 and MMP9. Serum HMGB1 levels in patients with epithelial ovarian cancer were significantly higher than that in patients with benign ovarian tumor and healthy controls. These results indicate that HMGB1 is a newly identified gene associated with ovarian cancer growth and metastasis. HMGB1 may serve as a new therapeutic target for the treatment of ovarian cancer in the future. J. Cell. Physiol. 227: 3629–3638, 2012. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Stannous chloride—an effective reducing agent for the removal of selenium(IV) from acidic solution
Authors: Geoffroy Nicolas , Demopoulos George P.
Published: February 2012

BACKGROUND: Selenium removal from aqueous solutions can be a significant industrial problem, particularly in the metallurgical industry. In order to evaluate new reducing agents for this application, the reduction of selenious acid (H2SeO3) species with stannous ions (Sn2+) from weakly acidic sulfate solutions containing 300 mg L−1 of selenium at 23 °C was studied.

RESULTS: At initial pH values < 1.3 and molar ratio ≥ 2, less than 0.5 µg L−1 of selenium(IV) remained in solution after reduction. The reductive precipitation reaction started as soon as the stannous ions were added to the selenium‐bearing solution and was completed in less than 5 min. The reaction products, characterized using X‐ray diffraction, electron microscopy, particle and surface area measurements, X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy and chemical analysis, were composed of approximately equal amounts of tin selenide and tin dioxide. In addition to tin selenide a minor amount of selenium(IV) was found to be removed via adsorption on the tin dioxide formed in situ. Tests with a complex industrial solution also resulted in full and stable selenium precipitation.

CONCLUSION: Stannous ions were found to be very effective in removing selenious ions from synthetic and industrial solutions, producing very stable precipitates. Copyright © 2012 Society of Chemical Industry
Tetrachloroethylene and hexachloroethane degradation in Fe(III) and Fe(III)–citrate catalyzed Fenton systems
Authors: Jho EunHea , Singhal Naresh , Turner Susan
Published: February 2012

BACKGROUND: Tetrachloroethylene (PCE) and hexachloroethane (HCA) degradation, individually and in mixture, is investigated by Fe(III) or Fe(III)‐citrate initiated Fenton reaction under a range of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) concentrations to illustrate the applicability and constraints of Fenton chemistry in degrading contaminants in polluted groundwater.

RESULTS: In individual solutions Fe(III) rapidly degraded PCE for all H2O2 concentrations, but HCA at ≥ 0.2 mol L−1 H2O2; the apparent PCE degradation rate initially increased but then decreased with increasing H2O2, while the HCA degradation rate was either unaffected or increased. With Fe(III)‐citrate PCE degradation was lower and no HCA degradation occurred. PCE degradation was lower in PCE‐HCA mixture, but the trend with H2O2 concentration was similar to the individual chemical; for HCA the residual was smaller for higher H2O2 concentration, but the apparent degradation rate constant was unaffected.

CONCLUSION: Fe(III) catalyzed reactions can potentially degrade chemicals through reductive as well as oxidative transformations. Degradation of chemicals in mixtures occurs at a slower rate due to competition for radical moieties. The Fe(III)‐citrate complex further slowed chemical transformation. This study expands on the use of different forms of iron to catalyze the Fenton reaction to degrade chemicals. Copyright © 2012 Society of Chemical Industry
Performance of different immobilized‐cell systems to efficiently produce ethanol from whey: fluidized batch, packed‐bed and fluidized continuous bioreactors
Authors: Gabardo Sabrina , Rech Rosane , Ayub Marco Antônio Záchia
Published: February 2012

BACKGROUND:The bioconversion of whey into ethanol by immobilizedKluyveromyces marxianusin packed‐bed and fluidized bioreactors is described. Both batch and continuous cultures were analyzed using three different strains ofK. marxianusand the effect of the operating mode, temperature, and dilution rates (D) were investigated.

RESULTS:All immobilized strains ofK. marxianus(CBS 6556, CCT 4086, and CCT 2653) produced similar high yields of ethanol (0.44 ± 0.01 g EtOH g−1sugar). Significant variations of conversion efficiencies (66.1 to 83.3%) and ethanol productivities (0.78 to 0.96 g L−1h−1) were observed in the experiments with strainK. marxianusCBS 6556 at different temperatures. High yields of ethanol were obtained in fluidized and packed‐bed bioreactors continuous cultures at different D (0.1 to 0.3 h−1), with the highest productivity (3.5 g L−1h−1) observed for D = 0.3 h−1in the fluidized bioreactor (87% of the maximal theoretical conversion), whereas the highest ethanol concentration in the streaming effluent (28 g L−1) was obtained for D = 0.1 h−1. Electronic micrographs of the gel beads showed efficient cell immobilization.

CONCLUSION:Batch and continuous cultivations of immobilizedK. marxianusin fluidized and packed‐bed bioreactors enable high yields and productivities of ethanol from whey. Copyright © 2012 Society of Chemical Industry
Sonographic findings in a neonate with cobb syndrome
Authors: Jagła Mateusz , Szymońska Izabela , Kruczek Piotr
Published: February 2012

Cobb syndrome (cutaneomeningospinal angiomatosis) is a rare phacomatosis characterized by vascular abnormality of the spinal cord associated with a vascular naevus at the same metamere. We report the case of a newborn with Cobb syndrome, diagnosed by sonography of the spine and later confirmed by MRI. In neonates and young infants with dermatomal cutaneous vascular abnormalities, sonography of the spine should be used as the first imaging modality. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Clin Ultrasound, 2013
Sox11 modulates brain‐derived neurotrophic factor expression in an exon promoter‐specific manner
Authors: Salerno Kathleen M. , Jing Xiaotang , Diges Charlotte M. , Cornuet Pamela K. , Glorioso Joseph C. , Albers Kathryn M.
Published: February 2012

Sox11 is a high‐mobility group (HMG)‐containing transcription factor that is significantly elevated in peripheral neurons in response to nerve injury. In vitro and in vivo studies support a central role for Sox11 in adult neuron growth and survival following injury. Brain‐derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) is a pleiotropic growth factor that has effects on neuronal survival, differentiation, synaptic plasticity, and regeneration. BDNF transcription is elevated in the dorsal root ganglia (DRG) following nerve injury in parallel with Sox11, allowing for the possible regulation by Sox11. To begin to assess the possible influence of Sox11, we used reverse transcriptase PCR assays to determine the relative expression of the nine (I–IXa) noncoding exons and one coding exon (exon IX) of the BDNF gene after sciatic nerve axotomy in the mouse. Exons with upstream promoter regions containing the Sox binding motif 5′‐AACAAAG‐3′ (I, IV, VII, and VIII) were increased at 1 or 3 days following axotomy. Exons 1 and IV showed the greatest increase, and only exon 1 remained elevated at 3 days. Luciferase assays showed that Sox11 could activate the most highly regulated exons, I and IV, and that this activation was reduced by mutation of putative Sox binding sites. Exon expression in injured DRG neurons had some overlap with Neuro2a cells that overexpress Sox11, showing elevation in exon IV and VII transcripts. These findings indicate cell type and contextual specificity of Sox11 in modulation of BDNF transcription. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Glyphosate effects on photosynthesis, nutrient accumulation, and nodulation in glyphosate‐resistant soybean
Authors: Zobiole Luiz Henrique Saes , Kremer Robert John , de Oliveira Jr. Rubem Silvério , Constantin Jamil
Published: February 2012

Previous greenhouse studies have demonstrated that photosynthesis in some cultivars of first‐ (GR1) and second‐generation (GR2) glyphosate‐resistant soybean was reduced by glyphosate. The reduction in photosynthesis that resulted from glyphosate might affect nutrient uptake and lead to lower plant biomass production and ultimately reduced grain yield. Therefore, a field study was conducted to determine if glyphosate‐induced damage to soybean (Glycine max L. Merr. cv. Asgrow AG3539) plants observed under controlled greenhouse conditions might occur in the field environment. The present study evaluated photosynthetic rate, nutrient accumulation, nodulation, and biomass production of GR2 soybean receiving different rates of glyphosate (0, 800, 1200, 2400 g a.e. ha–1) applied at V2, V4, and V6 growth stages. In general, plant damage observed in the field study was similar to that in previous greenhouse studies. Increasing glyphosate rates and applications at later growth stages decreased nutrient accumulation, nodulation, leaf area, and shoot biomass production. Thus, to reduce potential undesirable effects of glyphosate on plant growth, application of the lowest glyphosate rate for weed‐control efficacy at early growth stages (V2 to V4) is suggested as an advantageous practice within current weed control in GR soybean for optimal crop productivity.
Effects of earthworms and plant growth–promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) on availability of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium in soil
Authors: Wu Fuyong , Wan Judy Hon Chi , Wu Shengchun , Wong Minghung
Published: February 2012

Both earthworms and plant growth–promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) are ubiquitous and important for promoting circulation of plant macronutrients. Two series of laboratory experiments were conducted to investigate the effects of earthworm casts and activities on the growth of PGPR, and the inoculation of earthworms and PGPR on the availability of N, P, and K in soils, respectively. During a short incubation period (0–34 h), the extracts of earthworm (Pheretima guillelmi)‐worked soil significantly (p< 0.05) increased the abundance of the three species of PGPR, including N‐fixing bacteria (NFB) (Azotobacter chroococcumHKN‐5), phosphate‐solubilizing bacteria (PSB) (Bacillus megateriumHKP‐1), and K‐solubilizing bacteria (KSB) (B. mucilaginousHKK‐1), in Luria‐Bertani (LB) broth. There were synergistic effects of dual inoculation of earthworms and PGPR on increasing the concentrations of NH$ _4^+ $‐N, (NO$ _3^- $+ NO$ _2^- $)‐N, NaHCO3‐extractable P, and NH4OAc‐extractable K in the corresponding soils. Bioavailable N (the sum of NH$ _4^+ $‐N and [NO$ _3^- $+ NO$ _2^- $]‐N) in the dual inoculation was 4 to 24 times those inoculated with earthworms or NFB alone, respectively. The significantly higher concentrations of bioavailable N and P in the dual inoculation of earthworms and NFB or PSB may be due to the higher abundance of PGPR and/or higher activities of urease and acid phosphatase than those of single inoculation of NFB or PSB, respectively. Dual inoculation of earthworms and PGPR would be most effective in reducing the need for chemical fertilizers in agriculture.
Consumption of Hibiscus sabdariffa L. aqueous extract and its impact on systemic antioxidant potential in healthy subjects
Authors: Frank Thomas , Netzel Gabriele , Kammerer Dietmar R , Carle Reinhold , Kler Adolf , Kriesl Erwin , Bitsch Irmgard , Bitsch Roland , Netzel Michael
Published: February 2012

BACKGROUND: To evaluate health benefits attributed to Hibiscus sabdariffa L. a randomized, open‐label, two‐way crossover study was undertaken to compare the impact of an aqueous H. sabdariffa L. extract (HSE) on the systemic antioxidant potential (AOP; assayed by ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP)) with a reference treatment (water) in eight healthy volunteers. The biokinetic variables were the areas under the curve (AUC) of plasma FRAP, ascorbic acid and urate that are above the pre‐dose concentration, and the amounts excreted into urine within 24 h (Ae0–24) of antioxidants as assayed by FRAP, ascorbic acid, uric acid, malondialdehyde (biomarker for oxidative stress), and hippuric acid (metabolite and potential biomarker for total polyphenol intake).

RESULTS: HSE caused significantly higher plasma AUC of FRAP, an increase in Ae0–24 of FRAP, ascorbic acid and hippuric acid, whereas malondialdehyde excretion was reduced. Furthermore, the main hibiscus anthocyanins as well as one glucuronide conjugate could be quantified in the volunteers' urine (0.02% of the administered dose).

CONCLUSION: The aqueous HSE investigated in this study enhanced the systemic AOP and reduced the oxidative stress in humans. Furthermore, the increased urinary hippuric acid excretion after HSE consumption indicates a high biotransformation of the ingested HSE polyphenols, most likely caused by the colonic microbiota. Copyright © 2012 Society of Chemical Industry
Comparison of the clinicopathological characteristics of young and Elderly patients with gastric carcinoma: A meta analysis
Authors: Kong Xuan , Wang Ji‐Lin , Chen Hui‐Min , Fang Jing‐Yuan
Published: February 2012

To evaluate the relationship between age and clinicopathological characteristics in gastric carcinoma patients, we performed the meta‐analysis based on nine retrospective clinical trials. Comparing elderly patients with young patients it showed lower male/female ratio, more diffuse GC, more Borrmann type IV, more poorly differentiated carcinoma, more peritoneal metastasis, less vascular invasion, fewer partial resections, and better 5‐year survival rate. These particular age‐related characteristics need to be further investigated. J. Surg. Oncol. 2012; 106:346–352. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Safety of anidulafungin in solid organ transplant recipients
Authors: Aguado J. M. , Varo E. , Usetti P. , Pozo J. C. , Moreno A. , Catalán M. , Len O. , Blanes M. , Solé A. , Muñoz P. , Montejo M.
Published: February 2012

The aim of this study was the evaluation of the safety of anidulafungin in adult solid organ transplantation (SOT) recipients. During the study period (14 months), we included all consecutive SOT recipients from 14 centers who received anidulafungin for at least 48 hours for the treatment of invasive fungal infections (IFIs) or as prophylaxis. Relevant clinical and analytical information on clinical charts was reviewed. Clinical side effects, liver function tests, and serum creatinine levels were assessed at least weekly. The need for the modification of immunosuppressive drugs was also recorded by the investigators. All patients were followed for at least 1 week after the end of treatment (EOT) or until death. Eighty-six SOT recipients were evaluated (56 transplant recipients, 20 lung transplant recipients, 8 kidney transplant recipients, and 2 heart transplant recipients). Sixty-two patients (72%) received anidulafungin for prophylaxis, and 24 (28%) received anidulafungin for the treatment of IFIs [candidemia/invasive candidiasis (16) or invasive aspergillosis (8)]. At the baseline, only 5% of the patients were neutropenic (<500 neutrophils/mL). There was no need for the modification of immunosuppressive drug doses because of anidulafungin therapy. No patient discontinued anidulafungin because of severe adverse effects. While receiving anidulafungin, 1 patient developed mild liver toxicity, but the liver function normalized without the discontinuation of anidulafungin. At EOT, the median serum creatinine, aspartate aminotransferase, and alanine aminotransferase levels were significantly lower than the baseline levels, even in liver transplant recipients and patients who had higher baseline levels of serum creatinine. In conclusion, these results show that anidulafungin is a well-tolerated drug in SOT recipients.
Molar Mass and Microstructure Analysis of PI‐b‐PMMA Copolymers by SEC‐NMR
Authors: Hehn Mathias , Hiller Wolf , Wagner Thomas , Thiel Jürgen , Pasch Harald
Published: February 2012

The online coupling of size‐exclusion chromatography and NMR is used to characterize block copolymers consisting of polyisoprene (PI) and poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) regarding their distributions of molar mass (MMD) and chemical composition (CCD). Using the CCD, $\overline{M}_{\rm n}$ and $\overline{M}_{\rm w}$ are calculated on the basis of PI and PMMA homopolymer calibrations. The microstructure distribution of PMMA and the distribution of isomeric units of PI in dependence of molar mass is also demonstrated. Furthermore, a simulation analysis is presented for a bimodal eluting sample. It allows for full separation, quantification and molar mass determination of the coeluting co‐ and homopolymer fractions. The quantification of the fractions is verified by liquid chromatography at critical conditions.
Fabrication of Transparent, Tough, and Conductive Shape‐Memory Polyurethane Films by Incorporating a Small Amount of High‐Quality Graphene
Authors: Jung Yong Chae , Kim Jin Hee , Hayashi Takuya , Kim Yoong Ahm , Endo Morinobu , Terrones Mauricio , Dresselhaus Mildred S.
Published: February 2012

We report a mechanically strong, electrically and thermally conductive, and optically transparent shape‐memory polyurethane composite which was fabricated by introducing a small amount (0.1 wt%) of high‐quality graphene as a filler. Geometrically large (≈4.6 μm2), but highly crystallized few‐layer graphenes, verified by Raman spectroscopy and transmission electron microscopy, were prepared by the sonication of expandable graphite in an organic solvent. Oxygen‐ containing functional groups at the edge plane of graphene were crucial for an effective stress transfer from the graphene to polyurethane. Homogeneously dispersed few‐layered graphene enabled polyurethane to have a high shape recovery force of 1.8 MPa cm−3. Graphene, which is intrinsically stretchable up to 10%, will enable high‐performance composites to be fabricated at relatively low cost and we thus envisage that such composites may replace carbon nanotubes for various applications in the near future.
Junk Food in Schools and Childhood Obesity
Authors: Datar Ashlesha , Nicosia Nancy
Published: February 2012

Despite limited empirical evidence, there is growing concern that junk food availability in schools has contributed to the childhood obesity epidemic. In this paper, we estimate the effects of junk food availability on body mass index (BMI), obesity, and related outcomes among a national sample of fifth graders. Unlike previous studies, we address the endogeneity of the school food environment by controlling for children'sBMIat school entry and estimating instrumental variables regressions that leverage variation in the school's grade span. Our main finding is that junk food availability does not significantly increaseBMIor obesity among this fifth‐grade cohort despite the increased likelihood of in‐school junk food purchases. The results are robust to alternate measures of junk food availability including school administrator reports of sales during school hours, school administrator reports of competitive food outlets, and children's reports of junk food availability. Moreover, the absence of any effects on overall food consumption and physical activity further support the null findings forBMIand obesity.
Crystallization behavior and molecular orientation of high density polyethylene parts prepared by gas‐assisted injection molding
Authors: Sun Nan , Yang Bin , Wang Long , Feng Jian‐Ming , Yin Bo , Zhang Kai , Yang Ming‐Bo
Published: February 2012

The dependence of hierarchy in crystalline structures and molecular orientations of high density polyethylene parts with different molecular weights molded by gas‐assisted injection molding (GAIM) was intensively examined by scanning electron microscopy, two‐dimensional wide‐angle X‐ray scattering as well as dynamic rheological measurements. The non‐isothermal crystallization kinetics of the samples were also analyzed with a differential scanning calorimeter at various scanning rates. It was found that oriented lamellar structure, shish‐kebab and common spherulites were formed in different regions of the GAIM samples. The scanning electron microscope observations were consistent with the two‐dimensional wide‐angle X‐ray scattering results and showed that the molecular chains near the mold wall had strong orientation behavior, revealing the distribution of the shear rate of the GAIM process. The differences in crystal morphologies can be attributed to molecular weight differences as well as their responses to the external fields during the GAIM process. The formation mechanism of the shish‐kebab structure under the flow field of GAIM was also explored. Copyright © 2012 Society of Chemical Industry