bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Perspectives européennes sur la politique de la concurrence dans l'espace OHADA
Authors: Drexl Josef
Published: November 2011

Sur le plan supranational en Afrique, le droit de la concurrence est visé par les systèmes d’intégration existants ou émergents comme ceux de l’UEMOA en Afrique de l’Ouest et de la CEMAC en Afrique centrale. Par contre, jusqu’à l’heure actuelle, l’Organisation pour l’Harmonisation en Afrique du Droit des Affaires (OHADA) ne s’occupe pas du droit de la concurrence, ce qui pose la question de savoir si l’OHADA devrait avoir un rôle à jouer dans ce domaine. Le présent article aborde cette question dans une perspective européenne, en analysant l’approche de l’Union européenne en matière d’harmonisation du droit de la concurrence de ses États membres. En particulier, cette analyse met en relief les particularités du droit de la concurrence par rapport à d’autres matières du droit des affaires. Ces particularités peuvent expliquer les raisons pour lesquelles l’UE, jusqu’à maintenant, n’a pas harmonisé le droit de la concurrence dans les États membres. Mais la nécessité d’appliquer le droit de l’Union d’une manière décentralisée et les règles procédurales qui en résultent ont abouti à une harmonisation « souple » des droits nationaux. Pour l’OHADA, l’expérience européenne explique que la création d’une loi uniforme, en conformité avec l’approche traditionnelle de l’OHADA, ou la création d’un droit de la concurrence supranational de l’OHADA, qui s’ajouterait aux systèmes existants, ne produiraient guère des réponses adéquates. Par contre, l’article propose la création d’une politique concurrentielle pour l’Afrique, basée sur des recommandations ou des lignes directrices non contraignantes, qui pourraient être appliquées par les autorités nationales et supranationales existantes ou émergentes en Afrique subsaharienne. De même, il fait l’analyse critique de la politique de l’UE envers les pays en développement qui, dans le cadre des négociations pour des accords de partenariat économique (APE), pourrait facilement mener à un « regroupement géographique » des systèmes d’intégration économique en Afrique. Par conséquent, l’Europe ferait mieux de promouvoir l’idée d’un centre de politique de la concurrence africain qui, en formulant des recommandations ou des lignes directrices relatives à la politique de la concurrence pour l’Afrique, contribuerait davantage au développement durable des économies africaines et à leur intégration dans l’économie mondialisée.
Individus, familles, ménages, logements : les compter, les décrire
Authors: Toulemon Laurent
Published: November 2011

Résumé Depuis quarante ans, les ménages se sont apparemment simplifiés : taille moyenne décroissante, raréfaction des ménages dits « complexes ». Cependant, certaines situations individuelles ne sont pas repérées par les recensements, qui affectent chaque habitant à un logement et un seul. Un rapide rappel des principales évolutions observées depuis quarante ans est suivi d’une comparaison plus détaillée des situations familiales telles qu’elles apparaissent dans les grandes opérations statistiques de l’Insee : le recensement, l’enquête sur l’Emploi et les autres enquêtes auprès des ménages, qui utilisent toutes un même « Tronc commun » dont la nouvelle version contient des informations très précises sur les relations au sein des ménages et les multi-résidences. Il ressort de ces données que les hommes vivent plus souvent que les femmes dans des situations floues : multi-résidence, couple non-cohabitant, enfants résidant à temps partiel en cas de rupture parentale.
Corps et sexualité chez les romancières tunisiennes
Authors: Kréfa Abir
Published: November 2011

Résumé À partir d’une trentaine d’entretiens semi-directifs effectués auprès d’écrivain-e-s tunisien-ne-s contemporain-e-s, ainsi que de l’analyse de romans publiés par des écrivaines, l’article montre comment l’exclusion des femmes de l’espace littéraire ne s’explique pas uniquement par leurs difficultés à concilier charges domestiques et activité créatrice. Alors que l’expression littéraire du corps et de la sexualité figure dans l’horizon d’attente des critiques et des pairs et constitue un critère important d’évaluation d’une « bonne » œuvre, les écrivaines doivent faire face à une censure sociale disséminée, particulièrement forte dans l’espace familial et conjugal. L’accès de certaines romancières à la reconnaissance littéraire est dès lors conditionné par les diverses stratégies qu’elles ont pu mettre en œuvre, aussi bien dans leurs interactions ordinaires avec leur entourage que dans leurs textes romanesques.
Regulation of IFN-λ1 Promoter Activity (IFN-λ1/IL-29) in Human Airway Epithelial Cells
Authors: Siegel Rachael , Eskdale Joyce , Gallagher Grant
Published: November 2011

The type III (λ) IFNs (IFN-λ1, IFN-λ2, and IFN-λ3) and their receptor are the most recently discovered IFN family. They are induced by viruses and mediate antiviral activity, but type III IFNs have an important, specific functional niche at the immune/epithelial interface, as well as in the regulation of Th2 cytokines. Their expression appears diminished in bronchial epithelial cells of rhinovirus-infected asthmatic individuals. We investigated the regulation of IFN-λ1 expression in human airway epithelial cells using reporter genes analysis, chromatin immunoprecipitation, small interfering RNA knockdown, and DNase footprinting. In this article, we define the c-REL/p65 NF-κB heterodimer and IRF-1 as key transcriptional activators and ZEB1, B lymphocyte-induced maturation protein 1, and the p50 NF-κB homodimer as key repressors of the IFN-λ1 gene. We further show that ZEB1 selectively regulates type III IFNs. To our knowledge, this study presents the first characterization of any type III IFN promoter in its native context and conformation in epithelial cells and can now be applied to understanding pathogenic dysregulation of IFN-λ1 in human disease.
C5a Regulates NKT and NK Cell Functions in Sepsis
Authors: Fusakio Michael E. , Mohammed Javid P. , Laumonnier Yves , Hoebe Kasper , Köhl Jörg , Mattner Jochen
Published: November 2011

Complement, NKT, and NK cells play critical roles in the first line defense against pathogens. Functional roles for both C5a receptors, that is, complement receptor C5a (C5aR) and C5a receptor-like 2 (C5L2), in sepsis have been demonstrated. However, the role of C5a in innate lymphocyte activation during sepsis remains elusive. In this article, we show that naive NKT and NK cells already express high levels of C5aR and minor levels of C5L2 mRNA, but no protein. Upon Escherichia coli-induced sepsis, we found C5aR surface expression on subpopulations of NKT and NK cells, suggesting rapid translation into C5aR protein on bacterial encounter. Importantly, significantly increased survival in the absence of C5aR, NKT, and NK cells, but not of C5L2, was associated with reduced IFN-γ and TNF-α serum levels. Sepsis induction in C5aR+/C5aR− mixed bone marrow chimeras identified cognate engagement of C5aR on NKT cells as an important factor for the recruitment of NKT cells. Furthermore, we found synergistic interaction between C5aR and TLRs enhancing the production of TNF-α and IFN-γ from NKT and NK cells in cocultures with dendritic cells. Our results identify C5aR activation as a novel pathway driving detrimental effects of NKT and NK cells during early experimental sepsis.
Cutting Edge: Tissue-Retentive Lung Memory CD4 T Cells Mediate Optimal Protection to Respiratory Virus Infection
Authors: Teijaro John R. , Turner Damian , Pham Quynh , Wherry E. John , Lefrançois Leo , Farber Donna L.
Published: November 2011

We identify in this article a new class of lung tissue-resident memory CD4 T cells that exhibit tissue tropism and retention independent of Ag or inflammation. Tissue-resident memory CD4 T cells in the lung did not circulate or emigrate from the lung in parabiosis experiments, were protected from in vivo Ab labeling, and expressed elevated levels of CD69 and CD11a compared with those of circulating memory populations. Importantly, influenza-specific lung-resident memory CD4 T cells served as in situ protectors to respiratory viral challenge, mediating enhanced viral clearance and survival to lethal influenza infection. By contrast, memory CD4 T cells isolated from spleen recirculated among multiple tissues without retention and failed to mediate protection to influenza infection, despite their ability to expand and migrate to the lung. Our results reveal tissue compartmentalization as a major determining factor for immune-mediated protection in a key mucosal site, important for targeting local protective responses in vaccines and immunotherapies.
Gamybos paruošimas ir įrenginiai, I d.
Authors: Dragašius Egidijus , Jonušas Remigijus , Kalpokas Juozas , Senkuvienė Irma , Petrikas Romas
Published: November 2011

Mokomojoje knygoje pateikti pagrindiniai gamybos paruošimo principai, nauja gamybinių sistemų aplinka, gamybos tipai, naujo gaminio ruošimas, kompiuterių naudojimas gamybinėse sistemose, ruošinių parinkimo principai, racionalių valcuotų ruošinių išdėstymo schemų formavimas, šiuolaikinės ruošinių ir detalių formavimo technologijos.
Encapsulation of Perchlorate Salts within Metal Oxides for Application as Nanoenergetic Oxidizers
Authors: Wu Chunwei , Sullivan Kyle , Chowdhury Snehaunshu , Jian Guoqiang , Zhou Lei , Zachariah Michael R.
Published: November 2011

In this work, high‐oxygen‐content strong oxidizer perchlorate salts were successfully incorporated into current nanothermite composite formulations. The perchlorates were encapsulated within mild oxidizer particles through a series of thermal decomposition, melting, phase segregation, and recrystallization processes, which occurred within confined aerosol droplets. This approach enables the use of hygroscopic materials by stabilizing them within a matrix. Several samples, including Fe2O3/KClO4, CuO/KClO4 and Fe2O3/NH4ClO4 composite oxidizer particles, have been created. The results show that these composite systems significantly outperform the single metal oxide system in both pressurization rate and peak pressure. The ignition temperatures for these mixtures are significantly lower than those of the metal oxides alone, and time‐resolved mass spectrometry shows that O2 release from the oxidizer also occurs at a lower temperature and with high flux. The results are consistent with O2 release being the controlling factor in determining the ignition temperature. High‐speed imaging clearly shows a much more violent reaction. The results suggest that a strategy of encapsulating a very strong oxidizer, which may not be environmentally compatible, within a more stable weak oxidizer offers the opportunity to both tune reactivity and employ materials that previously could not be considered.
A Zinc(II) Catalyst System for the Conia‐Ene Reaction of Alkynyl‐Aminomalonates Applicable to 5‐Endo‐Dig Reactions
Authors: Hess Wilfried , Burton Jonathan W.
Published: November 2011

The zinc(II)‐catalyzed 5‐exo‐dig (Conia‐ene) and 5‐endo‐dig cyclizations of a range of alkynyl‐α‐aminomalonates give rise to nitrogen heterocycles with good efficiency. The reaction allows the synthesis of a broad range of synthetically useful building blocks.
Organocatalytic Enantioselective Decarboxylative Addition of Malonic Acids Half Thioesters to Isatins
Authors: Hara Noriyuki , Nakamura Shuichi , Funahashi Yasuhiro , Shibata Norio
Published: November 2011

The organocatalytic enantioselective decarboxylative addition of malonic acids half thioesters to isatins using a squaramide catalyst afforded the products with high enantioselectivity. These products are key intermediates in the synthesis of 3‐substituted 3‐hydroxy‐2‐oxindole derivatives. The first enantioselective synthesis of (−)‐flustraminol B has been accomplished.
Palladium(II)‐Catalyzed Direct ortho‐CH Acylation of Anilides by Oxidative Cross‐Coupling with Aldehydes using tert‐Butyl Hydroperoxide as Oxidant
Authors: Chan Chun‐Wo , Zhou Zhongyuan , Yu Wing‐Yiu
Published: November 2011

An efficient palladium‐catalyzed CH acylation with aldehydes using tert‐butyl hydroperoxide (TBHP) transforms various anilides into synthetically useful 2‐aminobenzophenone derivatives under mild conditions (40 °C, 3 h). The acylation reaction exhibits excellent regioselectivity and functional group tolerance, and simple aromatic aldehydes, functionalized aliphatic aldehydes and heteroaromatic aldehydes are effective coupling partners. The acylation reaction is probably initiated by a rate‐limiting electrophilic CH cyclopalladation (kH/kD=3.6; ρ+=−0.74) to form an arylpalladium complex, followed by acyl radical functionalization.
Cinchona Alkaloid‐Catalyzed Enantioselective Direct Aldol Reaction of N‐Boc‐Oxindoles with Polymeric Ethyl Glyoxylate
Authors: Pesciaioli Fabio , Righi Paolo , Mazzanti Andrea , Gianelli Chiara , Mancinelli Michele , Bartoli Giuseppe , Bencivenni Giorgio
Published: November 2011

The first enantioselective direct aldol addition of N‐Boc‐oxindoles to polymeric ethyl glyoxylate is presented. The reaction is performed by using as low as 0.1 mol% (DHQ)2PHAL and gives access to α‐hydroxycarboxylate derivatives bearing adjacent secondary alcohol and quaternary stereocenters with high levels of diastereo‐ and enantiocontrol. The use of ethyl glyoxylate in its polymeric form represents an important advantage for synthetic applications and allows us to directly install a C2 unit ready to be converted in useful building blocks. A further one‐pot protection/deprotection sequence catalyzed by Zn(ClO4)2⋅6 H2O preserved the α‐hydroxycarboxylates from racemization by means of a parasitic alcohol‐catalyzed retroaldol reaction.
Vascular Ehlers–Danlos syndrome presenting as rapidly progressive multiple arterial aneurysms and dissections
Authors: Mortani Barbosa Eduardo J. , Pyeritz Reed E. , Litt Harold , Desjardins Benoit
Published: November 2011

Life expectancy in vascular Ehlers–Danlos syndrome (EDS) is shortened due to spontaneous rupture of arteries, the colon and the gravid uterus. Two adolescent males with vascular EDS illustrate rapid progression of arterial aneurysms, dissections, and rupture. Radiologic imaging played an important role in initially diagnosing and monitoring the evolution of arterial involvement. Both prophylactic and emergency management remain largely ineffective in this connective tissue disorder; however, noninvasive imaging may provide important prognostic information. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Aromatic interactions in model peptide β‐hairpins: Ring current effects on proton chemical shifts
Authors: Rajagopal Appavu , Aravinda Subrayashastry , Raghothama Srinivasarao , Shamala Narayanaswamy , Balaram Padmanabhan
Published: November 2011

Crystal structures of eight peptide β‐hairpins in the sequence Boc‐Leu‐Phe‐Val‐Xxx‐Yyy‐Leu‐Phe‐Val‐OMe revealed that the Phe(2) and Phe(7) aromatic rings are in close spacial proximity, with the centroid–centroid distance (Rcen) of 4.4–5.4 Å between the two phenyl rings. Proton NMR spectra in chloroform and methanol solution reveal a significant upfield shift of the Phe(7) Cδ,δ′H2 protons (6.65–7.04 ppm). Specific assignments of the aromatic protons have been carried out in the peptide Boc‐Leu‐Phe‐Val‐DPro‐LPro‐Leu‐Phe‐Val‐OMe (6). The anticipated ring current shifts have been estimated from the aromatic ring geometrics observed in crystals for all eight peptides. Only one of the Cδ,δ′H proton lies in the shielding zone with rapid ring flipping, resulting in averaging between the two extreme chemical shifts. An approximate estimate of the population of conformations, which resemble crystal state orientation, may be obtained. Key nuclear Overhauser effects (NOEs) between facing Phe side chains provide support for close similarity between the solid state and solution conformation. Temperature dependence of aromatic ring proton chemical shift and line widths for peptide 6 (Boc‐Leu‐Phe‐Val‐DPro‐LPro‐Leu‐Phe‐Val‐OMe) and the control peptide Boc‐Leu‐Val‐Val‐DPro‐Gly‐Leu‐Phe‐Val‐OMe establish an enhanced barrier to ring flipping when the two Phe rings are in proximity. Modeling studies suggest that small, conformational adjustment about CαCβ (χ1) and CβCγ (χ2) bonds of both the Phe residues may be required in order to permit unhindered, uncorrelated flipping of both the Phe rings. The maintenance of the specific aromatic ring orientation in organic solvents provides evidence for significant stabilizing interaction. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Biopolymers (Pept Sci) 98: 185–194, 2012.
The Eigenvalue Problem of Singular Ergodic Control
Authors: Hynd Ryan
Published: November 2011

We consider the problem of finding a real number λ and a function u satisfying the PDE

Here f is a convex, superlinear function. We prove that there is a unique λ* such that the above PDE has a viscosity solution u satisfying
$\lim_{|x|\rightarrow \infty}u(x)/|x|=1$. Moreover, we show that associated to λ* is a convex solution u* with D2u*∈
$\font\open=msbm10 at 10pt\def\R{\hbox{\open R}}L^{\infty}(\R^N)$
and give two min‐max formulae for λ*. λ* has a probabilistic interpretation as being the least, long‐time averaged (ergodic) cost for a singular control problem involving f. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Magnetic Properties of Paddlewheels and Trinuclear Clusters with Exposed Metal Sites
Authors: Vogiatzis Konstantinos D. , Klopper Wim , Mavrandonakis Andreas , Fink Karin
Published: November 2011

Magnetic exchange‐coupling constants of tri‐ and dinuclear transition‐metal complexes (paddlewheels) have been computed using various ab initio methods. The di‐ and trinuclear complexes under study may serve as secondary building units in metal‐organic frameworks (MOFs). Multi‐reference methods such as the complete‐active‐space self‐consistent‐field method (CASSCF) as well as second‐order perturbation theory (CASPT2) yield spin ladders from which the magnetic exchange‐coupling constants are obtained. For the dicobalt paddlewheels, inclusion of spin–orbit coupling is crucial for obtaining a qualitatively correct description of the system. Density functional theory (DFT) was applied in the framework of the broken‐symmetry approach using single‐ and double‐hybrid functionals as well as generalized‐gradient‐approximation (GGA) functionals. The computed magnetic exchange‐coupling constants are compared with experimental and other theoretical data, where available.
Sleep contributes to dendritic spine formation and elimination in the developing mouse somatosensory cortex
Authors: Yang Guang , Gan Wen‐Biao
Published: November 2011

Sleep is maximal during early postnatal life when rapid and extensive synapse remodeling occurs. It remains unknown whether and how sleep affects synapse development and plasticity. Using transcranial two‐photon microscopy, we examined the formation and elimination of fluorescently labeled dendritic spines and filopodia of Layer 5 pyramidal neurons in the barrel cortex of 3‐week‐old mice during wakefulness and sleep. We observed high turnover of dendritic protrusions over 2 h in both wake and sleep states. The formation rate of dendritic spines or filopodia over 2 h was comparable between the two states. The elimination rate of dendritic spines or filopodia was lower during 2‐h wakefulness than during 2‐h sleep. Similar results were observed on dendritic protrusion dynamics over 12‐h light/dark cycle when mice spent more time asleep or awake. The substantial remodeling of dendritic protrusions during the sleep state supports the notion that sleep plays an important role in the development and plasticity of synaptic connections in the mouse cortex. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Develop Neurobiol, 2012
Interconnected ordered nanoporous networks of colloidal crystals integrated on a microfluidic chip for highly efficient protein concentration
Authors: Hu Yu‐Lin , Wang Chen , Wu Zeng‐Qiang , Xu Jing‐Juan , Chen Hong‐Yuan , Xia Xing‐Hua
Published: November 2011

We report a controllable method to fabricate silica colloidal crystals at defined position in microchannel of microuidic devices using simple surface modification. The formed PCs (photonic crystals) in microfluidic channels were stabilized by chemical cross‐linking of Si‐O‐Si bond between neighboring silica beads. The voids among colloids in PCs integrated on microfluidic devices form interconnected nanoporous networks, which show special electroosmotic properties. Due to the “surface‐charge induced ion depletion effect” mechanism, FITC‐labeled proteins can be efficiently and selectively concentrated in the anodic boundary of the ion depletion zone. Using this device, about 103‐ to 105‐fold protein concentration was achieved within 10 min. The present simple on chip protein concentration device could be a potential sample preparation component in microfluidic systems for practical biochemical assays.
Effects of atopic dermatitis on the morphology and water content of scalp hair
Authors: Kim Kyung Sook , Shin Min Kyung , Kim Ji Hye , Kim Mi Hyun , Haw Choong‐Rim , Park Hun‐Kuk
Published: November 2011

The effects of atopic dermatitis (AD) on scalp hair properties, such as morphology and water content, were investigated using atomic force microscopy (AFM) and thermogravimetric analyzer. Hairs from lesional and nonlesional scalp regions of eight patients with AD were investigated. The severity of the disease, which was evaluated using the SCORing Atopic Dermatitis index, was 48.75 (range, 40–80). Hairs from 15 normal adults were also examined as controls. The surface images were taken in an area of 20 × 20 μm2 with 512 × 512 pixels and a scan speed of 0.8 line/s. AD affected the cuticle structures and scales of scalp hair. The edges of cuticles were torn and collapsed, and the scales were very thick. The water contents of both types of AD hair were less than the control: 12% ± 0.7%, 11.7% ± 0.4%, and 13% ± 0.8% for lesional AD hair, nonlesional AD hair, and control hair, respectively. The scalp hair of patients with AD can be characterized by thick and globular scale patterns. The hair of patients with AD has less water content than normal hair showing a good agreement with the property of skin having AD. Microsc. Res. Tech., 2012. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Why is ENSO influencing Indian northeast monsoon in the recent decades?
Authors: Yadav R. K.
Published: November 2011

This study examines decadal changes of the El Niño/Southern Oscillation (ENSO) influence on the interannual variability (IAV) of Indian northeast monsoon rainfall (NEMR). In recent decades, the ENSO influence has strengthened over the NEMR variability. During El Niño years, the subsidence anomaly over the warm‐pool region of Indonesia was much stronger in the recent decades as compared to the earlier decades. The zonally elongated warm sea surface temperatures (SSTs) of the warm‐pool region along the tropical Indo‐Pacific Ocean were much warmer than the earlier decades, which had intensified the deep convections over the Indian Ocean. The northwestward propagating trailing Rossby‐gyres, formed in the western portion of the equatorial deep convection and stratiform heating, intensified as tropical storms and cyclones over north Indian Ocean. These storms and cyclones strike southern peninsular India and hence flood northeast monsoon (NEM) years. During the recent decades in the La Niña years, the contracted warm SSTs over the warm‐pool region were much warmer than the earlier decades which intensified the deep convection and stratiform heating over there. The tropical storms and cyclones that formed due to Rossby‐gyre dynamics had to travel a long distance towards the northwestward direction over the Bay of Bengal and misses southern peninsular India, and hence, the drought NEM years. Copyright © 2011 Royal Meteorological Society
Development of statistical models for at‐site probabilistic seasonal rainfall forecast
Authors: Villarini Gabriele , Serinaldi Francesco
Published: November 2011

A probabilistic seasonal rainfall forecasting system for the Bucharest‐Filaret (Romania) station based on Generalized Additive Models in Location, Scale and Shape (GAMLSS) is proposed. First we develop statistical models to describe seasonal rainfall over the period 1926‐2000, both considering the seasonal record as a continuous time series and accounting for seasonal changes, and by developing ad hoc models for each individual season. The Southern Oscillation Index (SOI), the North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO) and the seasonal rainfall for the previous year are included as possible covariates. Model selection is performed with respect to two penalty criteria [Akaike Information Criterion (AIC) and Schwarz Bayesian Criterion (SBC)], each of them leading to different final model configurations in terms of predictors and their functional relation to the parameters of the probability distribution. Retrospective forecast, in which the parameters of the models are re‐estimated every time new information becomes available, is performed on a yearly basis for the period 1986‐2000. The quality of the forecasts is assessed in terms of several accuracy measures and by visual examination of the forecasts' probability distributions. The best forecasts are obtained for the winter season. While it is not possible to identify a single ‘best’ model according to all the forecast measures, we recommend using the model that considers the seasonal rainfall as a continuous time series and penalized with respect to AIC. Copyright © 2011 Royal Meteorological Society
Prognostic values of the miR‐17‐92 cluster and its paralogs in colon cancer
Authors: Yu Ge , Tang Jian‐qiang , Tian Mao‐lin , Li Hui , Wang Xin , Wu Tao , Zhu Jing , Huang Shan‐jun , Wan Yuan‐lian
Published: November 2011

Background

MicroRNAs have been shown to offer great potential in both the diagnosis and prognosis of cancer. Despite the well‐established role of the miR‐17‐92 in cancer formation and progression, the contribution of each individual miRNA remains to be characterized. Thus, we investigated whether deregulation of the miR‐17‐92 associated with colon cancer prognosis.

Methods

Expression levels of the miR‐17‐92 cluster and its paralogs were determined in 48 colon tumor and 48 paired normal tissues by real‐time qRT‐PCR. Associations with miRNA expression, age, sex, TNM staging, and survival prognosis were evaluated.

Results

MiR‐17‐92 cluster and its paralogs were significantly overexpressed in colon tumor. No significant associations were found between the deregulation of certain miRNAs and the clinical and pathologic characteristics observed in patients. Kaplan–Meier curves demonstrated significantly reduced overall survival in patients expressing high levels of miR‐17. In multivariate Cox models, miR‐17 overexpression (HR 2.67; P = 0.007) and TNM staging (HR 8.87; P = 0.002) were significantly associated with a risk of death.

Conclusions

The miR‐17‐92 cluster and its paralogs were significantly elevated in patients with colon cancer, and heightened expression of miR‐17 was associated with poor survival. Moreover, miR‐17 and TNM staging were both identified as significant, but independent, prognostic biomarkers in colon cancer. J. Surg. Oncol. 2012; 106:232–237. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Effects of crop field characteristics on nocturnal winter use by American woodcock
Authors: Blackman Emily B. , Deperno Christopher S. , Heiniger Ron W. , Krachey Matthew J. , Moorman Christopher E. , Peterson M. Nils
Published: November 2011

Since the late 1960s, American woodcock (Scolopax minor) have undergone population declines because of habitat loss. Previous research suggested ridge and furrow topography in conventionally tilled soybean fields provided critical nocturnal cover as birds foraged on earthworms. However, the use of no‐till technology has increased and many fields now lack ridge and furrow topography. We assessed woodcock winter nocturnal foraging habitat use given recent changes in agricultural technology, and investigated how field treatment, earthworm abundance, and environmental variables affect the selection of nocturnal foraging sites. We counted woodcock along transects in 5 field treatments twice in each of 67 fields during December–March 2008–2009 and 72 fields during December–March 2009–2010. During both seasons, we collected earthworm and soil samples from a subset of fields of each field treatment. Woodcock densities were at least twice as high in no‐till soybean fields planted after corn and in undisked corn fields with mowed stalks than in other field treatments. No‐till soybean planted after corn and undisked corn fields contained ridge and furrow topography, whereas other crops did not, and earthworms were at least 1.5 times more abundant in no‐till soybean fields than other field treatments. Ridges and furrows in no‐till soybean fields planted after corn and undisked corn fields may provide wintering woodcock with thermal protection and concealment from predators. No‐till soybean fields planted after corn offered the additional benefit of relatively high food availability. The presence of ridge and furrow topography can be used to predict woodcock field use on the wintering grounds in agricultural areas. Farmers can provide nocturnal winter foraging sites for woodcock by delaying field disking and leaving ridge and furrow topography in crop fields. © 2011 The Wildlife Society.
Time geography and wildlife home range delineation
Authors: Long Jed A. , Nelson Trisalyn A.
Published: November 2011

We introduce a new technique for delineating animal home ranges that is relatively simple and intuitive: the potential path area (PPA) home range. PPA home ranges are based on existing theory from time geography, where an animal's movement is constrained by known locations in space–time (i.e.,ntelemetry points) and a measure of mobility (e.g., maximum velocity). Using the formulation we provide, PPA home ranges can be easily implemented in a Geographic Information System (GIS). The advantage of the PPA home range is the explicit consideration of temporal limitations on animal movement. In discussion, we identify the PPA home range as a stand‐alone measure of animal home range or as a way to augment existing home range techniques. Future developments are highlighted in the context of the usefulness of time geography for wildlife movement analysis. To facilitate the adoption of this technique we provide a tool for implementing this method. © 2011 The Wildlife Society.
Potential for promoting recurrent laryngeal nerve regeneration by remote delivery of viral gene therapy
Authors: Rubin Adam D. , Hogikyan Norman D. , Oh Alex , Feldman Eva L.
Published: November 2011

Objectives/Hypothesis:

The aims of this study were to demonstrate the ability to enhance nerve regeneration by remote delivery of a viral vector to the crushed recurrent laryngeal nerve (RLN), to demonstrate the usefulness of a crushed RLN model to test the efficacy of viral gene therapy, and to discuss future potential applications of this approach.

Study Design:

Animal study.

Methods:

Adult Sprague‐Dawley rats were assigned to two groups. In the experimental group, an adeno‐associated viral (AAV) vector carrying a zinc‐finger transcription factor, which stimulates endogenous insulinlike growth factor I production (AAV2‐TO‐6876vp16), was injected into the crushed RLN. In the control group, an AAV vector carrying the gene for green fluorescent protein was injected into the crushed RLN. Unilateral RLN paralysis was confirmed endoscopically. At 1 week, laryngeal endoscopies were repeated and recorded. Larynges were cryosectioned in 15‐μm sections and processed for acetylcholine histochemistry (motor endplates) followed by neurofilament immunoperoxidase (nerve fibers). Percentage nerve‐endplate contact (PEC) was determined and compared. Vocal fold motion was evaluated by blinded reviewers using a visual analogue scale (VAS).

Results:

The difference between PEC on the crushed and uncrushed sides was statistically less in the experimental group (0.54 ± 0.18 vs. 0.30 ± 0.26, P = .0006). The VAS score at 1 week was significantly better in the experimental group (P = .002).

Conclusions:

AAV2‐TO‐6876vp16 demonstrated a neurotrophic effect when injected into the crushed RLN. The RLN offers a conduit for viral gene therapy to the brainstem that could be useful for the treatment of RLN injury or bulbar motor neuron disease.
The effect of continuous positive airway pressure on middle ear pressure
Authors: Lin Fred Y. , Gurgel Richard K. , Popelka Gerald R. , Capasso Robson
Published: November 2011

Objectives/Hypothesis:

While continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) is commonly used for obstructive sleep apnea treatment, its effect on middle ear pressure is unknown. The purpose of this study was to measure the effect of CPAP on middle ear pressure and describe the correlation between CPAP levels and middle ear pressures.

Study Design:

Retrospective review of normal tympanometry values and a prospective cohort evaluation of subjects' tympanometric values while using CPAP at distinct pressure levels.

Methods:

A total of 3,066 tympanograms were evaluated to determine the normal range of middle ear pressures. Ten subjects with no known history of eustachian tube dysfunction or obstructive sleep apnea had standard tympanometry measurements while wearing a CPAP device. Measurements were taken at baseline and with CPAP air pressures of 0, 5, 10, and 15 cm H2O.

Results:

The percentage of normal control patients with middle ear pressures above 40 daPa was 0.03%. In the study population, prior to a swallowing maneuver to open the eustachian tube, average middle ear pressures were 21.67 daPa, 22.63 daPa, 20.42, daPa, and 21.58 daPa with CPAP pressures of 0, 5, 10, and 15 cm H20, respectively. After swallowing, average middle ear air pressures were 18.83 daPa, 46.75 daPa, 82.17 daPa, and 129.17 daPa with CPAP pressures of 0, 5, 10, and 15 cm H20, respectively. The postswallow Pearson correlation coefficient correlating CPAP and middle ear pressures was 0.783 (P < 0.001).

Conclusions:

Middle ear air pressure is directly proportional to CPAP air pressure in subjects with normal eustachian tube function. Middle ear pressure reaches supraphysiologic levels at even minimal CPAP levels. Although further investigation is necessary, there may be otologic implications for patients who are chronically CPAP dependent. These findings may also influence the perioperative practice of otologic and skull base surgeons.
Long‐term curcumin administration protects against atherosclerosis via hepatic regulation of lipoprotein cholesterol metabolism
Authors: Shin Su‐Kyung , Ha Tae‐Youl , McGregor Robin A. , Choi Myung‐Sook
Published: November 2011

Scope: Atherosclerosis is a major cause of cardiovascular disease caused by high cholesterol. Stains are widely prescribed to lower cholesterol levels, but natural dietary compounds may also be effective. Therefore, we studied the effect of the natural dietary compound curcumin on atherosclerosis and its underlying mechanisms based on plasma and hepatic lipid metabolism.

Methods and results: LDLR−/− mice were fed a high‐cholesterol diet and treated with curcumin, lovastatin or control (n=10 per group) for 18 wk. Aortic arch sections revealed curcumin ameliorated early atherosclerotic lesions, lipid infiltration, ICAM‐1 and VCAM‐1 localization, similar to lovastatin treatment. Furthermore, curcumin lowered plasma cholesterol, triglycerides, LDL cholesterol and Apo B levels as well as CETP activity, while curcumin increased plasma HDL cholesterol and liver Apo A‐I expression, similar to lovastatin treatment. Curcumin caused transcriptional inhibition of HMG‐CoA reductase, independent of ACAT1 and ACAT2 expression. Hepatic PPARα and LXRα expression was upregulated by curcumin treatment. Hepatic complement factor D (Cfd) and systemic CRP levels, markers of immune complement pathway activation, were significantly reduced by curcumin treatment.

Conclusion: Long‐term curcumin treatment lowers plasma and hepatic cholesterol and suppresses early atherosclerotic lesions comparable to the protective effects of lovastatin. The anti‐atherogenic effect of curcumin is mediated via multiple mechanisms including altered lipid, cholesterol and immune gene expression.
Keine Angst vor Paragraphen
Authors: Kraus Florian
Published: November 2011

Unter welchen rechtlichen Voraussetzungen kann ein Chemiker mit Uran und Thorium experimentieren? Obwohl die Vielzahl der Gesetze und Verordnungen auf den ersten Blick einschüchternd erscheint, ist es gar nicht so kompliziert, mit natürlich vorkommenden radioaktiven Elementen chemisch zu arbeiten.
Emittieren und regenerieren
Authors: Getoff Nikola
Published: November 2011

In polaren Medien können Hormone Elektronen emittieren, und es bilden sich solvatisierte Elektronen. Daraus ergeben sich Konsequenzen für die Kommunikation mit anderen biologischen Systemen durch Elektronenübertragungsprozesse oder Bildung von Metaboliten.
Bunsens Laboratorium
Authors: Nawa Christine
Published: November 2011

Als Robert Bunsen im Jahr 1852 den Ruf an die Universität Heidelberg annahm, sicherte die badische Landesregierung ihm den Neubau eines chemischen Laboratoriums zu. Im Sommersemester 1855 eröffnet, galt es als das modernste und am besten ausgestattete in ganz Europa.
Sicherheit koordinieren
Authors: Jeschke Torsten
Published: November 2011

Damit das Global Harmonisierte System für Chemikalien funktioniert, müssen alle Länder weltweit zusammenarbeiten. Dabei hilft eine Datenbank mit Modellvorschriften der Vereinten Nationen.
Imagepflege ist eine strategische Aufgabe
Authors: Kühne Andreas
Published: November 2011

Welches Ansehen genießt die mittelständische chemische Industrie? Unternehmen können ihre Darstellung in der Öffentlichkeit verbessern, indem sie intensiver informieren.
On the numerical stability and mass‐lumping schemes for explicit enriched meshfree methods
Authors: Talebi Hossein , Samaniego Cristóbal , Samaniego Esteban , Rabczuk Timon
Published: November 2011

Meshfree methods (MMs) such as the element free Galerkin (EFG)method have gained popularity because of some advantages over other numerical methods such as the finite element method (FEM). A group of problems that have attracted a great deal of attention from the EFG method community includes the treatment of large deformations and dealing with strong discontinuities such as cracks. One efficient solution to model cracks is adding special enrichment functions to the standard shape functions such as extended FEM, within the FEM context, and the cracking particles method, based on EFG method.

It is well known that explicit time integration in dynamic applications is conditionally stable. Furthermore, in enriched methods, the critical time step may tend to very small values leading to computationally expensive simulations. In this work, we study the stability of enriched MMs and propose two mass‐lumping strategies. Then we show that the critical time step for enriched MMs based on lumped mass matrices is of the same order as the critical time step of MMs without enrichment. Moreover, we show that, in contrast to extended FEM, even with a consistent mass matrix, the critical time step does not vanish even when the crack directly crosses a node. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Multiscale domain decomposition analysis of quasi‐brittle heterogeneous materials
Authors: Lloberas‐Valls O. , Rixen D.J. , Simone A. , Sluys L.J.
Published: November 2011

A hybrid multiscale framework is presented, which processes the material scales in a concurrent manner, borrowing features from hierarchical multiscale methods. The framework is used for the analysis of non‐linear heterogeneous materials and is capable of tackling strain localization and failure phenomena. Domain decomposition techniques, such as the ﬁnite element tearing and interconnecting method, are used to partition the material in a number of non‐overlapping domains and adaptive reﬁnement is performed at those domains that are affected by damage processes. This reﬁnement is performed in terms of material scale and ﬁnite element size. It is veriﬁed that the results are independent of the chosen domain decomposition. Moreover, the multiscale analyses are validated with reference solutions obtained with a full ﬁne‐scale solution procedure. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A polarization‐based FFT iterative scheme for computing the effective properties of elastic composites with arbitrary contrast
Authors: Monchiet V. , Bonnet G.
Published: November 2011

It is recognized that the convergence of FFT‐based iterative schemes used for computing the effective properties of elastic composite materials drastically depends on the contrast between the phases. Particularly, the rate of convergence of the strain‐based iterative scheme strongly decreases when the composites contain very stiff inclusions and the method diverges in the case of rigid inclusions. Reversely, the stress‐based iterative scheme converges rapidly in the case of composites with very stiff or rigid inclusions but leads to low convergence rates when soft inclusions are considered and to divergence for composites containing voids. It follows that the computation of effective properties is costly when the heterogeneous medium contains simultaneously soft and stiff phases. Particularly, the problem of composites containing voids and rigid inclusions cannot be solved by the strain or the stress‐based approaches. In this paper, we propose a new polarization‐based iterative scheme for computing the macroscopic properties of elastic composites with an arbitrary contrast which is nearly as simple as the basic schemes (strain and stress‐based) but which has the ability to compute the overall properties of multiphase composites with arbitrary elastic moduli, as illustrated through several examples. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A stochastic simulation method for uncertainty quantification in the linearized inverse conductivity problem
Authors: Polydorides N.
Published: November 2011

This paper considers the inverse problem in electrical impedance tomography with non‐informative prior information on the required conductivity function. The problem is approached with a Newton‐type iterative algorithm where the solution of the linearized approximation is estimated using Bayesian inference. The novelty of this work focuses on maximum a posteriori estimation assuming a model that incorporates the linearization error as a random variable. From an analytical expression of this term, we employ Monte Carlo simulation in order to characterize its probability distribution function. This simulation entails sampling an improper prior distribution for which we propose a stable scheme on the basis of QR decomposition. The simulation statistics show that the error on the linearized model is not Gaussian, however, to maintain computational tractability, we derive the posterior probability density function of the solution by imposing a Gaussian kernel approximation to the error density. Numerical results obtained through this approach indicate the superiority of the new model and its respective maximum a posteriori estimator against the conventional one that neglects the impact of the linearization error. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Shifted FSAI preconditioners for the efficient parallel solution of non‐linear groundwater flow models
Authors: Ferronato M. , Janna C. , Pini G.
Published: November 2011

The present paper investigates the performance of a shifted factorized sparse approximate inverse as a parallel preconditioner for the iterative solution to the linear systems arising in the finite element discretization of non‐linear groundwater flow models. The shift strategy is based on an inexpensive preconditioner update exploiting the structure of the coefficient matrix. The proposed algorithm is experimented with in the parallel simulation of a large‐scale real multi‐aquifer system characterized by a stochastic distribution of the hydraulic conductivity. The numerical results show that the shifted factorized sparse approximate inverse algorithm may yield an overall computational gain up to 300% with respect to the non‐shifted scheme with an excellent parallel efficiency. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A new bipenalty formulation for ensuring time step stability in time domain computational dynamics
Authors: Hetherington Jack , Rodríguez‐Ferran Antonio , Askes Harm
Published: November 2011

It is well known that use of standard penalty methods can decrease the critical time step of time domain dynamic finite element analyses. The bipenalty method utilises both stiffness and mass penalties to impose constraints that have a minimal effect on the eigenfrequencies of the finite element system. One way of achieving this goal is to find a ratio of stiffness and mass penalty parameters—the critical penalty ratio (CPR)—that does not affect the maximum eigenfrequency (and therefore, for conditionally stable solution schemes, the critical time step) of a system. In this contribution, we develop a new method of calculating the CPR associated with a finite element formulation by examining the eigenvalue problem in detail. Advantages of the method compared with previous solutions include increased simplicity and generality and the ability to consider multiple constraints. The method is demonstrated by deriving CPRs for a few finite element formulations, which are then verified using simple numerical examples. The superiority of the bipenalty method over standard mass penalty methods is also demonstrated. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Limitations of Cl2/O2‐based ICP‐RIE of deep holes for planar photonic crystals in InP
Authors: Kaspar Peter , Fougner Christopher , Kappeler Roman , Jäckel Heinz
Published: November 2011

A detailed study of dry‐etching of high‐aspect‐ratio holes into an indium phosphide substrate is presented for a Cl2/O2‐based plasma chemistry. The etching is performed in an inductively coupled plasma reactive ion etching reactor. The separate influence of the various etching parameters on the quality of the etched holes is identified. Quality measures such as high aspect ratio, hole cylindricity and verticality as well as sidewall smoothness can be controlled by varying the ICP power, the relative O2 flow rate and the self‐bias of the plasma. We were able to clearly identify trade‐offs that have to be made and limitations of the etching chemistry/technology used: If the aspect ratio improves, then the cylindricity also improves, whereas the verticality and the sidewall smoothness degrade. In previous reports, a certain ambiguity is generally observed in the sense that different process parameters exhibit partially contradicting trade‐offs. We show that this behaviour can be remedied by a careful selection of the variable parameters. (© 2012 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Short‐wavelength InP quantum cascade laser sources by quasi‐phase‐matched intracavity second‐harmonic generation
Authors: Vizbaras Augustinas , Anders Matthias , Grasse Christian , Katz Simeon , Boehm Gerhard , Meyer Ralf , Belkin Mikhail A. , Amann Markus‐Christian
Published: November 2011

Short‐wavelength quantum cascade laser (QCL) sources, based on transversely integrated giant nonlinearity have been designed and fabricated. Devices consist of an injectorless GaInAs/AlInAs/InP pump QCL and a passive two‐well based nonlinearity grown on top of the pump active region. The nonlinearity was designed to possess a giant nonlinear response for the process of second‐harmonic generation (SHG). For efficient SHG process, the wave‐vector mismatch between the fundamental and the nonlinear signals was compensated by structuring the nonlinear layer into the 50% duty‐cycle quasi‐phase‐matching gratings. Using this approach we were able to demonstrate room‐temperature operation at 3.5 µm and 2.7 µm second‐harmonic emission wavelengths with output power levels up to 30 µW. (© 2012 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)