bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Analysis of Comparative Advantages of Main Soybean Producing Countries
Authors: Jiang Lili , Guo Xiang Yu , Wei Dong Hui
Published: July 2011

This paper selects the world's major soybean producing countries, the United States, Brazil, Argentina, China. From cultivation area, total output, yield per unit, import and export trade of the four main soybean producing countries, making a comparative study of the international competitiveness of soybean country, to reach the comparative advantages of various countries, then come to put forward countermeasure suggestion to the further development of China's soybean industry.
Research on Allocation Efficiency of Agricultural Technology Innovation Resources in China
Authors: Sun Jing Cui , Yue Shang Zhi
Published: July 2011

In this paper agricultural technology innovation resources and their allocation efficiency was defined, according to the characteristics of the stage of agricultural technology innovation process, an evaluation index system of the output and conversion efficiency of agricultural technology innovation is set up. Using a two-stage DEA (data envelopment analysis) model, the allocation efficiency of agricultural technology innovation resources upon the continuous 17 years in China are analyzed and evaluated. Then the reason of the inefficient allocation of agricultural technology innovation resources is found out, and a corresponding improvement suggestion was proposed.
Econometrics Model for China Urban Residents Income and Consumption Quantitative Analysis
Authors: Li Xiao Ling
Published: July 2011

Based on the series research database statistics from Chinese Statistics Yearbook, data of rural population annual personal average disposable income and various consumer spending statistics( years from 1994 to 2009), established a single equation econometric model, estimated china rural population personal income and consumption function model by least square method, then analyze and compare and optimize it, that may estimate rural population disposable income according to this model, it has application value.
Analysis Online Shopping Behavior of Consumer Using Decision Tree
Authors: Yao Lei Yue , Xiong Jian Ying
Published: July 2011

Trading failure is the main reason for a dispute of C2C e-commerce. So predict the behavior of transactions can assist buyers and sellers negotiated transactions, helps to reduce transaction disputes. Separate the success and failure purchase record, then establish decision-making model through the C5.0 decision tree and RFM(Recency, Frequency, Monetary) model on consumer purchase behavior data, quantify the importance of the decision variables, the demonstration experiment shows the prediction accuracy is more than 80%.
Signal Process Technology of Omni-Directional Level Posture
Authors: Li Bai Hua , Piao Lin Hua , Ji Ming Ming
Published: July 2011

Micro mechanical airflow level posture sensor, combined with micro mechanical skill and air pendulum, the volume is small, the structure is compact, the craft is simple and uniformity of sensitive component is good. But it can be only sensitive to tilt posture around the specific sensitive axle. In order to realize the omni-directional survey, this article utilizes the MEMS tilt-sensitive component to withdraw omni-directional and carries on sensitivity compensation of omni-directional signal. The results show that: resolution is better than 0.1 °; nonlinear is small than 1.2%; range of angle measurement is from 0 °to360 °, realizing survey of omni-directional level measurement.
Research on Filtration System of Network Negative Information on the Basis of Naive Bayes
Authors: Yan Xi Ai , Yang Jin Min
Published: July 2011

The difficulty of filtrating network negative information lies in how to classify information correctly. As one of the classification method with the advantage of strong robustness and good understandability in the field of pattern classification, Naïve Bayes has been used widely. A method for filtrating network negative information on the basis of Naïve Bayes, improvement proposals aiming at the disadvantages of Naïve Bayes and amelioration of erroneous judgment of negative information by setting threshold value k have been put forward in this article. The experiment shows that by adjusting threshold value k can the integrity of the system can be optimum and can favorable application effects be achieved.
Analysis of Self-Adapted Fault-Tolerant System in Distributed Information Resource Management
Authors: Yan Xi Ai , Yang Jin Min
Published: July 2011

Distributed information resources may fail at any time, thus redundancy can be used to enhance fault tolerant capabilities as a technology. In connection with distributed information resource management, the paper has designed a self-adapted fault-tolerant system taking advantages of redundancy technology. In order to reducing overhead, the system makes use of copy-on-write strategy to find checkpoints and chooses the best checkpoint interval for execution efficiency improvement. The experiment indicates that redundancy system has got good results in application with adaptive, simple, efficient and reliable features.
Apply TEM to Mining Exploration of Crises Iron Mine in the Area of Xiangshui River
Authors: Wang Guo Fu , Deng Peng , Zhang Chao Fan , Zhang Fa Quan , Ye Jin Cai
Published: July 2011

To deal with the problem of depletion of iron mine reserves in the area of Xiangshui River in Heilongjiang Province, it is needed to study the geological structure of the region. Through TEM measurements and the corresponding data processing, -350 to -600 m apparent resistivity and the corresponding relationship between different lithologies are set up in the area. According to the regional differences in apparent resistivity lithology, four fracture zones are divided. According to the apparent resistivity difference between rock and ore greater than two orders of magnitude, the spatial location of the ore is explained. With the actual verification of deep drilling, see mine rate reaches 75% so that the efficiency of mining exploration is greatly improved.
The Cluster Design of MMOG Servers on Mobile Platform
Authors: Xie Xiao Yong , Liu Xiao Dong , Hu Lin Ling
Published: July 2011

Synchronization and load balance are the primary problems faced by MMOG server cluster. For synchronization issue, system uses an improved algorithm for optimistic synchronization, at the same time for the contradiction in MMOG between the growing requirements of games resource and the limited load capacity of servers, propose an efficient load balancing algorithm. Experimental results show that the cluster system has higher performance and load balancing capabilities.
Grinding Cutter Design of Involute Straight Bevel Gear Based on Central Projection Method
Authors: Zhang Guo Xing , Hu Zhi Yong , Qian Shao Hua , Wang Zhi De , Gong Yong Zhi
Published: July 2011

In order to establish precise grinding cutter model of straight bevel gear, this study projects the spherical involute that forms tooth profile of bevel gear into the involute of circle approximately, and makes a simulation model database of bevel gear according to the principle of mechanical design on the basis of CAD mapping software. With the central projection method, processing devices and cutters of involute straight bevel gear can also be designed which has no concern with modulus. The results show that the establishment of simulation database and processing cutters can greatly facilitate the design and processing of straight bevel gear, greatly reduce the design and finishing costs, and is also helpful to teaching training of gear.
Research of Video Surveillance System Base on Face Recognition and Motion Detection
Authors: Jiang Da Guang , Yi Jun Kai , Bian Gao Hui
Published: July 2011

In this paper, by using skin-color feature, especial location and pixel features of eyes in face area, an efficient face detection algorithm was designed. After face detection, discrete cosine Transform (DCT) was used to extract a set of observation, which is provided to train and recognize faces in the way of Hidden Markov Model (HMM). In order to solve the shortcoming that traditional motion detection algorithm can not be used to detect slow moving objects from an image sequence, an improved method was proposed by rebuilding the background.
Subjective Variability in Gross Tumor Volume Delineation of Lung Cancer and its Influence to Normal Tissue Complication Probability
Authors: Wang Juan , Xia Jian Guo , Tang Le Min
Published: July 2011

To compare the differences of the gross tumor volume(GTV) of lung cancer defined by radiologists and radiation oncologists and evaluate the influence of subjective variability to normal tissue complication probability(NTCP) of heart.
Influence of CT Window Techniques on Gross Tumor Volume Delineation of Lung Cancer
Authors: Wang Juan , Wu Hui Qun , Xia Jian Guo , Tang Le Min
Published: July 2011

To determine the variation in delineation of the gross tumor volume(GTV) of lung cancer on CT images with different window width(WW) and window level(WL).
The Immediate Effects of a Novel Auditory and Proprioceptive Training Device on Gait after Stroke
Authors: Johnson Eric G. , Lohman Everett B. , Rendon Abel , Dobariya Ektaben G. , Ramani Shubhada S. , Mayer Lissie E.
Published: July 2011

This case report describes the immediate effects of a new rehabilitation tool on gait in a chronic stroke patient. Specifically, we measured step length symmetry and gait velocity in a 47 year-old male stroke patient who was currently receiving outpatient physical therapy. Objective gait measurements were taken using the GAITRite before, during, and after a 5 minute training session. Step length symmetry improved 26% during the first minute of training, 71% by the fifth minute of training, and 72% after a 5 minute rest period post-training. Gait velocity increased by 5.5% after 5 minutes of training. Clinical research is warranted to validate this new training tool as a useful adjunctive rehabilitation activity for improving spatial and temporal aspects of gait after stroke.
Lobar Flexible Fiberoptic Lung Lavage: Therapeutic Benefit in Severe Respiratory Failure in Pulmonary Alveolar Proteinosis and Influenza A H1N1 Pneumonia
Authors: Nicolini Antonello , Barlascini Cornelius
Published: July 2011

Lobar fiberoptic lung lavage is a well-known procedure used in primary pulmonary alveolar proteinosis (PAP); the use of this procedure has increased in the recent years. This procedure has also been used in other pulmonary diseases such as desquamative interstitial pneumonia with good results. We describe a case of extremely severe respiratory failure due to concurrence of PAP and Influenza A H1N1 virus pneumonia which resolved with the help of this procedure. The patient, a 41- year-old woman, needed less mechanical ventilation after undergoing lobar fiberoptic bronchoscopic lavage. Moreover, a rapid and progressive improvement in the computed tomography of the lungs was observed. Flexibile fiberoptic bronchoscopic lobar lavage is a simple, safe procedure used not only in milder disease, but also in particular severe cases in which the physiological derangement of whole lung lavage would not be tolerated by patient or when extra-corporeal membrane oxygenation is not available.
Description of watershed outline and Water Depth Survey Datasets for Cape Dorset, Nunavut
Authors: Budkewitsch P , Prévost C , Pavlic G , Pregitzer M
Published: July 2011

A watershed outline map, a bathymetric map, and water related statistics of the Cape Dorset water supply reservoirs where produced following field work performed during the summer of 2010 by researchers from Canada Centre for Remote Sensing, and personnel from
the Department of Community and Government Services and staff from the Nunavut Research Institute. One objective of this initiative was to develop the technology for Nunavut scientists and to transfer the methodologies in communities where drinking water supply is at risk due to a declining supply
and a changing climate. Since 2007, with support from Indian and Northern Affairs Canada (INAC), a small team of scientists from the Canada Centre for Remote Sensing were involved in a project to help characterize the water supply of Nunavut communities. This is a complex task involving the
delineation of watersheds and estimation of the water volume of the supply lake for the community. To estimate this water volume, a bathymetric map is produced based on field surveys using a depth sounder equipped with a GPS. CCRS developed a low cost and easy to use technique to enable such depth
surveys to be rapidly carried out. The technology transfer aspect of the activity is aimed to allow Nunavut professionals to produce lake depth maps with low cost and easy to use tools and software. During the course of this project, these initiatives allowed researchers, engineers, managers,
planners and technical personnel to perform lake and watershed surveys of the communities of Iqaluit, Clyde River, Arviat, Whale Cove, Rankin Inlet, Pond Inlet and Cape Dorset. This document describes the digital datasets acquired for Cape Dorset and distributed to the Department of Community and
Government Services, the Nunavut Research Institute, and the Department of Indian and Northern Affairs. The enclosed datasets were produced under the ''Enhancing Resilience in a Changing Climate Program'' of the Earth Sciences Sector, Natural Resources Canada. Several large format image maps were
printed and distributed to the organisations identified above, and were also presented at several workshops.
Peatlands of Canada
Authors: Tarnocai C , Kettles I M , Lacelle B
Published: July 2011

Peatlands, which are dominant features of the Canadian landscape, cover approximately 1136 x 103 km2, or 13% of the land area. These peatlands are essential to the global environment because they retain, purify and deliver fresh water, store carbon, absorb
pollutants and support numerous species of plants and wildlife, many of them identified as endangered. Under current scenarios of increasing greenhouse gases, the expected increases in global temperatures have the potential to affect peatlands in many areas. Most of the peatlands (97%) occur in
the Boreal Peatland Region (64%) and Subarctic Peatland Region (33%). Because of the large area they cover and their high organic carbon content, these peatlands contain approximately 147 Gt soil carbon, which is about 59% of the organic carbon stored in all Canadian
soils.
Tropical cooling in the case of stratospheric sudden warming in January 2009: focus on the tropical tropopause layer
Authors: Yoshida K. , Yamazaki K.
Published: July 2011

Abstract. Temperature changes in the tropics, especially in the tropical tropopause layer, are investigated at the time of a major stratospheric sudden warming (SSW) event that started on about 16 January 2009. During the SSW, the temperature in the tropical upper stratosphere declined and the cold anomaly propagated downward, while the tropics between 150 and 100 hPa started to cool from 18 January, prior to a temperature drop at 70 hPa. We performed thermodynamical and dynamical analyses with ERA-Interim data. During the SSW event, the tropical stratosphere was cooled by upwelling, and the upwelling was induced by wave forcing in the northern extratropical stratosphere. However, the stratospheric wave forcing generated only weak upwelling in the tropics below 100 hPa. During the cooling period at around 18 January, tropical ascent was the main contributor to cooling of the tropics between 150 and 100 hPa. Subsequently, vertical convergence of the vertical heat flux, which is closely tied to the convection structure, resulted in a gradual decrease in temperature within the tropical uppermost troposphere. Waves that had same source region with the upward-propagating waves that caused the SSW event, propagated from Alaska to the tropics of eastern South America and eastern Africa at around 100 hPa, and dissipated in these areas; the associated wave forcing drove the tropical ascent between 150 and 100 hPa.
α-Pinene nitrates: synthesis, yields and atmospheric chemistry
Authors: Ma S. X. , Rindelaub J. D. , McAvey K. M. , Gagare P. D. , Nault B. A. , Ramachandran P. V. , Shepson P. B.
Published: July 2011

Abstract. The biogenic volatile organic compound α-pinene is one of the dominant monoterpenes emitted to the Earth's atmosphere at an estimated rate of ~50 Tg C yr−1. Its atmospheric oxidation products in the presence of NO can lead to ozone production, as well as production of secondary organic aerosol (SOA). The major oxidation pathway of α-pinene is reaction with OH, which in the presence of NO can form either α-pinene nitrates or convert NO to NO2, which can photolyze to form ozone. In this work, we successfully synthesized four α-pinene hydroxy nitrates through three different routes, and have identified these 4 individual isomers in α-pinene/OH/NO reaction chamber experiments. From the experiments, we determined their individual production yields, estimated the total RONO2 yield, and calculated the relative branching ratios of the nitrate precursor peroxy radicals (RO2). The combined yield of the four α-pinene nitrates was found to be 0.130 (±0.035) at atmospheric pressure and 296 K, and the total organic nitrate yield was estimated to be 0.19 (+0.10/−0.06). We also determined the OH rate constants for two of the isomers, and have calculated their overall atmospheric lifetimes, which range between 22 and 38 h.
Mass-spectrometric identification of primary biological particle markers: indication for low abundance of primary biological material in the pristine submicron aerosol of Amazonia
Authors: Schneider J. , Freutel F. , Zorn S. R. , Chen Q. , Farmer D. K. , Jimenez J. L. , Martin S. T. , Artaxo P. , Wiedensohler A. , Borrmann S.
Published: July 2011

Abstract. The abundance of marker compounds for primary biological particles in submicron aerosol was investigated by means of aerosol mass spectrometry. Mass spectra of amino acids, carbohydrates, small peptides, and proteins, all of which are key building blocks of biological particles, were recorded in laboratory experiments. Several characteristic marker peaks were identified. The identified marker peaks were compared with mass spectra recorded during AMAZE-08, a field campaign conducted in the pristine rainforest of the Central Amazon Basin, Brazil, during the wet season of February and March 2008. The low abundance of identified marker peaks places upper limits of 7.5 % for amino acids and 5.6 % for carbohydrates on the contribution of primary biological aerosol particles (PBAPs) to the submicron organic aerosol mass concentration during this time period. Upper limits for the absolute submicron concentrations for both compound classes range from 0.01 to 0.1 μg m−3. Carbohydrates and protein amino acids make up for about two thirds of the dry mass of a biological cell. Thus, our findings suggest an upper limit for the PBAPs mass fraction of about 20 % to the submicron organic aerosol.
Technical Note: Simple analytical relationships between Ångström coefficients of aerosol extinction, scattering, absorption, and single scattering albedo
Authors: Moosmüller H. , Chakrabarty R. K.
Published: July 2011

Abstract. Ångström coefficients are commonly used to parameterize the slow wavelength dependence of aerosol scattering, absorption, and extinction coefficients and single scattering albedo. Here we introduce simple analytical relationships between these coefficients that establish a framework for intercomparison between theory and experimental results from different instruments and platforms and allow for closure studies and improved physical understanding.
The optical, physical and chemical properties of the products of glyoxal uptake on ammonium sulfate seed aerosols
Authors: Trainic M. , Riziq A. A. , Lavi A. , Flores J. M. , Rudich Y.
Published: July 2011

Abstract. The heterogeneous reaction between gas phase glyoxal and ammonium sulfate (AS) aerosols, a proxy for inorganic atmospheric aerosol, was studied in terms of the dependence of the optical, physical and chemical properties of the product aerosols on initial particle size and ambient RH. The reactions were studied under different relative humidity (RH) conditions, varying from dry conditions (~20 % RH) and up to 90 % RH, covering conditions prevalent in many atmospheric environments. At λ = 355 nm, the reacted aerosols demonstrate a substantial growth in optical extinction cross section, as well as in mobility diameter under a broad range of RH values (35–90 %). The ratio of the product aerosol to seed aerosol geometric cross section reached up to ~3.5, and the optical extinction cross-section up to ~250. The reactions show a trend of increasing physical and optical growth with decreasing seed aerosol size, from 100nm to 300 nm, as well as with decreasing RH values from 90 % to ~40 %. Optically inactive aerosols, at the limit of the Mie range (100 nm diameter) become optically active as they grow due to the reaction. AMS analyses of the reaction of 300 nm AS at RH values of 50 %, 75 % and 90 % show that the main products of the reaction are glyoxal oligomers, formed by acetal formation in the presence of AS. In addition, imidazole formation, which is a minor channel, is observed for all reactions, yielding a product which absorbs at λ = 290 nm, with possible implications on the radiative properties of the product aerosols. The ratio of absorbing substances (C–N compounds, including imidazoles) increases with increasing RH value. A core/shell model used for the investigation of the optical properties of the reaction products of AS 300nm with gas phase glyoxal, shows that the refractive index (RI) of the reaction products are in the range between 1.57–1.71 for the real part and between 0–0.02 for the imaginary part of the RI at 355 nm. The observed increase in the ratio of the investigated absorbing substances is slightly indicated in the RI values found by the model, as the imaginary part of the product RI increases from 0.01 to 0.02 with increasing RH. The imaginary part is expected to increase further at higher RH and become more substantial in cloud droplets. This study shows that the reaction of abundant substances present in atmospheric aerosols, such as AS, and gas phase glyoxal alters the aerosols' optical, physical and chemical properties and may have implications on the radiative effect of these aerosols.
Nonlinear controls on evapotranspiration in Arctic coastal wetlands
Authors: Liljedahl A. K. , Hinzman L. D. , Harazono Y. , Zona D. , Tweedie C. E. , Hollister R. D. , Engstrom R. , Oechel W. C.
Published: July 2011

Abstract. Projected increases in air temperature and precipitation due to climate change in Arctic wetlands could dramatically affect ecosystem functioning. As a consequence, it is important to define the controls on evapotranspiration, which is the major pathway of water loss from these systems. We quantified the multi-year controls on midday arctic coastal wetland evapotranspiration measured with the eddy covariance method at two vegetated drained thaw lake basins near Barrow, Alaska. Variations in near-surface soil moisture and atmospheric vapor pressure deficits were found to have nonlinear effects on midday evapotranspiration rates. Vapor pressure deficits near and above 0.3 kPa appeared to be an important hydrological threshold, allowing latent heat fluxes to persistently exceed sensible heat fluxes. Dry soils increased the bulk surface resistance (water-limited). Wet soils favored ground heat flux and therefore limited the energy available to sensible and latent heat fluxes (energy-limited). Thus, midday evapotranspiration was suppressed on both dry and wet soils through different mechanisms. We also found that wet soils (ponding excluded) combined with large atmospheric demands resulted in an increased bulk surface resistance and therefore suppressing the evapotranspiration to below its potential rate (Priestley-Taylor α < 1.26). This is likely caused by the limited ability of mosses to transfer moisture during large atmospheric demands. Ultimately, in addition to net radiation, the various controlling factors on midday evapotranspiration (near-surface soil moisture, atmospheric vapor pressure, and the limited ability of mosses that are saturated at depth to transfer water during high atmospheric vapor demands) resulted in an average evapotranspiration rate of up to 75 % of the potential evapotranspiration rate. The multiple limitations on midday evapotranspiration rates have the potential to moderate interannual variation of total evapotranspiration and dampen excessive water loss during a warmer climate. Combined with the prevailing maritime winds and the projected increase in precipitation, these dampening mechanisms will likely prevent extensive future soil drying and hence maintain the presence of coastal wetlands.
A study on the derivation of a mean velocity formula from Chiu's velocity formula and bottom shear stress
Authors: Choo T. H. , Jeong I. J. , Chae S. K. , Yoon H. C. , Son H. S.
Published: July 2011

Abstract. This study proposed a new discharge estimation method using a mean velocity formula derived from Chiu's 2D velocity formula of probabilistic entropy concept and the river bed shear stress of channel. In particular, we could calculate the mean velocity, which is hardly measurable in flooding natural rivers, in consideration of several factors reflecting basic hydraulic characteristics such as river bed slope, wetted perimeter, width, and water level that are easily obtainable from rivers. In order to test the proposed method, we used highly reliable flow rate data measured in the field and published in SCI theses, estimated entropy M from the results of the mean velocity formula and, at the same time, calculated the maximum velocity. In particular, we obtained phi(M) expressing the overall equilibrium state of river through regression analysis between the maximum velocity and the mean velocity, and estimated the flow rate from the newly proposed mean velocity formula. The relation between estimated and measured discharge was analyzed through the discrepancy ratio, and the result showed that the estimate value was quite close to the measured data.
The fate of lake ice in the North American Arctic
Authors: Brown L. C. , Duguay C. R.
Published: July 2011

Abstract. Lakes comprise a large portion of the surface cover in northern North America forming an important part of the cryosphere. The timing of lake ice phenological events (e.g. break-up/freeze-up) are useful indicators of climate variability and change, which is of particular relevance in environmentally sensitive areas such as the North American Arctic. Further alterations to the present day ice regime could result in major ecosystem changes, such as species shifts and the disappearance of perennial ice cover. Lake ice models are a valuable tool for examining the response of lake ice cover to changing climate conditions. The use of future climate scenario data in these models can provide information on the potential changes in ice phenology, ice thickness and composition. The Canadian Lake Ice Model (CLIMo) was used to simulate lake ice phenology across the North American Arctic from 1961–2100 using climate scenarios produced by the Canadian Regional Climate Model (CRCM). Results from the 1961–1990 time period were validated using 15 locations across the Canadian Arctic, with both in situ ice cover observations from the Canadian Ice Database as well as additional ice cover simulations using nearby weather station data. Projected changes to the ice cover using the 30 yr mean data between 1961–1990 and 2041–2070 suggest a shift towards shorter ice cover durations by an average of just over 3 weeks, with a 25 cm average reduction of the total ice thickness – varying based on location, lake depth and snow cover amounts.
Lyapunov Stability Analysis of Gradient Descent-Learning Algorithm in Network Training
Authors: Banakar Ahmad
Published: July 2011

The Lyapunov stability theorem is applied to guarantee the convergence and stability of the learning algorithm for several networks. Gradient descent learning algorithm and its developed algorithms are one of the most useful learning algorithms in developing the networks. To guarantee the stability and convergence of the learning process, the upper bound of the learning rates should be investigated. Here, the Lyapunov stability theorem was developed and applied to several networks in order to guaranty the stability of the learning algorithm.
Challenges and Strategies for Climate Change Adaptation Among Pacific Island Nations
Authors: Mahany Mollie J. , Keim Mark E.
Published: July 2011

Few regions of the world are at higher risk for environmental disasters than the Pacific Island countries and territories. During 2004 and 2005, the top public health leadership from 19 of 22 Pacific Island countries and territories convened 2 health summits with the goal of developing the world's first comprehensive regional strategy for sustainable disaster risk management as applied to public health emergencies. These summits followed on the objectives of the 1994 Barbados Plan of Action for the Sustainable Development of Small Island Developing States and those of the subsequent Yokohama Strategy and Plan of Action for a Safer World. The outputs of the 2004 and 2005 Pacific Health Summits for Sustainable Disaster Risk Management provide a detailed description of challenges and accomplishments of the Pacific Island health ministries, establish a Pacific plan of action based upon the principles of disaster risk management, and provide a locally derived, evidence-based approach for many climate change adaptation measures related to extreme weather events in the Pacific region. The declaration and outputs from these summits are offered here as a guide for developmental and humanitarian assistance in the region (and for other small-island developing states) and as a means for reducing the risk of adverse health effects resulting from climate change.

(Disaster Med Public Health Preparedness. 2012;6:415-423)
Zinc Fixation for Flow Cytometry Analysis of Intracellular and Surface Epitopes, DNA Content, and Cell Proliferation
Authors: Christensen Rikke , Owens David M. , Thomsen Anette , Pedersen Søren , Jensen Uffe Birk
Published: July 2011

Zinc salt‐based fixation (ZBF) is a simple, cost‐effective, and nonhazardous fixation method for cell suspensions that preserves all cellular structures and enables flow cytometric analysis of both surface and intracellular proteins, DNA content profiles, and pulse‐labeling using the thymidine analog EdU in the same cell sample. ZBF performs equally well to formaldehyde in the preservation of surface epitope labeling and forward and side light scatter parameters, as measured by flow cytometry. DNA is maintained at high molecular weight, improving the quantification and allowing subsequent quantitative PCR analysis. Finally, ZBF treatment allows for long‐term storage of labeled cells with little change in these parameters. Curr. Protoc. Cytom. 57:7.40.1‐7.40.9. © 2011 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Cognitive and emotional covariates of violence exposure among former prisoners: links to antisocial behavior and emotional distress and implications for theory
Authors: Boxer Paul , Schappell Ashley , Middlemass Keesha , Mercado Ignacio
Published: July 2011

In this study, formerly incarcerated men (N = 123) were assessed for their experiences with violence in the community as well as their current behavioral and mental health status (antisocial behavior and emotional distress). Participants also completed measures of two constructs theorized to moderate relations between exposure to violence and outcomes: cognitive beliefs supporting aggressive responding and negative emotional reactivity to witnessed violence. Data on key social‐demographic background factors affecting outcomes were also collected. Analyses showed that, after controlling the effects of background factors, relationships between experiences with violence in the community and behavioral/mental health were moderated by cognitive beliefs and emotional reactivity. At high levels of support for aggressive responding, significant positive links were observed between exposure to violence and antisocial behavior as well as emotional distress. At high levels of negative reactivity to violence, a significant positive link was observed between exposure to violence and emotional distress (but not antisocial behavior). Findings are discussed with respect to research and theory on the effects of exposure to violence in high‐risk adult populations. Aggr. Behav. 37:465–475, 2011. © 2011 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Preferring the One in the Middle: Further Evidence for the Centre‐stage Effect
Authors: Rodway Paul , Schepman Astrid , Lambert Jordana
Published: July 2011

The location of an item influences a person's preference for that item, but it is unclear whether there is a preference for items located on the right or in the centre. In replication of the centre‐stage effect, it was found that when participants were presented with a line of five pictures, they preferred pictures in the centre rather than at either end. This applies when the line of pictures was arranged horizontally or vertically and when participants selected from five pairs of identical socks arranged vertically. The results support the centre‐stage explanation of location‐based preference rather than the hemispheric difference or body‐specific accounts. Implications of the effects of location on consumer choices and preference decisions are discussed. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Social factors influencing natal dispersal in male white‐faced capuchins (Cebus capucinus)
Authors: Jack Katharine M. , Sheller Claire , Fedigan Linda M.
Published: July 2011

White‐faced capuchin males disperse from their natal group at around 4.5 years of age, but there is much variation in dispersal timing: our youngest confirmed disperser was 19 months and the oldest 11 years old. In this study, we investigate possible factors influencing dispersal decisions in this species. Between 1983 and 2010, 64 males were born into three study groups in Santa Rosa National Park, Area de Conservación Guanacaste, and Costa Rica. As of August 2010, 21 died or were presumed dead (<14 months), 13 remained natal residents, and 30 were presumed dispersers. We used backward logistic regression to identify proximate factors that predict the occurrence of male natal dispersal. The occurrence of a takeover (significant positive association) and group size (nonsignificant negative association) were included in the model. Male age, number of maternal brothers, and number of adult males were not significant predictors of natal dispersal. The resultant model correctly classified 97% of dispersed and 89% of resident natal males, for an overall success rate of 95%. The occurrence of a group takeover was the strongest predictor of male dispersal, with natal males being 18.7 times more likely to disperse in the context of a group takeover than during peaceful times. A linear regression model showed that the tenure length of a male's probable father influences the age of natal dispersal, explaining 15% of the observed variation in age. However, when our oldest disperser was removed (an outlier) this effect disappeared. Collectively, these results indicate that group instability, as evidenced by the occurrence of a takeover, shorter tenure length of a natal male's father, and smaller group size, triggers natal dispersal in this species while the converse leads to a delay. These data add to our growing evidence of the enormous impact that takeovers have on the behavioral ecology of this species. Am. J. Primatol. 74:359–365, 2012. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Technical note: A landmark‐based approach to the study of the ear ossicles using ultra‐high‐resolution X‐ray computed tomography data
Authors: Schmidt Jodi L. , Cole Theodore M. , Silcox Mary T.
Published: July 2011

Previous study of the ear ossicles in Primates has demonstrated that they vary on both functional and phylogenetic bases. Such studies have generally employed two‐dimensional linear measurements rather than three‐dimensional data. The availability of Ultra‐ high‐resolution X‐ray computed tomography (UhrCT) has made it possible to accurately image the ossicles so that broadly accepted methodologies for acquiring and studying morphometric data can be applied. Using UhrCT data also allows for the ossicular chain to be studied in anatomical position, so that it is possible to consider the spatial and size relationships of all three bones. One issue impeding the morphometric study of the ear ossicles is a lack of broadly recognized landmarks. Distinguishing landmarks on the ossicles is difficult in part because there are only two areas of articulation in the ossicular chain, one of which (the malleus/incus articulation) has a complex three‐dimensional form. A measurement error study is presented demonstrating that a suite of 16 landmarks can be precisely located on reconstructions of the ossicles from UhrCT data. Estimates of measurement error showed that most landmarks were highly replicable, with an average CV for associated interlandmark distances of less than 3%. The positions of these landmarks are chosen to reflect not only the overall shape of the bones in the chain and their relative positions, but also functional parameters. This study should provide a basis for further examination of the smallest bones in the body in three dimensions. Am J Phys Anthropol, 2011. © 2011 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Gold‐α‐Oxocarbenoide in der katalysierten Übertragung von Sauerstoffatomen auf Alkine
Authors: Xiao Jian , Li Xingwei
Published: July 2011

Reaktive Gold‐α‐Oxocarbenoide können als Zwischenstufen in der goldkatalysierten Funktionalisierung von Alkinen auftreten. Derartige Zwischenstufen lassen sich anhand einer inter‐ und intramolekularen Oxidation von Alkinen mit nukleophilen, Sauerstoff übertragenden Gruppen wie Amin‐N‐oxiden, Pyridin‐N‐oxiden, N‐Oxiden einer Schiffschen Base (Nitronen), Nitroverbindungen, Sulfoxiden und Epoxiden synthetisieren. Diese Sauerstoffübertragungsprozesse erfolgen als goldvermittelte Additions‐Eliminierungs‐Reaktionen. In katalytischen Prozessen werden α‐Oxocarbenoide von Iminen und Arenen sowie von wandernden Hydriden und Alkylgruppen angegriffen. Diese Reaktionssequenzen führen zu Produkten mit neuen Molekülstrukturen. Der einfache Aufbau von C‐E‐Einfachbindungen (E=C, N, S oder O) ist ein direkter Weg zu wertvollen Verbindungen aus leicht zugänglichen Ausgangsmaterialien.
Interactions of β‐lactoglobulin with serotonin and arachidonyl serotonin
Authors: Taheri‐Kafrani Asghar , Choiset Yvan , Faizullin Dzhigangir A. , Zuev Yuri F. , Bezuglov Vladimir V. , Chobert Jean‐Marc , Bordbar Abdol‐Khalegh , Haertlé Thomas
Published: July 2011

β‐Lactoglobulin (β‐LG) is a lipocalin, which is the major whey protein of cow's milk and the milk of other mammals. However, it is absent from human milk. The biological function of β‐LG is not clear, but its potential role in carrying fatty acids through the digestive tract has been suggested. β‐LG has been found in complexes with lipids such as butyric and oleic acids and has a high affinity for a wide variety of compounds. Serotonin (5‐hydroxytryptamine, 5‐HT), an important compound found in animals and plants, has various functions, including the regulation of mood, appetite, sleep, muscle contraction, and some cognitive functions such as memory and learning. In this study, the interaction of serotonin and one of its derivatives, arachidonyl serotonin (AA‐5HT), with β‐LG was investigated using circular dichroism (CD) and fluorescence intensity measurements. These two ligands interact with β‐LG forming equimolar complexes. The binding constant for the serotonin/β‐LG interaction is between 105 and 106 M−1, whereas for the AA‐5HT/β‐LG complex it is between 104 and 105 M−1 as determined by measurements of either protein or ligand fluorescence. The observed binding affinities were higher in hydroethanolic media (25% EtOH). The interactions between serotonin/β‐LG and AA‐5HT/β‐LG may compete with self‐association (micellization) of both the ligand and the protein. According to far‐ and near‐UV CD results, these ligands have no apparent influence on β‐LG secondary structure, however they partially destabilize its tertiary structure. Their binding by β‐LG may be one of the peripheral mechanisms of the regulation of the content of serotonin and its derivatives in the bowel of milk‐fed animals. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Biopolymers 95: 871–880, 2011.
Application of ring‐closing metathesis to Grb2 SH3 domain‐binding peptides
Authors: Liu Fa , Giubellino Alessio , Simister Philip C. , Qian Wenjian , Giano Michael C. , Feller Stephan M. , Bottaro Donald P. , Burke Terrence R.
Published: July 2011

Molecular processes depending on protein–protein interactions can use consensus recognition sequences that possess defined secondary structures. Left‐handed polyproline II (PPII) helices are a class of secondary structure commonly involved with cellular signal transduction. However, unlike α‐helices, for which a substantial body of work exists regarding applications of ring‐closing metathesis (RCM), there are few reports on the stabilization of PPII helices by RCM methodologies. The current study examined the effects of RCM macrocyclization on left‐handed PPII helices involved with the SH3 domain‐mediated binding of Sos1–Grb2. Starting with the Sos1‐derived peptide “Ac‐V1‐P2‐P3‐P4‐V5‐P6‐P7‐R8‐R9‐R10‐amide,” RCM macrocyclizations were conducted using alkenyl chains of varying lengths originating from the pyrrolidine rings of the Pro4 and Pro7 residues. The resulting macrocyclic peptides showed increased helicity as indicated by circular dichroism and enhanced abilities to block Grb2–Sos1 interactions in cell lysate pull‐down assays. The synthetic approach may be useful in RCM macrocyclizations, where maintenance of proline integrity at both ring junctures is desired. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Biopolymers (Pept Sci) 96: 780–788, 2011.
Three‐dimensional structure and mimetic‐membrane association of consensus 11‐amino‐acid motif from soybean lea3 protein
Authors: Xue Rong , Liu Yun , Zheng Yizhi , Wu Yijie , Li Xiaojing , Pei Fengkui , Ni Jiazuan
Published: July 2011

The occurrence of a highly conserved 11‐mer repeating motif in the primary sequence is a major characteristic of group 3 late embryogenesis abundant (LEA3) proteins, which are strongly associated with abiotic stress tolerance of the plants. In this study, the three‐dimensional structure, mimetic membrane association, and salt effect for consensus 11‐mer motif from soybean PM2 protein (LEA3) were investigated in sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) micelles by NMR techniques. It was shown that the 11‐mer motif was disordered in aqueous solution, but adopted an α‐helix in SDS micelles. NMR diffusion measurements demonstrated that the 11‐mer motif was associated with SDS micelles. Paramagnetic quenching NMR experiments further revealed the orientation of the 11‐mer motif with respect to the mimetic membrane: the ordered N‐terminal segment was inserted into the mimetic membrane, and the disordered C‐terminal segment was exposed to water. In addition, salt addition could not change the secondary structure of the 11‐mer motif, but might slightly alter the relative spatial position of some N‐terminal residue atoms. These results implied that the 11‐mer motif would take an important role in structural plasticity and membrane stabilization for LEA3 proteins. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Biopolymers (Pept Sci) 98: 59–66, 2012.
Hydrodynamic deformation and removal of Staphylococcus epidermidis biofilms treated with urea, chlorhexidine, iron chloride, or DispersinB
Authors: Brindle Eric R. , Miller David A. , Stewart Philip S.
Published: July 2011

The force‐deflection and removal characteristics of bacterial biofilm were measured by two different techniques before and after chemical, or enzymatic, treatment. The first technique involved time lapse imaging of a biofilm grown in a capillary flow cell and subjected to a brief shear stress challenge imparted through increased fluid flow. Biofilm removal was determined by calculating the reduction in biofilm area from quantitative analysis of transmission images. The second technique was based on micro‐indentation using an atomic force microscope. In both cases, biofilms formed by Staphylococcus epidermidis were exposed to buffer (untreated control), urea, chlorhexidine, iron chloride, or DispersinB. In control experiments, the biofilm exhibited force‐deflection responses that were similar before and after the same treatment. The biofilm structure was stable during the post‐treatment shear challenge (1% loss). Biofilms treated with chlorhexidine became less deformable after treatment and no increase in biomass removal was seen during the post‐treatment shear challenge (2% loss). In contrast, biofilms treated with urea or DispersinB became more deformable and exhibited significant biofilm loss during the post‐treatment flow challenge (71% and 40%, respectively). During the treatment soak phase, biofilms exposed to urea swelled. Biofilms exposed to iron chloride showed little difference from the control other than slight contraction during the treatment soak. These observations suggest the following interpretations: (1) chemical or enzymatic treatments, including those that are not frankly antimicrobial, can alter the cohesion of bacterial biofilm; (2) biocidal treatments (e.g., chlorhexidine) do not necessarily weaken the biofilm; and (3) biofilm removal following treatment with agents that make the biofilm more deformable (e.g., urea, DispersinB) depend on interaction between the moving fluid and the biofilm structure. Measurements such as those reported here open the door to development of new technologies for controlling detrimental biofilms by targeting biofilm cohesion rather than killing microorganisms. Biotechnol. Bioeng. 2011;108: 2968–2977. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Cell surface display of carbonic anhydrase on Escherichia coli using ice nucleation protein for CO2 sequestration
Authors: Fan Li‐Hai , Liu Ning , Yu Ming‐Rui , Yang Shang‐Tian , Chen Huan‐Lin
Published: July 2011

Carbonic anhydrase (CA) has recently gained renewed interests for its potential as a mass‐transfer facilitator for CO2 sequestration. However, the low stability and high price severely limit its applications. In this work, the expression of α‐CA from Helicobacter pylori on the outer membrane of Escherichia coli using a surface‐anchoring system derived from ice nucleation protein (INP) from Pseudomonas syringae was developed. To find the best surface anchoring motif, full‐length INP (114 kDa), truncated INP (INP‐NC, 33 kDa), and INP's N‐domain with first two subunits (INP‐N, 22 kDa) were evaluated. Two vectors, pKK223‐3 and pET22b(+), with different promoters (T7 and Tac) were used to construct the fusion genes, and for each vector, three recombinant strains, each expressing a different length of the fusion protein, were obtained. SDS–PAGE, Western blot, immunofluorescence microscopy, FACS, and whole‐cell ELISA confirmed the expression of fusion proteins on the surface of E. coli. The smallest fusion protein with INP‐N as the anchoring motif had the highest expression level and CA activity, suggesting that INP‐N is the best carrying protein due to its smaller size. Also, the T7 promoter in pET22b(+) induced with 0.2 mM IPTG gave high protein expression levels, whereas the Tac promoter in pKK223‐3 gave low expression levels. The surface displayed CA was at least twofold more stable than that of the free form, and did not show any adverse effect on cell growth and outer membrane integrity. Cells with surface displayed CA were successfully used to facilitate CO2 sequestration in contained liquid membrane (CLM). Biotechnol. Bioeng. 2011;108: 2853–2864. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.