bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Herbal Remedies Supply a Novel Prospect for the Treatment of Atherosclerosis: A Review of Current Mechanism Studies
Authors: Zeng Yu , Song Ju‐Xian , Shen Xiang‐Chun
Published: September 2011

Atherosclerosis (AS) is a systemic cardiovascular disease with complicated pathogenesis involving oxidative stress, endothelial dysfunction and chronic inflammation. Increasing lines of evidence have questioned the statins‐dominated treatment for AS, including their dangerous side‐effects such as the breakdown of muscle when taken in larger doses. A multifaceted approach that addresses all major risk factors or pathological targets may provide an ideal treatment for AS. Studies of the herbal remedies on the prevention and treatment of AS have received much attention in recent years. This review summarizes some important experimental findings regarding their mechanisms of action on AS. Using the pre‐set PUBMED searching syntax and inclusion criteria, representative citations published in English concerning the experimental studies of 14 herbal materials were included. We found that many extracts and (or) single compounds from these herbal materials, such asSalvia miltiorrhiza,Curcuma longa,Rheum undulatumandPanax notoginseng, could regulate multiple key targets involved in the initiation and propagation of AS. Some important findings about the effects of herbal formulations on AS were also reviewed. Given the complicated nature of AS and the holistic, combinational approach of herbal remedies, we propose that mixed herbal preparations with multiple active ingredients may be preferable for the prevention and treatment of AS. Further rigorously designed pharmacological evaluation and multi‐centred clinical trials are warranted. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
High‐temperature reversed‐phase liquid chromatography coupled to isotope ratio mass spectrometry
Authors: Zhang Lijun , Kujawinski Dorothea M. , Jochmann Maik A. , Schmidt Torsten C.
Published: September 2011

Compound‐specific isotope analysis (CSIA) by liquid chromatography coupled to isotope ratio mass spectrometry (LC/IRMS) has until now been based on ion‐exchange separation. In this work, high‐temperature reversed‐phase liquid chromatography was coupled to, and for the first time carefully evaluated for, isotope ratio mass spectrometry (HT‐LC/IRMS) with four different stationary phases. Under isothermal and temperature gradient conditions, the column bleed of XBridge C18 (up to 180 °C), Acquity C18 (up to 200 °C), Triart C18 (up to 150 °C), and Zirchrom PBD (up to 150 °C) had no influence on the precision and accuracy of δ13C measurements, demonstrating the suitability of these columns for HT‐LC/IRMS analysis. Increasing the temperature during the LC/IRMS analysis of caffeine on two C18 columns was observed to result in shortened analysis time. The detection limit of HT‐RPLC/IRMS obtained for caffeine was 30 mg L–1 (corresponding to 12.4 nmol carbon on‐column). Temperature‐programmed LC/IRMS (i) accomplished complete separation of a mixture of caffeine derivatives and a mixture of phenols and (ii) did not affect the precision and accuracy of δ13C measurements compared with flow injection analysis without a column. With temperature‐programmed LC/IRMS, some compounds that coelute at room temperature could be baseline resolved and analyzed for their individual δ13C values, leading to an important extension of the application range of CSIA. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Critical compassionate pedagogy and the teacher's role in first‐generation student success
Authors: Hao Richie Neil
Published: September 2011

Informed by Rosenberg's (2003) concept of nonviolent communication, the author's pedagogical perspective encourages educators to criticize institutional and classroom practices that ideologically place underserved students at disadvantaged positions. At the same time, this perspective urges teachers to be self‐reflective of their actions through compassion as a daily commitment. The author suggests that this pedagogical approach helps teachers better counter institutional barriers and oppressive pedagogical practices that inhibit first‐generation college students' success.
Enhanced enzyme production with the pelleted form of D. squalens in laboratory bioreactors using added natural lignin inducer
Authors: Babič Janja , Pavko Aleksander
Published: September 2011

White-rot fungi are extensively used in various submerged biotechnology processes to produce ligninolytic enzymes. Transfer of the process from the laboratory to the industrial level requires optimization of the cultivation conditions on the laboratory scale. An interesting area of optimization is pellet growth since this morphological form solves problems such as the decreased oxygen concentration, limited heat, and nutrient transport, which usually occur in dispersed mycelium cultures. Many submerged fermentations with basidiomycetes in pellet form were done with Phanerochaete, Trametes, and Bjerkandera species, among others. In our study, another promising basidiomycete, D. squalens, was used for ligninolytic enzyme production. With the addition of wood particles (sawdust) as a natural inducer and optimization of mixing and aeration conditions in laboratory stirred tank (STR) and bubble column (BCR) reactors on pellet growth and morphology, the secretion of laccase and the manganese-dependent peroxidase into the medium was substantially enhanced. The maximum mean pellet radius was achieved after 10 days in the BCR (5.1 mm) where pellets were fluffy and 5 days in the STR (3.5 mm) where they were round and smooth. The maximum Lac activity (1,882 U l−1) was obtained after 12 days in the STR, while maximum MnP activity (449.8 U l−1) occurred after 18 days in the BCR. The pellet size and morphology depended on the agitation and aeration conditions and consequently influenced a particular enzyme synthesis. The enzyme activities were high and comparable with the activities found for other investigations in reactors with basidiomycetes in the form of pellets.
Emergency department bedside echocardiography diagnosis of massive pulmonary embolism with direct visualization of thrombus in the pulmonary artery
Authors: Riley David C. , Hultgren Aaron , Merino David , Gerson Samuel
Published: September 2011

A 62-year-old woman presented to the emergency department (ED) with a chief complaint of 3 weeks of progressively worsening shortness of breath. Her physical examination was normal, except for tachypnea. Her lungs were clear, and no murmurs, gallops or rubs were heard on the cardiac examination. ED bedside echocardiography with color, continuous wave and tissue Doppler ultrasound imaging and lower extremity ultrasonography performed by an ED attending physician revealed a massive pulmonary embolism with right ventricle pressure overload, tricuspid and pulmonic regurgitation, right atrial thrombus and a right popliteal thrombus. The right ventricular outflow tract view allowed for the direct visualization of thrombus in the pulmonary artery. Bedside echocardiography with color, continuous wave and tissue Doppler ultrasound imaging and lower extremity compression ultrasonography can assist the emergency physician and the critical care physician in the diagnosis of massive pulmonary embolism and deep venous thrombosis. Direct visualization of embolic thrombus in the pulmonary artery can help the ED physician accelerate both medical intensive care consultation and therapy and surgical consultation for possible thromboembolectomy and inferior vena cava filter placement.
The relationship between spirituality and religiosity on psychological outcomes in adolescents and emerging adults: A meta‐analytic review
Authors: Yonker Julie E. , Schnabelrauch Chelsea A. , DeHaan Laura G.
Published: September 2011

The present study used meta‐analytic techniques to examine the association between spirituality and religiosity (S/R) and psychological outcomes in adolescents and emerging adults. The outcome measures of risk behavior, depression, well‐being, self‐esteem, and personality were examined with respect to the influence of S/R across 75 independent studies encompassing 66,273 adolescents and emerging adults extracted from electronic databases between 1990 and 2010. Results showed significant main effect sizes of S/R with several outcomes: risk behavior, −.17; depression, −.11; well‐being, .16; self‐esteem, .11; and the personality measures of Conscientiousness, .19; Agreeableness, .18; Openness, .14. Moderating effects were found for age, race, and type of S/R measure. Results show that S/R has a positive effect on psychological outcomes in adolescents and emerging adults. Possible explanations and implications of these results are discussed.
Asymptotic transversality and symmetry breaking bifurcation from boundary concentrating solutions
Authors: Miyamoto Yasuhito
Published: September 2011

Let

A: = \{a < |x| < 1 + a\} \subset \mathbb{R}^{N}

and

p⩾2

. We consider the Neumann problem

\varepsilon ^{2}\mathrm{\Delta }u−u + u^{p} = 0\:\text{in }A,\:\partial _{\nu }u = 0\:\text{on }\partial A.

Let

\lambda = 1/ \varepsilon ^{2}

. When

λ

is large, we prove the existence of a smooth curve

\{(\lambda ,u(\lambda ))\}

consisting of radially symmetric and radially decreasing solutions concentrating on

\{|x| = a\}

. Moreover, checking the transversality condition, we show that this curve has infinitely many symmetry breaking bifurcation points from which continua consisting of nonradially symmetric solutions emanate. If

N = 2

, then the closure of each bifurcating continuum is locally homeomorphic to a disk. When the domain is a rectangle

(0,1) \times (0,a) \subset \mathbb{R}^{2}

, we show that a curve consisting of one-dimensional solutions concentrating on

\{0\} \times [0,a]

has infinitely many symmetry breaking bifurcation points. Extending this solution with even reflection, we obtain a new entire solution.
The management of bipolar disorder in the perinatal period and risk factors for postpartum relapse
Authors: Doyle K. , Heron J. , Berrisford G. , Whitmore J. , Jones L. , Wainscott G. , Oyebode F.
Published: September 2011

Aims

The perinatal period is a time of high risk of relapse for women with a history of bipolar affective disorder (BPAD). We describe the pregnancy management of women with BPAD and identify risk factors for postpartum relapse.

Methods

The case records of 78 women with BPAD referred to perinatal mental health services before conception, during pregnancy or the postpartum period, between 1998 and 2009 in Birmingham UK, were screened. In women who were managed during pregnancy, those who relapsed in the postpartum were compared with those who remained well.

Results

Forty-seven percent of women with BPAD referred in pregnancy suffered postpartum relapse. Women who were unwell at referral, younger, with unplanned pregnancy, previous perinatal episodes or a family history of BPAD were more likely to suffer postpartum illness.

Conclusion

Identifying risk factors for postpartum relapse enables us to individualise the estimation of a woman's risk and modify care plans accordingly. Duration of wellness prior to pregnancy is not associated with a lower risk of postpartum illness and so it is imperative that all women with BPAD receive referral in pregnancy.
Hormone replacement therapy dependent changes in breast cancer‐related gene expression in breast tissue of healthy postmenopausal women
Authors: Sieuwerts Anieta M. , De Napoli Giuseppina , van Galen Anne , Kloosterboer Helenius J. , de Weerd Vanja , Zhang Hong , Martens John W.M. , Foekens John A. , De Geyter Christian
Published: September 2011

Risk assessment of future breast cancer risk through exposure to sex steroids currently relies on clinical scorings such as mammographic density. Knowledge about the gene expression patterns in existing breast cancer tumors may be used to identify risk factors in the breast tissue of women still free of cancer. The differential effects of estradiol, estradiol together with gestagens, or tibolone on breast cancer‐related gene expression in normal breast tissue samples taken from postmenopausal women may be used to identify gene expression profiles associated with a higher breast cancer risk. Breast tissue samples were taken from 33 healthy postmenopausal women both before and after a six month treatment with either 2mg micronized estradiol [E2], 2mg micronized estradiol and 1mg norethisterone acetate [E2+NETA], 2.5mg tibolone [T] or [no HRT]. Except for [E2], which was only given to women after hysterectomy, the allocation to each of the three groups was randomized. The expression of 102 mRNAs and 46 microRNAs putatively involved in breast cancer was prospectively determined in the biopsies of 6 women receiving [no HRT], 5 women receiving [E2], 5 women receiving [E2+NETA], and 6 receiving [T]. Using epithelial and endothelial markers genes, non‐representative biopsies from 11 women were eliminated. Treatment of postmenopausal women with [E2+NETA] resulted in the highest number of differentially (p<0.05) regulated genes (16.2%) compared to baseline, followed by [E2] (10.1%) and [T] (4.7%). Among genes that were significantly down‐regulated by [E2+NETA] ranked estrogen‐receptor‐1 (ESR1, p=0.019) and androgen receptor (AR, p=0.019), whereas CYP1B1, a gene encoding an estrogen‐metabolizing enzyme, was significantly up‐regulated (p=0.016). Mammary cells triggered by [E2+NETA] and [E2] adjust for steroidogenic up‐regulation through down‐regulation of the estrogen‐receptor pathway. In this prospective study, prolonged administration of [E2+NETA] and to a lesser extent of [E2] but not [T] were associated in otherwise healthy breast tissue with a change in the expression of genes putatively involved in breast cancer. Our data suggest that normal mammary cells triggered by [E2+NETA] adjust for steroidogenic up‐regulation through down‐regulation of the estrogen‐receptor pathway. This feasibility study provides the basis for whole genome analyses to identify novel markers involved in increased breast cancer risk.
Effects of similar intakes of marinen-3 fatty acids from enriched food products and fish oil on cardiovascular risk markers in healthy human subjects
Authors: Kirkhus Bente , Lamglait Amandine , Eilertsen Karl-Erik , Falch Eva , Haider Trond , Vik Hogne , Hoem Nils , Hagve Tor-Arne , Basu Samar , Olsen Elisabeth , Seljeflot Ingebjørg , Nyberg Lena , Elind Elisabeth , Ulven Stine M.
Published: September 2011

There is convincing evidence that consumption of fish and fish oil rich in long-chain (LC)n-3 PUFA (n-3 LCPUFA), EPA (20 : 5n-3) and DHA (22 : 6n-3) reduce the risk of CHD. The aim of the present study was to investigate whethern-3 LCPUFA-enriched food products provide similar beneficial effects as fish oil with regard to incorporation into plasma lipids and effects on cardiovascular risk markers. A parallel 7-week intervention trial was performed where 159 healthy men and women were randomised to consume either 34 g fish pâté (n44), 500 ml fruit juice (n38) or three capsules of concentrated fish oil (n40), all contributing to a daily intake of approximately 1 g EPA and DHA. A fourth group did not receive any supplementation or food product and served as controls (n37). Plasma fatty acid composition, serum lipids, and markers of inflammation and oxidative stress were measured. Compared with the control group, plasman-3 LCPUFA and EPA:arachidonic acid ratio increased equally in all intervention groups. However, no significant changes in blood lipids and markers of inflammation and oxidative stress were observed. In conclusion, enriched fish pâté and fruit juice represent suitable delivery systems forn-3 LCPUFA. However, although the dose given is known to reduce the risk of CVD, no significant changes were observed on cardiovascular risk markers in this healthy population.
Rapid response predicts 12-month post-treatment outcomes in binge-eating disorder: theoretical and clinical implications
Authors: Grilo C. M. , White M. A. , Wilson G. T. , Gueorguieva R. , Masheb R. M.
Published: September 2011

Background

We examined rapid response in obese patients with binge-eating disorder (BED) in a clinical trial testing cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and behavioral weight loss (BWL).

Method

Altogether, 90 participants were randomly assigned to CBT or BWL. Assessments were performed at baseline, throughout and post-treatment and at 6- and 12-month follow-ups. Rapid response, defined as ⩾70% reduction in binge eating by week four, was determined by receiver operating characteristic curves and used to predict outcomes.

Results

Rapid response characterized 57% of participants (67% of CBT, 47% of BWL) and was unrelated to most baseline variables. Rapid response predicted greater improvements across outcomes but had different prognostic significance and distinct time courses for CBT versus BWL. Patients receiving CBT did comparably well regardless of rapid response in terms of reduced binge eating and eating disorder psychopathology but did not achieve weight loss. Among patients receiving BWL, those without rapid response failed to improve further. However, those with rapid response were significantly more likely to achieve binge-eating remission (62% v. 13%) and greater reductions in binge-eating frequency, eating disorder psychopathology and weight loss.

Conclusions

Rapid response to treatment in BED has prognostic significance through 12-month follow-up, provides evidence for treatment specificity and has clinical implications for stepped-care treatment models for BED. Rapid responders who receive BWL benefit in terms of both binge eating and short-term weight loss. Collectively, these findings suggest that BWL might be a candidate for initial intervention in stepped-care models with an evaluation of progress after 1 month to identify non-rapid responders who could be advised to consider a switch to a specialized treatment.
Non-uniqueness in -measures
Authors: DOOLEY A. H. , RUDOLPH DANIEL J.
Published: September 2011

Bramson and Kalikow and Quas showed the phenomenon of non-uniqueness forg-measures in the absence of aC1condition ong. We extend this result to show that for a sequenceG=(Gn), the class ofG-measures can be badly behaved in the sense of containing measures of typeIIIλfor allλin a continuous image of anFσset.
Passive and Impoverished? A Discussion of Rural Popular Culture in the Mid Victorian Years
Authors: MOSES GARY
Published: September 2011

This case study focuses on East Riding hiring fairs both as labour markets and popular festivals and considers the vitality of their internal interactions in the mid Victorian years, a time that has been associated with the erosion of traditional practices by urban influences and their reshaping into more orderly and passive forms. The article suggests that mid Victorian rural popular culture proved to be not only adaptive to the forces of urban modernity but robustly dynamic and informed by rural social forces.
The Transformation of Lowland Game Shooting in England and Wales since the Second World War: The Supply Side Revolution
Authors: MARTIN JOHN
Published: September 2011

The history of game shooting since the Second World War might be seen as an enigma. In spite of unprecedented changes to the countryside resulting from the intensification of farming which contributed to a rapid decline in the partridge population, the size of the national game bag increased due to the enhanced popularity of the pheasant as a sporting quarry. This article evaluates the reasons for the expansion of the sport in this period, focusing on the management of the countryside, the evolution of game keeping, the growth of artificial game rearing, and the increasing popularity of game shooting.
Self-access system for English language support
Authors: Nesi Hilary
Published: September 2011

In common with similar units in many other British Universities, the Centre for English Language Teacher Education at Warwick University offers support in English for Academic Purposes (EAP) for students whose first language is not English. Students newly arriving from overseas are contacted via their departments and are invited to attend classes covering a range of language skills associated with EAP. Classes are typically well-attended in the first months of the academic year, and attendance tends to fall off in the second term, although there is an upsurge in interest in certain areas, such as Academic Writing, as students become increasingly involved in assignment and dissertation writing.
Clinical, neuropathological and neuroimaging features of Alzheimer's disease and dementia with Lewy bodies
Authors: Hancock Rebecca J
Published: September 2011

Alzheimer's disease (AD) and dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB) are the two most common types of degenerative dementia. It has been questioned whether they are totally separate conditions, or whether they are in fact both part of a spectrum of a more general neurodegenerative disease. Fluctuating cognition and parkinsonism are key features of DLB, but atypical in AD which is characterized by progressive amnesia, aphasia, agnosia and apraxia. Neuropsychiatric disturbances also seem to be more common in DLB. The main neuropathological features of DLB are Lewy bodies, and in AD are senile plaques and neurofibrillary tangles, though some overlap has been found. A key finding of neuroimaging studies is that there is relative preservation of brain volume in DLB patients compared with AD patients, particularly of temporal lobe structures. There are also profound reductions in striatal dopamine transport in DLB, demonstrated by single photon emission computerized tomography (SPECT) imaging. Whilst there are some distinct differences between AD and DLB, further research is needed to greater define the distinctions between these two conditions.
Psalmi ante sacrificium and the origin of the introit
Authors: Dyer Joseph
Published: September 2011

The biography of Pope Celestine I (422–32) in the first edition of the Liber pontificalis (c.530) credits him with introducing the singing of ‘psalmi ante sacrificium’ at Mass. Several decades later, the second edition added that these psalms were sung ‘antephanatim ex omnibus’. Since the early ninth century, these statements have been interpreted to mean that Celestine introduced the introit chant, a conclusion challenged for the first time about twenty-five years ago. The new interpretation of the passage proposed that Celestine did not introduce the introit, but the responsorial psalm sung between the (two) readings at Mass. An analysis of the terminology used in Celestine's biography, especially the word sacrificium, indicates that the Liber pontificalis author did most likely intend to attribute to him the introduction of the introit, which was certainly in existence by the early sixth century. The presence of a processional solea in certain churches of Rome and the North Adriatic littoral indicates that architectural accommodations were being made for the entrance procession by the fifth century. Psalmic texts form the basis of the repertoire, and non-psalmic introits give every indication of post-dating those with texts drawn from the Psalter.
Affective Focus Increases the Concordance Between Implicit and Explicit Attitudes
Authors: Smith Colin Tucker , Nosek Brian A.
Published: September 2011

Two attitude dichotomies – implicit versus explicit and affect versus cognition – are presumed to be related. Following a manipulation of attitudinal focus (affective or cognitive), participants completed two implicit measures (Implicit Association Test and the Sorting Paired Features task) and three explicit attitude measures toward cats/dogs (Study 1) and gay/straight people (Study 2). Based on confirmatory factor analysis, both studies showed that explicit attitudes were more related to implicit attitudes in an affective focus than in a cognitive focus. We suggest that, although explicit evaluations can be meaningfully parsed into affective and cognitive components, implicit evaluations are more related to affective than cognitive components of attitudes.
Orographic effects on precipitating clouds
Authors: Houze Robert A.
Published: September 2011

Precipitation over and near mountains is not caused by topography but, rather, occurs when storms of a type that can occur anywhere (deep convection, fronts, tropical cyclones) form near or move over complex terrain. Deep convective systems occurring near mountains are affected by channeling of airflow near mountains, capping of moist boundary layers by flow subsiding from higher terrain, and triggering to break the cap when low‐level flow encounters hills near the bases of major mountain ranges. Mesoscale convective systems are triggered by nocturnal downslope flows and by diurnally triggered disturbances propagating away from mountain ranges. The stratiform regions of mesoscale convective systems are enhanced by upslope flow when they move over mountains. In frontal cloud systems, the poleward flow of warm‐sector air ahead of the system may rise easily over terrain, and a maximum of precipitating cloud occurs over the first rise of terrain, and rainfall is maximum on ridges and minimum in valleys. If the low‐level air ahead of the system is stable, blocking or damming occurs. Shear between a blocked layer and unblocked moist air above favors turbulent overturning, which can accelerate precipitation fallout. In tropical cyclones, the tangential winds encountering a mountain range produce a gravity wave response and greatly enhanced upslope flow. Depending on the height of the mountain, the maximum rain may occur on either the windward or leeward side. When the capped boundary layer of the eye of a tropical cyclone passes over a mountain, the cap may be broken with intense convection resulting.
Five‐band microwave radiometer system for noninvasive brain temperature measurement in newborn babies: Phantom experiment and confidence interval
Authors: Sugiura T. , Hirata H. , Hand J. W. , Van Leeuwen J. M. J. , Mizushina S.
Published: September 2011

Clinical trials of hypothermic brain treatment for newborn babies are currently hindered by the difficulty in measuring deep brain temperatures. As one of the possible methods for noninvasive and continuous temperature monitoring that is completely passive and inherently safe is passive microwave radiometry (MWR). We have developed a five‐band microwave radiometer system with a single dual‐polarized, rectangular waveguide antenna operating within the 1–4 GHz range and a method for retrieving the temperature profile from five radiometric brightness temperatures. This paper addresses (1) the temperature calibration for five microwave receivers, (2) the measurement experiment using a phantom model that mimics the temperature profile in a newborn baby, and (3) the feasibility for noninvasive monitoring of deep brain temperatures. Temperature resolutions were 0.103, 0.129, 0.138, 0.105 and 0.111 K for 1.2, 1.65, 2.3, 3.0 and 3.6 GHz receivers, respectively. The precision of temperature estimation (2σ confidence interval) was about 0.7°C at a 5‐cm depth from the phantom surface. Accuracy, which is the difference between the estimated temperature using this system and the measured temperature by a thermocouple at a depth of 5 cm, was about 2°C. The current result is not satisfactory for clinical application because the clinical requirement for accuracy must be better than 1°C for both precision and accuracy at a depth of 5 cm. Since a couple of possible causes for this inaccuracy have been identified, we believe that the system can take a step closer to the clinical application of MWR for hypothermic rescue treatment.
Hydrologic and biogeochemical functioning of intensively managed catchments: A synthesis of top‐down analyses
Authors: Basu Nandita B. , Thompson Sally E. , Rao P. Suresh C.
Published: September 2011

This paper synthesizes a 3‐year collaborative effort to characterize the biogeochemical and hydrological features of intensively managed agricultural catchments by combining data analysis, modeling, and preliminary hypothesis testing. The specific focus was on the Midwestern region of the United States. The results suggest that: (1) water management, specifically the homogenization of evapotranspiration losses driven by mono‐cultural vegetation cover, and the homogenization of runoff generation driven by artificial drainage, has created engineered, predictable hydrologic systems; (2) nutrient and pesticide management, specifically their regular applications have created two kinds of biogeochemical export regimes: chemostatic (low variability in concentration as exhibited by nitrate) and episodic (high variability in concentration as exhibited by pesticides); (3) coupled mass‐balance models for water and solutes reproduce these two regimes as a function of chemical rate constants. Phosphorus transport regimes were found to be episodic at smaller spatial scales, but chemostatic at larger scales. Chemostatic response dominates in transport‐limited catchments that have internal sources of the solute to buffer the periodicity in episodic inputs, while episodic response dominates in source‐limited catchments. The shift from episodic nitrate export in pristine catchments to chemostatic regimes in managed watersheds was attributed to legacy stores of nitrogen (built from continued fertilizer applications) that buffer interannual variations in biogeochemical processing. Fast degradation kinetics of pesticides prevents the build‐up of legacy sources, and leads to episodic export. Analytical expressions were derived for the probability density functions of solute delivery ratio as a function of the stochastics of rainfall‐runoff events and biogeochemical controls.
Thr90 phosphorylation of Hsp90α by protein kinase A regulates its chaperone machinery
Authors: Wang Xiaofeng , Lu Xin-an , Song Xiaomin , Zhuo Wei , Jia Lin , Jiang Yushan , Luo Yongzhang
Published: September 2011

Hsp90 (heat-shock protein 90) is one of the most important molecular chaperones in eukaryotes. Hsp90 facilitates the maturation, activation or degradation of its client proteins. It is now well accepted that both ATP binding and co-chaperone association are involved in regulating the Hsp90 chaperone machinery. However, other factors such as post-translational modifications are becoming increasingly recognized as being involved in this process. Recent studies have reported that phosphorylation of Hsp90 plays an unanticipated role in this process. In the present study, we systematically investigated the impact of phosphorylation of a single residue (Thr90) of Hsp90α (pThr90-Hsp90α) on its chaperone machinery. We demonstrate that protein kinase A specifically phosphorylates Hsp90α at Thr90, and that the pThr9090-Hsp90α level is significantly elevated in proliferating cells. Thr90 phosphorylation affects the binding affinity of Hsp90α to ATP. Subsequent examination of the interactions of Hsp90α with co-chaperones reveals that Thr90 phosphorylation specifically regulates the association of a subset of co-chaperones with Hsp90α. The Hsp90α T90E phosphor-mimic mutant exhibits increased association with Aha1 (activator of Hsp90 ATPase homologue 1), p23, PP5 (protein phosphatase 5) and CHIP (C-terminus of Hsp70-interacting protein), and decreased binding affinity with Hsp70, Cdc37 (cell division cycle 37) and Hop [Hsc70 (heat-shock cognate protein 70)/Hsp90-organizing protein], whereas its interaction with FKBP52 (FK506-binding protein 4) is only moderately affected. Moreover, we find that the ability of the T90E mutant to form complexes with its clients, such as Src, Akt or PKCγ (protein kinase Cγ), is dramatically impaired, suggesting that phosphorylation affects its chaperoning activity. Taken together, the results of the present study demonstrate that Thr90 phosphorylation is actively engaged in the regulation of the Hsp90α chaperone machinery and should be a generic determinant for the cycling of Hsp90α chaperone function.
Hypopituitarism in a HIV Affected Patient
Authors: Harbeck B. , Klose S. , Buchfelder M. , Brabant G. , Lehnert H.
Published: September 2011

The clinical picture of pituitary abscesses may resemble features of other pituitary pathologies including endocrine deficiencies. The characteristic radiological changes, namely the ring enhancement, may aid in the diagnostic work-up of this very rare condition.

A 40-year-old patient with longstanding HIV infection presented with headache and fatigue. Testing for pituitary function confirmed panhypopitutarism. MRI scanning demonstrated an inhomogeneous pituitary gland with ring-like enhancement and sphenoid sinus mucosa thickening. Transsphenoidal surgery was performed. Histologically CD68 positive macrophages were found supporting the diagnosis of infectious hypophysitis. Under hormone replacement therapy and retroviral treatment the patient clinically normalized.

A pituitary abscess due to infectious hypophysitis is a rare cause of pituitary failure. Diagnostic signs on imaging may help to rapidly distinguish the cause of pituitary deficiency in patients with HIV infection.
Generation of T Regulatory Cells in Children with Newly Diagnosed Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus
Authors: Łuczyński W. , Wawrusiewicz-Kurylonek N. , Szypowska A. , Iłendo E. , Bossowski A. , Krętowski A. , Stasiak-Barmuta A.
Published: September 2011

There is increasing evidence that T-regulatory (Treg) cells could be used to prevent or cure autoimmune diseases including type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM). The aim of the present study was to verify the hypothesis that functional Treg cells can be generated from conventional T-cells separated from a small amount of peripheral blood of children with newly diagnosed T1DM (N=25).

CD4+CD25- cells were cultured with Treg expander (CD3/CD28) and IL-2 for generating de novo Treg cells. The assessment of the expression of selected genes and proteins critical to Treg function and the proliferation assays were performed with the use of real-time RT-PCR and flow cytometry.

After a 4-week stimulation with Treg expander and IL-2, the percentage of T-regulatory cells was significantly higher compared to the cells treated with medium alone (with no difference between diabetic and control children). However, we found some disturbances in the gene expression at mRNA level for molecules crucial for T-reg function. The induced Tregs from diabetic and control children were fully functional as assessed in proliferation assays.

despite some disturbances at mRNA level in the critical gene expression, the suppressive properties of induced Treg cells from diabetic and control children were effective.
Control of N/N2 species ratio in NO plasma for p-type doping of ZnO
Authors: Chen Xingyou , Zhang Zhenzhong , Yao Bin , Jiang Mingming , Wang Shuangpeng , Li Binghui , Shan Chongxin , Liu Lei , Zhao Dongxu , Shen Dezhen
Published: September 2011

Nitrogen-doped ZnO thin films were grown on c-plane sapphire (Al2O3) substrates via plasma-assisted molecular beam epitaxy using plasma activated nitric oxide (NO) as the oxygen source and dopant. X-ray diffraction measurements indicate that a small NO flux benefits the crystal quality of the thin films. Hall effect measurements indicate that the electron density of the ZnO films decreases gradually with decreasing NO flux, and the conduction reverses to p-type at a certain flux. Optical emission spectra indicate that the N atom content in the NO plasma increases with decreasing NO flux, and the origin of this is discussed. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy measurements demonstrate that the number of N atom occupied O sites in the ZnO lattice increases correspondingly.
Evolution of polarization of an electromagnetic wave propagating in magnetized plasma: Comparison between two alternative formalisms
Authors: Segre S. E. , Zanza V.
Published: September 2011

Two alternative formalisms for the analysis of the evolution of electromagnetic wave polarization in a magnetized plasma are considered: the coupled wave formalism and the Stokes vector formalism. The first formalism is developed and extended to more general magnetic field configurations than considered hitherto, thus obtaining a new polarization evolution equation. The two formalisms are compared and their relative merits and limitations are described. In particular, it is shown that the equations for polarization evolution are valid for arbitrarily strong anisotropy induced by the magnetic field and that these equations treat implicitly the effect of coupling between the characteristic waves.
Microwave power dependence of the retrapping current of superconducting nanostrips
Authors: Adam S. , Piraux L. , Lucot D. , Mailly D.
Published: September 2011

The microwave power density absorbed in the normal state by continuously irradiated superconducting Nb and NbN nanostrips is extracted from their electrical transport properties. The procedure is based on the reduction of the retrapping current (i.e., the minimum applied current required to sustain a dissipative region inside a superconducting microbridge) that results from the microwave dissipation. The power effectively absorbed by the nanostrips varies linearly with the input power level and falls in the μWμm–3 range. At a given microwave frequency, the relation between the input power and the absorbed power does not depend on the coolant temperature. In addition, the upper limit of the detection range is given by the heat removal capabilities through the substrate. When the absorbed microwave power exceeds this temperature-dependent heat removal threshold, normal hotspot domains are stabilized down to zero bias current. The determination of the microwave power absorbed by superconducting samples in the normal state may be of practical interest in the field of incident power detection.
Tunable magnetocaloric effect in Gd-based glassy ribbons
Authors: Mayer Charlotte , Gorsse Stéphane , Ballon Geraldine , Caballero-Flores Rafael , Franco Victorino , Chevalier Bernard
Published: September 2011

The series of glassy ribbons Gd60M30In10 (M = Mn, Co, Ni, Cu) was synthesized by melt-spinning. The change of transition element M in these Gd-based metallic glasses was proven to induce huge variations of the Curie temperature TC, magnetic entropy change peak values ΔSmpeak, and widths at half maximum values of the magnetic entropy change δT. When M is non magnetic (M = Co, Ni, Cu), the samples behave similarly: they display high values of ΔSmpeak (between -6.6 and -8.2 J/kg K in a magnetic field variation of 4.6 T), average δT values (between 77 and 120 K) and no magnetic hysteresis. On the contrary, when M carries a magnetic moment (M = Mn), some irreversibility appears at low temperature, ΔSmpeak is lower (only 3.1 J/kg K for μ0H = 4.6 T) and the magnetic transition is very large (δT = 199 K for μ0H = 4.6 T). These features are explained by some antiparallel coupling between Mn atoms randomly located in the metallic glass. This leads to the occurrence of a cluster-glass behavior at low temperature (35 K), following the ferromagnetic transition observed at 180 K when the temperature is decreased. Also, power law fittings of ΔSmpeak and δT versus μ0H were performed and show that δT is less field dependent than ΔSmpeak. We could then identify an interesting way of improving the refrigeration capacity of the material at low magnetic field.
Native p-type transparent conductive CuI via intrinsic defects
Authors: Wang Jing , Li Jingbo , Li Shu-Shen
Published: September 2011

The ability of CuI to be doped p-type via the introduction of native defects has been investigated using first-principles pseudopotential calculations based on density functional theory. The Cu vacancy has a lower formation energy than any of the other native defects, which include I vacancy (VI), Cu interstitial (Cui), I interstitial (Ii), Cu antisite (CuI), and I antisite (ICu). Combined with its shallow acceptor level, it offers sufficient hole concentrations in CuI. The natural band alignments as compared to zinc-blende ZnS, ZnSe, and ZnTe have also been calculated in order to further identify the p-type dopability of CuI. It is found that CuI has a relatively high valence band maximum and conduction band minimum, which also makes it easy to dope CuI p-type in terms of the doping limit rule. In addition, the small effective mass of the light hole—about 0.303m0—can provide high mobility and p-type conductivity in CuI. All of these results make CuI an ideal candidate for native p-type materials
Stress-induced phase transition and deformation behavior of BaTiO3 nanowires
Authors: Zhang Yihui , Liu Bin , Fang Daining
Published: September 2011

In this paper, the electromechanically coupled behaviors of BaTiO3 nanowires are investigated by shell-model based molecular dynamics and proposed analytical models. Three-stage stress–strain and stress–polarization relations are found that are mainly originated from the existence of a mixed phase composition. A phase diagram in terms of wire diameters and axial stresses is constructed. Furthermore, the elastic modulus is found to decrease dramatically with the increase of diameter for the nanowire in paraelectric phase, while the piezoelectric coefficient of the ferroelectric phase is not very sensitive to the size. Besides, the size dependencies of hysteresis and butterfly loops are also revealed.
Improved efficiency and lifetime in small molecule organic solar cells with optimized conductive polymer electrodes
Authors: Hyun Kim Yong , Sachse Christoph , Hermenau Martin , Fehse Karsten , Riede Moritz , Müller-Meskamp Lars , Leo Karl
Published: September 2011

We report on efficient and stable ITO-free small molecule organic solar cells with conductive poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene):poly(styrenesulfonate) (PEDOT:PSS) electrodes using a post-treatment process, causing selective removal of PSS. The solar cells with post-treated PEDOT:PSS electrodes show significantly improved short circuit current densities and efficiencies compared to untreated devices. Moreover, the removal of PSS by the post-treatment significantly improves the lifetime of devices, which are more resistant to loss of fill factor compared to untreated devices.
Accurate measurement of domain wall velocity in amorphous microwires, submicron wires, and nanowires
Authors: Corodeanu S. , Chiriac H. , Óvári T.-A.
Published: September 2011

A new method for measuring the domain wall velocity in a single, ultrathin ferromagnetic amorphous wire with the diameter down to 100 nm is presented. The method has been developed in order to increase the sensitivity in studying the domain wall propagation in bistable magnetic wires in a wide range of field amplitudes, with much larger values of the applied field as compared to those employed when studying the wall propagation in typical amorphous microwires. The large fields required to propagate the domain walls in ultrathin wires are able to nucleate new domain walls in the samples and, therefore, they can affect the accuracy of the entire measurement. The proposed experimental setup prevents such situations by using a number of complex pick-up coils, which allow the detection of the direction of the wall propagation along with the precise measurement of the domain wall velocity. The newly developed method is especially important now, when large effort is devoted to the development of domain wall logic devices based on ultrathin magnetic wires and nanowires.
Diamond nanoparticles with more surface functional groups obtained using carbon nanotubes as sources
Authors: Que Ronghui , Shao Mingwang , Chen Tao , Xu Hongyan , Wang Suidong , Lee Shuit-Tong
Published: September 2011

High pressure high temperature catalytic method was used to prepare diamonds using carbon nanotubes or graphite as starting materials. It was found that the O-containing functional groups on diamonds’ surface from carbon nanotubes (7.34%) are 1.27 times of those from graphite (5.8%), which was confirmed by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and x-ray photoemission spectroscopy. A small-angle x-ray scattering technique detected that the surface functional groups can combine with biochemicals. This result revealed that the as-prepared diamond might have promising application in drug delivery.
Surface loss simulations of superconducting coplanar waveguide resonators
Authors: Wenner J. , Barends R. , Bialczak R. C. , Chen Yu , Kelly J. , Lucero Erik , Mariantoni Matteo , Megrant A. , O’Malley P. J. J. , Sank D. , Vainsencher A. , Wang H. , White T. C. , Yin Y. , Zhao J. , Cleland A. N. , Martinis John M.
Published: September 2011

Losses in superconducting planar resonators are presently assumed to predominantly arise from surface-oxide dissipation, due to experimental losses varying with choice of materials. We model and simulate the magnitude of the loss from interface surfaces in the resonator and investigate the dependence on power, resonator geometry, and dimensions. Surprisingly, the dominant surface loss is found to arise from the metal-substrate and substrate-air interfaces. This result will be useful in guiding device optimization, even with conventional materials.
Controlled tuning of whispering gallery modes of GaN/InGaN microdisk cavities
Authors: Aharonovich Igor , Niu Nan , Rol Fabian , Russell Kasey J. , Woolf Alexander , El-Ella Haitham A. R. , Kappers Menno J. , Oliver Rachel A , Hu Evelyn L.
Published: September 2011

Controlled tuning of the whispering gallery modes of GaN/InGaN microdisk cavities is demonstrated. The whispering gallery mode (WGM) tuning is achieved at room temperature by immersing the microdisks in water and irradiating with ultraviolet laser. The tuning rate can be controlled by varying the laser excitation power, with a nanometer precision accessible at low excitation power (approximately several μW). The selective oxidation mechanism is proposed to explain the results and supported by theoretical analysis. The tuning of WGMs in GaN/InGaN microdisk cavities may have important implications in cavity quantum electrodynamics and the development of efficient light emitting devices.
Low-Cost Fabrication of TiO2 Nanorod Photoelectrode for Dye-sensitized Solar Cell Application
Authors: Zhang Wei , Zhu Rui , Liu Bin , Ramakrishna Seeram
Published: September 2011

One-dimensional nanostructured semiconductor oxides that can provide a direct electron conduction pathway have received increasing attention as photoelectrodes in dye-sensitized solar cells. In this study, a facile and cost-effective method to produce high-quality TiO2 nanofibres is developed based on an electrospinning technique. In particular, poly(ethylene oxide) was selected and proved to be an excellent matrix polymer for electrospinning owing to its low decomposition temperature, wide availability, and environmental friendliness. In addition to obtaining TiO2 nanofibres with well-controlled morphology and pure anatase, the TiO2 grain size could be easily tuned by changing the preparation conditions. Based on the synthesized TiO2 nanofibres, dye-sensitized solar cells were fabricated and a high energy conversion efficiency of 6.44 % was achieved under illumination with air mass 1.5 (100 mW cm–2) simulated sunlight, which demonstrates the great potential of the synthesized TiO2 nanofibres as efficient photoelectrode material for low-cost dye-sensitized solar cells.