bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Observation of atmospheric aerosols at Mt. Hua and Mt. Tai in Central and East China during spring 2009 – Part 2: Impact of dust storm on organic aerosol composition and size distribution
Authors: Wang G. H. , Li J. J. , Cheng C. L. , Zhou B. H. , Xie M. J. , Hu S. Y. , Meng J. J. , Sun T. , Ren Y. Q. , Cao J. J. , Liu S. X. , Zhang T. , Zhao Z. Z.
Published: December 2011

Abstract. PM10 and size-resolved particles (9-stage) were simultaneously collected at Mt. Hua and Mt. Tai in Central and East China during the spring of 2009 including a massive dust storm occurring on April 24th (named as DS II), and determined for organic compounds to investigate the impact of dust storm on organic aerosols. High molecular weight (HMW) n-alkanes, fatty acids, and fatty alcohols and trehalose sharply increased and almost entirely stayed in coarse particles when dust storm was present, suggesting that high level of organic aerosols in the mountain atmospheres during the event originated from biogenic sources in the Gobi desert. However, most anthropogenic aerosols (e.g., PAHs, aromatic acids and dicarboyxlic acids) during the event significantly decreased due to a dilution effect, indicating that anthropogenic aerosols in the mountain air during the nonevent period are largely derived from local/regional sources rather than from long-range transport. Our results indicate that trehalose can be taken as a new tracer for dust emissions from desert regions since trehalose was negligible in the nonevent but abundant in the event. Molecular compositions of organic aerosols in the mountain samples further demonstrate that domestic coal burning is still the major source of PAHs in China. n-Alkanes and fatty acids showed a bimodal size distribution during the nonevent with a major peak in fine mode (<2.1 μm) and a small peak in coarse mode (>2.1 μm). The coarse mode significantly increased and even dominated over the whole size range when dust was present. Glucose and trehalose were also dominant in the coarse mode especially in the DS II time. PAHs and levoglucosan concentrated in fine particles with no significant changes in size distribution when dust storm occurred. However, phthalic and succinic acids showed bimodal size distribution pattern with an increase in coarse mode during the event, because both are formed via a gas phase oxidation and a subsequent condensation/adsorption onto aerosol phase. In contrast, terephthalic and malic acids are mostly emitted from combustion process as fine particles, thus both showed a fine mode pattern during the whole campaign with a minor peak in coarse mode caused by an increased coagulation with dust during the event. Geometric mean diameters (GMDs) of the organic aerosols above are in general larger at Mt. Hua than at Mt. Tai during the nonevent period. We found that during the event GMD of the fine mode organics that derived mostly from the local/regional sources rather than Gobi desert became smaller while GMD of them in coarse mode became larger. Such a polarization in sizes during the event is most likely caused by decreased fine particle coagulation due to dilution and increased adsorption/coagulation with dust.
Biogeochemical controls on the bacterial populations in the eastern Atlantic Ocean
Authors: Neogi S. B. , Koch B. P. , Schmitt-Kopplin P. , Pohl C. , Kattner G. , Yamasaki S. , Lara R. J.
Published: December 2011

Abstract. Little is known about bacterial dynamics in the oligotrophic ocean, particularly about cultivable bacteria. We examined the abundance of total and cultivable bacteria in relation to changes in biogeochemical conditions in the eastern Atlantic Ocean with special regard to Vibrio spp., a group of bacteria that can cause diseases in human and aquatic organisms. Surface, deep water and plankton (<20 μm, 20–55 μm and >55 μm) samples were collected between 50° N and 24° S. Chlorophyll-a was very low (<0.3 μg l−1) in most areas of the nutrient-poor Atlantic, except at a few locations near upwelling regions. In surface water, dissolved organic carbon (DOC) and nitrogen (DON) concentrations were 64–95 μM C and 2–10 μM N accounting for ≥90 % and ≥76 % of total organic C and N, respectively. DOC and DON gradually decreased to ~45 μM C and <5 μM N in the bottom water. In the surface layer, culture independent total bacteria and other prokaryotes represented by 4´-6-diamidino-2-phenylindole (DAPI) counts, ranged mostly between 107 and 108 cells l−1, while cultivable bacterial counts (CBC) and Vibrio spp. were found at concentrations of 104–107 and 102–105 colony forming units (CFU) l−1, respectively. Most bacteria (>99 %) were found in the nanoplankton fraction (<20 μm), however, bacterial abundance did not correlate with suspended particulates (chlorophyll-a, particulate organic C [POC] and N [PON]). Instead, we found a highly significant correlation between bacterial abundance and temperature (p < 0.001) and a significant correlation with DOC and DON (p < 0.005 and <0.01, respectively). In comparison to CBC and DAPI-stained prokaryotes, cultivable Vibrio showed a stronger and highly significant correlation with DOC and DON (p < 0.0005 and p < 0.005, respectively). In cold waters of the mesopelagic and abyssal zones, CBC was 50 to 100-times lower than in the surface layer; however, cultivable Vibrio spp. could be isolated from the bathypelagic zone and even near the seafloor (average ~10 CFU l−1). The depth-wise decrease in CBC and Vibrio coincided with the decrease in both DOC and POC. Our study indicates that Vibrio and other bacteria may largely depend on dissolved organic matter to survive in nutrient-poor oceanic habitats.
A 500 kyr record of global sea level oscillations in the Gulf of Lion, Mediterranean Sea: new insights into MIS 3 sea level variability
Authors: Frigola J. , Canals M. , Cacho I. , Moreno A. , Sierro F. J. , Flores J. A. , Berné S. , Jouet G. , Dennielou B. , Herrera G. , Pasqual C. , Grimalt J. O. , Galavazi M. , Schneider R.
Published: December 2011

Abstract. Borehole PRGL1-4 drilled in the upper slope of the Gulf of Lion provides an exceptional record to investigate the impact of Late Pleistocene orbitally-driven glacio-eustatic sea level oscillations on the sedimentary outbuilding of a river fed continental margin. High-resolution grain-size and geochemical records supported by oxygen isotope chronostratigraphy allow reinterpreting the last 500 ka upper slope seismostratigraphy of the Gulf of Lion which consists of five main sequences stacked during the sea level lowering phases of the last five glacial-interglacial 100-kyr cycles. The high sensitivity to sea level oscillations of the grain-size record along the borehole, favoured by the large width of the Gulf of Lion continental shelf, demonstrates that sea level driven changes in accommodation space over the shelf are able to cyclically modify the depositional mode of the entire margin. PRGL1-4 data also illustrate the imprint of sea level oscillations at millennial scale, as shown for Marine Isotopic Stage 3, and provide unambiguous evidence of relative high sea levels at the onset of each Dansgaard-Oeschger Greenland warm interstadial. The PRGL1-4 grain-size record represents the first evidence ever for a one-to-one coupling of millennial-scale sea level oscillations associated with each Dansgaard-Oeschger cycle.
Spatial moments of catchment rainfall: rainfall spatial organisation, basin morphology, and flood response
Authors: Zoccatelli D. , Borga M. , Viglione A. , Chirico G. B. , Blöschl G.
Published: December 2011

Abstract. This paper describes a set of spatial rainfall statistics (termed "spatial moments of catchment rainfall") quantifying the dependence existing between spatial rainfall organisation, basin morphology and runoff response. These statistics describe the spatial rainfall organisation in terms of concentration and dispersion statistics as a function of the distance measured along the flow routing coordinate. The introduction of these statistics permits derivation of a simple relationship for the quantification of catchment-scale storm velocity. The concept of the catchment-scale storm velocity takes into account the role of relative catchment orientation and morphology with respect to storm motion and kinematics. The paper illustrates the derivation of the statistics from an analytical framework recently proposed in literature and explains the conceptual meaning of the statistics by applying them to five extreme flash floods occurred in various European regions in the period 2002–2007. High resolution radar rainfall fields and a distributed hydrologic model are employed to examine how effective are these statistics in describing the degree of spatial rainfall organisation which is important for runoff modelling. This is obtained by quantifying the effects of neglecting the spatial rainfall variability on flood modelling, with a focus on runoff timing. The size of the study catchments ranges between 36 to 982 km2. The analysis reported here shows that the spatial moments of catchment rainfall can be effectively employed to isolate and describe the features of rainfall spatial organization which have significant impact on runoff simulation. These statistics provide useful information on what space-time scales rainfall has to be monitored, given certain catchment and flood characteristics, and what are the effects of space-time aggregation on flood response modeling.
Modelling global water stress of the recent past: on the relative importance of trends in water demand and climate variability
Authors: Wada Y. , van Beek L. P. H. , Bierkens M. F. P.
Published: December 2011

Abstract. During the past decades, human water use has more than doubled, yet available freshwater resources are finite. As a result, water scarcity has been prevalent in various regions of the world. Here, we present the first global assessment of past development of water stress considering not only climate variability but also growing water demand, desalinated water use and non-renewable groundwater abstraction over the period 1960–2001 at a spatial resolution of 0.5°. Agricultural water demand is estimated based on past extents of irrigated areas and livestock densities. We approximate past economic development based on GDP, energy and household consumption and electricity production, which are subsequently used together with population numbers to estimate industrial and domestic water demand. Climate variability is expressed by simulated blue water availability defined by freshwater in rivers, lakes, wetlands and reservoirs by means of the global hydrological model PCR-GLOBWB. We thus define blue water stress by comparing blue water availability with corresponding net total blue water demand by means of the commonly used, Water Scarcity Index. The results show a drastic increase in the global population living under water-stressed conditions (i.e. moderate to high water stress) due to growing water demand, primarily for irrigation, which has more than doubled from 1708/818 to 3708/1832 km3 yr−1 (gross/net) over the period 1960–2000. We estimate that 800 million people or 27% of the global population were living under water-stressed conditions for 1960. This number is eventually increased to 2.6 billion or 43% for 2000. Our results indicate that increased water demand is a decisive factor for heightened water stress in various regions such as India and North China, enhancing the intensity of water stress up to 200%, while climate variability is often a main determinant of extreme events. However, our results also suggest that in several emerging and developing economies (e.g. India, Turkey, Romania and Cuba) some of past extreme events were anthropogenically driven due to increased water demand rather than being climate-induced.
Glacier changes from 1966–2009 in the Gongga Mountains, on the south-eastern margin of the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau and their climatic forcing
Authors: Pan B. , Zhang G. , Wang J. , Cao B. , Wang J. , Zhang C. , Geng H. , Ji Y.
Published: December 2011

Abstract. In order to monitor the changes of the glaciers in the Gongga Mountain region on the south-eastern margin of the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau, 74 monsoonal temperate glaciers were investigated by comparing the Chinese Glacier Inventory (CGI), recorded in the 1960s, with Landsat MSS in 1974, Landsat TM in 1989, 1994, 2005, and ASTER data in 2009. The remote sensing data have been applied to map the glacier outline by threshold ratio images (TM4/TM5). Moreover, the glacier outlines were verified by GPS survey on four large glaciers (Hailuogou, Mozigou, Yanzigou, and Dagongba) in 2009. The results show that the area dominated by the 74 glaciers has shrunk by 11.3 % (29.2 km2) from 1966 to 2009. Glacier area on the eastern and western slope of the Gongga Mountains decreased by 14.1 km2 (5.5 % in 1966) and 15.1 km2 (5.9 % in 1966), respectively. The loss in glacier area and length is respectively 0.8 km2 and 1146.4 m (26.7 m yr−1) for the Hailuogou glacier, 2.1 km2 and 501.8 m (11.7 m yr−1) for the Mozigou Glacier, 0.8 km2 and 724.8 m (16.9 m yr−1) for the Yanzigou Glacier, and 2.4 km2 and 1002.3 m (23.3 m yr−1) for the Dagongba Glacier. Decades of climate records obtained from three meteorological stations in the Gongga Mountains were analyzed to evaluate the impact of the temperature and precipitation on glacier retreat. During 1966–2009, the mean annual temperature over the eastern and western slope of the Gongga Mountains has been increasing by 0.21 °C/10 yr and 0.13 °C/10 yr, respectively. Moreover, it was stable in the mean annual precipitation. This evidence indicates that the warming of the climate is probably responsible for the glacier retreat in the study region.
The Time Has Come for Speech-Language Pathology License Portability!
Authors: Jakubowitz Melissa
Published: December 2011

This Letter to the Editor on the topic of speech-language pathology license portability for telepractice, was authored by Melissa Jakubowitz M.A. CCC-SLP, Vice President of SLP Services at PresenceLearning. A speech-language pathologist with over 20 years of clinical and managerial experience, Ms. Jakubowitz is a Board Recognized Specialist in Child Language. Ms. Jakubowitz began her career working in the public schools and has also operated a successful, multi-office private practice.  She is a past Director of the Scottish Rite Institute for Childhood Language Disorders in Stockton, CA. Jakubowitz is also a past-president of the California Speech-Language-Hearing Association, which, with over 5,000 SLP members, is one of the largest speech-language pathologist state associations in the country. Active in the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA), Ms. Jakubowitz served as a Legislative Counselor for 12 years.
ATA 2012: 17th Annual International Meeting & Tradeshow
Authors: Forstag Benjamin
Published: December 2011

The ATA Annual Meeting is the largest telehealth event of the year, with over 450 peer reviewed presentations and the world’s largest tradeshow focusing exclusively on telemedicine, telehealth and mHealth technologies.Join 4,000 telemedicine professionals and discover the technologies that are revolutionizing healthcare.The 2012 meeting focuses on the business of telemedicine, model programs and best practices, innovative technological applications and the latest scientific research findings. For full program information, visit http://www.ata2012.com.
Identities for Eigenvalues of the Schrödinger Equation with Energy-Dependent Potential
Authors: Yang Chuan Fu
Published: December 2011

The present paper deals with eigenvalue problems for the Schrödinger equation with energy dependent potential and some separated boundary conditions. Using the method of contour integration, we obtain some new regularized traces for this class of Schrödinger operators.
Takahasi Nearest-Neighbour Gas Revisited II: Morse Gases
Authors: Matsumoto Akira
Published: December 2011

Some thermodynamic quantities for the Morse potential are analytically evaluated at an isobaric process. The parameters of Morse gases for 21 substances are obtained by the second virial coefficient data and the spectroscopic data of diatomic molecules. Also some thermodynamic quantities for water are calculated numerically and drawn graphically. The inflexion point of the length L which depends on temperature T and pressure P corresponds physically to a boiling point. L indicates the liquid phase from lower temperature to the inflexion point and the gaseous phase from the inflexion point to higher temperature. The boiling temperatures indicate reasonable values compared with experimental data. The behaviour of L suggests a chance of a first-order phase transition in one dimension.
Localized Nonlinear Waves in Nonlinear Schr¨odinger Equation with Nonlinearities Modulated in Space and Time
Authors: Chen Junchao , Li Biao
Published: December 2011

In this paper, the generalized sub-equation method is extended to investigate localized nonlinear waves of the one-dimensional nonlinear Schrödinger equation (NLSE) with potentials and nonlinearities depending on time and on spatial coordinates. With the help of symbolic computation, three families of analytical solutions of this NLS-type equation are presented. Based on these solutions, periodically and quasiperiodically oscillating solitons (dark and bright) and moving solitons are observed. Some implications to Bose-Einstein condensates are also discussed
Dipolar Order and Spin-Lattice Relaxation in a Liquid Entrapped into Nanosize Cavities
Authors: Furman Gregory , Goren Shaul
Published: December 2011

It was shown that by means of the two-pulse sequence, the spin system of a liquid entrapped into nanosize cavities can be prepared in quasi-equilibrium states of high dipolar order, which relax to thermal equilibrium with the molecular environment with a relaxation time T1d. Measurements of the inverse dipolar temperature and spin-lattice relaxation time in the local fields provide an important information about the cavity size V, its shape F, and orientation θ (with respect to the external magnetic field) of the nanopores.
Comment on the Paper “Absolute Motion Determined from Michelson- Type Experiments in Optical Media” by V. P. Dmitriyev
Authors: Sfarti Adrian
Published: December 2011

Alternative explanations to the Michelson-Morley experiment exist and continue to be produced. In the current paper, we will correct a recently published paper concerning a reenactment of the famous experiment. The author of the paper in cause claims the presence of a non-null result though he did not run any experiment himself. Dmitriyev bases his paper on a paper by Demjanov that has already been retracted by the journal where he originally published (V. V. Demjanov, Phys. Lett. A 374, 1110 (2010)). Our paper is organized as follows: in the background section we will give the correct expressions for the relativistic light speed in arbitrary media as opposed to the incorrect ones given in V. P. Dmitriyev, Z. Naturforsch. 66a, 228 (2011). We will follow by explaining the correct equations of the Michelson-Morley experiment in a refractive medium with n > 1, and we will outline the errors in V. P. Dmitriyev, Z. Naturforsch. 66a, 228 (2011). The non-mainstream claims of detecting ‘absolute motion’ are refuted by both theoretical and experimental data.
Structure and Morphology of PDI8‐CN2 for n‐Type Thin‐Film Transistors
Authors: Liscio Fabiola , Milita Silvia , Albonetti Cristiano , D'Angelo Pasquale , Guagliardi Antonietta , Masciocchi Norberto , Della Valle Raffaele Guido , Venuti Elisabetta , Brillante Aldo , Biscarini Fabio
Published: December 2011

A multiscale investigation of N,N′‐bis(n‐octyl)‐x:y, dicyanoperylene‐3,4:9,10‐bis(dicarboximide), PDI8‐CN2, shows the same molecular arrangement in the bulk and in thin films sublimated on SiO2/Si wafers. Non‐conventional powder diffraction methods and theoretical calculations concur to provide a coherent picture of the crystalline structure. X‐ray diffraction (XRD) and atomic force microscopy (AFM) analyses of films of different thickness deposited at different substrate temperatures indicate the existence of two temperature‐dependent deposition regimes: a low‐temperature (room temperature) regime and a high‐temperature (80–120 °C) one, each characterized by different growth mechanisms. These mechanisms eventually result in different morphological and structural features of the films, which appear to be highly correlated with the trend of the electrical parameters that are measured in PDI8‐CN2‐based field‐effect transistors.
Metal‐containing Polymers via Electropolymerization
Authors: Friebe Christian , Hager Martin D. , Winter Andreas , Schubert Ulrich S.
Published: December 2011

Electropolymerization represents a suitable and well‐established approach for the assembly of polymer structures, in particular with regard to the formation of thin, insoluble films. Utilization of monomers that are functionalized with metal complex units allows the combination of structural and functional benefits of polymers and metal moieties. Since a broad range of both electropolymerizable monomers and metal complexes are available, various structures and, thus, applications are possible. Recent developments in the field of synthesis and potential applications of metal‐functionalized polymers obtained via electropolymerization are presented, highlighting the significant advances in this field of research.
Sahara: Barrier or corridor? Nonmetric cranial traits and biological affinities of North African late holocene populations
Authors: Nikita Efthymia , Mattingly David , Lahr Marta Mirazón
Published: December 2011

The Garamantes flourished in southwestern Libya, in the core of the Sahara Desert ∼3,000 years ago and largely controlled trans‐Saharan trade. Their biological affinities to other North African populations, including the Egyptian, Algerian, Tunisian and Sudanese, roughly contemporary to them, are examined by means of cranial nonmetric traits using the Mean Measure of Divergence and MahalanobisD2distance. The aim is to shed light on the extent to which the Sahara Desert inhibited extensive population movements and gene flow. Our results show that the Garamantes possess distant affinities to their neighbors. This relationship may be due to the Central Sahara forming a barrier among groups, despite the archaeological evidence for extended networks of contact. The role of the Sahara as a barrier is further corroborated by the significant correlation between the MahalanobisD2distance and geographic distance between the Garamantes and the other populations under study. In contrast, no clear pattern was observed when all North African populations were examined, indicating that there was no uniform gene flow in the region. Am J Phys Anthropol 147:280–292, 2012. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
An efficient Stille cross‐coupling reaction catalyzed by ortho‐palladated complex of tribenzylamine under microwave irradiation
Authors: Hajipour Abdol R. , Karami Kazem , Rafiee Fatemeh
Published: December 2011

The catalytic activity of [Pd{C6H4(CH2N(CH2Ph)2)}(μ‐Br)]2 complex as an efficient, stable and catalyst that is non‐sensitive to air and moisture was investigated in the Stille cross‐coupling reaction of various aryl halides with phenyltributyltins under microwave irradiation. The substituted biaryls were produced in excellent yield in short reaction times using a catalytic amount of this complex in DMF at 100 C. The combination of dimeric complex as homogeneous catalyst and microwave irradiation and also DMF as microwave‐active polar solvent gave higher yields in shorter reaction times. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Effects of β‐cyclodextrin side chains on the dispersing and retarding properties of polycarboxylate superplasticizers
Authors: Lv Sheng‐Hua , Gao Rui‐Jun , Duan Jian‐Ping , Li Di , Cao Qiang
Published: December 2011

A modified polycarboxylate (MPC) superplasticizer was synthesized by the copolymerization of acrylic acid, methallyl sulfonic acid, allyl poly(ethylene glycol)s, and β‐cyclodextrin (β‐CD) grafted maleic anhydride. The molecular structure of the MPC was characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and gel permeation chromatography. The effects of the content of β‐CD on the application performance of MPC were investigated with measurements of the cement paste fluidity, setting time, amount of adsorption of MPC on the cement particles, and ζ potentials of the cement particles and differential scanning calorimetry–thermogravimetric analysis of different hydration ages of the cement pastes. The results indicate that the initial fluidities and setting times of the cement pastes increased with increasing number of β‐CD side chains. The dispersion capacity of MPC on the cement particles mainly came from a steric hindrance effect and an air‐entraining effect of the β‐CD side chains. The better retarding performance of MPC was attributed to the solvation water film formed by the polyoxyethylene side chains and chelates formed by OH groups on the β‐CD structure combined with Ca2+ ions on the surface of the cement particles. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2012
Changes in Serum Ghrelin and Small Intestinal Motility in Rats with Ischemic Stroke
Authors: Xu Xinping , Zhu Yuqun , Chuai Jiaran
Published: December 2011

Ischemic stroke occurs as a result of an obstruction within a blood vessel supplying blood to the brain. Gastrointestinal mucosal damage not only induces local and systemic inflammatory reactions but may also result in multiple organ dysfunction syndrome. We studied whether the changes in serum ghrelin and small intestinal motility occur in cerebral ischemia. The focal cerebral ischemia rat models were produced by the middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) method. The MCAO group was further equally divided into five subgroups at 3, 6, 12, 24, and 48 hr, and the sham operated rats were used as controls. Serum ghrelin level was analyzed using enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay, and small intestinal motility was measured by methylene blue staining. The ileum tissue was examined by light and electron microscopy. The neurologic scores were 0 for all the rats in the control group and 2–3 for those in the MCAO group, suggesting that rat models were established successfully. The serum ghrelin level was higher in the MCAO group when compared with the control group (P < 0.05). However, the impelling force in MCAO rats was significantly lower than that of the control group (P < 0.05), reaching the lowest level at 24 hr. Damage to the intestinal mucosa, including villus intestinalis, vacuolar degeneration of organelles, widened cell–cell junctions, and apoptotic cells could be found under the light and electron microscopy. Our results showed that higher level of serum ghrelin decreased gastrointestinal motility and damage to the intestinal mucosa existed in rats with MCAO. Anat Rec, 2012. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Study on the Autophagy of Prostate Cancer PC‐3 Cells Induced by Oridonin
Authors: Ye Li‐Hong , Li Wang‐Jian , Jiang Xiao‐Qiang , Chen Yong‐Liang , Tao Shui‐Xiang , Qian Wei‐Liang , He Jian‐Song
Published: December 2011

To investigate the mechanism of oridonin (ORI)‐induced autophagy in prostate cancer PC‐3 cells, PC‐3 cells cultured in vitro were treated with ORI, and the inhibitory ratio of ORI on PC‐3 cells was assayed by 3‐4,5‐dimethylthiazol‐2‐yl)‐2,5‐diphenyl tetrazolium bromide. The ultrastructural changes of the cells were observed under light microscope, scanning electron microscope (SEM), and transmission electron microscope (TEM). Acridine orange (AO) staining was used to observe the acidic vesicular organelles (AVOs). The level of autophagy‐related proteins, MAP1‐LC3, was detected by Western Blot, and RT‐PCR was used to detect the level of mRNA of beclin 1. After ORI treatment, the proliferation of PC‐3 cells was inhibited significantly in a concentration and time‐dependent manner. SEM examination revealed cellular shrinkage and disappearance of surface microvilli in ORI‐treated cells. Under TEM examination, the nuclei exhibited chromatin condensation and the appearance of a large number of autophagosomes with double‐membrane structure in cytoplasm. AO staining showed the existence of AVOs. The expression of LC3 and the mRNA level of beclin 1 was increased by ORI. Furthermore, autophagy inhibitor 3‐methyladenine reversed the increase of beclin 1 mRNA. The growth of PC‐3 cells was inhibited, and autophagy was induced by ORI, indicating ORI may have a potential antitumor effect. Anat Rec, 2012. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Multivariate Analysis of Several Molecular Markers and Clinicopathological Features in Postoperative Prognosis of Hepatocellular Carcinoma
Authors: Zuo Qiang , Huang Hui , Shi Min , Zhang Futing , Sun Jiping , Bin Jianping , Liao Yulin , Liao Wangjun
Published: December 2011

This study was designed to assess the impact of several molecular markers and clinicopathological characteristics on postoperative survival of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Postoperative clinical data of 64 patients with HCC were retrospectively analyzed. K‐ras, PIK3CA, and BRAF gene mutations in surgically resected specimens of the 64 patients with HCC were detected by pyrosequencing. H‐ras and XB130 protein expression was examined by immunohistochemistry. A Cox proportional hazards regression model was used for univariate and multivariate survival analyses of the clinical and pathological parameters. The mutation rates of K‐ras, PIK3CA, and BRAF genes in HCC were found to be 4.69%, 1.56%, and 0%, respectively. Positive expression rate of XB130 and H‐ras in HCC was 75.0% and 93.8%, respectively. Univariate analysis revealed that clinicopathological factors impacting postoperative prognosis of patients with HCC include clinical stage, tumor diameter, and postoperative transcatheter arterial embolization therapy for HCC. Meanwhile, multivariate analysis showed that clinical stage (relative risk [RR]: 6.420, P = 0.013) and tumor diameter (RR: 1.498, P = 0.014) were independent factors impacting postoperative survival of patients with HCC. These findings indicate that the clinical stage and tumor diameter are independent risk factors impacting postoperative survival of patients with HCC. Gene mutations of K‐ras and PIK3CA and protein expression of XB130 and H‐ras are not associated with the postoperative prognosis of patients with HCC. Anat Rec, 2012. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Detailed Examination of Cytoskeletal Networks Within Enteropathogenic Escherichia coli Pedestals
Authors: Ruetz Tyson J. , Vogl A. Wayne , Guttman Julian Andrew
Published: December 2011

Enteropathogenic Escherichia coli (EPEC) manipulate the cytoskeleton of host intestinal epithelial cells, producing membrane protrusions termed pedestals that the bacteria reside on throughout the course of their infections. By definition pedestals are actin‐based structures, however recent work has identified the spectrin cytoskeleton as a necessary component of EPEC pedestals. Here, we investigated the detailed arrangement of the spectrin and actin cytoskeletons within these structures. Immunofluorescent imaging revealed that the spectrin network forms a peripheral cage around actin at the membranous regions of pedestals. Myosin S1 fragment decorated actin filaments examined by electron microscopy demonstrated that actin filaments orientate with their fast‐growing barbed ends toward the lateral membranes of EPEC pedestals. These findings provide a detailed descriptive analysis, which further illustrate the spectrin cytoskeletal organization within these structures. Anat Rec, 2012. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Case-matched analysis of outcome after open retropubic radical prostatectomy in patients with previous preperitoneal inguinal hernia repair
Authors: Peeters E , Joniau S , Van Poppel H , Miserez M
Published: December 2011

Background

The impact of preperitoneal mesh repair for inguinal hernia on future pelvic surgery is debatable. This retrospective study investigated the impact of previous preperitoneal inguinal hernia repair (PIHR) on outcome after open retropubic radical prostatectomy (RRP) for prostatic cancer.

Methods

Patients who had open RRP and who had previously undergone PIHR were identified. They were compared with a control group of patients matched for age, body mass index and tumour risk profile who had no history of inguinal hernia repair. Outcome measures included intraoperative data, histopathology and results at follow-up.

Results

Sixty patients who had undergone open RRP after a previous PIHR were compared with 60 control patients. Operations lasted longer in the PIHR group (median (interquartile range, i.q.r.) 100 (90–120) versus 90 (85–100) min respectively; P < 0·001) and the operation was assessed as more difficult by the surgeon (P = 0·022). Hospital stay was longer for patients who had undergone PIHR (median (i.q.r.) 7 (6–9) versus 6 (5–7) days; P = 0·012) and urinary catheterization was prolonged (13 (11–14) versus 11 (11–12) days; P = 0·006). Among patients with intermediate- and high-risk disease, fewer lymph nodes were excised in the PIHR group than in the control group (median (i.q.r.) 2 (0–7) versus 8 (5–12) nodes; P < 0·001).

Conclusion

Open RRP for prostatic cancer was more difficult to perform after previous PIHR, and was associated with a longer hospital stay and less adequate lymphadenectomy for intermediate- and high-risk prostatic cancer.
The central myelin–peripheral myelin transitional zone of the nervus intermedius and its implications for microsurgery in the cerebellopontine angle
Authors: Alfieri Alex , Fleischhammer Julius , Strauss Christian , Peschke Elmar
Published: December 2011

The central myelin–peripheral myelin transitional zone, also referred to as the “Obersteiner–Redlich zone (ORZ)” or “glial/Schwann junction” of the nervus intermedius, is thought to play a role in the pathophysiology of nervus intermedius neuralgia (NIN). To evaluate the location and histological features of the ORZ of the nervus intermedius (NI), 10 NI specimens from five fresh cadavers were microscopically analyzed for structural differences between their central and peripheral myelin segments. The ORZ was analyzed under a light microscope, and the exact location of the ORZ was confirmed by immunohistochemical staining using an oligodendroglial antibody. The total diameter of the NI showed a mean of 0.62 mm. The cisternal segment of the NI from the brain stem to the porus acusticus internus had a mean length of 13.97 mm. The mean extent of central myelin was 0.5 mm from the brain stem on the medial side and 0.33 mm on the lateral side. Moreover, the mean length of the ORZ was 0.279 mm on the medial side and 0.134 mm on the lateral side. The distance between the brain stem and the most distal point of central myelin that could be detected was 0.67 mm. Accordingly, the ORZ of the NI appears closer to the brain stem compared to the other cranial nerves. The exact location of the ORZ may play a role in diagnostic preoperative imaging, in the planning of surgical procedures for NIN, and may offer suitable landmarks for surgeons performing microvascular decompression in NIN treatment. Clin. Anat. 25:882–888, 2012. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
A Non‐Fluorinated Monobenzocyclooctyne for Rapid Copper‐Free Click Reactions
Authors: Varga Balázs R. , Kállay Mihály , Hegyi Krisztina , Béni Szabolcs , Kele Péter
Published: December 2011

We designed and synthesised carboxymethylmonobenzocyclooctyne (COMBO) through a four‐step reaction pathway. COMBO is a new, structurally simple, non‐fluorinated, and directly conjugable copper‐free click reagent, which shows excellent reaction kinetics, as also evidenced by theoretical calculations. Additionally, the carboxylic acid appendage allows further conjugation to biomolecules or fluorescent labels. The utility of COMBO in bioorthogonal labelling schemes was demonstrated when a COMBO‐containing fluorescent label was employed in glycan imaging of HeLa cells (metabolically modified to have azidosialic acid residues on their cell‐surface glycans).
Alkali‐Metal‐Ion Catalysis and Inhibition in the Nucleophilic Displacement Reaction of Y‐Substituted Phenyl Diphenylphosphinates and Diphenylphosphinothioates with Alkali‐Metal Ethoxides: Effect of Changing the Electrophilic Center from PO to PS
Authors: Um Ik‐Hwan , Shin Young‐Hee , Park Jee‐Eun , Kang Ji‐Sun , Buncel Erwin
Published: December 2011

A kinetic study of the nucleophilic substitution reaction of Y‐substituted phenyl diphenylphosphinothioates 2 a–g with alkali‐metal ethoxides (MOEt; M=Li, Na, K) in anhydrous ethanol at (25.0±0.1) °C is reported. Plots of pseudo‐first‐order rate constants (kobsd) versus [MOEt], the alkali ethoxide concentration, show distinct upward (KOEt) and downward (LiOEt) curvatures, respectively, pointing to the importance of ion‐pairing phenomena and a differential reactivity of dissociated EtO− and ion‐paired MOEt. Based on ion‐pairing treatment of the kinetic data, the kobsd values were dissected into k and kMOEt, the second‐order rate constants for the reaction with the dissociated EtO− and ion‐paired MOEt, respectively. The reactivity of MOEt toward 2 b (Y=4‐NO2) increases in the order LiOEt<EtO−<NaOEt<KOEt<[18]crown‐6‐complexed KOEt, which differs to the reactivity order reported previously for the reaction of 4‐nitrophenyl diphenylphosphinate 1 b, that is, LiOEt>NaOEt>KOEt>EtO−. The current study based on Yukawa–Tsuno analysis has revealed that the reactions of 2 a–g (PS) and Y‐substituted phenyl diphenylphosphinates 1 a–g (PO) with MOEt proceed through the same concerted mechanism, which indicates that the contrasting selectivity patterns are not due to a difference in reaction mechanism. The PO compounds 1 a–g are approximately 80‐fold more reactive than the PS compounds 2 a–g toward the dissociated EtO− (regardless of the electronic nature of substituent Y) but are up to 3.1×103‐fold more reactive toward ion‐paired LiOEt. The origin of the contrasting selectivity patterns is further discussed on the basis of competing electrostatic effects and solvational requirements as a function of anionic electric field strength and cation size (Eisenman’s theory).
Investigation of Adhesion of Spherical Glass Particles on Technical Surfaces using the Vibration Method
Authors: Hartmüller Jürgen , Ripperger Siegfried
Published: December 2011

Die Vibrationsmethode ermöglicht eine zeitsparende Ermittlung von Partikelhaftkraftverteilungen an beliebigen Kombinationen von Wandmaterial und pulverförmigem Schüttgut unter dem Einfluss verschiedener atmosphärischer Bedingungen. Es werden die Haftkräfte von monodispersen Glaskugeln auf unterschiedlich rauen Edelstählen untersucht und mit verbreiteten Modellen der Partikelhaftung und mit einem neuen Modell einer Kugelpassung verglichen.
Methods for Determining the Metal Crystallite Size of Ni Supported Catalysts
Authors: Geyer Reinhard , Hunold Jürgen , Keck Michael , Kraak Peter , Pachulski Axel , Schödel  Rainer
Published: December 2011

Catalysts containing transition metals like nickel are frequently used in technical hydrogenation reactions. Typically their activity and selectivity are determined via metal dispersion. XRD, H2 TPD, volumetric chemisorption of H2 and CO pulse chemisorption were applied to determine the Ni crystallite size of Ni‐containing catalysts. The methods were compared with regard to their information content and validity as well as their applicability in quality control during industrial manufacturing of catalysts. Pulse chemisorption of CO showed the best results for utilization in quality control.
Apparatus to Study the Mass Transport Mechanisms of Levitated Droplets at Elevated Pressures
Authors: Borosa Danijel , Kareth Sabine , Petermann Marcus
Published: December 2011

Einzeltropfenmesszellen ermöglichen die Untersuchung von verfahrenstechnischen Prozessen bei einem minimalen Einsatz von Material, Zeit und Kosten. Die akustische Levitation erlaubt eine kontaktlose Positionierung von Flüssigkeiten, Gasen und Feststoffen. Es wird die erfolgreiche Implementierung eines akustischen Levitators dargestellt, die eine Untersuchung von Stofftransportprozessen an schwebenden Proben unter erhöhten Drücken ermöglicht.
P2PScheMe: a P2P scheduling mechanism for workflows in grid computing
Authors: de Alencar João Marcelo U. , Andrade Rossana M.C. , Viana Windson , Schulze Bruno
Published: December 2011

Complex scientific experiments have a growing demand for computational resources, which are expensive to be acquired and maintained. Grid computing has emerged as the mainstream technology to solve this issue. Grids are also adequate for the execution of scientific workflows because they allow the use of heterogeneous and distributed resources. In spite of the progress in grid technology, there are challenges to overcome in workflow scheduling. For instance, centralized scheduling solutions may lead to performance degradation and to problems with scalability. Some scheduling approaches are partially distributed, keeping a few centralized components that may become bottlenecks. Other distributed solutions have a lack of flexibility in the definition of workflows, in which only the use of tasks as steps in the workflow is permitted not high level services. In this work, we present P2PScheMe, a scheduling mechanism for peer‐to‐peer execution of workflows based on the invocation of grid services. The proposal considers information regarding grid execution environment in order to allow workflow scheduling adaptation. This adaptation is performed according to user requirements of quality of service. In this paper, we describe how P2PScheMe works and provides a comparative analysis with existing solutions. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Nanocatalysis and Prospects of Green Chemistry
Authors: Kalidindi Suresh Babu , Jagirdar Balaji R.
Published: December 2011

Designing and developing ideal catalyst paves the way to green chemistry. The fields of catalysis and nanoscience have been inextricably linked to each other for a long time. Thanks to the recent advances in characterization techniques, the old technology has been revisited with a new scope. The last decade has witnessed a flood of research activity in the field of nanocatalysis, with most of the studies focusing on the effect of size on catalytic properties. This led to the development of much greener catalysts with higher activity, selectivity and greater ease of separation from the reaction medium. This Minireview describes the emerging trends in the field of nanocatalysis with implications towards green chemistry and sustainability.
Electrochemical Preparation of a Nanostructured Poly(amino napthalene sulfonic acid) Electrode Using CTAB as a Soft Template and Its Electrocatalytic Application for the Reduction of Iodate
Authors: Balamurugan A. , Lin Chia‐Yu , Nien Po‐Chin , Ho Kuo‐Chuan
Published: December 2011

A nanostructured poly(5‐amino‐2‐naphthalene sulfonic acid) (nanostructured PANS) electrode has been prepared using cetyltrimethyl ammonium bromide (CTAB) as a soft template by potentiodynamic method. The effect of CTAB at various concentrations was analyzed during electrochemical synthesis of the PANS electrode. As the concentration was near to cmc of CTAB, well growth and nanostructured PANS electrode was obtained. The formation mechanism and the reason for the increase of the peak current of the nanostructured PANS electrode are discussed. The surface morphology of PANS electrode was investigated using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and a nanoribbon like structured PANS polymer was obtained near cmc of CTAB. The electrochemical properties of nanostructured PANS electrode were studied. The catalytic utility of nanostructured PANS electrode was investigated and it exhibited electrocatalytic activity for the reduction of iodate with a low potential. The amperometric detection of iodate was tested at nanostructured PANS electrode. Linear range and detection limit were found to be 0.1 to 0.4 µM and 0.1 µM, respectively. The present work involves a simple, and one‐step approach to fabricate a nanostructured PANS film with unique electrochemical properties, which can have great potential in various applications such as sensors, and energy source systems.
THE IMPACT OF MENTAL HEALTH INSURANCE LAWS ON STATE SUICIDE RATES
Authors: Lang Matthew
Published: December 2011

In the 1990s and early 2000s, a number of states passed laws requiring mental health benefits to be included in health insurance coverage. The variation in the characteristics and enactment date of the laws provides an opportunity to measure the impact of increasing access to mental health care on mental health outcomes, as evidenced by state suicide rates. In contrast with previous research, results show that when states enact laws requiring insurance coverage to include mental health benefits at parity with physical health benefits, the suicide rate decreases significantly by 5%. The findings are robust to a number of specifications and falsification tests. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Suppression of interferon-α signaling by hepatitis E virus
Authors: Dong Chen , Zafrullah Mohammad , Mixson-Hayden Tonya , Dai Xing , Liang Jiuhong , Meng Jihong , Kamili Saleem
Published: December 2011

The interferon (IFN) system is integral to the host response against viruses, and many viruses have developed strategies to overcome its antiviral effects. The effects of hepatitis E virus (HEV), the causative agent of hepatitis E, on IFN signaling have not been investigated primarily because of the nonavailability of an efficient

in vitro

culture system or small animal models of infection. We report here the generation of A549 cell lines persistently infected with genotype 3 HEV, designated as HEV-A549 cells and the effects HEV has on IFN-α–mediated Janus kinase–signal transducer and activator of transcription (JAK–STAT) signaling. Treatment of HEV-A549 cells with 250, 500, and 1000 U/mL of IFN-α for 72 hours showed a dose-dependent reduction in HEV RNA levels by 10%, 20%, and 50%, respectively. IFN-α–stimulated genes coding for the antiviral proteins dsRNA-activated protein kinase (PKR) and 2′,5′-oligoadenylate synthetase (2′,5′-OAS) were down-regulated in IFN-α–treated HEV-A549 cells. HEV infection also prevented IFN-α–induced phosphorylation of STAT1. Regulation of STAT1 by HEV was specific, as phosphorylation of STAT2, tyrosine kinase (Tyk) 2, and Jak1 by IFN-α was unaltered. Additionally, STAT1 levels were markedly increased in HEV-A549 cells compared with naive A549 cells. Furthermore, binding of HEV open reading frame (ORF)3 protein to STAT1 in HEV-A549 cells was observed. HEV ORF3 protein alone inhibited IFN-α–induced phosphorylation of STAT1 and down-regulated the IFN-α–stimulated genes encoding PKR, 2′,5′-OAS, and myxovirus resistance A.

Conclusion:

HEV inhibits IFN-α signaling through the regulation of STAT1 phosphorylation in A549 cells. These findings have implications for the development of new strategies against hepatitis E. (Hepatology 2012 )