bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A Simple Determination Method of Adsorption Kinetics from a Liquid Phase Fixed‐Bed Breakthrough Curve
Authors: Kawakita T. , Fujiki J. , Tsubomatsu K. , Furuya E.
Published: January 2013

The mass transfer zone (MTZ) method using the linear driving force (LDF) approximation is the most common and frequently used technique for the analysis of adsorption kinetics from a fixed‐bed breakthrough curve and for adsorptive process design. However, the adsorption kinetics obtained by the MTZ method includes approximations and estimation errors. This report describes a new analytical method for determining the intraparticle diffusivity (DS) and the fluid‐film mass transfer coefficient (kF) from an experimental breakthrough curve without using the LDF approximation and empirical correlations for estimating kF . The proposed method has the advantage of less trial and error on the curve‐fitting process and helps better determine DS and kF . The estimation procedure of the Biot number that represents the ratio of DS to kF is the key of this method. The values of DS and kF for the adsorption of phenols onto activated carbon were determined from experimental breakthrough curves using the new analytical method. The results indicate that the method presented in this study yields reliable values.
Characteristics of a Pressurized Gas‐Solid Magnetically Fluidized Bed
Authors: Zhang J. , Feng Z. , Jia X. , Xu S. , Li W. , Du M.
Published: January 2013

The hydrodynamic, heat and mass transfer characteristics of a pressurized co‐current gas‐solid magnetically fluidized bed (MFB) were systematically investigated considering major influence factors, such as magnetic field strength, superficial gas velocity, and operating pressure. It was shown that this pressurized gas‐solid MFB has the advantages of a wider operation range of the superficial gas velocity under bubble‐free particulate fluidization, a larger bed voidage with smaller pressure drop across the bed, and larger heat transfer efficiency, compared with a conventional fluidized bed. Moreover, the minimum bubbling velocity, gas‐solid mass, and heat transfer coefficients were correlated at high accuracy within the investigated range of operating conditions.
Dynamic Adsorption of CO2 from Methane: Studies on Mass and Heat Transfer
Authors: Nouh S. A. , Lau K. K. , Shariff A. M. , KuShaari K.
Published: January 2013

Three‐dimensional computational fluid dynamics studies related to dynamics adsorption of CO2 from natural gas is found to be limited. 3D analyses for dynamics adsorption are substantially crucial to give a better prediction on the adsorption process by considering the actual fluid flow behavior within the packed‐bed porous media. A kinetic adsorption model has been integrated in a commercial fluid dynamics simulator to simulate the 3D hydrodynamics and adsorption phenomenon in a zeolite‐filled packed column for a CO2‐methane separation system. The effects of various parameters such as Reynolds number, CO2 feed concentration, feed temperature, and column dimension on CO2 adsorption efficiency have been investigated. A correlation for adsorption efficiency based on the CO2 concentration profiles has been developed and validated.
A source authentication scheme based on message recovery digital signature for multicast
Authors: Yang Jen‐Ho , Lin Iuon‐Chang
Published: January 2013

The source authentication is an important issue for the multicast applications because it can let the receiver know whether the multicast message is sent from a legal source or not. However, the previously related schemes did not provide the confidentiality for data packets. In addition, the communication costs of these schemes are still high for real‐time applications in the multicast environments. To solve the aforementioned problems, we propose a new source authentication scheme based on message recovery signature for multicast in this paper. In the proposed scheme, the encrypted data can be embedded in the digital signature, so the communication loads can be greatly reduced. In addition, the digital signature contains the encrypted data, and thus the confidentiality of data packets can be well protected. According to the aforementioned advantages, the proposed scheme is securer and more efficient than the related works for the real‐time applications. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Effects of predation environment and food availability on somatic growth in theLivebearingFishBrachyrhaphis rhabdophora(Pisces:Poeciliidae)
Authors: Gale Brittany H. , Johnson Jerald B. , Bruce Schaalje G. , Belk Mark C.
Published: January 2013

Variation in somatic growth rates is of great interest to biologists because of the relationship between growth and other fitness‐determining traits, and it results from both genetic and environmentally induced variation (i.e. plasticity). Theoretical predictions suggest that mean somatic growth rates and the shape of the reaction norm for growth can be influenced by variation in predator‐induced mortality rates. Few studies have focused on variation in reaction norms for growth in response to resource availability between high‐predation and low‐predation environments. We used juvenileBrachyrhaphis rhabdophorafrom high‐predation and low‐predation environments to test for variation in mean growth rates and for variation in reaction norms for growth at two levels of food availability in a common‐environment experiment. To test for variation in growth rates in the field, we compared somatic growth rates in juveniles in high‐predation and low‐predation environments. In the common‐environment experiment, mean growth rates did not differ between fish from differing predation environments, but the interaction between predation environment and food level took the form of a crossing reaction norm for both growth in length and mass. Fish from low‐predation environments exhibited no significant difference in growth rate between high and low food treatments. In contrast, fish from high‐predation environments exhibited variation in growth rates between high and low food treatments, with higher food availability resulting in higher growth rates. In the field, individuals in the high‐predation environment grow at a faster rate than those in low‐predation environments at the smallest sizes (comparable to sizes in the common‐environment experiment). These data provide no evidence for evolved differences in mean growth rates between predation environments. However, fish from high‐predation environments exhibited greater plasticity in growth rates in response to resource availability suggesting that predation environments may exhibit increased variation in food availability for prey fish and consequent selection for plasticity.
Physiological responses of Phragmites australis to the combined effects of water and salinity stress
Authors: Yang Zhifeng , Xie Tao , Liu Qiang
Published: January 2013

A pot culture experiment with four levels of soil water content (waterlogged condition, 90%, 75% and 60% of field capacity) and five levels of sodium chloride (NaCl) concentration (0, 60, 120, 180 and 240 mM) was conducted to examine the physiological responses of salt meadows Phragmites australis to soil water content and NaCl salinity in the Yellow River Delta, China. Results indicated that (i) the combined effects of soil water and NaCl salinity had significant influences on the light‐saturated photosynthetic rate (Pn max, F = 7·19, P < 0·01), intercellular CO2 concentration (Ci, F = 24·92, P < 0·01) and stomatal conductance (gs, F = 18·16, P < 0·01) at light saturation of this species. The light‐saturated photosynthetic rate (Pn max) was the largest at 90% of field capacity with 60 mM NaCl salinity treatment (13·10 µmol CO2 m−2 s−1, SD ± 0·46) and decreased with the increase of NaCl salinity and water deficit. Under severe water and salinity stress, Pn max decreased with Ci rising substantially, which means the non‐stomatal limitations of P. australis occur; (ii) stress resistance in the salt meadow P. australis was closely related to the retention of a relatively higher water status and a higher content of potassium (K+) in leaves; and (iii) both content of sodium (Na+) and proline were significant increased by water stress and NaCl salinity stress, and the leaf proline content was positively correlated with the leaf Na+ content (r = 0·837, n = 60). Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Electronic and Spin Structures of Polyoxometalate V15 from a First‐Principles Non‐Collinear Molecular‐Magnetism Approach
Authors: Maslyuk Volodymyr V. , Mertig Ingrid , Farberovich Oleg V. , Tarantul Alex , Tsukerblat Boris
Published: January 2013

The results of first‐principles calculations of the electronic structure of a spin‐frustrated V15 cluster with the use of a generalized density functional scheme that allows non‐collinear spin configurations are presented. By using the results of these calculations, it was possible to determine a Heisenberg–Dirac–Van Vleck (HDVV) Hamiltonian with 21 exchange coupling parameters that link the V ions with predominant spin density and the ligands that carry partially transferred spin density. The numerical procedure is based on a least‐squares fit of the results obtained by deviation of the direction of the magnetic moment on each atom around the energy minimum. The energy pattern was found from the effective HDVV Hamiltonian acting in the restricted spin space of the V ions by the application of the irreducible tensor operators (ITO) technique. Comparisons of the energy pattern with that obtained with the isotropic exchange models conventionally used for the analysis of this system and with the results of non‐collinear spin structure calculations show that our complex investigations provide a good description of the pattern of the spin levels and spin structures of the nanomagnetic V15 cluster. The results are discussed in view of the general problem of spin frustration related to the orbital degeneracy of the antiferromagnetic ground state.
An Easy Route to N,N‐Diarylhydrazines by Cu‐Catalyzed Arylation of Pyridine‐2‐carbaldehyde Hydrazones with Aryl Halides
Authors: Wu Wei , Li Xin‐Le , Fan Xin‐Heng , Yang Lian‐Ming
Published: January 2013

A copper‐catalyzed C–N coupling reaction is described for the preparation of pyridine‐2‐carbaldehyde N,N‐diarylhydrazones by the arylation of N‐mono‐ or ‐non‐substituted hydrazones with aryl bromides/iodides, and the subsequent conversion of the hydrazones into N,N‐diarylhydrazines by a transimination process with an aqueous solution of H2NNH2. The reaction features the use of CuI as the catalyst without the need for external ligands. This methodology provides a convenient alternative to the synthesis of structurally diverse N,N‐diarylhydrazines from simple, easily accessible precursors.
Regioselective Construction of Indene Skeletons by Palladium‐Catalyzed Annulation of Alkynylborates with o‐Iodophenyl Ketones
Authors: Shimamoto Yasuhiro , Sunaba Hanako , Ishida Naoki , Murakami Masahiro
Published: January 2013

A palladium‐catalyzed annulation reaction of alkynylborates with o‐iodophenyl ketones to form indenes is described. Highly substituted indene skeletons are efficiently constructed with site‐specific installation of the substituents.
Spatial multinomial regression models for nominal categorical data: a study of land cover in Northern Wisconsin, USA
Authors: Jin Chongyang , Zhu Jun , Steen‐Adams Michelle M. , Sain Stephan R. , Gangnon Ronald E.
Published: January 2013

We develop statistical tools for regression analysis of nominal categorical data on a spatial lattice that are becoming increasingly abundant because of the advances of geographic information systems in environmental science. In a generalized linear mixed model framework, we model the response variable by a multinomial distribution. There are two additive components in the linear predictor: a linear regression on covariates and a spatial random effect such that the spatial dependence in the random effect is induced by a multivariate conditional autoregressive model. Bayesian hierarchical modeling is used for statistical inference, and Markov chain Monte Carlo algorithms are devised to obtain posterior samples. The methodology is applied to analyze a northern Wisconsin land cover data set in a study that assesses the relationship between forest landscape structure and past social conditions, expanding the analytical tools available in landscape ecology and environmental history. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Bioactive 3D cell culture system minimizes cellular stress and maintains the in vivo‐like morphological complexity of astroglial cells
Authors: Puschmann Till B. , Zandén Carl , De Pablo Yolanda , Kirchhoff Frank , Pekna Marcela , Liu Johan , Pekny Milos
Published: January 2013

We tested the hypothesis that astrocytes grown in a suitable three‐dimensional (3D) cell culture system exhibit morphological and biochemical features of in vivo astrocytes that are otherwise lost upon transfer from the in vivo to a two‐dimensional (2D) culture environment. First, we report development of a novel bioactively coated nanofiber‐based 3D culture system (Bioactive3D) that supports cultures of primary mouse astrocytes. Second, we show that Bioactive3D culture system maintains the in vivo‐like morphological complexity of cultured cells, allows movement of astrocyte filopodia in a way that resembles the in vivo situation, and also minimizes the cellular stress, an inherent feature of standard 2D cell culture systems. Third, we demonstrate that the expression of gap junctions is reduced in astrocytes cultured in a 3D system that supports well‐organized cell–cell communication, in contrast to the enforced planar tiling of cells in a standard 2D system. Finally, we show that astrocytes cultured in the Bioactive3D system do not show the undesired baseline activation but are fully responsive to activation‐inducing stimuli. Thus, astrocytes cultured in the Bioactive3D appear to more closely resemble astrocytes in vivo and represent a superior in vitro system for assessing (patho)physiological and pharmacological responses of these cells and potentially also in co‐cultures of astrocytes and other cell types. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Radiation‐induced loss of cell surface CD47 enhances immune‐mediated clearance of human papillomavirus‐positive cancer
Authors: Vermeer Daniel W. , Spanos William C. , Vermeer Paola D. , Bruns Annie M. , Lee Kimberly M. , Lee John H.
Published: January 2013

The increasing incidence of human papillomavirus (HPV) related oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OSSC) demands development of novel therapies. Despite presenting at a more advanced stage, HPV(+) oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) have a better prognosis than their HPV(−) counterparts. We have previously demonstrated that clearance of HPV(+) OSCC during treatment with radiation and chemotherapy requires an immune response which is likely responsible for the improved clinical outcomes. To further elucidate the mechanism of immune‐mediated clearance, we asked whether radiation therapy induces tumor cell changes that allow the body to recognize and aid in tumor clearance. Here, we describe a radiation‐induced change in tumor surface protein expression that is critical for immune‐mediated clearance. Radiation therapy decreases surface expression of CD47, a self‐marker. CD47 is frequently overexpressed in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma and radiation induces a decrease of CD47 in a dose‐dependent manner. We show that both in vitro and in vivo tumor cell CD47 protein levels are restored over time after sublethal radiation exposure and that protein levels on adjacent, normal tissues remain unaffected. Furthermore, reduction of tumor cell CD47 increases phagocytosis of these cells by dendritic cells and leads to increased interferon gamma and granzyme production from mixed lymphocytes. Finally, decreasing tumor cell CD47 in combination with standard radiation and chemotherapy results in improved immune‐mediated tumor clearance in vivo. These findings help define an important mechanism of radiation‐related immune clearance and suggest that decreasing CD47 specifically on tumor cells may be a good therapeutic target for HPV related disease.
Dietary antioxidants and risk of Barrett's esophagus and adenocarcinoma of the esophagus in an Australian population
Authors: Ibiebele Torukiri I. , Hughes Maria Celia , Nagle Christina M. , Bain Christopher J. , Whiteman David C. , Webb Penelope M. ,   Study of Digestive Health and Australian Cancer Study
Published: January 2013

While dietary antioxidants are emerging as potentially modifiable risk factors for esophageal adenocarcinoma (EAC), studies on dietary antioxidants and its precursor Barrett's esophagus (BE) are limited. The present study extends previous work on BE by investigating risks of nondysplastic BE, dysplastic BE and EAC associated with intake of antioxidants such as vitamin C, vitamin E, β‐carotene, and selenium. Age and sex matched control subjects (n=577 for BE; n=1,507 for EAC) were sampled from an Australian population register. Information on demography, and well established EAC risk factors were obtained using self‐administered questionnaires. Intake of antioxidants for patients newly diagnosed with nondysplastic BE (n=266), dysplastic BE (n=101), or EAC (n=299), aged 18–79 years, were obtained using a food frequency questionnaire. Odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were estimated using multivariable adjusted logistic regression models. High intake of β‐carotene from food and supplement sources combined was inversely associated with risk of dysplastic BE (OR Q4 vs. Q1=0.45; 95%CI: 0.20–1.00). High intake of vitamin E from food sources (OR Q4 vs. Q1=0.43; 95%CI: 0.28–0.67), from food and supplements combined (OR Q4 vs. Q1=0.64; 95%CI: 0.43–0.96), and a high antioxidant index score were inversely associated with risk of EAC. We found no significant trends between intake of β–carotene, vitamin C, vitamin E, and selenium and risk of nondysplastic or dysplastic BE. However, our data suggest that a high intake of β‐carotene may be associated with decreased risk of dysplastic BE.
Smoking is associated with lower age, higher grade, higher stage, and larger size of malignant bladder tumors at diagnosis
Authors: van Roekel Eline H. , Cheng Kar K. , James Nicholas D. , Wallace D. Michael A. , Billingham Lucinda J. , Murray Paul G. , Bryan Richard T. , Zeegers Maurice P.
Published: January 2013

Smoking is a strong risk factor of bladder cancer (BC), but it is currently unclear whether smoking is also associated with severity of BC at diagnosis. We performed a large hospital‐based case‐comparison study, examining the relation between smoking and clinical characteristics of BC at diagnosis. A total of 1,544 cases from participating hospitals in the West Midlands were recruited between 19 December 2005 and 21 April 2011. Eligible cases were adult BC patients without a previous history of this disease. At time of diagnosis, semi‐structured face‐to‐face interviews were conducted by trained research nurses to collect smoking information. Clinical characteristics were obtained from medical records. Linear mixed models were performed to calculate predicted means in clinical outcomes for a variety of smoking behaviors. A p < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. After adjustment for age and gender, current smokers were on average 4.0 years younger at diagnosis (95% CI: −5.9 to −2.0), had larger tumors (mean difference: 0.48 cm, 95% CI: 0.04−0.91), a higher T stage (mean difference: 0.25, 95% CI: 0.08−0.41), and a borderline significantly higher grade than never smokers (mean difference: 0.15, 95% CI: 0.00−0.30). Our results suggest that smoking could be associated with a more malignant phenotype of BC at diagnosis. More research is needed on the relation between smoking and prognosis, but our results could strengthen the message about the potential risks of smoking to these patients.
A novel strategy for conditional gene knockout based on ΦC31 integrase and Gal4/UAS system in Drosophila
Authors: Ou Hailong , Lei Tingwen
Published: January 2013

The Gal4/upstream activating sequences (UAS) system offers great advantages in target gene expression by separating the responder line and diverse tissue‐specific expressed Gal4 driver lines in Drosophila. The bipartite system is commonly used in gain‐of‐function analysis, and by combining with the RNA interference technology, it can also be applied in loss‐of‐function analysis. However, the off‐target effect caused by this strategy has not been well solved so far. Furthermore, it can only partially knockdown a specific gene expression. In this study, a novel conditional gene knockout method that combined the use of ϕC31 integrase and Gal4/UAS system was described. The target gene was preliminarily flanked by ϕC31 integrase recognition sites attB and attP, followed by conditional expressed Gal4 lines to drive the recombinase that were under UAS control to achieve spatial and temporal gene deletion. We found the strategy performed well in Drosophila, and the efficiency was higher than 82% in gene knockout by self‐excision. Our strategy takes advantage of exiting Gal4 library to drive the recombinase, rather than conventionally used method which the recombinase was droved directly by specific promoters, thereby providing a more flexible and versatile tool for gene function analysis in Drosophila. © 2013 IUBMB Life, 65(2)144–148, 2013.
Cancer cell killing by Celecoxib: Reality or just in vitro precipitation‐related artifact?
Authors: Sacchetti Andrea
Published: January 2013

Among NSAIDs Celecoxib is one of the most efficient in triggering in vitro cancer cell death, and from this perspective has been subject of numerous studies. However, it is still controversial whether this in vitro‐observed effect can also occur in vivo and contribute to the antitumor action of the drug. Moreover, besides common agreement on the involvement of COX‐independent pathways, the mechanisms underlying Celecoxib toxicity are still unclear. In an attempt to shed light on these mechanisms, I found that cell death only occurs at insoluble concentrations of the drug, and follows irreversible binding and damage of the plasmamembrane by precipitates. This evidence strongly suggests that Celecoxib is devoid of true molecular toxicity. Moreover, since plasma levels reached during therapy are far below the threshold of toxic precipitation, direct cytotoxicity by Celecoxib is unlikely to occur on tumor cells in vivo. Thus the antitumor effect might be only due to COX inhibition, which requires significantly lower levels of the drug. Nonetheless, direct cytotoxicity might not be confined to an in vitro artifact, but contribute to the upper gastrointestinal side effects of Celecoxib. Overall, these findings represent an important basis for further studies on Celecoxib, where true molecular actions of the drug should be discriminated from the precipitate‐dependent ones, and the relationship between in vitro and in vivo effects considered at the light of the precipitate‐dependent model. Moreover, remarkably, this article indicates a model of critical analysis that can be extended to other poorly soluble drugs. J. Cell. Biochem. 114: 1434–1444, 2013. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Selective inhibition of ATPase activity during contraction alters the activation of p38 MAP kinase isoforms in skeletal muscle
Authors: Brault Jeffrey J. , Pizzimenti Natalie M. , Dentel John N. , Wiseman Robert W.
Published: January 2013

Muscle contractions strongly activate p38 MAP kinases, but the precise contraction‐associated sarcoplasmic event(s) (e.g., force production, energetic demands, and/or calcium cycling) that activate these kinases are still unclear. We tested the hypothesis that during contraction the phosphorylation of p38 isoforms is sensitive to the increase in ATP demand relative to ATP supply. Energetic demands were inhibited using N‐benzyl‐p‐toluene sulphonamide (BTS, type II actomyosin) and cyclopiazonic acid (CPA, SERCA). Extensor digitorum longus muscles from Swiss Webster mice were incubated in Ringer's solution (37°C) with or without inhibitors and then stimulated at 10 Hz for 15 min. Muscles were immediately freeze‐clamped for metabolite and Western blot analysis. BTS and BTS + CPA treatment decreased force production by 85%, as measured by the tension time integral, while CPA alone potentiated force by 310%. In control muscles, contractions resulted in a 73% loss of ATP content and a concomitant sevenfold increase in IMP content, a measure of sustained energetic imbalance. BTS or CPA treatment lessened the loss of ATP, but BTS + CPA treatment completely eliminated the energetic imbalance since ATP and IMP levels were nearly equal to those of non‐stimulated muscles. The independent inhibition of cytosolic ATPase activities had no effect on contraction‐induced p38 MAPK phosphorylation, but combined treatment prevented the increase in phosphorylation of the γ isoform while the α/β isoforms unaffected. These observations suggest that an energetic signal may trigger phosphorylation of the p38γ isoform and also may explain how contractions differentially activate signaling pathways. J. Cell. Biochem. 114: 1445–1455, 2013. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Wnt3a regulates proliferation, apoptosis and function of pancreatic NIT‐1 beta cells via activation of IRS2/PI3K signaling
Authors: Gui Shuyan , Yuan Gang , Wang Lu , Zhou Lili , Xue Ying , Yu Yikai , Zhang Jianhua , Zhang Muxun , Yang Yan , Wang Dao Wen
Published: January 2013

Wnt‐signaling pathway is implicated in pancreatic development and functional regulation of mature beta‐cells. Wnt3a/Wnt pathway activation expands islet cell mass in vitro by increasing proliferation and decreasing apoptosis of beta‐cells, thereby enhancing its function. However, the signaling pathways that mediate these effects remain unknown. By using a clonal beta‐cell line (NIT‐1), we examined the role of IRS2/PI3K in the mediation of Wnt3a‐stimulated beta‐cell growth. Real‐time PCR and Western blot were employed to investigate the activity of Wnt/β‐catenin and IRS2/PI3K signaling. Proliferation of NIT‐1 cells was assessed by BrdU incorporation, and apoptosis was quantitatively determined by TUNEL and flow cytometry (FCM). Dkk1, an inhibitor of Wnt signaling, and wortmannin, an inhibitor of PI3K, were also used. Results showed that Wnt3a rapidly activated Wnt/β‐catenin signaling, promoted IRS2 expression and Akt phosphorylation in NIT‐1 cells. These effects were completely abrogated by Dkk1 or partially eliminated by wortmannin. Wnt3a also promoted NIT‐1 cell proliferation, inhibited cytokine‐induced beta‐cell apoptosis, and increased insulin secretion. Both of these effects were also eliminated by Dkk1 or wortmannin. Our results demonstrated that Wnt3a regulates proliferation, apoptosis and enhances function of pancreatic NIT‐1 beta cells via activation of Wnt/β‐catenin signaling, involving crosstalk with IRS2/PI3K signaling, with the effect of Wnt signaling on beta‐cells also being IRS2/PI3K/AKT dependent. J. Cell. Biochem. 114: 1488–1497, 2013. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Long interspersed nucleotide element‐1 hypomethylation in folate‐deficient mouse embryonic stem cells
Authors: Chang Shaoyan , Wang Li , Guan Yunqian , Shangguan Shaofang , Du Qingan , Wang Yang , Zhang Ting , Zhang Yu
Published: January 2013

Folate is thought to contribute to health and development by methylation regulation. Long interspersed nucleotide element‐1 (LINE‐1), which is regulated by methylation modification, plays an important role in sculpting the structure and function of genomes. Some studies have shown that folate concentration is related to LINE‐1 methylation. However, the direct association between LINE‐1 methylation and folate deficiency remains unclear. To explore whether folate deficiency directly induced LINE‐1 hypomethylation and to analyze the relationship between folate concentration and the LINE‐1 methylation level, mouse ESCs were treated with various concentrations of folate which was measured by chemiluminescent immunoassay, and the homocysteine content was detected by ELISA. LINE‐1 methylation was examined by matrix‐assisted laser desorption/ionization time‐of‐flight mass spectrometry at various time points. Concurrently, cell proliferation and differentiation were observed. The result showed that the intracellular folate decreases under folate‐deficient condition, conversely, homocysteine content increased gradually and there was a negatively correlated between them. Folate insufficiency induced LINE‐1 hypomethylation at the lowest levels in folate‐free group and moderate in folate‐deficient group, compared with that in the folate‐normal group at day 18. Moreover, LINE‐1 methylation level was positively correlated with folate content, and negatively correlated with homocysteine content. At corresponding time points, proliferation and differentiation of mouse ESCs showed no alteration in all groups. Our data indicated that folate deficiency affected the homeostasis of folate‐mediated one‐carbon metabolism, leading to reduced LINE‐1 methylation in mouse ESCs. This study provides preliminary evidence of folate deficiency affecting early embryonic development. J. Cell. Biochem. 114: 1549–1558, 2013. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Cytoskeletal protein vimentin interacts with and regulates peroxisome proliferator‐activated receptor gamma via a proteasomal degradation process
Authors: Tsai Yun‐Chih , Tsai Shu‐Huei , Chang Emily Yun‐Chia , Hee Siow‐Wey , Chen Wei‐Hao , Lee Sheng‐Chung , Chuang Lee‐Ming
Published: January 2013

Peroxisome proliferators‐activated receptor gamma (PPARγ) receptor is a transcription factor that is located in and functions primarily in the nucleus. PPARγ is exported from the nucleus upon mitogen and ligand stimulation under certain circumstances. However, a cytoplasmic PPARγ interacting protein and its function have not been previously identified. Here, we report for the first time that cytosolic PPARγ interacts directly with cytoskeletal vimentin. We performed PPARγ immunoprecipitation followed by mass spectrometry to identify the vimentin‐PPARγ complex. This interaction was confirmed by reciprocal vimentin and PPARγ immunoprecipitation and co‐immunofluorescence examination. We demonstrated that PPARγ colocalized with vimentin in certain organelles that is golgi, mitochondria, and endoplasmic reticulum. In cells depleted of vimentin, PPARγ was ubiquitinated and targeted to a proteasomal degradation pathway. Together, these findings indicate a direct interaction of PPARγ with vimentin in the cytosolic compartment, in which vimentin appears to play a role in regulating the turnover rate of PPARγ, which may further regulate genomic or non‐genomic activities through the regulation of PPARγ protein degradation. J. Cell. Biochem. 114: 1559–1567, 2013. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
HOW DO MIGRATION REMITTANCES AFFECT RURAL LIVELIHOODS IN DRYLANDS?
Authors: Abdelali‐Martini Malika , Hamza Raid
Published: January 2013

Migration is often driven by low incomes, scarcity of natural resources and lack of employment opportunities. Syria has suffered from 4 years of consecutive droughts, with grave consequences on resources, pushing rural people to migrate. The impact effect of remittances on livelihoods in dry areas needs more understanding; our study addresses that gap. We used a rapid appraisal and a formal survey of 608 randomly selected rural households in 2009 after two droughts. We found that migration has positive impact on rural livelihoods and represented more than 50 per cent of the annual per capita income. It also supported land reclamation and holds a potential to support development. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Predictable signals of seasonal precipitation in the Yangtze–Huaihe River Valley
Authors: Ying Kairan , Zheng Xiaogu , Quan Xiao‐Wei , Frederiksen Carsten S.
Published: January 2013

An effort is made to identify the ‘more predictable’ signals in seasonal precipitation in the Eastern Yangtze–Huaihe River Valley of China based on the observations recorded for the period of 1951–2004 at a network of 23 stations in this region. A recently developed methodology for decomposing the interannual variance of seasonal mean climate fields is applied to precipitation time series at the stations. This allows the total interannual variance to be separated into the variance of a slow component, or predictable signal, and the variance of a more noisier component of rainfall associated with intraseasonal variability. The potential predictability (signal‐to‐total ratio) is generally moderate in this region and is lower during winter from January to March (JFM) and higher in summer from May to July (MJJ) and autumn from November to January (NDJ). Empirical orthogonal function (EOF) analysis is then applied to the predictable‐, intraseasonal‐ and total‐covariance matrices, respectively. Leading EOF modes of the total component more often resemble the EOF modes of the intraseasonal component when the potential predictability is lower and vice versa. Temporal variation of the leading modes in the predictable components is more closely linked to the interannual variability of Eastern Pacific sea surface temperature (SST) in early summer (MJJ), North Atlantic SST in late summer (JAS) and El Niño/Southern oscillation in late autumn (NDJ). The rainfall SST connections found in these seasons persist throughout the entire 54‐year period. The predictable rainfall modes also have apparent linkages to the intensity and position of the Western Pacific subtropical high during the early summer and late autumn with more rainfall occurring in the region when the height pattern is more intensive and extends further west. During the late summer, the predictable rainfall variability is accompanied by a large variation of tropospheric advection from north of the region, indicating the impact of an anomalous atmospheric circulation associated with the variation of summer North Atlantic Oscillation.
How different long‐term fertilization strategies influence crop yield and soil properties in a maize field in the North China Plain
Authors: Zhao Bingzi , Chen Ji , Zhang Jiabao , Xin Xiuli , Hao Xiying
Published: January 2013

The impact of fertilization on maize (Zea mays L.) yield and soil properties was investigated in a long‐term (> 18 y) experimental field in N China. A completely randomized block design with seven fertilizer treatments and four replications was used. The seven fertilizer treatments were (1) compost (COMP), (2) half compost plus half chemical fertilizer (COMP1/2), (3) balanced NPK fertilizer (NPK), (4–6) unbalanced chemical fertilizers without one of the major elements (NP, PK, and NK), and (7) an unamended control (CK). In addition to maize yield, soil chemical and biological properties were investigated. Compared to the balanced NPK treatment, maize yield from the COMP treatment was 7.9% higher, from the COMP1/2 was similar, but from the NP, PK, NK, and CK treatment were 12.4%, 59.9%, 78.6%, and 75.7% lower. Across the growing season, microbial biomass C and N contents, basal soil respiration, and fluorescein diacetate hydrolysis, dehydrogenase, urease, and invertase activities in the COMP and COMP1/2 treatments were 7%–203% higher than the NPK treatment. Values from all other treatments were up to 60% lower than the NPK treatment. Maize yield is closely related to the soil organic C (OC) and biological properties, and the OC is closely related to various biological properties, indicating that OC is a suitable indicator for soil quality. Our results suggest the most limiting nutrient for improving the yield or soil quality was P, followed by N and K, and balanced fertilization is important in maintaining high crop yield and soil quality. Additionally, increases in OC, N, and biological activities in COMP and COMP1/2 treatments imply that organic compost is superior to the chemical fertilizers tested.
Combining study outcome measures using dominance adjusted weights
Authors: Makambi Kepher H. , Lu Wenxin
Published: January 2013

Weighting of studies in meta‐analysis is usually implemented by using the estimated inverse variances of treatment effect estimates. However, there is a possibility of one study dominating other studies in the estimation process by taking on a weight that is above some upper limit. We implement an estimator of the heterogeneity variance that takes advantage of dominance adjusted weights. The performance of this estimator is compared with that of the commonly used estimator in meta‐analysis, the DerSimonian–Laird estimator. Two test procedures for the overall treatment effect are proposed that are based on the quadratic form associated with the proposed heterogeneity variance estimator. An example is given to illustrate the application of these procedures. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Simultaneous determination of multiresidual phenyl acetanilide pesticides in different food commodities by solid‐phase cleanup and gas chromatography‐mass spectrometry
Authors: Li Yongjun , Wang Meiling , Yan Hongfei , Fu Shanliang , Dai Hua
Published: January 2013

An efficient and sensitive multiresidue method has been developed for quantification and confirmation of 25 phenyl acetanilide pesticides in a wide variety of food commodities including maize, spinach, mushroom, apple, soybean, chestnut, tea, beef, cattle liver, chicken, fish, and milk. Analytes were extracted with acetone–n‐hexane (1:2, v/v) followed by cleanup using SPE. Several types of adsorbents were evaluated. Neutral aluminum and graphitized carbon black cartridge showed good cleanup efficiency. The extract was determined by GC‐MS in the selected ion monitoring mode using one target and two qualitative ions for each analyte. The limits of detection were 0.01 mg/kg for all analytes. The average recoveries ranged from 66.9 to 110.6% (mean 88.8%) and RSDs were in the range 2.0–19% (mean 10.5%) across three fortification levels. The proposed method was successfully applied to real samples in routine analysis and a satisfactory result was obtained.
Evaluation of metal‐organic framework 5 as a new SPE material for the determination of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in environmental waters
Authors: Yang Shaolei , Chen Chunyan , Yan Zhihong , Cai Qingyun , Yao Shouzhuo
Published: January 2013

Metal‐organic frameworks, a new class of materials with high surface area and great porosity, have been widely applied in gas sorption. It is generally known that metal‐organic framework 5 cannot be applied in aqueous phase since it is water sensitive. However, this work reveals that the derived material of metal‐organic framework 5 is a good SPE sorbent that can be applied to aqueous phases. Metal‐organic framework 5 was prepared and used as a SPE sorbent for the determination of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in environmental matrices coupling with HPLC. The water treatment induced changes in the properties were investigated in detail. Even though metal‐organic framework 5 is conversed to a second phase after water treatment, it still shows high extraction ability. Under the optimized experimental conditions, good sensitivity levels were achieved with low LODs ranging from 0.4 to 4.0 ng L−1 and a linearity of 0.004–20 μg L−1 (R2 > 0.996) for the investigated polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. The method has been validated in the analysis of real water samples with recoveries in the range of 80.2–120.2% and RSDs in the range of 0.5–11.7%.
Ring‐opening metathesis polymerization‐derived, lectin‐functionalized monolithic supports for affinity separation of glycoproteins
Authors: Bandari Rajendar , Kuballa Jürgen , Buchmeiser Michael R.
Published: January 2013

Lectin‐functionalized monolithic columns were prepared within polyether ether ketone (PEEK) columns (150 × 4.6 mm id) via transition metal‐catalyzed ring‐opening metathesis polymerization of norborn‐2‐ene (NBE) and trimethylolpropane‐tris(5‐norbornene‐2‐carboxylate) (CL) using the first‐generation Grubbs initiator RuCl2(PCy3)2(CHPh) (1, Cy = cyclohexyl) in the presence of a macro‐ and microporogen, i.e. of 2‐propanol and toluene. Postsynthesis functionalization was accomplished via in situ grafting of 2,5‐dioxopyrrolidin‐1‐yl‐bicyclo[2.2.1]hept‐5‐ene‐2‐carboxylate to the surface of the monoliths followed by reaction with α,ω‐diamino‐poly(ethyleneglycol). The pore structure of the poly(ethyleneglycol)‐ derivatized monoliths was investigated by electron microscopy and inverse‐size exclusion chromatography, respectively. The amino‐poly(ethyleneglycol) functionalized monolithic columns were then successfully used for the immobilization of lectin from Lens culinaris hemagglutinin. The thus prepared lectin‐functionalized monoliths were applied to the affinity chromatography‐based purification of glucose oxidase. The binding capacity of Lens culinaris hemagglutinin‐immobilized monolithic column for glucose oxidase was found to be 2.2 mg/column.
A comment on “Novel scavenger removal trials increase wind turbine‐caused avian fatality estimates”
Authors: Huso Manuela M.P. , Erickson Wallace P.
Published: January 2013

In a recent paper, Smallwood et al. (2010) conducted a study to compare their “novel” approach to conducting carcass removal trials with what they term the “conventional” approach and to evaluate the effects of the different methods on estimated avian fatality at a wind power facility in California. A quick glance at Table 3 that succinctly summarizes their results and provides estimated fatality rates and 80% confidence intervals calculated using the 2 methods reveals a surprising result. The confidence intervals of all of their estimates and most of the conventional estimates extend below 0. These results imply that wind turbines may have the capacity to create live birds. But a more likely interpretation is that a serious error occurred in the calculation of either the average fatality rate or its standard error or both. Further evaluation of their methods reveals that the scientific basis for concluding that “many estimates of scavenger removal rates prior to [their] study were likely biased low due to scavenger swamping” and “previously reported estimates of avian fatality rates … should be adjusted upwards” was not evident in their analysis and results. Their comparison to conventional approaches was not applicable, their statistical models were questionable, and the conclusions they drew were unsupported. © 2013 The Wildlife Society.
Response to Huso and Erickson's comments on novel scavenger removal trials
Authors: Smallwood K. Shawn , Bell Douglas A. , Karas Brian , Snyder Sara A.
Published: January 2013

Trials involving volitionally placed carcasses are often used to estimate the portion of the collision‐caused fatality population that is undetected by periodic fatality searches at wind turbines. Huso and Erickson criticized our paper reporting on a comparison of carcass persistence rates between what we termed conventional versus novel approaches to these trials. In our novel approach, we measured carcass persistence rates by placing only 1–2 fresh carcasses per week, instead of the typical 10 or more carcasses at a time, often using found carcasses of unknown time since death. Huso and Erickson directed most of their critique to this novel aspect of our approach, although the novelty of our approach also included the use of event‐triggered camera traps, which we used to record exact times of removals and to identify vertebrate scavenger species responsible for the removals. In our replies to Huso and Erickson's major criticisms, we acknowledge flaws in our field methods for arriving at fatality rate estimates, but we also point out the larger flaws in the methods used by Huso and Erickson, especially in their use of mean days to removal as a measure of carcass persistence. We conclude by introducing a more appropriate detection trial, which combines searcher detection and scavenger removal trials, and integrates this detection trial into periodic fatality monitoring. © 2013 The Wildlife Society.
Unconventional Non‐birefringent or Birefringent Concentric Ring‐Banded Spherulites in Poly(L‐lactic acid) Thin Films
Authors: Nurkhamidah Siti , Woo Eamor M.
Published: January 2013

Unconventional concentric up‐and‐down bands, differing from the conventional bright‐ extinction or blue/orange bands in other polymers, in poly(L‐lactic acid) are found via controlled thin films. Non‐birefringent and birefringent concentric banded spherulites are obtained from 350–400 nm and 1800–2000 nm film thicknesses, respectively. Non‐birefringent concentric ring‐banded spherulites are arranged only by flat‐on lamellae; in contrast, complex combinations of flat‐on, edge‐on, and round‐shaped lamellae in four transitional zones are present within a single band in the thicker films of birefringent, concentric, ring‐banded spherulites. Interband is an optically extinction crevice that segregates two neighboring bands. Unique lamellar arrangements at specific Tc and thickness confinement are two factors for the unconventional concentric bands.
Pencils on real curves
Authors: Coppens Marc , Huisman Johannes
Published: January 2013

We consider coverings of real algebraic curves to real rational algebraic curves. We show the existence of such coverings having prescribed topological degree on the real locus. From those existence results we prove some results on Brill‐Noether Theory for pencils on real curves. For coverings having topological degree \documentclass{article}\usepackage{amssymb}\begin{document}\pagestyle{empty}$\underline{0}$\end{document} we introduce the covering number k and we prove the existence of coverings of degree 4 with prescribed covering number.
Dietary format alters fecal bacterial populations in the domestic cat (Felis catus)
Authors: Bermingham Emma N. , Young Wayne , Kittelmann Sandra , Kerr Katherine R. , Swanson Kelly S. , Roy Nicole C. , Thomas David G.
Published: January 2013

The effects of short‐term (5‐week) exposure to wet or dry diets on fecal bacterial populations in the cat were investigated. Sixteen mixed‐sex, neutered, domestic short‐haired cats (mean age = 6 years; mean bodyweight = 3.4 kg) were randomly allocated to wet or dry diets in a crossover design. Fecal bacterial DNA was isolated and bacterial 16S rRNA gene amplicons generated and analyzed by 454 Titanium pyrosequencing. Cats fed dry diets had higher abundances (P < 0.05) of Actinobacteria (16.5% vs. 0.1%) and lower abundances of Fusobacteria (0.3% vs. 23.1%) and Proteobacteria (0.4% vs. 1.1%) compared with cats fed the wet diet. Of the 46 genera identified, 30 were affected (P < 0.05) by diet, with higher abundances of Lactobacillus (31.8% vs. 0.1%), Megasphaera (23.0% vs. 0.0%), and Olsenella (16.4% vs. 0.0%), and lower abundances of Bacteroides (0.6% vs. 5.7%) and Blautia (0.3% vs. 2.3%) in cats fed the dry diet compared with cats fed the wet diet. These results demonstrate that short‐term dietary exposure to diet leads to large shifts in fecal bacterial populations that have the potential to affect the ability of the cat to process macronutrients in the diet.