bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Moving Near Family? The Influence of Extended Family on Neighbourhood Choice in an Intra‐urban Context
Authors: Hedman Lina
Published: February 2012

Social ties are among the most important factors explaining destination choices on the international or national scale but much less is known about their role in short‐distance mobility. In this paper, I analyse how the presence of extended family in a neighbourhood affects destination choices on a local housing market – the city of Uppsala, Sweden. I employ a probit model to investigate who is more likely to move to neighbourhoods where extended family members reside, followed by a conditional logit model that tests the importance of the presence of family in relation to other neighbourhood characteristics. Results show that the presence of family is indeed a strong determinant for neighbourhood choice and that non‐Western immigrants, middle‐aged adults, individuals with low socio‐economic status, and individuals who have previously resided in the neighbourhood are most likely to move near family. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Preparation of Al‐doped ZnO films by aqueous solution process using a continuous circulation reactor
Authors: Miyake Masao , Fukui Hiroshi , Hirato Tetsuji
Published: February 2012

The fabrication of Al‐doped ZnO films by an aqueous solution process using a continuous circulation reactor was studied. By heating ZnO‐saturated ammonia solutions containing 2–10 mM Al(NO3)3 with pH 10.7 at 90 °C under ambient pressure, polycrystalline ZnO films with Al content of 1–2 at.% were deposited. The carrier concentration of ZnO films increased with increasing Al content, indicating that Al was successfully incorporated into the ZnO crystals. The Al‐doped ZnO films had carrier concentrations of 1019–1020 cm−3 and mobilities of 0.7–7 cm2/V/s after annealing at 300 °C in air.
Coupling of single nitrogen‐vacancy defect centers in diamond nanocrystals to optical antennas and photonic crystal cavities
Authors: Wolters Janik , Kewes Günter , Schell Andreas W. , Nüsse Nils , Schoengen Max , Löchel Bernd , Hanke Tobias , Bratschitsch Rudolf , Leitenstorfer Alfred , Aichele Thomas , Benson Oliver
Published: February 2012

We demonstrate the ability to modify the emission properties and enhance the interaction strength of single‐photon emitters coupled to nanophotonic structures based on metals and dielectrics. Assembly of individual diamond nanocrystals, metal nanoparticles, and photonic crystal cavities to meta‐structures is introduced. Experiments concerning controlled coupling of single defect centers in nanodiamonds to optical nanoantennas made of gold bowtie structures are reviewed. By placing one and the same emitter at various locations with high precision, a map of decay rate enhancements was obtained. Furthermore, we demonstrate the formation of a hybrid cavity quantum electrodynamics system in which a single defect center is coupled to a single mode of a gallium phosphite photonic crystal cavity.
Elastic moduli of advanced orthorhombic binary and ternary metal (V, Ta, Nb) nitrides with the U2S3 structure
Authors: Orisakwe Esther Nkiruka , Sharma Vinit , Lowther John E.
Published: February 2012

The elastic constants and isotropic moduli of a recently synthesized orthorhombic ternary metal nitride are examined using first‐principles calculations. Tantalum nitride has the largest moduli but other metals such as vanadium or niobium are shown to affect the elastic constants. It is suggested that such metals could be incorporated into the Ta–N material and play a critical role in engineering its properties. Low concentrations of V seem especially significant leading to a stabilized metallic material with possible enhancement of hardness relative to Ta2N3. There are significant results between various computational approaches.
Myrislignan Attenuates Lipopolysaccharide‐induced Inflammation Reaction in Murine Macrophage Cells Through Inhibition of NF‐κB Signalling Pathway Activation
Authors: Jin Hong , Zhu Zheng‐Guang , Yu Peng‐Jiu , Wang Guang‐Fa , Zhang Jun‐Yan , Li Jing‐Rong , Ai Rui‐Ting , Li Zhong‐Huang , Tian Yuan‐Xin , Zhang Wei Xu, Jia‐Jie , Wu Shu‐Guang
Published: February 2012

Myrislignan is a new kind of lignan isolated from Myristica fragrans Houtt. Its antiinflammatory effects have not yet been reported. In the present study, the antiinflammatory effects and the underlying mechanisms of myrislignan in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)‐induced inflammation in murine RAW 264.7 macrophage cells were investigated. Myrislignan significantly inhibited LPS‐induced production of nitric oxide (NO) in a dose‐dependent manner. It inhibited mRNA expression and release of interleukin‐6 (IL‐6) and tumour necrosis factor‐α (TNF‐α). This compound significantly inhibited mRNA and protein expressions of inducible NO synthase (iNOS) and cyclooxygenase‐2 (COX‐2) dose‐dependently in LPS‐stimulated macrophage cells. Further study showed that myrislignan decreased the cytoplasmic loss of inhibitor κB‐α (IκB‐α) protein and the translocation of NF‐κB from cytoplasm to the nucleus. Our results suggest that myrislignan may exert its antiinflammatory effects in LPS‐stimulated macrophages cells by inhibiting the NF‐κB signalling pathway activation. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Isoquinoline Alkaloids from Tinospora cordifolia Inhibit Rat Lens Aldose Reductase
Authors: Patel Mayurkumar B. , Mishra Shrihari
Published: February 2012

The inhibitory activity of Tinospora cordifolia stem‐derived alkaloids was evaluated against lens aldose reductase (AR) isolated from male Wistar rats. Anticataract potential of the alkaloids of T. cordifolia was evaluated in vitro in rat lenses, considering the activity of normal rat lenses as 100%. The biologically active constituents of T. cordifolia extract were characterized as the isoquinoline alkaloids, jatrorrhizine, palmatine and magnoflorine, by spectral analysis. The inhibitory effects varied with all chemicals and concentrations used. The inhibitory concentration (IC50) values of jatrorrhizine, palmatine and magnoflorine are 3.23, 3.45 and 1.25 µg/mL respectively. The concentration of maximum activity was selected for its effect on galactose‐induced polyol accumulation in vitro. The percentage inhibition of galactose‐induced polyol accumulation was 62.6, 58.8 and 27.7% in the presence of jatrorrhizine, palmatine and magnoflorine, respectively. Magnoflorine may be useful as lead compounds and new agents for AR inhibition. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Bioactivity of Sour Cherry Cultivars Grown in Denmark
Authors: Khoo Gaik Ming , Clausen Morten Rahr , Pedersen Bjarne Hjelmsted , Larsen Erik
Published: February 2012

Thirty four varieties of sour cherries (Prunus cerasus) were investigated for their total antioxidant activity, Caco‐2 cancer cell proliferation inhibitory activity and effect on prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) production. Total phenolic content, oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC) and cancer cell proliferation inhibitory activity of sour cherries were closely correlated but not PGE2 production. The cultivars ‘Birgitte × Böttermö’, ‘Fanal’ and ‘Tiki’ were the three cultivars with the highest ORAC values (180, 147 and 133 µmol TE/g, respectively) and inhibition against Caco‐2 cancer cell proliferation (74%, 79% and 73%, respectively). ‘Stevnsbaer Birgitte’ (22%) and ‘Stevnsbaer Viki’ (22%) inhibited PGE2 production with a similar potency as the positive controls indomethacin and NS‐398. Significant differences between cultivars in all bioactivity experiments indicated that selection of cultivars is important to obtain sour cherries with better potential health promoting effects. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Cranberry Juice Extract, A Mild Prooxidant with Cytotoxic Properties Independent of Reactive Oxygen Species
Authors: Babich H. , Ickow I. M. , Weisburg J. H. , Zuckerbraun H. L. , Schuck A. G.
Published: February 2012

A cranberry juice extract (CJE), rich in proanthocyanidins, had weak prooxidant properties, generating low levels of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and superoxide. Generation of H2O2 was pH dependent, increasing at alkaline pH, and was lowered in the presence of catalase and, to a lesser extent, of superoxide dismutase (SOD). Growth inhibition and cytotoxicity were noted towards human oral carcinoma HSC‐2 cells, with midpoint cytotoxicity at 200 µg/mL CJE, but not towards human gingival HF‐1 fibroblasts. Being a mild prooxidant, CJE toxicity was unaffected by exogenous catalase and pyruvate, scavengers of H2O2, but triggered intracellular synthesis of reduced glutathione, as confirmed by cell staining with Cell Tracker™ Green. The presence of exogenous SOD potentiated the toxicity of CJE, possibly by stabilizing the CJE phenols and hindering their degradative autooxidation. Conversely, ‘spent’ CJE, i.e. CJE added to cell culture medium and incubated for 24 h at 37 °C prior to use, was much less toxic to HSC‐2 cells than was freshly prepared CJE. These differences in toxicity between SOD‐stabilized CJE, freshly prepared CJE, and ‘spent’ CJE were confirmed in HSC‐2 cells stained with aceto‐orcein, which also indicated that the mode of cell death was by the induction of apoptosis. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Effects of Cranberry Extracts on Growth and Biofilm Production of Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus species
Authors: LaPlante Kerry L. , Sarkisian Simon A. , Woodmansee Suzanne , Rowley David C. , Seeram Navindra P.
Published: February 2012

Biofilm producing bacteria such as Staphylococcus species and Escherichia coli are the most common cause of catheter related urinary tract infections (UTIs). The American cranberry (Vaccinium macrocarpon) is utilized widely as a prophylaxis for UTIs due to its prevention of microbial adhesion. Cranberry contains proanthocyanidins (PACs), which have been implicated as active constituents responsible for its bacterial antiadhesive properties. Despite overwhelming data supporting cranberry's beneficial effects against human pathogenic bacteria, there is limited information regarding its effects on biofilm formation. This study evaluated the effects of three proprietary PAC‐standardized cranberry extracts on the inhibition of bacterial growth and biofilm production against a panel of clinically relevant pathogens: Staphylococcus epidermidis, Staphylococcus aureus, clinical methicillin‐resistant S. aureus (MRSA), Staphylococcus saprophyticus and Escherichia coli. The extracts inhibited the growth of the Gram‐positive bacteria (Staphylococcus spp.) but not the Gram‐negative species (E. coli) with minimum inhibitory concentrations in the range 0.02–5 mg/mL. The extracts also inhibited biofilm production by the Gram‐positive bacteria but did not eradicate their established biofilm. These results suggest that cranberry may have beneficial effects against the growth and biofilm producing capability of Gram‐positive bacteria pathogens. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Inhibition of NF‐ κB Activity by Minor Polar Components of Extra‐Virgin Olive Oil at Gastric Level
Authors: Sangiovanni Enrico , Colombo Elisa , Fumagalli Marco , Abbiati Federico , Caruso Donatella , Dell'Agli Mario
Published: February 2012

The present work evaluates the effect of olive oil phenols on NF‐κB activity in human gastric adenocarcinoma cells. The total phenol content was measured by the Folin Ciocalteu method, whereas the composition was assessed by LC‐MS/MS analysis. Secoiridoids represented 71% and 83% of the Italian and Spanish extracts, respectively, phenol alcohols were in the range 9–13%. Ligustroside aglycone was the most abundant (37% and 46%, respectively, in the Italian and Spanish sample), and the concentration of flavonoids AP and LU was below 1%. Phenol extracts were assayed at 0.25–7.5 µg/mL, whereas single compounds were at 0.5–25 µ m. Both the extracts inhibited the NF‐κB driven transcription in a concentration‐dependent manner: IC50 for the Italian and the Spanish extract were 0.86 and 1.28 µg/mL, respectively. The IC50 for individual compounds ranged from 4.5 to 13 µ m. All the compounds under study inhibited nuclear translocation as well. The data suggest that consumption of extra‐virgin olive oil may be beneficial for preventing the onset of gastric inflammation leading to more serious diseases. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Hepatoprotective Effects of Pycnogenol in a Rat Model of Non‐alcoholic Steatohepatitis
Authors: Mei Lin , Mochizuki Miyako , Hasegawa Noboru
Published: February 2012

Oxidative stress is considered as a mechanism of hepatocellular injury in non‐alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). Pycnogenol (PYC) is the natural plant extract from the bark of Pinus pinaster Aiton. and has potent antioxidant activities. We studied the protective effect of PYC on excessive fat accumulation in the liver fed a methionine–choline deficient (MCD) high‐fat diet for 6 weeks. Pycnogenol (10 mg/kg body weight) was orally administered for 5 weeks. At the end of the experiment, blood and liver samples were collected and assessed for effects of PYC by histopathological and biochemical analyses. Histopathological analyses of liver tissues stained with Azan–Mallory showed hepatic macrovesicular steatosis and fibrosis in MCD‐fed rats. Supplementation of PYC prevented this effect. Pycnogenol treatment significantly decreased the liver triglyceride and serum alanine amino transferase levels. Our results indicated that orally administered PYC may serve to prevent NASH‐induced liver damage. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Real‐time deformation of colon and endoscope for colonoscopy simulation
Authors: Jung Hoeryong , Lee Doo Yong , Ahn Woojin
Published: February 2012

Background

Colonoscopy simulation has been increasingly applied as a method of training, which can supplement the traditional patient‐based training in recent years. However, the current level of realism of the simulation is insufficient. One of the main difficulties degrading the realism is real‐time simulation of colon deformation involving multi‐contact interaction with the endoscope.

Methods

This paper proposes a novel simulation framework for real‐time deformation of the colon and endoscope, using a skeleton‐driven deformation method. Cylindrical lattices and a centre‐line are employed as the skeletons, and a mass‐spring model is applied to the skeletons for the mechanics‐based simulation. The centre‐line‐based collision detection and resolution algorithm is proposed to simulate the interaction between the colon and endoscope. A haptic rendering algorithm using the energy method is proposed to produce feedback force, based on physical interaction between the colon and endoscope.

Results

The proposed simulation framework has been implemented and evaluated in colonoscopy simulation. The simulation results show that the proposed method allows real‐time simulation (28 Hz) using a colon model composed of up to 241,440 meshes.

Conclusions

The proposed method allows real‐time simulation of colon and endoscope deformation while maintaining a visually plausible result and realistic haptic sensation. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
REDD DEWATERING EFFECTS ON HATCHING AND LARVAL SURVIVAL OF THE ROBUST REDHORSE
Authors: Fisk J. M. , Kwak T. J. , Heise R. J. , Sessions F. W.
Published: February 2012

Riverine habitats have been altered and fragmented from hydroelectric dams and change spatially and temporally with hydropower flow releases. Hydropeaking flow regimes for electrical power production inundate areas that create temporary suitable habitat for fish that may be rapidly drained. Robust redhorse Moxostoma robustum, an imperiled, rare fish species, uses such temporary habitats to spawn, but when power generation ceases, these areas are dewatered until the next pulse of water is released. We experimentally simulated the effects of dewatering periods on the survival of robust redhorse eggs and larvae in the laboratory. Robust redhorse eggs were placed in gravel in eyeing‐hatching jars (three jars per treatment) and subjected to one of four dewatering periods (6, 12, 24 and 48 h), followed by 12 h of inundation for each treatment, and a control treatment was never dewatered. Egg desiccation was observed in some eggs in the 24‐ and 48‐h treatments after one dewatering period. For all treatments except the control, the subsequent dewatering period after eggs hatched was lethal. Larval emergence for the control treatment was observed on day 5 post‐hatching and continued until the end of the experiment (day 21). Larval survival was significantly different between the control and all dewatering treatments for individuals in the gravel. These findings support the need for hydropower facilities to set minimum flows to maintain inundation of spawning areas for robust redhorse and other species to reduce dewatering mortality. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
NATURAL REGENERATION OF FISH ASSEMBLAGES IN THE PILICA RIVER AFTER A REDUCTION OF POINT‐SOURCE POLLUTION
Authors: Kruk A. , Penczak T.
Published: February 2012

Electrofishing was conducted along the Pilica River, the biggest West tributary of the Vistula, Poland. This paper presents a comparison between the 1990s (1994–1995, 63 sites) and 2000s (2003–2005, 64 sites), that is, because the water quality started improving after 1989. In the Pilica, there is an increased risk of masking relationships between fish distribution and abiotic factors because a dam without a fish pass was constructed in the middle course of the river in 1973, perhaps resulting in fewer possibilities for potential colonizers reaching river fragments fit for colonization. The main aim of this study was to check if natural fish fauna regeneration took place in the river following a significant sewage input reduction. The fish samples were classified with a Kohonen artificial neural network and assigned to two main clusters (X and Y) and, respectively, two pairs of subclusters (X1, X2; Y1, Y2) of neurons. No species attained its significantly highest biomass and/or frequency (expressed as IndVal) in X2 (in which samples from the 1990s dominated), whereas 21 species did so in Y1 or Y2 (containing almost all of the samples from the 2000s), better testifying to the aquatic environment at the sites where the samples assigned to two latter subclusters come from. Moreover, significantly higher values for Y1 and/or Y2 when compared with X2 were recorded in the richness of the fish species, the total fish biomass and total rheophilic fish biomass. In summary, the positive reaction of ichthyofauna to the improvement of the water quality, stated after 1989, was not recorded during the sampling in 1994–1995, but with a considerable delay in 2003–2005. It should be emphasized that the improvement in fish assemblages was recorded in the Pilica both upstream and downstream from the dam reservoir. A good ecological status was recorded even for some samples from the 1990s. They were collected in the lower river course, where the fish could move freely from the Vistula. This testifies the combined role of the presence of potential colonizers and the functioning ecological corridors for fish assemblages in a river system under human impact. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Hippocampus
Authors: Deshmukh Sachin S. , Knierim James J.
Published: February 2012

Damage to the hippocampus and related brain regions causes a profound amnesic syndrome, in which patients are unable to form new memories about their experiences and about facts about the world. A number of theories have been proposed to explain hippocampal function. The theories that are currently most influential propose that the hippocampus is the substrate of declarative or episodic memory and that the hippocampus is the neural locus of a cognitive map. Anatomical, physiological, and behavioral studies of the hippocampal system have enabled a rich understanding of a number of general principles of information processing and storage in the brain. In this article, we describe key anatomical and physiological features of hippocampal function as well as the most influential theories of hippocampal function.WIREs Cogn Sci2012, 3:231–251. doi: 10.1002/wcs.1164

This article is categorized under:

Neuroscience > Cognition
Planar cell polarity signaling: coordination of cellular orientation across tissues
Authors: Singh Jaskirat , Mlodzik Marek
Published: February 2012

Establishment of Planar Cell Polarity (PCP) in epithelia, in the plane of an epithelium, is an important feature of the development and homeostasis of most organs. Studies in different model organisms have contributed a wealth of information regarding the mechanisms that govern PCP regulation. Genetic studies in Drosophila have identified two signaling systems, the Fz/PCP and Fat/Dachsous system, which are both required for PCP establishment in many different tissues in a largely non‐redundant manner. Recent advances in vertebrate PCP studies have added novel factors of PCP regulation and also new cellular features requiring PCP‐signaling input, including the positioning and orientation of the primary cilium of many epithelial cells. This review focuses mostly on several recent advances made in the Drosophila and vertebrate PCP field and integrates these within the existing PCP‐signaling framework. WIREs Dev Biol 2012, 1:479–499. doi: 10.1002/wdev.32

This article is categorized under:

Establishment of Spatial and Temporal Patterns > Cytoplasmic Localization

Signaling Pathways > Global Signaling Mechanisms

Invertebrate Organogenesis > Flies
Utilization of a species occupancy model for management and conservation
Authors: McFarland Tiffany M. , Mathewson Heather A. , Groce Julie E. , Morrison Michael L. , Newnam J. Cal , Snelgrove R. Todd , Skow Kevin L. , Collier Bret A. , Wilkins R. Neal
Published: February 2012

Conserving habitat is increasingly challenging as human populations grow. Remote‐sensing technology has provided a means to delineate species' habitat on large spatial scales. However, by combining habitat delineations with predictions of species' occurrence, habitat models can provide additional utility applications for conservation by allowing us to forecast how changing environmental and landscape conditions affect species' occurrence and distribution. We demonstrate how a spatially explicit habitat occupancy model for the golden‐cheeked warbler (Setophaga chrysoparia) can be used as an impact assessment and conservation planning tool. We used predictions of patch‐level occupancy rates and created several scenarios that simulated the removal or protection of warbler habitats. Resulting changes to habitat structure and availability were used to assess the resulting impacts of removal or protection on the occurrence probability for remaining habitat patches. By recalculating occupancy based on changes to habitat, our approach provides the ability to assess and compare impacts of location and orientation of development so that the least harmful option relative to predicted occurrence can be chosen. Potential applications of our modeling approach are many because our methods provide a useful tool for identifying potential impacts and assisting with mitigation efforts focused on the conservation and management of a species. © 2012 The Wildlife Society.
Population size of Island loggerhead shrikes on Santa Rosa and Santa Cruz Islands
Authors: Stanley Thomas R. , Teel Susan , Hall Linnea S. , Dye Linda C. , Laughrin Lyndal L.
Published: February 2012

Island loggerhead shrikes (Lanius ludovicianus anthonyi) are an endemic, genetically distinct subspecies of loggerhead shrike on California's Santa Rosa, Santa Cruz, and Santa Catalina Islands (USA). This subspecies is listed as a Species of Special Concern by the California Department of Fish and Game and has been petitioned for federal listing under the Endangered Species Act. The combination of suspected low numbers and the possibility of federal listing, prompted us to undertake a study to rigorously estimate the number of remaining individuals on Santa Rosa and Santa Cruz Islands. During the 2009 and 2010 breeding seasons, we surveyed sample units on Santa Rosa and Santa Cruz Islands using a double‐observer method with independent observers to estimate joint detection probabilities (p), where we selected units under a stratified random sampling design. We estimated shrike abundance to be 169 in 2009 (p = 0.476) and 240 in 2010 (p = 0.825) for Santa Rosa Island, and 35 in 2009 (p = 0.816) and 42 in 2010 (p = 0.710) for Santa Cruz Island. These numbers, especially for Santa Rosa Island, are higher than previously reported but nevertheless are still low. Rapid vegetation change on both islands due to recent removal of nonnative herbivores may threaten the habitat and status of this subspecies and, therefore, we suggest that intensive demographic and habitat use research be initiated immediately to obtain additional information vital for the management of this subspecies. Published 2012. This article is a U.S. Government work and is in the public domain in the USA.
Internet use by parents of infants with positive newborn screens
Authors: DeLuca Jane M. , Kearney Margaret H. , Norton Sally A. , Arnold Georgianne L.
Published: February 2012

Background

Internet searches on health topics are common, but not enough is known about online use during serious health concerns. The aim of this study was to investigate parents’ internet use and responses to online information following the referral of their newborn screen‐positive infants.

Methods

Forty‐four parents were interviewed about their internet use during their infants’ evaluations for a potential metabolic disorder. Responses to open‐ended questions were audio taped and transcribed. Content analysis was used in analyzing the interview data.

Results

An overwhelming majority of parents (89%) accessed the internet and most went online before meeting with genetic providers at metabolic treatment centers. Primary and genetic providers did not routinely recommend websites to parents. Online descriptions of metabolic disorders increased parents’ anxieties. Some parents allayed their distress by enlisting others to search and filter information for them and by seeking optimistic internet content about the disorders. Parents with fewer years of education were often baffled by complex disease information. Parents found limited information about treatments or what to expect during the clinical evaluations of their infants.

Conclusions

The internet is an integral part of health care and an important source of information for newborn screening parents. Parents may benefit from recommendations of credible websites and discussions of internet information with health care providers.
Application of the Taguchi Method in Analyzing the Impact of Modified Gemini Surfactants on TiO2 Nano‐Suspension
Authors: Kuo Chung‐Feng Jeffery , Dong Min‐Yan
Published: February 2012

Regarding the TiO2 nano‐suspension under different influencing parameters such as hydrophilic chain length of the modified gemini surfactant (dispersant), electrolyte concentration and dispersant concentration, this study applied the Taguchi Method to analyze the optimal parameters of the TiO2 nano‐suspension using an L9(33) orthogonal array for making the experimental formulas with the average particle size of the suspension as the smaller‐the‐better indicator. The experimental results suggested that the dispersing particle size of the nano‐suspension was affected in order by the dispersant concentration (64.11%), the hydrophilic group chain length of dispersant (11.16%) and the electrolyte concentration (3.04%). Then, by the confirmation experiments based on the optimal parameter combinations of Taguchi Method analysis, the TiO2 nano‐suspension of uniform and minimized particle size were obtained. The result was within the 95% confidence interval, indicating that the reproducibility of the parameter design was high.
Experimental and QSPR Studies on the Effect of Ionic Surfactants on n‐Decane–Water Interfacial Tension
Authors: Fallah Fini Mojtaba , Riahi Siavash , Bahramian Alireza
Published: February 2012

A quantitative structure property relationship approach was performed to find the relation between the surfactant structure and its effect on water–oil interfacial tension. As a result, a new database has been developed measuring the interfacial tension between n‐decane as the model oil and different aqueous solutions of some ionic compounds. In spite of other reports we selected surfactants by a scientific method that covers all structural information. Twenty four different compounds were selected by the principle component analysis method and their interfacial tensions were measured at their critical micelle concentrations. The geometrical optimization of surfactants was performed at the B3LYP/6‐311G⃰⃰ level and quantum chemical and structural descriptors were calculated using relevant computer software programs. The best fitted descriptors were selected using the variable selection of the genetic algorithm (GA‐MLR). The predictive test was performed for an external prediction set of 6 compounds, chosen out of 24 compounds. The resulted GA‐MLR model can reasonably predict the interfacial tension using only three selected descriptors. The deviation between predicted and measured values was found to be <7%.
Metabolic differences underlying two distinct rat urinary phenotypes, a suggested role for gut microbial metabolism of phenylalanine and a possible connection to autism
Authors: Clayton T. Andrew
Published: February 2012

A novel explanation is proposed for the metabolic differences underlying two distinct rat urinary compositional phenotypes i.e. that these may arise from differences in the gut microbially‐mediated metabolism of phenylalanine. As part of this hypothesis, it is further suggested that elements of the mammalian gut microbiota may convert phenylalanine to cinnamic acid, either by means of an ammonia lyase‐type reaction or by means of a three step route via phenylpyruvate and phenyllactate. The wider significance of such conversions is discussed with similar metabolism of tryptophan and subsequent glycine conjugation potentially explaining the origin of trans‐indolylacryloylglycine, a postulated marker for autism.
MicroRNA‐203 leads to G1 phase cell cycle arrest in laryngeal carcinoma cells by directly targeting survivin
Authors: Bian Ka , Fan Jing , Zhang Xiang , Yang Xin-Wei , Zhu Hua-Yu , Wang Lei , Sun Jian-Yong , Meng Yan-Ling , Cui Peng-Cheng , Cheng Shi-Yin , Zhang Jian , Zhao Jing , Yang An-Gang , Zhang Rui
Published: February 2012

Previous studies have shown that miR‐203 acts as a tumor‐suppressive microRNA in various cancers, but its roles in laryngeal carcinoma are still contradicted. Here, we found that miR‐203 inhibited the growth of laryngeal cancer cells and survivin was a direct target of miR‐203. Moreover, silencing of survivin recapitulated the effect of miR‐203 on cell cycle progression, whereas overexpression of survivin reversed this effect. Additionally, qRT‐PCR showed the reciprocal relationship between miR‐203 and survivin in laryngeal cancer tissues. These findings indicate that miR‐203 inhibits the proliferation of laryngeal carcinoma cells by directly targeting survivin, suggesting its application in anti‐cancer therapeutics.
Dietary strawberry powder reduces blood glucose concentrations in obese and lean C57BL/6 mice, and selectively lowers plasma C-reactive protein in lean mice
Authors: Parelman Mardi A. , Storms David H. , Kirschke Catherine P. , Huang Liping , Zunino Susan J.
Published: February 2012

The purpose of the present study was to test the anti-inflammatory and blood glucose (BG)-regulating capacity of strawberries in a mouse model of diet-induced obesity. A total of thirty-six male C57BL/6J mice were randomly divided into four groups (nine mice per group). Mice were fed a low-fat diet (LF, 13 % fat), the LF supplemented with 2·6 % freeze-dried strawberry powder (LFSB), a high-fat diet (HF, 44 % fat) or the HF supplemented with 2·6 % strawberry powder (HFSB). Blood samples were collected to measure BG, inflammation and systemic markers for endocrine function of pancreas and adipose tissue. Splenocytes were harvested at the end of the study and activated with either anti-cluster of differentiation (CD) 3/anti-CD28 antibodies or lipopolysaccharide to test immune responsiveness. The HF increased non-fasted BG, insulin, soluble intracellular adhesion molecule-1, E-selectin, leptin, resistin and plasminogen activator protein-1 (P < 0·05). High dietary fat decreased IL-4 production from activated splenocytes (P < 0·05). BG concentrations were lower in the mice supplemented with SB (10·64 mmol/l) compared to the non-supplemented mice (11·37 mmol/l;P = 0·0022). BG values were approximately 6·5 % lower in the supplemented mice. Additionally, SB lowered plasma C-reactive protein in the LFSB group compared to the other three groups (P < 0·05). The dietary intake of SB approximated one human serving of strawberries. These results, although modest, support a promising role for dietary strawberries in reducing the risks associated with obesity and diabetes, and regulating the levels of inflammatory markers in non-obese individuals.
Virtual liveness and sounding cyborgs: John Oswald's ‘Vane’
Authors: Sanden Paul
Published: February 2012

This article presents the concept of virtual liveness and demonstrates its relevance in an analysis of ‘Vane’, one of John Oswald's plunderphonic pieces. It argues that even when encountering a piece of music that lacks a physically co-present audience, lacks largely unmediated acoustic sound and lacks a live performer, the term ‘performance’ may still be usefully applied. In these cases, however, the sense of liveness that invokes this idea of performance is often more virtual than actual. ‘Vane’ sounds not just like a combination of Oswald's two source recordings (Carly Simon's and Faster Pussycat's versions of ‘You're So Vain’), but like a new technological entity: Oswald's manipulations of his source material result in sounds that are decidedly ‘of the machine’, even as they invite us to sing along with Carly Simon's and Faster Pussycat's performances. We enter into a complex network of references between the performances represented in the original recordings and this new, virtual performance – the performance, ultimately, of a sounding cyborg.
Contextual incongruity and musical congruity: the aesthetics and humour of mash-ups
Authors: Brøvig-Hanssen Ragnhild , Harkins Paul
Published: February 2012

The academic literature on mash-ups has been dominated by discussions about issues relating to their illegal nature and infringement of copyright. We aim to appraise this musical style with a socio-musicological approach to focus on its aesthetics. We argue that mash-ups are characterised by two underlying principles, namely contextual incongruity of recognisable samples and musical congruity between the mashed tracks. Through our close analyses of The Evolution Control Committee's ‘The Whipped Cream Mixes’ and Danger Mouse's The Grey Album, we describe how contextual incongruity often creates a humorous effect, which explains why many listeners react with smiles and laughter when hearing a new mash-up. In successful mash-ups, the combination of musical congruity and contextual incongruity results in the paradoxical response: ‘these two songs should definitely not work together … but they do!’
Fandom as a religious form: on the reception of pop music by Cliff Richard fans in Liverpool
Authors: Löbert Anja
Published: February 2012

Using the example of Cliff Richard fans, this article investigates to what extent the rites and rituals exercised in fandom can be regarded as representations of a religious form as understood by the French sociologist Émile Durkheim inThe Elementary Forms of Religious Life.Because empirical research has established its significance, the pop concert experience and its echoing effects are used as a starting point to explore the thesis that fans draw and cultivate a distinction between a profane and a sacred domain in their lives. These suggestions are further enriched by Randall Collins' and Gabriele Mordt's analyses of passions. This article adopts their concept of the sacred object as a passion-preserving device. In addition, the argument of popular music scholar Daniel Cavicchi (based on Bruce Springsteen fans) is taken one step further. Finally, I suggest a typology of fan experience that differentiates between primary interaction ritual, secondary interaction ritual, the cult of the individual and special rites.
Magnetotelluric imaging of fluid processes at the subduction interface of the Hikurangi margin, New Zealand
Authors: Heise Wiebke , Caldwell T. Grant , Hill Graham J. , Bennie Stewart L. , Wallin Erin , Bertrand Edward A.
Published: February 2012

The subduction interface beneath the northern part of the Hikurangi subduction margin on the east coast of New Zealand's North Island is exceptionally shallow and cool compared with other margins where slow slip has been observed. Here we use magnetotelluric data to show that a marked decrease in the conductivity of the fore‐arc sediments coincides with the onset of seismicity at ∼10 km depth. Below the sediments, a dipping band of seismicity and intermediate conductivity at the subduction interface connects to a deeper more conductive zone above the down‐going plate. This deeper conductive zone is interpreted to be under‐plated sediments. These results and results from previous seismic tomography in the area suggest that the intermediate resistivity zone represents a region of upward fluid transport near the plate interface followed by fluid escape into the upper‐plate.
Contributions of gamma‐ray spectrometry to terrestrial impact crater studies: The example of Serra da Cangalha, northeastern Brazil
Authors: Vasconcelos Marcos Alberto R. , Leite Emilson P. , Crósta Alvaro P.
Published: February 2012

Several geophysical methods have been used for decades for the identification and exploration of impact craters. Most of them are based on seismic, potential fields and electrical data, focusing on exploration of anomalies caused by changes in physical properties or by structures associated with the formation of the crater. Gamma‐ray spectrometry is usually not mentioned among the geophysical methods employed in crater studies, although it is known that impact cratering processes cause a number of physical/chemical changes in the country rocks. These changes include the remobilization of hydrothermal fluids which directly modify the composition of target rocks and, subsidiarily, of soils related to these rocks. Therefore, the distribution of radioactive elementsK, Th and Uhas the potential to map such modifications. We present the analysis of gamma‐ray signatures at the Serra da Cangalha impact structure, located in northeastern Brazil, using methods for enhancingKanomalies and also the overall gamma‐ray signatures. These results provide valuable information on the distinct zones within the crater and might contribute to the understanding of hydrothermal enrichment processes produced as a result of the impact event.
Is Titan's shape caused by its meteorology and carbon cycle?
Authors: Choukroun M. , Sotin C.
Published: February 2012

Titan's shape is characterized by a difference between the long equatorial radius and the polar radius that is several hundred meters larger than that predicted by the flattening due to its spin rate. The North polar region is covered by large mare filled with hydrocarbons, including ethane. Moreover global circulation models predict ethane precipitation on the polar areas. This study shows that the shape of Titan can be explained by the subsidence associated with the substitution of methane with ethane‐rich liquids percolating into the crust which, as suggested by evolution models, may be composed of methane clathrate hydrates. Such substitutions have been observed in laboratory experiments. This process would provide an additional methane source as required for sustaining the presence of this constituent in Titan's atmosphere through its history. A 270 m subsidence of the polar caps is explained by the circulation of 1.5 to 6 × 1018kg of ethane in the top three kilometers of an initially methane‐clathrate crust. This process would have operated during the last 300–1200 Myr at the present ethane production rate.
Direct evidence for decomposition of antigorite under shock loading
Authors: Sekine Toshimori , Meng Chuanmin , Zhu Wenjun , He Hongliang
Published: February 2012

Detailed wave profiles of antigorite (a serpentine mineral) under plate‐impact shock loading have been measured to a pressure of 131 GPa in order to understand its dynamic behavior because serpentine is present in pristine meteorites as well as in the Earth mantle. All the profiles indicate single wave structures, and a sudden decrease in density was detected at ∼60 GPa with increasing pressure when shock‐loaded for a long duration (∼0.6 μs) using a thick flyer. Such a drop in density also was observed during recompression by a high‐impedance window material (LiF). Although exothermic decomposition is generally considered to be fast, the decomposition of antigorite under shock loading requires a reaction time so that the Hugoniot may represent a metastable state at which stable phase cannot appear in a timely way. Based on these observations, antigorite decomposes exothermically into an assemblage of either brucite + stishovite + periclase or brucite + perovskite above a shock pressure of 60 GPa, but does not dehydrate endothermically into assemblages with water fluid. The observed dynamic behavior of serpentine, coupled with the previous results of the shock‐recovered serpentines, reinforces that serpentine plays a key role to carry water within the snowline of the solar system.
Tracer‐based estimation of secondary organic carbon in the Pearl River Delta, south China
Authors: Ding Xiang , Wang Xin‐Ming , Gao Bo , Fu Xiao‐Xin , He Quan‐Fu , Zhao Xiu‐Ying , Yu Jian‐Zhen , Zheng Mei
Published: February 2012

Fine particles (PM2.5) were collected using filter‐based high‐volume samplers during summer‐winter 2008 at a rural site in the central Pearl River Delta (PRD), south China, to determine typical secondary organic aerosol (SOA) tracers from significant biogenic (isoprene, monoterpenes, and sesquiterpenes) and anthropogenic (aromatics) precursors. Average isoprene SOA tracers were significantly higher during summer (126 ng m−3) than during fall‐winter (25.1 ng m−3), owing largely to the higher isoprene emission and reaction rates in summer. Average monoterpene SOA tracers during summer (11.6 ng m−3) and fall‐winter (16.4 ng m−3) showed much less difference compared to isoprene SOA tracers, probably resulting from the counteracting effects of temperature on the precursor emission/tracer formation and on gas/particle partitioning. The concentrations of the aromatics' SOA tracer (2,3‐dihydroxy‐4‐oxopentanoic acid) ranged from 1.70 to 52.0 ng m−3 with an average of 15.1 ng m−3, which was the highest reported in ambient air. The secondary organic carbon (SOC) estimated by the SOA‐tracer method averaged 3.07 μg C m−3 in summer and 2.00 μg C m−3 in fall‐winter, contributing 38.4% and 8.7% to OC, respectively. During summer, aromatics‐SOC and isoprene‐SOC reached 2.25 ± 1.5 μg C m−3 and 0.64 ± 0.7 μg C m−3 and accounted for 76% and 18% of the estimated SOC, respectively, while during fall‐winter, aromatics‐SOC (1.64 ± 1.4 μg C m−3) was dominant with a share of 79% in total estimated SOC. These results indicated that anthropogenic aromatics were dominant SOC precursors in the highly industrialized and urbanized PRD region. During summer, SOC levels estimated by elemental carbon (EC) tracer method were not only consistent with but also correlated well with those by SOA‐tracer method. During fall‐winter, however, SOC by SOA‐tracer method was only about one third of that by EC‐tracer method. Their gaps were significantly correlated with the biomass burning tracer levoglucosan, indicating that input from biomass burning emission with very high ratios of OC/EC during fall‐winter would result in an overestimate of SOC by EC‐tracer method. Therefore cautions should be taken when estimating SOC by EC‐tracer method, especially when biomass burning exhibits significant influences.
Soluble chromophores in marine snow, seawater, sea ice and frost flowers near Barrow, Alaska
Authors: Beine Harry , Anastasio Cort , Domine Florent , Douglas Thomas , Barret Manuel , France James , King Martin , Hall Sam , Ullmann Kirk
Published: February 2012

We measured light absorption in 42 marine snow, sea ice, seawater, brine, and frost flower samples collected during the OASIS field campaign between February 27 and April 15, 2009. Samples represented multiple sites between landfast ice and open pack ice in coastal areas approximately 5 km west of Barrow, Alaska. The chromophores that are most commonly measured in snow, H2O2, NO3−, and NO2−, on average account for less than 1% of sunlight absorption in our samples. Instead, light absorption is dominated by unidentified “residual” species, likely organic compounds. Light absorption coefficients for the frost flowers on first‐year sea ice are, on average, 40 times larger than values for terrestrial snow samples at Barrow, suggesting very large rates of photochemical reactions in frost flowers. For our marine samples the calculated rates of sunlight absorption and OH production from known chromophores are (0.1–1.4) × 1014 (photons cm−3 s−1) and (5–70) × 10−12 (mol L−1 s−1), respectively. Our residual spectra are similar to spectra of marine chromophoric dissolved organic matter (CDOM), suggesting that CDOM is the dominant chromophore in our samples. Based on our light absorption measurements we estimate dissolved organic carbon (DOC) concentrations in Barrow seawater and frost flowers as approximately 130 and 360 μM C, respectively. We expect that CDOM is a major source of OH in our marine samples, and it is likely to have other significant photochemistry as well.
Critical shear stress for incipient motion of a particle on a rough bed
Authors: Lee Hyungoo , Balachandar S.
Published: February 2012

The main objectives of the present study are to obtain improved models of hydrodynamic forces and torque on a particle sitting on a bed and to use these models for the investigation of incipient motion and resuspension of particles. The improved models for force and torque are obtained from numerical simulations of a particle sitting on a bed with a turbulent flow of logarithmic mean velocity profile approaching the particle. Since the mean turbulent velocity profile can depart from the logarithmic profile in case of macroscale rough beds or flow down steep slopes, we have also considered forces and torque on a particle due to both linear and uniform mean flow profiles. The computed drag and lift coefficients and the predicted critical shear stress for incipient particle motion and resuspension are compared against available experimental results. The improved force and torque models are also used to evaluate the effect of turbulent velocity fluctuations on the critical shear stress for incipient motion and resuspension. The present results are of direct relevance to cases where the particle is mostly exposed to the ambient flow. In cases where the particle protrusion is small and is submerged mostly within a pocket of other particles, the above formulation can be used with a redefined area of exposure and flow velocity seen by the particle. However, the drag, lift, and torque coefficients and the resisting forces will be influenced by the partial exposure and the details of pocket geometry, which require further investigation.