bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Pyrolysis kinetics of raw/hydrothermally carbonized lignocellulosic biomass
Authors: Yan Wei , Islam Schinthia , Coronella Charles J. , Vásquez Victor R.
Published: March 2012

Pyrolysis of lignocellulosic biomass was performed in a thermogravimetric analyzer at temperature ranging 105 to 800°C at the heating rates of 5, 10, and 20°C min−1. Samples of raw loblolly pine and hydrothermally carbonized loblolly pine were used as feedstocks in pyrolysis study. Thermogravimetric experiments showed that more significant decomposition occurred in the pyrolysis of raw biomass compared with hydrothermally carbonized biomass, so that the raw biomass displayed a much higher volatile content and lower fixed carbon content. Derivative thermogravimetry also showed that one major decomposition reaction took place at a specific heating rate for two biomass feedstocks. Assuming that the decomposition obeys first‐order kinetics, kinetic parameters of biomass pyrolysis were determined using two methods proposed by Kissinger and Ozawa, respectively. Both methods gave analogous values of activation energy for raw and hydrothermally carbonized biomass. This study gave further confirmation that the hydrothermal carbonization (HTC) process transforms lignocellulosic biomass into an intermediate feedstock with favorable properties for thermochemical applications. © 2012 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Environ Prog, 2012
Biomass gasification with circle draft® process
Authors: Faussone Gian Claudio
Published: March 2012

Gasification seems to be a promising technology for small scale power generation, but while coal gasification has a long history and many facilities operate the process successfully, biomass hasn't the same success. Biomass gasifiers are usually based on “down draft” or “up draft” configuration and are not able to guarantee good quality syngas. Besides, they require very dry and selected feedstock, and the gas' cleaning process is usually very difficult and complex. Fluidized‐bed gasifiers are also very promising but they require feedstock's preparation in terms of size and moisture and they are quite complex to operate in comparison to “down draft” or “up draft” configurations. In order to overcome these limitations INSER has developed a new gasification system, air blown and not pressurized: the “Circle Draft®.” © 2012 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Environ Prog, 2012
Application of a three‐compartment model as a tool to understand the partition of 17α‐ethinylestradiol in mixed liquor systems
Authors: Serrano D. , Omil F. , Lema J.M. , Patureau D.
Published: March 2012

A new methodology previously used to study partitioning of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (4.2 > log Kow > 6.6) in complex heterogeneous systems such as mixed liquor in bioreactors was applied to the synthetic hormone 17α‐ethinylestradiol (EE2), that is an organic micropollutant commonly present in sewage. This model considers the mixed liquor as a three‐compartment matrix, in which the pollutant coexists in three states: freely dissolved, sorbed to particles, and sorbed to dissolved and colloidal matter (DCM). In this way, it is possible to gain a better knowledge about the affinity of the pollutant for all these phases, through the determination of equilibrium constants Kpart and KDCM. According to the results, the measured partition coefficients related to EE2 are in the range of 315–439 L/kg (log Kd 2.5–2.64). The values of Kpart and KDCM determined by this model were 384 L/kg and 45 L/kg, respectively, which indicate that EE2 tends to sorb mainly on particles, while the affinity for DCM is poor. © 2012 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Environ Prog, 32: 257‐262, 2013
Pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors: A comprehensive review
Authors: Zhou Chenfei , Zhang Jun , Zheng Ying , Zhu Zhenggang
Published: March 2012

Pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (NETs) are a heterogeneous group of tumors. Despite being relatively rare, representing just 1–2% of all pancreatic neoplasms, the incidence of pancreatic NET has increased over the past two decades. Although the primary treatment for localized NET is surgical resection, there is still a lack of effective therapeutic options for patients with advanced unresectable pancreatic NET. Recently, the targeted agents sunitinib malate (SUTENT®, Pfizer Inc, NYC) and everolimus (AFINITOR®, Novartis, Basel, Switzerland)—both with different mechanisms of action—received United States Food and Drug Administration approval for the treatment of progressive, well‐differentiated, pancreatic NET in patients with unresectable, locally advanced or metastatic disease. SUTENT® also received approval for this indication by the European Commission in 2010. Our article presents an overview of pancreatic NET, with a focus on their diagnostic work‐up, clinical presentation and treatment options. Topics for further investigation of targeted therapy are also discussed.
EVER DECREASING CIRCLES: THE EMPIRICAL, THEORETICAL AND (EVEN) IDEOLOGICAL PROBLEMS WITH CROSS‐STATE REGRESSION ANALYSIS IN INDIA
Authors: McCartney Matthew
Published: March 2012

This paper is concerned with the analysis of growth using cross‐country/ state growth regressions. The paper uses the example of state level growth in India and a case study of the growth experience of the state of Kerala in the 1990s. In practise empirical results using cross‐country/ state growth regressions remain disappointing. Orthodox analysis tends to stop with the assumption that it is only an empirical problem. This paper goes on to show that there are also theoretical and finally methodological–ideological problems why empirical results are poor. Each successive problem is engaged with by fewer and fewer researchers. In conclusion, this paper makes a case for the greater use of country case studies. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Implementation of a finite‐difference micromagnetic model on GPU hardware
Authors: Vansteenkiste Arne , de Wiele Ben Van , Dupré Luc , Waeyenberge Bartel Van , Zutter Daniël De
Published: March 2012

We have developed a micromagnetic simulator for graphical processing units (GPU), using the CUDA framework. In this paper, we discuss the optimization of the effective field calculation, both from a mathematical and from a hardware‐specific point of view. By using a finite‐difference discretization scheme, the long‐range magnetostatic field can be calculated using fast Fourier transforms, an approach well suited for the GPU. We show how the implementation can be tuned to the GPU hardware and how the performance can be further increased by dealing with the large number of zeros that typically occurs in the micromagnetic field computation. Additionally, we show how the ferromagnetic exchange interaction can be readily included in the magnetostatic field calculation without any additional computational cost. The resulting high‐performance software can be used to run large‐scale simulations that would have been very time‐consuming on regular CPU hardware. As an example, we present a case study on the de‐pinning of domain walls in racetrack memory devices. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Quantifying the residual effects of ENSO on low‐frequency variability in the tropical Pacific
Authors: Choi Jung , An Soon‐Il
Published: March 2012

The asymmetry of El Niño‐La Niña, one of the well‐known characteristics of the El Niño‐Southern Oscillation (ENSO), is suggested to produce a non‐zero residual effect that could rectify the background state, and thereby generates the low‐frequency variability in the tropical Pacific. So far, this rectification effect has been hardly quantified apart from the low‐frequency variability because the low‐frequency variability captured via conventional methods represents the mixture of both the residual effects of ENSO and the no‐ENSO‐related natural decadal variability. Here we separate the residual effects of ENSO from the natural decadal variability that appears in four historical sea surface temperature datasets during the last century by applying a long‐term moving average. A significant correlation between the computed residual effect and the decadal change in the ENSO skewness (i.e. the measure of the El Niño‐La Niña asymmetry) confirmed the applicability of our computational method. Quantitatively, the residual effects of ENSO consistently account for at least 15% of the total low‐frequency variability in four datasets, especially over the eastern and central tropical Pacific. This implies that the asymmetry of ENSO enhances the tropical Pacific decadal variability for the last century. Copyright © 2012 Royal Meteorological Society
Synthesis and Thermomechanical Properties of Stereo Triblock Polylactides With Nonequivalent Block Compositions
Authors: Masutani Kazunari , Lee Chan Woo , Kimura Yoshiharu
Published: March 2012

ABA stereo triblock polylactides consisting of PLLA and PDLA are prepared by two‐step ROP of L‐ and D‐lactides. In the first step, PDLA prepolymers with bishydroxyl terminals are prepared that are then used as macroinitiators in the ROP of L‐lactide to obtain the target t‐sb‐PLAs with different block compositions. The resultant t‐sb‐PLAs with nonequivalent PLLA/PDLA compositions form stereocomplex crystals without homochiral crystallization. Their sc crystallinity and thermomechanical properties are dramatically improved by enantiomeric adjustment of PLLA‐rich t‐sb‐PLAs with PDLA‐rich t‐sb‐PLAs having complementary PLLA/PDLA composition.
Fully‐Branched Hyperbranched Polymers with a Diselenide Core as Glutathione Peroxidase Mimics
Authors: Fu Yu , Chen Junyi , Xu Huaping , Van Oosterwijck Chantal , Zhang Xi , Dehaen Wim , Smet Mario
Published: March 2012

A novel glutathione peroxidase (GPx) mimic has been prepared by incorporation of a selenium‐based catalytic unit into the focal point of a fully‐branched hyperbranched polymer. First, an AB2 monomer consisting of isatin and an electron rich aromatic moiety was polycondensed in the presence of 5‐nitroisatin as a core reagent, resulting in a polymer with 100% degree of branching. The latter was coupled to the catalytically active moiety, Br(CH2)5SeSe(CH2)5Br, by nucleophilic substitution of the bromides by the residual amide groups of the incorporated nitroisatin core. The obtained polymer has demonstrated prominent GPx activity as desired, which could be attributed to the hydrophobic, densely branched and core‐shell structure of the polymer surrounding the catalytic center.
Preparation of Micron‐Sized Monodisperse Poly(ionic liquid) Particles
Authors: Tokuda Masayoshi , Minami Hideto , Mizuta Yusuke , Yamagami Tomoe
Published: March 2012

Micron‐sized monodisperse poly(ionic liquid) (PIL) particles, poly([2‐(methacryloyloxy)ethyl]trimethylammonium bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)amide), were prepared by dispersion polymerization at 70 °C in methanol with poly(vinylpyrrolidone) as a stabilizer. The obtained particle size could be controlled by addition of ethanol to the methanol medium while maintaining narrow monodispersity. The PIL particles exhibit unique properties; they can be observed by scanning electron microscopy without platinum coating, which is generally used to avoid an electron charge. Moreover, the solubility of the PIL particles can be easily changed by changing the counter anion, similar to the process for ionic liquids.
Conversion of Phenolic Constituents in Aqueous Hamamelis virginiana Leaf Extracts During Fermentation
Authors: Duckstein Sarina M. , Lorenz Peter , Stintzing Florian C.
Published: March 2012

Introduction

Hamamelis virginiana, known for its high level of tannins and other phenolics is widely used for treatment of dermatological disorders. Although reports on hydroalcoholic and aqueous extracts from Hamamelis leaf and bark exist, knowledge on fermented leaf preparations and the underlying conversion processes are still scant.

Objective

Aqueous Hamamelis leaf extracts were monitored during fermentation and maturation in order to obtain an insight into the bioconversion of tannins and other phenolics.

Methodology

Aliquots taken during the production period were investigated by HPLC‐DAD‐MS/MS as well as GC‐MS after derivatisation into the corresponding trimethylsilyl compounds.

Results

In Hamamelis leaf extracts, the main constituents exhibited changes during the observational period of 6 months. By successive depside bond cleavage, the gallotannins were completely transformed into gallic acid after 1 month. Although not completely, kaempferol and quercetin glycosides were also converted during 6 months to yield their corresponding aglycones. Following C‐ring fission, phloroglucinol was formed from the A‐ring of both flavonols. The B‐ring afforded 3‐hydroxybenzoic acid from quercetin and 3,4‐dihydroxybenzoic acid as well as 2‐(4‐hydroxyphenyl)‐ethanol from kaempferol. Interestingly, hydroxycinnamic acids remained almost stable in the same time range.

Conclusion

The present study broadens the knowledge on conversion processes in aqueous fermented extracts containing tannins, flavonol glycosides and hydroxycinnamic acids. In particular, the analogy between the microbial metabolism of phenolics from fermented Hamamelis extracts, fermented sourdough by heterofermentative lactic acid bacteria or conversion of phenolics by the human microbial flora is indicated. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Improvement of thermal properties of biodegradable polymer poly(3‐hydroxybutyrate) by modification with acryloyloxyethyl isocyanate
Authors: Chen Bor‐Kuan , Lo Shuen‐Hung , Shih Chien‐Chang , Artemov Arseny V.
Published: March 2012

Poly(3‐hydroxybutyrate) (PHB) is one type of polyhydroxyalkanoates often used as a biomedical material due to its biodegradable and biocompatible nature. However, the mechanical and thermal properties of PHB must be improved before it can be used in a wider variety of biomedical applications. To improve the thermal properties of biodegradable PHB, various reaction conditions were studied. Results demonstrate that reacting PHB with acryloyloxyethyl isocyanate (AOI), a monomer with dual functional groups, produces a modified PHB material with markedly improved thermal properties. The 10% thermal decomposition temperature for PHB modified with 5% AOI was 297°C, which was 26.8°C higher than original PHB. The Tg also increased from 4°C to around 30°C for AOI‐modified materials. Additionally, due to the poly(ester‐urethane) structure and hydrogen bonding of polymer materials, the mechanical properties also improved. Thus, this modified PHB biodegradable polymer may have greater application as a biomedical material due to its enhanced thermal and mechanical properties. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 2012. © 2012 Society of Plastics Engineers
Biodegradation of elastin‐like polypeptide nanoparticles
Authors: Shah Mihir , Hsueh Pang‐Yu , Sun Guoyong , Chang Ho Yon , Janib Siti M. , MacKay J. Andrew
Published: March 2012

Protein polymers are repetitive polypeptides produced by ribosomal biosynthetic pathways; furthermore, they offer emerging opportunities in drug and biopharmaceutical delivery. As for any polymer, biodegradation is one of the most important determinants affecting how a protein polymer can be utilized in the body. This study was designed to characterize the proteolytic biodegradation for a library of protein polymers derived from the human tropoelastin, the Elastin‐like polypeptides (ELPs). ELPs are of particular interest for controlled drug delivery because they reversibly transition from soluble to insoluble above an inverse phase transition temperature (Tt). More recently, ELP block copolymers have been developed that can assemble into micelles; however, it remains unclear if proteases can act on these ELP nanoparticles. For the first time, we demonstrate that ELP nanoparticles can be degraded by two model proteases and that comparable proteolysis occurs after cell uptake into a transformed culture of murine hepatocytes. Both elastase and collagenase endopeptidases can proteolytically degrade soluble ELPs. To our surprise, the ELP phase transition was protective against collagenase but not to elastase activity. These findings enhance our ability to predict how ELPs will biodegrade in different physiological microenvironments and are essential to develop protein polymers into biopharmaceuticals.
Stimulation, Segregation and Scandal: Geographies of Prostitution Regulation in British India, between Registration (1888) and Suppression (1923)
Authors: LEGG STEPHEN
Published: March 2012

This paper explores the regulation of prostitution in colonial India between the abolition of the Indian Contagious Diseases Act in 1888 and the passing of the first Suppression of Immoral Traffic Act in 1923. It challenges the commonly held assumption that prostitutes naturally segregated themselves in Indian cities, and shows that this was a policy advocated by the Government of India. The object was to prevent the military visiting these segregated areas, in the absence of effective Cantonment Regulations for registering, inspecting, and treating prostitutes. The central government stimulated provincial segregation through expressing its desires via demi-official memoranda and confidential correspondence, to which Rangoon and Bombay responded most willingly. The second half of the paper explores the conditions, in both India and Ceylon, that made these segregated areas into scandalous sites in the early twentieth century. It situates the brothel amongst changing beliefs that they: increased rather than decreased incidents of homosexuality; stimulated trafficking in women and children; and encouraged the spread of scandalous white prostitutes ‘up-country’, beyond their tolerated location in coastal cosmopolitan ports. Taken alongside demands that the state support social reform in the early twentieth century, segregation provided the tipping point for the shift towards suppression from 1917 onwards. It also illustrates the scalar shifts in which central-local relations, and relations between provinces, in government were being negotiated in advance of the dyarchy system formalized in 1919.
The impact of verb form, sentence position, home language, and second language proficiency on subject–verb agreement in child second language Dutch
Authors: BLOM ELMA , BAAYEN HARALD R.
Published: March 2012

It has been argued that children learning a second language (L2) omit agreement inflection because of communication demands. The conclusion of these studies is that L2 children know the morphological and syntactic properties of agreement inflection, but sometimes insert an inflectional default form (i.e., the bare verb) in production. The present study focuses on factors that explain errors with subject–verb agreement in the speech of children learning Dutch as their L2. Analyses of experimentally obtained production data from 4- to 9-year-old L2 children reveal that verb form, sentence position, home language, and L2 proficiency determine accuracy with subject–verb agreement in the L2. Most errors were omissions of inflection, in line with the above hypothesis. However, in more exceptional contexts, the children also substituted verb forms, which is more difficult to reconcile with the claim that L2 children's errors reflect insertion of a default form.
Comprehension of reflexive and personal pronouns in children with autism: A syntactic or pragmatic deficit?
Authors: PEROVIC ALEXANDRA , MODYANOVA NADYA , WEXLER KEN
Published: March 2012

Although pragmatic deficits are well documented in autism, little is known about the extent to which grammatical knowledge in this disorder is deficient, or merely delayed when compared to that of typically developing children functioning at similar linguistic or cognitive levels. This study examines the knowledge of constraints on the interpretation of personal and reflexive pronouns, an aspect of grammar not previously investigated in autism, and known to be subject to differential developmental schedules in unimpaired development. Fourteen children with autism (chronological age = 6–17 years,M= 11) showed some difficulties comprehending personal pronouns, no different from those observed in two groups of younger controls matched on nonverbal IQ or receptive grammar, but in line with the reported pragmatic deficits and general language delay in this population. However, their interpretation of reflexives was significantly worse than that of the control children. This pattern is not evidenced at any stage of typical development, revealing an impaired grammatical knowledge in our sample of children with autism, and is argued not to be due to a general language delay or cognitive deficits.
A quantitative rigidity result for the cubic-to-tetragonal phase transition in the geometrically linear theory with interfacial energy
Authors: Capella Antonio , Otto Felix
Published: March 2012

We are interested in the cubic-to-tetragonal phase transition in a shape memory alloy. We consider geometrically linear elasticity. In this framework, Dolzmann and Müller have shown that the only stress-free configurations are (locally) twins (i.e. laminates of just two of the three martensitic variants). However, configurations with arbitrarily small elastic energy are not necessarily close to these twins. The formation of a microstructure allows all three martensitic variants to be mixed at arbitrary volume fractions. We take an interfacial energy into account and establish a (local) lower bound on elastic plus interfacial energy in terms of the martensitic volume fractions. The introduction of an interfacial energy introduces a length scale and, thus, together with the linear dimensions of the sample, a non-dimensional parameter. Our lower Ansatz-free bound has optimal scaling in this parameter. It is the scaling predicted by a reduced model introduced and analysed by Kohn and Müller with the purpose of describing the microstructure near an interface between austenite and twinned martensite. The optimal construction features branching of the martensitic twins when approaching this interface.
Schemas, tags and inhibition
Authors: GREEN DAVID W.
Published: March 2012

The commentators raise many important issues and suggest fruitful lines of development. I thank all of them for their efforts. My paper focused on how bilingual speakers control the lexico-semantic system rather than on the nature of that system. It glossed over the processes of word recognition (Carr, Dijkstra) and considered only cursorily issues such as the mapping of thought into language (Schreuder & Hermans), the role of conceptual activation in lemma selection (Kroll & Michael) and the range and nature of the semantic relationships between words (Schreuder & Hermans, Treffers-Daller, Li). I will comment on these matters as I address three concerns about the proposed control processes: (1) the nature of schemas and their role in control (Carr, de Groot, Dijkstra); (2) the notion of a tag: its psychological reality (Li, Treffers-Daller), its relationship to a language node (Dijkstra) and its role in selection (Carr); and (3) the question of inhibition as the general means of lemma selection (Carr, de Groot, Roelofs).
Direct and semi‐direct radiative effects of absorbing aerosols in Europe: Results from a regional model
Authors: Meier J. , Tegen I. , Heinold B. , Wolke R.
Published: March 2012

The influence of absorbing aerosol on atmospheric conditions in Europe is simulated for a summer and a winter period with a regional model. Depending on the fraction of elemental carbon the effects of radiation are determined. Absorbing aerosol increases the average solar heating rate for the summer case by 2.5 × 10−6–4.4 × 10−6 K s−1(20%–46%) within the boundary layer. Due to the heating by absorbing substances an average decrease of the total cloud cover (summer: 1.0%, winter: 0.7%) is found. This semi‐direct radiative effect causes mainly positive forcing near the surface and at the top‐of‐atmosphere (TOA). Significant negative correlations (summer: −0.7, winter: −0.4) between the aerosol optical depth and the direct radiative forcing (DRF) are determined at the surface. At the TOA the DRF pattern is influenced by the surface albedo and the cloud fraction. A general decrease of 2m temperatures is simulated when using absorbing aerosol compared to an aerosol‐free troposphere (summer: −0.14 K, winter: −0.10 K) over land surface.
Updated Energy Budgets for Neural Computation in the Neocortex and Cerebellum
Authors: Howarth Clare , Gleeson Padraig , Attwell David
Published: March 2012

The brain's energy supply determines its information processing power, and generates functional imaging signals. The energy use on the different subcellular processes underlying neural information processing has been estimated previously for the grey matter of the cerebral and cerebellar cortex. However, these estimates need reevaluating following recent work demonstrating that action potentials in mammalian neurons are much more energy efficient than was previously thought. Using this new knowledge, this paper provides revised estimates for the energy expenditure on neural computation in a simple model for the cerebral cortex and a detailed model of the cerebellar cortex. In cerebral cortex, most signaling energy (50%) is used on postsynaptic glutamate receptors, 21% is used on action potentials, 20% on resting potentials, 5% on presynaptic transmitter release, and 4% on transmitter recycling. In the cerebellar cortex, excitatory neurons use 75% and inhibitory neurons 25% of the signaling energy, and most energy is used on information processing by non-principal neurons: Purkinje cells use only 15% of the signaling energy. The majority of cerebellar signaling energy use is on the maintenance of resting potentials (54%) and postsynaptic receptors (22%), while action potentials account for only 17% of the signaling energy use.
Surface properties of the polarizable Baranyai-Kiss water model
Authors: Kiss Péter , Darvas Mária , Baranyai András , Jedlovszky Pál
Published: March 2012

The water surface properties using the Baranyai-Kiss (BK) model [A. Baranyai and P. T. Kiss, J. Chem. Phys. 133, 144109 (2010)] are studied by molecular dynamics simulation, and compared to popular rigid water potentials, namely to the extended simple point charge (SPC/E) and the transferable interaction potential with 4 points (TIP4P) models. The BK potential is a polarizable model of water with three Gaussian charges. The negative charge is connected to its field-free position by a classical harmonic spring, and mechanical equilibrium is established between this spring force and the force due to the charge distribution of the system. The aim of this study is, on the one hand, to test the surface properties of the new model, and on the other hand, to identify differences between the models listed above. The obtained results reveal that the BK model reproduces very well a number of properties corresponding to liquid-vapor equilibrium, such as the coexisting liquid and vapor densities, saturated vapor pressure or surface tension. Further, this model reproduces excellently the critical point of water even in comparison with a large number of widely used polarizable and nonpolarizable models. The structural properties of the liquid surface of BK water turns out to be very similar to that of the SPC/E model, while the surface of TIP4P water is found to be somewhat less ordered. This finding is related to the fact that the critical temperature of the TIP4P model is lower than that of either SPC/E or BK.
On interfacial tension calculation from the test-area methodology in the grand canonical ensemble
Authors: Míguez J. M. , Piñeiro M. M. , Moreno-Ventas Bravo A. I. , Blas F. J.
Published: March 2012

We propose the extension of the test-area methodology, originally proposed to evaluate the surface tension of planar fluid-fluid interfaces along a computer simulation in the canonical ensemble, to deal with the solid-fluid interfacial tension of systems adsorbed on slitlike pores using the grand canonical ensemble. In order to check the adequacy of the proposed extension, we apply the method for determining the density profiles and interfacial tension of spherical molecules adsorbed in slitlike pore with different pore sizes and solid-fluid dispersive energy parameters along the same simulation. We also calculate the solid-fluid interfacial tension using the original test-area method in the canonical ensemble. Agreement between the results obtained from both methods indicate that both methods are fully equivalent. The advantage of the new methodology is that allows to calculate simultaneously the density profiles and the amount of molecules adsorbed onto a slitlike pore, as well as the solid-fluid interfacial tension. This ensures that the chemical potential at which all properties are evaluated during the simulation is exactly the same since simulations can be performed in the grand canonical ensemble, mimicking the conditions at which the adsorption experiments are most usually carried out in the laboratory.
Electron scattering by methanol and ethanol: A joint theoretical-experimental investigation
Authors: Lee M.-T. , de Souza G. L. C. , Machado L. E. , Brescansin L. M. , dos Santos A. S. , Lucchese R. R. , Sugohara R. T. , Homem M. G. P. , Sanches I. P. , Iga I.
Published: March 2012

We present a joint theoretical-experimental study on electron scattering by methanol (CH3OH) and ethanol (C2H5OH) in a wide energy range. Experimental differential, integral and momentum-transfer cross sections for elastic electron scattering by ethanol are reported in the 100–1000 eV energy range. The experimental angular distributions of the energy-selected electrons are measured and converted to absolute cross sections using the relative flow technique. Moreover, elastic, total, and total absorption cross sections for both alcohols are calculated in the 1–500 eV energy range. A complex optical potential is used to represent the dynamics of the electron-alcohol interaction, whereas the scattering equations are solved iteratively using the Padé’s approximant technique. Our calculated data agree well with those obtained using the Schwinger multichannel method at energies up to 20 eV. Discrepancies at high energies indicate the importance of absorption effects, included in our calculations. In general, the comparison between our theoretical and experimental results, as well as with other experimental data available in the literature, also show good agreement. Nevertheless, the discrepancy between the theoretical and experimental total cross sections at low incident energies suggests that the experimental cross sections measured using the transmission technique for polar targets should be reviewed.
Modulation of electron trajectories inside a filament for single-scan coherent terahertz wave detection
Authors: Clough Benjamin , Karpowicz Nicholas , Zhang X.-C.
Published: March 2012

A synthesized fundamental optical beam and its second harmonic laser field is phase modulated to dynamically reshape the electron momentum distribution inside an air-plasma filament. The net electron motion becomes a combination of the initial laser “kick,” from the remaining optical field, and the terahertz field present at the time of its ionization. The time dependent Schrödinger equation is solved to map the net electron velocity distribution as the phase between the two color beams is changed, and single-scan coherent terahertz wave detection through air-plasma fluorescence is experimentally demonstrated.
Micromagnetic analysis of switching and domain structure in amorphous metallic nanowires
Authors: Stoleriu Laurentiu , Pinzaru Ciprian , Stancu Alexandru
Published: March 2012

This paper describes a comprehensive micromagnetic model for the observed complex magnetic domains structures in amorphous wires with positive and negative magnetostriction with or without a glass cover. Many experimental studies and theoretical analysis have suggested several typical domain structures. We show the results of micromagnetic simulations that cover many of these observed data using a single set of physical hypotheses.
A Combined Voltammetric and Synchrotron Radiation-Grazing Incidence X-ray Diffraction Study of the Electrocrystallization of Zinc Tetracyanoquinodimethane
Authors: Veder Jean-Pierre , Nafady Ayman , Clarke Graeme , De Marco Roland , Bond Alan M.
Published: March 2012

The in situ electrocrystallization of zinc tetracyanoquinodimethane (TCNQ) has been explored using synchrotron radiation-grazing incidence X-ray diffraction (SR-GIXRD) at potentials in the region of the cyclic voltammetric peak where reduction of TCNQ to TCNQ– occurs at a Pt electrode in acetonitrile (0.1 M [NBu4][PF6]) solution containing Zn(NO3)2·6H2O. The in situ SR-GIXRD data along with ex situ IR and Raman spectroscopy results all confirmed the formation of the kinetically favoured phase of Zn[TCNQ]2(H2O)2 as the product.
In Situ SAXS Analysis of Interfacial Wetting on Nanorough Surfaces
Authors: Cho Jacky K. L. , Palmer Lauren A. , Wu Alex H.-F. , Liaw Irving I. , Cookson David , Lamb Robert N.
Published: March 2012

Superhydrophobic surfaces were fabricated through a nanoparticle sol-gel process in the presence of a mono-disperse latex particle. By varying precursor nanoparticle size, surfaces of varying degrees of nanoroughness but controlled macro-roughness were produced, all of which exhibited superhydrophobic properties (θwater >160°, sliding angle <10°). These were immersed in water and studied in situ using synchrotron small angle X-ray scattering where the percentage interface under wetting (in contact with liquid) was directly quantified and found to agree well with traditional Cassie equations. Wetting studies in sodium dodecyl sulphate solutions of decreasing surface tension highlighting surfaces of increased hierarchical roughness (pseudo-fractal dimension ~2.5) contained significant quantity of entrapped air even at fluid surface tensions down to 37 mN m–1.
Signal inhibition by the dual-specific phosphatase 4 impairs T cell-dependent B-cell responses with age
Authors: Yu Mingcan , Li Guangjin , Lee Won-Woo , Yuan Ming , Cui Dapeng , Weyand Cornelia M. , Goronzy Jörg J.
Published: March 2012

T cell-dependent B-cell responses decline with age, suggesting defective CD4 T-cell function. CD4 memory T cells from individuals older than 65 y displayed increased and sustained transcription of the dual-specific phosphatase 4 (DUSP4) that shortened expression of CD40-ligand (CD40L) and inducible T-cell costimulator (ICOS) (both
P
< 0.001) and decreased production of IL-4, IL-17A, and IL-21 (all
P
< 0.001) after in vitro activation. In vivo after influenza vaccination, activated CD4 T cells from elderly individuals had increased DUSP4 transcription (
P
= 0.002), which inversely correlated with the expression of CD40L (
r
= 0.65,
P
= 0.002), ICOS (
r
= 0.57,
P
= 0.008), and IL-4 (
r
= 0.66,
P
= 0.001). In CD4 KO mice reconstituted with
DUSP4
OT-II T cells, DUSP4 had a negative effect on the expansion of antigen-specific B cells (
P
= 0.003) and the production of ova-specific antibodies (
P
= 0.03) after immunization. Silencing of DUSP4 in memory CD4 T cells improved CD40L (
P
< 0.001), IL-4 (
P
= 0.007), and IL-21 (
P
= 0.04) expression significantly more in the elderly than young adults. Consequently, the ability of CD4 memory T cells to support B-cell differentiation that was impaired in the elderly (
P
= 0.004) was restored. Our data suggest that increased DUSP4 expression in activated T cells in the elderly in part accounts for defective adaptive immune responses.
Total and Abdominal Obesity Are Risk Factors for Gastroesophageal Reflux Symptoms in Children
Authors: Quitadamo Paolo , Buonavolontà Roberta , Miele Erasmo , Masi Paola , Coccorullo Paola , Staiano Annamaria
Published: March 2012

Objectives:

The association between GERD and obesity has been frequently reported in adults. Data in children are scarce and inconclusive, evaluating only general obesity. Central adiposity has never been investigated in children as a possible risk factor for GERD. The aims of the present study were to evaluate the prevalence of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) symptoms in overweight and obese children in comparison with a general normal‐weight population and whether the GERD symptoms are associated with waist circumference (WC).

Methods:

The study population consisted of 153 healthy children. A detailed clinical history and a physical examination were obtained from each patient. A questionnaire on reflux symptoms was completed by caregivers.

Results:

The reflux symptomatic score resulted significantly higher in obese than in normal‐weight children and in children with WC >90th percentile compared with those with WC <75th percentile.

Conclusions:

These preliminary data show that both total and abdominal obesity are risk factors for the development of GERD symptoms in children. The risk of GERD symptoms rises progressively with the increase in both body mass index and waist circumference, even in normal‐weight children.
Exploration on the safety assessment of nanomaterials in China
Authors: Shi Xin-Li , Wang Qiangbin , Hu Kun , Wang Xiu-Mei
Published: March 2012

More and more applications of nanomaterials have been achieved in the biomedicine field. Numerous nanomedical devices, such as bone grafts with nano-hydroxyapatite and the silver-based anti-bacteria products, have been developed and have been trying to enter into the Chinese market. The State Food and Drug Administration of China (SFDA) is facing a critical challenge of how to explore and supervise the safety assessment of the nanomedical products. This paper briefly introduces the approval status of nanomedical products and the current advances of the safety assessment of nanomaterials in China.
High prevalence of platelet autoantibodies in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus
Authors: Pujol Misericordia , Ribera Ana , Vilardell Miguel , Ordi José , Feliu Evaristo
Published: March 2012

Summary. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of platelet autoantibodies (PAA) in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and its correlation with clinical and other laboratory manifestations of the disease, as well as to evaluate the influence of platelet count and disease activity on the result of the test for PAA. Ninety SLE patients, 29 with thrombocytopenia, were evaluated. The presence of PAA was determined using the direct and indirect platelet suspension immunofluorescence test. A total of 166 PAA determinations were performed in the 90 patients upon entry into the study. Fifty‐six of the 90 patients (62%) with SLE were positive for PAA. There were no statistically significant correlations between the presence of PAA and the different disease manifestations except for thrombocytopenia (P= 0.0005). The presence of PAA in the same patient was significantly associated with current thrombocytopenia and disease activity. It was concluded that the prevalence of PAA in SLE patients is high. All SLE patients with thrombocytopenia had PAA, although some patients with PAA had a normal platelet count. The presence of PAA in SLE patients is not synonymous with thrombocytopenia but should instead be regarded as one of the multiple serological abnormalities which may develop in these patients.
Plasma clearance of transferrin in control and hypotransferrinaemic mice: implications for regulation of transferrin turnover
Authors: Raja K. B. , Simpson R. J. , Peters T. J.
Published: March 2012

Summary. Kinetic studies were performed to determine the clearance of iodinated transferrin in hypotransferrinaemic mice, as compared to normal animals. Clearance of i.v. (and i.p.) administered radiolabelled protein in homozygous (hpx/hpx) mice was significantly faster than in heterozygous (hpx/+) and wild‐type control (+/+) groups. A comparable t1/2 value for transferrin clearance in hpx/hpx mice was derived from a study in which immunoassay was performed on serum samples obtained at various times post‐injection with normal mouse serum, indicating that the clearance of 125I reflected true clearance of transferrin protein.

The clearance rate in the hpx/+ group was significantly slower than in +/+ mice. Calculation of transferring synthesis rates in these two groups suggested that transferrin levels do not regulate transferrin synthesis rates, but may affect degradation; this observation is consistent with the fact that transferrin levels in hpx/+ mice are > 50% of the values in +/+ mice, and indicates a partial compensation for reduced synthesis. The rapid clearance in hpx/hpx mice is an additional factor in determining the low levels of circulating transferrin in these synthesis‐impaired mutants.
Characterization of blasts from a patient with eosinophilic blast crisis of chronic myelogenous leukaemia
Authors: Miyamoto Toshihiro , Nagafuji Koji , Harada Mine , Yamasaki Kazuo , Shibuya Tsunefumi , Iwasaki Hiromi , Akashi Koichi , Mizuno Shin‐ichi , Eto Tetsuya , Takenaka Katsuto , Gondo Hisashi , Okamura Takashi , Niho Yoshiyuki
Published: March 2012

Summary. We investigated the biological characteristics of ‘eosinophilic’ leukaemic blasts from a patient with eosinophilic blast crisis of chronic myelogenous leukaemia (CML). Southern blot analysis of the bcr gene demonstrated the identical single rearranged band in both the leukaemic blasts and mature eosinophils. IL‐3, IL‐5 and GM‐CSF significantly enhanced proliferation and differentiation of these leukaemic blasts, and only eosinophils were generated from in vitro cultures. Those eosinophils expressed the B3A2 chimaeric messenger RNA seen in the leukaemic blasts. These observations indicate that eosinophil progenitors may be involved in the development of eosinophilic blast crisis of CML and that IL‐3, IL‐5 and GM‐CSF act on the leukaemic eosinophil progenitors.
Hypercalcaemia and increased serum interleukin‐6 levels induced by all‐trans retinoic acid in patients with multiple myeloma
Authors: Niesvizky Ruben , Siegel David S. , Busquets Xavier , Nichols Gwen , Muindi Josephia , Warrell Raymond P. , Michaeli Joseph
Published: March 2012

Summary. All‐trans retinoic acid (ATRA) inhibits human myeloma cell growth in vitro, presumably through the down‐regulation of interleukin 6 receptors (IL‐6R). Based on these and other studies, we initiated a phase II clinical trial using ATRA in patients with advanced refractory multiple myeloma (MM). We report that three out of six treated patients developed severe hypercalcaemia following administration of ATRA, which was accompanied by a significant rise in serum IL‐6 levels. Normal calcium levels were restored after the discontinuation of the drug and the administration of standard anti‐hypercalcaemic care. We suspect that down‐regulation of IL‐6R resulted in increased serum IL‐6 levels, leading to advanced bone resorption and hypercalcaemia. We conclude that the use of ATRA in patients with advanced MM is not warranted.
Pharmacokinetics of paroxetine, a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor, in Grey parrots (Psittacus erithacus erithacus): influence of pharmaceutical formulation and length of dosing
Authors: Van ZEELAND Y. R. A. , SCHOEMAKER N. J. , HARITOVA A. , SMIT J. W. , Van MAARSEVEEN E. M. , LUMEIJ J. T. , FINK‐GREMMELS J.
Published: March 2012

van Zeeland, Y. R. A., Schoemaker, N. J., Haritova, A., Smit, J. W., van Maarseveen, E. M., Lumeij, J. T., Fink‐Gremmels, J. Pharmacokinetics of paroxetine, a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor, in Grey parrots (Psittacus erithacus erithacus): influence of pharmaceutical formulation and length of dosing. J. vet. Pharmacol. Therap. 36, 51–58.

Paroxetine, a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor, may be beneficial in the treatment of behavioural disorders in pet birds. The lack of pharmacokinetic data and clinical trials currently limits the use of this drug in clinical avian practice. This paper evaluates the pharmacokinetic properties and potential side effects of single and repeated dosing of paroxetine in Grey parrots (Psittacus erithacus erithacus). Paroxetine pharmacokinetics were studied after single i.v. and single oral dosing, and after repeated oral administration during 1 month. Plasma paroxetine concentrations were determined by liquid chromatography‐tandem mass spectrometry. No undesirable side effects were observed during the study. Pharmacokinetic analysis revealed a quick distribution and rapid elimination after i.v. administration. Oral administration of paroxetine HCl dissolved in water resulted in a relatively slow absorption (Tmax = 5.9 ± 2.6 h) and a low bioavailability (31 ± 15%). Repeated administration resulted in higher rate of absorption, most likely due to a saturation of the cytochrome P450‐mediated first‐pass metabolism. This study shows that oral administration of paroxetine HCl (4 mg/kg twice daily) in parrots results in plasma concentrations within the therapeutic range recommended for the treatment of depressions in humans. Further studies are needed to demonstrate the clinical efficacy of this dosage regimen in parrots with behavioural disorders.
Modified donor lymphocyte infusion‐associated acute graft‐versus‐host disease after haploidenticalT‐cell‐replete hematopoietic stem cell transplantation: incidence and risk factors
Authors: Yan Chen‐Hua , Liu Dai‐Hong , Xu Lan‐Ping , Liu Kai‐Yan , Zhao Ting , Wang Yu , Chen Huan , Chen Yu‐Hong , Han Wei , Huang Xiao‐Jun
Published: March 2012

We performed a study to investigate the profile of donor lymphocyte infusion (DLI)‐associated acute graft‐versus‐host disease (GVHD) in haploidentical T‐cell‐replete hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). A total of 124 patients receiving modifiedDLIafter haploidentical T‐cell‐repleteHSCTwere enrolled. The cumulative incidence ofDLI‐associated acuteGVHDwas 53.2% for gradesII–IVand 28.4% for gradesIII–IV. The duration ofGVHDprophylaxis afterDLIwas the only risk factor forDLI‐associated gradesIII–IVacuteGVHD(p < 0.05). The cumulative incidence of gradesIII–IVacuteGVHDin patients with prophylaxis more than six, four to six, two to four, and <2 wk were 9.3%, 14.4%, 31.6%, and 49.5%, respectively (p = 0.018). Furthermore,DLI‐associated gradesIII–IVacuteGVHDwas the only risk factor for overall survival (p = 0.038,OR = 2.869) and transplant‐related mortality (p = 0.018,OR = 3.296) but not a risk factor for relapse afterDLI(p = 0.840). This study confirms for the first time that the duration ofGVHDprophylaxis afterDLIis the only risk factor for the development of gradesIII–IVacuteGVHD. Donor lymphocyte infusion with prophylaxis more than six wk was associated with a lower incidence of gradesIII–IVacuteGVHD.
Incidence and costs of severe hypoglycaemia requiring attendance by the emergency medical services in South Central England
Authors: Farmer A. J. , Brockbank K. J. , Keech M. L. , England E. J. , Deakin C. D.
Published: March 2012

Aims  The aim was to estimate the incidence of severe hypoglycaemia requiring emergency ambulance assistance, its management and associated costs.

Methods  A retrospective observational study used routinely collected data for a 1‐year period from December 2009 to November 2010 from the South Central Ambulance Service National Health Service Trust, UK. The main outcome was episodes reported by ambulance personnel and costs were estimated from published data.

Results  During the 1‐year study period, 398 409 emergency calls were received, of which 4081 (1.02%) were coded as hypoglycaemia. The overall numbers (and annual rate) of hypoglycaemia recorded among people ≥ 15 years with presumed diabetes was 3962 (2.1%), but for those aged 15–35 years was 516 (7.5%) and for those aged ≥ 65 years was 1886 (1.9%). Of those attended, 1441 (35.3%) were taken to hospital. The estimated total cost of initial ambulance attendance and treatment at scene was £553 000; if transport to hospital was necessary, the additional ambulance costs were £223 000 plus emergency department costs of £140 000; and the cost of primary care follow‐up was estimated as £61 000. The average cost per emergency call was £263. The estimated annual cost of emergency calls for severe hypoglycaemia is £13.6m for England.

Conclusions  Our estimates suggest prevalence of severe hypoglycaemia attended by the emergency services is high in younger age groups and lower for older age groups, although the absolute numbers of severe events in older age groups contribute substantially to the overall costs of providing emergency assistance for hypoglycaemia.