bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Preparation of polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane based hybrid monoliths by ring‐opening polymerization for capillary LC and CEC
Authors: Lin Hui , Zhang Zhenbin , Dong Jing , Liu Zhongshan , Ou Junjie , Zou Hanfa
Published: June 2013

A new organic–inorganic hybrid monolith was prepared by the ring‐opening polymerization of octaglycidyldimethylsilyl polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane (POSS) with 1,4‐butanediamine (BDA) using 1‐propanol, 1,4‐butanediol, and PEG 10 000 as a porogenic system. Benefiting from the moderate phase separation process, the resulting poly(POSS‐co‐BDA) hybrid monolith possessed a uniform microstructure and exhibited excellent performance in chromatographic applications. Neutral, acidic, and basic compounds were successfully separated on the hybrid monolith in capillary LC (cLC), and high column efficiencies were achieved in all of the separations. In addition, as the amino groups could generate a strong EOF, the hybrid monolith was also applied in CEC for the separation of neutral and polar compounds, and a satisfactory performance was obtained. These results demonstrate that the poly(POSS‐co‐BDA) hybrid monolith is a good separation media in chromatographic separations of various types of compounds by both cLC and CEC.
Assessing Farmers' Knowledge of Weed Species, Crop Type and Soil Management Practices in Relation to Soil Quality Status in Mai‐Negus Catchment, Northern Ethiopia
Authors: Tesfahunegn Gebreyesus Brhane , Tamene Lulseged , Vlek Paul L. G. , Mekonnen Kirubel
Published: June 2013

Soil quality (SQ) assessment from farmers' point of view can be used as a primary indicator for planning sustainable agriculture. Despite this fact, limited information is documented with regard to SQ indicators, for example weed species, crop types and management practices from farmers' knowledge perspectives. The aims of this study are to analyse factors that determine farmers' knowledge of SQ, identify SQ indicators of weed species and crop types across different SQ status and assess soil‐and‐crop management practices that maintain SQ in the Mai‐Negus catchment, northern Ethiopia. Fifty‐two farmer household heads were chosen randomly for questionnaire interview. The results showed significant (p ≤ 0·05) differences in the proportion of respondents who used different crop‐and‐soil management practices. The success of overall prediction by the logistic regression model (model χ2 = 0·84, p < 0·01) and level of model correct predictions (86%) indicated that the explanatory variables have sufficiently explained farmers' knowledge of SQ indicators. Provided that other conditions remained constant, the odds ratio of variables such as farmer experience, access to information, farm location, education, field slope and land tenure have significantly increased the likelihood of farmers for being knowledgeable of SQ indicators. This study also demonstrated that most farmers are knowledgeable in identifying weed species, crop types and management practices across various SQ status, which suggests that such SQ indicators should be used to assess SQ status (degradation severity) while locating fields to be intervened using appropriate management strategies. © 2013 The Authors. Land Degradation & Development published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Monolithic Nanoporous Crystalline Aerogels
Authors: Daniel Christophe , Longo Simona , Ricciardi Rosa , Reverchon Ernesto , Guerra Gaetano
Published: June 2013

Monolithic aerogels can be easily obtained by drying physical gels formed by linear uncross‐linked polymers. Preparation methods, structure, and properties of these physically cross‐linked polymeric aerogels are reviewed, with particular emphasis to those whose cross‐linking knots are crystallites and, more in particular, crystallites exhibiting nanoporous‐crystalline forms. The latter aerogels present beside disordered amorphous micropores (typical of all aerogels) also all identical nanopores of the crystalline phases. Their outstanding guest transport properties combined with low material cost, robustness, durability, and ease of handling and recycle make these aerogels suitable for applications in chemical separations, purification, and storage as well as in biomedicine. Scientific, technological, and industrial perspectives for monolithic nanoporous‐crystalline polymeric aerogels are also discussed.

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Genetic determinants of swimming motility in the squid light‐organ symbiont Vibrio fischeri
Authors: Brennan Caitlin A. , Mandel Mark J. , Gyllborg Mattias C. , Thomasgard Krista A. , Ruby Edward G.
Published: June 2013

Bacterial flagellar motility is a complex cellular behavior required for the colonization of the light‐emitting organ of the Hawaiian bobtail squid, Euprymna scolopes, by the beneficial bioluminescent symbiont Vibrio fischeri. We characterized the basis of this behavior by performing (i) a forward genetic screen to identify mutants defective in soft‐agar motility, as well as (ii) a transcriptional analysis to determine the genes that are expressed downstream of the flagellar master regulator FlrA. Mutants with severe defects in soft‐agar motility were identified due to insertions in genes with putative roles in flagellar motility and in genes that were unexpected, including those predicted to encode hypothetical proteins and cell division–related proteins. Analysis of mutants for their ability to enter into a productive symbiosis indicated that flagellar motility mutants are deficient, while chemotaxis mutants are able to colonize a subset of juvenile squid to light‐producing levels. Thirty‐three genes required for normal motility in soft agar were also downregulated in the absence of FlrA, suggesting they belong to the flagellar regulon of V. fischeri. Mutagenesis of putative paralogs of the flagellar motility genes motA, motB, and fliL revealed that motA1, motB1, and both fliL1 and fliL2, but not motA2 and motB2, likely contribute to soft‐agar motility. Using these complementary approaches, we have characterized the genetic basis of flagellar motility in V. fischeri and furthered our understanding of the roles of flagellar motility and chemotaxis in colonization of the juvenile squid, including identifying 11 novel mutants unable to enter into a productive light‐organ symbiosis.
Genetic variations in TERT‐CLPTM1L locus are associated with risk of lung cancer in chinese population
Authors: Zhong Rong , Liu Li , Zou Li , Zhu Yaowu , Chen Wei , Zhu Beibei , Shen Na , Rui Rui , Long Lu , Ke Juntao , Lu Xuzai , Zhang Ti , Zhang Yu , Wang Zhenling , Liu Lifeng , Sun Yu , Cheng Liming , Miao Xiaoping
Published: June 2013

Recent genome‐wide association studies (GWAS) have reported multiple genetic variations at 5p15.33 (TERT‐CLPTM1L) associated with risk of lung cancer. However, most of the associated variations identified by GWAS thus far are unlikely to be the actual causal variants, but may be mostly marker‐single nucleotide polymorphisms tagging functional variations that influence gene expression. This study aimed to explore the function‐validated and potentially functional variations in TERT‐CLPTM1L locus conferring susceptibility to lung cancer. A case–control study including 502 cases and 502 controls in Chinese Han population was firstly conducted. Bioinformatic approaches are applied to prioritize genetic variations based on their potential functionality. In the logistic regression analysis, TERT‐rs2853669, rs2736108, and CLPTM1L‐rs31490 were significant associated with increased risk of lung cancer (OR = 1.46, 95% CI = 1.22–1.75; OR = 1.22, 95% CI = 1.00–1.49 and OR = 1.74, 95% CI = 1.35–2.23 under additive model, respectively). The significant associations were observed in non‐small‐cell lung cancer but not‐in‐small‐cell lung cancer, and more prominent in adenocarcinoma. Haplotype analysis presented a significant allele‐dose effect of haplotypes in increasing risk of lung cancer (P for trend = 1.894 × 10−6). Moreover, significant multiplicative interactions were observed between smoking and these three polymorphisms of TERT‐rs2853669, rs2736108, and CLPTM1L‐rs31490, even after bonferroni correction for multiple comparisons (Pinteraction = 1.316 × 10−9, 3.912 × 10−4, and 2.483 × 10−5, respectively). These findings indicated that the function‐validated and potentially functional variations in TERT‐CLPTM1L locus, modified by smoking, may play a substantial role in the susceptibility to lung cancer. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Promoter hypermethylation along with LOH, but not mutation, contributes to inactivation of DLC‐1 in nasopharyngeal carcinoma
Authors: Feng Xiangling , Ren Caiping , Zhou Wen , Liu Weidong , Zeng Liang , Li Guifei , Wang Lei , Li Min , Zhu Bin , Yao Kaitai , Jiang Xingjun
Published: June 2013

Previous studies have shown that promoter hypermethylation plays a key role in DLC‐1 inactivation in nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). However, DLC‐1 mutation in NPC has not been reported, and there remain some discrepancies in methods and results between different groups. Here, we examined the mRNA and protein expression of DLC‐1 in chronic nasopharyngitis (CN) and NPC tissues by reverse transcription‐polymerase chain reaction/qPCR and immunohistochemistry, respectively. DLC‐1 mRNA was undetectable in all the seven widely used NPC cell lines and absent or significantly down‐regulated in 70% of NPC tissues. DLC‐1 protein level was reduced in 74.3% of NPCs when compared with CN tissues, and significantly lower in NPC samples at advanced clinical stages than that at early stages. Then, we purified the same batch of specimens by microdissection and analyzed the possible mechanisms of DLC‐1 downregulation with mutation and allelic loss analysis, methylation‐specific PCR and bisulfite genomic sequencing. Only one mutation was detected at codon 693 of exon 8 in 3.3% of NPCs and five single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were identified. Loss of DLC‐1 was detected in 23.3% of NPC tissues. The 100% of NPC cell lines, 80% of primary NPC and 22.2% of CN tissues showed methylation in DLC‐1 promoter, while DLC‐1 expression was recovered in seven NPC cell lines after 5‐aza‐dC treatment. Patched methylation assay confirmed that promoter methylation could repress DLC‐1 expression. This report demonstrates that DLC‐1 is negatively associated with NPC carcinogenesis, and promoter hypermethylation along with loss of heterozygosity, but not mutation, contributes to inactivation of DLC‐1 in NPC. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Transparente Energiebilanz im Steinkohlenbergbau
Authors: Schmidt Carsten , Traxler Rudolf
Published: June 2013

Wo wird wie viel Energie benötigt? Auf diese Frage wissen viele Industrieunternehmen keine Antwort. Allerdings schwindet dieses Manko immer mehr, denn die ISO 50001 verleiht der Forderung Nachdruck, den Energieverbrauch nachhaltig zu reduzieren. So haben sich die Betreiber des Steinkohlenbergwerks Auguste Victoria zu einem Pilotprojekt entschlossen, ein umfassendes Energiedaten‐Managementsystem für den Untertagebereich zu installieren. Die Auswertung der Energiedaten bildet die Grundlage für Optimierungen und Energiesparmaßnahmen.
Stand der Bohrtechnik im konventionellen Streckenvortrieb im Flözhorizont Zollverein 6 auf dem Bergwerk Auguste Victoria
Authors: Roßbach Stefan , Andrzejewski Michael , Gastberg Ingolf
Published: June 2013

Die zukünftigen Abbau‐ und Vorleistungsaktivitäten auf dem Bergwerk Auguste Victoria konzentrieren sich hauptsächlich im Niveau des Flözhorizonts Zollverein 6 [Einheitsbezeichnung EB Zv. 7/8]. Das Erreichen einer Teufenlage von rund 1.400 m in Verbindung mit schwierigen geologischen Rahmenbedingungen stellt besondere Anforderungen an die Planung, Technik, Organisation und Sicherheit beim Streckenvortrieb, sodass entsprechende Anpassungen in der Vortriebstechnik erforderlich wurden.

Im Rahmen des vorliegenden Beitrags werden die aus den geologischen Bedingungen resultierenden verfahrenstypischen Besonderheiten beim konventionellen Streckenvortrieb im Flözniveau Zollverein 6 dargestellt.
The mERG1a channel modulates skeletal muscle MuRF1, but not MAFbx, expression
Authors: Pond Amber L. , Nedele Carrie , Wang Wen‐Horng , Wang Xun , Walther Claire , Jaeger Christine , Bradley Kevin S. , Du Huahua , Fujita Naoya , Hockerman Gregory H. , Hannon Kevin M.
Published: June 2013

Introduction: We investigated the mechanism by which the MERG1a K+ channel increases ubiquitin proteasome proteolysis (UPP). Methods: Hindlimb suspension and electro‐transfer of Merg1a cDNA into mouse gastrocnemius muscles induced atrophy. Results: Atrophic gastrocnemius muscles of hindlimb‐suspended mice express Merg1a, Murf1, and Mafbx genes. Electrotransfer of Merg1a significantly decreases muscle fiber size (12.6%) and increases UPP E3 ligase Murf1 mRNA (2.1‐fold) and protein (23.7%), but does not affect Mafbx E3 ligase expression. Neither Merg1a‐induced decreased fiber size nor Merg1a‐induced increased Murf1 expression is curtailed significantly by coexpression of inactive HR‐Foxo3a, a gene encoding a transcription factor known to induce Mafbx expression. Conclusions: The MERG1a K+ channel significantly increases expression of Murf1, but not Mafbx. We explored this expression pattern by expressing inactive Foxo3a and showing that it is not involved in MERG1a‐mediated expression of Murf1. These findings suggest that MERG1a may not modulate Murf1 expression through the AKT/FOXO pathway. Muscle Nerve 49:378–388, 2014
Incorporation of Bulky and Cationic Cyclam‐Triazole Moieties into Marimastat Can Generate Potent MMP Inhibitory Activity without Inducing Cytotoxicity
Authors: Yu Mingfeng , Lim Ngee H. , Ellis Samantha , Nagase Hideaki , Triccas James A. , Rutledge Peter J. , Todd Matthew H.
Published: June 2013

The synthesis and matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) inhibitory activity of a cyclam–marimastat conjugate and its metal complexes are described. The conjugate, synthesized with a copper(I)‐catalyzed Huisgen 1,3‐dipolar cycloaddition (“click” reaction), contains two zinc‐binding groups (ZBGs). The metal complexation behavior with copper(II) and zinc(II) was investigated using UV/Vis spectrophotometry and 1H NMR spectroscopy, respectively, demonstrating that the first equivalent of the metal ion was chelated by the cyclam‐triazole moiety rather than the hydroxamic acid site. Thus, the corresponding mononuclear metal–cyclam complexes were successfully prepared with one equivalent of the metal salt. Both the cyclam–marimastat conjugate and its metal complexes exhibited slightly reduced potency against MMP‐1, but essentially identical inhibitory activity against MMP‐3. The conjugate and its metal complexes displayed little or no cytotoxicity, further supporting their potential suitability for imaging MMP localization and activity. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report that describes the incorporation of metal complexes into an MMP inhibitor without influencing the preexisting ZBG, and the first report of the evaluation of structures containing more than one ZBG as MMP inhibitors.
Viral irony: using irony to spread the questioning of questionable consumption
Authors: Pehlivan Ekin , Berthon Pierre , Berthon Jean‐Paul , Cross Ian
Published: June 2013

There is iron in irony (Ewart, G. 1980. Selected Poems 1933–1988. New Directions Books: New York, NY).

Acentral concern of public affairs is the notion of social justice and the scrutinizing of truth claims in public discourse where the power of social actors is asymmetrical. The mechanisms of rejection of truth claims tend to fall into two camps: direct and indirect. The direct method is simply a public rebuff, whereas the indirect method is to employ a rhetorical device such as irony so that citizens question the claim for themselves and, as importantly, pass the message onto others. It is on this latter mechanism that this paper focuses using the case study of the coal industry's truth claim of ‘clean coal’. Our paper is set out as follows. First, we explore how irony can been used to question the ‘green’ or environmentally friendly claims of powerful organizations. Second, we review the theory of ironic communication and use it to deconstruct the video ‘Coal McClean’. Third, we explore how irony can help a subversive message spread through social networks, or to go ‘viral,’ in ways a direct message cannot. We conclude with a reflection on the research opportunities that the notion of viral irony provides in public affairs. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Characterization of a polymer composite from treated kaolin and unsaturated polyester based on PET waste
Authors: Ahmed Nivin M. , Tawfik Magda E. , Ward Azza A.
Published: June 2013

Polymer composites filled with mineral clays are becoming attractive because of their wide applications and low cost. In this study, polymeric composite produced from unsaturated polyester (UP) based on the glycolysis of poly (ethylene terephthalate) (PET) waste with diethylene glycol (DG) and untreated or treated kaolin was tested. Characterization of the unsaturated polyester was carried out using FT‐IR and 1HNMR techniques. Thermal and chemical methods for treatment of kaolin were performed. The chemical treatment was carried out using different ammonium molybdate (dopant) concentrations to convert the alumina naturally present in kaolin from γ‐alumina to α‐alumina phase, which is a more stable one. These treatments affected positively for both mechanical and electrical properties of the polymer composites. The data obtained revealed that as the concentration of dopant used for chemical treatment of kaolin increased an enhancement in the properties of the composite is achieved, up to the value of 4mol%. Moreover the composite containing kaolin. The composite containing kaolin doped with 4mol% shows promising mechanical and dielectric properties which validate its use for insulating purposes. POLYM. COMPOS. 34:1223–1234, 2013. © 2013 Society of Plastics Engineers
Rheological characterization of polymers fiber composite
Authors: Naccache Monica F. , Corrêa Juliana P. , Soares Isabela F. , Abdu Aline
Published: June 2013

The use of reinforced polymer composites has continued to show substantial growth due to desirable cost and performance characteristics, especially related to mechanical properties. Wollastonite and glass fibers are materials that can be used to improve polymer performance. Its vast array of applications suggests potential usage in various fields of work (e.g., plastics, friction materials paintings, coating, and construction products), but there is not much data available in the literature related to rheological properties of fiber reinforced polymers. In this work, a study of shear and extensional properties of composite materials containing wollastonite and glass fibers is performed using rotational and extensional rheometry. Suspensions containing different concentrations of wollastonite and glass fibers, in Newtonian and viscoelastic matrices are investigated. Results are obtained for different concentrations and temperatures. It is observed that even the addition of low fiber concentration can affect both shear and elongational properties, leading to different final products characteristics. POLYM. COMPOS. 34:1269–1278, 2013. © 2013 Society of Plastics Engineers
Anisotropic loss of toughness with physical aging of work toughened polycarbonate
Authors: Strabala Kyle , Meagher Shawn , Landais Charles , Delbreilh Laurent , Negahban Mehrdad , Saiter Jean‐Marc , Turner Joseph , Ingram Adam , Golovchak Roman
Published: June 2013

We have studied the response of mechanically toughened and physically aged polycarbonate primarily using Charpy impact and ultrasonic wave speed measurements. The toughening was conducted through plastic compression on as‐received PC. The Charpy impact tests showed anisotropic toughening, both in the absorbed energy and in the mode of fracture. The amount of toughening with plastic compression, even though anisotropic, is centered around the response of annealed and quenched samples, which represent the response of an unaged PC. There was an anisotropic drop in the toughness of some samples with aging. The time of this drop was uncorrelated in the different directions and disappeared for the highly toughened samples. This transition was bimodal and statistically distributed between either a fully ductile or a fully brittle failure. As the samples were prepared in a manner to remove induced residual stresses, this drop in toughening may be associated with an intrinsic anisotropic thermal aging of the deformed material. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 54:794–804, 2014. © 2013 Society of Plastics Engineers
Efficient synthesis of β‐(1,6)‐linked oligosaccharides through microwave‐assisted glycosylation
Authors: Li Lingyao , Franckowiak Emily A. , Xu Yi , McClain Evan , Du Wenjun
Published: June 2013

A microwave‐assisted glycosylation method was developed for efficient synthesis of oligosaccharides. Di‐functional AB monomers, 2,3,4‐tri‐O‐acetyl‐α‐d‐galactopyranosyl bromide (3a) and 2,3,4‐tri‐O‐acetyl‐α‐d‐glucopyranosyl bromide (3b) were designed and synthesized as weakly reactive monomers to avoid unwanted glycosylation or degradation during preparation and storage. The glycosylations of these monomers gave low conversions and low molecular weight oligosaccharides at rt, reflux, and under low microwave energy irradiation. However, the glycosylation became very effective when high microwave energy was applied, giving 100% conversion and producing oligosaccharides with Mn = 4.76 kDa for 3a and Mn = 4.05 kDa for 3b. The acetylated oligosaccharides were further subjected to deprotection for structural analysis, which indicated the oligosaccharides contain predominantly linear β‐(1,6)‐glycosyl linkages. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2013, 51, 3693–3699
Intramolecular cyclization assistance for fast degradation of ornithine‐based poly(ester amide)s
Authors: de Gracia Lux Caroline , Olejniczak Jason , Fomina Nadezda , Viger Mathieu L. , Almutairi Adah
Published: June 2013

Inspired by the spontaneous cyclization of ornithine in peptides, polyesters containing protected ornithine (Orn) side chains along the backbone were synthesized and shown to degrade rapidly upon deprotection through intramolecular cyclization. A new ornithine‐based poly(ester amide) PEA 1 and a lysine‐based control PEA 2, both bearing the light‐sensitive protecting group o‐nitrobenzyl alcohol (ONB), were synthesized. Tert‐butyl carbamate (Boc)‐protected versions 1‐Boc and 2‐Boc were also synthesized for proof of concept. GPC confirmed that 1‐Boc degrades over 40 times faster than 2‐Boc following deprotection into the designed intramolecular cyclization products. Finally, TEM visualization of particles made from 1 encapsulating iron oxide nanoparticles reveals complete disruption of nanoparticles and release of payload within a day upon UV irradiation. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2013, 51, 3783–3790
Interplay of I‐TASSER and QUARK for template‐based and ab initio protein structure prediction in CASP10
Authors: Zhang Yang
Published: June 2013

We develop and test a new pipeline in CASP10 to predict protein structures based on an interplay of I‐TASSER and QUARK for both free‐modeling (FM) and template‐based modeling (TBM) targets. The most noteworthy observation is that sorting through the threading template pool using the QUARK‐based ab initio models as probes allows the detection of distant‐homology templates which might be ignored by the traditional sequence profile‐based threading alignment algorithms. Further template assembly refinement by I‐TASSER resulted in successful folding of two medium‐sized FM targets with >150 residues. For TBM, the multiple threading alignments from LOMETS are, for the first time, incorporated into the ab initio QUARK simulations, which were further refined by I‐TASSER assembly refinement. Compared with the traditional threading assembly refinement procedures, the inclusion of the threading‐constrained ab initio folding models can consistently improve the quality of the full‐length models as assessed by the GDT‐HA and hydrogen‐bonding scores. Despite the success, significant challenges still exist in domain boundary prediction and consistent folding of medium‐size proteins (especially beta‐proteins) for nonhomologous targets. Further developments of sensitive fold‐recognition and ab initio folding methods are critical for solving these problems. Proteins 2014; 82(Suppl 2):175–187. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Impact of subgrid‐scale vertical turbulent mixing on eyewall asymmetric structures and mesovortices of hurricanes
Authors: Zhu Ping , Menelaou Konstantinos , Zhu Zhenduo
Published: June 2013

In this study, the multiple nested state‐of‐the‐art Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) model is used to investigate the impact of the subgrid‐scale (SGS) vertical turbulent mixing parametrization on hurricane eyewall asymmetric structures and the formation of eyewall mesovortices. Hurricane Isabel (2003) was simulated by a series of numerical experiments with different SGS vertical turbulent mixing parametrizations including the Yonsei University, Mellor–Yamada–Janjic, Mellor–Yamada–Nakanishi–Niino 2.5 level and Mellor–Yamada–Nakanishi–Niino 3 level schemes. The simulations show that the vertical turbulent mixing scheme not only substantially affects the SGS vertical transport of heat and moisture but also has an important bearing on the storm axisymmetric structure, eyewall mesovortices and other resolved asymmetric features in the vicinity of the hurricane eyewall. The analyses show that the vertical turbulent mixing processes provide a mechanism to affect the barotropic instability for generation of eyewall mesovortices through changing the vortex basic state potential vorticity (PV) field and generating eyewall disturbances with different frequencies. Our numerical experiments show for given external conditions that the magnitude and vertical distribution of the eddy exchange coefficients are the key factors that regulate the characteristics of eyewall disturbances. Such a modulation of eyewall structure by the eddy exchange coefficients is realized through the complicated interaction among SGS vertical turbulent mixing, mesoscale structures, diabatic heating and barotropic instability.
Attribution of strong winds to a cold conveyor belt and sting jet
Authors: Smart D. J. , Browning K. A.
Published: June 2013

A high‐resolution version of the WRF (Weather Research and Forecasting) model has been used to study the ﬁne structure of a cloud head and its associated cold conveyor belt jet (CJ) and sting jet (SJ) in an intense extratropical cyclone that produced damaging surface winds in northern Ireland and central Scotland on 3 January 2012. The model was run with many diﬀerent initialisation times and physical parametrisations, and a run was selected that veriﬁed well against a variety of observations. New methods have been devised to visualise the 3D structure of the CJ and SJ and to attribute strong surface winds to one or other of them, and the validity of regarding the SJ as a semi‐Lagrangian feature has been assessed. The model suggests that, whereas the CJ remained mainly below the 850 hPa level as it circulated around the bent‐back front, the SJ consisted of a stream or streams of air within the bent‐back frontal zone that ﬁrst ascended from close to the surface into the middle and upper‐level parts of the cloud head before descending from evaporating cloud ﬁlaments at the tip of the cloud head and reaching the top of the boundary layer slightly ahead of the CJ. The simulations did not support the idea that either the evaporation or conditional symmetric instability (CSI) played a major role in the development of these jets. The strong gusts (up to 47 m s−1) which were recorded on the north coast of Ireland appear to have been due mainly to the CJ, which by then was undercutting the SJ. The SJ was responsible for stronger surface winds than the CJ several hours earlier during the initial stage of frontal fracture, but only for a limited period.
Interaction of North Atlantic baroclinic wave packets and the Mediterranean storm track
Authors: Ahmadi‐Givi F. , Nasr‐Esfahany M. , Mohebalhojeh A. R.
Published: June 2013

Observational studies show that the main energy source for developing cyclones is due to downstream radiation from existing upstream disturbances. This process is involved in the propagation of coherent wave packets linking the North Atlantic and Mediterranean storm tracks in winter. To understand the link, the Rossby wave packets have been analyzed for the winter season 2004/05 by means of wave envelope, energetic, and wave‐activity diagnostics. Two specifically selected cases are presented: one with clear propagation of the wave packet to the Mediterranean region from the North Atlantic storm track, and the other with zonal propagation of the wave packets along the central latitude of the North Atlantic storm track. The dynamical effects leading to the distinct propagation characteristics of the two cases are discussed. It is shown that the two cases make clear impacts on the horizontal flux of wave activity across a domain surrounding the Mediterranean storm track.
Intelligent combinatorial auctions of decentralized task assignment for AGV with multiple loading capacity
Authors: Fauadi Muhammad Haﬁdz Fazli bin Md , Yahaya Saifudin Haﬁz , Murata Tomohiro
Published: June 2013

The need to have an eﬃcient transportation system has attracted worldwide attention. Although there is increasing demand to implement distributed control system for industrial applications, there is still an unexplored potential of deploying distributed transportation system. This paper focuses on dynamic assignment of transportation requests to a ﬂeet of vehicles in real time. We introduce an improved combinatorial auction methodology to accommodate the distributed task assignment procedure. Based on a multiagent architecture, each vehicle is represented by an intelligent agent that bids for task and plans its own schedule. On the other hand, the auctioneer has the objective of minimizing transportation tardiness. An automated guided vehicle (AGV) has been selected as the case study, and numerical experiments have been carried out. The result obtained shows that the improved task assignment approach is able to produce performance competitive to a conventional task assignment. © 2013 Institute of Electrical Engineers of Japan. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Using water destined for irrigation to conserve wetland ecosystems: A basis for assessing feasibility
Authors: Sammonds M. J. , Vietz G. J. , Costelloe J. F.
Published: June 2013

Regulated rivers often have associated wetlands with declining ecological health due to reduced inundation frequency. One innovative option to improve the ecological condition of such wetlands is to use them as temporary off‐river water storages, where the water used to inundate them is subsequently allocated to consumptive use. The hydrologic feasibility of this option has yet to be demonstrated. We investigated three physical aspects of a floodplain wetlands system that must be considered, relative to irrigation demand, to determine feasibility: (a) historical inundation frequencies and the effect of regulation and climate change, (b) natural storage volumes and enhanced volumes using retaining walls, and (c) estimated loss rates. We found that inundation frequencies are reduced under regulation and that this reduction is even greater for projected climate change scenarios. Natural volumes were found to be 5% of annual irrigation demand, increasing to 20% with retaining walls; a small proportion at the system scale but significant at farm scale, especially with opportunities for multiple fillings per season. Losses are estimated at 36%–63% of the initial volume, depending on timing of wetland inundation and drawdown. Careful consideration must be applied to issues of frequency and timing of inundation, drawdown rates, and connectivity when considering the ecological benefits of using wetlands as storages. Environmental benefits will be a trade‐off with capital, operational, and maintenance costs and water pricing.
Synthesis, Structures, and Properties of Two Novel Coordination Polymers with a V‐shaped Diphosphonate Ligand
Authors: Lv Xiaoxia , Tang Sifu , Li Liangjun , Xu Xianrui , Zhao Xuebo
Published: June 2013

Two novel coordination polymers, [Cu(H2L)(bipy)(H2O)2]·H2O (1) and [Ni2(H2L)(bipy)2.5(H2O)6]·(H2L)·7H2O (2) with the V‐shaped diphosphonate ligand (2,4,6‐trimethyl‐1,3‐phenylene)bis(methylene)diphosphonic acid (H4L) were synthesized via hydrothermal reactions in the presence of auxiliary ligand 4,4′‐bipyridine. Their structures were determined by single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction and further characterized by elemental analysis, infrared spectroscopy (IR), and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). Compound 1 crystallizes in the Pnma space group and compound 2 crystallizes in the P21212 space group. They display square‐grid layer and bilayer two‐dimensional network, respectively.
Vapor Composition over Solid Indium Trichloride and in ­Indium Chloride Unsaturated Vapor
Authors: Tsirelnikov Viacheslav I. , Melnikov Petr , Nascimento Valter A.
Published: June 2013

The dependence of indium trichloride saturated and unsaturated vapor pressure on temperature was studied in the range of 630–950 K by static methods using a quartz membrane zero‐manometer and taking into account the volume of its working chamber and substance mass. The thermodynamic data on the process of dissociation of dimeric molecules and sublimation of monomer and dimer from solid indium trichloride were calculated: ΔH0subl InCl3(g)298 = 155.3 ± 6.2 kJ·mol–1; ΔS0subl InCl3(g)298 = 199.5 ± 7.9 J·mol–1·K–1; ΔH0subl In2Cl6(g)298 = 159.3 ± 6.2 kJ·mol–1; ΔS0subl In2Cl6(g)298 = 207.1±3.8 J·mol–1·K–1; ΔH0dis In2Cl6(g)298 = 152.6 ± 5.5 kJ·mol–1 and ΔS0dis In2Cl6(g)298 = 171.6 ± 5.2 J·mol–1·K–1. The saturated vapor over solid indium trichloride consists mainly of a mixture of monomeric and dimeric molecules (InCl3 and In2Cl6), and the content of the latter is slightly growing with increasing temperature.
Four Complexes with the Rigid Ligand 1,4‐Bis(1H‐imidazol‐4‐yl)benzene and Varied Carboxylate Ligands
Authors: Chen Shui‐Sheng , Qiao Rui , Sheng Liang‐Quan , Yang Song , Liu Zhao‐Di
Published: June 2013

Four metal‐organic coordination polymers [Co2(L)3(nipa)2]·6H2O (1), [Cd(L)(nipa)]·3H2O (2), [Co(L) (Hoxba)2] (3) and [Ni2(L)2(oxba)2(H2O)]·1.5L·3H2O (4) were synthesized by reactions of the corresponding metal(II) salts with the rigid ligand 1,4‐bis(1H‐imidazol‐4‐yl)benzene (L) and different derivatives of 5‐nitroisophthalic acid (H2nipa) and 4,4′‐oxybis(benzoic acid) (H2oxba), respectively. The structures of the complexes were characterized by elemental analysis, FT‐IR spectroscopy and single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction. Complexes 1 and 3 have the same one‐dimensional (1D) chain while 2 is a 6‐connected twofold interpenetrating three‐dimensional (3D) network with α‐Po 412·63 topology based on the binuclear CdII subunits. Compound 4 features a puckered two‐dimensional (2D) (4,4) network, and the large voids of the packing 2D nets have accommodated the uncoordinated L guest molecules. An abundant of N–H···O, O–H···O and C–H···O hydrogen bonding interactions exist in complexes 1–4, which contributes to stabilize the crystal structure and extend the low‐dimensional entities into high‐dimensional frameworks. Lastly, the photoluminiscent properties of compounds 2 were also investigated.
Structural Diversity of Copper(II) Coordination Polymers Based on Tosylated Isophthalic Ligands
Authors: Li Xinfa , Liu Qingyan
Published: June 2013

Two tosylated isophthalic ligands, namely, 5‐tosyloxy‐isophthalic acid (H2toip) and 5‐tosylamino‐isophthalic acid (H2taip) were synthesized. Self‐assembly of CuII ions with H2toip and H2taip ligands under different reaction conditions (temperature, solvents, and auxiliary ligands) gave rise to three coordination polymers formulated as [Cu(toip)(py)2]n (1), [Cu6(toip)6(H2O)6]n·8n(H2O) (2), and [Cu6(taip)6(py)4(dmf)2]n·n[(dmf)6(MeOH)2(H2O)2] (3) (py = pyridine, dmf = dimethylformamide). Compound 1 is a one‐dimensional (1D) coordination polymeric chain. Compounds 2 and 3 are two‐dimensional (2D) coordination networks featuring very similar Kagomé lattices based on the interconnection of paddle‐wheel [Cu2(COO)4] secondary building units (SBUs) and toip2–/taip2– ligands. However, the arrangement of adjacent Kagomé lattices in 2 and 3 are distinct, making them crystallize in different space groups and thereby have different crystal structures.
Extended geometry and gauged maximal supergravity
Authors: Aldazabal G. , Graña M. , Marqués D. , Rosabal J. A.
Published: June 2013

Abstract

We consider generalized diffeomorphisms on an extended mega-space associated to the U-duality group of gauged maximal supergravity in four dimensions, E
7(7). Through the bein for the extended metric we derive dynamical (field-dependent) fluxes taking values in the representations allowed by supersymmetry, and obtain their quadratic constraints from gauge consistency conditions. A covariant generalized Ricci tensor is introduced, defined in terms of a connection for the generalized diffeomorphisms. We show that for any torsionless and metric-compatible generalized connection, the Ricci scalar reproduces the scalar potential of gauged maximal supergravity. We comment on how these results extend to other groups and dimensions.
Contribution of quantitative changes in individual ionic current systems to the embryonic development of ventricular myocytes: a simulation study
Authors: Okubo Chikako , Sano Hitomi I. , Naito Yasuhiro , Tomita Masaru
Published: June 2013

Early embryonic rodent ventricular cells exhibit spontaneous action potential (AP), which disappears in later developmental stages. Here, we used 3 mathematical models—the Kyoto, Ten Tusscher–Panfilov, and Luo–Rudy models—to present an overview of the functional landscape of developmental changes in embryonic ventricular cells. We switched the relative current densities of 9 ionic components in the Kyoto model, and 160 of 512 representative combinations were predicted to result in regular spontaneous APs, in which the quantitative changes in Na+ current (I
Na) and funny current (I
f) made large contributions to a wide range of basic cycle lengths. In all three models, the increase in inward rectifier current (I
K1) before the disappearance of I
f was predicted to result in abnormally high intracellular Ca2+ concentrations. Thus, we demonstrated that the developmental changes in APs were well represented, as I
Na increased before the disappearance of I
f, followed by a 10-fold increase in I
K1.
Patient satisfaction with psychotropic drugs: Validation of the PAtient SAtisfaction with Psychotropic (PASAP) scale in patients with bipolar disorder
Authors: Nordon C. , Falissard B. , Gerard S. , Angst J. , Azorin J.M. , Luquiens A. , Reed C. , Lukasiewicz M. , Gasquet I.
Published: June 2013

Purpose:

The PAtient SAtisfaction with Psychotropic (PASAP) scale is a self-completed questionnaire measuring satisfaction with psychotropic medication. The aim of the study was to describe its development in French and its psychometric properties.

Materials and methods:

Scale construction was based on an extensive search of the literature. The item reduction process required semi-structured interviews of psychiatric outpatients (n = 30). The final version of the PASAP is a 9-item, 5-point Likert-type scale, covering the scope of effectiveness and adherence. To assess the psychometric properties of the scale, French patients with an acute manic episode (n = 314) from a large European observational cohort completed the PASAP scale 3 months after psychotropic treatment initiation/change. Internal validity and reliability were assessed using principal component analysis (PCA). Concurrent validity was assessed using comparisons to physician-rated satisfaction with life, illness severity, mood relapse, compliance and side effects.

Results:

Participation rate was 68.4%. PCA was in favour of uni-dimensionality. Cronbach's α coefficient was 0.85 (95%CI 0.83–0.88). All five concurrent measures were significantly associated with the PASAP score.

Conclusion:

The PASAP scale showed good psychometric properties in a large bipolar population and thus seems adequate for evaluating treatment satisfaction. Its short length and good acceptability makes it suitable for clinical research.
Improved quality of life over one year is associated with improved adherence in patients with schizophrenia
Authors: Hayhurst K.P. , Drake R.J. , Massie J.A. , Dunn G. , Barnes T.R.E. , Jones P.B. , Lewis S.W.
Published: June 2013

Aim:

Quality of life (QoL) is increasingly considered an important outcome in health research. We wished to explore the determinants of change in QoL in patients with schizophrenia over the course of a one-year RCT.

Methods:

Predictors of change in observer-rated QoL (Quality of Life Scale: QLS) were assessed in 363 patients with schizophrenia during the CUtLASS clinical trial.

Results:

Change in QLS score over the course of a year correlated with change in psychotic and depressive symptoms and treatment adherence. Linear regression showed that improvement in QoL was predicted by reduction in negative and depressive symptoms and improvement in adherence rating. These three change scores together explained 38% of the variance in QLS change. Exploration of the direction of any possible causal effect, using TETRAD, indicated that improved adherence leads to improved QoL, and that change in depression also leads to QoL change. The relationship between QoL and negative symptoms suggests that greater social activity (reflected as better QoL scores) improves negative symptoms. Such a direct relationship between treatment adherence and QoL has not been reported before.

Conclusion:

Improving adherence to medication would appear to be a key approach to improving measured quality of life in people with schizophrenia.
Social perception in people with eating disorders
Authors: Renwick B. , Dejong H. , Kenyon M. , Samarawickrema N. , Loomes R. , Watson C. , Ghelani S. , Schmidt U.
Published: June 2013

Objective

Social perception is a key aspect of social cognition which has so far not been investigated in eating disorders (ED). This study aimed to investigate social perception in individuals with anorexia nervosa (AN) and bulimia nervosa (BN).

Methods

Outpatients with AN (restricting subtype [AN-R]:n= 51; binge-purge subtype [AN-BP]:n= 26) or BN (n= 57) and 50 healthy control (HC) participants completed the Interpersonal Perception Task (IPT-15). This is an ecologically valid task, which consists of 15 video clips, depicting complex social situations relating to intimacy, status, kinship, competition and deception.The participants have to assess relationships between protagonists’ based on non-verbal cues.

Results

Overall, there was no difference between groups on the IPT total score and subscale scores. Group differences on the Intimacy subscale approached significance so post hoc comparisons were carried out. HCs performed significantly better than AN-R participants in determining the degree of intimacy between others.

Conclusions

Social perception is largely preserved in ED patients. Individuals with AN-R show impairments in identifying intimacy in social situations, this may be due to the lack of relationship experience. Further research into different aspects of social cognition is required to establish the link between interpersonal difficulties and ED psychopathology.
Let7a inhibits the growth of endometrial carcinoma cells by targeting Aurora‐B
Authors: Liu Ping , Qi Meiyan , Ma Chengbin , Lao Guoying , Liu Yu , Liu Yan , Liu Yingzi
Published: June 2013

MicroRNAs negatively regulate target gene expression at the post‐transcriptional level during carcinogenesis. Recent advances revealed that the expression levels of several miRNAs are up‐ or down‐regulated in endometrial carcinoma (EC). Here we identify dysregulated miRNAs in EC and we elucidate the essential role of let‐7a. The expression of 86 miRNAs in EC was found to be different from adjacent normal endometrial tissues. Moreover, miR‐let‐7 members are down‐regulated in EC and let‐7 miRNAs are highly associated with endometrial cancer. A functional investigation revealed that let‐7a suppressed proliferation of HeLa cells by targeting Aurora‐B. Let‐7a also antagonizes Aurora‐B functions in promoting carcinoma cell proliferation by down‐regulating Aurora‐B protein level. Let‐7a could be applied for gene therapy against endometrial carcinogenesis.
Competitive Learning in Yardstick Competition: Testing Models of Policy Diffusion With Performance Data
Authors: Ward Hugh , John Peter
Published: June 2013

Organizations that learn from others’ successful policies not only become more competitive because their policies improve but also avoid the costs of policy innovation. While economists have widely recognized latecomer advantage, the policy diffusion literature in political science has failed to emphasize the connection between learning and competition. This article distinguishes competitive learning from learning that is not driven by competitive pressure (that is, ‘pure learning’). It models policy diffusion as a game played on social networks that govern competitive pressure and the possibilities of information transfer. The article develops an empirical test for competitive learning using spatial lags, which are applied to data on the performance of larger English local authorities from 2002 to 2006. Evidence is found for both competitive learning and pure learning. The sharper distinction between causal mechanisms proposed in this article should be widely applicable to diffusion across international boundaries and sub-national units.
Life of Brian Revisited: Assessing Informational and Non-Informational Leadership Tools
Authors: Baturo Alexander , Mikhaylov Slava
Published: June 2013

Recent literature models leadership as a process of communication in which leaders’ rhetorical signals facilitate followers’ co-ordination. While some studies have explored the effects of leadership in experimental settings, there remains a lack of empirical research on the effectiveness of informational tools in real political environments. Using quantitative text analysis of federal and sub-national legislative addresses in Russia, this article empirically demonstrates that followers react to informational signals from leaders. It further theorizes that leaders use a combination of informational and non-informational tools to solve the co-ordination problem. The findings show that a mixture of informational and non-informational tools shapes followers’ strategic calculi. Ignoring non-informational tools—and particularly the interrelationship between informational and non-informational tools—can threaten the internal validity of causal inference in the analysis of leadership effects on co-ordination.
Economic Policy Voting and Incumbency: Unemployment in Western Europe
Authors: Dassonneville Ruth , Lewis-Beck Michael S.
Published: June 2013

The economic voting literature has been dominated by the incumbency-oriented hypothesis, in which voters reward or punish governments at the ballot box according to the nation's economic performance. The alternative (policy-oriented) hypothesis, in which voters favor parties that are closest to their issue position(s), has been neglected in this literature. This article explores policy voting with respect to an archetypal economic policy issue—unemployment. Voters who favor lower unemployment should tend to vote for left parties, since they “own” the issue. Examining a large time-series cross-sectional pool of Western European nations, this study finds some evidence for economic policy voting. However, it is conditioned by incumbency. According to varied tests, left incumbents experience a net electoral cost if the unemployment rate climbs. Incumbency, then, serves to break any natural economic policy advantage that might accrue to the left due to the issue of unemployment.
REMARKS ON QUASI-LINDELÖF SPACES
Authors: SONG YAN-KUI
Published: June 2013

In this paper, we show that there exist a Tychonoff quasi-Lindelöf space$X$and a compact space$Y$such that$X\times Y$is not quasi-Lindelöf. This answers negatively an open question of Petra Staynova.