bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Design of Simultaneous Enhanced Oil Recovery and Carbon Dioxide Storage With Potential Application to Offshore Trinidad
Authors: Sobers Lorraine E. , Blunt Martin J. , LaForce Tara C.
Published: February 2013

We developed an injection strategy to recover moderately heavy oil and store carbon dioxide (CO2) simultaneously. Our compositional simulations are founded on pressure/volume/temperature- (PVT-) matched properties of oil found in an unconsolidated deltaic sandstone deposit in the Gulf of Paria, offshore Trinidad. In this region, oil density ranges between 940 and 1010 kg/m3 (9 to 18°API). We use countercurrent injection of gas and water to improve reservoir sweep and trap CO2 simultaneously; water is injected in the upper portion of the reservoir, and gas is injected in the lower portion. The two water-injection rates investigated, 100 and 200 m3/d, correspond to the water-gravity numbers 6.3 to 3.1 for our reservoir properties. We applied this injection strategy using vertical producers with two injection configurations: single vertical injector and a pair of horizontal parallel laterals in a simplified representation of the unconsolidated Forest sand found offshore Trinidad. Twelve simulation runs were conducted, varying injection-gas composition for miscible- and immiscible-gas drives, water-injection rate, and injection-well orientation. Our results show that water-over-gas injection can realize oil recoveries ranging from 17 to 30%. In each instance, more than 50% of injected CO2 remained in the reservoir, with less than 15% of the retained CO2 in the mobile phase.
The Impact of Cross-Group Romantic Relationships on Intergroup Prejudice
Authors: Orta Irem Metin
Published: February 2013

Considerable research has been devoted to understanding intergroup contact. In this paper I aimed to highlight theoretical processes that reduce cross-group prejudice and promote intergroup cooperation. Therefore, I focused on the role of social contact in the form of romantic relationship
between individuals belonging to different (e.g., racial, ethnic, religious) social groups. In emerging work convincing evidence has been provided that cross-group friendships reduce intergroup prejudice (Levin, van Laar, & Sidanius, 2003). Accordingly, cross-group romantic relationships
should also reduce intergroup prejudice. Overall, in this paper I emphasized the significance of affective ties among members of different social groups, along with the unique role that social contact plays in reducing intergroup prejudice.
Mental Health Information and Female Hospital Staff: Demand and Sources Used
Authors: Yang Wen-Hui , Tang Shu-Chen , Weng Rhay-Hung , Liao Mao-Hung
Published: February 2013

We explored demand for mental health information and the sources used to get that information among female hospital staff in Taiwan. Results showed that nurses had higher demand than other occupational groups of hospital female employees for information about emotion, gender, and career.
Administrators were more inclined, and physicians less inclined, than were other occupational groups of employees to seek mental health information from interpersonal sources. Staff in positions of less responsibility or in more junior positions than others had higher demand for information
about mental disorders. Women who held a bachelor's degree or higher educational qualification recorded a greater demand than did other groups for information about gender and career. Women whose tenure was longer compared to other participants had the lowest demand for information about emotion
and disorders. Those working more than 8 hours a day recorded a higher demand for gender information than did those who were working shorter hours. We suggest that human resources managers in hospitals should meet these information demands to ensure mental well-being of staff.
Dual Inhibition of Classical Protein Kinase C-α and Protein Kinase C-β Isoforms Protects Against Experimental Murine Diabetic Nephropathy
Authors: Menne Jan , Shushakova Nelli , Bartels Janina , Kiyan Yulia , Laudeley Robert , Haller Hermann , Park Joon-Keun , Meier Matthias
Published: February 2013

Activation of protein kinase C (PKC) has been implicated in the pathogenesis of diabetic nephropathy with proteinuria and peritubular extracellular matrix production. We have previously shown that the PKC isoforms α and β mediate different cellular effects. PKC-β contributes to hyperglycemia-induced renal matrix production, whereby PKC-α is involved in the development of albuminuria. We further tested this hypothesis by deletion of both isoforms and used a PKC inhibitor. We analyzed the phenotype of nondiabetic and streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic homozygous PKC-α/β double-knockout mice (PKC-α/β−/−). After 8 weeks of diabetes mellitus, the high-glucose–induced renal and glomerular hypertrophy as well as transforming growth factor-β1) and extracellular matrix production were diminished in the PKC-α/β−/− mice compared with wild-type controls. Urinary albumin/creatinine ratio also was significantly reduced, however, it was not completely abolished in diabetic PKC-α/β−/− mice. Treatment with CGP41252, which inhibits PKC-α and PKC-β, is able to prevent the development of albuminuria and to reduce existing albuminuria in type 1 (STZ model) or type 2 (db/db model) diabetic mice. These results support our hypothesis that PKC-α and PKC-β contribute to the pathogenesis of diabetic nephropathy, and that dual inhibition of the classical PKC isoforms is a suitable therapeutic strategy in the prevention and treatment of diabetic nephropathy.
Electrical transport properties of poly(aniline-co-p-phenylenediamine) and its composites with incorporated silver particles
Authors: Moucka Robert , Mrlik Miroslav , Ilcikova Marketa , Spitalsky Zdenko , Kazantseva Natalia , Bober Patrycja , Stejskal Jaroslav
Published: February 2013

Statistical copolymers of aniline and p-phenylenediamine, poly(aniline-co-p-phenylenediamine)s, were synthesised by oxidative polymerisation using various oxidants, ammonium peroxydisulphate or silver nitrate. Depending on the choice of oxidant, copolymers or composites with silver particles were obtained. Different molar concentrations of p-phenylenediamine in the reaction mixture provided materials of different conductivities. The influence of both the copolymer composition and the presence of discrete silver particles on the electric and dielectric properties of the system was studied. The results showed a decrease in the conductivity of copolymers and their composites with the silver content compared with the content of standard polyaniline salt. The reduction in conductivity was described in terms of the decreased density of hopping centres due to defects in the copolymer structure. The dielectric relaxations observed were described in terms of their activation energies and were linked to the corresponding conduction mechanism.
Anti-oxidative properties of bi-1,2,4-triazine bisulphides
Authors: Piszcz Paweł , Głód Bronisław
Published: February 2013

The anti-oxidative properties of bitriazines (BTs) were evaluated using HPLC and cyclic voltammetry. In the first case, a RP-HPLC assay was made, using a fluorescence detector, hydroxyl radicals generated in Fenton reaction, and terephthalic acid as a spin trap. The measurements were performed using aqueous or methanolic solutions. It was found that when the BTs were dissolved in water they were antioxidants, while dissolved in methanol they were pro-oxidants. Their different physicochemical properties in both solvents were confirmed by voltammetric, chromatographic as well as spectrophotometric measurements.
Politics of Heritage Promotion: Branding the Identity of the Greek State
Authors: Kavoura Androniki
Published: February 2013

This article analyzes the role of the Greek Ministry of Culture in its capacity as the public sector agency responsible for managing heritage assets within Greece and its role in promoting national identity. The study examines the officially sanctioned promotional narrative for Greece's
World Heritage listed sites. It focuses on visitors who are able to read the Greek language promotional materials that explain the educational programs offered at these sites. Through the use of interpretative phenomenological analysis, this qualitative research article argues that the promotion
of world-renowned sites has a strong social and political dimension. The official promotion of heritage by a state may project a symbolic sense of “imagining”: with national identity within a multicultural and heterogeneous world. Theoretically, the article probes the phenomenon
of official portrayals of a singular national identity within a multicultural society and the role played by heritage promotional materials in advancing the interests of the state. It is shown that as they are manifest in promotional material cultural values are not neutral. The mediating
role of the promotional material for tourists may be used to promote a brand identity that is inclusive of multiculturalism and recognizes the “significant other,” namely neighboring states, as potential beneficiaries and friends.
Sightseeing for the Sightless and Soundless: Tourism Experiences of the Deafblind
Authors: Dann Elizabeth , Dann Graham M. S.
Published: February 2013

Much of the academic treatment of tourism for the disabled typically focuses on those with bodily impairment and the ways that the industry responds to customer disability from a supply-side perspective. By contrast, the following account begins with demand and does so from the specific
point of view of a deafblind individual (the lead author). Some statistical data are provided that enable the contextualization of her condition in the UK and rest of the world. However, since this is very much a trans-subjective journey, the remainder of the account is cast in the first person
and present continuous. As part of this odyssey the study investigates a series of salient recorded experiences as they relate to her remaining senses of touch, taste, smell, and, to a lesser extent, hearing, and the manner in which they concentrate on doing her best in the circumstances rather
than compensating for dual sensory impairment. It also analyzes these senses both qualitatively and quantitatively in relation to touristic visits to three continents: the Americas, Africa, and Europe, areas in which the narrator traveled from the time that she lost her sight, along with their
evaluation as either positive or negative in nature. The conclusion briefly shows what the tourism industry is doing to cater to this disadvantaged group and additional material is briefly supplied to highlight a growing awareness of its situation.
A New HPLC Method with Fluorescence Detection for the Determination of Memantine in Human Plasma
Authors: Tekkeli Serife Evrim Kepekci , Toker Sidika Erturk
Published: February 2013

A sensitive and selective HPLC method with fluorometric detection was developed for the determination of memantine in human plasma and applied to a pharmacokinetic study. Memantine was precolumn derivatized with 9-fluorenylmethyl chloroformate, and the fluorescent derivative was separated on an RP C18 column using a mobile phase composed of acetonitrile–10 mM orthophosphoric acid containing 1 mL/L triethylamine with gradient elution. The method was based on the measurement of the derivative using fluorescence detection at 310 nm with excitation at 260 nm. The calibration curve was linear over the range 1.0–50.0 ng/mL. LOD and LOQ were found to be 0.3 and 1.0 ng/mL, respectively. Intraday and interday RSD values were less than 3.39%.
Determination of Volatile Organic Compounds in Air by GC/MS: Italian Proficiency Tests
Authors: Formenton Gianni , Bassetto Anna , De Lorenzo Roberta
Published: February 2013

Three national proficiency scheme rounds on the analysis of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in air have been organized; the first between April and June 2007, the second between May and July 2008, and the third between April and June 2010. A group of about 10 Italian laboratories used the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Method TO-15 for the determination of VOCs in air collected in canisters. A canister containing a VOC mixture, prepared by dynamic dilution from certified reference materials, was shipped to each participating laboratory; VOC concentrations were between 2 and 50 parts per billion by volume. Homogeneity of the samples prepared was tested and considered adequate according to ISO 13528:2005(E); stability was also checked. The canisters were analyzed by the laboratories within 30 days by GC/MS. The data were analyzed by robust statistics. Good accordance among laboratory results was obtained.
Determination of pKa Values of Some Antipsychotic Drugs by HPLC—Correlations with the Kamlet and Taft Solvatochromic Parameters and HPLC Analysis in Dosage Forms
Authors: Sanli Senem , Kmese Ediha , Altun Yuksel
Published: February 2013

In this study, ionization constant (pKa) values were determined by using the dependence of the retention factor on the pH of the mobile phase for four ionizable drugs, namely, risperidone (RI), clozapine (CL), olanzapine (OL), and sertindole (SE). The effect of the mobile phase composition on the pKa was studied by measuring the pKa at different acetonitrile–water mixtures in an HPLC-UV method. To explain the variation of the pKa values obtained over the whole composition range studied, the quasi-lattice quasi-chemical theory of preferential solvation was applied. The pKa values of drugs were correlated with the Kamlet and Taft solvatochromic parameters. Kamlet and Taft's general equation was reduced to two terms by using combined factor analysis and target factor analysis in these mixtures: the independent term and the hydrogen-bond donating ability α. The HPLC-UV method was successfully applied for the determination of RI, OL, and SE in pharmaceutical dosage forms. CL was chosen as an internal standard. Additionally, the repeatability, reproducibility, selectivity, precision, and accuracy of the method in all media were investigated and calculated.
Establishment and Validation of an HPLC Quantification Method for Quality Control of Semen Oroxyli
Authors: Yang Xiaorong , Miao Jianhua , Ma Xiaojun , Xiao Peigen
Published: February 2013

Semen Oroxyli is a medicinal plant widely used in traditional Chinese medicine. In this study, an improved and comprehensive analytical method suitable for QC of Semen Oroxyli was optimized and fully validated according to International Conference on Harmonization guidelines in terms of linearity, precision, and accuracy. With this method, four flavonoids in Semen Oroxyli plant material were simultaneously quantitatively analyzed for the first time. The sample treatment procedure and HPLC conditions were investigated and optimized. HPLC separation was carried out on a C18 column; the detection wavelength was set at 280 nm. The mobile phase was a two-phase system consisting of water, acetic acid, and acetonitrile using a linear gradient. The RSDs within levels and between levels, as well as within and between days, were less than the acceptance limit of 5% for the tested analytes. The mean recoveries of the four marker constituents were, respectively, 99.60, 101.8, 98.84, and 102.9%, with no significant difference from 100%. The validation data showed the developed method was suitable for the QC of the Semen Oroxyli plant material and products thereof.
Determination of Ginsenoside Content in Panax ginseng C.A. Meyer and Panax quinquefolius L. Root Materials and Finished Products by High-Performance Liquid Chromatography with Ultraviolet Absorbance Detection: Interlaboratory Study
Authors: Brown Paula N , Yu Ronan ,   Collaborators:, Cain T , Huie G , Jin C D , Kababick J N , Leong G , LeVanseler K , Lunetta S , Ma Y C , Reif K , Schaneberg B , Shevchuk C , Smith R , Sullivan D , Wijewickreme N , Windust A
Published: February 2013

An interlaboratory study was conducted on an HPLC method with UV absorbance detection, previously validated using AOAC single-laboratory validation guidelines, for the determination of the six major ginsenosides (Rg1, Re, Rb1, Rc, Rb2, and Rd) in Panax ginseng C. A. Meyer and Panax quinquefolius L. root materials, extracts, and finished products. Fourteen participating laboratories analyzed five test materials (P. ginseng whole root, P. ginseng powdered extract, P. quinquefolius whole root, P. quinquefolius powdered extract, and P. ginseng powdered extract spiked in a matrix blank) as blind duplicates, and two test materials (P. ginseng powdered whole root tablet and P. quinquefolius powdered extract hard-filled capsule) as single samples. Due to the variability of the ginsenosides (low level concentration of Rb2 in P. quinquefolius raw materials and in P. ginseng spiked matrix blanks, and the possibility of incomplete hydrolysis of the finished products during processing), it was deemed more applicable to analyze total ginsenosides rather than individual ones. Outliers were evaluated and omitted using the Cochran's test and single and double Grubbs' tests. The reproducibility RSD (RSDR) for the blind duplicate samples ranged from 4.38 to 5.39%, with reproducibility Horwitz Ratio (HorRatR) values ranging from 1.5 to 1.9. For the single replicate samples, the data sets were evaluated solely by their repeatability HorRat (HorRatr), which were 2.9 and 3.5 for the capsule and tablet samples, respectively. Based on these results, the method is recommended for AOAC Official First Action for the determination of total ginsenosides in P. ginseng and P. quinquefolius root materials and powdered extracts.
Synthesis of Chiral Amino Acid Anilides by Ligand‐Free Copper‐Catalyzed Selective N‐Arylation of Amino Acid Amides
Authors: Dong Junyu , Wang Yan , Xiang Qinjie , Lv Xirui , Weng Wen , Zeng Qingle
Published: February 2013

An atom‐economic, practical and cost‐effective protocol for synthesis of chiral amino acid anilides via ligand‐free copper‐catalyzed selective CN cross coupling of chiral amino acid amides and aryl halides, hetereoaryl halides and a vinyl bromide has been developed. No racemization occurred during the CN coupling. A plausible mechanism is proposed.
Recent Advances in Asymmetric Organocatalytic Construction of 3,3′‐Spirocyclic Oxindoles
Authors: Hong Liang , Wang Rui
Published: February 2013

The asymmetric organocatalysis is definitely one of the most powerful and versatile tools for the rapid construction of various spirocyclic oxindoles. In the past few years, a number of successful strategies based on organocatalysis have been developed for the construction of 3,3′‐spirocyclic oxindoles in high yields and excellent enantioselectivities under mild conditions. In this review, recent advances in this area are summarized and classified according to the spiro ring fused at the 3‐position of the oxindole core.
Intermolecular interactions during ultrafiltration of pegylated proteins
Authors: Ruanjaikaen Krisada , Zydney Andrew L.
Published: February 2013

Recent studies have demonstrated the feasibility of using membrane ultrafiltration for the purification of pegylated proteins; however, the separations have all been performed at relatively low protein concentrations where intermolecular interactions are unimportant. The objective of this study was to examine the behavior at higher PEG concentrations and to develop an appropriate theoretical framework to describe the effects of intermolecular interactions. Ultrafiltration experiments were performed using pegylated α‐lactalbumin as a model protein with both neutral and charged composite regenerated cellulose membranes. The transmission of the pegylated α‐lactalbumin, PEG, and α‐lactalbumin all increase with increasing PEG concentration due to the increase in the solute partition coefficient arising from unfavorable intermolecular interactions in the bulk solution. The experimental results were in good agreement with a simple model that accounts for the change in Gibbs free energy associated with these intermolecular interactions, including the effects of concentration polarization on the local solute concentrations upstream of the membrane. These intermolecular interactions are shown to cause a greater than expected loss of pegylated product in a batch ultrafiltration system, and they alter the yield and purification factor that can be achieved during a diafiltration process to remove unreacted PEG. © 2013 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Biotechnol. Prog., 29:655–663, 2013
High‐Selective Tramadol Sensor Based on Modified Molecularly Imprinted PolymerCarbon Paste Electrode with Multiwalled Carbon Nanotubes
Authors: Soleimani Majid , Afshar Majid Ghahraman , Shafaat Atefeh , Crespo Gastón A.
Published: February 2013

We report here a novel carbon paste electrode (CPE) which is able to quantitatively sense tramadol under physiological conditions without sample preparation step. The selectivity of CPE is modified by applying molecularly imprinted polymer (MIP) technology. Multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) are incorporated in the structure of CPE to improve the conductivity and the ion‐to‐electron transduction. The electrode shows a wide dynamic linear range for tramadol from 10−7 to 10−3 M. The observed limit of detection and % RSD are 5×10−7 M and 1.8 %, respectively. Finally, the proposed method is applied to determine tramadol in urine and medicinal tablets.
Dissolution in a variably confined carbonate platform: effects of allogenic runoff, hydraulic damming of groundwater inputs, and surface–groundwater exchange at the basin scale
Authors: Gulley J. , Martin J. , Spellman P. , Moore P. , Screaton E.
Published: February 2013

In variably confined carbonate platforms, impermeable confining units collect rainfall over large areas and deliver runoff to rivers or conduits in unconfined portions of platforms. Runoff can increase river stage or conduit heads in unconfined portions of platforms faster than local infiltration of rainfall can increase groundwater heads, causing hydraulic gradients between rivers, conduits and the aquifer to reverse. Gradient reversals cause flood waters to flow from rivers and conduits into the aquifer where they can dissolve limestone. Previous work on impacts of gradient reversals on dissolution has primarily emphasized individual caves and little research has been conducted at basin scales. To address this gap in knowledge, we used legacy data to assess how a gradient of aquifer confinement across the Suwannee River Basin, north‐central Florida affected locations, magnitudes and processes of dissolution during 2005–2007, a period with extreme ranges of discharge. During intense rain events, runoff from the confining unit increased river stage above groundwater heads in unconfined portions of the platform, hydraulically damming inputs of groundwater along a 200 km reach of river. Hydraulic damming allowed allogenic runoff with SICAL < −4 to fill the entire river channel and flow into the aquifer via reversing springs. Storage of runoff in the aquifer decreased peak river discharges downstream and contributed to dissolution within the aquifer. Temporary storage of allogenic runoff in karst aquifers represents hyporheic exchange at a scale that is larger than found in streams flowing over non‐karst aquifers because conduits in karst aquifers extend the area available for exchange beyond river beds deep into aquifers. Post‐depositional porosity in variably confined carbonate platforms should thus be enhanced along rivers that originate on confining units. This distribution should be considered in models of porosity distribution used to manage water and hydrocarbon resources in carbonate rocks. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Analysis of trends in fused AVHRR and MODIS NDVI data for 1982–2006: Indication for a CO2 fertilization effect in global vegetation
Authors: Los S. O.
Published: February 2013

Recent studies report an increase in vegetation greenness in mid‐to‐high northern latitudes. This increase is observed in leaf‐out data in Europe and North America since the 1950s and in satellite data since the 1980s. Increased vegetation greenness is potentially a factor contributing to a land CO2 sink. Various causes for increased vegetation greenness are suggested, but their relative importance is uncertain. In the present study, the effect of climate and CO2 fertilization on increased vegetation greenness and the land CO2 sink are investigated. The study is organized as follows: (1) A model is used to simulate monthly global normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) fields for 1901–2006. The model is derived from NDVI, precipitation, and temperature data for 1982–1999. The modeled fields, referred to as reconstructed vegetation index (RVI), are tested back in time on phenological data (1950s–1990s) and forward in time on Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectrometer (MODIS) data (2001–2006). The RVI represents the response of NDVI to variations in climate. (2) Residuals between RVI and NDVI are analyzed for associations with variations in downwelling solar radiation, nitrogen deposition, satellite‐related artifacts, and CO2 fertilization. CO2 fertilization was the only factor that improved RVI modeling. (3) The effect of climate variations and CO2 fertilization on the land CO2 sink, as manifested in the RVI, is explored with the Carnegie Ames Stanford Assimilation (CASA) model. Climate (temperature and precipitation) and CO2 fertilization each explain approximately 40% of the observed global trend in NDVI for 1982–2006. For 1901–2006, estimated trends in NDVI related to CO2 fertilization are four to five times larger than climate‐related trends. CASA simulations indicate that the CO2 fertilization effect on vegetation greenness contributes about 0.7 Pg C per year to the recent land CO2 sink. This is a conservative estimate and is likely larger. This effect of CO2 fertilization would be a large component of the land carbon sink. In the supporting information the RVI is used as a common standard to fuse MODIS and advanced very high resolution radiometer (AVHRR) NDVI data. This fusion compares well with SeaWiFS data.
Seismic stratigraphic evidence for glacial expanse during glacial maxima in the Yakutat Bay Region, Gulf of Alaska
Authors: Elmore Christopher R. , Gulick Sean P. S. , Willems Bryce , Powell Ross
Published: February 2013

Modern shelf bathymetry bordering the Gulf of Alaska exhibits shelf‐crossing sea valleys that suggest focused pathways for ice flow during glacial conditions. Using an integrated seismic data set between the present Yakutat and Alsek Sea Valleys, we investigate the glacial stratigraphic record in order to improve our understanding of the regional glacial system during maximum glacial conditions. Our investigations reveal four glacial unconformities, of which, the latter two are overlain by sediment packages hundreds of meters thick. We suggest that these unconformities are indicative of ice advance phases during the Little Ice Age (LIA), the Last Glacial Maxima (LGM), and two pre‐LGM advances with glacial retreat sequences preserved from the youngest two. The advances were dominated by ice expanse from the Malaspina Glacial system and Alsek River districts rather than the Hubbard Glacial system and only show distinctive morainal bank development near the shelf edge and near the mouth of, or within, modern bays, fjords, or river valleys. This observation strongly supports rapid and continuous retreat from glacial maxima conditions during climatic warming. All, except the inferred LIA sequence, transgress the shelf and exhibit concentrated erosion in overdeepened troughs, analogous to cross‐shelf troughs similar to those observed on other high‐latitude glaciated shelves. The two Alaskan troughs discussed here may be end‐member examples of high‐sediment flux systems due to the temperate glacial setting combined with an actively exhuming orogen.
Remotely triggered micro‐earthquakes in the Larderello‐Travale Geothermal Field (Italy) following the 2012 May 20, Mw 5.9 Po‐plain earthquake
Authors: Saccorotti G. , Piccinini D. , Mazzarini F. , Zupo M.
Published: February 2013

We report observations of remotely triggered earthquakes at the Larderello‐Travale Geothermal Field (Italy), following the Mw = 5.9 Po‐Plain earthquake on 20 May 2012. Four distinct triggered events are recognized within a short (~25 s) time interval accompanying the sweeping of ~10s Rayleigh waves. Triggered sources are clustered at depths in between 4 km and 6 km. The magnitude and distance of the mainshock agree well with the triggering threshold previously proposed for The Geysers, California. For three out of four earthquakes, the Rayleigh wave dynamic stresses are mostly associated with extensional vertical (szz) and shear (sxz) components, which range up to 5 KPa. Once considering the structural setting of the area, the most likely triggering mechanism involves the rupture of normal faults which are kept close to failure by high‐pressure crustal fluids.
Production, Purification and Partial Characterization of Four Lipases from a Thermophile Isolated from Deception Island
Authors: Muñoz Patricio A. , Correa‐Llantén Daniela N. , Blamey Jenny M.
Published: February 2013

Four lipases were purified from ID17, a thermophilic bacterium belonging to Geobacillus genus isolated from Deception Island, Antarctica. Lipase activity was detected by opacity test and p‐nitrophenyl laurate methods. Lipase production was better in a medium containing tryptone as the carbon and nitrogen source, without non‐ionic detergents and pH 7.5. Proteins were ultrafiltered from supernatant and separated using anion exchange and size exclusion chromatography resulting in four distinct fractions with lipase activity (called Lip1–4). Purified lipases showed an optimal pH at 9.0, 9.5, 10.0 and 8.0 and temperature at 65, 70, 75 and 80 °C for Lip1–4, respectively. Lip1 and Lip2 showed higher activity using p‐nitrophenol decanoate as substrate, whereas Lip3 and Lip4 prefer p‐nitrophenol laurate. Based on their molecular weight Lip1 and Lip2 are trimeric and pentameric proteins, respectively, whereas Lip3 and Lip4 are monomeric proteins. Lip1 was exceptionally thermostable maintaining 70 % of its activity after incubating it at 70 °C for 8 h. Based on their characteristics, the four lipases obtained from ID17 are good candidates to understand the mechanisms of lipase stability and to be used in different types of industrial applications.
Impact of current paths on measurement of tunneling magnetoresistance and spin torque critical current densities in GaMnAs-based magnetic tunnel junctions
Authors: Ben Hamida A. , Bergmann F. , Pierz K. , Schumacher H. W.
Published: February 2013

GaMnAs-based magnetic tunnel junction (MTJ) devices are characterized by in-plane and perpendicular-to-plane magnetotransport at low temperatures. Perpendicular-to-plane transport reveals the typical tunneling magnetoresistance (TMR) signal. Interestingly, a similar TMR signature is observed in the in-plane transport signal. Here, low-ohmic shunting of the MTJ by the top contact results in significant perpendicular-to-plane current paths. This effect allows the determination of TMR ratios of MTJs based on a simplified in-plane measurement. However, the same effect can lead to an inaccurate determination of resistance area products and spin torque critical current densities from perpendicular-to-plane magnetotransport experiments on MTJ pillar structures.
Reyranella

soli sp. nov., isolated from forest soil, and emended description of the genus

Reyranella

Pagnier et al. 2011
Authors: Kim Soo-Jin , Ahn Jae-Hyung , Lee Tae-Hyung , Weon Hang-Yeon , Hong Seung-Beom , Seok Soon-Ja , Whang Kyung-Sook , Kwon Soon-Wo
Published: February 2013

A Gram-stain-negative, non-motile, rod-shaped bacterial strain, designated KIS14-15T, was isolated from forest soil of Baengnyeong Island in the Yellow Sea in Korea and its taxonomic position was investigated by using a polyphasic study. Strain KIS14-15T grew optimally at 30 °C, at pH 6.0–7.0 and without NaCl. In the neighbour-joining phylogenetic tree based on 16S rRNA gene sequences, strain KIS14-15T formed a cluster with the strains of

Reyranella massiliensis

with a bootstrap resampling value of 100 %. Strain KIS14-15T exhibited 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity values of 98.0 % to

R. massiliensis

521T and of less than 89 % to the type strains of other taxa. The mean level of DNA–DNA relatedness between strain KIS14-15T and

R. massiliensis

KACC 16548T was 21 % (reciprocal, 24 %). The predominant ubiquinone found in strain KIS14-15T and

R. massiliensis

KACC 16548T was ubiquinone-10 (Q-10). The predominant fatty acids of strain KIS14-15T and

R. massiliensis

KACC 16548T were C18 : 1ω7c, C18 : 1 2-OH and 11-methyl C18 : 1ω7c. Total polar lipids of strain KIS14-15T were phosphatidylmonomethylethanolamine, diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine, one unknown aminolipid and one unknown lipid. Differential phenotypic properties, together with phylogenetic and genetic distinctiveness, demonstrated that strain KIS14-15T is distinguishable from

R. massiliensis

. On the basis of the data presented, strain KIS14-15T is considered to represent a novel species of the genus

Reyranella

, for which the name

Reyranella

soli sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is KIS14-15T ( = KACC 13034T = NBRC 108950T).
Ferrimonas

pelagia sp. nov., isolated from seawater
Authors: Yim Kyung June , Lee Myunglip , Lee Hae-Won , Kim Kil-Nam , Yang Hye-Mi , Kim Mi-Ju , Hyun Dong-Wook , Bae Jin-Woo , Nam Young-Do , Yoon Changmann , Kim Moo-Sang , Roh Seong Woon , Kim Daekyung
Published: February 2013

A Gram-stain-negative bacterium, designated strain CBA4601T, was isolated from a seawater sample obtained off the coast of Jeju Island, Korea. The organism grew in the presence of 0–4 % (w/v) NaCl and at 20–35 °C and pH 7.0–9.0, with optimal growth in 2 % NaCl, and at 25 °C and pH 8.0. Phylogenetic trees based on 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that strain CBA4601T was related to the genus

Ferrimonas

within the class

Gammaproteobacteria

. 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity between strain CBA4601T and

Ferrimonas marina

A4D-4T, the most closely related species, was 96.9 %. The G+C content of the genomic DNA from strain CBA4601T was 54.2 mol%, and the isoprenoid quinones menaquinone 7 (MK-7), ubiquinone 7 (Q-7) and ubiquinone 8 (Q-8) were detected. The major fatty acids were C17 : 1ω8c, C18 : 1ω9c and C16 : 0, and the major polar lipids were phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylglycerol and an unidentified ninhydrin-positive phospholipid. On the basis of this taxonomic study using a polyphasic approach, strain CBA4601T represents a novel species of the genus

Ferrimonas

, for which the name

Ferrimonas

pelagia sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is CBA4601T ( = KACC 16695T = KCTC 32029T = JCM 18401T).
Auditory habituation in the fetus and neonate: an fMEG study
Authors: Muenssinger Jana , Matuz Tamara , Schleger Franziska , Kiefer‐Schmidt Isabelle , Goelz Rangmar , Wacker‐Gussmann Annette , Birbaumer Niels , Preissl Hubert
Published: February 2013

Habituation – the most basic form of learning – is used to evaluate central nervous system (CNS) maturation and to detect abnormalities in fetal brain development. In the current study, habituation, stimulus specificity and dishabituation of auditory evoked responses were measured in fetuses and newborns using fetal magnetoencephalography (fMEG). An auditory habituation paradigm consisting of 100 trains of five 500 Hz tones, one 750 Hz tone (dishabituator) and two more 500 Hz tones, respectively, were presented to 41 fetuses (gestational age 30–39 weeks) and 22 newborns or babies (age 6–89 days). A response decrement between the first and fifth tones (habituation), an increment between the fifth tone and the dishabituator (stimulus specificity) and an increment between the fifth (last tone before the dishabituator) and seventh tones (first tone after the dishabituator) (dishabituation) were expected. Fetuses showed weak responses to the first tone. However, a significant response decrement between the second and fifth tones (habituation) and a significant increment between the fifth tone and the dishabituator (stimulus specificity) were found. No significant difference was found for dishabituation nor was a developmental trend found at the group level. From the neonatal data, significant values for stimulus specificity were found. Sensory fatigue or adaptation was ruled out as a reason for the response decrement due to the strong reactions to the dishabituator. Taken together, the current study used fMEG to directly show fetal habituation and provides evidence of fetal learning in the last trimester of pregnancy.
Target Article with Commentaries: Developmental niche construction
Authors: Flynn Emma G. , Laland Kevin N. , Kendal Rachel L. , Kendal Jeremy R.
Published: February 2013

Niche construction is the modification of components of the environment through an organism's activities. Humans modify their environments mainly through ontogenetic and cultural processes, and it is this reliance on learning, plasticity and culture that lends human niche construction a special potency. In this paper we aim to facilitate discussion between researchers interested in niche construction and those interested in human cognitive development by highlighting some of the related processes. We discuss the transmission of culturally relevant information, how the human mind is a symbol‐generating and artefact‐devising system, and how these processes are bi‐directional, with infants and children both being directed, and directing, their own development. We reflect on these in the light of four approaches: natural pedagogy, activity theory, distributed cognition and situated learning. Throughout, we highlight pertinent examples in non‐humans that parallel or further explicate the processes discussed. Finally we offer three future directions; two involving the use of new techniques in the realms of neuroscience and modelling, and the third suggesting exploration of changes in the effects of niche construction across the lifespan.
Effect of insulin on the soluble receptor for advanced glycation end products (RAGE)
Authors: Lam J. K. Y. , Wang Y. , Shiu S. W. M. , Wong Y. , Betteridge D. J. , Tan K. C. B.
Published: February 2013

Aims

The receptor for advanced glycation end products (RAGE) plays an important role in the pathogenesis of diabetic complications. RAGE transcript splicing generates a number of isoforms, including a full‐length membrane‐bound receptor and a soluble isoform, endogenous secretory RAGE (esRAGE). Soluble forms of the receptor (sRAGE) can also be formed by ectodomain shedding of the membrane‐associated receptor. We have evaluated serum levels of sRAGE and esRAGE in Chinese patients with Type 1 diabetes and investigated the effect of insulin on the generation of esRAGE and sRAGE in vitro.

Methods

Serum sRAGE and esRAGE were measured by ELISA. The in vitro effect of insulin was investigated by incubating THP‐1 macrophages with insulin and RAGE isoforms in cell lysate and conditioned media determined.

Results

In patients with diabetes, both serum esRAGE and sRAGE were significantly higher than in age‐matched healthy subjects without diabetes. In vitro, insulin increased esRAGE and total RAGE isoform expression in cell lysate on a western blot, and reverse transcription–polymerase chain reaction showed an increase in esRAGE and full‐length RAGE mRNA. This was accompanied by an increase in esRAGE and sRAGE in cell conditioned media. Pretreatment of THP‐1 cells with a general metalloproteinase inhibitor GM6001 significantly reduced the production of sRAGE, suggesting that insulin also increased the cleavage of full‐length cell surface RAGE to form sRAGE.

Conclusions

Chinese patients with Type 1 diabetes have higher serum levels of esRAGE and sRAGE. In vitro, insulin not only increases both full‐length RAGE and esRAGE expression, but can also stimulate the shedding of sRAGE from the membrane‐bound receptor.
Perceived Barriers, Resources, and Training Needs of Rural Primary Care Providers Relevant to the Management of Childhood Obesity
Authors: Findholt Nancy E. , Davis Melinda M. , Michael Yvonne L.
Published: February 2013

Purpose

To explore the perceived barriers, resources, and training needs of rural primary care providers in relation to implementing the American Medical Association Expert Committee recommendations for assessment, treatment, and prevention of childhood obesity.

Methods

In‐depth interviews were conducted with 13 rural primary care providers in Oregon. Transcribed interviews were thematically coded.

Results

Barriers to addressing childhood obesity fell into 5 categories: barriers related to the practice (time constraints, lack of reimbursement, few opportunities to detect obesity), the clinician (limited knowledge), the family/patient (family lifestyle and lack of parent motivation to change, low family income and lack of health insurance, sensitivity of the issue), the community (lack of pediatric subspecialists and multidisciplinary/tertiary care services, few community resources), and the broader sociocultural environment (sociocultural influences, high prevalence of childhood obesity). There were very few clinic and community resources to assist clinicians in addressing weight issues. Clinicians had received little previous training relevant to childhood obesity, and they expressed an interest in several topics.

Conclusions

Rural primary care providers face extensive barriers in relation to implementing recommended practices for assessment, treatment, and prevention of childhood obesity. Particularly problematic is the lack of local and regional resources. Employing nurses to provide case management and behavior counseling, group visits, and telehealth and other technological communications are strategies that could improve the management of childhood obesity in rural primary care settings.
Multiaxial Fatigue Analysis on Reeled Steel Tube Umbilical
Authors: Yang Hezhen , Li Qingquan , Li Huajun
Published: February 2013

Multiaxial fatigue analysis on reeled steel tube umbilical is proposed based on finite element analysis (FEA) results. Due to the complexity of the umbilical geometry, the stresses and strains field becomes multiaxial, worsening the fatigue resistance. The reel-lay method is one of the most efficient and cost-effective methods of umbilical installation. However, if installed by the reel-lay method, material properties of the umbilical change may have an influence in fatigue performance of the line. Finite element analysis is applied with contact formulation, and the load history through the reel, aligner, and straightener is simulated. The strain history of the whole modeling process in the critical element is given, and the properties' change after the load history is discussed. Then, the principal stress criterion and the Brown–Miller criterion (both combined with the critical plane approach) based on FEA results are used to do fatigue life prediction of reeled and nonreeled models. The results indicated that a reel-lay method has a great influence on the fatigue life of steel tube umbilical, so the influence of installation on the steel tube umbilical fatigue must be considered when the reel-lay method is adopted.
Computational Study and Optimization of Laminar Heat Transfer and Pressure Loss of Double-Layer Microchannels for Chip Liquid Cooling
Authors: Xie Gongnan , Liu Yanquan , Sunden Bengt , Zhang Weihong
Published: February 2013

The problem involved in the increase of the chip output power of high-performance integrated electronic devices is the failure of reliability because of excessive thermal loads. This requires advanced cooling methods to be incorporated to manage the increase of the dissipated heat. The traditional air-cooling can not meet the requirements of cooling heat fluxes as high as 100 W/cm2, or even higher, and the traditional liquid cooling is not sufficient either in cooling very high heat fluxes although the pressure drop is small. Therefore, a new generation of liquid cooling technology becomes necessary. Various microchannels are widely used to cool the electronic chips by a gas or liquid removing the heat, but these microchannels are often designed to be single-layer channels with high pressure drop. In this paper, the laminar heat transfer and pressure loss of a kind of double-layer microchannel have been investigated numerically. The layouts of parallel-flow and counter-flow for inlet/outlet flow directions are designed and then several sets of inlet flow rates are considered. The simulations show that such a double-layer microchannel can not only reduce the pressure drop effectively but also exhibits better thermal characteristics. Due to the negative heat flux effect, the parallel-flow layout is found to be better for heat dissipation when the flow rate is limited to a low value while the counter-flow layout is better when a high flow rate can be provided. In addition, the thermal performance of the single-layer microchannel is between those of parallel-flow layout and counter-flow layout of the double-layer microchannel at low flow rates. At last, the optimizations of geometry parameters of double-layer microchannel are carried out through changing the height of the upper-branch and lower-branch channels to investigate the influence on the thermal performance.
Noninvasive, real-time measurements of plasma parameters via optical emission spectroscopy
Authors: Wang Shicong , Wendt Amy E. , Boffard John B. , Lin Chun C. , Radovanov Svetlana , Persing Harold
Published: February 2013

Plasma process control applications require acquisition of diagnostic data at a rate faster than the characteristic timescale of perturbations to the plasma. Diagnostics based on optical emission spectroscopy of intense emission lines permit rapid noninvasive measurements with low-resolution (∼1 nm), fiber-coupled spectrographs, which are included on many plasma process tools for semiconductor processing. Here the authors report on rapid analysis of Ar emissions with such a system to obtain electron temperatures, electron densities, and metastable densities in argon and argon/mixed-gas (Ar/N2, Ar/O2, Ar/H2) inductively coupled plasmas. Accuracy of the results (compared to measurements made by Langmuir probe and white-light absorption spectroscopy) are typically better than ±15% with a time resolution of 0.1 s, which is more than sufficient to capture the transient behavior of many processes, limited only by the time response of the spectrograph used.
Predation in Homogeneous and Heterogeneous Phage Environments Affects Virulence Determinants of Pseudomonas aeruginosa
Authors: Hosseinidoust Zeinab , Tufenkji Nathalie , van de Ven Theo G. M.
Published: February 2013

The rise of bacterial variants in the presence of lytic phages has been one of the basic grounds for evolution studies. However, there are incongruent results among different studies investigating the effect of phage resistance acquisition on bacterial fitness and virulence. We used experimental evolution to generate three classes of
Pseudomonas aeruginosa
variants under selective pressure from two different homogeneous phage environments and one heterogeneous phage environment. The fitness and virulence determinants of the variants, such as growth, motility, biofilm formation, resistance to oxidative stress, and the production of siderophores and chromophores, changed significantly compared to the control. Variants with similar colony morphology that were developed through different phage treatments have different phenotypic traits. Also, mRNA transcription for genes associated with certain phenotypic traits changed significantly; however, sequencing did not reveal any point mutations in selected gene loci. Furthermore, the appearance of small colony variants and melanogenic variants and the increase in pyocyanin and pyoverdin production for some variants are believed to affect the virulence of the population. The knowledge gained from this study will fundamentally contribute to our understanding of the evolutionary dynamics of bacteria under phage selective pressure which is crucial to the efficient utilization of bacteriophages in medical contexts.