bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Validation of IASI FORLI carbon monoxide retrievals using FTIR data from NDACC
Authors: Kerzenmacher T. , Dils B. , Kumps N. , Blumenstock T. , Clerbaux C. , Coheur P.-F. , Demoulin P. , García O. , George M. , Griffith D. W. T. , Hase F. , Hadji-Lazaro J. , Hurtmans D. , Jones N. , Mahieu E. , Notholt J. , Paton-Walsh C. , Raffalski U. , Ridder T. , Schneider M. , Servais C. , De Mazière M.
Published: June 2012

Abstract. Carbon monoxide (CO) is retrieved daily and globally from space-borne IASI radiance spectra using the Fast Optimal Retrievals on Layers for IASI (FORLI) software developed at the Université Libre de Bruxelles (ULB). The IASI CO total column product for 2008 from the most recent FORLI retrieval version (20100815) is evaluated using correlative CO profile products retrieved from ground-based solar absorption Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) observations at the following FTIR spectrometer sites from the Network for the Detection of Atmospheric Composition Change (NDACC): Ny Ålesund, Kiruna, Bremen, Jungfraujoch, Izaña and Wollongong. In order to have good statistics for the comparisons, we included all IASI data from the same day, within a 100 km radius around the ground-based stations. The individual ground-based data were adjusted to the lowest altitude of the co-located IASI CO profiles. To account for the different vertical resolutions and sensitivities of the ground-based and satellite measurements, the averaging kernels associated with the various retrieved products have been used to properly smooth coincident data products. It has been found that the IASI CO total column products compare well on average with the co-located ground-based FTIR total columns at the selected NDACC sites and that there is no significant bias for the mean values at all stations.
Marine bacteria in deep Arctic and Antarctic ice cores: a proxy for evolution in oceans over 300 million generations
Authors: Price P. B. , Bay R. C.
Published: June 2012

Abstract. Using fluorescence spectrometry to map autofluorescence of chlorophyll (Chl) and tryptophan (Trp) versus depth in polar ice cores in the US National Ice Core Laboratory, we found that the Chl and Trp concentrations often showed an annual modulation of up to 25%, with peaks at depths corresponding to local summers. Using epifluorescence microscopy (EFM) and flow cytometry (FCM) triggered on 670 nm fluorescence (red) to study microbes from unstained melts of the polar ice, we inferred that picocyanobacteria may have been responsible for the red fluorescence in the cores. Micron-size bacteria in all ice melts from 2 Arctic and 6 Antarctic sites showed FCM patterns of scattering and of red vs. orange fluorescence (interpreted as due to Chl vs. phycoerythrin (PE)) that bore similarities to patterns of cultures of unstained picocyanobacteria Prochlorococcus and Synechococcus. Concentrations in ice from all sites were low but measurable at ~1 to ~103 cells cm−3. Calibrations showed that FCM patterns of mineral grains and volcanic ash could be distinguished from microbes with high efficiency by triggering on scattering instead of by red fluorescence. Average Chl and PE autofluorescence intensities showed no decrease per cell with time during up to 150 000 yr of storage in glacial ice. Taking into account the annual modulation of ~25% and seasonal changes of ocean temperatures and winds, we suggest that picocyanobacteria are wind-transported year-round from warmer ocean waters onto polar ice. Ice cores offer the opportunity to study evolution of marine microbes over ~300 million generations by analyzing their genomes vs. depth in glacial ice over the last 700 000 yr as frozen proxies for changes in their genomes in oceans.
Atmospheric reactive nitrogen concentrations at ten sites with contrasting land use in an arid region of Central Asia
Authors: Li K. H. , Song W. , Liu X. J. , Shen J. L. , Luo X. S. , Sui X. Q. , Liu B. , Hu Y. K. , Christie P. , Tian C. Y.
Published: June 2012

Abstract. Atmospheric concentrations of reactive nitrogen species (Nr) from 2009 to 2011 are reported for ten sites in Xinjiang, an arid region in Northwest China. Concentrations of NH3, NO2, particulate ammonium and nitrate (pNH4+ and pNO3−) showed large spatial and seasonal variation and averaged 7.71, 9.68, 1.81 and 1.13 μg N m−3, and PM10 concentrations averaged 249.2 μg m−3 across all sites. Lower NH3 concentrations and higher NO2, pNH4+ and pNO3− concentrations were found in winter, reflecting serious air pollution due to domestic heating in winter and other anthropogenic sources such as increased emissions from motor traffic and industry. The order of increasing total concentrations of Nr species was alpine grassland < desert, desert-oasis ecotone < desert in an oasis < farmland < suburban and urban ecosystems. Lower ratios of secondary particles (NH4+ and NO3−) were found in the desert and desert-oasis ecotone, while urban and suburban areas had higher ratios, which implies that anthropogenic activities have greatly influenced local air quality and must be controlled.
Winter temperature variations over the middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze River since 1736 AD
Authors: Hao Z.-X. , Zheng J.-Y. , Ge Q.-S. , Wang W.-C.
Published: June 2012

Abstract. We present statistically reconstructed mean annual winter (December–February) temperatures from the middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze River (24° N–34° N, 108° E–123° E within mainland China) extending back to 1736. The reconstructions are based on information regarding snowfall days from historical documents of the Yu-Xue-Fen-Cun archive recorded during the Qing Dynasty (1644–1911). This information is calibrated with regional winter temperature series spanning the period from 1951 to 2007. The gap from 1912 to 1950 is filled using early instrumental observations. With the reference period of 1951–2007, the 18th century was 0.76 °C colder, and the 19th century was 1.18 °C colder. However, since the 20th century, the climate has been in a warming phase, particularly in the last 30 yr, and the mean temperature from 1981 to 2007 was 0.25 °C higher than that of the reference period of 1951–2007, representing the highest temperatures of the past 300 yr. Uncertainty existed for the period prior to 1900, and possible causes of this uncertainty, such as physical processes involved in the interaction between temperature and snowfall days and changing of observers, are discussed herein.
Integration-Free Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells Derived from Retinitis Pigmentosa Patient for Disease Modeling
Authors: Jin Zi-Bing , Okamoto Satoshi , Xiang Ping , Takahashi Masayo
Published: June 2012

We investigated retinitis pigmentosa (RP) caused by a mutation in the gene rhodopsin (RHO) with a patient-specific rod cell model generated from induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) derived from an RP patient. To generate the iPSCs and to avoid the unpredictable side effects associated with retrovirus integration at random loci in the host genome, a nonintegrating Sendai-virus vector was installed with four key reprogramming gene factors (POU5F1, SOX2, KLF4, and c-MYC) in skin cells from an RP patient. Subsequent selection of the iPSC lines was on the basis of karyotype analysis as well as in vitro and in vivo pluripotency tests. Using a serum-free, chemically defined, and stepwise differentiation method, the expressions of specific markers were sequentially induced in a neural retinal progenitor, a retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) progenitor, a photoreceptor precursor, RPE cells, and photoreceptor cells. In the differentiated rod cells, diffused distribution of RHO protein in cytoplasm and expressions of endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress markers strongly indicated the involvement of ER stress. Furthermore, the rod cell numbers decreased significantly after successive culture, suggesting an in vitro model of rod degeneration. Thus, from integration-free patient-specific iPSCs, RP patient-specific rod cells were generated in vitro that recapitulated the disease feature and revealed evidence of ER stress in this patient, demonstrating its utility for disease modeling in vitro.
Adult Human Olfactory Epithelial-Derived Progenitors: A Potential Autologous Source for Cell-Based Treatment for Parkinson's Disease
Authors: Wang Meng , Lu Chengliang , Roisen Fred
Published: June 2012

Human adult olfactory epithelial-derived neural progenitors (hONPs) can differentiate along several neural lineages in response to morphogenic signals in vitro. A previous study optimized the transfection paradigm for the differentiation of hONPs to dopaminergic neurons. This study engrafted cells modified by the most efficient transfection paradigm for dopaminergic neural restriction and pretransfected controls into a unilateral neurotoxin, 6-hydroxydopamine-induced parkinsonian rat model. Approximately 35% of the animals engrafted with hONPs had improved behavioral recovery as demonstrated by the amphetamine-induced rotation test, as well as a corner preference and cylinder paw preference, over a period of 24 weeks. The pre- and post-transfected groups produced equivalent responses, indicating that the toxic host environment supported hONP dopaminergic differentiation in situ. Human fibroblasts used as a cellular control did not diminish the parkinsonian rotational deficits at any point during the study. Increased numbers of tyrosine hydroxylase (TH)-positive cells were detected in the engrafted brains compared with the fibroblast-implanted and medium-only controls. Engrafted TH-positive hONPs were detected for a minimum of 6 months in vivo; they were multipolar, had long processes, and migrated beyond their initial injection sites. Higher dopamine levels were detected in the striatum of behaviorally improved animals than in equivalent regions of their nonrecovered counterparts. Throughout these experiments, no evidence of tumorigenicity was observed. These results support our hypothesis that human adult olfactory epithelial-derived progenitors represent a unique autologous cell type with promising potential for future use in a cell-based therapy for patients with Parkinson's disease.
Direct adaptive neuro‐fuzzy trajectory tracking of uncertain nonlinear systems
Authors: Theodoridis D. C. , Boutalis Y. S. , Christodoulou M. A.
Published: June 2012

This paper proposes a direct adaptive neuro‐fuzzy controller to address the adaptive tracking problem for a class of affine nonlinear multi‐variable multi‐input (MVMI) unknown systems that are linearizable by nonlinear state feedback. The proposed control scheme uses a recurrent neuro‐fuzzy model to approximate the system, which combines an underlying fuzzy model with the approximation abilities of high‐order neural networks to produce the fuzzy recurrent high‐order neural network approximator. A hybrid control scheme that combines an adaptive feedback linearization term and a sliding mode term improves system performance by suppressing the influence of external disturbances and approximation errors. The existence and boundedness of the control signal is always assured by employing the novel method of parameter modified hopping and incorporating it in weight updating laws making the closed‐loop system Lyapunov stable. The case of SISO systems is considered separately by following similar analysis with the more general MVMI case. Simulations performed on well‐known benchmarks demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed control scheme. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Study of the effect of rutile/anatase TiO2 nanoparticles synthesized by hydrothermal route in electrospun PVA/TiO2 nanocomposites
Authors: Costa Rodrigo G. F. , Ribeiro Caue , Mattoso Luiz H. C.
Published: June 2012

Mixed rutile–anatase TiO2 nanoparticles were synthesized by hydrothermal treatment under acidic conditions and incorporated into poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA). These nanocomposites were electrospun to produce nanofibers of PVA/TiO2, which were characterized by scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, X‐ray diffraction (XRD), UV–vis diffuse reflectance spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis, and differential scanning calorimetry. The photocatalytic degradation of Rhodamine B and degradation of the polymer by UV‐C lamps were also investigated. The results showed that TiO2 nanoparticles did not change the morphology and thermal behavior of the nanofiber polymer, but were effective in modifying the UV absorption of PVA without reducing its stability. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci., 2013
Composition dependence of dielectric properties, elastic modulus, and electroactivity in (carbon black‐BaTiO3)/silicone rubber nanocomposites
Authors: Zhao Hang , Xia Yu‐Juan , Dang Zhi‐Min , Zha Jun‐Wei , Hu Guo‐Hua
Published: June 2012

The dielectric properties, elastic modulus, and electromechanical responses of dielectric elastomers (DEs) consisting of silicone rubber and carbon black (CB) incorporated with BaTiO3 (BT) were studied. When compared with single filler/rubber composites, the resulting three‐component nanocomposites yielded very abnormal phenomena. They might be attributed to the interactions between the two kinds of fillers. The increase in concentration of CB (BT) would play a destructive role to the network structure formed by BT (CB) particles. The maximum electromechanical strain of the nanocomposites achieved at mass fraction mCB = 0.03 and mBT = 0.06. The resultant electromechanical strain would be attributed to the large dielectric permittivity in the three‐component nanocomposites, in which the BT particles themselves have a high dielectric permittivity and the electrical networks of CB particles have a contribution on the increase in dielectric permittivity of the three‐component nanocomposites. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci., 2013
Pathologic characteristics of second breast cancers after breast conservation for ductal carcinoma in situ
Authors: Arvold Nils D. , Punglia Rinaa S. , Hughes Melissa E. , Jiang Wei , Edge Stephen B. , Javid Sara H. , Laronga Christine , Niland Joyce C. , Theriault Richard L. , Weeks Jane C. , Wong Yu‐Ning , Lee Sandra J. , Hassett Michael J.
Published: June 2012

BACKGROUND:

The number of women diagnosed with ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) is increasing. Although many eventually develop a second breast cancer (SBC), little is known about the characteristics of SBCs. The authors described the characteristics of SBC and examined associations between the pathologic features of SBC and index DCIS cases.

METHODS:

Women were identified in the National Comprehensive Cancer Network Outcomes Database who were diagnosed with DCIS from 1997 to 2008 and underwent lumpectomy and who subsequently developed SBC (including DCIS or invasive disease that occurred in the ipsilateral or contralateral breast). The Fisher exact test and the Spearman test were used to examine associations between the pathologic characteristics of SBC and index DCIS cases.

RESULTS:

Among 2636 women who underwent lumpectomy for DCIS, 150 (5.7%) experienced an SBC after a median of 55.5 months of follow‐up. Of these 150 women, 105 (70%) received adjuvant radiotherapy, and 50 (33.3%) received tamoxifen for their index DCIS. SBCs were ipsilateral in 54.7% of women and invasive in 50.7% of women. Among the index DCIS cases, 60.6% were estrogen receptor (ER)‐positive, and 54% were high grade, whereas 77.5% of SBCs were ER‐positive, and 48.2% were high grade. Tumor grade (P = .003) and ER status (P = .02) were associated significantly between index DCIS and SBC, whereas tumor size was not (P = .87).

CONCLUSIONS:

After breast conservation for DCIS, SBC in either breast exhibited pathologic characteristics similar to the index DCIS, suggesting that women with DCIS may be at risk for developing subsequent breast cancers of a similar phenotype. Cancer 2012. © 2012 American Cancer Society.
Helping Depressed Clients Reconnect to Positive Emotion Experience: Current Insights and Future Directions
Authors: Dunn Barnaby D.
Published: June 2012

A deficit in the ability to experience pleasure (anhedonia) is one of the core symptoms of depression. However, therapy to date has predominantly focused on understanding elevations in negative emotion experience in depression and relatively neglected ways to reconnect individuals to positive experience. This article reviews current insights into blunted positivity in depression, evaluating evidence that depression leads to disturbances in anticipation (positive emotion experience when approaching a goal or a rewarding stimulus) and consummation (positive emotion experience when attaining a goal or rewarding stimulus), as well as impaired positive emotion recognition. The case is made that existing treatments are only partially effective and that therapy outcomes are likely to be improved by focusing on augmenting positivity, capitalizing on emerging insights from positive affective neuroscience. Existing and emerging therapeutic techniques that may aid the promotion of positivity are critiqued, and some suggestions for future research and clinical practice are outlined. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Key Practitioner Message

To improve depression treatment outcomes, it is important to focus on promoting positive affect in addition to reducing negative affect.

Existing therapeutic elements (including activation scheduling, positive data logs, mindfulness, positive psychology and narrative therapy techniques) and novel experimental approaches (e.g., computerized bias modification, imagery, compassion and memory elaboration techniques) all show promise for building positive affect in depression.

However, to maximize the potential of these techniques, a clearer understanding of the underlying mechanisms through which they act to influence positive affect is needed.

Moreover, it is important to not over‐emphasize positive affect repair in therapy, as this could be experienced as invalidating by clients and lead to the adoption of inflexible emotion regulation strategies.
Encapsulation of Fluoride/Chloride in the C3v‐Symmetric Cleft of a Pentafluorophenyl‐Functionalized Cyanuric Acid Platform Based Tripodal Amide: Solid and Solution‐State Anion‐Binding Studies
Authors: Dutta Ranjan , Ghosh Pradyut
Published: June 2012

A simple electron‐deficient cyanuric acid based tripodal amide, 1,3,5‐tris[2‐(2,3,4,5,6‐pentafluorobenzamido)ethyl]‐1,3,5‐triazinane‐2,4,6‐trione (L), was synthesized and characterized by NMR spectroscopy, ESI mass spectrometry, and single‐crystal X‐ray crystallographic studies. The binding of various anions towards L was thoroughly examined bysingle‐crystal X‐ray crystallography as well as solution‐state isothermal titration calorimetry (ITC). The crystallographic results show that L has an unsymmetrical cleft, where the third arm is perpendicularly disposed to the other two arms. Interestingly, L upon complexation with tetrabutylammonium fluoride/chloride shows encapsulation of monotopic fluoride/chloride in the C3v‐symmetric cleft by means of N–H···X (X = F–, Cl–) hydrogen‐bonding interactions in complexes 1 and 2. In complex 2, the encapsulated chloride ion shows evidence of anion–π interactions with the pentafluorophenyl moiety. A detailed solution‐state ITC study of L with tetrabutylammonium salts of different halides in acetonitrile showed an exothermic binding profile with 1:1 (host/guest) stoichiometry for fluoride (log Ka = 4.86 M–1), chloride (log Ka = 3.83 M–1), and bromide (log Ka = 2.97 M–1). In the case of iodide, no such binding was observed. Oxyanions like acetate and benzoate also show an exothermic binding profile with a 1:1 (host/guest) binding pattern, whereas other oxyanions like phosphate, sulfate, and nitrate failed to exhibit a 1:1 binding model. The presence of [L(X)]– (X = F, Cl) species as the base peak in the ESI (negative) mass spectra further confirmed the strong binding of the halide ions in the gaseous phase.
Genetic implications of Zn‐ and Mn‐rich Cr‐spinels in serpentinites of the Tidding Suture Zone, eastern Himalaya, NE India
Authors: Singh Athokpam K. , Singh Rajkumar B.
Published: June 2012

Metamorphosed serpentinites of the Tidding Suture Zone (TSZ), eastern Himalaya, contain variably altered Cr‐spinels that are concentrically zoned from high‐Cr, low‐Fe3+ spinel at the core to Cr‐magnetite at the rim. Two types of Cr‐spinel have been recognized, based on back‐scattered electron imaging in conjunction with microprobe analytical profiles. Cr‐spinel type‐I is present in the least metamorphosed serpentinite (Cr# = 0.78–0.85, Mg# = 0.38–0.45) and Cr‐spinel type‐II is present in the most highly metamorphosed serpentinite (Cr# = 0.86–0.94, Mg# = 0.10–0.34). Primary igneous compositions are preserved in the type‐I chromites whereas these compositions have been partly or completely obscured by metamorphism and alteration in type‐II grains. The enrichment of Mn and Zn increases from the type‐I (MnO = 1.86–2.42 wt.%, ZnO = 0.77–1.67 wt.%) to type‐II (MnO = 2.72–4.04 wt.%, ZnO = 1.33–3.22 wt.%) and the strong similarity in their distribution patterns implies that these elements were introduced during low‐grade metamorphism and serpentinization. The abundance of Mg‐rich chlorite and serpentine minerals suggest that olivine was the predominant silicate phase before serpentinization. Zn and Mn enrichment in the core zone of the Cr‐spinel is due to the substitution of Mg2+ and in part of Fe2+, by Zn and Mn. These elements were probably supplied from olivine upon serpentinization during and after obduction of the ophiolitic mélange along the Tidding Suture Zone in the eastern Himalaya, NE India. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Effects of modes of cockpit automation on pilot performance and workload in a next generation flight concept of operation
Authors: Gil Guk‐Ho , Kaber David , Kaufmann Karl , Kim Sang‐Hwan
Published: June 2012

The objective of this study was to compare the effects of various forms of advanced cockpit automation for flight planning on pilot performance and workload under a futuristic concept of operation. A lab experiment was conducted in which airline pilots flew simulated tailored arrivals to an airport using three modes of automation (MOAs), including a control‐display unit (CDU) to the aircraft flight management system, an enhanced CDU (CDU+), and a continuous descent approach (CDA) tool. The arrival scenario required replanning to avoid convective activity and was constrained by a minimum fuel requirement at the initial approach fix. The CDU and CDU+ modes allowed for point‐by‐point path planning or selection among multiple standard arrivals, respectively. The CDA mode completely automated the route replanning for pilots. It was expected that the higher‐level automation would significantly reduce pilot workload and improve overall flight performance. In general, results indicated that the MOAs influenced pilot performance and workload responses according to hypotheses. This study provides new knowledge about the relationship of cockpit automation and interface features with pilot performance and workload in a novel next generation–style flight concept of operation. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
C‐terminal deletions of Merkel cell polyomavirus large T‐antigen, a highly specific surrogate marker for virally induced malignancy
Authors: Schmitt Markus , Wieland Ulrike , Kreuter Alexander , Pawlita Michael
Published: June 2012

In 67–100% of cutaneous Merkel cell carcinomas (MCC) the Merkel cell polyomavirus (MCPyV) integrates into the host genome. Mutations and deletions truncating the C‐terminal helicase domain of the T‐antigen (TAg) protein have been detected in these MCCs, but not in healthy skin specimens. C‐terminal deletions of the TAg nucleic acid sequences are characteristic for about 38% of these cases. While the association of MCPyV with MCC has been proven, it is unknown whether MCPyV may play a similar role in other tumor entities. We describe in detail the development and validation of a novel Merkel cell polyomavirus TAg C‐terminus deletion assay (MCPyV ΔC‐TAg). The triplex real‐time PCR quantifies the N‐ and C‐terminal part of the MCPyV TAg gene and the cellular β‐globin gene. By comparing the copy numbers of the N‐ and C‐terminal part, deletions of the MCPyV TAg C‐terminus are rapidly identified. MCPyV ΔC‐TAg was used to assess the physical state of MCPyV TAg in a large series of 55 MCCs, 15 cutaneous lymphomas and 47 forehead smears of healthy individuals. Neither DNA positivity nor viral load was able to discriminate MCCs from the other different types of samples. However, deleted TAg C‐terminus sequences were detected only in MCPyV positive MCCs (39%). Consequently, detection of deleted C‐terminal TAg sequences appears to be a highly specific surrogate marker for virally induced malignancy and should be used to support novel assumed MCPyV–tumor associations. The study further supports the notion that MCPyV does not play a role in cutaneous lymphoma pathogenesis.
Removal of high concentrations of H2S from simulated natural gas by Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans immobilized on polyurethane foam
Authors: Cheng Rong , Zhou Wei , Lin Lin , Xie Tonghui , Zhang Yongkui
Published: June 2012

A chemo‐biochemical process for desulfurization of simulated natural gas containing hydrogen sulfide (H2S) was investigated. The results showed that using polyurethane foam as a support for immobilization of Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans obtained good biological oxidation performance and the maximum oxidation rate of ferrous iron was 4.12 kg m−3 h−1. Moreover, a semi‐empirical formula was set up for calculating theoretical ferrous oxidation rate as a function of influent Fe2+ and Fe2+ concentration in the bioreactor. The integrated chemical and biological process achieved removal efficiencies of about 80% when treating high concentrations of H2S (15 000 ± 100 ppmv). © 2012 Society of Chemical Industry
COMPUTERISATION AND EFFICIENCY OF RURAL CREDIT COOPERATIVES: EVIDENCE FROM INDIA
Authors: Fu Xiaolan
Published: June 2012

This article explores the impact of computerisation on the efficiency of rural cooperative banks using recent survey data on the usage of various types of information technology in rural cooperative banks in India. Findings from the research suggest that the adoption of appropriate technology such as stand‐alone computers in branches promotes the efficiency of rural credit cooperatives; on the other hand, the employment of advanced local area networks is negatively associated with their efficiency. The skills in relation to information technologies of bank staff and the absorptive capacity of service users and the wider community are of crucial importance in the enhancement of efficiency. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Stability analysis of impulsive delayed switched systems and applications
Authors: Wang Lei , Li Xiaodi
Published: June 2012

In this paper, a general class of impulsive delayed switched systems is considered. By employing the Lyapunov–Razumikhin method and some analysis techniques, we established several global asymptotic stability and global exponential stability criteria for the considered impulsive delayed switched systems, which improve and extend some recent works. As an application, the result of global exponential stability are used to study a class of uncertain linear switched systems with time‐varying delays. Several LMI‐based conditions are proposed to guarantee the global robust stability and global exponential stabilization. The designed memoryless state feedback controller can be easily checked by the LMI toolbox in Matlab. Moreover, the dwell time constraint is imposed for the switching law. Finally, two numerical examples and their simulations are given to show the effectiveness of our proposed results. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Effect of chromium dinicocysteinate supplementation on circulating levels of insulin, TNF‐α, oxidative stress, and insulin resistance in type 2 diabetic subjects: Randomized, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled study
Authors: Jain Sushil K. , Kahlon Gunjan , Morehead Lester , Dhawan Richa , Lieblong Benjamin , Stapleton Tommie , Caldito Gloria , Hoeldtke Robert , Levine Steven N. , Bass Pat Farrington
Published: June 2012

Scope

Chromium and cysteine supplementation have been shown to improve glucose metabolism in animal studies. This study examined the hypothesis that chromium dinicocysteinate (CDNC), a complex of chromium and l‐cysteine, is beneficial in lowering oxidative stress, vascular inflammation, and glycemia in type 2 diabetic subjects.

Methods and results

Type 2 diabetic subjects enrolled in this study were given placebo for 1 month for stabilization and then randomized into one of three groups: placebo (P), chromium picolinate (CP), or CDNC, after which they received daily oral supplementation for 3 months. Of the 100 patients enrolled in the study, 74 patients completed it. There were 25 patients in the P supplemented group, 25 in the CP supplemented and 24 in the CDNC supplemented group who completed the study. Blood markers of glycemia, vascular inflammation, HOMA insulin resistance, and oxidative stress were determined at randomization and after 3 months of supplementation with P, CP, or CDNC. There was a significant decrease at 3 months in insulin resistance (p = 0.02) and in the levels of protein oxidation (p = 0.02) and TNF‐α (p = 0.01) in the CDNC supplemented cohort compared to baseline. However, there was no statistically significant change in these markers in the CP supplemented group compared to baseline. Insulin levels significantly decreased (p = 0.01) for subjects receiving CDNC but not CP. There was no significant impact of supplementation on HbA1c or glucose levels in either of the groups.

Conclusion

CDNC supplementation lowers insulin resistance by reducing blood levels of TNF‐α, insulin, and oxidative stress in type 2 diabetic subjects. Therefore, CDNC supplementation has potential as an adjunct therapy for individuals with type 2 diabetes.
Boundary elements solution of stokes flow between curved surfaces with nonlinear slip boundary condition
Authors: Nieto Cesar , Power Henry , Giraldo Mauricio
Published: June 2012

This work presents a boundary integral equation formulation for Stokes nonlinear slip flows based on the normal and tangential projection of the Green's integral representational formulae for the velocity field. By imposing the surface tangential velocity discontinuity (slip velocity) in terms of the nonlinear slip flow boundary condition, a system of nonlinear boundary integral equations for the unknown normal and tangential components of the surface traction is obtained. The Boundary Element Method is used to solve the resulting system of integral equations using a direct Picard iteration scheme to deal with the resulting nonlinear terms. The formulation is used to study flows between curved rotating geometries: i.e., concentric and eccentric Couette flows and single rotor mixers, under nonlinear slip boundary conditions. The numerical results obtained for the concentric Couette flow is validated again a semianalytical solution of the problem, showing excellent agreements. The other two cases, eccentric Couette and single rotor mixers, are considered to study the effect of different nonlinear slip conditions in these flow configurations. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Numer Methods Partial Differential Eq, 2013
Dynamic vibrations of a damageable viscoelastic beam in contact with two stops
Authors: Campo Marco , Copetti Maria I.M. , Fernández José R.
Published: June 2012

A model for the material damage, due to dynamic vibrations of a Kelvin‐Voigt viscoelastic beam whose tip is constrained to move between two stops, is presented and numerically analyzed. The contact of the free tip with the stops is described by the normal compliance condition. The evolution of damage of the beam's material, which measures the reduction of its load carrying capacity, is modeled with a parabolic inclusion. The existence of the unique local solution is stated. A numerical algorithm is presented, in which spatially it is approximated by finite elements, and the time derivatives are discretized with the Euler scheme. Error estimates are derived for sufficiently regular solutions, and four numerical simulations are shown. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Numer Methods Partial Differential Eq, 2013
Angiotensin‐converting enzyme inhibitors or angiotensin II receptor blockers and the risk of developing rheumatoid arthritis in antihypertensive drug users
Authors: de Jong Hilda J. I. , Vandebriel Rob J. , Saldi Siti R. F. , van Dijk Liset , van Loveren Henk , Cohen Tervaert Jan Willem , Klungel Olaf H.
Published: June 2012

Purpose

Angiotensin‐converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors and angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARBs) are effective in the treatment of cardiovascular disease. Next to effects on hypertension and cardiac function, these drugs have anti‐inflammatory and immunomodulating properties which may either facilitate or protect against the development of autoimmunity, potentially resulting in autoimmune diseases. Therefore, we determined in the current study the association between ACE inhibitor and ARB use and incident rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

Methods

A matched case–control study was conducted among patients treated with antihypertensive drugs using the Netherlands Information Network of General Practice (LINH) database in 2001–2006. Cases were patients with a first‐time diagnosis of RA. Each case was matched to five controls for age, sex, and index date, which was selected 1 year before the first diagnosis of RA. ACE inhibitor and ARB exposure was considered to be any prescription issued in the period before index date. Logistic regression analysis was used to estimate odds ratios (ORs) and their 95% confidence intervals (CI).

Results

Our study included 211 cases and 667 matched controls. After controlling for potential confounders, ever use of ACE inhibitors or ARBs was not associated with incident RA (adjusted ORs [95%CI], 0.99 [0.55–1.79] and 1.02 [0.67–1.56], respectively). The adjusted ORs (95%CI) for current and past use of ACE inhibitors were 1.18 (0.75–1.85) and 0.61 (0.28–1.35). For current and past use of ARBs, these adjusted ORs (95%CI) were 1.40 (0.80–2.45) and 0.29 (0.05–1.67), respectively. No duration and dose–effect relationship was observed.

Conclusions

ACE inhibitor or ARB use is not associated with incident RA. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Synthesis and characterization of monomeric and polymeric pyridinylimine‐based Ni(II) complexes and their catalytic activities in ethylene oligomerization
Authors: Ahamad Tansir , Alshehri Saad M
Published: June 2012

A new polymeric ligand was synthesized through the reaction of 4‐(pyridinylimine)phenol and formaldehyde in a basic medium, and its corresponding polymer–nickel complexes were formed in a 1:1 molar ratio. The synthesized compounds were characterized using elemental and spectral analyses. The monomeric and polymeric Ni(II) complexes (C1 and C2, respectively) were evaluated as catalyst precursors for ethylene oligomerization, using methylaluminoxane as an activator at two different ethylene pressures. C2 was found to be a more effective pre‐catalyst than C1, with the co‐catalyst having a similar effect in both cases. C2 exhibited an activity of 1.282 × 106 g (mol Ni)−1 h−1 bar−1, with an Al:Ni ratio of 2000:1 at room temperature and 1 atm ethylene pressure. Meanwhile C1 exhibited an activity of 1.126 × 106 g (mol Ni)−1 h−1 bar−1 under similar experimental conditions. At 5 atm ethylene pressure, C1 favoured the formation of high‐density polyethylene, whereas C2 favoured the formation of branched low‐density polyethylene. Copyright © 2012 Society of Chemical Industry
Kältemittel‐Leckschnüffler
Authors: Jitschin Wolfgang , Reinl Friedrich
Published: June 2012

Kühlschränke, Klimaanlagen, Luftentfeuchter, Wasserrückkühler und andere kühlende Maschinen erzeugen die Kälte durch Zirkulieren eines Kältemittels in einem geschlossenen Kreislauf. Als Kältemittel kommen meist halogenierte Kohlenwasserstoffe wegen ihrer guten thermophysikalischen Eigenschaften zum Einsatz. Leider sind diese Kältemittel umweltschädlich, weil sie zum Abbau der Ozonschicht und damit zum Treibhaus‐Effekt beitragen. Um eine Freisetzung der Kältemittel in die Atmosphäre zu vermeiden, müssen die Kreisläufe dicht sein. Der Gesetzgeber fordert, dass die Leckagerate des gesamten Kreislaufs kleiner sein muss als wenige Gramm pro Jahr. Zur Dichtheitsprüfung von Geräten und Anlagen werden in der Praxis mobile Kältemittel‐Detektoren eingesetzt. Der Anwender muss sicherstellen, dass sein Leckschnüffler die spezifizierte Nachweisgrenze einhält. Im vorliegenden Artikel wird die Prüfung dieser Geräte nach genormten Verfahren diskutiert.
Hochselektive Absorberschichten für thermische Sonnenkollektoren
Authors: Pavić Davorin
Published: June 2012

Für die effektive Wirkungsweise von modernen thermischen Sonnenkollektoren ist eine hochselektive Absorberbeschichtung notwendig. Aufgebaut als dünnes optisches Gradientenschichtsystem verfügt die Absorberschicht über strahlungsselektive Eigenschaften, ausgedrückt im hohen solaren Absorptions‐ und niedrigem thermischen Emissiongrad. Solche komplexen Mehrschichtsysteme werden in modularen Vakuumbeschichtungsverfahren hergestellt. Industrielle Air‐to‐air Bandbeschichtungsanlagen erlauben das kontinuierliche Beschichten von Metallbändern im Durchlaufprozesss und ermöglichen die Herstellung von Absorbern, die höchsten Ansprüchen an Effizienz, Beständigkeit und Ästhetik genügen.
Hydrophobe Grenzflächenmodifikationen
Authors: Fliedner Michael , Chavez Ricardo
Published: June 2012

Durch Aufbringen hydrophoben und oleophoben Nanoschichten lassen sich Grenzflächen modifizieren, ohne die ursprünglichen funktionellen Eigenschaften der Grenzfläche zu beeinflussen. Nasschemisch hergestellte Nanoschichten haben üblicherweise eine irreguläre, aus vielen unterschiedlichen Bausteinen zusammengesetzte Struktur, die auch polare und damit hydrophile Komponenten enthält. Im Gegensatz dazu lassen sich bei der Gasphasenabscheidung unter Vakuum durch entsprechende Prozessführung die Grenzflächen der zu beschichtenden Objekte den Anforderungen einer selbstorganisierenden hydrophoben Nanostruktur optimal anpassen. Die Gebrauchseigenschaften von Grenzflächen mit reflexmindernden, reflektierenden oder funktionellen Schichten werden durch Auftragen einer Nanoschicht im praktischen Gebrauch mit geringem Verfahrens‐ und Maschinenaufwand erheblich verbessert.
Anforderungen an Beschichtungen für den optischen Gerätebau
Authors: Pulker Hans Karl
Published: June 2012

Optische Technologien zeigen starkes Wachstum. Die zur praktischen Durchführung erforderlichen optischen Geräte sind, in wichtigen Teilen, mit unterschiedlichen optischen Komponenten aus hochwertigen dünnen Schichten aufgebaut. Die Qualität der Beschichtungen ist dabei von außerordentlich großer Bedeutung für zuverlässige, optimale Funktionstüchtigkeit und gute Umweltbeständigkeit der Geräte. Entwicklungen von neuen / hybriden Schichtherstellungstechniken für industriellen Einsatz und Suche nach neuen Materialien sowie neuen Schichtsystem‐Design sind fortdauernde, herausfordernde Notwendigkeiten.
Syntheses and Fluorescence Properties of New Coordination Polymers Containing 4, 4′‐Dinitrostilbene‐2, 2′‐Disulfonate Building Unit Supported by Rigid Auxiliary Ligands
Authors: Ji Shu‐Ying , Liu Lu , Mu Ya‐Juan , Jia Yan‐Yuan , Hou Hong‐Wei , Mi Li‐Wei
Published: June 2012

Two new coordination polymers, [Pb(phen)2(dans)]n (1) and [Pb(4, 4′‐bipy)(dans)]n (2) (dans = disodium 4, 4′‐dinitrostilbene‐2, 2′‐disulfonate, phen = 1, 10‐phenanthroline and 4, 4′‐bipy = 4, 4′‐bipyridyl) were synthesized and characterized by elemental analysis, thermogravimetry, IR spectroscopy, and X‐ray single crystal diffraction. Compound 1 is a 1D chain with Pb–O bond lengths in the range of 2.76 to 2.90 Å,. The structure of 2 is a three‐dimensional (3D) framework with (44·610·8)(3·43·52)(43·63) topology.
Prise en charge de la cryptorchidie au centre hospitalier et universitaire de Brazzaville
Authors: Bouya P. A. , Odzébé A. W. S. , Avala P. P. , Ondongo Atipo M. , Koutaba E. , Cardorelle Mbika A. I.
Published: June 2012

But

contribuer à l’amélioration de la prise en charge de la cryptorchidie en milieu hospitalier.

Patients et méthodes

il s’agit une étude rétrospective descriptive réalisée dans les services de chirurgie pédiatrique et d’urologie-andrologie du centre hospitalier et universitaire de Brazzaville concernant les patients opérés pour cryptorchidie du 1er janvier 2000 au 31 décembre 2009. Les paramètres étudiés ont été: la fréquence, l’âge au moment du diagnostic et du traitement, les renseignements de l’examen physique, les données chirurgicales et évolutives.

Résultats

sur 8100 patients hospitalisés dans les deux services, 163 (2,7 %) l’étaient pour cryptorchidie dont 2,6 % chez les patients de 1 à 16 ans et 0,8 % chez les patients de 19 à 36 ans. L’âge moyen était de 9,6 ans avec des extrêmes de 1 à 36 ans. Les circonstances de découverte étaient: la vacuité de la bourse (77,3 %), la hernie inguinale étranglée (13,5 %), la hernie ombilicale étranglée (3,1 %), l’infertilité (3,1 %), les douleurs abdominales (1,8 %) et l’hypospadias (1,2 %). L’atteinte était unilatérale gauche (82 cas), droite (70 cas) et bilatérale dans 11 cas. À l’exploration chirurgicale, le testicule était intra-abdominal (26,5 %), inguinal profond (62 %), inguinal superficiel (11,5 %). Les testicules étaient d’aspect normal en peropératoire dans 129 cas, atrophiques dans neuf cas et d’aspect non précisé dans 25 cas. Les résultats du traitement après orchidopexie en un temps étaient bons dans 139 cas (92,6) et mauvais dans deux cas (1,3 %); pour l’orchidopexie en deux temps, les résultats étaient bon dans un cas et mauvais dans trois cas.

Conclusion

la cryptorchidie est encore diagnostiquée et traitée tardivement dans notre milieu hospitalier. Une prise en charge thérapeutique entre l’âge d’un et deux an(s) est nécessaire pour l’amélioration du pronostic fonctionnel.
THE UK BRIBERY ACT 2010 AND ACCOMPANYING GUIDANCE: BELATED IMPLEMENTATION OF THE OECD ANTI-BRIBERY CONVENTION
Authors: Rose Cecily
Published: June 2012

On 1 July 2011 the UK Bribery Act 2010 and accompanying guidance finally came into force, marking the end of years of controversy about how and when the United Kingdom would implement the OECD Anti-Bribery Convention. The United Kingdom's very delayed implementation of the Convention provoked an increasingly threatening response from the OECD Working Group on Bribery, and highlighted this body's lack of binding enforcement procedures. By contrast, the OECD's reliance on non-binding guidelines has proved successful in that the UK Guidance draws heavily upon the OECD's guidance on how corporations should prevent the bribery of foreign public officials.
FREE MOVEMENT OF GOODS
Authors: Weatherill Stephen
Published: June 2012

The end of 2012 will herald the twentieth anniversary of ‘deadline 1992’, the projected date for the completion of the EU's internal market. Since the entry into force of the Lisbon Treaty in 2009 references to ‘1992’ have been deleted from the Treaties, and so it may be tempting to suppose, rather more than twenty years since the first contribution on the Free Movement of Goods to this section of the Quarterly,1 that this is old news. Isn't the law governing the internal market in general and the free movement of goods in particular now well settled?
‘SEIZING’ PHARMACEUTICALS IN TRANSIT: ANALYSING THE WTO DISPUTE THAT WASN'T
Authors: Mercurio Bryan
Published: June 2012

Several recent detentions of generic pharmaceutical products transiting through the European Union (EU) for suspected infringements of intellectual property rights raised serious concerns for public health advocates and threatened to expose systemic problems existing in the World Trade Organization's (WTO) Agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS). The detentions not only garnered international attention, but India and Brazil formally began WTO dispute settlement proceedings against the EU. The parties recently reached a mutually agreed solution to the matter and the proceedings have been halted, leaving unanswered the complex legal and technical questions raised by the detentions of pharmaceuticals in transit. Despite a solution being reached in this dispute, the matter will undoubtedly resurface in the near future for a number of reasons. For instance, the EU is attempting to export its laws to its trading partners through the negotiation of free trade agreements and in other forums such as the recently concluded Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement which increases the likelihood that similar detentions will occur at some point in the future. Moreover, recent trends in international intellectual property law indicate a move towards increased protection and enforcement in at least the short and medium term. The issue therefore offers the opportunity for rich legal analysis into an underexplored, yet increasingly important, aspect of WTO law.
Mechanism of substorm current wedge formation: THEMIS observations
Authors: Yao Z. H. , Pu Z. Y. , Fu S. Y. , Angelopoulos V. , Kubyshkina M. , Xing X. , Lyons L. , Nishimura Y. , Xie L. , Wang X. G. , Xiao C. J. , Cao X. , Liu J. , Zhang H. , Nowada M. , Zong Q. G. , Guo R. L. , Zhong J. , Li J. X.
Published: June 2012

This paper presents THEMIS measurements of two substorm events to show how the substorm current wedge (SCW) is generated. In the late growth phase when an earthward flow burst in the near‐Earth magnetotail brakes and is diverted azimuthally, pressure gradients in the X‐ and Y‐directions are observed to increase in the pileup and diverting regions of the flow. The enhanced pressure gradient in the Y‐direction is dawnward (duskward) on the dawnside (duskside) where a clockwise (counter‐clockwise) vortex forms. This dawn‐dusk pressure gradient drives downward (upward) field‐aligned current (FAC) on the dawnside (duskside) of the flow, which, when combined with the FACs generated by the clockwise (counter‐clockwise) vortex, forms the SCW. Substorm auroral onset occurs when the vortices appear, Near‐Earth dipolarization onset is observed by the THEMIS spacecraft (probes) when a rapid jump in the Y‐component of pressure gradient is detected. The total FACs from the vortex and the azimuthal pressure gradient are found to be comparable to the DP‐1 current in a typical substorm.
Co‐variation of temperature and precipitation in CMIP5 models and satellite observations
Authors: Liu Chunlei , Allan Richard P. , Huffman George J.
Published: June 2012

Current variability of precipitation (P) and its response to surface temperature (T) are analysed using coupled (CMIP5) and atmosphere‐only (AMIP5) climate model simulations and compared with observational estimates. There is striking agreement between Global Precipitation Climatology Project (GPCP) observed and AMIP5 simulated P anomalies over land both globally and in the tropics suggesting that prescribed sea surface temperature and realistic radiative forcings are sufficient for simulating the interannual variability in continental P. Differences between the observed and simulated P variability over the ocean, originate primarily from the wet tropical regions, in particular the western Pacific, but are reduced slightly after 1995. All datasets show positive responses of P to T globally of around 2%/K for simulations and 3–4%/K in GPCP observations but model responses over the tropical oceans are around 3 times smaller than GPCP over the period 1988–2005. The observed anticorrelation between land and ocean P, linked with El Niño Southern Oscillation, is captured by the simulations. All data sets over the tropical ocean show a tendency for wet regions to become wetter and dry regions drier with warming. Over the wet region (≥75% precipitation percentile), the precipitation response is ∼13–15%/K for GPCP and ∼5%/K for models while trends in P are 2.4%/decade for GPCP, 0.6% /decade for CMIP5 and 0.9%/decade for AMIP5 suggesting that models are underestimating the precipitation responses or a deficiency exists in the satellite datasets.