bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A class IA PI3K controls inflammatory cytokine production in human neutrophils
Authors: Fortin Carl F. , Cloutier Alexandre , Ear Thornin , Sylvain‐Prévost Stéphanie , Mayer Thomas Z. , Bouchelaghem Rim , McDonald Patrick P.
Published: March 2011

Neutrophils are generally the first leukocytes to arrive at sites of inflammation or injury, where they release a variety of inflammatory mediators, which contribute to shaping the ensuing immune response. Here, we show that in neutrophils exposed to physiological stimuli (i.e. LPS and TNF‐α), inhibition of the PI3K signaling pathway impairs the synthesis and secretion of IL‐8, Mip‐1α, and Mip‐1β. Further investigation showed that Mip‐1α and Mip‐1β gene transcription was similarly decreased, whereas IL‐8 transcription and steady‐state mRNA levels were unaffected. Accordingly, PI3K inhibition had no impact on NF‐κB or C/EBP activation, which are essential for IL‐8 transcription, but the basis for this selective inhibition of chemokine transcription remains elusive. We nevertheless identified translational targets of the PI3K pathway (S6, S6 kinase, 4E‐BP1). Inhibitor studies and overexpression experiments further established that the various effects of PI3K on chemokine production can be ascribed to p85α and p110δ subunits. Finally, we show that in LPS‐ and TNF‐activated neutrophils, PI3K acts downstream of the kinases p38 MAPK and TAK1. Given the importance of neutrophils and their products in numerous chronic inflammatory disorders, the PI3K pathway could represent an attractive therapeutic target.
Switched memory B cells maintain specific memory independently of serum antibodies: The hepatitis B example
Authors: Rosado M. Manuela , Scarsella Marco , Pandolfi Elisabetta , Cascioli Simona , Giorda Ezio , Chionne Paola , Madonne Elisabetta , Gesualdo Francesco , Romano Mariateresa , Ausiello Clara M. , Rapicetta Maria , Zanetti Alessandro R. , Tozzi Alberto , Carsetti Rita
Published: March 2011

The immunogenicity of a vaccine is conventionally measured through the level of serum Abs early after immunization, but to ensure protection specific Abs should be maintained long after primary vaccination. For hepatitis B, protective levels often decline over time, but breakthrough infections do not seem to occur. The aim of this study was to demonstrate whether, after hepatitis B vaccination, B‐cell memory persists even when serum Abs decline. We compared the frequency of anti‐hepatitis‐specific memory B cells that remain in the blood of 99 children five years after priming with Infanrix®‐hexa (GlaxoSmithKline) (n=34) or with Hexavac® (Sanofi Pasteur MSD) (n=65). These two vaccines differ in their ability to generate protective levels of IgG. Children with serum Abs under the protective level, <10 mIU/mL, received a booster dose of hepatitis B vaccine, and memory B cells and serum Abs were measured 2 wk later. We found that specific memory B cells had a similar frequency in all children independently of primary vaccine. Booster injection resulted in the increase of memory B cell frequencies (from 11.3 in 106 cells to 28.2 in 106 cells, p<0.01) and serum Abs (geometric mean concentration, GMC from 2.9 to 284 mIU/mL), demonstrating that circulating memory B cells effectively respond to Ag challenge even when specific Abs fall under the protective threshold.
Memory T cells as an occupying force
Authors: Bevan Michael J.
Published: March 2011

There is debate over whether effective T‐cell mediated protection against a second infection, or post‐vaccination, is better done by central memory cells or effector memory cells. The former may have greater powers of expansion, whereas the latter may be closer to the site of pathogen entry and faster to respond. This review focuses on memory T cells which are not recirculating but which remain at the peripheral site of initial pathogen or vaccine encounter, so‐called tissue‐resident memory cells. They may play key roles in protection against re‐eruption of latent viral infections and at mucosal surfaces.
Mitochondria: Sovereign of inflammation?
Authors: Tschopp Jürg
Published: March 2011

NLRP3 inflammasome‐dependent inflammatory responses are triggered by a variety of signals of host danger, including infection, tissue damage and metabolic dysregulation. How these diverse activators cause inflammasome activation is poorly understood. Recent data suggest that the mitochondria integrate these distinct signals and relay this information to the NLRP3 inflammasome. Dysfunctional mitochondria generate ROS, which is required for inflammasome activation. On the contrary, the NLRP3 inflammasome is negatively regulated by autophagy, which is a catabolic process that removes damaged or otherwise dysfunctional organelles, including mitochondria. In addition to the processing and secretion of pro‐inflammatory cytokines such as IL‐1β, NLRP3 inflammasome activation also influences cellular metabolic pathways such as glycolysis and lipogenesis. Mapping the connections between mitochondria, metabolism and inflammation is of great interest, as malfunctioning of this network is associated with many chronic inflammatory diseases.
Tris(2,6‐diisopropylphenolato)titanium(IV) Dihydridodiorganylborates: Synthesis and Structures
Authors: Knizek Jörg , Nöth Heinrich
Published: March 2011

The reactions of tris(2,6‐diisopropylphenolato)titanium(IV) chloride with alkali‐metal dihydridodiorganylborates M(H2BR2) (M = Li, K; R = Me, C6H11, CMe3; BR2 = BC5H10, BC8H14) led to the corresponding titanium dihydridodiorganylborates. However, in almost all cases byproducts such as (2,6‐diisopropylphenolato)diorganylboranes, triorganylboranes, diorganylboranes, diborane and tetrakis(2,6‐diisopropylphenolato)titanium(IV) were also generated. (2,6‐iPr2C6H3O)3Ti(H2BR2) compounds also resulted from the interaction of methyltris(2,6‐diisopropylphenolato)titanium, for example, with catecholborane. In addition to the formation of tris(2,6‐diisopropylphenolato)catecholboratotitanium(IV), B‐methylcatecholborane was also formed The reaction of potassium dihydro‐9‐cyclooctylborate with 2,6‐bis(2,2‐di‐tert‐butyl‐2‐hydroxyethyl)pyridinetitanium dichloride (LTiCl2) led to the complex LTi(H2BC8H14)2. This compound showed no agostic C–H···Ti interaction in contrast to (2,6‐iPr2C6H3O)3TiH2BC8H14 and the corresponding titanium dihydridobis(cyclohexyl)borate.
Facile Solvothermal Synthesis of Uniform Iron Selenide Nanoplates
Authors: Chen Liqiao , Yang Xianfeng , Fu Xionghui , Wang Chaomin , Liang Chaolun , Wu Mingmei
Published: March 2011

Nanostructures of FeSex with a tetragonal PbO‐type phase have been grown through a new and simple solvothermal route. By adding polyvinyl pyrrolidone (PVP) as a controlling reagent, the products change from nanoflowers to regular square nanoplates. Both the phase and structure are identified by powder X‐ray diffraction and electron microscopy. The square nanoplates are revealed to be enclosed by two larger (001) planes and four equivalent smaller {100} side surfaces. The choice of the solvent is also important for the successful synthesis of the tetragonal PbO‐type phase. This growth approach is not only facile and mild, but is also more advantageous for obtaining uniform FeSex nanocrystals over other methods reported previously.
Graphene Electrochemistry: Surfactants Inherent to Graphene Can Dramatically Effect Electrochemical Processes
Authors: Brownson Dale A. C. , Metters Jonathan P. , Kampouris Dimitrios K. , Banks Craig E.
Published: March 2011

Surfactants are routinely used in the production of graphene and additionally in their solubilisation with the aim of reducing the likelihood of coalescing. We demonstrate that surfactants, which are an inherent property of graphene, are a major contribution to the electrochemical performance. Using well characterised commercially available graphene we demonstrate that the surfactant may be detrimental in electrochemical processes, for example in the electrochemical oxidation of NADH, used prolifically as the basis of over 300 biosensors, and in the electrochemical oxidation of acetaminophen, an analgesic and antipyretic drug which requires routine monitoring in a plethora of areas. The use of control experiments in the form of surfactant modified carbon electrodes is particularly encouraged in de‐convoluting the origin of the electrochemical response of graphene modified electrodes.
Electrocatalyst Supporting Properties of Carbon Sphere Chains
Authors: Hamoudi Zéhira , El Khakani My Ali , Mohamedi Mohamed
Published: March 2011

Solid carbon spheres chains (CSCs) are new carbon materials with unique physicochemical properties and original organization, they present a distinctive opportunity for creating novel multifunctional composites electrodes for a wide range of electrochemical applications. The electrocatalytic supporting of properties of these CSCs‐coated with a model catalyst that is Pt of different morphologies were studied for the oxidation of ferrocyanide to illustrate their use in electroanalytical applications, for the oxidation of methanol and the reduction of oxygen to exemplify their potential use in energy conversion devices such as fuel cells for instance. The very good catalytic supporting properties demonstrated here are due to the fact that CSCs possess multiple‐points of electrical connectivity and excellent dispersions characteristics for the catalyst that allow the latter to be largely accessible for electrocatalytic reactions.
Electrokinetic techniques applied to electrochemical DNA biosensors
Authors: Mir Mònica , Martínez‐Rodríguez Sergio , Castillo‐Fernández Oscar , Homs‐Corbera Antoni , Samitier Josep
Published: March 2011

Electrokinetic techniques are contact‐free methods currently used in many applications, where precise handling of biological entities, such as cells, bacteria or nucleic acids, is needed. These techniques are based on the effect of electric fields on molecules suspended in a fluid, and the corresponding induced motion, which can be tuned according to some known physical laws and observed behaviours. Increasing interest on the application of such strategies in order to improve the detection of DNA strands has appeared during the recent decades. Classical electrode‐based DNA electrochemical biosensors with combined electrokinetic techniques present the advantage of being able to improve the working electrode's bioactive part during their fabrication and also the hybridization yield during the sensor detection phase. This can be achieved by selectively manipulating, driving and directing the molecules towards the electrodes increasing the speed and yield of the floating DNA strands attached to them. On the other hand, this technique can be also used in order to make biosensors reusable, or reconfigurable, by simply inverting its working principle and pulling DNA strands away from the electrodes. Finally, the combination of these techniques with nanostructures, such as nanopores or nanochannels, has recently boosted the appearance of new types of electrochemical sensors that exploit the time‐varying position of DNA strands in order to continuously scan these molecules and to detect their properties. This review gives an insight into the main forces involved in DNA electrokinetics and discusses the state of the art and uses of these techniques in recent years.
Design and research of UHV AC substation
Authors: Yi‐qiong Wu , Hai‐yan Chen , Bao‐jin Li , Jing Fang
Published: March 2011

Thousand kilovolts of AC transmission has the highest operation voltage and the most advanced technology in the world. Based on 1000 kV Changzhi–Nanyang–Jingmen UHV AC Demonstration Project in China, this paper presents the main design principles and key technical schemes in UHV substation design, including the main electrical connection, the selection of major UHV equipments, overvoltage and insulation coordination, 1100 kV GIS layout, insulator strings design, environmental impact control and seismic design. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Classification of power quality disturbances using quantum neural network and DS evidence fusion
Authors: He Zhengyou , Zhang Haiping , Zhao Jing , Qian Qingquan
Published: March 2011

A novel classifier based on Quantum Neural Network (QNN) and Dempster‐Shafer (DS) evidence theory to recognize the types of power quality (PQ) disturbances is presented. According to the Discrete Wavelet Transform (DWT), Wavelet Packet Transform (WPT) and S‐transform (ST) algorithms, three kinds of feature vectors extracted from the original signals are used to train three different quantum neural networks, then DS evidence theory is used for global fusion at the decision level to gain a unified classification result from the outputs of QNNs. Ten types of disturbances are considered for the classification problem. Simulation results indicate that the classification performance of QNN is better than back propagation neural network (BPNN). The recognition capability of the QNN‐DS classifier is compared with BPNN‐DS, probabilistic neural network with voting rules (PNN‐VR) at the decision level, and only one QNN with information fusion at the feature level. It shows that the proposed classifier has good performance on recognizing single and multiple disturbances under different situations and can achieve a highest accuracy of all. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Experimental study on fire hazard of typical curtain materials in ISO 9705 fire test room
Authors: Li Liming , Zhang Heping , Xie Qiyuan , Chen Long , Xu Chunming
Published: March 2011

Curtain materials are commonly used as decoration, shade, or screen. They are flammable and are usually across a large part of a room, leading to the risk of a high fire hazard. Once ignited, the upward fire spread would accelerate the fire development in an enclosure. In this paper, fire hazard of three typical curtain materials with different pleat rates were tested in an ISO 9705 fire test room. Fire parameters such as temperature field, flame spread rate, heat release rate (HRR), and emitted gases, and the influences of pleat rate and cotton content on flame spread rate were investigated. The correlation between flame spread rate and HRR was discussed. The results show that the upward flame spread has an accelerating rate, and an inverted‐triangle burning area would emerge during the combustion. Some horizontal fibrillar structures appear in this burning area. Pleat rate and cotton content have considerable influence on the curtain fire behavior. The flame spread rate shows a linear response to HRR at the early stage. In addition, a function between average flame spread rate and pleat rate for engineering estimation is proposed, and a linear relationship between HRR/mCO and m/mCO has been obtained. The study results provide valuable reference to building fire simulation and safety design. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Distinctive features of Egr transcription factor regulation and DNA binding activity in CA1 of the hippocampus in synaptic plasticity and consolidation and reconsolidation of fear memory
Authors: Cheval Hélène , Chagneau Carine , Levasseur Grégoire , Veyrac Alexandra , Faucon‐Biguet Nicole , Laroche Serge , Davis Sabrina
Published: March 2011

Activity‐dependent regulation of Egr1/Zif268, a transcription factor (TF) of the Egr family, is essential for stabilization of dentate gyrus synaptic plasticity and consolidation and reconsolidation of several forms of memory. The gene can be rapidly induced in selective brain circuits after certain types of learning or after recall. Here, we focused on area CA1 and examined regulation of Egr1, Egr2, and Egr3 mRNA and protein, and their DNA binding activity to the Egr response element (ERE) at different times after LTP in vivo and after learning and recall of a fear memory. We found LTP in CA1 leads to rapid induction of the three Egrs, however only Egr1 protein was overexpressed without a co‐ordinated change in binding activity, indicating a fundamental difference between CA1 and dentate gyrus LTP. Our investigations in fear memory reveal that both learning and retrieval lead to an increase in binding of constitutively expressed Egr1 and Egr3 to the ERE, but not Egr2. Memory recall was also associated with increased Egr1 protein translation. The nature and temporal dynamics of these changes and tests for interactions between TFs suggest that in addition to ERE‐mediated transcription, Egr1 in CA1 may interact with the TF c‐Fos to regulate genes via other DNA response elements. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Advances in metals classification under the united nations globally harmonized system of classification and labeling
Authors: Skeaff James , Adams William J , Rodriguez Patricio , Brouwers Tony , Waeterschoot Hugo
Published: March 2011

This article shows how regulatory obligations mandated for metal substances can be met with a laboratory-based transformation/dissolution (T/D) method for deriving relevant hazard classification outcomes, which can then be linked to attendant environmental protection management decisions. We report the results of a ring-test at 3 laboratories conducted to determine the interlaboratory precision of the United Nations T/D Protocol (T/DP) in generating data for classifying 4 metal-bearing substances for acute and chronic toxicity under the United Nations Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling (GHS) criteria with respect to the aquatic environment. The test substances were Ni metal powder, cuprous oxide (Cu2O) powder, tricobalt tetroxide (Co3O4) powder, and cuttings of a NILO K Ni–Co–Fe alloy. Following GHS Annex 10 guidelines, we tested 3 loadings (1, 10, and 100 mg/L) of each substance at pH 6 and 8 for 7 or 28 d to yield T/D data for acute and chronic classification, respectively. We compared the T/DP results (dissolved metal in aqueous media) against acute and chronic ecotoxicity reference values (ERVs) for each substance to assess GHS classification outcomes. For dissolved metal ions, the respective acute and chronic ERVs established at the time of the T/D testing were: 29 and 8 µg/L for Cu; 185 and 1.5 µg/L for Co; and 13.3 and 1.0 mg/L for Fe. The acute ERVs for Ni were pH-dependent: 120 and 68 µg/L at pH 6 and 8, respectively, whereas the chronic ERV for Ni was 2.4 µg/L. The acute classification outcomes were consistent among 3 laboratories: cuprous oxide, Acute 1; Ni metal powder, Acute 3; Co3O4 and the NILO K alloy, no classification. We obtained similar consistent results in chronic classifications: Cu2O, Ni metal powder, and Co3O4, Chronic 4; and the NILO K alloy, no classification. However, we observed equivocal results only in 2 of a possible 48 cases where the coefficient of variation of final T/D concentrations masked clear comparisons with ERVs. Results support the validity and interlaboratory precision of the United Nations T/DP in establishing GHS classification outcomes for metals and metal compounds and support its use in regulatory hazard-based systems. Drawing on T/D data derived from laboratory testing of the metal-bearing substance itself, the T/D approach can be applied to establish scientifically defensible decisions on hazard classification proposals. The resulting decisions can then be incorporated into environmental management measures in such jurisdictions as the European Union. Integr Environ Assess Manag 2011;7:559–576. © 2011 SETAC
Protective effects of enalapril in streptozotocin‐induced diabetic rat: studies of DNA damage, apoptosis and expression of CCN2 in the heart, kidney and liver
Authors: Kushwaha S. , Vikram A. , Jena G. B.
Published: March 2011

Diabetes mellitus is characterized by hyperglycemia, which induces oxidative stress and perturbs a number of pathways, leading to tissue injury. One of the pathological responses to tissue injury is the development of fibrosis and cell death. Enalapril is a non‐thiol angiotensin‐converting enzyme inhibitor that is commonly used in the treatment of diabetes‐associated hypertension. The present study examines the possible beneficial effects of enalapril on the development of diabetes associated fibrosis and DNA damage in rats. Sprague–Dawley rats (250 ± 10 g) were used in the study. Enalapril (10 mg kg−1 per oral) was administered for four consecutive weeks to the streptozotocin (STZ)‐induced diabetic rats. After 4 weeks, all the animals were sacrificed and comet assay (normal and modified) was performed to detect the normal as well as oxidative DNA damage. Expression of profibrotic marker CCN2 and fibrosis was examined in the heart, kidney and liver of diabetic rats. Enalapril treatment significantly restored the malondialdehyde and glutathione content as well as the DNA damage in the heart, kidney and liver of diabetic rat. Significant decrease in the expression of CCN2 was observed in the heart, kidney and liver of diabetic rat receiving enalapril treatment as compared with the diabetic group. Further, the enalapril treatment led to significant decrease in the fibrosis and CCN2 expression in the diabetic group as compared with control. The results of the present study clearly demonstrate that enalapril ameliorates the DNA damage, cell death and expression of CCN2 in the heart, kidney and liver of the STZ‐induced diabetic rat. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Enhancement of imaging depth in turbid media using a wide area detector
Authors: Crosignani Viera , Dvornikov Alexander S. , Gratton Enrico
Published: March 2011

The depth of two‐photon fluorescence imaging in turbid media can be significantly enhanced by the use of the here described fluorescence detection method that allows to efficiently collect scattered fluorescence photons from a wide area of the turbid sample. By using this detector we were able to perform imaging of turbid samples, simulating brain tissue, at depths up to 3 mm, where the two‐photon induced fluorescence signal is too weak to be detected by means used in conventional two‐photon microscopy. (© 2011 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Characterization of factors that determine lentiviral vector tropism in skin tissue using an ex vivo model
Authors: Kunicher Nikolai , Tzur Tomer , Amar Dalit , Chaouat Malka , Yaacov Barak , Panet Amos
Published: March 2011

Background

Lentiviral tropism to a solid tissue may be determined by receptor availability, the differentiation state of cells and the three‐dimensional architecture of the tissue.

Methods

Using skin organ cultures, lentiviral vector tropism was compared with that of keratinocytes in cell culture. Furthermore, the tropism of lentiviral vector to mouse and human tissues was compared ex vivo, in attempt to validate the mouse skin as an experimental system for human gene therapy of skin diseases.

Results

The results obtained indicated that although early progenitor keratinocytes (keratin 15+ and p63+), when grown in culture are permissive to lentiviral vector, they are resistant to transduction in their native ‘niche’ in the skin tissue. Transiently amplifying keratinocytes (keratin 14+) on the other hand, are permissive to lentiviral vector transduction, in cell culture and in the skin, after separation of the epidermis from the dermis layer. Keratinocytes (keratin 14+) in the hair follicle of human skin are resistant to lentiviral transduction, even after partial digestion of the extracellular matrix collagen. By contrast, collagenase pretreatment of mouse tissue facilitated transduction of keratinocytes within the hair follicle. Because lentivirus pseudotyped by two envelopes (amphotropic murine leukemia virus and vesicular stomatitis virus G glycoprotein) display the same tropism, we suggest that receptor availability is not the critical factor in the pattern of skin tissue transduction.

Conclusions

Taken together, the results obtained in the present study indicate that lentiviral vector tropism in the three‐dimensional skin tissue is distinct from the tropism to keratinocytes in culture and is dependent on a complex interplay of extracellular restrictions. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Environmental responses to Lateglacial climatic fluctuations recorded in the sediments of pre‐Alpine Lake Mondsee (northeastern Alps)
Authors: Lauterbach Stefan , Brauer Achim , Andersen Nils , Danielopol Dan L. , Dulski Peter , Hüls Matthias , Milecka Krystyna , Namiotko Tadeusz , Obremska Milena , Von Grafenstein Ulrich ,   Declakes Participants
Published: March 2011

Investigation of the sedimentary record of pre‐Alpine Lake Mondsee (Upper Austria) focused on the environmental reaction to rapid Lateglacial climatic changes. Results of this study reveal complex proxy responses that are variable in time and influenced by the long‐term evolution of the lake and its catchment. A new field sampling approach facilitated continuous and precisely controlled parallel sampling at decadal to sub‐annual resolution for µ‐XRF element scanning, carbon geochemistry, stable isotope measurements on ostracods, pollen analyses and large‐scale thin sections for microfacies analysis. The Holocene chronology is established through microscopic varve counting and supported by accelerator mass spectrometry 14C dating of terrestrial plant macrofossils, whereas the Lateglacial age model is based on δ18O wiggle matching with the Greenland NGRIP record, using the GICC05 chronology. Microfacies analysis enables the detection of subtle sedimentological changes, proving that depositional processes even in rather large lake systems are highly sensitive to climate forcing. Comparing periods of major warming at the onset of the Lateglacial and Holocene and of major cooling at the onset of the Younger Dryas reveals differences in proxy responses, reflecting threshold effects and ecosystem inertia. Temperature increase, vegetation recovery, decrease of detrital flux and intensification of biochemical calcite precipitation at the onset of the Holocene took place with only decadal leads and lags over a ca. 100 a period, whereas the spread of woodlands and the reduction of detrital flux lagged the warming at the onset of the Lateglacial Interstadial by ca. 500–750 a. Cooling at the onset of the Younger Dryas is reflected by the simultaneous reaction of δ18O and vegetation, but sedimentological changes (reduction of endogenic calcite content, increase in detrital flux) were delayed by about 150–300 a. Three short‐term Lateglacial cold intervals, corresponding to Greenland isotope substages GI‐1d, GI‐1c2 and GI‐1b, also show complex proxy responses that vary in time. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Validation of a chrysophyte stomatocyst‐based cold‐season climate reconstruction from high‐Alpine Lake Silvaplana, Switzerland
Authors: De Jong Rixt , Kamenik Christian
Published: March 2011

For the reliable assessment of past climate variability, quantitative reconstructions of seasonal temperatures are required. Currently, reconstructions of cold‐season temperatures are scarce, because most biological proxies are biased towards the growing season. Here we test the potential of chrysophyte stomatocysts (or simply ‘cysts’; siliceous resting stages of the golden‐brown algae) as a proxy for cold‐season temperature. Climate reconstructions based on biological proxies are commonly constructed using transfer functions derived from calibration in space. However, the performance of these reconstructions is rarely tested by direct comparison with meteorological data due to limitations of sample resolution or chronological control. We compare a cyst‐based near‐annual reconstruction of ‘date of spring mixing’ from the varved sediments of Lake Silvaplana (Swiss Alps) spanning AD 1870–2004 with climate variables from the same period measured at the lake shore. The high correlation between cyst‐based ‘date of spring mixing’ and cold‐season temperature demonstrates the ability of chrysophyte cysts to archive cold‐season temperature variability. Lake eutrophication, which was extensive during the last 50 years, had no obvious effect on the cyst‐based reconstruction. This study underlines the high potential of chrysophyte cysts as a quantitative proxy for cold‐season climate reconstructions. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Exotic pollen as an indicator of variable atmospheric circulation over the Labrador Sea region during the mid to late Holocene
Authors: Jessen Catherine A. , Solignac Sandrine , Nørgaard‐Pedersen Niels , Mikkelsen Naja , Kuijpers Antoon , Seidenkrantz Marit‐Solveig
Published: March 2011

Variability in the abundance of exotic (non‐native) pollen in sediment cores has long been considered as a potential proxy for changing atmospheric circulation, but the difficulty of gaining sufficient total exotic pollen and the incomplete understanding of atmospheric pollen transport patterns has hindered its application. In light of recent advances in the study of pollen transport, we present an exotic pollen record from two fjord sediment cores taken from the west (Placentia Bay, Newfoundland) and east (Narsaq Sund, Greenland) Labrador Sea as a basis for studying variations in regional atmospheric circulation. The two cores cover the last ca. 5500 years and indicate a shift in dominant spring/summer air masses at ca. 2000 (southern Greenland) and 3000 cal a BP (Newfoundland) transporting reduced concentrations of pollen from southerly and south‐westerly vegetation zones. This may suggest a shift away from more dominantly zonal atmospheric circulation (a feature of positive North Atlantic Oscillation years) to more frequent meridional circulation. These results support sea ice/sea‐surface temperature proxy reconstructions from Newfoundland, investigated as part of the same project, which also suggest increased winter atmospheric circulation during the early part of the time period studied. In this region, more positive North Atlantic Oscillation years, and therefore more zonal atmospheric circulation, are associated with increased atmospheric circulation in both the winter and the summer seasons. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Determination of carbethopendecinium bromide in eye drops by capillary electrophoresis with capacitively coupled contactless conductivity detection
Authors: Petrů Klára , Jáč Pavel , Šindelková Martina , Polášek Miroslav
Published: March 2011

Antiseptic agent carbethopendecinium bromide (septonex) was determined by capillary electrophoresis with capacitively coupled contactless conductivity detection. Optimal separation of this quaternary ammonium ion was achieved in BGE of pH 7.0 containing 30 mM 2‐(N‐morpholino)ethanesulfonic acid, 12.5 mg/mL of 2‐hydroxypropyl‐β‐cyclodextrin and 20% v/v of acetonitrile. The separation was performed at 25°C in an uncoated fused silica capillary (50 μm id; total length, 60.5 cm; effective length, 50 cm) at 30 kV. Samples were injected hydrodynamically at 50 mbar for 6 s. For quantitative analysis, L‐arginine (500 μg/mL) was used as internal standard. The calibration curve was rectilinear for 25–400 μg/mL of septonex (y=0.0113x−0.0063; r2=0.9992). The LOD was 7 μg/mL of septonex (at S/N=3). The run‐to‐run repeatability (n=6) was characterized by the RSDs of 0.18% for the migration time and 1.96% for the analyte/internal standard peak area ratio. Accuracy tested by recovery experiments at three concentration levels gave recoveries of 100.27–104.22% with RSD ≤2.19%. The method was successfully applied to the assay of carbethopendecinium bromide in eye drops. Quaternary ammonium ions having structure and size close to that of carbethopendecinium may not be resolved from the analyte.
Place Attachment and Tourism Marketing: Investigating International Tourists in Singapore
Authors: Tsai Shu‐pei
Published: March 2011

The notion of place attachment has been evidenced impactful on enhancing the performance of tourism marketing. However, the theoretical development of place attachment characterizes obvious diversities. The current study integrates and reconfigures these diversities to propose the Strategic Management of Place Attachment model. According to the model, a comprehensive attachment‐nurturing foundation is constituted by holistic tourist experience, which contains emotional pleasure, cognitive stimulation, psychological growth, self‐expressiveness and communal awareness. Place attachment, nurtured upon such foundation, converts into a powerful driver of the tourist's revisit behavior. Noteworthy insights and implications are provided to put the notion of place attachment to best use for tourism marketing. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The effect of capillary pressure on the saturation equation of two‐phase flow in porous media
Authors: Goumiri Imène R. , Prévost Jean H. , Preisig Matthias
Published: March 2011

A complete and accurate simulation of two‐phase flow in porous media requires knowledge of all the controlling physics (and values of physical parameters) that play a relevant role and an understanding of the effects of each one on the solution. Of particular concern here is the effect of capillary pressure and the length scale over which it is relevant. The goal of this paper is to provide guidance onto when to include the effects of capillary pressure in the model, and onto what are the resulting length scale restrictions if those effects are to be included. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Dynamic nuclear polarization polarizer for sterile use intent
Authors: Ardenkjaer‐Larsen Jan H. , Leach Andrew M. , Clarke Neil , Urbahn John , Anderson Denise , Skloss Timothy W.
Published: March 2011

A novel polarizer based on the dissolution‐dynamic nuclear polarization (DNP) method has been designed, built and tested. The polarizer differs from those previously described by being designed with sterile use intent and being compatible with clinical use. The main features are: (1) an integral, disposable fluid path containing all pharmaceuticals constituting a sterile barrier, (2) a closed‐cycle cryogenic system designed to eliminate consumption of liquid cryogens and (3) multi‐sample polarization to increase throughput. The fluid path consists of a vial with the agent to be polarized, a pair of concentric inlet and outlet tubes connected to a syringe with dissolution medium and a receiver, respectively. The fluid path can operate at up to 400 K and 2.0 MPa and generates volumes as high as 100 mL. An inline filter removes the amount of electron paramagnetic agent in the final product by more than 100‐fold in the case of [1‐13C]pyruvate. The system uses a sorption pump in conjunction with a conventional cryocooler. The system operates through cycles of pumping to low temperature and regeneration of the sorption pump. The magnet accommodates four samples at the same time. A temperature of less than 1 K was achieved for 68 h (no sample heat loads) with a liquid helium volume of 2.4 L. The regeneration of the liquid helium could be achieved in less than 10 h, and the transition to cold (< 1.2 K) was achieved in less than 90 min. A solid state polarization of 36 ± 4% for [1‐13C]pyruvic acid was obtained with only 10 mW of microwave power. The loading of a sample adds less than 50 J of heat to the helium bath by introducing the sample over 15 min. The heat load imposed on the helium bath during dissolution was less than 70 J. The measured liquid state polarization was 18 ± 2%. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Squawking, tweeting, cooing, and hooting: analyzing the communication patterns of government agencies on Twitter
Authors: Waters Richard D. , Williams Jensen M.
Published: March 2011

Twitter is rapidly gaining attention from strategic communicators for its ability to enhance communication campaigns. Whether using the site to augment word‐of‐mouth marketing campaigns or engage in conversations with stakeholders, Twitter has become the leading online social media outlet for marketing and public relations efforts. However, despite the service's ability to provide a forum for interacting with stakeholders, the site primarily began as a way for its users to provide one‐way updates and disseminate information. By using the models of public relations as its framework, this study examines how government agencies are using Twitter to communicate with their audiences through content analysis of 1800 updates from 60 government agencies. Contrary to public affairs practitioners' claims of interactivity on Twitter, government agencies primarily relied on one‐way communication that sought to inform and educate rather than two‐way symmetrical conversations. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Incidence of interstitial lung disease in patients with mesothelioma in the west part of Japan
Authors: Nojiri Shuko , Gemba Kenichi , Aoe Keisuke , Kato Katsuya , Yamaguchi Takuhiro , Sato Tsugumichi , Kubota Kiyoshi , Kishimoto Takumi
Published: March 2011

Purpose

In order to evaluate the incidence of an adverse event encountered when using a new therapeutic intervention, it is essential to know the background rate of this adverse event in the same patient population. Interstitial lung disease (ILD) often develops in Japanese patients receiving treatment with anti‐neoplastic agents or other drugs. In our study, we estimated the background rate of ILD in patients with malignant mesothelioma (MM).

Methods

We conducted a retrospective cohort study of 328 Japanese patients diagnosed with MM during the period between 1996 and 2006.

Results

After the diagnosis of MM had been made, 21 (15 new and 6 exacerbation) of the 328 patients developed ILD. The crude baseline rate of ILD was estimated to be 0.023 (95%CI, 0.009–0.054) per patient‐year, and the baseline rate using the Poisson regression model was estimated to be 0.032 (95%CI, 0.017–0.059) per patient‐year where major therapeutic interventions were incorporated in the model. The risk of ILD was increased by surgical excision (rate ratio, 8.87; 95%CI, 2.39–33.0), pleurodesis with picibanil (rate ratio, 5.14; 95%CI, 1.63–16.3), and systemic chemotherapy using vinorelbine (rate ratio, 5.95; 95%CI, 1.22–29.0).

Conclusions

Our results have implications for evaluating the safety outcomes of future studies in patients receiving treatment for MM. The development of ILD in such studies at an incidence rate higher than 0.02–0.03 per patient‐year might indicate an excess occurrence as a result of a therapeutic intervention. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Associations between benefit finding and adjustment outcomes in thyroid cancer
Authors: Costa Rachel V. , Pakenham Kenneth I.
Published: March 2011

Objective: Few studies have examined psychological adjustment in thyroid cancer (TC) patients and no published studies have investigated benefit finding (BF) in this population. This study examined the relationship between BF and adjustment in TC using an expanded conceptualisation of adjustment that incorporated higher order cognitive and motivational states (HOCMS) and health behaviour changes, and a BF measure that accounted for positive and negative changes. Partner ratings of patient's BF and health behaviour changes were examined as sources of external validity for these constructs.

Methods: 154 TC patients and 32 partners completed questionnaires.

Results: Findings supported the prediction that BF would be associated with greater positive affect and positive health behaviour change, and better outcomes on the HOCMS of adjustment. After controlling for demographics and cancer stress, BF evidenced associations with greater positive affect, wisdom, spiritual wellbeing, and lifestyle changes.

Conclusions: Results suggest that BF is related to health behaviour change that is corroborated by significant others and is strongly related to the existentially oriented adjustment outcomes. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Porous silicon in low moisture content dry gas by impedance spectroscopy
Authors: Islam T. , Hussain S. , Gangopadhyay A. , Islam S. S. , Harsh
Published: March 2011

The present work is aimed to develop porous silicon (PS)‐based sensor to measure very low humidity concentration with possible industrial applications. This work is in continuation of our previous results reported (Islam et al., Sens. Lett. 6, 746 (2008)) that the PS layer with pore morphology above 10 nm shows good response above 50 ppmV. To obtain improved sensitivity in the lower range below 50 ppmv, the porous structure with pore dimensions below 10 nm is fabricated by controlling the anodization parameters using precision Solatron Electrochemical Cell (1280C). The sensor based on capacitive principle has porous top metal electrode having pores above 1 µm formed on the porous layer by screen printing technique. The mesh structure increases the area of the electrodes and allows the moisture molecules penetrating through the mesh thus improving both sensitivity and ohmic nature of the contacts. The electrical properties were evaluated by impedance spectroscopy for different contents of water vapour in N2 gas with Agilent 4294A Impedance Analyzer.
Temperature‐dependent Raman spectroscopy of anilinium chloride near phase transition
Authors: Vishwakarma Ashok K. , Ghalsasi Pallavi , Ghalsasi Prasanna S.
Published: March 2011

The existence of various solid phases of organic ammonium halides, due to the presence of hydrogen bonding, has long been established but is limited to alkyl ammonium halides. On the other hand, the presence of such phase transitions was eluded in case of anilinium chloride. In the present work, we have undertaken a systematic temperature dependent Raman spectroscopic study on anilinium chloride, in the range 300–100–350 K. Spectral variation in the low frequency (100–400 cm−1) and high frequency (2500–3700 cm−1) regions around 350 and 260 K shows the signature of the phase transitions in this compound. These phase transitions were reversible in nature. The latter transition is in agreement with DSC measurements.

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Leaving our comfort zone: Integrating established practices with unique adaptations to conduct survey‐based strategy research in nontraditional contexts
Authors: Kriauciunas Aldas , Parmigiani Anne , Rivera‐Santos Miguel
Published: March 2011

Accepted practices for survey research in medium and large firms in developed economies are well established. However, as scholars explore fine‐grained phenomena in nontraditional contexts, sampling, survey design, and administration tasks may need adjusting. Through three case studies and an analysis of a decade of published work, we find that sample frame creation and survey administration require the greatest degree of adaptation, while survey instrument creation most closely follows established practices. We recommend using context‐specific sampling frames and administration techniques, though established survey instruments and scales may be used. The conclusions highlight the importance of overlaying unique adaptations onto established practices to achieve acceptable response rates, obtain accurate and robust data, and provide the basis for subsequent meaningful analysis. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Fast and expensive: the diffusion of a disappointing innovation
Authors: Greve Henrich R.
Published: March 2011

Firms seek to imitate innovations that yield competitive advantage, but imitation can presage disappointment when the innovation value is below expectations. Empirical research has only rarely examined the diffusion of such disappointing innovations, and it is not known whether negative information from past adopters will halt the diffusion process. Likewise, the effect of heterogeneity in the innovation value on its spread has not been systematically investigated. Here, a unique dataset on a disappointing innovation is used to examine how adoption decisions are imitated, but actual use and subsequent abandonment can yield information that reduces the likelihood that others will adopt. The findings show imitation of the adoptions of other firms, but avoidance of the innovation once these firms start using the innovation or abandon it. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Choosing software metrics for defect prediction: an investigation on feature selection techniques
Authors: Gao Kehan , Khoshgoftaar Taghi M. , Wang Huanjing , Seliya Naeem
Published: March 2011

The selection of software metrics for building software quality prediction models is a search‐based software engineering problem. An exhaustive search for such metrics is usually not feasible due to limited project resources, especially if the number of available metrics is large. Defect prediction models are necessary in aiding project managers for better utilizing valuable project resources for software quality improvement. The efficacy and usefulness of a fault‐proneness prediction model is only as good as the quality of the software measurement data. This study focuses on the problem of attribute selection in the context of software quality estimation. A comparative investigation is presented for evaluating our proposed hybrid attribute selection approach, in which feature ranking is first used to reduce the search space, followed by a feature subset selection. A total of seven different feature ranking techniques are evaluated, while four different feature subset selection approaches are considered. The models are trained using five commonly used classification algorithms. The case study is based on software metrics and defect data collected from multiple releases of a large real‐world software system. The results demonstrate that while some feature ranking techniques performed similarly, the automatic hybrid search algorithm performed the best among the feature subset selection methods. Moreover, performances of the defect prediction models either improved or remained unchanged when over 85were eliminated. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Synthese und Kristallstruktur der N3–‐armen Nitridselenide des Formeltyps M5NSe6 (M = La–Pr) mit isolierten Tetraederdoppeln [N2M6]12+
Authors: Schurz Christian M. , Lissner Falk , Janka Oliver , Schleid Thomas
Published: March 2011

Long a‐axes are a particularity of the crystal structures of the N3–‐poor lanthanide(III) nitride selenides with the composition M5NSe6 (monoclinic, C2/c, Z = 16; M = La: a = 5177.2(3), b = 1271.58(9), c = 785.49(5) pm, β = 89.386(7)°; M = Ce: a = 5128.4(3), b = 1260.24(8), c = 778.03(5) pm, β = 90.002(7)°; M = Pr: a = 5096.1(3), b = 1252.47(8), c = 772.61(5) pm, β = 90.705(7)°). Two [NM4]9+ tetrahedra sharing a common edge by forming angled [N2M6]12+ double units represent the main structural feature. These edge‐shared bitetrahedra reside in between layers of the defect Th3P4‐ like structure of the C‐type lanthanide sesquiselenides (M2Se3). An alternative description of the structure points out the half‐occupied cation positions (M10)3+. The discrete [N2M6]12+ units are linked with each others via four different selenide anions building up cationic$^2_{\infty}${[(N2M6)4Se14]20+} slabs. In the [100] direction they are stacked alternatingly with anionic $^2_{\infty}${[(M14Se34)(M10)2]20–} layers formed by Se2– polyhedra about the M3+ cations without any N3– ligands. Furthermore, these anionic layers offer channels filled up with (M10)3+ cations under half‐occupation conditions. The site occupation factor of 1/2 for (M10)3+ is plausible, because a full occupation of this site would reveal to high negative valence values for all Se2– anions (Se4, Se10, Se11 and Se13) that show contacts with (M10)3+.
Subgrid stabilization of Galerkin approximations of monotone operators
Authors: Guermond J.‐L.
Published: March 2011

This paper presents a stabilized Galerkin technique for approximating monotone linear operators in a Hilbert space. The key idea consists an introducing an approximation space that is broken up into large scales and small scales so that the bilinear form associated with the problem satisfies a uniform inf‐sup condition with respect to this decomposition. An optimal Galerkin approximation is obtained by introducing an artificial diffusion on the small scales.
Direct Multidomain Spectral Method for the Computation of Various Fluid Dynamic Problems
Authors: Raspo I. , Bontoux P.
Published: March 2011

This paper presents a spectral multidomain algorithm based on the influence matrix technique. This algorithm leads to a direct method without any iterative process. We show that domain decomposition allows us to use efficiently spectral approximations for the computation of problems exhibiting a singular solution or a complex geometric configuration.