bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Genetic characterization of measles viruses that circulated in Thailand from 1998 to 2008
Authors: Pattamadilok Sirima , Incomserb Patcha , Primsirikunawut Athiwat , Lukebua Atchariya , Rota Paul A. , Sawanpanyalert Pathom
Published: March 2012

During the period between 1998 and 2008, 48 representative measles viruses (MeVs) circulating in Thailand were subjected to genetic characterization. Three genotypes, G2, D5, and D9 were detected. The results suggested that measles genotype D5, which has been circulating since at least 1998, is the endemic genotype in Thailand. Genotype G2 was detected between 1998 and 2001. In addition, almost all of the MeVs detected throughout the country in 2008 were genotype D9. This is the first report of genotype D9 in Thailand. This report provides important baseline data about measles genotypes in Thailand and this information will be needed to help verify measles elimination in Thailand. J. Med. Virol. 84:804–813, 2012. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Increased frequency of Th17 cells in the peripheral blood of children infected with enterovirus 71
Authors: Chen Jianguo , Tong Jia , Liu Haibing , Liu Yingzhao , Su Zhaoliang , Wang Shengjun , Shi Yan , Zheng Dong , Sandoghchian Siamak , Geng Jianzhong , Xu Huaxi
Published: March 2012

Enterovirus 71 (EV71) affects the health of young children globally causing severe neurologic diseases. The relationship between EV71 infection and T helper type 17 (Th17) has not been described, although this new Th subset or interleukin‐17 (IL‐17) has been reported to be associated with other viral infections. The purpose of the current study was to describe the immune profile involving Th17 cells, neutrophils, and related factors and to speculate on the possible immunopathogenesis of EV71 infections. Flow cytometry and an automatic blood cell counter were used to analyze circulating Th17 cells and count neutrophils, respectively. Expression of acid‐related orphan nuclear receptor gamma t (ROR γt) was evaluated by reverse‐transcriptional PCR, and enzyme linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs) were used for detecting concentrations of IL‐17, IL‐23, and IFN‐γ. The results showed that the frequencies of Th17 cells (1.47 ± 0.87%) and the number of neutrophils (7.4 ± 4.1 × 109/L) in peripheral blood samples from children infected with EV71 were significantly higher compared to controls. In addition, there was a statistically higher expression of ROR γt in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) and elevated concentrations of IL‐17 and IL‐23 in sera, but lower IFN‐γ production during EV71 infections. The findings suggest that Th17 cells are mediators during the immunologic process. J. Med. Virol. 84:763–767, 2012. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Protection by cilostazol against amyloid‐β1–40‐induced suppression of viability and neurite elongation through activation of CK2α in HT22 mouse hippocampal cells
Authors: Lee Hye Rin , Park So Youn , Kim Hye Young , Shin Hwa Kyoung , Lee Won Suk , Rhim Byung Yong , Hong Ki Whan , Kim Chi Dae
Published: March 2012

Amyloid‐β peptide (Aβ) deposits in the brain are critical in the neurotoxicity induced by Aβ. This study elucidates the underlying signaling pathway by which cilostazol protects HT22 neuronal cells from Aβ1–40 (3–30 μM)‐induced deterioration of cell proliferation, viability, and neurite elongation. Cilostazol rescued HT22 cells from the apoptotic cell death induced by Aβ toxicity through the downregulation of phosphorylated p53 (Ser15), Bax, and caspase‐3 and the upregulation of Bcl‐2 expression, which improved neuronal cell proliferation and viability. Furthermore, Aβ1–40 suppressed both phosphorylated CK2α protein expression and CK2 activity in the cytosol; these were concentration dependently recovered by cilostazol (3–30 μM). Cilostazol significantly increased the levels of GSK‐3β phosphorylation at Ser9 and β‐catenin phosphorylation at Ser675 in the cytosol and nucleus. Cilostazol effects were reversed by KT5720 (1 μM, PKA inhibitor) and TBCA (40 μM, inhibitor of CK2) and CK2α knockdown by siRNA transfection. Likewise, Aβ‐stimulated GSK‐3β phosphorylation at Tyr 216 was decreased by cilostazol in the control but not in the CK2α siRNA‐transfected cells. Furthermore, the Aβ (10 μM)‐induced suppression of neurite elongation was recovered by cilostazol; this recovery was attenuated by inhibitors such as KT5720 and TBCA and blocked by CK2α knockdown. In conclusion, increased cAMP‐dependent protein kinase‐linked CK2α activation underlies the pharmacological effects of cilostazol in downregulating p53 phosphorylation at Ser15 and upregulating GSK‐3β phosphorylation at Ser9/β‐catenin phosphorylation at Ser675, thereby suppressing Aβ1–40‐induced neurotoxicity and improving neurite elongation. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Neural correlates of cognitive ability
Authors: Brancucci Alfredo
Published: March 2012

The challenge to neuroscientists working on intelligence is to discover what neural structures and mechanisms are at the basis of such a complex and variegated capability. Several psychologists agree on the view that behavioral flexibility is a good measure of intelligence, resulting in the appearance of novel solutions that are not part of the animal's normal behavior. This article tries to indicate how the supposed differences in intelligence between species can be related to brain properties and suggests that the best neural indicators may be the ones that convey more information processing capacity to the brain, i.e., high conduction velocity of fibers and small distances between neurons, associated with a high number of neurons and an adequate level of connectivity. The neural bases of human intelligence have been investigated by means of anatomical, neurophysiological, and neuropsychological methods. These investigations have led to two important findings that are briefly discussed: the parietofrontal integration theory of intelligence, which assumes that a distributed network of cortical areas having its main nodes in the frontal and parietal lobes constitutes a probable substrate for smart behavior, and the neural efficiency hypothesis, according to which intelligent people process information more efficiently, showing weaker neural activations in a smaller number of areas than less intelligent people. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Enhancement of Raman scattering of light by ultramarine microcrystals in presence of silver nanoparticles
Authors: Klyachkovskaya E. V. , Guzatov D. V. , Strekal N. D. , Vaschenko S. V. , Harbachova A. N. , Belkov M. V. , Gaponenko S. V.
Published: March 2012

Approximately 102‐fold enhancement of Raman scattering by ultramarine microcrystals is reported by means of interaction with silver nanoparticles in films and powders. Theoretical modeling predicts the maximal 1010‐fold enhancement in close vicinity of a silver spherical nanoparticle (0.24 nm) with rapid decay of enhancement factor to 1 in the range of approximately 50 nm. Experimental enhancement factor is treated as overall effect within the small portion of every microcrystal in the close vicinity of silver nanoparticle(s). The results are considered as an important extension of traditional surface enhanced molecular Raman spectroscopy towards bigger inorganic probes. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The Occurrence and Possible Aetiology of Spondylolysis in a Pre‐contact California Population
Authors: Pilloud M. A. , Canzonieri C.
Published: March 2012

The occurrence of spondylolysis (neural arch separation at the pars interarticularis) is reported in a pre‐contact (720–550 Cal BP) Central California population, CA‐CCo‐647 (n = 46). Spondylolysis was examined within this population to assess differences in sex, age, and possible relationships with biological affinity. Furthermore, prevalence rates of spondylolysis were compared across various populations to discern the aetiology of the defect. Within CA‐CCo‐647, spondylolysis was found in 17.4% (8/46) of the population. All occurrences are complete, bilateral separations of the neural arch in the lower lumbar (L4 and L5). The defect is not seen in individuals below the age of 18, and there is no correlation between adult age and spondylolysis. Male individuals display the defect at a higher rate (30.8% ‐ 4/13) than female individuals (12.1% ‐ 4/33); however, this is not a statistically significant finding. There does seem to be a correlation between an individual's sex and the onset of the defect; male individuals display spondylolysis at a younger age than female individuals. This finding could represent differences in activity patterns among young male and female individuals. In a biological distance analysis using craniometric data, male and female individuals with spondylolysis clustered closely, suggesting a genetic component for the defect. Finally, significant differences were found in spondylolysis prevalence between various populations representing distinct geographic and temporal settings. Significant differences were found among Native pre‐contact samples and even between two comparable pre‐contact California skeletal samples. These populations all engaged in distinct activities and were likely composed of genetically distinct groups of individuals, which may account for the differences in spondylolysis prevalence. All of these findings, both within CA‐CCo‐647 and between the various samples, suggest that the aetiology of spondylolysis is likely an interaction of genes and activity. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
CDKN2A homozygous deletion is associated with muscle invasion in FGFR3‐mutated urothelial bladder carcinoma
Authors: Rebouissou Sandra , Hérault Aurélie , Letouzé Eric , Neuzillet Yann , Laplanche Agnès , Ofualuka Karina , Maillé Pascale , Leroy Karen , Riou Audrey , Lepage May‐Linda , Vordos Dimitri , de la Taille Alexandre , Denoux Yves , Sibony Mathilde , Guyon Frédéric , Lebret Thierry , Benhamou Simone , Allory Yves , Radvanyi François
Published: March 2012

The gene cyclin‐dependent kinase inhibitor 2A (CDKN2A) is frequently inactivated by deletion in bladder carcinoma. However, its role in bladder tumourigenesis remains unclear. We investigated the role of CDKN2A deletion in urothelial carcinogenesis, as a function of FGFR3 mutation status, a marker for one of the two pathways of bladder tumour progression, the Ta pathway. We studied 288 bladder carcinomas: 177 non‐muscle‐invasive (123 Ta, 54 T1) and 111 muscle‐invasive (T2–4) tumours. CDKN2A copy number was determined by multiplex ligation‐dependent probe amplification, and FGFR3 mutations by SNaPshot analysis. FGFR3 mutation was detected in 124 tumours (43.1%) and CDKN2A homozygous deletion in 56 tumours (19.4%). CDKN2A homozygous deletion was significantly more frequent in FGFR3‐mutated tumours than in wild‐type FGFR3 tumours (p = 0.0015). This event was associated with muscle‐invasive tumours within the FGFR3‐mutated subgroup (p < 0.0001) but not in wild‐type FGFR3 tumours. Similar findings were obtained for an independent series of 101 bladder carcinomas. The impact of CDKN2A deletions on recurrence‐free and progression‐free survival was then analysed in 89 patients with non‐muscle‐invasive FGFR3‐mutated tumours. Kaplan–Meier survival analysis showed that CDKN2A losses (hemizygous and homozygous) were associated with progression (p = 0.0002), but not with recurrence, in these tumours. Multivariate Cox regression analysis identified CDKN2A loss as a predictor of progression independent of stage and grade. These findings highlight the crucial role of CDKN2A loss in the progression of non‐muscle‐invasive FGFR3‐mutated bladder carcinomas and provide a potentially useful clinical marker for adapting the treatment of such tumours, which account for about 50% of cases at initial clinical presentation. Copyright © 2012 Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Peptides binding to prostate‐specific antigen enhance its antiangiogenic activity
Authors: Mattsson Johanna M. , Närvänen Ale , Stenman Ulf‐Håkan , Koistinen Hannu
Published: March 2012

BACKGROUND

Proteolytically active prostate‐specific antigen (PSA or kallikrein‐related peptidase 3, KLK3) has been shown to exert antiangiogenic properties. High levels of PSA in prostatic tumors may thus slow down cancer progression by inhibiting angiogenesis. We hypothesize that factors stimulating the activity of PSA could be used to reduce prostate tumor growth. Using phage display, we have developed peptides C4 and B2 that stimulate the enzymatic activity of PSA. Our aim was to study whether these peptides enhance the antiangiogenic activity of PSA.

METHODS

We used an in vitro angiogenesis assay where human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) form tubular networks when they are grown on Matrigel. Proteolytically active PSA and peptides that stimulate the activity of PSA were added to the cells. Endothelial cell tube formation was quantified and expressed as an angiogenesis index.

RESULTS

PSA reduced the angiogenesis index to ∼50% of controls both in serum‐containing and serum‐free medium. The addition of peptide C4 or B2 together with PSA caused a significant further decrease in angiogenesis index to ∼70% of that caused by PSA alone. A similar decrease in angiogenesis index was observed when PSA concentration was increased 2.4‐fold of that used with peptides.

CONCLUSIONS

The inhibitory effect of PSA on tube formation can be enhanced by the addition of peptides that stimulate the activity of PSA. This supports our hypothesis that stimulation of PSA activity can be used to reduce angiogenesis and thereby inhibit prostate tumor growth. Prostate 72:1588–1594, 2012. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
The role of domain: Domain interactions versus domain: Water interactions in the coarse‐grained simulations of the E1P to E2P transitions in Ca‐ATPase (SERCA)
Authors: Nagarajan Anu , Andersen Jens Peter , Woolf Thomas B.
Published: March 2012

SERCA is an important model system for understanding the molecular details of conformational change in membrane transport systems. This reflects the large number of solved X‐ray structures and the equally large database of mutations that have been assayed. In this computational study, we provide a molecular dynamics description of the conformational changes during the E1P → E2P transitions. This set of states further changes with insertion mutants in the A‐M3 linker region. These mutants were experimentally shown to lead to significant shifts in rates between the E1P → E2P states. Using the population shift framework and dynamic importance sampling method along with coarse‐grained representations of the protein, lipid, and water, we suggest why these changes are found. The calculations sample on intermediates and suggest that changes in interactions, individual helix interactions, and water behavior are key elements in the molecular compositions that underlie shifts in kinetics. In particular, as the insertion length grows, it attracts more water and disrupts domain interactions, creating changes as well at the sites of key helix interactions between the A‐Domain and the P‐Domain. This provides a conceptual picture that aids understanding of the experimental results. Proteins 2012;. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Optical investigations of the superconducting energy gap in β″‐(BEDT‐TTF)2SF5CH2CF2SO3
Authors: Kaiser S. , Yasin S. , Drichko N. , Dressel M. , Rõõm T. , Hüvonen D. , Nagel U. , Gard G. L. , Schlueter J. A.
Published: March 2012

The organic salt β″‐(BEDT‐TTF)2SF5CH2CF2SO3 is a two‐dimensional metal with a quarter‐filled conduction band. In the metallic state the optical conductivity evidences interaction of the charge carriers with charge‐order fluctuations that become stronger as temperature decreases. In the superconducting phase below Tc ≈ 5 K, indications of the superconducting gap with $2{\rm \Delta }\approx 12\;{\rm cm}^{- 1} $ are observed in the optical spectrum, corresponding to $2{\rm \Delta }/k_{{\rm B}} T_{{\rm c}} \approx 3.3$. Its temperature and magnetic field dependences are also consistent with predictions by the BCS theory of a weakly coupled superconductor.

magnified image

The conductivity ratio $\sigma _{1} (T = 1.75\;{\rm K})/\sigma _{1} (10\;{\rm K})$ indicates the opening of the superconducting gap in β″‐(BEDT‐TTF)2SF5CH2CF2SO3.
Inhibitory Activities of Compounds from the Twigs of Garcinia hombroniana Pierre on Human Low‐density Lipoprotein (LDL) Oxidation and Platelet Aggregation
Authors: Saputri Fadlina Chany , Jantan Ibrahim
Published: March 2012

The methanol extract of the twigs of Garcinia hombroniana, which showed strong LDL antioxidation and antiplatelet aggregation activities, was subjected to column chromatography to obtain 3,5,3′,5′‐tetrahydroxy‐4‐methoxybenzophenone, 1,7‐dihydroxyxanthone and eight triterpenoids, garcihombronane B, D, E and F, friedelin, glutin‐5‐en‐3β‐ol, stigmasterol and lupeol. The structures of the compounds were elucidated by spectroscopic methods. The compounds were evaluated for their ability to inhibit copper‐mediated LDL oxidation and arachidonic acid (AA)‐, adenosine diphosphate (ADP)‐, collagen‐induced platelet aggregation in vitro. Among the compounds tested, 3,5,3′,5′‐tetrahydroxy‐4‐methoxybenzophenone and 1,7‐dihydroxyxanthone showed strong inhibitory activity on LDL oxidation with half‐maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) values of 6.6 and 1.7 µm, respectively. 3,5,3′,5′‐Tetrahydroxy‐4‐methoxybenzophenone exhibited strong activity on AA‐, ADP‐ and collagen‐induced platelet aggregation with IC50 values of 53.6, 125.7 and 178.6 µm, respectively, while 1,7 dihydroxyxanthone showed significant and selective inhibitory activity against ADP‐induced aggregation with IC50 value of 5.7 µm. Of the triterpenoids tested, garcihombronane B showed moderate activity against LDL oxidation and garcihombronane D and F showed selective inhibition on ADP‐induced platelet aggregation. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
New Antifungal Compounds from Aspergillus terreus Isolated from Desert Soil
Authors: Awaad Amani S. , Nabilah Al‐Jaber A. , Zain Mohamed E.
Published: March 2012

Two new butyrolactone I derivatives: 3‐[3‐hydroxy‐4‐(3‐methyl‐but‐2‐enyl)‐phenyl]‐5‐(−4‐hydroxybenzyl)‐4‐methyl‐dihydrofuran‐2(3H)‐one (1) and (Z)‐3‐[3‐hydroxy‐4‐(3‐methyl‐but‐2‐enyl)‐phenyl]‐5‐(−4‐hydroxybenzylidene)‐4‐methyl‐dihydrofuran‐2(3H)‐one (2), in addition to the previously described (S)‐methyl‐4‐hydroxy‐2‐[4‐hydroxy‐3‐(3‐methyl‐but‐2‐enyl)‐benzyl]‐3‐(4‐hydroxy‐phenyl)‐5‐oxo‐2,5‐dihydro‐furan‐2‐carboxylic acid methyl ester (3), were identified from a strain of Aspergillus terreus Thom (Trichocomaceae) isolated from desert soil. The antifungal activities of both intra‐ and extracellular metabolites of A. terreus grown on yeast extract sucrose and malt extract media were determined. Only the secondary metabolites of A. terreus grown on yeast extract sucrose medium were active against Aspergillus fumigatus RCMB 002008. The antifungal activity of A. terreus was attributed to the presence of the compounds (1) and (2), whose minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) against A. fumigatus were found to be 32.00 and 16.00 µg/mL respectively. Structure elucidation was carried out using UV spectrometry, electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESIMS), high resolution electron impact (HREIMS) spectrometry, 1H‐ and 13 C‐NMR, proton–proton correlation spectroscopy (1H–1H Cosy), distortionless enhancement by polarization transfer (DEPT), heteronuclear single quantum coherence (HSQC) and heteronuclear multiple bond correlations (HMBC) spectroscopy. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Quantum‐chemical study of the spin transition complex [Fe(bt)2(NCS)2] (bt=2,2′‐bithiazoline)
Authors: Qu Yuhui
Published: March 2012

The spin crossover compound [Fe(bt)2(NCS)2] has been studied by several density functionals and basis sets. In the calculation, optimized geometries of the compound in the low‐, intermediate‐, and high‐spin states, the vibrational modes and IR spectra, spin splittings energies, excited states, and UV/vis absorption spectra were obtained. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Quantum chemical study of IrFn (n = 1–7) clusters: An investigation of superhalogen properties
Authors: Siddiqui Shamoon Ahmad , Rasheed Tabish
Published: March 2012

In present investigation, the interactions of iridium (Ir) atom with fluorine (F) atoms have been studied using the density functional theory. Up to seven F atoms were able to bind to a single Ir atom which resulted in increase of electron affinities successively, reaching a peak value of 7.85 eV for IrF7. The stability and reactivity of these clusters were analyzed by calculating highest occupied molecular orbital (HOMO)–LUMO gaps, molecular orbitals and binding energies of these clusters. The unusual properties of these clusters are due to the involvement of inner shell 5d‐electrons, which not only allows IrFn clusters to belong to the class of superhalogens but also shows that its valence can exceed the nominal value of 2. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Current–density functional theory for a superconductor
Authors: Higuchi Katsuhiko , Koide Kazuki , Imanishi Tatsuya , Higuchi Masahiko
Published: March 2012

We present a current–density functional theory (CDFT) for a superconductor applied by an external magnetic field. As the formulation is free from the assumption of the v‐representability of densities, the fictitious external pairing field is not needed. The anomalous density, which corresponds to the order parameter of a superconducting phase, is treated in a nonlocal form as it should be. To perform actual calculations, the exchange–correlation (xc) energy functional is a key quantity as is the case with the conventional CDFT of a normal state. As the first step toward developing the approximate form, we present the exact expression for the xc energy functional with the aid of the coupling‐constant integration technique. This scheme may become a first‐principles theory which can evaluate not only the critical temperature but also critical magnetic field quantitatively. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Failure of a Waterborne Primer Applied to Zinc Coated Steel
Authors: Adhami Siavash , Abel Marie‐Laure , Lowe Chris , Watts John F.
Published: March 2012

The durability of a high‐performance coating system based on a polyester top coat and a water‐based primer system has been studied by exposure of coated panels to salt spray and 100% RH. The humidity exposure is less deleterious than the salt spray with a higher concentration of an adhesion promoter further enhancing durability in each case. XPS analysis establishes that in both cases failure occurs as a result of a weak boundary layer of zinc oxide corrosion product. Further testing of these pre‐exposed panels using a wet adhesion test and a mechanical pull‐off test confirms the superior performance of the formulation with a higher level of adhesion promoter in both tests. The locus of failure is generally in the organic phase, although those specimens at the lower end of the performance spectrum show a significant amount of failure at or close to the coating/substrate interface. For samples pre‐exposed to the salt spray, the presence of chloride ions at the failed interface indicates that such a treatment may have a deleterious effect on subsequent performance. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Investigation of the effect of forming gas annealing on front silver electrodes of c‐Si solar cells
Authors: Ren Yichao , Yang Yunxia , Bao Tianming , Fan Chaxing , Chen Guorong
Published: March 2012

Forming gas annealing (FGA) is an effective process to repair low efficiency crystalline silicon (c‐Si) solar cells with overfired screen‐printed paste electrodes. An experimental study was performed to investigate the effect and mechanism of FGA treatment on front silver electrodes of c‐Si cells. To facilitate the FGA mechanistic study, special simulation samples were prepared to magnify the FGA effects on glass frit and overfired electrodes. The micro‐morphology (from cross‐sectional X‐SEM) and elemental composition (from energy‐dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy) data revealed few Ag crystallites in the paste/Si interface because of the thick glass layer from the paste overfiring. The FGA treatment induced phase crystallization (from X‐ray diffraction) in the paste and increased the glass wettability on both Si and Ag substrates, thus resulting in a thinner glass layer, which expedited the precipitation of more pyramidal Ag crystallites at the Ag/Si interface. The wetting angle data of glass samples measured before and after FGA confirmed the mechanism of FGA and concluded that the improvement of glass wettability benefited to reduce the glass layer thickness. As a result, more Ag crystallites diffused toward and precipitated at the Si interface contributing to a lower contact resistance between the paste electrode and the Si matrix and thus improved electrical properties for overfired c‐Si cells. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Sputtering of silicon by low‐energy oxygen bombardment studied by MD simulations
Authors: Philipp Patrick , Wirtz Tom , Kieffer John
Published: March 2012

In the field of secondary ion mass spectrometry, ion–matter interactions have been largely investigated by numerical simulations. For molecular dynamics simulations related to inorganic samples, mostly classical force fields assuming stable bonding structure have been used. In this paper, we will use a reactive force field capable of simulating the breaking and formation of chemical bonds. Important features of this force field for simulating systems that undergo significant structural reorganisation are (i) the ability to account for the redistribution of electron density upon ionization, formation, or breaking of bonds, through a charge transfer term, and (ii) the fact that the angular constraints dynamically adjust when a change in the coordination number of an atom occurs. In this work, we present results obtained for the simulation of low‐energy oxygen bombardment of crystalline and amorphous silicon. Information on variation of sputtering yields, energy, and angular distributions as well as the emission of clusters are studied. Compared to normal force fields, ion–matter interactions as well as the sputtering of matter should be described more accurately, especially when using reactive primary ions (oxygen or cesium) at low impact energies. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Tissue‐specific copper accumulation, zinc levels, induction, and purification of metallothionein in freshwater crab Sinopotamon henanense exposed to subacute waterborne copper
Authors: Ma Wenli , He Yongji , Yan Tao , Wang Lan
Published: March 2012

Copper (Cu) is one of the most important essential metals for crustaceans, buttoxic in excess. Metallothioneins (MT) are a family of low molecular weight, cysteine‐rich, metal‐binding proteins, which play important roles in metal homeostasis, detoxification, and cytoprotection. In the present study, Sinopotamon henanense were exposed to 0 (controls), 2.86, and 14.3 mg L−1 waterborne Cu, Cu accumulation, zinc (Zn) levels and MT induction in gills and hepatopancreas were determined with Cd/Hemoglobin saturation assay and atomic absorption spectrophotometry method. Results showed that Cu accumulation and MT levels were both tissue‐specific and revealed some time‐dependent and dose‐dependent, respectively. The highest Cu accumulations of 82.10 ± 16.38 μg g−1 w wt were observed in the gill after 15 days of 14.3 mg L−1 Cu exposure, the peak MT induction of 136.16 ± 19.39 μg g−1 w wt were observed in the hepatopancreas after 3 day of 14.3 mg L−1 Cu exposure.In addition, the essential metal homeostasis of Zn was disturbed in some ways by subacute Cu exposure. The calculated ratios of actual Cu to theoretical maximum metal bound by MT indicating that the hepatopancreas had much greater Cu‐binding potentials than the gills. Positive correlation were shown between MT induction and Cu accumulation both in hepatopancreas and gills, indicating that MT induction in S. henanense can be considered as a biomarker for subacute waterborne Cu pollution. Furthermore, the Cu induced MT (CuMT) from S. henanense was purified using acetone precipitation (50–80%), followed by gel filtration chromatography and anion exchange chromatography. SDS‐PAGE and time‐of‐flight mass spectrometry analysis showed that S. henanense CuMT possess two isoforms and both mainly existed as monomer and dimmer forms. These present studies will be helpful to increase the database information of heavy metal‐induced MT in terms of crustaceans. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Environ Toxicol 29: 407–417, 2014.
Perioperative chemotherapy and liver resection for hepatic metastases of colorectal cancer
Authors: Hasegawa Kiyoshi , Takahashi Michiro , Ohba Masaru , Kaneko Junichi , Aoki Taku , Sakamoto Yoshihiro , Sugawara Yasuhiko , Kokudo Norihiro
Published: March 2012

Surgical resection has played a major role in the treatment for colorectal liver metastases. The safety and efficacy of surgery for liver metastasis are obvious, although there are some differences between the western countries and Japan concerning the surgical indication, procedures, timing of chemotherapies in a perioperative period, and treatment of a primary disease. In future, long‐term outcomes after surgical resection for colorectal liver metastases would be expected to be prolonged by combination of surgery and chemotherapies.
Modeling the interaction of physiological time, seasonal weather patterns, and delayed mating on population dynamics of codling moth,Cydia pomonella(L.) (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae)
Authors: Jones Vincent P. , Wiman Nik G.
Published: March 2012

The effect of delaying female mating on population growth in codling moth (Cydia pomonella(L.)) was found to act on a physiological time (degree‐day) basis and was predictable using a simple quadratic equation. When combined with previous work on degree‐day based mortality, we were able to evaluate how the magnitude of population reduction and survival varied between sites, years, and generations at locations in California, Michigan, Pennsylvania and Washington states. In general, reductions in population growth associated with females mating 1–3 days after emergence were greater in warmer areas and during warmer times of the year. In any given year and location, the temperature profiles during peak flight were crucial in determining the population reductions, but over an 11‐year period, the average seasonal temperature profile was more important. During the overwintering generation, conditions were relatively mild in all locations and only minor differences were observed in population growth rates between locations. Populations experiencing 1–3 days delay in female mating were reduced 8, 19 and 32 % compared to populations experiencing no delay, respectively. During the first summer generation, population reductions doubled compared to those seen in the overwintering generation. During the second summer flight, reductions in population growth rate at the three cooler locations decreased, while they increased in the warmer California location. Overall, the results show delayed mating can help understand how population growth is related to environmental conditions experienced naturally by insect populations and will help guide studies of the mechanisms of mating disruption, a technique used for pest suppression in agricultural and forest systems.
Identification of catechols as histone–lysine demethylase inhibitors
Authors: Nielsen Anders L. , Kristensen Line H. , Stephansen Karen B. , Kristensen Jan B.L. , Helgstrand Charlotte , Lees Michael , Cloos Paul , Helin Kristian , Gajhede Michael , Olsen Lars
Published: March 2012

Identification of inhibitors of histone–lysine demethylase (HDM) enzymes is important because of their involvement in the development of cancer. An ELISA‐based assay was developed for identification of inhibitors of the HDM KDM4C in a natural products library. Based on one of the hits with affinity in the low μM range (1, a catechol), a subset of structurally related compounds was selected and tested against a panel of HDMs. In this subset, two inhibitors (2 and 10) had comparable affinities towards KDM4C and KDM6A but no effect on PHF8. One inhibitor restored H3K9me3 levels in KDM4C transfected U2‐OS cells.
Generalized two-dimensional Lagally theorem with free vortices and its application to fluid–body interaction problems
Authors: Wu C. T. , Yang F.-L. , Young D. L.
Published: March 2012

The Lagally theorem describes the unsteady hydrodynamic force on a rigid body exhibiting arbitrary motion in an inviscid and incompressible fluid by the properties of the singularities employed to generate the flow and the body motion and to meet the boundary condition. So far, only sources and dipoles have been considered, and the present work extends the theorem to include free vortices in a two-dimensional flow. The present extension is validated by reproducing the system dynamics or the force evolution of three literature problems: (i) a free cylinder interacting with a free vortex; (ii) the moving Föppl problem; and (iii) a cylinder in constant normal approach to a fixed identical cylinder. This work further extends the bifurcation analysis on the moving Föppl problem by including the solid-to-liquid density ratio as a new parameter, in addition to the system total impulse and the vortex strength. We then apply the theorem to the problem where a moving Föppl system is made to approach a fixed or a free neutrally buoyant target cylinder of identical size from far away. The force developed on each cylinder is examined with respect to the vortex pair configuration and the target mobility. When approaching a fixed target, a greater force is developed if the vortex pair has stronger circulation and larger structure. The mobility of the target cylinder, however, can modify the hydrodynamic force by reducing its magnitude and reversing the force ordering with respect to the vortex pair configuration found for the case with fixed target. Possible mechanisms for such a change of force nature are given based on the currently derived equation of motion.
Steady streaming and sediment transport at the bottom of sea waves
Authors: Blondeaux Paolo , Vittori Giovanna , Bruschi Antonello , Lalli Francesco , Pesarino Valeria
Published: March 2012

The flow and sediment transport in the boundary layer at the sea bottom due to the passage of surface waves are determined by considering small values of the wave steepness and of the ratio between the thickness of the boundary layer and the local water depth. Both the velocity field and the sediment transport rate are determined up to the second order of approximation thus evaluating both the steady streaming and the net (wave-averaged) flux of sediment induced by nonlinear effects. The flow regime is assumed to be turbulent and a two-equation turbulence model is used to close the problem. The bed load is evaluated by means of an empirical relationship as function of the bed shear stress. The suspended load is determined by computing the sediment flux, once the sediment concentration is determined by solving an appropriate advection–diffusion equation. The decay of the wave amplitude, which is due to the energy dissipation taking place in the boundary layer, is taken into account. The steady streaming and the sediment transport rate at the bottom of sea waves turn out to be different from those which are observed in a wave tunnel (U-tube), because of the dependence on the streamwise coordinate of the former flow. In particular, in the range of the parameters presently investigated, the sediment transport rate at the bottom of sea waves is found to be always onshore directed while, in a water tunnel (U-tube), the sediment transport rate can be onshore or offshore directed.
POSITIVE SOLUTIONS OF A SECOND-ORDER NEUMANN BOUNDARY VALUE PROBLEM WITH A PARAMETER
Authors: ZHANG YANG-WEN , LI HONG-XU
Published: March 2012

In this paper, we consider the Neumann boundary value problem with a parameter λ∈(0,∞): By using fixed point theorems in a cone, we obtain some existence, multiplicity and nonexistence results for positive solutions in terms of different values of λ. We also prove an existence and uniqueness theorem and show the continuous dependence of solutions on the parameter λ.
Invariants of hyperplane groups and vanishing ideals of finite sets of points
Authors: Campbell H. E. A. , Chuai Jianjun
Published: March 2012

We define a hyperplane group to be a finite group generated by reflections fixing a single hyperplane pointwise. Landweber and Stong proved that the invariant ring of a hyperplane group is again a polynomial ring in any characteristic. Recently, Hartmann and Shepler gave a constructive proof of this result. By their algorithm, one can always construct generators that are additive. In this paper, we study hyperplane groups of order a power of a prime p in characteristic p and give a slightly different construction of the generators than Hartmann and Shepler. We then show that such generators have a particular form. Furthermore, we show that if the group is defined by a finite additive subgroup W ⊆ $W\subseteq\mathbb{F}^n$, the vanishing ideal of W is generated by polynomials obtained from a set of generators of the invariant ring that are additive. Finally, we give a shorter proof of the fact that the module of the invariant differential 1-forms is free in our situation.
A proof of the Ge–Lee statement on the inertia regressor of robot manipulators
Authors: Mulero-Martínez Juan Ignacio
Published: March 2012

This paper delivers a proof of a statement due to Ge and Lee. Specifically, these authors stated, without proof, that the entries of the inertia matrix may be completely parameterized by stacking elements of a regressor superset. This superset has the advantage of avoiding to derive the complete dynamics of a robot manipulator. On the basis of both mechanics and combinatorial arguments, we deliver a formal proof. In addition, we improve the estimations by sorting joint variables and partitioning the inertia matrix that results into the reduction of the regressor superset. The number of nonlinear functions in the regressor is also quantified. A 2 degrees of freedom revolute robot is presented to illustrate these ideas.
Pure Type System conversion is always typable
Authors: SILES VINCENT , HERBELIN HUGO
Published: March 2012

Pure Type Systems are usually described in two different ways, one that uses an external notion of computation like beta-reduction, and one that relies on a typed judgment of equality, directly in the typing system. For a long time, the question was open to know whether both presentations described the same theory. A first step towards this equivalence has been made by Adams for a particular class ofPure Type Systems(PTS) called functional. Then, his result has been relaxed to all semi-full PTSs in previous work. In this paper, we finally give a positive answer to the general question, and prove that equivalence holds for any Pure Type System.
Days of (un) Rest: Political Consumerism and the Struggle over the Sabbath
Authors: Porat Guy Ben , Shamir Omri
Published: March 2012

In spite of legal limitations, commerce in Israel on the Sabbath has expanded significantly in the past two decades. This secular development is counteracted by religious boycotts of stores operating on the Sabbath. Using Ulrich Beck's concept of sub-politics, we explain the shift away from the formal political realm, a result of a deadlocked political system that is no longer able to regulate boundaries between the religious and secular realm. As a result, both religious and secular communities use their power as consumers, albeit in different ways, to shape the public sphere. Using media reports and open-ended interviews with religious and secular entrepreneurs we demonstrate how, first, the value of formal political channels was eroded and, second, how the economic power of religious and secular consumers is used in the new struggles to shape the day of rest.
Structure and breakup history of the rifted margin of West Antarctica in relation to Cretaceous separation from Zealandia and Bellingshausen plate motion
Authors: Wobbe F. , Gohl K. , Chambord A. , Sutherland R.
Published: March 2012

Geophysical data acquired using R/V Polarstern constrain the structure and age of the rifted oceanic margin of West Antarctica. West of the Antipodes Fracture Zone, the 145 km wide continent–ocean transition zone (COTZ) of the Marie Byrd Land sector resembles a typical magma‐poor margin. New gravity and seismic reflection data indicates initial continental crust of thickness 24 km, that was stretched 90 km. Farther east, the Bellingshausen sector is broad and complex with abundant evidence for volcanism, the COTZ is ∼670 km wide, and the nature of crust within the COTZ is uncertain. Margin extension is estimated to be 106–304 km in this sector. Seafloor magnetic anomalies adjacent to Marie Byrd Land near the Pahemo Fracture Zone indicate full‐spreading rate during c33–c31 (80–68 Myr) of 60 mm yr−1, increasing to 74 mm yr−1 at c27 (62 Myr), and then dropping to 22 mm yr−1 by c22 (50 Myr). Spreading rates were lower to the west. Extrapolation towards the continental margin indicates initial oceanic crust formation at around c34y (84 Myr). Subsequent motion of the Bellingshausen plate relative to Antarctica (84–62 Myr) took place east of the Antipodes Fracture Zone at rates <40 mm yr−1, typically 5–20 mm yr−1. The high extension rate of 30–60 mm yr−1 during initial margin formation is consistent with steep and symmetrical margin morphology, but subsequent motion of the Bellingshausen plate was slow and complex, and modified rift morphology through migrating deformation and volcanic centers to create a broad and complex COTZ.
Modeling measurements of ionospheric density structures using the polarization of high‐frequency waves detected by the Radio Receiver Instrument on the enhanced Polar Outflow Probe
Authors: Gillies R. G. , Hussey G. C. , Sofko G. J. , James H. G.
Published: March 2012

The Cascade SmallSat and Ionospheric Polar Explorer (CASSIOPE) satellite is to be launched in late 2012. On board this satellite will be a suite of eight scientific instruments composing the enhanced Polar Outflow Probe (ePOP). The Radio Receiver Instrument (RRI) on ePOP will be used to receive high‐frequency (HF) (10–18 MHz) transmissions from ground transmitters such as the Super Dual Auroral Radar Network (SuperDARN) array. Modeling of the characteristics of the HF signal received at ePOP for various ionospheric conditions has been undertaken in preparation for this RRI‐SuperDARN experiment. The effect of ionospheric electron density enhancements and depletions on signal parameters such as polarization and mode delay difference has been modeled. It has been found that at HF the polarization state of the received signal is highly sensitive to regions of locally enhanced or depleted electron density in the ionosphere. In particular, analysis of the orientation angle of the received signal, which changes because of Faraday rotation as the spacecraft passes over a ground transmitter, will allow detection of small‐scale electron density structures (on the order of tens of kilometers) with electron densities as little as 10% different from background values. Because of the sensitivity of the polarization of HF transionospheric waves, the signatures of these small‐scale and relatively weak ionospheric density structures will be apparent. Larger and denser structures will also be detectable from both the polarization state and other signal parameters, such as signal delay. The modeling demonstrates that detailed analysis of the signal parameters received at the ePOP satellite will allow determination of the location, size, and density of structures in the ionosphere.
From Metabolic Normality to Cardiometabolic Risk Factors in Subjects With Obesity
Authors: Bobbioni‐Harsch Elisabetta , Pataky Zoltan , Makoundou Vincent , Laville Martine , Disse Emmanuel , Anderwald Christian , Konrad Thomas , Golay Alain ,   On Behalf of the RISC Investigators
Published: March 2012

The aim of the study was to evaluate the 3 years incidence of cardiometabolic risk factors, such as impaired fasting glucose, reduced high‐density lipoprotein (HDL)‐cholesterol, increased plasma triglycerides or blood pressure as well as impaired glucose tolerance in overweight or obese (ow/ob) and normal body weight (nbw) subjects metabolically normal at baseline. Subjects from the Relationship between Insulin Sensitivity and Cardiovascular Disease (RISC) study were analyzed. We analyzed 284 nbw and 152 ow/ob subjects who, at baseline, did not show any of the above‐mentioned cardiometabolic risk factors. At 3 years, these parameters were re‐evaluated. Intima‐media thickness (IMT) of the common carotid artery (CCA) was echographically measured. At follow‐up, the incidence of one or more cardiometabolic risk factors was 57.2% in ow/ob vs. 31.7% in nbw (P < 0.0001). After adjustment for age, sex, menopause status, lifestyle parameters, insulin sensitivity, and fasting insulinemia, BMI remained significantly linked to the development of one or more cardiometabolic risk factors (P = 0.02). An increased BMI at follow‐up was significantly associated with the development of cardiometabolic alterations, in both nbw and ow/ob groups (P = 0.04). Ow/ob subjects who, at 3 years follow‐up, remained metabolically normal, showed a less favourable cardiometabolic profile, when compared to nbw counterparts. In ow/ob metabolically normal males and females, intima‐media of the common carotid at follow‐up was thicker than in nbw (P = 0.03 for males, P = 0.04 for females). In conclusion, metabolically normal obese subjects show a higher incidence of cardiometabolic risk factors, in a short follow‐up period. Weight gain is significantly associated with the development of these factors, in both nbw and ow/ob subjects.
Preconcentration of U(vi) ions on few-layered graphene oxide nanosheets from aqueous solutions
Authors: Zhao Guixia , Wen Tao , Yang Xin , Yang Shubin , Liao Jiali , Hu Jun , Shao Dadong , Wang Xiangke
Published: March 2012

Graphene oxide nanosheets have the highest sorption capacities of today's nanomaterials for U(vi) ion removal from aqueous solutions.