bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Carabidae (Coleoptera) in Nova Scotia, Canada wild blueberry fields: prospects for biological control
Authors: Cutler G.C. , Renkema J.M. , Majka C.G. , Sproule J.M.
Published: November 2012

The Carabidae (Coleoptera) are a diverse family of beetles with almost 300 species identified in Nova Scotia, Canada. Carabid beetle communities have been studied in several agricultural systems, but not wild blueberries, an important crop in eastern Canada. In the interest of potentially developing conservation biological control programs in wild blueberry, we collected Carabidae in crop (fruit-bearing) and sprout (vegetative) blueberry fields in Nova Scotia in order to assess species diversity and abundance over space and time. Over 3200 specimens were collected, representing 51 species. A large portion of collected specimens (39%) were nonnative, and the most abundant species were generally predacious and synanthropic. Species diversity tended to be higher near forest edges than further into fields, but not for all abundant species. Several of the most prominent predators showed significant differences in preference of crop versus sprout fields, distribution throughout fields, and seasonable abundance. These findings have implications for conservation biological control efforts with carabid beetles against several insect pests in wild blueberry.
Aircraft-based observations and high-resolution simulations of an Icelandic dust storm
Authors: Blechschmidt A.-M. , Kristjánsson J. E. , Ólafsson H. , Burkhart J. F. , Hodnebrog Ø. , Rosenberg P. D.
Published: November 2012

Abstract. The first aircraft-based observations of an Icelandic dust storm are presented. The measurements were carried out over the ocean near Iceland's south coast in February 2007. This dust event occurred in conjunction with an easterly barrier jet of more than 30 m s−1. The aircraft measurements show high particle mass mixing ratios in an area of low wind speeds in the wake of Iceland near the coast, decreasing abruptly towards the jet. Simulations from the Weather Research and Forecasting Model coupled with Chemistry (WRF/Chem) indicate that the measured high mass mixing ratios and observed low visibility inside the wake are due to dust transported from Icelandic sand fields towards the ocean. This is confirmed by meteorological station data. Glacial outwash terrains located near the Mýrdalsjökull glacier are among simulated dust sources. Sea salt aerosols produced by the impact of strong winds on the ocean surface started to dominate as the aircraft flew away from Iceland into the jet. The present results support recent studies which suggest that Icelandic deserts should be considered as important dust sources in global and regional climate models.
Sensitivity of cirrus and mixed-phase clouds to the ice nuclei spectra in McRAS-AC: single column model simulations
Authors: Morales Betancourt R. , Lee D. , Oreopoulos L. , Sud Y. C. , Barahona D. , Nenes A.
Published: November 2012

Abstract. The salient features of mixed-phase and ice clouds in a GCM cloud scheme are examined using the ice nucleation parameterizations of Liu and Penner (LP) and Barahona and Nenes (BN). The performance of both parameterizations was assessed in the GEOS-5 AGCM using the McRAS-AC cloud microphysics framework in single column mode. Four dimensional assimilated data from the intensive observation period of ARM TWP-ICE campaign was used to drive the fluxes and lateral forcing. Simulation experiments were established to test the impact of each parameterization in the resulting cloud fields. Three commonly used IN spectra were utilized in the BN parameterization to describe the availability of IN for heterogeneous ice nucleation. The results showed large similarities in the cirrus cloud regime between all the schemes tested, in which ice crystal concentrations were within a factor of 10 regardless of the parameterization used. In mixed-phase clouds there were some persistent differences in cloud particle number concentration and size, as well as in cloud fraction, ice water mixing ratio, and ice water path. Contact freezing in the simulated mixed-phase clouds contributed to the effective transfer of liquid to ice, so that on average, the clouds were fully glaciated at T 260 K, irrespective of the ice nucleation parameterization used. Comparison of simulated ice water path to available satellite derived observations were also performed, finding that all the schemes tested with the BN parameterization predicted average values of IWP within ±15% of the observations.
Urban aerosol size distributions over the Mediterranean city of Barcelona, NE Spain
Authors: Dall'Osto M. , Beddows D.C.S. , Pey J. , Rodriguez S. , Alastuey A. , Harrison Roy M. , Querol X.
Published: November 2012

Abstract. Differential mobility particle sizer (DMPS) aerosol concentrations (N13-800) were collected over a one-year-period (2004) at an urban background site in Barcelona, North-Eastern Spain. Quantitative contributions to particle number concentrations of the nucleation (33–39%), Aitken (39–49%) and accumulation mode (18–22%) were estimated. We examined the source and time variability of atmospheric aerosol particles by using both K-means clustering and Positive Matrix Factorization (PMF) analysis. Performing clustering analysis on hourly size distributions, nine K-means DMPS clusters were identified and, by directional association, diurnal variation and relationship to meteorological and pollution variables, four typical aerosol size distribution scenarios were identified: traffic (69% of the time), dilution (15% of the time), summer background conditions (4% of the time) and regional pollution (12% of the time). According to the results of PMF, vehicle exhausts are estimated to contribute at least to 62–66% of the total particle number concentration, with a slightly higher proportion distributed towards the nucleation mode (34%) relative to the Aitken mode (28–32%). Photochemically induced nucleation particles make only a small contribution to the total particle number concentration (2–3% of the total), although only particles larger than 13 nm were considered in this study. Overall the combination of the two statistical methods is successful at separating components and quantifying relative contributions to the particle number population.
Cyclobutyl methyl ketone as a model compound for pinonic acid to elucidate oxidation mechanisms
Authors: Praplan A. P. , Barmet P. , Dommen J. , Baltensperger U.
Published: November 2012

Abstract. Although oxidation of the atmospherically relevant compound α-pinene has been extensively studied, chemical mechanisms leading to the formation of later generation oxidation products remain poorly understood. The present work uses cyclobutyl methyl ketone (CMK) to study the oxidation mechanism of pinonic acid, an α-pinene reaction product, by hydroxyl radicals (·OH). CMK has a similar but simpler chemical structure compared to pinonic acid. Succinic acid, 4-hydroxybutanoic acid and 4-oxobutanoic acid were identified as first generation products of CMK. These observed organic acids were compared to compounds found in secondary organic aerosol formed from the oxidation of α-pinene. Results suggest that 3-methyl-1,2,3-butanetricarboxylic acid (MBTCA), terpenylic % corrected name for MBTCA (3-methyl-1,2,3-butanetricarboxylic acid) acid and diaterpenylic acid acetate are first generation products of OH oxidation of pinonic acid. Therefore, there is strong evidence that ·OH oxidation greatly increases the oxygenation of organic compounds (e.g. monocarboxylic acid to tricarboxylic acid) through radical mechanisms, without requiring a stable intermediate. These observations cannot be explained by traditional atmospheric chemistry mechanisms.
Atmospheric removal times of the aerosol-bound radionuclides 137Cs and 131I measured after the Fukushima Dai-ichi nuclear accident – a constraint for air quality and climate models
Authors: Kristiansen N. I. , Stohl A. , Wotawa G.
Published: November 2012

Abstract. Caesium-137 (137Cs) and iodine-131 (131I) are radionuclides of particular concern during nuclear accidents, because they are emitted in large amounts and are of significant health impact. 137Cs and 131I attach to the ambient accumulation-mode (AM) aerosols and share their fate as the aerosols are removed from the atmosphere by scavenging within clouds, precipitation and dry deposition. Here, we estimate their removal times from the atmosphere using a unique high-precision global measurement data set collected over several months after the accident at the Fukushima Dai-ichi nuclear power plant in March 2011. The noble gas xenon-133 (133Xe), also released during the accident, served as a passive tracer of air mass transport for determining the removal times of 137Cs and 131I via the decrease in the measured ratios 137Cs/133Xe and 131I/133Xe over time. After correction for radioactive decay, the 137Cs/133Xe ratios reflect the removal of aerosols by wet and dry deposition, whereas the 131I/133Xe ratios are also influenced by aerosol production from gaseous 131I. We find removal times for 137Cs of 10.0–13.9 days and for 131I of 17.1–24.2 days during April and May 2011. The removal time of 131I is longer due to the aerosol production from gaseous 131I, thus the removal time for 137Cs serves as a better estimate for aerosol lifetime. The removal time of 131I is of interest for semi-volatile species. We discuss possible caveats (e.g. late emissions, resuspension) that can affect the results, and compare the 137Cs removal times with observation-based and modeled aerosol lifetimes. Our 137Cs removal time of 10.0–13.9 days should be representative of a "background" AM aerosol well mixed in the extratropical Northern Hemisphere troposphere. It is expected that the lifetime of this vertically mixed background aerosol is longer than the lifetime of fresh AM aerosols directly emitted from surface sources. However, the substantial difference to the mean lifetimes of AM aerosols obtained from aerosol models, typically in the range of 3–7 days, warrants further research on the cause of this discrepancy. Too short modeled AM aerosol lifetimes would have serious implications for air quality and climate model predictions.
The changing radiative forcing of fires: global model estimates for past, present and future
Authors: Ward D. S. , Kloster S. , Mahowald N. M. , Rogers B. M. , Randerson J. T. , Hess P. G.
Published: November 2012

Abstract. Fires are a global phenomenon that impact climate and biogeochemical cycles, and interact with the biosphere, atmosphere and cryosphere. These impacts occur on a range of temporal and spatial scales and are difficult to quantify globally based solely on observations. Here we assess the role of fires in the climate system using model estimates of radiative forcing (RF) from global fires in pre-industrial, present day, and future time periods. Fire emissions of trace gases and aerosols are derived from Community Land Model simulations and then used in a series of Community Atmosphere Model simulations with representative emissions from the years 1850, 2000, and 2100. Additional simulations are carried out with fire emissions from the Global Fire Emission Database for a present-day comparison. These results are compared against the results of simulations with no fire emissions to compute the contribution from fires. We consider the impacts of fire on greenhouse gas concentrations, aerosol effects (including aerosol effects on biogeochemical cycles), and land and snow surface albedo. Overall, we estimate that pre-industrial fires were responsible for a RF of −1 W m−2 with respect to a pre-industrial climate without fires. The largest magnitude pre-industrial forcing from fires was the indirect aerosol effect on clouds (−1.6 W m−2). This was balanced in part by an increase in carbon dioxide concentrations due to fires (+0.83 W m−2). The RF of fires increases by 0.5 W m−2 from 1850 to 2000 and 0.2 W m−2 from 1850 to 2100 in the model representation from a combination of changes in fire activity and changes in the background environment in which fires occur, especially increases and decreases in the anthropogenic aerosol burden. Thus, fires play an important role in both the natural equilibrium climate and the climate perturbed by anthropogenic activity and need to be considered in future climate projections.
Tropospheric BrO column densities in the Arctic derived from satellite: retrieval and comparison to ground-based measurements
Authors: Sihler H. , Platt U. , Beirle S. , Marbach T. , Kühl S. , Dörner S. , Verschaeve J. , Frieß U. , Pöhler D. , Vogel L. , Sander R. , Wagner T.
Published: November 2012

Abstract. During polar spring, halogen radicals like bromine monoxide (BrO) play an important role in the chemistry of tropospheric ozone destruction. Satellite measurements of the BrO distribution have become a particularly useful tool to investigate this probably natural phenomenon, but the separation of stratospheric and tropospheric partial columns of BrO is challenging. In this study, an algorithm was developed to retrieve tropospheric vertical column densities of BrO from data of high-resolution spectroscopic satellite instruments such as the second Global Ozone Monitoring Experiment (GOME-2). Unlike recently published approaches, the presented algorithm is capable of separating the fraction of BrO in the activated troposphere from the total BrO column solely based on remotely measured properties. The presented algorithm furthermore allows to estimate a realistic measurement error of the tropospheric BrO column. The sensitivity of each satellite pixel to BrO in the boundary layer is quantified using the measured UV radiance and the column density of the oxygen collision complex O4. A comparison of the sensitivities with CALIPSO LIDAR observations demonstrates that clouds shielding near-surface trace-gas columns can be reliably detected even over ice and snow. Retrieved tropospheric BrO columns are then compared to ground-based BrO measurements from two Arctic field campaigns in the Amundsen Gulf and at Barrow in 2008 and 2009, respectively. Our algorithm was found to be capable of retrieving enhanced near-surface BrO during both campaigns in good agreement with ground-based data. Some differences between ground-based and satellite measurements observed at Barrow can be explained by both elevated and shallow surface layers of BrO. The observations strongly suggest that surface release processes are the dominating source of BrO and that boundary layer meteorology influences the vertical distribution.
Atmospheric column CO2 measurement from a new automatic ground-based sun photometer in Beijing from 2010 to 2012
Authors: Li Z. Q. , Xie Y. S. , Gu X. F. , Li D. H. , Li K. T. , Zhang X. Y. , Wu J. , Xiong W.
Published: November 2012

Abstract. Carbon dioxide is generally regarded as the most important greenhouse gas affecting global warming. Many researches have been conducted to measure atmospheric CO2 concentration, analyze CO2 variation on both seasonal and interannual scales and predict future CO2 tendencies. Among them, ground-based remote sensing observation of CO2 is the essential approach to provide validation data for satellite observation owning to its much higher accuracy and column CO2 measurement capability. Unlike the Fourier Transform Spectrometer, the sun photometer observation system introduced in this paper takes advantages of full-automation, easily portable and mobility to provide a non-supervised automatic field operational CO2 observation approach. In this study we acquired the CO2 measurements from 2010 to 2012 in Beijing, translated them to cloud free data, and designed an index related to column CO2 amount. The diurnal and seasonal variations of atmospheric CO2 acquired by the system were also analyzed. We compared our observation with the simulation of CarbonTracker model, and good agreements with the model suggested the long-term stability of the system and reasonability of the data processing method. The future work will focus on absolute CO2 quantity retrieval and accuracy assessment of this observation system.
Large historical eruptions at subaerial mud volcanoes, Italy
Authors: Manga M. , Bonini M.
Published: November 2012

Abstract. Active mud volcanoes in the northern Apennines, Italy, currently have gentle eruptions. There are, however, historical accounts of violent eruptions and outbursts. Evidence for large past eruptions is also recorded by large decimeter rock clasts preserved in erupted mud. We measured the rheological properties of mud currently being erupted in order to evaluate the conditions needed to transport such large clasts to the surface. The mud is well-characterized by the Herschel-Bulkley model, with yield stresses between 4 and 8 Pa. Yield stresses of this magnitude can support the weight of particles with diameters up to several mm. At present, particles larger than this size are not being carried to the surface. The transport of larger clasts to the surface requires ascent speeds greater than their settling speed in the mud. We use a model for the settling of particles and rheological parameters from laboratory measurements to show that the eruption of large clasts requires ascent velocities > 1 m s−1, at least three orders of magnitude greater than during the present, comparatively quiescent, activity. After regional earthquakes on 20 May and 29 May 2012, discharge also increased at locations where the stress changes produced by the earthquakes would have unclamped feeder dikes below the mud volcanoes. The magnitude of increased discharge, however, is less than that inferred from the large clasts. Both historical accounts and erupted deposits are consistent in recording episodic large eruptions.
Snow accumulation variability derived from radar and firn core data along a 600 km transect in Adelie Land, East Antarctic plateau
Authors: Verfaillie D. , Fily M. , Le Meur E. , Magand O. , Jourdain B. , Arnaud L. , Favier V.
Published: November 2012

Abstract. The mass balance of ice sheets is an intensively studied topic in the context of global change and sea-level rise. However – particularly in Antarctica – obtaining mass balance estimates remains difficult due to various logistical problems. In the framework of the TASTE-IDEA (Trans-Antarctic Scientific Traverses Expeditions – Ice Divide of East Antarctica) program, an International Polar Year project, continuous ground penetrating radar (GPR) measurements were carried out during a traverse in Adelie Land (East Antarctica) during the 2008–2009 austral summer between the Italian–French Dome C (DC) polar plateau site and French Dumont D'Urville (DdU) coastal station. The aim of this study was to process and interpret GPR data in terms of snow accumulation, to analyse its spatial and temporal variability and compare it with historical data and modelling. The focus was on the last 300 yr, from the pre-industrial period to recent times. Beta-radioactivity counting and gamma spectrometry were applied to cores at the LGGE laboratory, providing a depth–age calibration for radar measurements. Over the 600 km of usable GPR data, depth and snow accumulation were determined with the help of three distinct layers visible on the radargrams (≈ 1730, 1799 and 1941 AD). Preliminary results reveal a gradual increase in accumulation towards the coast (from ≈ 3 cm w.e. a−1 at Dome C to ≈ 17 cm w.e. a−1 at the end of the transect) and previously undocumented undulating structures between 300 and 600 km from DC. Results agree fairly well with data from previous studies and modelling. Drawing final conclusions on temporal variations is difficult because of the margin of error introduced by density estimation. This study should have various applications, including model validation.
Facing global markets – usage changes in Western Amazonian plants: the example of Euterpe precatoria Mart. and E. oleracea Mart.
Authors: Bussmann Rainer W. , Paniagua Zambrana Narel Y.
Published: November 2012

Palms (Arecaceae) are one of the most important families of useful plants, and indigenous societies have developed very distinct ways of utilizing this resource. The clonal Euterpe oleracea Mart. has long been used for the preparation of frothy beverages in the eastern Amazon, in particular by colonists and caboclos, but to a much lesser extent by the indigenous population. Euterpe precatoria Mart., which grows in the western Amazon, is traditionally reported as resource for construction and thatch, but not as important species in alimentation. Our recent work indicates that the use of both species has dramatically shifted in the recent past. Prices for Euterpe products have increased dramatically due to the global commodization first of palm hearts and “Açaí berry juice” as nutritional supplement. This is especially evident in western Amazonia: In Bolivia and Peru, where older indigenous informants mostly reported thatch and houseposts as regular use for E. precatoria and did not know E. oleracea. Younger informants most commonly reported to a large extent on E. precatoria being used for the production of palm hearts, but less for other, while the youngest informants in many cases only knew E. precatoria fruits as source of beverages, as commercial fruit, and as source for handicrafts, and indicated that E. oleracea was being introduced because the species yielded higher harvests. In addition, many mid-age and younger informants reported Euterpe sp. as medicinal species, a less frequently mentioned by older informants. The local mestizo population in contrast had a broader distributed knowledge with regard to “food” uses of Euterpe sp., and mentioned the species as source of construction material less frequently.
Reconfigurable Controller Design in Descriptor Systems Obtained from Second Order Dynamic Systems via State Feedback Eigenstructure Assignment
Authors: Valadbeygi Amir Parviz , Pourgharibshahi Vahid
Published: November 2012

this paper proposes a new method for designing a reconfigurable controller for descriptor systems which is obtained from the second order dynamics of a robot control situation. Using mathematical tools the equations of robot control situation have been translated to descriptor systems, thus, after this change the controller has been designed for control performances. The proposed reconfigurable controller can recover the nominal closed-loop performances after fault occurrence in the system. The dynamics of descriptor systems contain infinite and finite elements, so a complete response of descriptor systems can be represented by an eigenstructure which involves finite and infinite elements. In this paper eigenstructure assignment is used to design a reconfigurable controller in general such that the reconfigured system can recover the complete response of a nominal system as much as possible. Finally, an example represents the effectiveness of the new method.
Analysis of the Metal Work Function Dependence of Charge Transfer in Contacted Graphene Nanoribbons
Authors: Mencarelli Davide , Pierantoni Luca
Published: November 2012

In this paper, the analysis of charge injection from metal to a contacted graphene nanoribbon (GNR) is developed by means of a scattering matrix approach. The charge transport, described by the Schrödinger equation in the 2D domain of the GNRs, is solved, together with the 3D Poisson equation for the potential distribution. Varying the work function of the metal contacted to the GNR, alters the so-called “metal doping”, i.e., the amount of charge in the GNR. As easily expected, this in turn affects the I-V characteristic of a GNR channel across two electrodes. Interesting effects appear as the contribution of GNR sub-band is considered and included in the self-consistent calculation.
Minimizing the risk of non‐vertical, non‐sexual HIV infection in children – beyond mother to child transmission
Authors: Cotton Mark F , Marais Barend J , Andersson Monique I , Eley Brian , Rabie Helena , Slogrove Amy L , Dramowski Angela , Schaaf Hendrik Simon , Mehtar Shaheen
Published: November 2012

After witnessing an episode of poor injection safety in large numbers of children in a rural under‐resourced hospital in Uganda, we briefly review our own experience and that of others in investigating HIV infection in children considered unlikely to be through commonly identified routes such as vertical transmission, sexual abuse or blood transfusion. In the majority of cases, parents are HIV uninfected. The cumulative experience suggests that the problem is real, but with relatively low frequency. Vertical transmission is the major route for HIV to children. However, factors such as poor injection safety, undocumented surrogate breast feeding, an HIV‐infected adult feeding premasticated food to a weaning toddler, poor hygienic practice in the home and using unsterilised equipment for minor surgical or traditional procedures are of cumulative concern.
Association of partial adherence (PA) to antiretroviral therapy with hospitalizations and healthcare costs in an HIV population
Authors: Cohen C , Davis K , Meyers J
Published: November 2012

Purpose

One intrinsic feature of once daily single tablet regimens (STR) in HIV treatment is to prevent missing part of a multi‐drug regimen (i.e., partial adherence [PA]). We explored the frequency of PA among HIV patients (pts) treated with multi‐pill protease inhibitor (PI), raltegravir (RAL), and non‐nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor (NNRTI) regimens and associations with hospitalizations and costs.

Methods

We analyzed healthcare claims from a US Medicaid population. Patients with an HIV diagnosis from 1/09 to 12/11 receiving complete ART (2 NRTIs plus a NNRTI, PI, or RAL) for ≥90 days as a STR or 2+ tablets daily were selected. Adherence and costs were observed from initiation until discontinuation of the entire regimen, switching third component classes, or database end. Adherence was reported as the percent of days (from pharmacy refill data) having a complete regimen, PA, or no medication. A logistic model assessed predictors of hospitalizations and a generalized linear model assessed healthcare costs with covariates for PA and complete non‐adherence (CNA), third component, demographics, and prior ART use.

Results

N=1,878 STR, 729 RAL, 3,556 PI, and 775 NNRTI pts. CNA was similar across cohorts: 14.3% (46.4 days[d]) for STR, 14.0% (40.8 d) for RAL, 15.5% (53.0 d) for PI, and 13.5% (51.7 d) for multi pill NNRTI regimens. PA was seen in 12.1% (39.7 d) for RAL, 6.9% (31.7 d) for NNRTI, and 6.6% (26.7 d) for PI regimens. Thus, pts on STR had the highest percent of days (85.7%) with complete adherence to their regimen, vs. pts on multi pill RAL (73.9%), PI (77.9%), and NNRTI (79.6%) regimens. Likelihood of hospitalization significantly increased with both PA and CNA. Compared to <10 days of PA, the risk of hospitalization significantly increased (all p<0.05) with degree of incomplete adherence. For 20–30 days, the odds ratio [OR] was 1.34 for PA, and 1.45 for CNA. The OR was 1.74 for PA and 2.00 for >50 days CNA. Adjusted monthly healthcare costs were significantly greater for patients who were partially adherent for >5% of days (mean [SD] $5,108 [$1,315]) vs. ≤5% of days ($3,602[$894]).

Conclusions

Patients on multi pill PI, RAL, and NNRTI regimens had significantly lower complete adherence vs. STR users, mainly due to PA to a multi‐pill regimens. PA and CNA to multi‐pill PI, RAL, and NNRTI regimens are independently associated with a significant increase in hospitalizations and healthcare cost.
Adherence and health beliefs in a psychoeducative intervention in naïve HIV‐1‐infected men: the PROADH study
Authors: Fumaz C , Muñoz‐Moreno J , Ferrer M , Gonzalez‐Garcia M , Perez‐Alvarez N , Miranda C , Negredo E , Clotet B
Published: November 2012

Background

Health beliefs are an important factor in the maintenance of an adherent behaviour. However, specific interventions based on the modification of health beliefs to promote adherence have not been applied in naïve HIV‐infected subjects.

Methods

Prospective randomized 48‐week study to evaluate the efficacy of a psychoeducative intervention based on health beliefs to promote adherence in a sample of naïve HIV‐1‐infected men who started antiretroviral therapy. Participants were randomized to follow three intervention visits to promote adherence with the use of projective drawing techniques, Life‐steps and Motivational interview (Intervention Group; GI) or to continue with the routine care (Control Group; GC). Adherence was assessed through self‐report and drug plasma levels. Mann‐Whitney nonparametric test, w2 or Fisher exact test were used to compare variables.

Results

Participants were 40 men with a median (IQ) age of 35.2 (30.2–44.8) years, CD4 cell count at the study entry of 316 (229–539) cells/mm3 and HIV‐RNA VL of 65.000 (22.500–250.000) copies. The infection route had been mainly MSM (90%). QD and BID ARV therapy was prescribed in 29 (72.5%) and 11 (27.5%) subjects. Seven patients (2 in GI; 5 in GC) were lost to follow‐up. At week 48, 100% of subjects in GI and 60% in GC had 100% adherence (p=0.01). In GC, 26% and 14% of subjects had ≥95% and <95% adherence, respectively. No differences were found in adherence regarding QD or BID therapy. All subjects except for 3 had VL <25 copies at week 48.

Conclusions

High adherence was observed in the majority of this group of naïve HIV‐infected men who initiated their first antiretroviral therapy. However, all subjects following the intervention had 100% adherence after one year of follow‐up. A psychoeducative intervention based on the modification of health beliefs may be a useful strategy to promote adherence in naïve HIV‐infected patients.
Experimental determination of the shear rate in a stirred tank with a non‐newtonian fluid: Carbopol
Authors: Gabelle J.‐C. , Morchain J. , Anne‐Archard D. , Augier F. , Liné A.
Published: November 2012

The local shear rate generated in a cylindrical tank equipped with a Rushton turbine was investigated using particle image velocimetry in a shear‐thinning fluid (Carbopol). This non‐Newtonian fluid was used in an attempt to mimic fermentation broths. Three Reynolds numbers corresponding to the transition regime were investigated. The hydrodynamics is analyzed, and the velocity field is decomposed by proper orthogonal decomposition into mean flow, organized motion, and turbulence. Then, the contributions of each flow structure to the total dissipation of kinetic energy are presented. The spatial heterogeneity of shear rate is discussed and a new expression is proposed for shear rate. This work shows that the local shear rate is highly heterogeneous in a tank. Future works will need to focus on other types of stirrer and investigate the effect of scaling up reactors on the shear rate heterogeneity. © 2012 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 59: 2251–2266, 2013
Bubble formation in an annular granular jet dispersed by a central air round jet
Authors: Lu Hui , Liu Hai‐Feng , Li Wei‐Feng , Xu Jian‐Liang
Published: November 2012

An annular granular jet surrounding an air jet at its core is studied experimentally using high‐speed digital photography. The experimental results show that particle bubbles in a periodic manner are formed whether the central air is swirling or not. This flow feature is induced by the intense interaction between the central air jet and the annular granular jet, and it is important for the dispersion of particles by the air jet in the near field. The interaction between the two phases is mainly intensified by higher superficial air jet velocity and the addition of swirl to the central air jet. The bubbling frequency, bubble size, bubble shape, and bubble growth rate are investigated by analyzing a large number of images. In addition, the dispersion angle of granular jet is found to be mainly governed by the radial growth rate of the bubble. © 2012 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 59: 1882–1893, 2013
Thermodynamic validation of 1‐alkyl‐3‐methylimidazolium carboxylates as task‐specific ionic liquids for H2S absorption
Authors: Huang Kuan , Cai Da‐Niu , Chen Yong‐Le , Wu You‐Ting , Hu Xing‐Bang , Zhang Zhi‐Bing
Published: November 2012

Solubilities of H2S in five 1‐alkyl‐3‐methylimidazolium carboxylates ionic liquids (ILs) have been measured at temperatures from 293.15 to 333.15 K and pressures up to 350 kPa. It is shown that these ILs have significantly larger absorption capacities for H2S than those common ILs reported in the literature. The solubility is found to increase dramatically with the increasing alkalinity of the anions and slightly with the increasing length of the alkyl chains on the cations. It is further demonstrated that the absorption isotherms are typically nonideal. With the assumption of complex formation between H2S and ILs, a reaction equilibrium thermodynamic model is developed to correlate the experimental solubilities. The model favors a reaction mechanism of AB2 type that two IL molecules interact with one H2S molecule. Thermodynamic parameters such as Henry's law constants, reaction equilibrium constants, and heat of complex formation are also calculated to evaluate the absorption process of H2S in these ILs. © 2012 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 59: 2227–2235, 2013
Single‐Nucleotide Polymorphisms Reveal Patterns of Allele Sharing Across the Species Boundary Between Rhesus (Macaca mulatta) and Cynomolgus (M. fascicularis) Macaques
Authors: SATKOSKI TRASK JESSICA A. , GARNICA WENDY T. , SMITH DAVID GLENN , HOUGHTON PAUL , LERCHE NICHOLAS , KANTHASWAMY SREE
Published: November 2012

Both phenotypic and genetic evidence for asymmetric hybridization between rhesus (Macaca mulatta) and cynomolgus (Macaca fascicularis) macaques has been observed in the region of Indochina where both species are sympatric. The large‐scale sharing of major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class II alleles between the two species in this region supports the hypothesis that genes, and especially genes involved in immune response, are being transferred across the species boundary. This differential introgression has important implications for the incorporation of cynomolgus macaques of unknown geographic origin in biomedical research protocols. Our study found that for 2,808 single‐nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) markers, the minor allele frequencies (MAF) and observed heterozygosity calculated from a sample of Vietnamese cynomolgus macaques was significantly different from those calculated from samples of both Chinese rhesus and Indonesian cynomolgus macaques. SNP alleles from Chinese rhesus macaques were overrepresented in a sample of Vietnamese cynomolgus macaques relative to their Indonesian conspecifics and located in genes functionally related to the primary immune system. These results suggest that Indochinese cynomolgus macaques represent a genetically and immunologically distinct entity from Indonesian cynomolgus macaques. Am. J. Primatol. 75:135‐144, 2013. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Constructing a true LCSH tree of a science and engineering collection
Authors: Julien Charles‐Antoine , Tirilly Pierre , Leide John E. , Guastavino Catherine
Published: November 2012

The Library of Congress Subject Headings (LCSH) is a subject structure used to index large library collections throughout the world. Browsing a collection through LCSH is difficult using current online tools in part because users cannot explore the structure using their existing experience navigating file hierarchies on their hard drives. This is due to inconsistencies in the LCSH structure, which does not adhere to the specific rules defining tree structures. This article proposes a method to adapt the LCSH structure to reflect a real‐world collection from the domain of science and engineering. This structure is transformed into a valid tree structure using an automatic process. The analysis of the resulting LCSH tree shows a large and complex structure. The analysis of the distribution of information within the LCSH tree reveals a power law distribution where the vast majority of subjects contain few information items and a few subjects contain the vast majority of the collection.
Synthesis of F16 conjugated with 5‐fluorouracil and biophysical investigation of its interaction with bovine serum albumin by a spectroscopic and molecular modeling approach
Authors: Xiang Chen , Li Dong‐Wei , Qi Zu‐De , Jiang Feng‐Lei , Ge Yu‐Shu , Liu Yi
Published: November 2012

5‐Fluorouracil (5‐FU) has been widely used as a chemotherapy agent in the treatment of many types of solid tumors. Investigation of its antimetabolites led to the development of an entire class of fluorinated pyrimidines. However, the toxicity profile associated with 5‐FU is significant and includes diarrhea, mucositis, hand–foot syndrome and myelosuppression. In aiming at reducing of the side effects of 5‐FU, we have designed and synthesized delocalized lipophilic cations (DLCs) as a vehicle for the delivery of 5‐FU. DLCs accumulate selectively in the mitochondria of cancer cells because of the high mitochondrial transmembrane potential (ΔΨm). Many DLCs exhibited anti‐cancer efficacy and were explored as potential anti‐cancer drugs based on their selective accumulation in the mitochondria of cancer cells. F16, the DLC we used as a vehicle, is a small molecule that selectively inhibits tumor cell growth and dissipates mitochondrial membrane potential. The binding of the conjugate F16–5‐FU to bovine serum albumin (BSA) was investigated using spectroscopic and molecular modeling approaches. Fluorescence quenching constants were determined using the Stern–Volmer equation to provide a measure of the binding affinity between F16–5‐FU and BSA. The activation energy of the interaction between F16–5‐FU and BSA was calculated and the unusually high value was discussed in terms of the special structural block indicated by the molecular modeling approach. Molecular modeling showed that F16–5‐FU binds to human serum albumin in site II, which is consistent with the results of site‐competitive replacement experiments. It is suggested that hydrophobic and polar forces played important roles in the binding reaction, in accordance with the results of thermodynamic experiments. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Direct determination of sitagliptin in pharmaceutical formulations and its determination in urine after solid‐phase extraction by spectrofluorimetry
Authors: de Paula e Mancilha Taiza , de Paula Carlos Eduardo Rodrigues , Cassella Ricardo J. , Pacheco Wagner F.
Published: November 2012

The fluorescence characteristics of sitagliptin phosphate were used to develop a methodology that allowed its determination in pharmaceutical formulations and urine samples; under the studied conditions, limits of determination and quantification of 0.25 and, respectively, 0.85 mg/L were achieved. Linear correlation between fluorescence analytical signal and sitagliptin concentration was achieved up to 10.0 mg/L. The method was considered selective for sitagliptin determination in pharmaceutical formulations because no interferences due to excipients present in considered matrix were observed (as demonstrated by recovery tests comparing analytical and addition curves). When the method was applied to urine samples, Interferences related to the matrix were observed, which made a solid‐phase extraction system necessary. The use of calibration was possible only by applying the standard addition method. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A soft‐switching high step‐up DC‐DC converter with a single magnetic component
Authors: Yang Jae‐Won , Do Hyun‐Lark
Published: November 2012

A soft‐switching high step‐up DC‐DC converter with a single magnetic component is presented in this paper. The proposed converter can provide high voltage gain with a relatively low turn ratio of a transformer. Voltage doubler structure is selected for the output stage. Due to this structure, the voltage gain can be increased, and the voltage stresses of output diodes are clamped as the output voltage. Moreover, the output diode currents are controlled by a leakage inductance of a transformer, and the reverse‐recovery loss of the output diodes is significantly reduced. Two power switches in the proposed converter can operate with soft‐switching due to the reflected secondary current. The voltages across the power switches are confined to the clamping capacitor voltage. Steady‐state analysis, simulation, and experimental results for the proposed converter are presented to validate the feasibility and the performance of the proposed converter. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Identification and differentiation of methcathinone analogs by gas chromatography‐mass spectrometry
Authors: Tsujikawa Kenji , Mikuma Toshiyasu , Kuwayama Kenji , Miyaguchi Hajime , Kanamori Tatsuyuki , Iwata Yuko T. , Inoue Hiroyuki
Published: November 2012

To overcome a number of challenges involved in analyzing methcathinone (MC) analogues, we performed gas chromatography‐mass spectrometry (GC‐MS) analysis, including sample preparation, of nine MC analogues − 4‐methylmethcathinone, three positional isomers of fluoromethcathinones, 4‐methoxymethcathinone, N‐ethylcathinone, N,N‐dimethylcathinone, buphedrone, and pentedrone. The MC analogues underwent dehydrogenation when the free bases were analyzed using splitless injection. Most of this thermal degradation was prevented using split injection. This indicated that a shorter residence time in the hot injector prevented decomposition. Uniquely, 2‐fluoromethcathinone degraded to another product in a process that could not be prevented by the split injection. Replacing the liner with a new, clean one was also effective in preventing thermal degradation. Most of the analytes showed a substantial loss (>30%) when the free base solution in ethyl acetate was evaporated under a nitrogen stream. Adding a small amount of dimethylformamide as a solvent keeper had a noticeable effect, but it did not completely prevent the loss. Three positional isomers of fluoromethcathinones were separated with baseline resolution by heptafluorobutyrylation with a slow column heating rate (8 °C/min) using a non‐polar DB‐5 ms capillary column. These results will be useful for the forensic analysis of MC analogues in confiscated materials. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Multiple paternity in the freshwater snail, Potamopyrgus antipodarum
Authors: Soper Deanna M. , Delph Lynda F. , Lively Curt M.
Published: November 2012

Mating multiply may incur costs, such as exposure to predators and to sexually transmitted diseases. Nevertheless, it may be favored, in spite of these costs, as a way to increase the genetic diversity of offspring through fertilization by multiple males. Here, we tested for multiple paternity in a freshwater snail (Potamopyrgus antipodarum), which is host to several species of sterilizing trematode worms. Using microsatellites markers, we found multiple paternity in two different snail populations, with as many as seven males fertilizing a single female. In addition, high evenness of sire fertilization was found within individual broods. Multiple paternity can occur for a variety of reasons; however, given that these populations experience high risk of infection by a sterilizing trematode, one potential explanation may be that multiple paternity and high evenness of sire fertilizations increase the chances of the production of parasite‐resistant offspring.
Taylor's law and body size in exploited marine ecosystems
Authors: Cohen Joel E. , Plank Michael J. , Law Richard
Published: November 2012

Taylor's law (TL), which states that variance in population density is related to mean density via a power law, and density‐mass allometry, which states that mean density is related to body mass via a power law, are two of the most widely observed patterns in ecology. Combining these two laws predicts that the variance in density is related to body mass via a power law (variance‐mass allometry). Marine size spectra are known to exhibit density‐mass allometry, but variance‐mass allometry has not been investigated. We show that variance and body mass in unexploited size spectrum models are related by a power law, and that this leads toTLwith an exponent slightly <2. These simulated relationships are disrupted less by balanced harvesting, in which fishing effort is spread across a wide range of body sizes, than by size‐at‐entry fishing, in which only fish above a certain size may legally be caught.
Effects of ozone on zinc and cadmium accumulation in wheat – dose–response functions and relationship with protein, grain yield, and harvest index
Authors: Pleijel Håkan
Published: November 2012

Response functions for the effect of ozone on cadmium (Cd) (toxic to humans) and zinc (Zn) (essential nutrient for plants and humans) in wheat grain were derived for the first time. Data from four open‐top chamber (OTC) experiments with field‐grown wheat, performed in southwest Sweden, were used. Ozone exposure was expressed as the phytotoxic ozone dose above a threshold of 6 nmol/m2 per sec (POD6), and AOT40. Grain Zn concentration was significantly enhanced by ozone, while Zn yield was not affected. The positive ozone effect on grain Zn concentration was almost twice as large as the corresponding effect on grain protein concentration, most likely as a result of nitrogen availability being more limiting than Zn availability. Cd concentration was unaffected by ozone, but Cd yield was significantly negatively affected. For the variables studied, correlation was stronger with POD6 than AOT40, but in several cases, for example, for Zn concentration and Cd yield, there was practically no difference in the performance between the two exposure indices. From the literature, it is obvious that ozone has important adverse effects on wheat yield and certain quality traits. As shown in this study, there are also examples of ozone leading to improved quality, for example, in terms of enhanced Zn concentration of wheat grain. While OTC enclosure did not affect Zn accumulation in wheat grain, Cd accumulation was significantly positively affected, most likely through transpiration being enhanced by the OTC environment, promoting Cd uptake and transport through the plant.
Extraction of Tryptophan enantiomers by aqueous two‐phase systems of ethanol and (NH4)2SO4
Authors: Chen Xiao‐qing , Dong Qiu‐li , Yu Jin‐gang , Jiao Fei‐peng
Published: November 2012

Background

As an important extraction technique, aqueous two‐phase extraction is especially applicable to bioseparation. This work has focused on using a novel kind of aqueous two‐phase system (ATPS), for the enantioseparation of tryptophan.

Results

Only limited kinds of salts could form effective phases with ethanol. The salting‐out abilities of various salts and the final characteristics of ATPS were investigated. The results show that increase in the amount of phase‐forming components and decrease in pH from 6 to 2.5 are both beneficial for the enantioseparation of tryptophan; enantioselective extraction and partitioning behavior are mainly dependent on the pH of solution, the type of chiral extractant and its concentration. Furthermore, salt, ethanol and temperature also have some effects on the enantioseparation. Finally, the most reasonable extraction mechanism of the tryptophan enantiomers was suggested.

Conclusion

The novel ATPS composed of ethanol/ammonium sulfate proposed in this studyhas good ability for the extraction of tryptophan enantiomers. © 2012 Society of Chemical Industry