bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Long‐term regulation of Na+,K+‐ATPase in opossum kidney cells by ouabain
Authors: Silva E. , Soares‐da‐Silva P.
Published: December 2010

Na+,K+‐ATPase, a basolateral transporter responsible for tubular reabsorption of Na+ and for providing the driving force for vectorial transport of various solutes and ions, can also act as a signal transducer in response to the interaction with steroid hormones. At nanomolar concentrations ouabain binding to Na+,K+‐ATPase activates a signaling cascade that ultimately regulates several membrane transporters including Na+,K+‐ATPase. The present study evaluated the long‐term effect of ouabain on Na+,K+‐ATPase activity (Na+ transepithelial flux) and expression in opossum kidney (OK) cells with low (40) and high (80) number of passages in culture, which are known to overexpress Na+,K+‐ATPase (Silva et al., 2006, J Membr Biol 212, 163–175). Activation of a signal cascade was evaluated by quantification of ERK1/2 phosphorylation by Western blot. Na+,K+‐ATPase activity was determined by electrophysiological techniques and expression by Western blot. Incubation of cells with ouabain induced activation of ERK1/2. Long‐term incubation with ouabain induced an increase in Na+ transepithelial flux and Na+,K+‐ATPase expression only in OK cells with 80 passages in culture. This increase was prevented by incubation with inhibitors of MEK1/2 and PI‐3K. In conclusion, ouabain‐activated signaling cascade mediated by both MEK1/2 and PI‐3K is responsible for long‐term regulation of Na+ transepithelial flux in epithelial renal cells. OK cell line with high number of passages is suggested to constitute a particular useful model for the understanding of ouabain‐mediated regulation of Na+ transport. J. Cell. Physiol. 226: 2391–2397, 2011. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Pulmonary epithelial CCR3 promotes LPS‐induced lung inflammation by mediating release of IL‐8
Authors: Li Bo , Dong Chunling , Wang Guifang , Zheng Huiru , Wang Xiangdong , Bai Chunxue
Published: December 2010

Interleukin (IL)‐8 from pulmonary epithelial cells has been suggested to play an important role in the airway inflammation, although the mechanism remains unclear. We envisioned a possibility that pulmonary epithelial CCR3 could be involved in secretion and regulation of IL‐8 and promote lipopolysaccharide (LPS)‐induced lung inflammation. Human bronchial epithelial cell line NCI‐H292 and alveolar type II epithelial cell line A549 were used to test role of CCR3 in production of IL‐8 at cellular level. In vivo studies were performed on C57/BL6 mice instilled intratracheally with LPS in a model of acute lung injury (ALI). The activity of a CCR3‐specific inhibitor (SB‐328437) was measured in both in vitro and in vivo systems. We found that expression of CCR3 in NCI‐H292 and A549 cells were increased by 23% and 16%, respectively, 24 h after the challenge with LPS. LPS increased the expression of CCR3 in NCI‐H292 and A549 cells in a time‐dependent manner, which was inhibited significantly by SB‐328437. SB‐328437 also diminished neutrophil recruitment in alveolar airspaces and improved LPS‐induced ALI and production of IL‐8 in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid. These results suggest that pulmonary epithelial CCR3 be involved in progression of LPS‐induced lung inflammation by mediating release of IL‐8. CCR3 in pulmonary epithelia may be an attractive target for development of therapies for ALI. J. Cell. Physiol. 226: 2398–2405, 2011. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Concentration‐dependent minority carrier lifetime in an In0.53Ga0.47As interdigitated lateral PIN photodiode model based on spin‐on chemical fabrication methodology
Authors: Menon P. S. , Kandiah K. , Ehsan A. A. , Shaari S.
Published: December 2010

The fitted parameters for the analytic function used to specify the doping dependence of minority carrier lifetimes for In0.53Ga0.47As (InGaAs) is described in this paper. This model together with other carrier models was used to develop an interdigitated lateral PIN photodiode utilizing InGaAs as the absorbing layer. We propose the usage of spin‐on chemicals such as spin‐on dopants and spin‐on glass to form the p+ wells, n+ wells and the surface passivation layer of the device hence providing a cheap and easy solution versus the conventional epitaxial growth methodology. The modeled device achieved dark currents of 0.21 nA and capacitance of 2.87 nF at an operating voltage of 5 V. Optical illumination at a wavelength of 1550 nm and power of 10 W/cm2enabled the device to achieve responsivity of 0.56 A/W and external quantum efficiency of 44%. The −3 dB frequency response of the device was at 8.93 GHz and signal‐to‐noise ratio is 36 dB. The developed device shows close correlation with experimentally developed devices developed using other fabrication methodologies. The results of this work would be useful in the thorough development of InGaAs‐based devices based on spin‐on chemical fabrication methodology using commercial device simulation packages. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Recent developments on the South American monsoon system
Authors: Marengo J. A. , Liebmann B. , Grimm A. M. , Misra V. , Silva Dias P. L. , Cavalcanti I. F. A. , Carvalho L. M. V. , Berbery E. H. , Ambrizzi T. , Vera C. S. , Saulo A. C. , Nogues‐Paegle J. , Zipser E. , Seth A. , Alves L. M.
Published: December 2010

This paper reviews recent progress made in our understanding of the functioning and variability of the South American Monsoon System (SAMS) on time scales varying from synoptic to long‐term variability and climate change. The SAMS contains one of the most prominent summertime climate patterns in South America, featuring a strong seasonal variability in a region lying between the Amazon and the La Plata Basin. Much of the recent progress is derived from complementary international programs, such as the Monsoon Experiment South America (MESA), as well as from ongoing international programs such as the Large Scale Biosphere Atmosphere Experiment in the Amazon Basin (LBA) and the La Plata Basin (LPB) Regional Hydroclimate Project, which includes the CLARIS LPB Europe‐South America Network for Climate Change Assessment and Impact Studies in La Plata Basin Project. The latter assesses atmosphere‐land surface interactions, the role of land use changes and aerosols from biomass burning considered as sources of variability and change in the SAMS functioning, characteristics and behaviour.

The SAMS region is particularly susceptible to variations of climate due to the importance of hydroelectricity generation and the agricultural base of local economies. Also addressed in this report are projections of climate change and extremes, which are important for impact and vulnerability assessments. This discussion includes the need to identify and understand important processes that control the monsoonal climate, how these processes may vary and change, and how they may interact with key societal sectors, including water resource management, hydroelectric generation, agriculture, and agribusiness.

This paper reports on the major contributions of MESA to the knowledge of characteristics, functioning and variability of the SAMS, and is based on recent studies and publications, and can be considered as an update of a previous review by C. S. Vera et al. (2006a). Copyright © 2010 Royal Meteorological Society
Exceedance of heat index thresholds for 15 regions under a warming climate using the wet‐bulb globe temperature
Authors: Willett Katharine M. , Sherwood Steven
Published: December 2010

Thermal comfort is quantified in 15 regions using the wet‐bulb globe temperature (WBGT), examining past and future rates of thresholds exceedance corresponding to moderate, high, and extreme heat (28, 32, and 35 °C, respectively). As recent changes to thermal comfort appear to be dominated by temperature and humidity, a WBGT approximation based only on these is used. A new homogenised dataset from 1973 to 2003 is developed which provides WBGT daily means, daily maximums averaged over 5‐day periods, and the highest extreme for each 5‐day period; recent trends are positive for all regions except northeast USA and northeast Australia. A simple model for predicting summertime threshold exceedance rates, with a fixed distribution of anomalies about the seasonal mean, is found to adequately predict changes for the above quantities given seasonal mean values. This model is used to predict the impact of regional 1–5 °C temperature increases on WBGT exceedance rates with no change in relative humidity. Results show that heat events may worsen as much, or more, in humid tropical and mid‐latitude regions even if they warm less than the global average, due to greater absolute humidity increases. A further 2 °C warming from the present is sufficient to push peak WBGT above 35 °C, an extreme heat event, in all regions except the UK.

An ensemble of HadCM3 climate model simulations is used to investigate likely regional changes in mean summertime temperature, relative humidity and WBGT under an A1B scenario for the 2020s and 2050s. Unsurprisingly, simulated regional changes often depart significantly from the global average, and the impact of regional changes in relative humidity is not always negligible. Increases in WBGT are nonetheless expected in all regions, and are more predictable than increases in temperature at least in mid‐latitude regions owing to the compensating effects of humidity. © 2010 Royal Meteorological Society and Crown Copyright
Interannual variation of Southern Hemisphere tropical cyclone activity and seasonal forecast of tropical cyclone number in the Australian region
Authors: Liu Kin Sik , Chan Johnny C. L.
Published: December 2010

This study examines the interannual variability of the tropical cyclone (TC) activity in the Southern Hemisphere (SH) during the period 1970–2008. An empirical orthogonal function analysis of the annual frequency of TC occurrence shows three leading modes of TC occurrence patterns. The first mode, which is related to the El Niño‐Southern Oscillation (ENSO) phenomenon, shows an east‐west oscillation between the anomalous TC activity over the South Pacific and the southern Indian Ocean. The second mode, characterised by an east‐west dipole of anomalous TC activity over the southern Indian Ocean, is apparently related to both ENSO and the Indian Ocean dipole (IOD). The third is a basin‐wide mode that represents the overall TC activity in the SH.

Within the SH, TC activity in the Australian region is found to be related to ENSO and IOD, with the relation being more prominent for the western Australian region. Basing on the ENSO‐ and IOD‐related predictors such as Niño‐4 SST anomaly, trade wind index, outgoing longwave radiation index and dipole‐mode index, a statistical prediction scheme for the annual number of TCs in the entire Australian region (40°S–0°N, 90°E–160°E), the western Australian region (40°S–0°N, 90°E–135°E) and the eastern Australian region (40°S–0°N, 135°E–160°E) by 1 November is proposed. This scheme gives a 51, 39 and 37% skill improvement in root‐mean‐square error relative to climatology for the three regions respectively. Copyright © 2010 Royal Meteorological Society
Assessment of monthly solar radiation estimates using support vector machines and air temperatures
Authors: Wu Wei , Liu Hong‐Bin
Published: December 2010

Solar radiation (Rs), a critical variable in agricultural and eco‐environmental processes, is not measured at many meteorological stations. Prediction of Rs has drawn increasing attention in the recent years. However, due to the dynamic nature of atmosphere, accurate estimation of Rs from routinely measured meteorological variables is a challenging task. Studies have demonstrated that machine‐learning approaches outperformed traditional statistical methods. This paper presents an application of Support Vector Machines (SVMs) for monthly mean daily Rs estimates using measured maximum, minimum, and mean air temperatures (Tmax, Tmin, and Tmean, respectively). Twenty‐four stations covering different climatic regions—cold (C), severe cold (SC), mild (M), hot summer and cold winter within the Yangtze River Plain (HSCW‐A), and hot summer and cold winter within the Sichuan Basin (HSCW‐B)—across China were gathered and analysed. Five SVM models with different input attributes were created. These models were also compared with two empirical temperature‐based methods. Root mean squared error (RMSE), Nash‐Sutcliffe coefficient (NSE), and coefficient of residual mass (CRM) were employed to compare the performances of different methods. The newly developed model, SVM using Tmax‐Tmin, and Tmean, outperformed other models with an averaged RMSE of 1.637 MJ m−2 and NSE of 0.813. On a regional scale, when Rs was estimated using the parameters developed at other sites, estimation of Rs within HSCW‐B and SC regions were more reliable than in other zones. Especially in HSCW‐B region, estimates of Rs using the parameters developed at Zunyi gave better performance (RMSE = 1.117 MJ m−2, NSE = 0.922) than that using the parameters obtained from their own data (RMSE = 1.309 MJ m−2, NSE = 0.894). The results showed that the SVM methodology may be a promising alternative to the traditional approach for predicting solar radiation at any locations where the records of air temperatures are available. Copyright © 2010 Royal Meteorological Society
Multi‐model forecast skill for mid‐summer rainfall over southern Africa
Authors: Landman Willem A. , Beraki Asmerom
Published: December 2010

Southern African December‐January‐February (DJF) probabilistic rainfall forecast skill is assessed over a 22‐year retroactive test period (1980/1981 to 2001/2002) by considering multi‐model ensembles consisting of downscaled forecasts from three of the DEMETER models, the ECMWF, Météo‐France and UKMO coupled ocean‐atmosphere general circulation models. These models are initialized in such a way that DJF forecasts are produced at an approximate 1‐month lead time, i.e. forecasts made in early November. Multi‐model forecasts are obtained by: i) downscaling each model's 850 hPa geopotential height field forecast using canonical correlation analysis (CCA) and then simply averaging the rainfall forecasts; and ii) by combining the three models' 850 hPa forecasts, and then downscaling them using CCA. Downscaling is performed onto the 0.5° × 0.5° resolution of the CRU rainfall data set south of 10° south over Africa. Forecast verification is performed using the relative operating characteristic (ROC) and the reliability diagram. The performance of the two multi‐model combinations approaches are compared with the single‐model downscaled forecasts and also with each other. It is shown that the multi‐model forecasts outperform the single model forecasts, that the two multi‐model schemes produce about equally skilful forecasts, and that the forecasts perform better during El Niño and La Niña seasons than during neutral years. Copyright © 2010 Royal Meteorological Society
Separation and determination of β‐casomorphins by using glass microfluidic chip electrophoresis together with laser‐induced fluorescence detection
Authors: Wang ZongWen , Wang WenJian , Wang Wei , Xu LiangJun , Chen GuoNan , Fu FengFu
Published: December 2010

A simple, reliable and reproducible method for the separation and determination of five β‐casomorphins (β‐CMs, namely TPGN, PGPI, TPGI, TPGP and TPPG) based on glass microfluidic chip electrophoresis and laser‐induced fluorescence detection is first described in here. The microfluidic chip electrophoresis and laser‐induced fluorescence detection system consisted of a home‐made glass “double‐T” microchip and a simple LIF detector with excitation and emission wavelengths of 473 and 525 nm, respectively. Fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC) was used as the precolumn derivatization reagent to label fluorophore on five β‐CMs, and the optimum conditions of FITC‐derivatization reaction and MCE separation were investigated in detail. Under optimum conditions, five β‐CMs were completely separated and detected within 30 min with a detection limit of 18.7–75.1 nmol/L and an RSD (n=5) of 3.0–5.9%, respectively. The proposed method has been successfully used to detect β‐CMs in real cheese sample with a recovery of 89–109%, suggesting that our method is sensitive and reliable. These features, as well as its low cost, operation convenience, stability and reusability, make it a promising alternative to β‐CMs detection methods.
Roller coaster–induced barotrauma
Authors: Al‐Khudari Samer , Loochtan Michael , Yaremchuk Kathleen
Published: December 2010

We present the case of a 24‐year‐old male who presented to the otolaryngology clinic for otalgia and aural fullness after riding a roller coaster. We present his clinical course and outcome and briefly discuss the mechanism of injury and otologic barotrauma. Roller coasters have been reported as the cause of many different types of injuries, but this is the first reported case of otologic barotrauma. As the engineering for roller coasters continues to advance in terms of increasing speed, otolaryngologists need to be aware of a new etiology of otologic barotrauma. Laryngoscope, 2011
Early, progressive, and sustained dysfunction of sensory axons underlies paclitaxel‐induced neuropathy
Authors: Park Susanna B. , Lin Cindy S.‐Y. , Krishnan Arun V. , Friedlander Michael L. , Lewis Craig R. , Kiernan Matthew C.
Published: December 2010

Paclitaxel is used in the adjuvant treatment of breast cancer. It induces disabling and potentially long‐lasting sensory neuropathy. This study systematically and prospectively investigated sensory function, using clinical grading scales, quantitative sensory testing, and neurophysiological and nerve excitability studies in 28 patients with early‐stage breast cancer. After administration of 529 ± 41 mg/m2 paclitaxel, 71% of patients developed neuropathic symptoms by 6 weeks of treatment. Early and progressive increases in stimulus threshold (P < 0.05) and reduction in sensory amplitudes from 47.0 ± 3.3 μV to 42.4 ± 3.4 μV (P < 0.05) occurred by 4 weeks, with a further reduction by final treatment (33.7 ± 3.0 μV, P < 0.001). The majority of patients (63%) did not experience recovery of neuropathic symptoms at follow‐up. Axonal disruption did not relate to membrane conductance dysfunction. We found that paclitaxel produces early sensory dysfunction and leads to persistent neuropathy. Importantly, significant axonal dysfunction within the first month of treatment predated symptom onset, suggesting a window for neuroprotective therapies. Muscle Nerve, 2011
Imaging tumor hypoxia by magnetic resonance methods
Authors: Pacheco‐Torres Jesús , López‐Larrubia Pilar , Ballesteros Paloma , Cerdán Sebastián
Published: December 2010

Tumor hypoxia results from the negative balance between the oxygen demands of the tissue and the capacity of the neovasculature to deliver sufficient oxygen. The resulting oxygen deficit has important consequences with regard to the aggressiveness and malignancy of tumors, as well as their resistance to therapy, endowing the imaging of hypoxia with vital repercussions in tumor prognosis and therapy design. The molecular and cellular events underlying hypoxia are mediated mainly through hypoxia‐inducible factor, a transcription factor with pleiotropic effects over a variety of cellular processes, including oncologic transformation, invasion and metastasis. However, few methodologies have been able to monitor noninvasively the oxygen tensions in vivo. MRI and MRS are often used for this purpose. Most MRI approaches are based on the effects of the local oxygen tension on: (i) the relaxation times of 19F or 1H indicators, such as perfluorocarbons or their 1H analogs; (ii) the hemodynamics and magnetic susceptibility effects of oxy‐ and deoxyhemoglobin; and (iii) the effects of paramagnetic oxygen on the relaxation times of tissue water. 19F MRS approaches monitor tumor hypoxia through the selective accumulation of reduced nitroimidazole derivatives in hypoxic zones, whereas electron spin resonance methods determine the oxygen level through its influence on the linewidths of appropriate paramagnetic probes in vivo. Finally, Overhauser‐enhanced MRI combines the sensitivity of EPR methodology with the resolution of MRI, providing a window into the future use of hyperpolarized oxygen probes. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Determinants of executive compensation in small business development centers
Authors: Gray Samuel R. , Benson Philip G.
Published: December 2010

We develop and test a model of nonprofit executive compensation based on theories of organizational science,
economics, and agency theory. Our sample consisted of 114 directors of small business development centers in the
United States. Consistent with our model, we find significant effects for human capital, organizational size,
and organizational affiliation. We find tentative support for a significant pay‐for‐performance
relationship. We find that when education, tenure, size, performance, and affiliation are held constant, female
executives are compensated significantly less than male executives.
SUB‐NATIONAL GOVERNMENT CAPITAL SPENDING IN INDONESIA: LEVEL, STRUCTURE, AND FINANCING
Authors: Lewis Blane D. , Oosterman André
Published: December 2010

Sub‐national government capital spending is important for both public service delivery and economic development. Currently, Indonesian sub‐national public capital spending appears barely sufficient to cover the annual depreciation of its fixed assets. A substantial proportion of local government investment spending goes to create relatively unproductive assets, such as administrative office buildings. Sub‐national governments finance their capital acquisitions out of gross operating budgets and have thus far not used, to any great extent, either borrowed funds or their significant cash reserves for such purposes. Indonesian sub‐nationals need to spend more on capital than they do now and also need to focus that spending on more useful types of infrastructure. The major constraints to increasing capital spending at the sub‐national level are not related to a dearth of finance, but regulatory rigidities in budget preparation and implementation and, most importantly, a lack of capacity to plan, design and implement investment projects. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein‐2 and pancreatic cancer: a retrospective cohort study
Authors: Mines Daniel , Gu Yun , Kou Tzuyung Doug , Cooper Gregory S
Published: December 2010

Purpose

To assess whether use of recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein‐2 (rhBMP‐2) during lumbar spinal fusion surgery affects subsequent risk of pancreatic cancer.

Methods

Using US Medicare claims data, we performed a retrospective cohort study of patients who underwent lumbar spinal fusion surgery between October 2003 and December 2005. The study population, all >66 years, was identified from procedure codes for lumbar fusion. Claims for a bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) served as a proxy for rhBMP‐2 exposure (another BMP product shared the same code). Pancreatic cancer was identified from claims indicating this diagnosis and cancer‐specific therapy. We used Cox proportional hazard regression to estimate hazard ratios (HRs) and 95%CIs.

Results

Of the 93 654 patients in the study, the mean age was 75 years, and 16.5% had claims for BMP. During a mean 1.4 years of follow‐up, 91 patients were diagnosed with pancreatic cancer (eight in the BMP‐ and 83 in the non‐BMP cohort). Consistent with previous research, pancreatic cancer was associated with older age, male gender, black race, and diabetes mellitus. Compared to those who did not receive BMP, patients exposed to BMP were not at increased risk of pancreatic cancer (adjusted HR = 0.70, 95%CI: 0.34–1.45). A chart review substudy validated the exposure measure; 52/55 patients with claims for BMP received rhBMP‐2.

Conclusions

In this large study of elderly patients who underwent lumbar fusion surgery, exposure to BMP was not associated with an increased risk of pancreatic cancer. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Serum SP‐D levels as a biomarker of lung injury in respiratory syncytial virus bronchiolitis
Authors: Kawasaki Yukihiko , Endo Kisei , Suyama Kazuhide , Sato Masatoki , Ito Masaki , Hashimoto Koichi , Hosoya Mitsuaki
Published: December 2010

To evaluate whether SP‐D concentration is a useful biomarker of the severity of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) bronchiolitis, we determined SP‐D concentrations in patients with RSV bronchiolitis with or without chronic heart disease. We enrolled 52 patients who had been diagnosed with RSV bronchiolitis and required admission to the hospital at the Department of Pediatrics of Fukushima Medical University School of Medicine from 2004 through 2005. These patients were divided into two groups: Group 1 consisted of patients without any underlying disease and Group 2 consisted of patients with chronic heart disease. These patients were assigned to one of three categories. Stage A consisted of patients without oxygen dosage, Stage B of patients who required oxygen dosage, and Stage C of patients required artificial respiration. We evaluated baseline characteristics, clinical features, and serum SP‐D concentration in Group 1, Group 2, and a control group (healthy infants without infection). Mean serum SP‐D concentrations in patients with RSV bronchiolitis were higher than those in the control group (125.8 ± 49.3 and 44.2 ± 20.1 ng/ml, respectively). Mean serum SP‐D concentration was also higher in Group 2 than in Group 1 patients (160.4 ± 56.4 and 112.3 ± 39.4 ng/ml, respectively). Mean serum SP‐D concentrations were higher in Stage C than in Stages A or B patients, and mean serum SP‐D concentrations were higher in Stage B than in Stage A. These findings suggest that serum SP‐D is associated with the severity of RSV bronchiolitis and that it may be a useful biomarker for the severity of RSV bronchiolitis. Pediatr Pulmonol. 2011; 46:18–22. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Effect of boron on formation of interstitial‐related luminescence centres in ion implanted silicon
Authors: McCallum J. C. , Villis B. J. , Johnson B. C. , Stavrias N. , Burgess J. E. , Charnvanichborikarn S. , Wong‐Leung J. , Williams J. S. , Jagadish C.
Published: December 2010

The presence of boron in silicon has been shown to have a deleterious effect on the luminescence of interstitial‐related centres, particularly the W‐centre which is often observed after ion implantation and a low temperature anneal. Competition between silicon‐interstitial and boron‐interstitial centre formation is considered to be a possible mechanism underlying this dramatic reduction. Previous work on silicon implantation of boron‐doped substrates is extended to examine the effect of B implantation itself on W‐centre formation. W centres formed via the implantation of B and a low temperature anneal and via a Si implant over an activated B‐implant profile followed by low temperature anneal are compared. These studies contrast the effects of boron and silicon implantation and examine the effect of overlapping implantation profiles. Studying the effect of boron on optical centre formation provides insight into defect interactions in silicon and new data for theoretical modelling.
Effects of polarization charge on the photovoltaic properties of InGaN solar cells
Authors: Li Z. Q. , Lestradet M. , Xiao Y. G. , Li S.
Published: December 2010

The effects of interface polarization charge on the photovoltaic characteristics of GaN/InGaN solar cells have been analyzed in detail using 2D drift‐diffusion simulations. The polarization charge at the GaN/InGaN interface creates an electric field that forces carriers generated by light to drift in opposite direction needed for efficient collection and substantially reduces the short circuit current (Isc) and open circuit voltage (Voc). The polarization charge plays an important role in the photovoltaic properties of InGaN solar cells comparable to that of defects. For small interface charge, the potential barrier could increase the Voc.
Detection, characterization and identification of major constituents in Zhimu‐Baihe herb‐pair extract by fast high‐performance liquid chromatography and time‐of‐flight mass spectrometry through dynamic adjustment of fragmentor voltage
Authors: Wang Keren , Zhu Zhenyu , Yang Ling , Gao Yue , Liu Wenyong , Zhang Hai , Chai Yifeng
Published: December 2010

This work describes a novel methodology for unequivocal identification of chemical constituents in Zhimu‐Baihe herb‐pair (ZMBHHP). Compounds were removed from ZMBHHP by ultrasonic extraction with 70% ethanol, and then analyzed by fast high‐performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) coupled with time‐of‐flight mass spectrometry (TOFMS). The accurate‐mass capability of the TOF analyzer allowed reliable confirmation of the identity of the detected compounds, normally with mass errors below 3 ppm in routine analysis. This mass accuracy was sufficient to verify the elemental compositions of the chemical constituents in ZMBHHP. With dynamic adjustment of fragmentor voltage in TOFMS, an efficient ion transmission was achieved to obtain the best sensitivity and abundant fragmentation. By accurate mass measurements for each molecular ion and subsequent fragment ions, a reliable identification and differentiation of 24 saponins, 3 xanthones, 1 anthraquinone and 2 alkaloids was described here, including four groups of isomers. It is concluded that this fast and sensitive HPLC/ESI‐TOFMS technique is powerful in qualitative analysis of complex herbal medicines in terms of sensitivity, selectivity, resolving power, time savings and lower solvent consumption. Furthermore, the data gathered in this study may be helpful for understanding the synergistic nature of this herb pair in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) and further pharmacokinetic studies of ZMBHHP. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Transforming energy instruction in middle school to support integrated understanding and future learning
Authors: Nordine Jeffrey , Krajcik Joseph , Fortus David
Published: December 2010

Energy is a fundamental unifying concept of science, yet common approaches to energy instruction in middle school have shown little success with helping students develop their naïve ideas about energy into more sophisticated understandings that are useful for making sense of their experiences. While traditional energy instruction often focuses on simple calculations of energy in idealized systems, we developed a new middle school energy unit that focuses qualitatively on the energy transformations that occur in everyday, nonidealized, systems. In this article, we describe our approach to energy instruction and report the effects this approach had on students' energy conceptions, ability to perform on distal criterion‐referenced assessments, and preparation for future energy‐related learning. Results indicate that during instruction, students' energy conceptions progress from a set of disconnected ideas toward an integrated understanding that is organized around the principle of transformation, and that these more integrated conceptions both boost students' ability to make sense of everyday phenomena and lay the groundwork for more efficient and meaningful energy‐related learning in the future. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Sci Ed 95:670–699, 2011
Computer Aided Design of New Forging Technology for Crank Shafts
Authors: Walczyk W. , Milenin A. , Pietrzyk M.
Published: December 2010

Application of numerical simulations to improve forging technology for crank shafts is the objective of this work. Plastometric tests were performed for steels used for manufacturing of crank shafts and a rheological model for these steels was determined. Inverse analysis was applied for the identification of the model parameters. This model was implemented in the finite element software and simulations of various variants of forging were performed. Results of simulations were used to select the best variant, which gives the lowest loses of the material and proper shape of the final product.
GABAA Receptor Signaling Induces Osmotic Swelling and Cell Cycle Activation of Neonatal Prominin+ Precursors
Authors: Cesetti Tiziana , Fila Tatiana , Obernier Kirsten , Bengtson C. Peter , Li Yuting , Mandl Claudia , Hölzl-Wenig Gabriele , Ciccolini Francesca
Published: December 2010

Signal-regulated changes in cell size affect cell division and survival and therefore are central to tissue morphogenesis and homeostasis. In this respect, GABA receptors (GABAARs) are of particular interest because allowing anions flow across the cell membrane modulates the osmolyte flux and the cell volume. Therefore, we have here investigated the hypothesis that GABA may regulate neural stem cell proliferation by inducing cell size changes. We found that, besides neuroblasts, also neural precursors in the neonatal murine subependymal zone sense GABA via GABAARs. However, unlike in neuroblasts, where it induced depolarization-mediated [Ca2+]i increase, GABAARs activation in precursors caused hyperpolarization. This resulted in osmotic swelling and increased surface expression of epidermal growth factor receptors (EGFRs). Furthermore, activation of GABAARs signaling in vitro in the presence of EGF modified the expression of the cell cycle regulators, phosphatase and tensin homolog and cyclin D1, increasing the pool of cycling precursors without modifying cell cycle length. A similar effect was observed on treatment with diazepam. We also demonstrate that GABA and diazepam responsive precursors represent prominin+ stem cells. Finally, we show that as in in vitro also in in vivo a short administration of diazepam promotes EGFR expression in prominin+ stem cells causing activation and cell cycle entry. Thus, our data indicate that endogenous GABA is a part of a regulatory mechanism of size and cell cycle entry of neonatal stem cells. Our results also have potential implications for the therapeutic practices that involve exposure to GABAARs modulators during neurodevelopment.
Pretreatment of Human Mesenchymal Stem Cells with Pioglitazone Improved Efficiency of Cardiomyogenic Transdifferentiation and Cardiac Function
Authors: Shinmura Daisuke , Togashi Ikuko , Miyoshi Shunichiro , Nishiyama Nobuhiro , Hida Naoko , Tsuji Hiroko , Tsuruta Hikaru , Segawa Kaoru , Tsukada Yuiko , Ogawa Satoshi , Umezawa Akihiro
Published: December 2010

The efficacy of transplantation of default human marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) was modest. In this study, our challenge was to improve the efficacy of MSC transplantation in vivo by pretreatment of MSCs with pioglitazone. MSCs were cultured with or without medium containing 1 μM of pioglitazone before cardiomyogenic induction. After cardiomyogenic induction in vitro, cardiomyogenic transdifferentiation efficiency (CTE) was calculated by immunocytochemistry using anti-cardiac troponin-I antibody. For the in vivo experiments, myocardial infarction (MI) at the anterior left ventricle was made in nude rats. Two weeks after MI, MSCs pretreated with pioglitazone (p-BM; n = 30) or without pioglitazone (BM; n = 17) were injected, and then survived for 2 weeks. We compared left ventricular function by echocardiogram and immunohistochemistry to observe cardiomyogenic transdifferentiation in vivo. Pretreatment with pioglitazone significantly increased the CTE in vitro (1.9% ± 0.2% n = 47 vs. 39.5% ± 4.7% n = 13, p < .05). Transplantation of pioglitazone pretreated MSCs significantly improved change in left ventricular % fractional shortening (BM; −4.8% ± 2.1%, vs. p-BM; 5.2% ± 1.5%). Immunohistochemistry revealed significant improvement of cardiomyogenic transdifferentiation in p-BM in vivo (BM; 0% ± 0% n = 5, vs. p-BM; 0.077% ± 0.041% n = 5). Transplantation of pioglitazone-pretreated MSCs significantly improved cardiac function and can be a promising cardiac stem cell source to expect cardiomyogenesis.
Growth Factor Independence 1 Protects Hematopoietic Stem Cells Against Apoptosis but Also Prevents the Development of a Myeloproliferative-Like Disease
Authors: Khandanpour Cyrus , Kosan Christian , Gaudreau Marie-Claude , Dührsen Ulrich , Hébert Josée , Zeng Hui , Möröy Tarik
Published: December 2010

The regulation of gene transcription is elementary for the function of hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs). The transcriptional repressor growth factor independence 1 (Gfi1) restricts HSC proliferation and is essential to maintain their self-renewal capacity and multipotency after transplantation. In addition, Gfi1−/− HSCs are severely compromised in their ability to compete with wild-type (wt) HSCs after transplantation. We now report that Gfi1 protects HSCs against stress-induced apoptosis, probably, by repressing the proapoptotic target gene Bax, since irradiated Gfi1−/− HSCs display higher expression of Bax and show a higher rate of apoptosis than wt HSCs. This protective function of Gfi1 appears to be functionally relevant since Gfi1−/− HSCs that express Bcl-2, which antagonizes the effects of Bax, regain their ability to self renew and to initiate multilineage differentiation after transplantation. Surprisingly, Gfi1−/−xBcl-2 transgenic mice also show a strong, systemic expansion of Mac-1+Gr-1− myeloid cells in bone marrow and peripheral lymphoid organs. These cells express high levels of the proleukemogenic transcription factor Hoxa9 and, in older mice, appear as atypical monocytoid-blastoid cells in the peripheral blood. As a result of this massive expansion of myeloid cells, all Gfi1−/−xBcl-2 mice eventually succumb to a myeloproliferative-like disease resembling a preleukemic state. In summary, our data demonstrate that Gfi1's ability to protect against apoptosis is essential for HSC function. In addition, our finding show that Gfi1 prevents the development of myeloproliferative diseases and provides evidence how Gfi1 deficiency could be linked to myeloid leukemia.
The effect of foundation flexibility and structural strength on response reduction factor of RC frame structures
Authors: Halabian Amir M. , Erfani Masoomeh
Published: December 2010

Current force‐based design procedure adopted by most seismic design codes allows the seismic design of building structures to be based on static or dynamic analyses of elastic models of the structure using elastic design spectra. The codes anticipate that structures will undergo inelastic deformations under strong seismic events; therefore, such inelastic behaviour is usually incorporated into the design by dividing the elastic spectra by a factor, R, which reduces the spectrum from its original elastic demand level to a design level. The most important factors determining response reduction factors are the structural ductility and overstrength capacity. For a structure supporting on flexible foundation, as Soil Structure Interaction (SSI) extends the elastic period and increases damping of the structure‐foundation elastic system, the structural ductility could also be affected by frequency‐dependent foundation‐soil compliances. For inelastic systems supporting on flexible foundations, the inelastic spectra ordinates are greater than for elastic systems when presented in terms of flexible‐base structure's period. This implies that the reduction factors, which are currently not affected by the SSI effect, could be altered; therefore, the objective of this research is to evaluate the significance of foundation flexibility on force reduction factors of RC frame structures. In this research, by developing some generic RC frame models supporting on flexible foundations, effects of stiffness and strength of the structure on force reduction factors are evaluated for different relative stiffnesses between the structure and the supporting soil. Using a set of artificial earthquake records, repeated linear and nonlinear analyses were performed by gradually increasing the intensity of acceleration time histories to a level, where first yielding of steel in linear analysis and a level in which collapse of the structure in nonlinear analysis are observed. The difference between inelastic and elastic resistance in terms of displacement ductility factors has been quantified. The results indicated that the foundation flexibility could significantly change the response reduction factors of the system and neglecting this phenomenon may lead to erroneous conclusions in the prediction of seismic performance of flexibly supported RC frame structures. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Experimental seismic evaluation of old concrete columns reinforced by plain bars
Authors: Arani Kamyar Karbasi , Marefat Mohammad S. , Amrollahi‐Biucky Abolfazl , Khanmohammadi Mohammad
Published: December 2010

Concrete buildings reinforced by plain (smooth) bars are one of the special types of old reinforced concrete buildings that were generally built before the 1970s. As columns are generally the most important structural members of a framed structure, understanding their realistic seismic behavior is very helpful in estimating structural deformations, forces and energy dissipation capacities. Furthermore, in most of old‐framed building structures, columns play a key role in the final behavior because of strong beam–weak column conditions. This article reports the results of experimental monotonic and cyclic tests on four concrete column specimens reinforced by plain bars and with various types of splices. Through the experimental results, it tried to obtain more clarification on the complicated behavior of such old reinforced members as well as the differences compared with relevant results of columns reinforced by deformed bars. It was realized that slip (fixed‐end rotation) contribution is the major source of deformation in all specimens independent from type of splices. Moreover, general mode of behavior was restrained‐rocking action independent of type of splice detailing. A simple theory for the explanation of hysteresis force–displacement response was proposed. The theory assumes a concrete block rocking element that is restrained with plain bars at both ends. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Reasoning, logic, and psychology
Authors: Stenning Keith , van Lambalgen Michiel
Published: December 2010

We argue that reasoning has been conceptualized so narrowly in what is known as ‘psychology of reasoning’ that reasoning's relevance to cognitive science has become well‐nigh invisible. Reasoning is identified with determining whether a conclusion follows validly from given premises, where ‘valid’ is taken to mean ‘valid according to classical logic’. We show that there are other ways to conceptualize reasoning, more in line with current logical theorizing, which give it a role in psychological processes ranging from (verbal) discourse comprehension to (nonverbal) planning. En route we show that formal logic, at present marginalized in cognitive science, can be an extremely valuable modeling tool. In particular, there are cases in which probabilistic modeling must fail, whereas logical models do well. WIREs Cogni Sci 2011 2 555–567 DOI: 10.1002/wcs.134

This article is categorized under:

Psychology > Language
Candida albicans Tpk1p and Tpk2p isoforms differentially regulate pseudohyphal development, biofilm structure, cell aggregation and adhesins expression
Authors: Giacometti Romina , Kronberg Florencia , Biondi Ricardo M. , Passeron Susana
Published: December 2010

Candida albicans undergoes a reversible morphological transition from single yeast cells to pseudohyphal and hyphal filaments. In this organism, cAMP‐dependent protein kinase (PKA), coded by two catalytic subunits (TPK1 and TPK2) and one regulatory subunit (BCY1), mediates basic cellular processes, such as the yeast‐to‐hypha transition and cell cycle regulation. It is known that both Tpk isoforms play positive roles in vegetative growth and filamentation, although distinct roles have been found in virulence, stress response and glycogen storage. However, little is known regarding the participation of Tpk1p and/or Tpk2p in pseudohyphal development. This point was addressed using several C. albicans PKA mutants having heterozygous or homozygous deletions of TPK1 and/or TPK2 in different BCY1 genetic backgrounds. We observed that under hypha‐only inducing conditions, all BCY1 heterozygous strains shifted growth toward pseudohyphal morphology; however, the pseudohypha:hypha ratio was higher in strains devoid of TPK2. Under pseudohypha‐only inducing conditions, strains lacking TPK2 were prone to develop short and branched pseudohyphae. In tpk2Δ/tpk2Δ strains, biofilm architecture was markedly less dense, composed of short pseudohyphae and blastospores with reduced adhesion ability to abiotic material, suggesting a significant defect in cell adherence. Immunolabelling assays showed a decreased expression of adhesins Als1p and Als3p only in the tpk2Δ/tpk2Δ strain. Complementation of this mutant with a wild‐type copy of TPK2 restored all the altered functions: pseudohyphae elongation, biofilm composition, cell aggregation and adhesins expression. Our study suggests that the Tpk2p isoform may be part of a mechanism underlying not only polarized pseudohyphal morphogenesis but also cell adherence. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Brain activation associated with motor skill practice in children with developmental coordination disorder: an fMRI study
Authors: Zwicker Jill G. , Missiuna Cheryl , Harris Susan R. , Boyd Lara A.
Published: December 2010

Children with developmental coordination disorder (DCD) have difficulty in learning new motor skills. At present, it is not known whether these children employ a different set of brain regions than typically developing (TD) children during skilled motor practice. Using functional magnetic resonance imaging, we mapped brain activity associated with skilled motor practice of a trail‐tracing task in 7 children with DCD and 7 age‐matched controls (aged 8–12 years). We indexed change in motor performance as a reduction in tracing error from early practice to retention. Children with DCD showed less blood‐oxygen‐level‐dependent signal as compared to TD children in a network of brain regions associated with skilled motor practice: bilateral inferior parietal lobules (Brodmann Area (BA) 40), right lingual gyrus (BA 18), right middle frontal gyrus (BA 9), left fusiform gyrus (BA 37), right cerebellar crus I, left cerebellar lobule VI, and left cerebellar lobule IX. While no statistically significant differences were detected, effect size testing revealed that children with DCD demonstrated poorer tracing accuracy than TD children at retention (d = 0.48). Our results suggest that, compared to TD peers, children with DCD demonstrate under‐activation in cerebellar–parietal and cerebellar–prefrontal networks and in brain regions associated with visual‐spatial learning. These data suggest a neurobiological correlation with impaired learning of motor skills in children with DCD, which will need to be confirmed with a larger sample.
Are low‐literate and high‐literate consumers different? Applying resource‐matching theory to ad processing across literacy levels
Authors: Jae Haeran , DelVecchio Devon S. , Childers Terry L.
Published: December 2010

This research investigates whether low‐literate consumers process written advertisements differently than high‐literate consumers do. Consistent with resource‐matching theory (RMT), the first experiment reveals that, unlike high‐literate processors, when low‐literate processors read ads of moderate complexity, involvement with the ad does not affect processing. The second experiment extends RMT's applicability to both low‐ and high‐literate consumers by demonstrating that low‐literate processors' reading outcomes mirror those of high‐literate processors when ads are written to reflect their reading capability.