bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Ecosystem model optimization using in-situ flux observations: benefit of monte-carlo vs. variational schemes and analyses of the year-to-year model performances
Authors: Santaren D. , Peylin P. , Bacour C. , Ciais P. , Longdoz B.
Published: November 2013

Abstract. Terrestrial ecosystem models can provide major insights into the responses of Earth's ecosystems to environmental changes and rising levels of atmospheric CO2. To achieve this goal, biosphere models need mechanistic formulations of the processes that drive the ecosystem functioning from diurnal to decadal time-scales. However, the subsequent complexity of model equations is associated with unknown or poorly calibrated parameters that limit the accuracy of long-term simulations of carbon or water fluxes and their inter-annual variations. In this study, we develop a data assimilation framework to constrain the parameters of a mechanistic land surface model (ORCHIDEE) with eddy-covariance observations of CO2 and latent heat fluxes made during the years 2001–2004 on the temperate beech forest site of Hesse, in eastern France. As a first technical issue, we show that for a complex process-based model such as ORCHIDEE with many (28) parameters to be retrieved, a Monte Carlo approach (genetic algorithm, GA) provides more reliable optimal parameter values than a gradient-based minimization algorithm (variational scheme). The GA allows finding the global minimum more efficiently whilst the variational scheme often provides values relative to local minima. The ORCHIDEE model is then optimized for each year, and for the whole 2001–2004 period. We first find that a reduced (<10) set of parameters can be tightly constrained by the eddy-covariance observations with a typical error reduction of 90%. We then show that including contrasted weather regimes (dry in 2003 and wet in 2002) is necessary to optimize few specific parameters (like the temperature dependence of the photosynthetic activity). Furthermore, we find that parameters inverted from four years of flux measurements are successful at enhancing the model fit to the data at several time-scales (from monthly to interannual) resulting to a typical modeling efficiency of 92% over the 2001–2004 period (Nash–Sutcliffe coefficient). This suggests that ORCHIDEE is able to robustly predict the fluxes of CO2 and latent heat of a temperate beech forest after optimisation. Finally, it is shown that using only one year of data does not produce robust enough optimized parameter sets in order to simulate properly the year-to-year flux variability. This emphasizes the need to assimilate data over several years, including contrasted weather regimes, to improve the simulated flux inter-annual variability.
Non-linear power law approach for spatial and temporal pattern analysis of salt marsh evolution
Authors: Taramelli A. , Cornacchia L. , Valentini E. , Bozzeda F.
Published: November 2013

Abstract. Many complex systems on the Earth surface show non-equilibrium fluctuations, often determining the spontaneous evolution towards a critical state. In this context salt marshes are characterized by complex patterns both in geomorphological and ecological features, which often appear to be strongly correlated. A striking feature in salt marshes is vegetation distribution, which can self-organize in patterns over time and space. Self-organized patchiness of vegetation can often give rise to power law relationships in the frequency distribution of patch sizes. In cases where the whole distribution does not follow a power law, the variance of scale in its tail may often be disregarded. To this end, the research aims at how changes in the main climatic and hydrodynamic variables may influence such non-linearity, and how numerical thresholds can describe this. Since it would be difficult to simultaneously monitor the presence and typology of vegetation and channel sinuosity through in situ data, and even harder to analyze them over medium to large time-space scales, remote sensing offers the ability to analyze the scale invariance of patchiness distributions. Here, we focus on a densely vegetated and channelized salt marsh (Scheldt estuary Belgium–the Netherlands) by means of the sub-pixel analysis on satellite images to calculate the non-linearity in the values of the power law exponents due to the variance of scale. The deviation from power laws represents stochastic conditions under climate drivers that can be hybridized on the basis of a fuzzy Bayesian generative algorithm. The results show that the hybrid approach is able to simulate the non-linearity inherent to the system and clearly show the existence of a link between the autocorrelation level of the target variable (i.e. size of vegetation patches), due to its self-organization properties, and the influence exerted on it by the external drivers (i.e. climate and hydrology). Considering the results of the stochastic model, high uncertainties can be associated to the short term climate influence on the saltmarshes, and the medium-long term spatial and temporal trends seem to be dominated by vegetation with its evolution in time and space. The evolution of vegetation patches (under power law) and channel sinuosity can then be used to forecast potential deviation from steady states in intertidal systems, taking into account the climatic and hydrological regimes.
Platelet-Related Hemostasis before and after Hemodialysis with Five Different Anticoagulation Methods
Authors: Knehtl Masa , Ponikvar Rafael , Buturovic-Ponikvar Jadranka
Published: November 2013

Purpose

To evaluate platelet-related hemostasis during hemodialysis performed with five different anticoagulation methods.

Methods

31 chronic hemodialysis patients, 71% men, aged 57.5 ∓ 17.4 years, participated in our prospective study. Platelet function analyzer PFA -100 closure time (collagen/epinephrine -CEPI, collagen/adenosine diphosphate -CADP) was measured before and after hemodialysis, which was performed consecutively with five different anticoagulation methods: full-dose unfractionated heparin (UFH) and low-molecular weight heparin (LMWH): 31 patients, regional citrate anticoagulation (RCA): 28 patients, low-dose heparin: 25 patients and “heparin-free” dialysis: 9 patients. The degree of clotting in the dialysis system was graded on a 5 point scale.

Results

CEPI (mean ∓ SD, reference range 80-160 sec) before vs. after hemodialysis: UFH: 171.7 ∓ 62.1 vs. 170.8 ∓ 67.3; LMWH: 167.4 ∓ 56.9 vs. 159.4 ∓ 56.4; low-dose heparin: 175.3 ∓ 69.0 vs. 183.1 ∓ 60.5; RCA: 172.6 ∓ 57.4 vs. 161.6 ∓ 57.0; “heparin-free”: 181.7 ∓ 56.8 vs. 209.0 ∓ 66.5; all differences nonsignificant. CADP (mean ∓ SD, reference range: 68-121 sec) before vs. after hemodialysis: UFH: 132.0 ∓ 56.6 vs.146.3 ∓ 68.4; LMWH: 132.4 ∓ 57,0 vs. 123.1 ∓ 50.8; low-dose heparin: 137.2 ∓ 64.2 vs. 143.8 ∓ 55.5; RCA: 140.7 ∓ 48.2 vs. 132.9 ∓ 48.1; “heparin-free”: 137.1 ∓ 68.0 vs.139.2 ∓ 29.7; all differences nonsignificant. Before hemodialysis procedure CEPI was increased in 51.2% and CADP in 48.4% of the patients. The best dialysis system clotting score was found with UFH, LMWH and RCA.

Conclusions

Platelet dysfunction was demonstrated in approximately half of the chronic hemodialysis patients and was not improved after hemodialysis, regardless of the anticoagulation regimen used.
Short-Time Outcome of Intraoperative Radiotherapy (IORT): A Study on Side-Effects and Quality of Life in the Treatment of Early Breast Cancer
Authors: Caroline Page  , Pierre-Alain Brioschi  , Jacques Bernier
Published: November 2013

Early prospective studies recently demonstrated the non-inferiority of intraoperative radiotherapy compared to protracted external radiotherapy in selected patients. The present study aims at analyzing, in a cohort of 80 women,the distribution and incidence of short-time side-effects induced by intraoperative radiotherapy as well as its impact on patient's quality of life in the months following the treatment. No side-effect was found in the majority of patients (n: 46; 58%). Out of those 32 patients experiencing side-effects after IORT, 26 cases (81%) were found to develop only mild effects. More than 94% of the patients declared to consider IORT as a clear advantage over external radiotherapy in the armamentarium of breast cancer treatment.
Indexation par sujet en archivistique et en bibliothéconomie : du pareil au même ?
Authors: Guitard Laure Amélie
Published: November 2013

Dans le cadre de notre recherche doctorale visant à mettre au jour le savoir-faire d’archivistes qui indexent des fonds d’archives par thématique, nous étudions l’indexation par sujet des archives selon les perspectives des créateurs de points d’accès, les archivistes. Le contenu et la qualité des index sont le fruit du travail de l’archiviste. Le but de cet article est de présenter la spécificité de l’indexation par sujet en archivistique. Pour ce faire, nous dégageons de la littérature les caractéristiques de l’indexation par sujet en archivistique et en bibliothéconomie. Nous considérons des ressemblances et des différences relatives à l’objet de l’indexation, aux principes organisationnels et aux techniques de description dans les deux disciplines. Il s’agit notamment de savoir si les archivistes peuvent reprendre telles quelles les lignes directrices pour l’indexation produites dans une perspective documentaire.
Magmatic activities on the Southwest Indian Ridge between 35°E and 40°E, the closest segment to the Marion hotspot
Authors: Sato Taichi , Okino Kyoko , Sato Hiroshi , Mizuno Mariko , Hanyu Tomoko , Seama Nobukazu
Published: November 2013

We conducted geophysical surveys, including bathymetry, gravity, and magnetism, within a first‐order segment of the Southwest Indian Ridge (SWIR) between the Prince Edward and Eric Simpson fracture zones (FZs) (latitude 35°–40°E, segment PE), in the vicinity of the Marion hotspot. Segment PE includes four orthogonally spreading second‐order segments (PE‐1, PE‐2, PE‐3, and PE‐4) and a long, oblique axial valley (NTD‐1). Segments PE‐1, PE‐2, and PE‐4 are magmatic, whereas segment PE‐3 and NTD‐1 are characterized by low magmatic activity. Segment PE‐3 is a nascent segment and NTD‐1 contains three tiny magmatic sections. Each low‐magmatic interval along the axis of segment PE lies between two magmatic segments. This segmentation pattern is similar to the SWIR between the Gallieni and Melville FZs; therefore, a strong melt‐focusing process can be expected. Different characteristics of second‐order magmatic segments suggest that the magmatic activity in each segment varies among each other as well as that of the other segments of SWIR. Continuous seafloor morphology and isochrons over off‐axis areas of segment PE‐1 and NTD‐1 suggest that PE‐1 shortened after the C2An chron. The V‐shaped bathymetric structure between segment PE‐1 and NTD‐1 suggests that the melt supply center has migrated westward. This westward melt migration would have reduced magmatic activity at NTD‐1 after C2An. Ridge obliquity may also have reduced magmatic activity. Geophysical characteristics of second‐order segments suggest that magmatic activity of segment PE is mainly controlled by a strong melt‐focusing process and a comparatively low contribution of melt supply from Marion hotspot.
Numerical Investigation on the Depth Filtration of Liquid Metals: Influence of Process Conditions and Inclusion Properties
Authors: Werzner Eric , Mendes Miguel A. A. , Ray Subhashis , Trimis Dimosthenis
Published: November 2013

In the present study, an alternative approach for the numerical investigation of short‐term depth filtration of liquid metals within ceramic foam filters (CFF) is proposed, which is expected to drastically reduce the computational effort of simulations. In this methodology, the flow field is solved in a repeating periodic element of the filter structure, while the inclusions are tracked on an unfolded flow field with much larger dimensions. In order to demonstrate the performance and utility of this approach for parametric studies, the influence of different parameters on the depth filtration of liquid metal within CFF is investigated for the transient, laminar flow of liquid metal through an idealized two‐dimensional filter structure. The fluid flow is numerically solved using the lattice‐Boltzmann method and the trajectories of the metal inclusions within the filter are calculated using a Lagrangian approach through one‐way coupling. The filtration efficiency is evaluated for inclusions of different size and density ratio and its dependence on different process conditions is analyzed, along with the spatial behavior of the filtration process. Regarding the inclusion properties, the results show that the filtration efficiency is significantly influenced by the size of the inclusions and, in case of large particles, also by the density ratio. Further, the filter porosity affects the filtration process while the direction of gravity is found to be unimportant.
Pituitary‐adrenal axis function in sickle cell anemia and its relationship to leukocyte alkaline phosphatase
Authors: Rosenbloom Barry E. , Odell William D. , Tanaka Kouichi R.
Published: November 2013

The function of the pituitary‐adrenal axis and leukocyte alkaline phosphatase activity were evaluated in eight patients with sickle cell disease during a painful crisis and when crisis‐free. The leukocyte alkaline phosphatase (LAP) score did not increase during crisis; the scores were in the low‐normal range during crisis and noncrisis periods. Insulin‐induced hypoglycemia produced normal growth hormone responses during both crisis and crisis‐free periods. Plasma cortisol concentrations were diminished in the crisis group. Also impaired was 11‐deoxycortisol production in both groups after metyrapone. These findings indicate that a mild defect in the hypothalamic‐pituitary‐adrenal axis exists in sickle cell disease patients.
Negative differential conductance materials for flexible electronics
Authors: Nogaret Alain
Published: November 2013

The need for electronics that is compatible with life is driving the search for electronically active materials that may be used for transferring integrated circuits onto flexible substrates. One route is to build transistors, which modulate the conductivity of organic thin films with a lateral gate. However, as is well known in the case of graphene, the in‐plane conductivity cannot easily be switched off. Another route is to use negative differential resistance (NDR) phenomena. Until recently, NDR was only obtained from band engineered semiconductors. This article reviews the recent development of flexible materials that specifically make use of transport perpendicular to graphite planes to obtain NDR. These materials include h‐boron‐nitride/graphene multilayers and graphite‐silicone composites. We report on the dependence of their current‐voltage curves on deformation, changes in structural and experimental parameters. We also describe device implementations in the form of flexible oscillators, amplifiers and memories. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2014, 131, 40169.
Group‐based trajectory modeling (GBTM) of citations in scholarly literature: Dynamic qualities of “transient” and “sticky knowledge claims”
Authors: Baumgartner Susanne E. , Leydesdorff Loet
Published: November 2013

Group‐based trajectory modeling (GBTM) is applied to the citation curves of articles in six journals and to all citable items in a single field of science (virology, 24 journals) to distinguish among the developmental trajectories in subpopulations. Can citation patterns of highly‐cited papers be distinguished in an early phase as “fast‐breaking” papers? Can “late bloomers” or “sleeping beauties” be identified? Most interesting, we find differences between “sticky knowledge claims” that continue to be cited more than 10 years after publication and “transient knowledge claims” that show a decay pattern after reaching a peak within a few years. Only papers following the trajectory of a “sticky knowledge claim” can be expected to have a sustained impact. These findings raise questions about indicators of “excellence” that use aggregated citation rates after 2 or 3 years (e.g., impact factors). Because aggregated citation curves can also be composites of the two patterns, fifth‐order polynomials (with four bending points) are needed to capture citation curves precisely. For the journals under study, the most frequently cited groups were furthermore much smaller than 10%. Although GBTM has proved a useful method for investigating differences among citation trajectories, the methodology does not allow us to define a percentage of highly cited papers inductively across different fields and journals. Using multinomial logistic regression, we conclude that predictor variables such as journal names, number of authors, etc., do not affect the stickiness of knowledge claims in terms of citations but only the levels of aggregated citations (which are field‐specific).
Urinary excretion of ginkgolide terpene lactones following acute consumption of Ginkgo biloba extract
Authors: Dew Tristan P. , Wang Guan , Williamson Gary
Published: November 2013

Urinary biomarkers of plant food supplement (PFS) exposure/intake represent an accurate, objective tool for determining PFS consumption in humans with applications ranging from epidemiology to subject compliance in clinical trials. Ginkgo biloba remains one of the worlds most popular PFS, yet few studies have investigated the uptake and metabolism of its primary unique bioactives: the terpene lactones. To this end, we conducted a dual‐dose, acute crossover intervention using G. biloba supplements in healthy participants (n = 12). Pooled 24‐H urine samples were analyzed by triple quadrupole LC‐MS‐MS. We observed that bilobalide and ginkgolides A and B were passed into urine intact and in a dose‐dependent manner. Low levels of intact ginkgolides C and J were also excreted. To our knowledge, this is the first study to report intact ginkgolide J in urine following oral consumption of ginkgo supplements and is also the first to account for excreted terpene lactones as a proportion of dose. © 2013 BioFactors, 40(2):268–274, 2014
Tissue distribution comparison between healthy and fatty liver rats after oral administration of hawthorn leaf extract
Authors: Yin Jingjing , Qu Jianguo , Zhang Wenjie , Lu Dongrui , Gao Yucong , Ying Xixiang , Kang Tingguo
Published: November 2013

Hawthorn leaves, a well‐known traditional Chinese medicine, have been widely used for treating cardiovascular and fatty liver diseases. The present study aimed to investigate the therapeutic basis treating fatty liver disease by comparing the tissue distribution of six compounds of hawthorn leaf extract (HLE) in fatty liver rats and healthy rats after oral administration at first day, half month and one month, separately. Therefore, a sensitive and specific HPLC method with internal standard was developed and validated to determine chlorogenic acid, vitexin‐4′′‐O‐glucoside, vitexin‐2′′‐O‐rhamnoside, vitexin, rutin and hyperoside in the tissues including heart, liver, spleen, kidney, stomach and intestine. The results indicated that the six compounds in HLE presented some bioactivity in treating rat fatty liver as the concentrations of the six compounds varied significantly in inter‐ and intragroup comparisons (healthy and/or fatty liver group). Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Investigation of the Hydroxylation Mechanism of Noncoupled Copper Oxygenases by Ab Initio Molecular Dynamics Simulations
Authors: Meliá Conchín , Ferrer Silvia , Řezáč Jan , Parisel Olivier , Reinaud Olivia , Moliner Vicent , de la Lande Aurélien
Published: November 2013

In Nature, the family of copper monooxygenases comprised of peptidylglycine α‐hydroxylating monooxygenase (PHM), dopamine β‐monooxygenase (DβM), and tyramine β‐monooxygenase (TβM) is known to perform dioxygen‐dependent hydroxylation of aliphatic CH bonds by using two uncoupled metal sites. In spite of many investigations, including biochemical, chemical, and computational, details of the CH bond oxygenation mechanism remain elusive. Herein we report an investigation of the mechanism of hydroxylation by PHM by using hybrid quantum/classical potentials (i.e., QM/MM). Although previous investigations using hybrid QM/MM techniques were restricted to geometry optimizations, we have carried out ab initio molecular dynamics simulations in order to include the intrinsic flexibility of the active sites in the modeling protocol. The major finding of this study is an extremely fast rebound step after the initial hydrogen‐abstraction step promoted by the cupric–superoxide adduct. The hydrogen‐abstraction/rebound sequence leads to the formation of an alkyl hydroperoxide intermediate. Long‐range electron transfer from the remote copper site subsequently triggers its reduction to the hydroxylated substrate. We finally show two reactivity consequences inherent in the new mechanistic proposal, the investigation of which would provide a means to check its validity by experimental means.
Encapsulation and Release Mechanisms in Coordination Polymer Nanoparticles
Authors: Amorín‐Ferré Laura , Busqué Félix , Bourdelande José Luis , Ruiz‐Molina Daniel , Hernando Jordi , Novio Fernando
Published: November 2013

The interplay of guest encapsulation and release mechanisms in nanoscale metal–organic vehicles and its effect on the drug‐delivery kinetics of these materials were investigated through a new multidisciplinary approach. Two rationally‐designed molecular guests were synthesized, which consist of a red‐fluorescent benzophenoxazine dye covalently tethered to a coordinating catechol group and a protected, non‐coordinating catechol moiety. This allowed loading of the guests into compositionally and structurally equivalent coordination polymer particles through distinct encapsulation mechanisms: coordination and mechanical entrapment. The two types of particles delivered their fluorescent cargo with remarkably different kinetic profiles, which could be satisfactorily modeled considering degradation‐ and diffusion‐controlled release processes. This demonstrates that careful selection of the method of guest incorporation into coordination polymer nanoparticles allows selective tuning of the rate of drug delivery from these materials and, therefore, of the time window of action of the encapsulated therapeutic agents.
Homonuclear correlated spectroscopy (COSY): The basics of two‐dimensional NMR
Authors: Wemmer David E.
Published: November 2013

The basic principles of homonuclear correlated spectroscopy, the COSY experiment, are presented. The underlying theory is given for a single pair of coupled spins. The differences between magnitude‐mode and phase‐sensitive experiments are discussed. Features of the cross peaks are described, and the procedure for carrying out experiments is given. Examples of both magnitude and phase‐sensitive COSY experiments are shown.
CXCR7 influences the migration of B cells during maturation
Authors: Humpert Marie‐Luise , Pinto Dora , Jarrossay David , Thelen Marcus
Published: November 2013

The atypical chemokine receptor CXCR7 binds the chemokines CXCL12 and CXCL11. The receptor is widely expressed and was shown to tune CXCR12‐induced responses of CXCR4. Here, the function of CXCR7 was examined at late stages of human B‐cell maturation, when B cells differentiate into Ab‐secreting plasmablasts. We identified two populations of CXCR7+ cells in tonsillar lymphocytes, one being presumably memory B cells or early plasmablasts (FSClowCD19+CD38mid) and the other being plasmablasts or early plasma cells (FSChighCD19+CD38+). CXCR7 is expressed on CD19+CD27+ memory B cells, on CD19+CD38+CD138− and intracellular immunoglobulin high plasmablasts, but not on CD19+CD138+icIghigh plasma cells. The differential expression pattern suggests a potential contribution of the scavenger receptor in final B‐cell maturation. On in vitro differentiating B cells, we found a marked inverse correlation between CXCR7 and CXCR5 cell surface levels, whereas expression of CXCR4 remained almost constant. Migration assays performed with tonsillar mononuclear cells or in vitro differentiated cells revealed that inhibition of CXCR7 markedly increases chemotaxis toward CXCL12, especially at late stages of B‐cell maturation. Chemotaxis was attenuated in the presence of CXCR4 antagonists, confirming that migration is CXCR4 mediated. Our findings unequivocally demonstrate a novel role for CXCR7 in regulating the migration of plasmablasts during B‐cell maturation.
Application of plug–plug technique to ACE experiments for discovery of peptides binding to a larger target protein: A model study of calmodulin‐binding fragments selected from a digested mixture of reduced BSA
Authors: Saito Kazuki , Nakato Mamiko , Mizuguchi Takaaki , Wada Shinji , Uchimura Hiromasa , Kataoka Hiroshi , Yokoyama Shigeyuki , Hirota Hiroshi , Kiso Yoshiaki
Published: November 2013

To discover peptide ligands that bind to a target protein with a higher molecular mass, a concise screening methodology has been established, by applying a “plug–plug” technique to ACE experiments. Exploratory experiments using three mixed peptides, mastoparan‐X, β‐endorphin, and oxytocin, as candidates for calmodulin‐binding ligands, revealed that the technique not only reduces the consumption of the protein sample, but also increases the flexibility of the experimental conditions, by allowing the use of MS detection in the ACE experiments. With the plug–plug technique, the ACE–MS screening methodology successfully selected calmodulin‐binding peptides from a random library with diverse constituents, such as protease digests of BSA. Three peptides with Kd values between 8–147 μM for calmodulin were obtained from a Glu‐C endoprotease digest of reduced BSA, although the digest showed more than 70 peaks in its ACE–MS electropherogram. The method established here will be quite useful for the screening of peptide ligands, which have only low affinities due to their flexible chain structures but could potentially provide primary information for designing inhibitors against the target protein.
Dynamic high‐resolution computer simulation of isotachophoretic enantiomer separation and zone stability
Authors: Caslavska Jitka , Breadmore Michael C. , Thormann Wolfgang
Published: November 2013

The development of electrophoretic computer models and their use for simulation of electrophoretic processes has increased significantly during the last few years. Recently, GENTRANS and SIMUL5 were extended with algorithms that describe chemical equilibria between solutes and a buffer additive in a fast 1:1 interaction process, an approach that enables simulation of the electrophoretic separation of enantiomers. For acidic cationic systems with sodium and H30+ as leading and terminating components, respectively, acetic acid as counter component, charged weak bases as samples, and a neutral CD as chiral selector, the new codes were used to investigate the dynamics of isotachophoretic adjustment of enantiomers, enantiomer separation, boundaries between enantiomers and between an enantiomer and a buffer constituent of like charge, and zone stability. The impact of leader pH, selector concentration, free mobility of the weak base, mobilities of the formed complexes and complexation constants could thereby be elucidated. For selected examples with methadone enantiomers as analytes and (2‐hydroxypropyl)‐β‐CD as selector, simulated zone patterns were found to compare well with those monitored experimentally in capillary setups with two conductivity detectors or an absorbance and a conductivity detector. Simulation represents an elegant way to provide insight into the formation of isotachophoretic boundaries and zone stability in presence of complexation equilibria in a hitherto inaccessible way.
Scoring the Icecap‐a Capability Instrument. Estimation of a UK General Population Tariff
Authors: Flynn Terry N. , Huynh Elisabeth , Peters Tim J. , Al‐Janabi Hareth , Clemens Sam , Moody Alison , Coast Joanna
Published: November 2013

This paper reports the results of a best–worst scaling (BWS) study to value the Investigating Choice Experiments Capability Measure for Adults (ICECAP‐A), a new capability measure among adults, in a UK setting. A main effects plan plus its foldover was used to estimate weights for each of the four levels of all five attributes. The BWS study was administered to 413 randomly sampled individuals, together with sociodemographic and other questions. Scale‐adjusted latent class analyses identified two preference and two (variance) scale classes. Ability to characterize preference and scale heterogeneity was limited, but data quality was good, and the final model exhibited a high pseudo‐r‐squared. After adjusting for heterogeneity, a population tariff was estimated. This showed that ‘attachment’ and ‘stability’ each account for around 22% of the space, and ‘autonomy’, ‘achievement’ and ‘enjoyment’ account for around 18% each. Across all attributes, greater value was placed on the difference between the lowest levels of capability than between the highest. This tariff will enable ICECAP‐A to be used in economic evaluation both within the field of health and across public policy generally. © 2013 The Authors. Health Economics published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
Esophageal intraepithelial invasion of Helicobacter pylori correlates with atypical hyperplasia
Authors: Li Wen‐sheng , Tian Dong‐ping , Guan Xiao‐ying , Yun Hailong , Wang Hong‐tao , Xiao Yinping , Bi Chao , Ying Songmin , Su Min
Published: November 2013

Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori), a common pathogen residing in the gastrointestinal tract, has been well characterized in stomach cancer,while its correlation with esophageal cancer remains poorly understood. In this study, we aim to assess the relationship between esophageal intraepithelial H. pylori invasion and inflammation as well as atypical hyperplasia in esophageal squamous epithelial tissues. Esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) tissue samples from 196 individuals from both southern and northern esophageal carcinoma high‐risk areas in China were examined (125 from northern high‐risk areas, 71 from southern high‐risk area), while additional 30 samples were collected adjacent to the esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (A‐ESCC). H. pylori infection was identified by Giemsa staining, immuno‐histochemical staining, and H. pylori 16S rRNA‐based PCR. A significant increase of H. pylori infection was found in tumor tissues (including ESCC and A‐ESCC samples) compared to that of non‐tumor tissues (p < 0.05). The positive rate of H. pylori 16S rRNA in ESCC, A‐ESCC, and normal groups were 62.5, 74.1, and 26.7%, respectively. The PCR results showed that the positive incidence of the H. pylori virulence factor CagA gene in tumor (ESCC and A‐ESCC) and normal groups was 54.9 and 20%, respectively (p < 0.05). To explore the possible causes of CagA+ H. pylori infection leading to carcinogenesis, we found that CagA+ H. pylori filtrate induced DNA strand breaks in esophageal epithelial NE3 cells, suggesting that H. pylori infection may be an original cause leading to atypical hyperplasia of esophageal squamous epithelial tissues and contributed to pathological carcinogenesis of ESCC.
Process for the Extraction of Lithium from Dead Sea Solutions
Authors: Kaplan D.
Published: November 2013

Lithium is precipitated as lithium aluminate from Dead Sea brines, which contain a minute amount of lithium chloride, by adding aluminium salt and alkali (preferably ammonia) at room temperature. The process can be carried out in the presence of chlorides of magnesium, calcium, sodium and potassium.

The lithium aluminate precipitate is dissolved in sulphuric acid and the excess acid neutralized with ammonia. The sulphates of ammonia and aluminium thus formed react to yield the respective alum. The solution contains lithium sulphate. The sulphate ions from the alum are precipitated with calcium chloride.

The filtrate contains ammonium chloride and aluminium chloride. Aluminium chloride is precipitated by alkali to form aluminium hydroxide and recirculated as a soluble aluminium salt.
Organo‐Metallic Clay Complexes IV. Nickel and Mercury Aliphatic Polyamines
Authors: Bodenheimer W. , Heller L. , Kirson B. , Yariv Sh.
Published: November 2013

The formation of complexes of nickel and mercury with polyamines in the interlayer space of montmorillonite was inferred from Potentiometric titration and differential thermal analysis curves. Two complexes of nickel diethylenetriamine and of mercury with each of the polyamines diethylenetriamine, triethylenetetramine and tetraethylenepentamine and one complex of nickel with both triethylenetetramine and tetraethylenepentamine seem to be formed in interlamellar space.
Soybean Saponins: III. Fractionation And Characterization
Authors: Gestetner B. , Ishaaya I. , Birk Y. , Bondi A.
Published: November 2013

A method—consisting of column chromatography on acid washed Al2O3 and subsequent paper chromatography—for the fractionation of soybean saponin extract (SBSE) has been elaborated. SBSE could be separated into 5 fractions, the homogeneity of which has been established by ascending paper chromatography and horizontal paper electrophoresis. Four of these fractions were proved to be saponins by the following criteria: a) Haemolytic and foam‐forming abilities; b) Characteristic bitter taste; and c) Identification of the known soybean sapogenins A, B, C and D as well as reducing sugars, in the acid hydrolysates.

A colorimetric method, based on a modified Lieberman‐Burchard reagent, for the quantitative determination of the various saponins present in SBSE has been developed. Saponin b, the strongest haemolytic agent of the four, is present only in small amounts in SBSE, whereas c, which composes 75% of SBSE, has moderate haemolytic activity.

Since it has been found that the ratio of haemolytic and foam‐forming activity is inversely correlated, it seems that the two activities involve different active sites.
Acrylyl‐Phosphate and its Conversion into Lactic Acid
Authors: Paecht M. , Katchalsky (Katzir) A.
Published: November 2013

Acrylyl‐phosphate is an intermediate product in the deamination of alanine‐phosphate. Synthetic acrylyl‐phosphate yields lactic acid in a manner similar to alanine phospho‐anhydride. The relations of alanine‐phosphate, cyclo‐lactyl‐phosphate and acrylyl‐phosphate are represented in the following scheme.

magnified image

The rate of hydrolysis of acrylyl‐phosphate is pH dependent and has a shallow minimum at pH 5 where Kh = 1.41 × 10−2 min−1. The rate of its conversion to cyclo‐lactyl phosphate is dependent on the presence of a free OH group in the orthophosphate residue. Since the pK of this group is 4.35 the conversion is rather rapid at low pH's and goes to zero for pH's higher than 6.

Inert absorbents have a strong promoting action on lactic acid formation from acrylyl‐phosphate. The catalytic activity of the surfaces follows a Langmuir isotherm indicating that absorption of acrylyl‐phosphate defends the molecules from hydrolysis without interfering with the hydration to lactic acid.
The Reduction of AgNO3 in Aqueous Solutions by Atomic Hydrogen
Authors: Czapski G. , Stein G.
Published: November 2013

The reduction of Ag+ in aqueous solution by atomic hydrogen produced in an electrodeless high frequency discharge was studied. The apparent rate constant of the reduction of Ag+ by hydrogen atoms k= 5.105 litre·mole−1·sec−1. A reaction mechanism was derived which correlates the present results with those of Littman, Carr and Brady.
Solvent Extraction from Molten Salts. II. Mixed Mercury (II) Halides
Authors: Zangen M.
Published: November 2013

The overall distribution ratio D for mercury (II) species between a polyphenyl eutectic mixture and molten LiNO3‐KNO3 eutectic at 150° was determined for HgCl2 ‐ HgBr2, HgCl2 ‐ HgBr2 and HgBr2 ‐ HgI2 mixtures of varying composition. In the latter two cases, the plot of D vs R (= the ratio Itotal: Cltotal or Itotal: Brtotal) showed a maximum. A method was derived for direct calculation of Ks, the equilibrium constant for the reaction HgA2 + HgB2 ⇋ 2HgAB in the salt phase, and KAB, the distribution coefficient of HgAB, from the values of D and R at the maximum. The obtained values of Ks and KAB respectively are: for HgClBr 70 ± 30 and 3.9 ± 0.2, for HgClI 0.5 ± 0.3 and 90 ± 30. for HgBrI 0.10 ± 0.06 and 370 ± 200.
Syntheses and Polymerization of S‐ (p‐ and o‐Trimethylsilylbenzyl) Derivatives of Cysteine and Homocysteine
Authors: Gertner D. , Shenhar A.
Published: November 2013

S‐(p‐ and o‐trimethylsilylbenzyl)‐ cysteine and homocysteine were prepared by reaction of p‐ or o‐trimethylsilylbenzyl bromide with cysteine, homocysteine or homocysteine thiolactone respectively. Properties of the amino acids and some of their N‐acyl derivatives are reported. The amino acids were polymerized by various methods through their N‐carboxyanhydrides.
Synthesis of Compounds Related to Steroids. Reactions of β‐Methyltricarballylic Acid Anhydride with Substituted Naphthalenes
Authors: Harnik M. , Jensen E. V.
Published: November 2013

β‐Methyltricarballylic acid anhydride (I) reacted with the Grignard reagent from 1‐iodo‐6‐methoxynaphthalene to give the keto acid (III) which was converted into the tricyclic intermediate (VIb). Friedel‐Crafts condensation of the anhydride (1) with 2‐methoxynaphthalene led to the isolation of the acids (XII) and (IXc). As in the case of 7‐methoxy‐1‐acetnaphthalide, condensation of 7‐bromo‐1‐acetnaphthalide with succinic anhydride gave only the 3‐substituted product (XVIIa). Condensation of 1‐acetnaphthalide with succinic anhydride lead to acidic products in which the naphthalene nucleus is substituted mostly in the β‐position.
Preparation of 6‐Methoxy Aromatic Steroids from Estradiol and by Total Synthesis
Authors: Harnik M.
Published: November 2013

An easy synthesis of 6‐methoxy equilenin derivatives is described starting with 7α‐bromo‐6‐ketoestradiol 17‐acetate (Va). The resulting 6‐hydroxyequilenin dimethyl ether (VIIIa) was transformed into 17β‐acetamido‐3,6‐dimethoxy‐1,3,5(10), 6,8‐estrapentaene (IXd), the racemic form (XIIId) of which was made from the totally synthetic compounds (Xa) and (XIa), Also the D‐antipode (XXI) of 3,6‐dimethoxy‐176 ‐acetyl‐1,3,5(10), 6,8‐estrapentaene was synthesized from (VIIIa) and compared with its racemic form (XIa). Treatment of the estrapentaene (VIb) with sodium and isopropanol afforded the ketone (XVIb) which was further reduced to the triol (XVII).
Studies in Mass Spectrometry V. [1]: Fragmentation of N‐Substituted Morphinans Under Electron Impact
Authors: Mandelbaum A. , Ginsburg D.
Published: November 2013

Fragmentation of N‐substituted morphinans under electron impact has been studied. Substitution affects the fragmentation pattern and the distribution of the charge in the fragments obtained by cleavage of doubly charged molecular ions.
Nitrofuryl Pyrazoles and Nitrofuryl Isoxazoles
Authors: Haber R. G. , Schoenberger E.
Published: November 2013

The synthesis of a number of antibacterial 3,5‐disubstituted pyrazoles and isoxazoles starting from beta‐diketones and a hydrazine or hydroxylamine respectively is described. A furyl or 5‐nitrofuryl group was always one of the substituents. The nitration of the furan ring could be performed at any stage.
Derivatives of Phenoxaphosphine
Authors: Granoth I. , Kalir A. , Pelah Z.
Published: November 2013

Substituted phenoxaphosphines were obtained from di‐p‐tolyl ether and alkyl‐ or arylphosphonous dichlorides, and, by alkylation, followed by reduction, from either 2,8‐dimethylphenoxaphosphinyl chloride or 2,8‐dimethylphenoxaphosphine 10‐oxide. Some reactions of the new heterocyclic compounds are described.
Effects of Xanthine Oxidase Inhibitors on Purine Catabolism
Authors: Elion Gertrude B. , Benezra Fran M. , Canellas Irene , Carrington Lorraine O. , Hitchings G. H.
Published: November 2013

A method is described for the determination of the ability of a number of pyrazolo(3,4‐d) pyrimidines and purines, which are xanthine oxidase inhibitors in vitro, to inhibit purine catabolism in the mouse. This method is based on the amount of oxypurines (hypoxanthine + xanthine) excreted in the urine during the first 5 hours after drug administration. The in vivo activity often did nut correlate with the inhibitory activity in vitro. The most active inhibitor in vivo was 4‐hydroxypyrazolo(3,4‐d)‐pyrimidine (allopurinol).
The Role of Vibrational, Excitation in the Formation of 4‐Center Transition States
Authors: Lifshitz A.
Published: November 2013

The experimental results describing the kinetics of the interaction between hydrogen and deuterium obtained by Farkas and Farkas are discussed in the light of the recently derived rate constants of the reactions: H2 + M → H + H + M and H + D2 → HD + D. It is suggested that in the early study of this exchange reaction, the dissociation of hydrogen occurred under heterogeneous conditions, so that the conclusions regarding the relative rates of the various steps in the exchange scheme are not entirely correct. A technique which provides purely homogeneous conditions at high temperatures is briefly described, and recent experimental results obtained in various exchange studies are presented. It is shown that under homogeneous conditions, at the temperature range over which exchange readily occurs, dissociation processes are slow, and the free radicals are present in too small concentrations for a free radical mechanism to contribute to the observed rate of exchange. The experimental results suggest that exchange occurs via a 4‐center intermediate, but not as a result of a hard collision between the exchanging molecules. A reaction may occur only if one of the molecules is excited to a critical vibrational state before colliding with its exchange partner. In a few diatomic molecules where the efficiency of translation → vibration energy exchange is not very high, the rate of vibrational excitation determines the rate of exchange. For one typical study, an evaluation of the rate of vibrational excitation from available data on translation → vibration transition probabilities is described. The agreement between the calculated and the experimental rates is excellent.
Luminescent Characteristics of Silicate Glasses Doped with Rare Earths Under Monochromatic Excitation
Authors: Reisfeld R. , Honigbaum A. , Michaeli G. , Harel L. , Ish‐Shalom M.
Published: November 2013

Measurements of emission spectra and decay times of Eu3+, Sm3+ Tb3+, Dy3+ and Gd3+ and their concentration dependence were taken in silicate glasses, in the concentration range 0.05–1.00 weight percent, under monochromatic excitation. The results are compared with those obtained in borate glasses. The lower intensities of the main emission lines for all the five R. E., the longer decay times for Tb3+ and Sm3+ and the shift to shorter wavelengths for Eu3+ and Sm3+ are explained in terms of the lower field strength seen by the R. E. in silicate glasses and smaller energy transfer probabilities.
Metalation Reaction. IV. The Metalation of 1, 5‐Diphenylpentadienes
Authors: Brenner S. , Klein J.
Published: November 2013

1,5‐Diphenyl‐1,3‐ and 1,4‐pentadienes were prepared and their geometrical isomers separated and characterized. The metalation of any of these compounds gave a single pentadienyl anion, to which an all trans conformation was assigned. The protonation of this anion yielded 1, 5‐diphenyl‐1,3‐pentadiene.
Fulvenes and Thermochromic Ethylenes. Part 55 The Mass Spectra of Some Fulvalenes and Related Compounds
Authors: Rabinovitz M. , Agranat I. , Shapiro D. , Bergmann E. D. , Lifshitz Chava
Published: November 2013

The fragmentation pathways of tetrabenzoheptafulvalene and tetrabenzopentaheptafulvalene are discussed and compared with the fragmentation of tetrabenzofulvalene. In the corresponding systems in which the central bond is saturated (“dihydrofulvalenes”), electron impact causes fission of this bond. Some related compounds have also been investigated.
SIMULATING WATER FLOW AND SALT LEACHING UNDER SEQUENTIAL FLOODING BETWEEN SUBSURFACE DRAINS
Authors: Mirjat M. S. , Mughal A. Q. , Chandio A. S.
Published: November 2013

Streamline behaviour and solute transport were investigated under sequential flooding situations using a HYDRUS‐2D/3D model. HYDRUS‐simulated solute breakthrough curves exhibit a similar shape as measured curves but breakthrough is slightly delayed. This might be caused by slightly different properties (particularly particle size distribution) of silica sand used to determine solute transport and van Genuchten parameters.

The breakthrough curves for comparable flooding scenarios under both lower and upper drains suggest that uniform leaching is evident through sequential increase from ¼, ½, ¾, and complete flooding. This suggests that higher leaching efficiency under sequential flooding strategy is possible when compared to complete flooding.

Visual and quantitative comparison of model simulations shows a very close match to Hele‐Shaw cell experiments. Based on simulation results of this study, it is evident that the HYDRUS 2D/3D model is a powerful tool for efficient use of scarce water resources and could successfully be used for leaching excess salts in arid and semi‐arid regions. Results by Skaggs et al. (2004) supported the use of HYDRUS‐2D and they recommended it as a tool for designing and management of drip irrigation systems. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Optimization of microalgae oil extraction under ultrasound and microwave irradiation
Authors: Bermúdez Menéndez José Miguel , Arenillas Ana , Menéndez Díaz Jose Ángel , Boffa Luisa , Mantegna Stefano , Binello Arianna , Cravotto Giancarlo
Published: November 2013

BACKGROUND

Microalgae are one of the most promising biofuel sources that the world has to offer; nevertheless the conversion process is hampered by technical and economic problems that are mainly related to de‐watering and extraction. The efficiency of the process can be dramatically improved by means of non‐conventional techniques such as ultrasound (US) and microwaves (MW). Scaling‐up feasibility is strictly linked to reactor efficiency, energy consumption, environmental impact and overall cost. In the present work, the optimization of lipid extraction from Nannochloropsis gaditana microalga is investigated.

RESULTS

A series of selected solvent mixtures and procedures have been tested and compared. Conventional extraction procedures with chloroform/methanol mixtures and fast US‐ and MW‐assisted extractions with methanol gave comparable fatty acid (FA) w/w% from dried microalgae. The highest extraction yield and lowest energy consumption was found to occur under MW irradiation, especially at high temperatures and under pressure.

CONCLUSION

This study highlights the advantages of US‐ and MW‐assisted lipid extraction from microalgae, both in terms of efficiency and operational costs. © 2013 Society of Chemical Industry
Shedding Light On Policy Coherence for Development: A Conceptual Framework
Authors: Sianes Antonio
Published: November 2013

Policy Coherence has undoubtedly been one of the catchwords in the international debate on development aid since the 1990s but, as many authors have stated, no generally accepted agreement has been reached on defining the concept. This paper performs a systematic review to date of the literature on Policy Coherence for Development, drawing a conceptual map aimed to put Policy Coherence for Development in its rightful place within the development aid system. Within this framework, some of the main debates on the topic will be outlined in order to contribute to the enhancement of Policy Coherence for Development. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.