bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Heterotopiese ruimtes van krisis en die natuur se genesende invloed in Chinchilla (Nanette van Rooyen)
Authors: Meyer Susan
Published: November 2011

In this article, Michel Foucault’s term crises heterotopia is used to understand and describe the main character’s unique experience of particular places in Chinchilla. The article investigates the manner in which nature becomes part of the experience of crises heterotopias, and how the natural environment creates a space conducive to the processing of trauma within the novel. Images and experiences of nature offer the main character a “bridge” to an expressive representation of events that could not initially be otherwise verbalised. Contact with and influences from nature contribute to a new spiritual calm, energy, and perspective, as well as a rediscovery of her intuitive feminine wisdom and powers that leads to positive decisions regarding the future. Taking care of nature’s creatures leads to the recognition of some aspects of the main character’s own situation, and provides the associative stimuli for reliving the suppressed traumatic events; thereby helping to lift the silence, which aids the healing of the traumatised character in the story.
Instances of Bessie Head’s distinctive feminism, womanism and Africanness in her novels
Authors: Rafapa, L. J. , Nengome A. Z. , Tshamano H. S.
Published: November 2011

Bessie Head was one of the Drum writers of the 1950s. As critics such as Huma Ibrahim have indicated it was only after her death in 1986 that she was included in discussions on the Drum generation. The result of her prior exclusion has been the double marginalization of Head’s literary contribution, as one of the overlooked black South African writers of the 1950s and the lack of critical acclaim of her as an individual author. For this reason, she is one of the black South African writers who should consciously be given prominence today. This article utilizes an analysis of Head’s novels not attempted so far. It is difficult to interrogate Head’s work fruitfully, unless questions are addressed to whether she approaches her imaginative writing as an Africanist, a feminist or just as a woman. It will be argued that her fiction highlights the plight of the socially marginalized in eccentric and seminal ways and that it bears the potential to enrich debates on Africanism, feminism and womanism. Conclusions on how the complexities of Head’s psyche can be beneficially used to enrich a more judicious reading will be drawn from evidence gathered from her novels.
Remembering the short stories of Yvonne Vera: A postcolonial and feminist reading of Why Don’t You Carve Other Animals?
Authors: Murray Jessica
Published: November 2011

The Zimbabwean author Yvonne Vera is one of the most important writers to emerge from the African continent over the last two decades. Although she has received widespread critical acclaim as well as academic scrutiny, analyses of her work have mostly focused on her novels. This article attempts to redress this scholarly imbalance by offering a close textual analysis of Why Don’t You Carve Other Animals? through a critical lens of postcolonial and feminist theory. In these stories Vera articulates the internal thoughts of her characters in order to explore the way that oppressed people negotiate the fact of their oppression. It is particularly the female characters’ reflections that reveal the complexity of the position occupied by colonised women and the sophistication of their attempts to address the layered marginalisation to which they are subjected. Vera shows that, for them, an unproblematic participation in the nationalist movement for liberating Zimbabwe from colonial oppression is simply not an option. The article explores the specifically gendered expectations and obstacles that shape the female characters’ struggles in the Zimbabwean context.
Molecular characterization of water soluble organic nitrogen in marine rainwater by ultra-high resolution electrospray ionization mass spectrometry
Authors: Altieri K. E. , Hastings M. G. , Peters A. J. , Sigman D. M.
Published: November 2011

Abstract. Atmospheric water soluble organic nitrogen (WSON) is a subset of the complex organic matter in aerosols and rainwater, which impacts cloud condensation processes and aerosol chemical and optical properties, and may play a significant role in the biogeochemical cycle of N. However, its sources, composition, connections to inorganic N, and variability are largely unknown. Rainwater samples were collected on the island of Bermuda (32.27° N, 64.87° W), which experiences both anthropogenic and marine influenced air masses. Samples were analyzed by ultra-high resolution electrospray ionization Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometry to chemically characterize the WSON. Elemental compositions of 2455 N containing compounds were determined over the mass range m/z+ 50 to 500. The five compound classes with the largest number of elemental formulas identified, in order from the highest number of formulas to the lowest, contained carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, and nitrogen (CHON+), CHON compounds that contained sulfur (CHONS+), CHON compounds that contained phosphorous (CHONP+), CHON compounds that contained both sulfur and phosphorous (CHONSP+), and compounds that contained only carbon, hydrogen, and nitrogen (CHN+). No organonitrates or nitrooxy-organosulfates were detected, but there was an increased presence of organic S and organic P containing compounds in the marine rainwater. Compared to rainwater collected in the continental USA, average O:C ratios of all N containing compound classes were lower in the marine samples whereas double bond equivalent values were higher, suggesting a reduced role of secondary formation mechanisms. Cluster analysis showed a clear chemical distinction between samples collected during the cold season (October to March) which have anthropogenic air mass origins and samples collected during the warm season (April to September) with remote marine air mass origins. This, in conjunction with patterns identified in van Krevelen diagrams, suggests that the cold season WSON is a mixture of organic matter with both marine and anthropogenic sources while in the warm season the WSON appears to be dominated by marine sources. These findings indicate that, although the concentrations and percent contribution of WSON to total N is fairly consistent across diverse geographic regions, the chemical composition of WSON varies strongly as a function of source region and atmospheric environment.
Where to see climate change best in radio occultation variables – study using GCMs and ECMWF reanalyses
Authors: Lackner B. C. , Steiner A. K. , Kirchengast G.
Published: November 2011

Abstract. Radio occultation (RO) is a new technique to observe the upper troposphere and lower stratosphere (UTLS), a region that reacts particularly sensitive to climate change. Featuring characteristics such as long-term stability, SI traceability, all-weather capability, global coverage, and high accuracy and vertical resolution, RO data fulfill the requirements for climate monitoring in the UTLS. However, while a range of studies has shown the climate utility of RO it has not yet been explored sytematically where to see climate change best in RO variables. Therefore we perform here a systematic trend study for the RO variables refractivity, pressure, and temperature (bending angle, not depending on height but impact parameter, is left for separate study). The trends, given at geopotential height levels and for layer gradients, are explored to determine seasons, geographic regions, and height domains, which show a significant trend signal. Because continuous RO data are available since 2001 only, reanalyses (ERA-40 and ERA-Interim) and global circulation model simulations of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change Assessment Report 4 (CCSM3, ECHAM5, HadCM3) are used as proxy data for RO. It is shown that RO data are sensitive at different height ranges and that thus several indicators of climate change can be retrieved. Refractivity emerges as indicator in the lower stratosphere (LS) and tropopause region at about 14 km to 24 km, pressure over the whole UTLS, and both in all large-scale regions except the polar caps. Temperature qualifies as indicator in the upper troposphere below about 16 km and in the LS above about 21 km. Overall, refractivity and pressure alone are adequate indicators for the UTLS, but temperature as commonly used variable facilitates easy interpretation of results. Layer gradients were found to be further sensitive indicators providing additional information. Besides large-scale global and hemispheric means the tropics and the mid-latitudes appear as regions suitable to track climate change with RO data. The results also point to the value of utilizing in addition to annual means specific seasons, such as northern hemispheric fall and summer, for early climate signal detection. Since RO data feature much better vertical resolution than the proxy data of this study, more detailed insights can be expected when a longer RO record will be available.
Dayside and nightside contributions to cross-polar cap potential variations: the 20 March 2001 ICME case
Authors: Andalsvik Y. L. , Sandholt P. E. , Farrugia C. J.
Published: November 2011

Abstract. We investigate the association between temporal-spatial structure of polar cap convection and auroral electrojet intensifications during a 5-h-long interval of strong forcing of the magnetosphere by an ICME/Magnetic cloud on 20 March 2001. We use data from coordinated ground-satellite observations in the 15:00–20:00 MLT sector. We take advantage of the good latitudinal coverage in the polar cap and in the auroral zone of the IMAGE chain of ground magnetometers in Svalbard – Scandinavia – Russia and the stable magnetic field conditions in ICMEs. The electrojet events are characterized by a sequence of 10 min-long AL excursions to −1000/−1500 nT followed by poleward expansions and auroral streamers. These events are superimposed on a high disturbance level when the AL index remains around −500 nT for several hours. These signatures are different from those appearing in classical substorms, most notably the absence of a complete recovery phase when AL usually reaches above −100 nT. We concentrate on polar cap convection in both hemispheres (DMSP F13 data) in relation to the ICME By conditions, electrojet intensifications, and the global UV auroral configuration obtained from the IMAGE spacecraft. The temporal evolution of convection properties such as the cross-polar cap potential (CPCP) drop and flow channels at the dawn/dusk polar cap (PC) boundaries around the time of the electrojet events are investigated. This approach allows us to distinguish between dayside (magnetopause reconnection) and nightside (magnetotail reconnection) sources of the PC convection events within the context of the expanding-contracting model of high-latitude convection in the Dungey cycle. Inter-hemispheric symmetries/asymmetries in the presence of newly-discovered convection channels at the dawn or dusk side PC boundaries are determined.
Heinrich event 1: an example of dynamical ice-sheet reaction to oceanic changes
Authors: Álvarez-Solas J. , Montoya M. , Ritz C. , Ramstein G. , Charbit S. , Dumas C. , Nisancioglu K. , Dokken T. , Ganopolski A.
Published: November 2011

Abstract. Heinrich events, identified as enhanced ice-rafted detritus (IRD) in North Atlantic deep sea sediments (Heinrich, 1988; Hemming, 2004) have classically been attributed to Laurentide ice-sheet (LIS) instabilities (MacAyeal, 1993; Calov et al., 2002; Hulbe et al., 2004) and assumed to lead to important disruptions of the Atlantic meridional overturning circulation (AMOC) and North Atlantic deep water (NADW) formation. However, recent paleoclimate data have revealed that most of these events probably occurred after the AMOC had already slowed down or/and NADW largely collapsed, within about a thousand years (Hall et al., 2006; Hemming, 2004; Jonkers et al., 2010; Roche et al., 2004), implying that the initial AMOC reduction could not have been caused by the Heinrich events themselves. Here we propose an alternative driving mechanism, specifically for Heinrich event 1 (H1; 18 to 15 ka BP), by which North Atlantic ocean circulation changes are found to have strong impacts on LIS dynamics. By combining simulations with a coupled climate model and a three-dimensional ice sheet model, our study illustrates how reduced NADW and AMOC weakening lead to a subsurface warming in the Nordic and Labrador Seas resulting in rapid melting of the Hudson Strait and Labrador ice shelves. Lack of buttressing by the ice shelves implies a substantial ice-stream acceleration, enhanced ice-discharge and sea level rise, with peak values 500–1500 yr after the initial AMOC reduction. Our scenario modifies the previous paradigm of H1 by solving the paradox of its occurrence during a cold surface period, and highlights the importance of taking into account the effects of oceanic circulation on ice-sheets dynamics in order to elucidate the triggering mechanism of Heinrich events.
Development and evaluation of an Earth-System model – HadGEM2
Authors: Collins W. J. , Bellouin N. , Doutriaux-Boucher M. , Gedney N. , Halloran P. , Hinton T. , Hughes J. , Jones C. D. , Joshi M. , Liddicoat S. , Martin G. , O'Connor F. , Rae J. , Senior C. , Sitch S. , Totterdell I. , Wiltshire A. , Woodward S.
Published: November 2011

Abstract. We describe here the development and evaluation of an Earth system model suitable for centennial-scale climate prediction. The principal new components added to the physical climate model are the terrestrial and ocean ecosystems and gas-phase tropospheric chemistry, along with their coupled interactions. The individual Earth system components are described briefly and the relevant interactions between the components are explained. Because the multiple interactions could lead to unstable feedbacks, we go through a careful process of model spin up to ensure that all components are stable and the interactions balanced. This spun-up configuration is evaluated against observed data for the Earth system components and is generally found to perform very satisfactorily. The reason for the evaluation phase is that the model is to be used for the core climate simulations carried out by the Met Office Hadley Centre for the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project (CMIP5), so it is essential that addition of the extra complexity does not detract substantially from its climate performance. Localised changes in some specific meteorological variables can be identified, but the impacts on the overall simulation of present day climate are slight. This model is proving valuable both for climate predictions, and for investigating the strengths of biogeochemical feedbacks.
A review of regionalisation for continuous streamflow simulation
Authors: He Y. , Bárdossy A. , Zehe E.
Published: November 2011

Abstract. Research on regionalisation in hydrology has been constantly advancing due to the need for prediction of streamflow in ungauged catchments. There are two types of studies that use regionalisation techniques for ungauged catchments. One type estimates parameters of streamflow statistics, flood quantiles in most cases. The other type estimates parameters of a rainfall-runoff model for simulating continuous streamflow or estimates continuous streamflow without using a model. Almost all methods applied to the latter can be applied to the former. This paper reviews all methods that are applied to continuous streamflow estimation for ungauged catchments. We divide them into two general categories: (1) distance-based and (2) regression-based. Methods that fall within each category are reviewed first and followed with a discussion on merits or problems associated with these various methods.
Correction of upstream flow and hydraulic state with data assimilation in the context of flood forecasting
Authors: Ricci S. , Piacentini A. , Thual O. , Le Pape E. , Jonville G.
Published: November 2011

Abstract. The present study describes the assimilation of river water level observations and the resulting improvement in flood forecasting. The Kalman Filter algorithm was built on top of a one-dimensional hydraulic model which describes the Saint-Venant equations. The assimilation algorithm folds in two steps: the first one was based on the assumption that the upstream flow can be adjusted using a three-parameter correction; the second one consisted of directly correcting the hydraulic state. This procedure was applied using a four-day sliding window over the flood event. The background error covariances for water level and discharge were represented with anisotropic correlation functions where the correlation length upstream of the observation points is larger than the correlation length downstream of the observation points. This approach was motivated by the implementation of a Kalman Filter algorithm on top of a diffusive flood wave propagation model. The study was carried out on the Adour and the Marne Vallage (France) catchments. The correction of the upstream flow as well as the control of the hydraulic state during the flood event leads to a significant improvement in the water level and discharge in both analysis and forecast modes.
Building hazard maps of extreme daily rainy events from PDF ensemble, via REA method, on Senegal River Basin
Authors: Giraldo Osorio J. D. , García Galiano S. G.
Published: November 2011

Abstract. The Sudano-Sahelian zone of West Africa, one of the poorest of the Earth, is characterized by high rainfall variability and rapid population growth. In this region, heavy storm events frequently cause extensive damage. Nonetheless, the projections for change in extreme rainfall values have shown a great divergence between Regional Climate Models (RCM), increasing the forecast uncertainty. Novel methodologies should be applied, taking into account both the variability provided by different RCMs, as well as the non-stationary nature of time series for the building of hazard maps of extreme rainfall events. The present work focuses on the probability density functions (PDFs)-based evaluation and a simple quantitative measure of how well each RCM considered can capture the observed annual maximum daily rainfall (AMDR) series on the Senegal River basin. Since meaningful trends have been detected in historical rainfall time series for the region, non-stationary probabilistic models were used to fit the PDF parameters to the AMDR time series. In the development of PDF ensemble by bootstrapping techniques, Reliability Ensemble Averaging (REA) maps were applied to score the RCMs. The REA factors were computed using a metric to evaluate the agreement between observed -or best estimated- PDFs, and that simulated with each RCM. The assessment of plausible regional trends associated to the return period, from the hazard maps of AMDR, showed a general rise, owing to an increase in the mean and the variability of extreme precipitation. These spatial-temporal distributions could be considered by Organization for the Development of the Senegal River (Organisation pour la mise en valeur du fleuve Sénégal, OMVS), in such a way as to reach a better balance between mitigation and adaptation.
Polish Peculiarities? Military Loyalty During the 1980-1981 Solidarity Crisis
Authors: Coughlan Elizabeth P.
Published: November 2011

On December 13, 1981, the Polish military under the leadership of Gen. Wojciech Jaruzelski imposed martial law, effectively ending sixteen months of popular protest and bargaining between the Polish United Workers Party (PUWP) and the independent trade union Solidarity. In the West, and particularly in the United States, martial law was interpreted as the Polish military declaring war on its own people on the orders of the Soviet Union. It was assumed and repeatedly asserted that the military was loyal to the Communist Party and to the Soviet high command, that they were little more than communists in uniform.  Such an assertion, however, leaves one hard pressed to explain the acquiescence of the militaries across Eastern Europe to the changes of 1989 and the ability of those militaries to adapt to noncommunist regimes to the point of being willing and even eager to join NATO.
Khrushchev in Wonderland: The Pioneer Palace in Moscow’s Lenin Hills
Authors: Reid Susan E.
Published: November 2011

You might be forgiven if you have never noticed the Pioneer Palace in Moscow 's Lenin or, formerly, Sparrow Hills (figure 1). You may have dismissed it as ju st anotherof those postwar prefabs that reminds you of your high school. Or perhaps you were too busy looking at Stalin's Moscow University, which looms over it. Yet, when the Pioneer Palace was built between 1958 and 1962, at theheight oftheKhrushchevThaw,thismodernistbox ofglass and reinforced concreteinspired enormousenthusiasm.
Power and Ideology: Vladimir Putin and the Russian Political System
Authors: Evans Alfred B.
Published: November 2011

This paper explores the ideas that have been offered by the Putin leadership in Russia to justify the concentration of power achieved since 2000. Though Vladimir Putin has said that Russia does not need a state ideology, since early 2006 some officials associated with Putin, including Vladislav Surkov, have called for an ideology for the dominant United Russia Party, and have asserted that Putin’s speeches provide the core of that ideology. This essay discusses Putin’s position on Russia’s commitment to democracy, the relationship between Russia and Europe, and the nature of the international system in which Russia fi nds itself. The author sees the concept of “sovereign democracy” that has been offered by Surkov and endorsed by United Russia as summarizing ideas that already had been articulated by Putin. Putin’s words strongly emphasize the importance of a consensus of values in Russian society and politics. That theme has important implications for the relationship between the state and civil society in Russia. Evans argues that the ideological pronouncements of the Putin leadership refl ect tension between apparently inconsistent principles resulting from a combination of inherently contradictory themes. Putin identifi es the main danger facing Russia in the contemporary period as disintegration rather than stagnation.
MMP-9 Overexpression Due to TIMP-1 and RECK Underexpression is Associated with Prognosis in Prostate Cancer
Authors: Reis Sabrina Thalita , Pontes-Junior José , Antunes Alberto Azoubel , De Sousa-Canavez Juliana Moreira , Dall'Oglio Marcos Francisco , Passerotti Carlo C. , Abe Daniel Kanda , Crippa Alexandre , Da Cruz Jose Arnaldo Shiomi , Timoszczuk Luciana M.S. , Srougi Miguel , Leite Kátia R.M.
Published: November 2011

Background

Extracellular matrix homeostasis is strictly maintained by a coordinated balance between the expression of metalloproteinases (MMPs) and their inhibitors. The purpose of this study was to investigate whether the expression of MMP-9 and its specific inhibitors, TIMP-1 and RECK, are expressed in a reproducible, specific pattern and if the profiles are related to prognosis and clinical outcome in prostate cancer (PC).

Methods

MMP-9, TIMP-1, and RECK expression levels were analyzed by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) in fresh-frozen malignant tissue specimens collected from 79 patients with clinically localized PC submitted to radical prostatectomy (RP). Frozen benign prostatic tissue from another 10 men with prostate cancer, also submitted to RP, was analyzed to determine if the profile of gene expression was maintained. The control group consisted of 11 patients with benign prostate hyperplasia (BPH).

Results

In the tumor samples, MMP-9 was overexpressed by 9.2 times, and TIMP-1 and RECK were underexpressed (0.75 and 0.80 times, respectively). Overexpression of MMP-9 was significantly related to PSA levels above 10 ng/mL (p=0.033). In addition, MMP-9 overexpression was related to biochemical recurrence, with a marginal statistical significance (p=0.089). MMP-9 was also overexpressed in benign tissues of patients with PC, as were TIMP-1 and RECK, in contrast to their underexpression in tumor samples.

Conclusion

Our results show that MMP-9 is overexpressed and its negative regulators are underexpressed in PC tissue, emphasizing a possible role of MMP-9 in the carcinogenesis process. Additionally, we noticed a relationship between MMP-9 overexpression and increased levels of PSA, an important prognostic factor. In benign tissue adjacent to tumors, the MMP-9 equilibrium is likely maintained because the expression of its negative regulators is preserved.
Neighbors and Citizens:
Authors: McCormick Samuel
Published: November 2011

Few concepts in the work of Walter Benjamin have inspired more theoretical reflections and fewer concrete examples than his notion of “the dialectical image.” As a partial corrective, this essay attempts to anchor the dialectical image—along with several related terms, notably “dialectics at a standstill,” “temporal differential,” “historical index,” and the “now of recognizability”—in a communicative practice characteristic of ordinary civic life: the introduction sequence. More than a simple rhetorical act, allowing local speakers to introduce themselves to assembled audiences, the introduction sequence is a complex sociopolitical event in which speakers divide themselves into neighbors and citizens—embodied social beings bound by webs of personal association and disembodied political actors empowered by the rule of law. Understanding this constellation of social and political agency is the basic task of this article.
No association of brain‐derived neurotrophic factor Val66Met polymorphism with anorexia nervosa in Japanese
Authors: Ando Tetsuya , Ishikawa Toshio , Hotta Mari , Naruo Tetsuro , Okabe Kenjiro , Nakahara Toshihiro , Takii Masato , Kawai Keisuke , Mera Takashi , Nakamoto Chiemi , Takei Michiko , Yamaguchi Chikara , Nagata Toshihiko , Okamoto Yuri , Ookuma Kazuyoshi , Koide Masanori , Yamanaka Takao , Murata Shiho , Tamura Naho , Kiriike Nobuo , Ichimaru Yuhei , Komaki Gen ,   the Japanese Genetic Research Group For Eating Disorders
Published: December 2011

The Met66 allele of the Val66Met polymorphism in the brain‐derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) gene has been reported to be associated with anorexia nervosa (AN), and also lower minimum body mass index (BMI) and higher harm avoidance in AN. We genotyped the Val66Met polymorphism (rs6265) in 689 AN cases and 573 control subjects. There were no significant differences in the genotype or allele frequencies of the Val66Met between AN and control subjects (allele wise, odds ratio = 0.920, 95% CI 0.785–1.079,P = 0.305). No difference was found in minimum BMIs related to Val66Met in AN (one‐way ANOVA,P > 0.05). Harm avoidance scores on the Temperament and Character Inventory were lower in the Met66 allele carriers (P = 0.0074) contrary to the previous report. Thus we were unable to replicate the previous findings that the Met66 allele of the BDNF is associated with AN and that the minimum BMI is lower or the harm avoidance score is higher in AN patients with the Met66 allele. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Transition metal complexes of 1,2‐dihydroquinazolinone derivative, an emerging class of analgesic and anti‐inflammatory agents
Authors: Badiger Dayananda S. , Nidavani Ramesh B. , Hunoor Rekha S. , Patil Basavaraj R. , Vadavi Ramesh S. , Chandrashekhar V. M. , Muchchandi Iranna S. , Gudasi Kalagouda B.
Published: November 2011

A new 1,2‐dihydroquinazolinone, 2‐(2‐hydroxy‐phenyl)‐3‐[1‐(2‐oxo‐2H‐chromen‐3‐yl)‐ethylideneamino]‐2,3‐dihydro‐1H‐quinazolin‐4‐one (L) and its Mn(II), Co(II), Ni(II), Cu(II) and Zn(II) complexes have been prepared. These were characterized by elemental, spectral [UV–visible, IR, NMR (1H, 13C and 2D heteronuclear correlation) and mass], conductance, magnetic susceptibility and thermal studies. The physicochemical data indicate that the ligand behaves as tridentate with ONO donor sequence towards the metal ions, and trigonal bipyramidal geometry was assigned for complexes. The ligand and its metal complexes were evaluated for their in vivo anti‐inflammatory and analgesic activity. The tested compounds have shown excellent activity, which are almost equipotent to the standard used in the study. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The preparation and antimicrobial effect of AgZrP/nylon 6,10 fibers used as dental hygiene materials
Authors: Saengmee‐anupharb Sirikamon , Thaweboon Sroisiri , Amornsakchai Taweechai , Thaweboon Boonyanit , Dechkunakorn Surachai , Suddhasthira Theeralaksana , Srikhirin Toemsak
Published: December 2011

Silver zirconium phosphate (AgZrP) was incorporated into nylon 6,10 fibers by using a twin screw extruder to produce antimicrobial fibers. Monofilament fibers with various degrees of AgZrP loading were prepared by the melt‐spinning process. The surface concentration of AgZrP particles was found to be dependent on AgZrP loading. A poor interface between AgZrP and the polymeric matrix was observed, however, it did not affect the drawn process. The presence of AgZrP particles did not disturb the structure and slightly effected to the mechanical properties of the nylon fiber. The fiber with the highest draw ratio showed the highest degree of polymer chain orientation, a higher tensile strength and a higher modulus. The antimicrobial effect started when the silver ion concentration was high enough, The AgZrP fiber showed the highest antimicrobial effect on S. mutans, L. Casei, S. aureus, and C. albicans at 10, 15, 10, and 15%, respectively. The AgZrP fibers showed the significant antimicrobial effect on three strains of microorganisms except S. aureus. Antimicrobial activities of AgZrP were demonstrated and the results showed that AgZrP incorporated into the matrix of nylon 6,10 fibers can improve their antimicrobial property. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2012
Preparation and properties of polyaniline electrospun fiber web
Authors: Kang Tae Jin , Kim Dae Nyoun , Hong Kyung Hwa
Published: December 2011

The objective of this study is to fabricate the highly electrical conducting polymer fibers applicable to many conducting materials. Therefore, we tried to prepare polyaniline (PANI) thin fiber web by an electrospinning process by the following steps. First, PANI emeraldine base (EB) was prepared by oxidative polymerization. Second, the PANI EB was doped with 2‐acrylamido‐2‐methyl‐1‐propanesulfonic acid (AMPSA), and subsequently that was dissolved in trifluoroacetic acid (TFA). Third, the PANI‐AMPSA solution was electrospun by an electrospinning process. Consequently, the PANI doped with AMPSA was successfully electrospun into thin fiber form, and the electrical conductivity was superior. Also, the electrical conductivity of the PANI‐AMPSA electrospun was increased by a simple redoping process with AMPSA. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2012
Permanent fixation of β‐cyclodextrin on cotton surface—An assessment between innovative and established approaches
Authors: Agrawal P. B. , Warmoeskerken M. M. C. G.
Published: December 2011

Attachment of β‐cyclodextrin (β‐CD) molecules on cotton textile provides hosting cavities that can include a large variety of guest molecules for specific functionality. Five different new and existing techniques were evaluated for connecting β‐CD and its derivatives to cotton surface. A comparison has been made in terms of maximum attachment of β‐CD on cotton surface. Novel chemical based crosslinking with homo‐bi‐functional reactive dye (C.I. reactive black 5) and grafting with reactive monochlorotriazinyl‐β‐cyclodextrin show maximum attachment to cotton surface. Innovative, enzymatic coupling of especially synthesized 6‐monodeoxy‐6‐mono(N‐tyrosinyl)‐β‐cyclodextrin was performed on cotton textile surface. Enzymatic coupling was also carried out in a homogeneous system and attachment confirmed by UV–vis spectroscopy. This tyrosinase mediated coupling is low temperature and very specific technique. A phenolphthalein based analytical method was partially modified to reliably measure the amount of attached β‐CD on cotton surface. Atomic force microscopy and scanning electron microscopy techniques were used for surface characterization of the treated and untreated cotton surfaces. Alteration in surface topography has been observed for β‐CD treated samples. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2012
Effects of solid lubricants on friction and wear behaviors of polyamide 6
Authors: Du‐Xin Li , Wen‐Juan Li , Ying Xie , Xiang‐Xiang Li
Published: December 2011

As solid lubricants, Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), graphite, and ultra‐high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) can improve the tribological properties of PA6. The mechanical and the tribological properties of polyamide 6 (PA6) composites filled with solid lubricants were researched. The blended materials were injection molded to provide the test samples. Mechanical properties were studied in terms of the tensile strength and impact strength. Friction and wear experiments were run at a rotating speed of 1500 rpm and under loads of 40 and 160 N. The worn surfaces were examined using a scanning electron microscope. It was found that an improvement of tribological properties can be obtained by preparing PA6 composites, which was closely related to the varieties and the contents of solid lubricants added. At a load of 40 N, PTFE was the most effective to have reductions of both coefficient and mass wear rate, while at a load of 160 N, UHMWPE was the most helpful. The effects of Combination Solid Lubricants were also discussed. The results showed that synergistic reaction can be gained to modify the tribology capabilities of PA6. Moreover, the micrographs taken in the worn surface of PA6 composites revealed that adhesive wear, abrasive wear and fatigue wear occurred in this study. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2012
Timing of transition between capillaroscopic patterns in systemic sclerosis
Authors: Sulli Alberto , Pizzorni Carmen , Smith Vanessa , Zampogna Giuseppe , Ravera Francesca , Cutolo Maurizio
Published: December 2011

Objective

To investigate the timing of transition through different patterns of nailfold microvascular damage in patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc).

Methods

In this medium‐term longitudinal study, 38 SSc patients (median disease duration 12 months) with the early scleroderma pattern of microangiopathy seen on baseline nailfold videocapillaroscopy (NVC) were followed up by NVC for a median of 84 months. The evolution of the NVC pattern over time was monitored and recorded.

Results

At the end of followup, the NVC pattern was still that of early scleroderma in 47% of the patients. The active scleroderma pattern was seen in 34%, the late scleroderma pattern in 13%, and a normal pattern in 5%. The mean± SD time of progression from the early to the active pattern and from the early to the late pattern was of 28 ± 20 months and 36± 29 months, respectively. In the subgroup of patients whose microangiopathy progressed from the early to the late NVC pattern, the time of progression from the early to the active pattern was only 8± 1 months (P = 0.01), demonstrating that there is a subset of patients with rapid progression of microangiopathy. Clinical symptoms progressed in accordance with the nailfold morphologic changes in 60% of the SSc patients.

Conclusion

The results of this longitudinal study demonstrate dynamic transition of microvascular damage through different NVC patterns of microangiopathy in ∼50% of SSc patients. It is recommended that patients exhibiting rapid progression from the early to the active NVC pattern (<1 year) should be monitored closely, since the evidence suggests that they are at risk of rapid progression to the advanced (late) NVC pattern of microangiopathy that is associated with further clinical manifestations of SSc.
Baseline radiographic damage, elevated acute‐phase reactant levels, and cigarette smoking status predict spinal radiographic progression in early axial spondylarthritis
Authors: Poddubnyy Denis , Haibel Hildrun , Listing Joachim , Märker‐Hermann Elisabeth , Zeidler Henning , Braun Jürgen , Sieper Joachim , Rudwaleit Martin
Published: December 2011

Objective

To assess prospectively the rates and to explore predictors of spinal radiographic progression over 2 years in a cohort of patients with early axial spondylarthritis (SpA).

Methods

Two hundred ten patients with axial SpA from the German Spondyloarthritis Inception Cohort were selected for this analysis based on the availability of radiographs at baseline and after 2 years of followup. Spinal radiographs were scored by 2 trained readers in a blinded, randomly selected order according to the modified Stoke Ankylosing Spondylitis Spine Score (mSASSS). Spinal radiographic progression was defined as worsening of the mean mSASSS by ≥2 units over 2 years.

Results

Among the patients with axial SpA, 14.3% showed spinal radiographic progression after 2 years (20% of those with AS and 7.4% of those with nonradiographic axial SpA). The following parameters were independently associated with spinal radiographic progression: presence of syndesmophytes at baseline (odds ratio [OR] 6.29, P < 0.001), elevated levels of markers of systemic inflammation (for the erythrocyte sedimentation rate, OR 4.04, P = 0.001; for C‐reactive protein level time‐averaged over 2 years, OR 3.81, P = 0.001), and cigarette smoking (OR 2.75, P = 0.012). These associations were confirmed by multivariate logistic regression analysis. No clear association with spinal radiographic progression was observed for HLA–B27 status, sex, age, disease duration, Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Index, Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Functional Index, presence of peripheral arthritis, enthesitis, psoriasis, treatment with nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs, or treatment with disease‐modifying antirheumatic drugs at baseline.

Conclusion

The presence of radiographic damage at baseline (syndesmophytes), elevated levels of acute‐phase reactants, and cigarette smoking were all independently associated with spinal radiographic progression in patients with early axial SpA.
Metrologic properties of ultrasound versus clinical evaluation of synovitis in rheumatoid arthritis: Results of a multicenter, randomized study
Authors: Mandl P. , Balint P. V. , Brault Y. , Backhaus M. , D'Agostino M.‐A. , Grassi W. , van der Heijde D. , de Miguel E. , Wakefield R. J. , Logeart I. , Dougados M.
Published: December 2011

Objective

To evaluate the intraobserver reliability, face validity, and discriminant capacity of different global ultrasound (US) scoring systems for measuring synovitis in rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

Methods

This study was ancillary to a 52‐week, multicenter, prospective, randomized, open‐label, parallel‐group outpatient study conducted in patients with moderate RA who were randomized to receive either etanercept combined with methotrexate or various disease‐modifying antirheumatic drugs. A total of 66 different synovitis scoring systems were constructed and evaluated, including 11 different joint combinations; data derived from clinical findings, gray‐scale US, and power Doppler US (PDUS); and both binary counts and semiquantitative scores.

Results

Due to discontinuation of the trial, only 62 patients, a subset of the initially planned number of patients, were included in this study. Reliability was found to be better for gray‐scale US and PDUS than for clinical evaluation of synovitis in patients with stable disease between the screening and baseline visits (range for intraclass correlation coefficient 0.6, 0.95 for gray‐scale US and 0.56, 0.93 for PDUS versus 0.31, 0.75 for clinical indices). The median (range) difference in the discriminant capacities of clinical indices versus gray‐scale US and versus PDUS was 0.25 (−0.64, 0.96) and −0.025 (−0.59, 0.53), respectively, in the period from baseline to 12 weeks. No relevant differences in metrologic properties were observed regarding the number and composition of joints between the different scoring systems. Our findings suggested that a simplified scoring system referring to gray‐scale US and PDUS findings might be sufficient.

Conclusion

Our findings indicate that gray‐scale US and PDUS have better reliability than generally used clinical indices for evaluating synovitis in RA. PDUS has at least as good discriminant capacity as clinical assessment of synovitis for distinguishing between treatment arms.
Design concepts and strategies for tissue engineering scaffolds
Authors: Chung Sangwon , King Martin W.
Published: November 2011

In the emerging field of tissue engineering and regenerative medicine, new viable and functional tissue is fabricated from living cells cultured on an artificial matrix in a simulated biological environment. It is evident that the specific requirements for the three main components, cells, scaffold materials, and the culture environment, are very different, depending on the type of cells and the organ‐specific application. Identifying the variables within each of these components is a complex and challenging assignment, but there do exist general requirements for designing and fabricating tissue engineering scaffolds. Therefore, this review explores one of the three main components, namely, the key concepts, important parameters, and required characteristics related to the development and evaluation of tissue engineering scaffolds. An array of different design strategies will be discussed, which include mimicking the extra cellular matrix, responding to the need for mass transport, predicting the structural architecture, ensuring adequate initial mechanical integrity, modifying the surface chemistry and topography to provide cell signaling, and anticipating the material selection so as to predict the required rate of bioresorption. In addition, this review considers the major challenge of achieving adequate vascularization in tissue engineering constructs, without which no three‐dimensional thick tissue such as the heart, liver, and kidney can remain viable.
Single‐nucleotide polymorphism array coupled with multiple displacement amplification: Accuracy and spatial resolution for analysis of chromosome copy numbers in few cells
Authors: Ling Jiawei , Deng Yu , Long Xiaolin , Liu Jianqiao , Du Hongzi , Cao Baoqiang , Xu Kangpu
Published: November 2011

When coupled with multiple displacement amplification (MDA), microarray‐based comparative genomic intensity allows detection of chromosome copy number aberrations even in single or few cells, but the actual performance of the system and their influencing factors have not been well defined. Here, using single‐nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) array, we analyzed copy number profiles from DNA amplified by MDA in 1–10 cells and estimated the accuracy and spatial resolution of the analysis. Based on the concordance of SNP copy numbers for DNA with and without MDA, the accuracy of the system can be significantly enhanced by using MDA‐amplified DNA as reference and also by increasing the cell numbers. Analyses under different smoothing treatments revealed a practical resolution of 2 Mb for 10 cells and 10 Mb for a single cell. When both cells with known chromosomal duplication and deletion were analyzed, this platform detected a copy number “loss” more accurately than a “gain” (P < 0.01), particularly in single‐cell MDA products. Together, we demonstrated that SNP array coupled with MDA is reliable and efficient for detection of copy number aberrations in a small number of cells, and its accuracy and resolution can both be significantly enhanced with increasing the number of cells as MDA template.
Untersuchungen zum Feuchteverhalten und zur Porosität von thermisch modifiziertem Holz
Authors: Krackler Verena , Ammann Samuel , Camathias Ueli , Niemz Peter
Published: November 2011

An in Normalklima (20 °C, 65 % rel. LF) konditionierten Proben aus Fichten‐, Buchen‐ und Eschenholz wurde der Einfluss einer thermischen Behandlung (Stickstoffatmosphäre, 170 bis 180 °C) auf das Verhalten gegenüber Feuchteänderungen untersucht. In Anlehnung an DIN EN ISO 15148:2003‐03 bzw. DIN EN ISO 12572: 2001‐09 wurden die Sorptionsgeschwindigkeit, Wasserdampfdiffusionswiderstandszahl, der Wasseraufnahmekoeffizient und ergänzend mittels Quecksilberdruckporosimetrie der Porenanteil bestimmt. Infolge der thermischen Behandlung wurden die Rohdichten von Buche und Esche reduziert (bis –20 %) und die Gesamtporenvolumen erhöht (+3,2 % bzw. +23,4 %). Die thermisch behandelte Fichte hingegen weist zum Teil höhere Rohdichtewerte (+9 %) und damit eine Reduzierung des mittleren Porenanteils (–10 %) auf. Generell bewirkt das verwendete Modifizierungsverfahren eine Abnahme der Sorptionsgeschwindigkeit (bis –62 %) und des Wasseraufnahmekoeffizienten (bis –76 %) sowie eine Anhebung der Wasserdampfdiffusionswiderstandszahl (bis +574 %). Aus den gewonnenen Ergebnissen lässt sich ableiten, dass das Diffusions‐ und Sorptionsverhalten von thermisch vergütetem Holz weniger von der Änderung der Dichte und des Porenvolumenanteils, sondern mehr durch die Modifizierung hervorgerufene Hydrophobierung beeinflusst wird.

Investigation on moisture behaviour and porosity of thermally modified timber. The influence of thermal modification (nitrogen atmosphere, 170 to 180 °C) on the moisture behaviour of samples of spruce, beech and ash conditioned under standard climatic conditions (20 °C, 65 % relative humidity) was investigated. The sorption rate, water vapour resistance factor and water absorption coefficient were tested according to DIN EN ISO 15148: 2003‐03 and DIN EN ISO 12572:2001‐09. Further, the pore volume was determined using mercury porosimetry. As a consequence of the thermal treatment, the raw density of beech and ash was reduced (up to +20 %) and the total pore volume increased (+3.2 and +23.4 % respectively). The thermally modified spruce, in contrast, partially showed increased raw density values (+9 %) and thus a reduction of the pore portion (–10 %). Generally, treatment results in a decrease of the sorption rate (up to –62 %) and the water absorption coefficient (up to –76 %) as well as an increase of the water vapour resistance factor (up to +574 %). It can be derived from the determined results that the sorption and diffusion behaviour is not dependent on the increase (spruce) or the decrease (beech and ash) of the density and changes in pore volume portion involved, respectively. Primarily it is influenced by the hydrophobising of the thermal treatment.
Production and secretion of recombinant thaumatin in tobacco hairy root cultures
Authors: Pham Ngoc Bich , Schäfer Holger , Wink Michael
Published: November 2011

Production of recombinant proteins in plant cell or organ cultures and their secretion into the plant cell culture medium simplify the purification procedure and increase protein yield. In this study, the sweet‐tasting protein thaumatin I was expressed and successfully secreted from tobacco hairy root cultures. The presence of an ER signal peptide appears to be crucial for the secretion of thaumatin: without an ER signal peptide, no thaumatin was detectable in the spent medium, whereas inclusion of the ER signal peptide calreticulin fused to the N terminus of thaumatin led to the secretion of thaumatin into the spent medium of hairy root cultures at concentrations of up to 0.21 mg/L. Extracellular thaumatin levels reached a maximum after 30 days (stationary phase) and the subsequent decline was linked to the rapid increase of proteases in the medium. Significant amounts of thaumatin were trapped in the apoplastic space of the root cells. The addition of polyvinylpyrrolidone and sodium chloride into the culture medium led to an increase of extracellular thaumatin amounts up to 1.4 and 2.63 mg/L, respectively. Thaumatin production compares well with yields from other transgenic plants, so that tobacco hairy roots can be considered an alternative production platform of thaumatin.

See accompanying commentary by Eva Stoger DOI: 10.1002/biot.201100472