bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Teaching applications of the new computer‐aided modelling technologies in the recovery and diffusion of the industrial heritage
Authors: Suárez Javier , Rojas‐Sola José Ignacio , Rubio Ramón , Martín Santiago , Morán Samuel
Published: January 2009

This paper describes the technical development of a 3D computer simulation model as a reconstruction of a fulling mill. Details of the fulling mill and its operation are presented, and innovative technical developments to accurately convert existing data (technical drawings, CAD models, etc) into a 3D model are described. Preliminary evaluation of the usefulness of the model as an aid to support the undergraduate teaching module are also presented. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Comput Appl Eng Educ 17: 455–466, 2009; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com); DOI 10.1002/cae.20227
Relation between liver progenitor cell expansion and extracellular matrix deposition in a CDE-induced murine model of chronic liver injury #
Authors: Van Hul Noémi K. M. , Abarca-Quinones Jorge , Sempoux Christine , Horsmans Yves , Leclercq Isabelle A.
Published: January 2009

In chronic liver injury, liver progenitor cells (LPCs) proliferate in the periportal area, migrate inside the lobule, and undergo further differentiation. This process is associated with extracellular matrix (ECM) remodeling. We analyzed LPC expansion and matrix accumulation in a choline-deficient, ethionine-supplemented (CDE) model of LPC proliferation. After day 3, CDE induced collagen deposits in the periportal area. Expansion of LPCs as assessed by increased number of cytokeratin 19 (CK19)-positive cells was first observed at day 7, while ECM accumulated 10 times more than in controls. Thereafter, LPCs and ECM increased in parallel. Furthermore, ECM not only accumulates prior to the increase in number of LPCs, but is also found in front of LPCs along the porto-venous gradient of lobular invasion. Double immunostaining revealed that LPCs are embedded in ECM at all times. Moreover, LPCs infiltrating the liver parenchyma are chaperoned by α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA)–positive cells. Gene expression analyses confirmed these observations. The expression of CK19, α-fetoprotein, E-cadherin, and CD49f messenger RNA (mRNA), largely overexpressed by LPCs, significantly increased between day 7 and day 10. By contrast, at day 3 there was a rapid burst in the expression of components of the ECM, collagen I and laminin, as well as in α-SMA and connective tissue growth factor expression. Conclusion: Our data demonstrate that, in a CDE model, ECM deposition and activation of matrix-producing cells occurred as an initial phase, prior to LPC expansion, and in front of LPCs along the porto-veinous gradient of lobular invasion. Those observations may reveal a fundamental role for the established hepatic microenvironment or niche during the process of activation and differentiation of liver progenitor cells. (Hepatology 2009.)
Optimization and analysis of nickel adsorption on microwave irradiated rice husk using response surface methodology (RSM)
Authors: Pillai Magesh Ganesa , Regupathi I. , Kalavathy M. Helen , Murugesan T. , Miranda Lima Rose
Published: January 2009

BACKGROUND: The removal of heavy metals using adsorption techniques with low cost biosorbents is being extensively investigated. The improved adsorption is essentially due to the pores present in the adsorbent. One way of improving the porosity of the material is by irradiation of the precursor using microwaves. In the present study, the adsorption characteristics of nickel onto microwave‐irradiated rice husks were studied and the process variables were optimized through response surface methodology (RSM).

RESULT: The adsorption of nickel onto microwave‐irradiated rice husk (MIRH) was found to be better than that of the raw rice husk (RRH). The kinetics of the adsorption of Ni(II) from aqueous solution onto MIRH was found to follow a pseudo‐second‐order model. Thermodynamic parameters such as standard Gibbs free energy (ΔG°), standard enthalpy (ΔH°), and standard entropy (ΔS°) were also evaluated. The thermodynamics of Ni(II) adsorption onto MIRH indicates that it is spontaneous and endothermic in nature. The response surface methodology (RSM) was employed to optimize the design parameters for the present process.

CONCLUSION: Microwave‐irradiated rice husk was found to be a suitable adsorbent for the removal of nickel(II) ions from aqueous solutions. The adsorption capacity of the rice husk was found to be 1.17 mg g−1. The optimized parameters for the current process were found as follows: adsorbent loading 2.8 g (100 mL)−1; Initial adsorbate concentration 6 mg L−1; adsorption time 210 min.; and adsorption temperature 35 °C. Copyright © 2008 Society of Chemical Industry
Factors affecting the acquisition and transfer of novel attribute relationships to new product categories
Authors: Shapiro Stewart , Spence Mark T. , Gregan‐Paxton Jennifer
Published: January 2009

This article investigates two factors posited to affect consumers' ability to learn a novel attribute relationship (e.g., “no pesticides → USDA organic symbol”) and apply this recently acquired knowledge when making judgments in a new product category. The first factor concerns the nature of the attribute encoding process and, in particular, whether it allows for comparison of examples. The second factor focuses on the relationship between the learning and transfer domains, and examines the influence of perceptual similarity (manipulated two ways: similarity in the elements comprising the attribute relationships, and similarity between the base and target domains) on the transfer process. Study 1 revealed a significant improvement in inter‐domain transfer when a relationship was learned in a multiple‐domain/multiple‐attribute learning environment over a single‐domain/single‐attribute environment. When attribute and domain diversity were examined separately (Study 2), it was found that attribute, but not domain, diversity produced the greatest improvements in transfer. Study 3 showed that the benefits of adding a perceptual similarity cue were most apparent when the transfer conditions were neither too easy (within domain and within attribute) nor too difficult (inter‐domain and inter‐attribute). © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Pharmaceutical metabolite profiling using quadrupole/ion mobility spectrometry/time‐of‐flight mass spectrometry
Authors: Chan Eric C. Y. , New Lee Sun , Yap Chun Wei , Goh Lin Tang
Published: January 2009

The use of hybrid quadrupole ion mobility spectrometry time‐of‐flight mass spectrometry (Q/IMS/TOFMS) in the metabolite profiling of leflunomide (LEF) and acetaminophen (APAP) is presented. The IMS drift times (Td) of the drugs and their metabolites were determined in the IMS/TOFMS experiments and correlated with their exact monoisotopic masses and other in silico generated structural properties, such as connolly molecular area (CMA), connolly solvent‐excluded volume (CSEV), principal moments of inertia along the X, Y and Z Cartesian coordinates (MI‐X, MI‐Y and MI‐Z), inverse mobility and collision cross‐section (CCS). The correlation of Td with these parameters is presented and discussed. IMS/TOF tandem mass spectrometry experiments (MS2 and MS3) were successfully performed on the N‐acetyl‐p‐benzoquinoneimine glutathione (NAPQI‐GSH) adduct derived from the in vitro microsomal metabolism of APAP. As comparison, similar experiments were also performed using hybrid triple quadrupole linear ion trap mass spectrometry (QTRAPMS) and quadrupole time‐of‐flight mass spectrometry (QTOFMS). The abilities to resolve the product ions of the metabolite within the drift tube and fragment the ion mobility resolved product ions in the transfer travelling wave‐enabled stacked ring ion guide (TWIG) demonstrated the potential applicability of the Q/IMS/TOFMS technique in pharmaceutical metabolite profiling. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Osteoid Osteoma of the Scaphoid Presenting with Radiocarpal Arthritis: A Case Report
Authors: Katolik Leonid I.
Published: January 2009

A case of osteoid osteoma of the scaphoid presenting as painful monoarticular arthritis is presented. Degenerative arthritis, associated with osteoid osteoma of the carpus, has not been described. The implications for treatment are discussed.
Assessing the impact of England's National Health Service R&D Health Technology Assessment program using the “payback” approach
Authors: Raftery James , Hanney Stephen , Green Colin , Buxton Martin
Published: January 2009

Objectives:This study assesses the impact of the English National Health Service (NHS) Health Technology Assessment (HTA) program using the “payback” framework.

Methods:A survey of lead investigators of all research projects funded by the HTA program 1993–2003 supplemented by more detailed case studies of sixteen projects.

Results:Of 204 eligible projects, replies were received from 133 or 65 percent. The mean number of peer-reviewed publications per project was 2.9. Seventy-three percent of projects claimed to have had had an impact on policy and 42 percent on behavior. Technology Assessment Reports for the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) had fewer than average publications but greater impact on policy. Half of all projects went on to secure further funding. The case studies confirmed the survey findings and indicated factors associated with impact.

Conclusions:The HTA program performed relatively well in terms of “payback.” Facilitating factors included the program's emphasis on topics that matter to the NHS, rigorous methods and the existence of “policy customers” such as NICE.
Use of surrogate outcomes in cost-effectiveness models: A review of United Kingdom health technology assessment reports
Authors: Elston Julian , Taylor Rod S.
Published: January 2009

Objectives:The aim of this study was to explore the use of surrogate outcomes—a substitute outcome that predicts final patient-related outcomes—in cost-effectiveness models (CEM) within health technology assessment (HTA) reports and provide guidance for their future use.

Methods:Our sampling frame was all UK HTA Program monograph series reports published in 2005 and 2006. Reports were included if they addressed a treatment effectiveness/efficacy question and included a CEM based on a surrogate outcome. The two authors independently applied inclusion and exclusion criteria, and the following data was extracted from included reports: source of surrogate outcome, level of evidence for validation of the surrogate outcomes, methods used in report to quantify link between surrogate outcome and final outcome, and consideration of the uncertainty associated with using surrogate outcomes in the results or conclusions of report.

Results:Of 100 HTA reports, 35 complied with the inclusion criteria. Of these, four (11 percent) reports included a CEM based on a surrogate outcome. All four reports sourced treatment-related changes in surrogate outcome through a systematic review of the literature. One provided Level 1 surrogate evidence (randomized controlled trial data showing a strong association between the change in surrogate outcome and change final outcome); two reported Level 2 evidence (observational study data); and one provided Level 3 evidence (disease natural/ history data). The transparency of quantification and exploration of uncertainty of the surrogate and final outcome relationship varied considerably across all four reports.

Conclusions:Recommendations are made for the use of surrogate outcomes in future HTA reports.
Pegylated and non-pegylated interferon-alfa and ribavirin for the treatment of mild chronic hepatitis C: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Hartwell Debbie , Shepherd Jonathan
Published: January 2009

Objectives:Traditionally, patients with chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection have not received treatment until their infection reaches the moderate to severe stage. The aim of this systematic review was to assess the clinical effectiveness of pegylated (PEG) and non-pegylated interferon (IFN) alfa and ribavirin (RBV) for the treatment of adults with histologically mild HCV.

Methods:We performed a sensitive search of fourteen electronic bibliographic databases for literature that met criteria defined in a research protocol. Two reviewers independently selected studies, extracted data and assessed methodological quality.

Results:Ten randomized, controlled trials (RCTs) were included. Treatment with PEG + RBV combination therapy resulted in significantly higher sustained virological response (SVR) rates than treatment with IFN + RBV combination therapy. Treatment for 48 weeks with PEG + RBV was significantly more effective than the same treatment for 24 weeks. Significantly higher SVR rates were seen with IFN + RBV compared with either IFN monotherapy or no treatment. In the meta-analysis (four IFN trials), the relative risk of not experiencing an SVR was 0.59 (95 percent CI, 0.51 – 0.69) and was statistically significant (p< .00001). SVRs were higher for patients with genotype non-1 compared with genotype 1 for both PEG + RBV and IFN + RBV treatments.

Conclusions:Patients with histologically mild HCV can be successfully treated with both PEG and IFN combination therapy, and response rates are broadly comparable with those achieved in patients with advanced disease. Treating patients in the early milder stages of HCV is, therefore, a clinically effective option.
Constructive Technology Assessment (CTA) as a tool in Coverage with Evidence Development: The case of the 70-gene prognosis signature for breast cancer diagnostics
Authors: Retèl Valesca P. , Bueno-de-Mesquita Jolien M. , Hummel Marjan J. M. , van de Vijver Marc J. , Douma Kirsten F. L. , Karsenberg Kim , van Dam Frits S. A. M. , van Krimpen Cees , Bellot Frank E. , Roumen Rudi M. H. , Linn Sabine C. , van Harten Wim H.
Published: January 2009

Objectives:Constructive Technology Assessment (CTA) is a means to guide early implementation of new developments in society, and can be used as an evaluation tool for Coverage with Evidence Development (CED). We used CTA for the introduction of a new diagnostic test in the Netherlands, the 70-gene prognosis signature (MammaPrint®) for node-negative breast cancer patients.

Methods:Studied aspects were (organizational) efficiency, patient-centeredness and diffusion scenarios. Pre-post structured surveys were conducted in fifteen community hospitals concerning changes in logistics and teamwork as a consequence of the introduction of the 70-gene signature. Patient-centeredness was measured by questionnaires and interviews regarding knowledge and psychological impact of the test. Diffusion scenarios, which are commonly applied in industry to anticipate on future development and diffusion of their products, have been applied in this study.

Results:Median implementation-time of the 70-gene signature was 1.2 months. Most changes were seen in pathology processes and adjuvant treatment decisions. Physicians valued the addition of the 70-gene signature information as beneficial for patient management. Patient-centeredness (n= 77, response 78 percent): patients receiving a concordant high-risk and discordant clinical low/high risk-signature showed significantly more negative emotions with respect to receiving both test-results compared with concordant low-risk and discordant clinical high/low risk-signature patients. The first scenario was written in 2004 before the introduction of the 70-gene signature and identified hypothetical developments that could influence diffusion; especially the “what-if” deviation describing a discussion on validity among physicians proved to be realistic.

Conclusions:Differences in speed of implementation and influenced treatment decisions were seen. Impact on patients seems especially related to discordance and its successive communication. In the future, scenario drafting will lead to input for model-based cost-effectiveness analysis. Finally, CTA can be useful as a tool to guide CED by adding monitoring and anticipation on possible developments during early implementation, to the assessment of promising new technologies.
Confronting Carmen beyond the Pyrenees: Bizet’s opera in Madrid, 1887–1888
Authors: KERTESZ ELIZABETH , CHRISTOFORIDIS MICHAEL
Published: January 2009

Bizet’s Carmen entered Spain’s cultural consciousness when it was first staged in Madrid in the 1887–8 season. A public battle for the performance rights in the autumn of 1887 led to competing productions at major theatres: the first in a new Spanish translation at the Teatro de la Zarzuela, and the second in the fully-sung Italian version at the Teatro Real. This article explores the Spanish encounter with Carmen during this season, from the political machinations of the lawsuit, to the opening nights and the extended critical debates that greeted the two premières. The Spanish adaptation is compared with the original French version and mapped against the native musico-theatrical tradition of the zarzuela, which had long purveyed constructions of ‘Spanishness’ for local consumption. Contemporary debates about national identity and its theatrical and musical representations underscore the varied critical responses to Carmen, which was embraced by Madrid opera audiences.
Do pool surface area and depth control CO2 and CH4 fluxes from an ombrotrophic raised bog, James Bay, Canada?
Authors: McEnroe N. A. , Roulet N. T. , Moore T. R. , Garneau M.
Published: January 2009

The relationship between the exchange of CO2 and CH4 and the surface area and depth of 16 pools on a northern peatland was investigated over 2 years. Differences in carbon gas emissions were found, with small, shallow pools (<1000 m2, <0.45 m) having consistently larger CO2 and CH4 fluxes of 0.35 ± 0.47 g C m−2 d−1 and 0.31 ± 0.69 g C m−2 d−1, respectively. Average CH4 fluxes decreased with increasing pool depth and were between 1 and 5 times larger from shallow pools (0.3 m, p < 0.001) than from deeper pools (0.7 m). Average CO2 fluxes also generally decreased with increasing pool depth and were between 1 and 4 times larger from shallower pools (0.3 m, 0.45 m, p < 0.004) than from deeper pools (0.75 m). Average pool C‐CO2 losses in 2005 were approximately 3 to 30 times lower (0.11 g C m−2) than dark respiration CO2 losses from the adjacent vegetated section of the peatland. All pools, regardless of size, were atmospheric sources of CO2 and CH4 over the sampling period at an average emission ratio of 1C‐CO2:1.5C‐CH4, with total carbon losses of 20.1 g C m−2 and 29.6 g C m−2 over 2004 and 2005. Consistently larger fluxes to atmosphere of both CO2 and CH4 from shallow pools (<0.45 m) suggest that enhanced decomposition could be occurring, accounting for the differences in carbon gas exchange.
P‐V‐T relations of MgSiO3 perovskite determined by in situ X‐ray diffraction using a large‐volume high‐pressure apparatus
Authors: Katsura Tomoo , Yokoshi Sho , Kawabe Kazuaki , Shatskiy Anton , Manthilake M. A. Geeth M. , Zhai Shuangmeng , Fukui Hiroshi , Hegoda H. A. Chamathni I. , Yoshino Takashi , Yamazaki Daisuke , Matsuzaki Takuya , Yoneda Akira , Ito Eiji , Sugita Mitsuhiro , Tomioka Naotaka , Hagiya Kenji , Nozawa Akifumi , Funakoshi Ken‐ichi
Published: January 2009

The volume of MgSiO3 perovskite has been precisely measured at pressures of 19 to 53 GPa and temperatures of 300 to 2300 K by means of in situ X‐ray diffraction in a multi‐anvil apparatus. The present results indicate the isothermal bulk modulus KT0 = 256(2) GPa and its pressure derivative K′T0 = 3.8(2). The fixed Debye temperature θ0 = 1030 K gives a Grüneisen parameter at ambient pressure γ0 = 2.6(1) and its logarithmic volume dependence q = 1.7(1). The pressure derivative of the isothermal bulk modulus, Anderson‐Grüneisen parameter and thermal expansion coefficient at ambient pressure are found to be (∂KT/∂T)P = −0.035(2) GPa/K, δT = 6.5(5), α0 = 2.6(1) × 10−5 + 1.0(1) × 10−8 (T − 300)/K. Thus the thermal expansion coefficient largely becomes smaller with increasing pressure. The adiabatic geotherm would be fairly large, such as 0.41 K/km at a 660 km depth, and becoming smaller with increasing depth. The temperature and adiabatic geothermal gradient at the bottom of the D′ layer would be 2400 K and 0.14 K/km. The buoyancy‐driven mantle convection could be very small in the lower part of the lower mantle.
Ionospheric storms on Mars: Impact of the corotating interaction region
Authors: Dubinin E. , Fraenz M. , Woch J. , Duru F. , Gurnett D. , Modolo R. , Barabash S. , Lundin R.
Published: January 2009

Measurements made by the ASPERA‐3 and MARSIS experiments on Mars Express have shown, for the first time, that space weather effects related to the impact of a dense and high pressure solar wind (corotating interaction region) on Mars cause strong perturbations in the martian induced magnetosphere and ionosphere. The magnetic barrier formed by pile‐up of the draped interplanetary magnetic field ceases to be a shield for the incoming solar wind. Large blobs of solar wind plasma penetrate to the magnetosphere and sweep out dense plasma from the ionosphere. The topside martian ionosphere becomes very fragmented consisting of intermittent cold/low energy and energized plasmas. The scavenging effect caused by the intrusions of solar wind plasma clouds enhances significantly (by a factor of ≥10) the losses of volatile material from Mars.
Effects observed in the ionospheric F region in the east Asian sector during the intense geomagnetic disturbances in the early part of November 2004
Authors: Sahai Y. , Becker‐Guedes F. , Fagundes P. R. , de Jesus R. , de Abreu A. J. , Otsuka Y. , Shiokawa K. , Igarashi K. , Yumoto K. , Huang C.‐S. , Lan H. T. , Saito A. , Guarnieri F. L. , Pillat V. G. , Bittencourt J. A.
Published: January 2009

The Sun was very active in the early part of November 2004. During the period of 8–10 November 2004, intense geomagnetic disturbances with two superstorms were observed. In a companion paper (hereinafter referred to as paper 1), the effects observed in the F region during the intense geomagnetic disturbances in the early part of November 2004 in the Latin American sector were presented. In the present paper, we investigate the effects observed in the F region during the intense geomagnetic disturbances in the early part of November 2004 in the east Asian sector. We have used the ionospheric sounding observations at Ho Chi Minh City (Vietnam) and Okinawa, Yamagawa, Kokubunji, and Wakkanai (Japan) in the present investigations. Also, GPS observations in the east Asian sector (several longitude zones) have been used to study the effect in the F region during the intense geomagnetic disturbances. The ion density versus latitudinal variations obtained by the DMSP F15 satellite orbiting at about 800 km altitude in the east Asian sector and the magnetic field data obtained at several stations in the Japanese meridian are also presented. Several important features from these observations in both the sectors during this extended period of intense geomagnetic disturbances are presented. The east Asian sector showed very pronounced effects during the second superstorm, which was preceded by two storm enhancements. It should be mentioned that around the beginning of the night on 10 November, ionospheric irregularities propagating from higher midlatitude region to low‐latitude region were observed in the Japanese sector. The most intense geomagnetic field H component in that sector was observed on 10 November at L = 2.8, indicating that the auroral oval and the heating got further to low latitudes and the ionospheric irregularities observed in the Japanese sector on this night are midlatitude ionospheric disturbances associated with the second superstorm. The absence of ionospheric irregularities in the Japanese sector during the 8 November superstorm suggests that the magnetosphere‐ionosphere system was possibly preconditioned (primed) when the second interplanetary structure impacted the magnetosphere.
Pressure unites two regimes of fluid breakup
Authors: Miller Johanna
Published: January 2009

Bubbles of xenon near the gas’s critical point are so dense that they behave like drops of water, not bubbles of air.
DOE invites partners in green technology
Authors: Kramer David
Published: January 2009

“Entrepreneurs-in-residence” aim to spin off labs’ energy technologies.
Cryo-electron tomography of mouse hepatitis virus: Insights into the structure of the coronavirion
Authors: Bárcena Montserrat , Oostergetel Gert T. , Bartelink Willem , Faas Frank G. A. , Verkleij Arie , Rottier Peter J. M. , Koster Abraham J. , Bosch Berend Jan
Published: January 2009

Coronaviruses are enveloped viruses containing the largest reported RNA genomes. As a result of their pleomorphic nature, our structural insight into the coronavirion is still rudimentary, and it is based mainly on 2D electron microscopy. Here we report the 3D virion structure of coronaviruses obtained by cryo-electron tomography. Our study focused primarily on the coronavirus prototype murine hepatitis virus (MHV). MHV particles have a distinctly spherical shape and a relatively homogenous size (≈85 nm envelope diameter). The viral envelope exhibits an unusual thickness (7.8 ± 0.7 nm), almost twice that of a typical biological membrane. Focal pairs revealed the existence of an extra internal layer, most likely formed by the C-terminal domains of the major envelope protein M. In the interior of the particles, coiled structures and tubular shapes are observed, consistent with a helical nucleocapsid model. Our reconstructions provide no evidence of a shelled core. Instead, the ribonucleoprotein seems to be extensively folded onto itself, assuming a compact structure that tends to closely follow the envelope at a distance of ≈4 nm. Focal contact points and thread-like densities connecting the envelope and the ribonucleoprotein are revealed in the tomograms. Transmissible gastroenteritis coronavirion tomograms confirm all the general features and global architecture observed for MHV. We propose a general model for the structure of the coronavirion in which our own and published observations are combined.
An overlooked pink species of land iguana in the Galápagos
Authors: Gentile Gabriele , Fabiani Anna , Marquez Cruz , Snell Howard L. , Snell Heidi M. , Tapia Washington , Sbordoni Valerio
Published: January 2009

Despite the attention given to them, the Galápagos have not yet finished offering evolutionary novelties. When Darwin visited the Galápagos, he observed both marine (
Amblyrhynchus
) and land (
Conolophus
) iguanas but did not encounter a rare pink black-striped land iguana (herein referred to as “rosada,” meaning “pink” in Spanish), which, surprisingly, remained unseen until 1986. Here, we show that substantial genetic isolation exists between the rosada and syntopic yellow forms and that the rosada is basal to extant taxonomically recognized Galápagos land iguanas. The rosada, whose present distribution is a conundrum, is a relict lineage whose origin dates back to a period when at least some of the present-day islands had not yet formed. So far, this species is the only evidence of ancient diversification along the Galápagos land iguana lineage and documents one of the oldest events of divergence ever recorded in the Galápagos. Conservation efforts are needed to prevent this form, identified by us as a good species, from extinction.
Tyrosine phosphorylation of the BRI1 receptor kinase emerges as a component of brassinosteroid signaling in
Arabidopsis
Authors: Oh Man-Ho , Wang Xiaofeng , Kota Uma , Goshe Michael B. , Clouse Steven D. , Huber Steven C.
Published: January 2009

Brassinosteroids (BRs) are essential growth-promoting hormones that regulate many aspects of plant growth and development. Two leucine-rich repeat receptor-like kinases (LRR-RLKs) are involved in BR perception and signal transduction: brassinosteroid insensitive 1 (BRI1), which is the BR receptor, and its coreceptor BRI1-associated kinase 1 (BAK1). Both proteins are classified as serine/threonine protein kinases, but here we report that recombinant cytoplasmic domains of BRI1 and BAK1 also autophosphorylate on tyrosine residues and thus are dual-specificity kinases. With BRI1, Tyr-831 and Tyr-956 are identified as autophosphorylation sites in vitro and in vivo. Interestingly, Tyr-956 in kinase subdomain V is essential for activity, because the Y956F mutant is catalytically inactive and thus this site cannot be simply manipulated by mutagenesis. In contrast, Tyr-831 in the juxtamembrane domain is not essential for kinase activity but plays an important role in BR signaling in vivo, because expression of BRI1(Y831F)-Flag in transgenic
bri1–5
plants results in plants with larger leaves (but altered leaf shape) and early flowering relative to plants expressing wild-type BRI1-Flag. Acidic substitutions of Tyr-831 restored normal leaf size (but not shape) and normal flowering time. This is an example where a specific tyrosine residue has been shown to play an important role in vivo in plant receptor kinase function. Interestingly, 6 additional LRR-RLKs (of the 23 tested) were also found to autophosphorylate on tyrosine in addition to serine and threonine, suggesting that tyrosine signaling should be considered with other plant receptor kinases as well.
Scaling and self-organized criticality in proteins II
Authors: Phillips J. C.
Published: January 2009

The complexity of proteins is substantially simplified by regarding them as archetypical examples of self-organized criticality (SOC). To test this idea and to elaborate it, this article applies the Moret–Zebende (MZ) SOC hydrophobicity scale to transport repeat proteins of the HEAT superfamily, importin β, and transportin, as well as the export protein Cse1p, and their ubiquitous cargo manager Ran. The difference between the MZ scale and conventional hydrophobicity scales reflects long-range conformational forces that are central to protein functionality. These compete with long-range Coulomb forces associated with cationic and anionic side chains in a revealing way.
Lamin A/C–mediated neuromuscular junction defects in Emery-Dreifuss muscular dystrophy
Authors: Méjat Alexandre , Decostre Valérie , Li Juan , Renou Laure , Kesari Akanchha , Hantaï Daniel , Stewart Colin L. , Xiao Xiao , Hoffman Eric , Bonne Gisèle , Misteli Tom
Published: January 2009

The LMNA gene encodes lamins A and C, two intermediate filament-type proteins that are important determinants of interphase nuclear architecture. Mutations in LMNA lead to a wide spectrum of human diseases including autosomal dominant Emery-Dreifuss muscular dystrophy (AD-EDMD), which affects skeletal and cardiac muscle. The cellular mechanisms by which mutations in LMNA cause disease have been elusive. Here, we demonstrate that defects in neuromuscular junctions (NMJs) are part of the disease mechanism in AD-EDMD. Two AD-EDMD mouse models show innervation defects including misexpression of electrical activity–dependent genes and altered epigenetic chromatin modifications. Synaptic nuclei are not properly recruited to the NMJ because of mislocalization of nuclear envelope components. AD-EDMD patients with LMNA mutations show the same cellular defects as the AD-EDMD mouse models. These results suggest that lamin A/C–mediated NMJ defects contribute to the AD-EDMD disease phenotype and provide insights into the cellular and molecular mechanisms for the muscle-specific phenotype of AD-EDMD.
Down-regulation of CYLD expression by Snail promotes tumor progression in malignant melanoma
Authors: Massoumi Ramin , Kuphal Silke , Hellerbrand Claus , Haas Bodo , Wild Peter , Spruss Thilo , Pfeifer Alexander , Fässler Reinhard , Bosserhoff Anja K.
Published: January 2009

High malignancy and early metastasis are hallmarks of melanoma. Here, we report that the transcription factor Snail1 inhibits expression of the tumor suppressor CYLD in melanoma. As a direct consequence of CYLD repression, the protooncogene BCL-3 translocates into the nucleus and activates Cyclin D1 and N-cadherin promoters, resulting in proliferation and invasion of melanoma cells. Rescue of CYLD expression in melanoma cells reduced proliferation and invasion in vitro and tumor growth and metastasis in vivo. Analysis of a tissue microarray with primary melanomas from patients revealed an inverse correlation of Snail1 induction and loss of CYLD expression. Importantly, tumor thickness and progression-free and overall survival inversely correlated with CYLD expression. Our data suggest that Snail1-mediated suppression of CYLD plays a key role in melanoma malignancy.
Delayed Effect of Acupuncture Treatment in OA of the Knee: A Blinded, Randomized, Controlled Trial
Authors: Miller Ehud , Maimon Yair , Rosenblatt Yishai , Mendler Anat , Hasner Avi , Barad Adi , Amir Hagay , Dekel Shmuel , Lev-Ari Shahar
Published: January 2009

To assess the efficacy in providing improved function and pain relief by administering 8 weeks of acupuncture as adjunctive therapy to standard care in elderly patients with OA of the knee. This randomized, controlled, blinded trial was conducted on 55 patients with OA of the knee. Forty‐one patients completed the study (26 females, 15 males, mean age ± SD 71.7 ± 8.6 years). Patients were randomly divided into an intervention group that received biweekly acupuncture treatment (n = 28) and a control group that received sham acupuncture (n = 27), both in addition to standard therapy, for example, NSAIDS, cyclooxygenase‐2 inhibitors, acetaminophen, intra‐articular hyaluronic acid and steroid injections. Primary outcomes measures were changes in the Knee Society Score (KSS) knee score and in KSS function and pain ratings at therapy onset, at 8 weeks (closure of study) and at 12 weeks (1 month after last treatment). Secondary outcomes were patient satisfaction and validity of sham acupuncture. There was significant improvement in all three scores in both groups after 8 and 12 weeks compared with baseline (P < .05). Significant differences between the intervention and control groups in the KSS knee score (P = .036) was apparent only after 12 weeks. Patient satisfaction was higher in the intervention group. Adjunctive acupuncture treatment seems to provide added improvement to standard care in elderly patients with OA of the knee. Future research should determine the optimal duration of acupuncture treatment in the context of OA.
Including dispersion interactions in the ONETEP program for linear-scaling density functional theory calculations
Authors: Hill Quintin , Skylaris Chris-Kriton
Published: January 2009

While density functional theory (DFT) allows accurate quantum mechanical simulations from first principles in molecules and solids, commonly used exchange-correlation density functionals provide a very incomplete description of dispersion interactions. One way to include such interactions is to augment the DFT energy expression by damped London energy expressions. Several variants of this have been developed for this task, which we discuss and compare in this paper. We have implemented these schemes in the ONETEP program, which is capable of DFT calculations with computational cost that increases linearly with the number of atoms. We have optimized all the parameters involved in our implementation of the dispersion correction, with the aim of simulating biomolecular systems. Our tests show that in cases where dispersion interactions are important this approach produces binding energies and molecular structures of a quality comparable with high-level wavefunction-based approaches.
A canonical promoter organization of the transcription machinery and its regulators in the Saccharomyces genome
Authors: Venters Bryan J. , Pugh B. Franklin
Published: January 2009

The predominant organizational theme by which the transcription machinery and chromatin regulators are positioned within promoter regions or throughout genes in a genome is largely unknown. We mapped the genomic location of diverse representative components of the gene regulatory machinery in Saccharomyces cerevisiae to an experimental resolution of <40 bp. Sequence-specific gene regulators, chromatin regulators, mediator, and RNA polymerase (Pol) II were found primarily near the downstream border from the “−1” nucleosome, which abuts against the ∼140-bp nucleosome-free promoter region (NFR). General transcription factors TFIIA, -B, -D, -E, -F, -H were located near the downstream edge from the NFR. The −1 nucleosome dissociated upon Pol II recruitment, but not upon recruitment of only TBP and TFIIB. The position of many sequence-specific regulators in promoter regions correlated with the position of specific remodeling complexes, potentially reflecting functional interactions. Taken together the findings suggest that the combined action of activators and chromatin remodeling complexes remove the −1 nucleosome after the preinitiation complex (PIC) has partially assembled, but before or concomitant with Pol II recruitment. We find PIC assembly, which includes Pol II recruitment, to be a significant rate-limiting step during transcription, but that additional gene-specific rate-limiting steps associated with Pol II occur after recruitment.
Stoichiometry Control and Phase Selection in Hydrothermally Derived BaxSr1–xTiO3 Powders
Authors: Roeder Ryan K. , Slamovich Elliott B.
Published: January 2009

BaxSr1‐xTiO3 (BST) powders were processed at temperatures <100°C by reacting nanosized TiO2 powders in alkaline, aqueous solutions of BaCl2, SrCl2, and NaOH. The effects of processing variables (NaOH concentration, time, temperature, and the ratios of barium, strontium, and titanium initially in solution) on the resultant BST powder stoichiometry and solid solubility were examined. In all cases, strontium was more readily incorporated into the BST powders than barium, and the extent varied systematically with the processing variables. BST powders that were processed in solutions with a large initial excess of barium and strontium, relative to titanium, consisted of a single‐phase solid solution. In contrast, BST powders that were processed in solutions with a small initial excess of barium and strontium, relative to titanium, contained a biphasic solid solution which corresponded to separate barium‐rich and strontium‐rich phases.
Geometrical Origin and Theory of Negative Thermal Expansion in Framework Structures
Authors: Heine Volker , Welche Patrick R. L. , Dove Martin T.
Published: January 2009

By framework structures are meant materials consisting of relatively stiff units such as octahedra or tetrahedra, joined by shared oxygen (or other) atoms at the corners. Examples are ZrW2O8 and many aluminosilicates. Rigid rotation of the units often gives a reduction of the volume or of some lattice constant as a purely geometrical effect. The theory of this effect is developed and shown to give a negative contribution to the thermal expansion coefficient. This is in addition to the usual positive contribution from anharmonicity of the interatomic forces. The negative effect varies through the phonon spectrum, being strongest for low frequencies, but the sign of the temperature coefficient may be reversed above a soft mode phase transition.
Thermodynamic Modeling of the Miscibility Gaps and the Metastable Liquidi in the MgO‐SiO2, CaO‐SiO2, and SrO‐SiO2 Systems
Authors: Kim Sung S. , Sanders Thomas H.
Published: January 2009

A range of compositions and temperatures below the monotectic temperature exists where there are thermodynamic restrictions that prevent the equilibrium solid from forming directly from the undercooled homogeneous liquid. In this region, the solid can form only after liquid‐liquid phase separation has occurred. As suggested by earlier research, the thermodynamic restrictions on the crystallization process may be useful to control the crystallized grain structure in glass‐ceramic systems. Thus, understanding the thermodynamic limitations on the formation of the solid in monotectic systems could have commercial significance. In the present paper, the metastable liquidus boundaries, liquid miscibility gaps, and spinodal curves in binary MgO‐SiO2, CaO‐SiO2, and SrO‐SiO2 systems are calculated by using analytical expressions for the Gibbs free energies of the liquid phases. Calculating the metastable liquidus rather than using a simple extrapolation as originally proposed in the aforementioned previous research provides greater control of the heat‐treatment processes and, thus, greater control over the resulting microstructure.
Nanometer‐Scale Variations in Interface Potential by Scanning Probe Microscopy
Authors: Huey Bryan D. , Lisjak Darja , Bonnell Dawn A.
Published: January 2009

The local electrical potential at individual grain boundaries and the potential distributions across polycrystalline samples have been measured by using scanning surface potential imaging with an atomic force microscope. Individual grain boundaries are isolated for measurement by micropatterning an array of contacts onto the surface of a ZnO‐based varistor material. Quantification of the voltage dependence of the local voltage decrease and resistivity is illustrated. Comparisons are made by using optical and electron microscopy and spectroscopy. On a larger scale, potential distributions are mapped in a polycrystalline ZnO‐NiO system that exhibits positive temperature coefficient of resistivity behavior.
Cordierite‐Based Dielectric Thick Films on an Oxidized Copper Layer: Microstructural Evidence of Copper Diffusion
Authors: Cho Yong S. , Hoelzer David T. , Schulze Walter A. , Amarakoon Vasantha R. W.
Published: January 2009

Cordierite‐based dielectric thick films deposited by screen‐printing on a Cu2O‐Cu‐96% alumina substrate were investigated with regard to microstructural characteristics, densification, and crystallization. Compared to direct deposition of the cordierite layer on metal Cu, the use of the Cu2O layer as a diffusion barrier caused the cordierite thick film to become more stable without any significant interaction layer at the film interface after firing at 920°C for 30 min in a N2 atmosphere. On the other hand, microstructural observation of the cordierite thick films on the Cu2O revealed some evidence of Cu diffusion into the cordierite thick films, i.e., incorporation of Cu into the cordierite and remaining glass, and as Cu precipitates. Additionally, the diffused Cu was found to significantly affect densification and crystallization of the thick films, resulting in lower densification and crystallization temperatures. An XRD analysis supported the Cu incorporation from the Cu2O layer into the cordierite by showing the disappearance of Cu2O phase at 700°C, which is below densification temperature.
Fabrication of Dense Zirconia Electrolyte Films for Tubular Solid Oxide Fuel Cells by Electrophoretic Deposition
Authors: Basu Rajendra N. , Randall Clive A. , Mayo Merrilea J.
Published: January 2009

Electrophoretic deposition (EPD) is used to produce zirconia electrolyte films for tubular solid oxide fuel cells. A simple suspension chemistry (8‐mol%‐yttria‐stabilized zirconia particles in acetic acid) yields films of similar quality to those from conventional approaches (such as electrochemical vapor deposition), but at potentially much less expense. A key factor in obtaining high‐density, adherent films via the EPD approach is the application of a thin fugitive phase (carbon in this study) on the porous, doped lanthanum manganite cathode tubes prior to zirconia deposition.
Low‐Temperature Preparation and Size Effect of Strontium Barium Niobate Ultrafine Powder
Authors: Lu Sheng‐Guo , Mak Chee‐Leung , Wong Kin‐Hung
Published: January 2009

Ultrafine strontium barium niobate ((SrxBa1−x)Nb2O6, SBN) powders were prepared using sol–gel and hydrolysis aging processes. Their structural properties were examined via X‐ray diffractometry and Raman spectroscopy. Our results indicated that the SBN powders crystallize to a pure tetragonal phase at annealing temperatures as low as 700°C. The crystallite size of SBN powders subjected to different thermal treatments was in the range of several tens of nanometers. Differential scanning calorimetry revealed that the heat flow had a broadened peak. The transition temperature from the ferroelectric phase to the paraelectric phase and the relative dielectric constant of the SBN50 powder were less than the corresponding values of the bulk ceramic and the single crystal.
Porous Mullite Preforms via Fused Deposition
Authors: Atisivan Raj , Bose Susmita , Bandyopadhyay Amit
Published: January 2009

Nonrandom porous mullite ceramic preforms were fabricated by the indirect fused deposition process. MgO was added to commercial mullite powders as a sintering aid. The influence of porosity and the amount of MgO on the densification and mechanical properties was studied. The shrinkage and compressive strength of the porous samples were found to increase with increasing MgO content. At constant MgO concentration, shrinkage was found to decrease linearly as the volume fraction of porosity increased. The compressive strength of porous samples decreased with an increase in the volume fraction of porosity at constant MgO content.
Short Crack R‐Curves in Ferroelectric and Electrostrictive PLZT
Authors: Chen Wei , Lupascu Doru C. , Rödel Jürgen , Lynch Christopher S.
Published: January 2009

This work describes the measurement of R‐curve behavior in ferroelectric ceramics using four‐point bend specimens with controlled semielliptical surface cracks. The results are compared for two compositions of lead lanthanum zirconate titanate. One exhibits ferroelastic behavior, the other electrostrictive linear elastic behavior. R‐curves are measured in the crack length regime of 0.1 to 0.8 mm. The ferroelastic composition displays a toughness increase from 0.5 to 1.2 MPa·m1/2. The linear elastic composition displays a flat R‐curve. The R‐curve behavior is attributed to ferroelastic toughening.
Mechanical Properties of Sputter‐Deposited Titanium‐Silicon‐Carbon Films
Authors: Krzanowski James E. , Koutzaki Sirma H.
Published: January 2009

The effect of SiC additions on the mechanical properties of TiC films was investigated. Ti‐Si‐C films with varying SiC content were deposited using dual‐cathode radio‐frequency magnetron sputtering. The nanoindentation hardness of these films increased with SiC content to a maximum of 20–22 GPa for films in the range of 15–30 at.% SiC. The elastic modulus was also measured, and the hardness to modulus ratio (H/E) increased with SiC content, indicating that hardness increases were due to microstructural effects. The residual stress was measured in several films, but was low in magnitude, indicating that hardness measurements were not influenced by residual stress. TEM examination of several films revealed that the SiC additions altered the film microstructure in a manner that could account for the observed hardness increases.
Fabrication and Characterization of γ‐LiAlO2 Matrices Using an Aqueous Tape‐Casting Process
Authors: Cho Jin Y. , Hyun Sang H. , Hong Seong A.
Published: January 2009

A new aqueous tape‐casting process that is simple and environment friendly has been developed to fabricate the γ‐LiAlO2 matrix for molten‐carbonate fuel cells (MCFCs). Very‐fast‐drying green sheets having a thickness of 500–600 μm, no defects, and good workability have been obtained using an aqueous tape‐casting process and protein. The microstructure of the γ‐LiAlO2 matrices (50%–60% porosity and 0.15 μm average pore size) required in a MCFC matrix can be prepared using this method.
Flame Spray Pyrolysis of Precursors as a Route to Nano‐mullite Powder: Powder Characterization and Sintering Behavior
Authors: Baranwal Rita , Villar Maria P. , Garcia Rafael , Laine Richard M.
Published: January 2009

The flame spray pyrolysis of alcohol‐soluble precursors allows the synthesis of mullite‐composition nanopowders (average size of ∼60–100 nm) that, when annealed carefully, provide processable nano‐mullite powders. The powders have been characterized using several spectroscopic and microscopy methods, including thermal gravimetric analysis, differential thermal analysis, diffuse reflectance infrared Fourier transform spectroscopy, and transmission electron microscopy. Preliminary studies on the pressureless‐sintering behavior of these powders are presented. Without additives or any efforts to optimize the process, powder compacts could be sintered to relative densities of >90%, with grain sizes of <500 nm at 1600°C.