bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
UV-B radiation affects flavonoids and fungal colonisation in Fagopyrum esculentum and F. tataricum
Authors: Regvar Marjana , Bukovnik Urška , Likar Matevž , Kreft Ivan
Published: February 2012

In the present study, we have evaluated the effects of increased UV-B radiation that simulates 17% ozone depletion, on fungal colonisation and concentrations of rutin, catechin and quercetin in common buckwheat (Fagopyrum esculentum) and tartary buckwheat (Fagopyrum tataricum). Induced root growth and reduced shoot:root ratios were seen in both of these buckwheat species after enhanced UV-B radiation. There was specific induction of shoot quercetin concentrations in UV-B-treated common buckwheat, whereas there were no specific responses for flavonoid metabolism in tartary buckwheat. Root colonisation with arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi significantly reduced catechin concentrations in common buckwheat roots, and induced rutin concentrations in tartary buckwheat, but did not affect shoot concentrations of the measured phenolics. Specific UV-B-related reductions in the density of microsclerotia were observed in tartary buckwheat, indicating a mechanism that potentially affects fungus-plant interactions. The data support the hypothesis that responses to enhanced UV-B radiation can be influenced by the plant pre-adaptation properties and related changes in flavonoid metabolism.
Protein kinase CK2 from two higher eukaryotes of economical importance, the mussel Mytilus galloprovincialis and the medfly Ceratitis capitata
Authors: Kouyanou-Koutsoukou Sophia , Baier Andrea , Kolaitis Regina-Maria , Szyszka Ryszard
Published: February 2012

Protein kinase CK2 is a highly conserved Ser/Thr protein kinase involved in cell cycle control, transcription, signal transduction and cell proliferation. It is upregulated in several diseases and by oxidative stress. CK2 is generally composed of two catalytic subunits and two regulatory subunits and utilizes either ATP or GTP as a phosphate donor. CK2 was isolated from the sea mussel Mytilus galloprovincialis, a biomarker of marine pollution, and the Mediterranean fly Ceratitis capitata, an insect capable of wreaking extensive damage to a wide range of fruit crops with great economical importance. The catalytic CK2α and regulatory CK2β subunits of M. galloprovincialis and C. capitata show similar properties. The mussel and fly catalytic subunits and holoenzymes were capable of phosphorylating the recombinant ribosomal stalk P1 protein, implying functional conservation. They also demonstrate the characteristics of a typical CK2: use of ATP and GTP as phosphate donors, inhibition by known modulators of CK2 activity (like benzotriazole derivatives and heparin), and stimulation by polycations. Both organisms seem to be ideal models for the analysis of CK2 in the control of gene expression in response to cellular stress.
Biological activities of phenolic compounds and ethanolic extract of Halacsya sendtneri (Boiss) Dőrfler
Authors: Mašković Pavle , Maksimović Jelena , Maksimović Vuk , Blagojević Jelena , Vujošević Mladen , Manojlović Nedeljko , Radojković Marija , Cvijović Milica , Solujić Slavica
Published: February 2012

The objective of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of the ethanolic extract of endemic plant Halacsya sendtneri in inhibiting the growing of the test fungi and bacteria as well as to determine its genotoxic potential and toxicity using the Allium anaphase-telophase assay. Minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) were determined for 15 indicator strains of pathogens, representing both bacteria and fungi. The highest susceptibility to the ethanolic extract of H.sendtneri was exhibited by Pseudomonas glycinea (FSB4), (MIC=0.09 mg/ml) among the bacteria, and by Phialophora fastigiata (FSB81), (MIC=1.95 mg/ml) among the fungi. The composition of H. sendtneri extracts was also determined using HPLC analysis. Rosmarinic acid was found to be the dominant phenolic compound. The Allium anaphase-telophase genotoxicity assay revealed that the ethanolic extract of H. sendtneri at concentrations of 31.5 mg/l and below does not produce toxic or genotoxic effects. This is the first report of chemical constituents, genotoxic and antimicrobial activities of the endemic species, H. sendtneri.
Disabled Veterans in the Americas: Canadians “Soldier On” after Afghanistan—Operation Enduring Freedom and the Canadian Mission
Authors: Chivers Sally
Published: February 2012

Abstract: This paper situates media representations of Canadian “wounded” veterans coming home from Afghanistan in the broader context of war-veteran representation, from a disability studies perspective. The paper raises questions about the absence from these public sites of discourse about psychiatric disability. The author proposes that the attempt to cover up the violence of Canada's new combat role fits a pattern of the avoidance of acknowledging disability in the Canadian public sphere. She examines media coverage of those soldiers who have come home prematurely in order to articulate their tacit and explicit relationship to notions circulating of what military personnel refer to as the “vital interests of a nation.” She argues that, in this discourse, disability is not merely a symbolic excess to war but rather is part of the fundamental and material logic of war and its relationship to national belonging.
Wheat Nitrogen Fertilisation Effects on the Performance of the Cereal Aphid Metopolophium dirhodum
Authors: Gash Alan F. J.
Published: February 2012

The effects of five rates of nitrogen fertiliser applications on the performance of the cereal aphid Metopolophium dirhodum on winter wheat, within the range of rates recommended for UK crops, were investigated over two seasons in field-grown crops and also on plants grown in the glasshouse. Longevity was unaffected by the level of fertilisation, but aphid intrinsic rate of increase and fecundity increased with each level applied. In the second field season, when a higher upper limit was used, many of these increases were significant. A previously unreported finding for this species was that there was a significant decrease in fecundity for the highest rate of fertilisation. Results for the glasshouse-reared aphids followed a similar pattern to those in the field, and overall they underline recent reports in the literature of the negative effects of high nutrient concentrations on the performance of herbivorous insects. The underlying reasons for these are discussed.
In Situ Focused Beam Reflectance Measurement (FBRM), Attenuated Total Reflectance Fourier Transform Infrared (ATR-FTIR) and Raman Characterization of the Polymorphic Transformation of Carbamazepine
Authors: Zhao Yingying , Bao Ying , Wang Jingkang , Rohani Sohrab
Published: February 2012

The objective of this work was to study the polymorphic transformation of carbamazepine from Form II to Form III in 1-propanol during seeded isothermal batch crystallization. First, the pure Form II and Form III were obtained and characterized. Then their solubilities and metastable zone limits were measured by in-situ attenuated total reflectance Fourier transform infrared (ATR-FTIR) spectroscopy and focused beam reflectance measurement (FBRM). A transition temperature at about 34.2 °C was deduced suggesting the enantiotropic nature of this compound over the studied temperature range. To quantify the polymorph ratio during the transformation process, a new in-situ quantitative method was developed to measure the fraction of Form II by Raman spectroscopy. Successful tracking of the nucleation of the stable form and the transformation from Form II to Form III during isothermal crystallization was achieved by Raman spectroscopy and FBRM. The results from these three in-situ techniques, FBRM, FTIR and Raman were consistent with each other. The results showed a strong dependency on the amount of seeds added during isothermal crystallization.
How Robust Are Burn Severity Indices When Applied in a New Region? Evaluation of Alternate Field-Based and Remote-Sensing Methods
Authors: Cansler C. Alina , McKenzie Donald
Published: February 2012

Remotely sensed indices of burn severity are now commonly used by researchers and land managers to assess fire effects, but their relationship to field-based assessments of burn severity has been evaluated only in a few ecosystems. This analysis illustrates two cases in which methodological refinements to field-based and remotely sensed indices of burn severity developed in one location did not show the same improvement when used in a new location. We evaluated three methods of assessing burn severity in the field: the Composite Burn Index (CBI)—a standardized method of assessing burn severity that combines ecologically significant variables related to burn severity into one numeric site index—and two modifications of the CBI that weight the plot CBI score by the percentage cover of each stratum. Unexpectedly, models using the CBI had higher R2 and better classification accuracy than models using the weighted versions of the CBI. We suggest that the weighted versions of the CBI have lower accuracies because weighting by percentage cover decreases the influence of the dominant tree stratum, which should have the strongest relationship to optically sensed reflectance, and increases the influence of the substrates strata, which should have the weakest relationship with optically sensed reflectance in forested ecosystems. Using a large data set of CBI plots (n = 251) from four fires and CBI scores derived from additional field-based assessments of burn severity (n = 388), we predicted two metrics of image-based burn severity, the Relative differenced Normalized Burn Ratio (RdNBR) and the differenced Normalized Burn Ratio (dNBR). Predictive models for RdNBR showed slightly better classification accuracy than for dNBR (overall accuracy = 62%, Kappa = 0.40, and overall accuracy = 59%, Kappa= 0.36, respectively), whereas dNBR had slightly better explanatory power, but strong differences were not apparent. RdNBR may provide little or no improvement over dNBR in systems where pre-fire reflectance is not highly variable, but may be more appropriate for comparing burn severity among regions.
Comparison between Conduction and Convection Effects on Self-Heating in Doped Microcantilevers
Authors: Ansari Mohd Zahid , Cho Chongdu
Published: February 2012

The present study investigates the effects of thermal conduction and convection on self-heating temperatures and bimetallic deflections produced in doped microcantilever sensors. These cantilevers are commonly used as sensors and actuators in microsystems. The cantilever is a monolith, multi-layer structure with a thin U-shaped element inside. The cantilever substrate is made of silicon and silicon dioxide, respectively, and the element is p-doped silicon. A numerical analysis package (ANSYS) is used to study the effect of cantilever substrate material, element width, applied voltage and the operating environments on cantilever characteristics. The numerical results for temperature are compared against their analytical models. Results indicate the numerical results are accurate within 6% of analytical, and Si/Si cantilevers are more suitable for biosensors and AFM, whereas, Si/SiO2 are for hotplates and actuators applications.
Synthesis of multivalent host and guest molecules for the construction of multithreaded diamide pseudorotaxanes
Authors: Löw Nora L , Dzyuba Egor V , Brusilowskij Boris , Kaufmann Lena , Franzmann Elisa , Maison Wolfgang , Brandt Emily , Aicher Daniel , Wiehe Arno , Schalley Christoph A
Published: February 2012

A series of di-, tri- and tetravalent axles and wheels for the synthesis of pseudorotaxanes bearing the tetralactam macrocycle/diamide axle binding motif was prepared. Starting from iodinated monovalent precursors, Sonogashira cross-coupling reactions were utilized to couple the binding sites to appropriate spacer groups. Through this “Lego” or “toolbox” approach, the convergent synthesis of host and guests with a well-defined number of the binding sites is possible. In addition, the spatial arrangement of the binding sites can be controlled through the quite rigid connections between linker and binding sites. Although a quantitative assessment of binding strengths was not possible by NMR titration experiments, typical and significant shifts of the signals of the diamide moiety indicate qualitatively the formation of pseudorotaxanes from the axle and wheel precursors.
Teaching in a Web of Commitments
Authors: Sutphen Molly , Solbrekke Tone Dyrdal
Published: February 2012

Drawing on interviews and survey results from a national study of nursing education, this article discusses teaching professional responsibilities in prelicensure nursing education and explores how to help students reflect on multiple commitments they will meet in nursing. Inspired by the moral philosopher Larry May’s communitarian approach, we suggest strategies for teaching students a broad notion of professional responsibility, including the profession’s moral and societal responsibilities.
Anterior Segment Dimensions in Asian and Caucasian Eyes Measured by Optical Coherence Tomography
Authors: Qin Bing , Tang Maolong , Li Yan , Zhang Xinbo , Chu Renyuan , Huang David
Published: February 2012

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE:

To compare Asian and Caucasian anterior segment dimensions measured by optical coherence tomography (OCT).

PATIENTS AND METHODS:

Anterior segment OCT images were obtained in normal subjects. Four line scans were acquired at the 90°, 45°, 0°, and 135° meridians of each eye. Computer calipers acquired anterior segment dimensions of corneal diameter, anterior chamber width, corneal vault, and anterior chamber depth on OCT images. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to assess correlations.

RESULTS:

Corneal diameter was 0.5 mm narrower (
P
< .01), anterior chamber width was 0.46 mm narrower (
P
< .01), and corneal vault was 0.22 mm lower (
P
< .01) in Asian eyes. All anterior segment dimensions decreased with age.

CONCLUSION:

Asian eyes had smaller anterior segments compared to Caucasian eyes. Regardless of race, anterior segment dimensions were smaller in older subjects. Age-related changes may affect the tolerability of long-term implants such as phakic intraocular lenses.
Comparison of Central Corneal Thickness Measurements by Galilei Dual-Scheimpflug Analyzer
®
and Ultrasound Pachymeter in Myopic Eyes
Authors: Yeter Volkan , Sönmez Baris , Beden Ümit
Published: February 2012

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE:

To compare the central corneal thickness (CCT) measurements by Galilei Dual-Scheimpflug analyzer (GSA) (Ziemer Group, Port, Switzerland) and ultrasound pachymeter (UP) in myopic eyes.

PATIENTS AND METHODS:

In this prospective study, CCT of 161 myopic eyes of 81 refractive surgery candidates (35 female, 46 male; mean age: 23.18 ± 4.08 years) were measured by GSA and UP consecutively. The data were analyzed statistically by paired
t
test, Bland–Altman plot, and Pearson correlation test to assess the agreement of the measurements.

RESULTS:

The mean CCTs obtained by GSA and UP were 559.85 ± 30.87 and 560.41 ± 34.45 μm, respectively. No significant difference was found between the measurements (
P
= .684) and regression analysis showed a high correlation between the measurements obtained with both devices (r = 0.86;
P
< .001). A strong agreement between the two methods was also found by Bland–Altman plot.

CONCLUSION:

In myopic eyes, the CCT measurements of GSA and UP are similar and highly correlated. Because of high agreement between these devices, the GSA is a non-contact method that may be an alternative to UP for measurement of CCT.
Retinal Hemorrhages as a Presenting Sign of Meningitis
Authors: Poole Mariel E. , Gupta Anurag , Reddy Shantan
Published: February 2012

The association between retinal hemorrhages and meningitis has been previously documented; however, all of these cases were among critically ill patients with clinically progressive bacterial meningitis. This case report describes a patient with aseptic meningitis who presented with retinal hemorrhage. Physicians should consider meningitis in the work-up of patients presenting with retinal hemorrhage.
Targeting TNF-α to Neoangiogenic Vessels Enhances Lymphocyte Infiltration in Tumors and Increases the Therapeutic Potential of Immunotherapy
Authors: Calcinotto Arianna , Grioni Matteo , Jachetti Elena , Curnis Flavio , Mondino Anna , Parmiani Giorgio , Corti Angelo , Bellone Matteo
Published: February 2012

Abnormal tumor vasculature impairs T lymphocyte adhesion to endothelial cells and lymphocyte extravasation into neoplastic tissues, limiting the therapeutic potential of both active and adoptive immunotherapies. We have found that treatment of tumor-bearing mice with NGR-TNF, a Cys-Asn-Gly-Arg-Cys peptide-TNF fusion product capable of altering the endothelial barrier function and improving drug penetration in tumors, associated with the intratumor upregulation of leukocyte-endothelial cell adhesion molecules, the release of proinflammatory cytokines and chemokines, and the infiltration of tumor-specific effector CD8+ T cells. As a result, NGR-TNF enhanced the therapeutic activity of adoptive and active immunotherapy, delaying tumor growth and prolonging survival. Furthermore, we have found that therapeutic effects of these combinations can be further increased by the addition of chemotherapy. Thus, these findings might be relevant for the design of novel immunotherapeutic approaches for cancer patients.
A New Hypersensitive Site, HS10, and the Enhancers, E3′ and Ed, Differentially Regulate Igκ Gene Expression
Authors: Zhou Xiaorong , Xiang Yougui , Ding Xiaoling , Garrard William T.
Published: February 2012

The mouse Igκ gene locus has three known transcriptional enhancers: an intronic enhancer (Ei), a 3′ enhancer (E3′), and a further downstream enhancer (Ed). We previously discovered, using the chromosome conformation-capture technique, that Ei and E3′ interact with a novel DNA sequence near the 3′ end of the Igκ locus, specifically in B cells. In the present investigation, we examined the function of this far downstream element. The sequence is evolutionarily conserved and exhibits a plasmacytoma cell-specific DNase I-hypersensitive site in chromatin, henceforth termed HS10 in the locus. HS10 acts as a coactivator of E3′ in transient transfection assays. Although HS10−/− mice exhibited normal patterns of B cell development, they were tested further along with E3′−/− and Ed−/− mice for their Igκ expression levels in plasma cells, as well as for both allelic and isotype exclusion in splenic B cells. HS10−/− and Ed−/−, but not E3′−/−, mice exhibited 2.5-fold lower levels of Igκ expression in antigenically challenged plasma cells. E3′−/− mice, but not HS10−/− mice, exhibited impaired IgL isotype and allelic exclusion in splenic B cells. We have suggestive results that Ed may also weakly participate in these processes. In addition, HS10−/− mice no longer exhibited regional chromosome interactions with E3′, and they exhibited modestly reduced somatic hypermutation in the Jκ-Cκ intronic region in germinal center B cells from Peyer’s patches. We conclude that the HS10, E3′, and Ed differentially regulate Igκ gene dynamics.
Longshore Submerged Wave Breaker for a Reflecting Beach
Authors: Pudjaprasetya S. R. , Khatizah Elis
Published: February 2012

This paper considers the effect of a hard-wall beach on the downstream side of submerged parallel bars in a breakwater. In previous research, it was assumed that the beach can absorb all of the transmitted wave energy, when an optimal dimension for a submerged parallel bar is obtained and the wave amplitude is reduced as more bars are installed. However, for a hard-wall beach there are waves reflected from the beach that change the long-term wave interaction. We adopt the linear shallow water equations in Riemann invariant form and use the method of characteristics, in a procedure applicable to various formations of submerged rectangular bars. The distance from the parallel bar (or bars) to the beach determines the phase differences between right running waves in the beach basin and whether they superpose destructively or constructively before hitting the beach, to define the safest and the most dangerous cases. Our numerical calculations for one bar, two bars and for periodic rectangular bars confirm the analytical formulae obtained.
An Efficient Variant of the GMRES(m) Method Based on the Error Equations
Authors: Akira Imakura  , Sogabe Tomohiro , Zhang Shao-Liang
Published: February 2012

The GMRES(m) method proposed by Saad and Schultz is one of the most successful Krylov subspace methods for solving nonsymmetric linear systems. In this paper, we investigate how to update the initial guess to make it converge faster, and in particular propose an efficient variant of the method that exploits an unfixed update. The mathematical background of the unfixed update variant is based on the error equations, and its potential for efficient convergence is explored in some numerical experiments.
A New Fourth-Order Compact Off-Step Discretization for the System of 2D Nonlinear Elliptic Partial Differential Equations
Authors: Mohanty R. K. , Setia Nikita
Published: February 2012

This paper discusses a new fourth-order compact off-step discretization for the solution of a system of two-dimensional nonlinear elliptic partial differential equations subject to Dirichlet boundary conditions. New methods to obtain the fourth-order accurate numerical solution of the first order normal derivatives of the solution are also derived. In all cases, we use only nine grid points to compute the solution. The proposed methods are directly applicable to singular problems and problems in polar coordinates, which is a main attraction. The convergence analysis of the derived method is discussed in detail. Several physical problems are solved to demonstrate the usefulness of the proposed methods.
A prophet for dignity? A theological perspective
Authors: Koopman Nico
Published: February 2012

This paper portrays the work of Adam Small as prophetic work. Three dimensions of the practice of prophetic speaking are described, namely prophetic envisioning, prophetic criticism and prophetic policymaking. Small’s work is described in terms of these categories. During the struggle against apartheid and during the current quest for a new society of dignity, justice and freedom, Small’s prophetic envisioning, prophetic criticism and self-criticism and his prophetic policymaking discourse is of immense importance. Amidst our struggle to build a new society his prophetic envisioning gives hope and inspiration. Amidst our anger about so many wrongs in society and the non-fulfilment of the vision of a new society, his prophetic criticism and self-criticism gives fortitude and courage. Amidst reservations about participation in complex and sophisticated public debates, public opinionformation processes and public law-making processes, his prophetic policymaking discourse gives illumination and perspective.
Adam Small: Familiegeskiedenisse, aanlope en vroeër invloede
Authors: Cleophas Francois
Published: February 2012

This article answers the question: Where does the Afrikaans essayist, dramatist and poet, Adam Small, hail from? It proceeds to examine the genealogy of Small and the early influences of his family. The writer’s recent family history is traced to his direct forebears, Adam and Siela Dampies in the early 19th century, and his grandparents Adam and Nellie Dampies. The article further explores the vagaries of name changes in the instance of the Dampies/Small family, the writer’s multicultural parental background and his early years in rural and urban settings. In this respect influences on the young writer, emanating from these circumstances, are alluded to. Besides the genealogical information gained from archival research, the article relies methodologically on oral sources, informal accounts and personal recollection. It is found that the extended Small family established a relatively comfortable middle class lifestyle and they were involved at the same time in church and social relief projects. The young Adam Small grew up in a household where values such as social commitment and multi-cultural tolerance were honoured.
Sensitivity of SWAT simulated streamflow to climatic changes within the Eastern Nile River basin
Authors: Mengistu D. T. , Sorteberg A.
Published: February 2012

Abstract. The hydrological model SWAT was run with daily station based precipitation and temperature data for the whole Eastern Nile basin including the three subbasins: the Abbay (Blue Nile), BaroAkobo and Tekeze. The daily and monthly streamflows were calibrated and validated at six outlets with station-based streamflow data in the three different subbasins. The model performed very well in simulating the monthly variability while the validation against daily data revealed a more diverse performance. The simulations indicated that around 60% of the average annual rainfalls of the subbasins were lost through evaporation while the estimated runoff coefficients were 0.24, 0.30 and 0.18 for Abbay, BaroAkobo and Tekeze subbasins, respectively. About half to two-thirds of the runoff could be attributed to surface runoff while the other contributions came from groundwater. Twenty hypothetical climate change scenarios (perturbed temperatures and precipitation) were conducted to test the sensitivity of SWAT simulated annual streamflow. The result revealed that the annual streamflow sensitivity to changes in precipitation and temperature differed among the basins and the dependence of the response on the strength of the changes was not linear. On average the annual streamflow responses to a change in precipitation with no temperature change were 19%, 17%, and 26% per 10% change in precipitation while the average annual streamflow responses to a change in temperature and no precipitation change were −4.4% K−1, −6.4% K−1, and −1.3% K−1 for Abbay, BaroAkobo and Tekeze river basins, respectively. 47 temperature and precipitation scenarios from 19 AOGCMs participating inCMIP3 were used to estimate future changes in streamflow due to climate changes. The climate models disagreed on both the strength and the direction of future precipitation changes. Thus, no clear conclusions could be made about future changes in the Eastern Nile streamflow. However, such types of assessment are important as they emphasise the need to use several an ensemble of AOGCMs as the results strongly dependent on the choice of climate models.
Comparing soil moisture retrievals from SMOS and ASCAT over France
Authors: Parrens M. , Zakharova E. , Lafont S. , Calvet J.-C. , Kerr Y. , Wagner W. , Wigneron J.-P.
Published: February 2012

Abstract. The first products derived over France in 2010 from the L-band brightness temperatures (Tb) measured by the SMOS (Soil Moisture and Ocean Salinity) satellite, launched in November 2009, were compared with the surface soil moisture (SSM) estimates produced by the C-band Advanced Scatterometer, ASCAT, launched in 2006 on board METOP-A. SMOS and ASCAT SSM products were compared with the simulations of the ISBA-A-gs model and with in situ measurements from the SMOSMANIA network, including 21 stations located in southern France. ASCAT tended to correlate better than SMOS with ISBA-A-gs. The significant anomaly correlation coefficients between in situ observations and the SMOS (ASCAT) product ranged from 0.23 to 0.48 (0.35 to 0.96). However, in wet conditions, similar results between the two satellite products were found. An attempt was made to derive SSM from regressed empirical logarithmic equations using a combination of SMOS Tb at different incidence angles and different polarizations, and the Leaf Area Index (LAI) modeled by ISBA-A-gs. The analysis of the intercept coefficient of the regression showed an impact of topography. A similar analysis applied to ASCAT and SMOS SSM values showed a more limited impact of topography on the intercept coefficient of the SMOS SSM product, while fewer residual geographic patterns were found for the ASCAT SSM.
Value of medium range weather forecasts in the improvement of seasonal hydrologic prediction skill
Authors: Shukla S. , Voisin N. , Lettenmaier D. P.
Published: February 2012

Abstract. We investigated the contribution of medium range weather forecasts with lead times up to 14 days to seasonal hydrologic prediction skill over the Conterminous United States (CONUS). Three different Ensemble Streamflow Prediction (ESP)-based experiments were performed for the period 1980–2003 using the Variable Infiltration Capacity (VIC) hydrology model to generate forecasts of monthly runoff and soil moisture (SM) at lead-1 (first month of the forecast period) to lead-3. The first experiment (ESP) used a resampling from the retrospective period 1980–2003 and represented full climatological uncertainty for the entire forecast period. In the second and third experiments, the first 14 days of each ESP ensemble member were replaced by either observations (perfect 14-day forecast) or by a deterministic 14-day weather forecast. We used Spearman rank correlations of forecasts and observations as the forecast skill score. We estimated the potential and actual improvement in baseline skill as the difference between the skill of experiments 2 and 3 relative to ESP, respectively. We found that useful runoff and SM forecast skill at lead-1 to -3 months can be obtained by exploiting medium range weather forecast skill in conjunction with the skill derived by the knowledge of initial hydrologic conditions. Potential improvement in baseline skill by using medium range weather forecasts, for runoff (SM) forecasts generally varies from 0 to 0.8 (0 to 0.5) as measured by differences in correlations, with actual improvement generally from 0 to 0.8 of the potential improvement. With some exceptions, most of the improvement in runoff is for lead-1 forecasts, although some improvement in SM was achieved at lead-2.
Laboratory study of frazil ice accumulation under wave conditions
Authors: De la Rosa S. , Maus S.
Published: February 2012

Abstract. Ice growth in turbulent seawater is often accompanied by the accumulation of frazil ice crystals at its surface, forming a grease ice layer. The thickness and volume fraction of this ice layer play an important role in shaping the gradual transition from a loose to a solid ice cover, however, observations are very sparse. Here we analyse an extensive set of observations of frazil ice, grown in two parallel tanks with controlled wave conditions and thermal forcing, focusing on the first one to two days of grease ice accumulation. The following unresolved issues are addressed: (i) at which volume fraction the frazil crystals' rising process starts and how densely they accumulate at the surface, (ii) how the grease ice solid fraction and salinity evolve with time until solid ice starts to form and (iii) how do these conditions affect, and are affected by, waves and heat loss from the ice. We obtained estimates of the minimum initial grease ice solid fraction (0.03–0.05) and the maximum solid fraction to which it accumulates before freezing into pancakes (0.23–0.31). The equivalent thickness of solid ice that needs to be accumulated until grease ice packs close to maximum (95% of the compaction accomplished), was estimated as 0.4 to 1.2 cm. Comparison of grease ice thickness and wave observations indicates that a grease ice layer first begins to affect the wave field significantly when its thickness exceeds the initial wave amplitude. These results are relevant for modelling frazil ice accumulation and freeze-up of leads, polynyas and along the seasonal ice zone.
identification risk for falls diagnosis in the elderly serviced by the elderly care program
Authors: Chaves Erika Cássia Lopes , Cordeiro Laís De Andrade Martins , Goyatá Sueli Leiko Takamastu , Godinho Mônica Lá-Salette da costa , Meirelles Valéria Cruz , Nascimento Aline Mara
Published: February 2012

ABSTRACT Objective: identifying the frequency of nursing diagnosis Risk for falls in the elderly and assess their risk factors. Method: retrospective study based on data recorded in the medical records of elderly patients in the Elderly Care Program. Data collection was done between May-June 2009, by means of a questionnaire with information on the epidemiological and diagnostic study, classified according to the North American Nursing Diagnosis Association (NANDA-I), after approval by the Ethics Committee of the Federal University of Alfenas (protocol 23087.001613/2009-01). For tabulation and analysis of data the statistical program Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) was used.  Descriptive statistics allowed us to describe and summarize the data obtained which were compared using the chi-square (X2) and Fisher's exact test. The statistical significance level adopted was 5% (p
Vesical Urothelium and New Concepts
Authors: Giannantoni Antonella , Proietti Silvia , Giovannozzi Silvia , Porena Massimo
Published: February 2012

Vesical urothelium was long considered to simply be a protection barrier, which passively separates the urinary content from the underlying smooth muscle and the blood stream. Recent observations, though, have pointed out that vesical urothelium cells have clear active and sensory functions, in response to various physical and chemical stimuli. Among these characteristics are the expression of several neurotransmitters and receptors: Acetylcholine, Nitric Oxide, VIP, CGRP, NKA, SP and cholinergic, vanilloid, purinergic, and tachykinin receptors. Urothelium-produced neurotransmitters are likely supposed to act through a receptor stimulation of the afferent nerve fibers within the sub-urothelial spaces. Sub-urothelial myofibroblasts are considered to play a mediation role between urothelium-produced neurotransmitters and the underlying receptors. According to these observations, a pharmacologic modulation, directly affecting the urothelium, can be hypothesized.
Flank Suspended Supine Position for Percutaneous Nephrolithotomy
Authors: Tie-jun Pan , Gong-cheng Li , Zhang-qun Ye , Han-dong Wen , Guo-qiu Shen , Jia-qiao Zhang
Published: February 2012

Aims

Prone and supine positions for percutaneous nephrolithotomy are widely used but have their drawbacks. We report a new positioning method called “flank suspended supine position” (FSSP) for PCNL and describe our experience with PCNL in this position to evaluate its safety and efficacy.

Methods

Retrospective study of 150 cases of renal stone patients treated with PCNL in a new position called flank suspended supine position (FSSP) from June 2009 to July 2010. All patients were treated with PCNL in FSSP under epidural anesthesia. Operation time, bleeding rate, stone free rate, and complications were recorded.

Results

All patients tolerated FSSP. Mean operation time was 78.29±26.13 min. Initial stone-free rate was 83%. For those with residual stones (26 cases), 18 were stone-free after a second PCNL, 8 after extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL). Mean hospital stay was 7.63±2.39 days. No penetrating injury of the pleural cavity or injury to visceral organs was reported.

FSSP is an effective and safe position for PCNL in our hands and its effectiveness relative to traditional prone position needs to be determined in future randomized studies.
The “Lords of Life”:
Authors: Finan E. Thomas
Published: February 2012

This article uses the fractal as a device for explicating the narrative strategies of Ralph Waldo Emerson's essay “Experience.” Each of the seven “lords of life” of “Experience” incorporates aspects of its six complementary “lords,” so this article argues that each “lord”—and its corresponding section of “Experience”—represents a fractal recapitulation of the whole course of “Experience.” Applying a fractal narrative to “Experience” casts further light on the process of recursion within Emerson's prose and on the way in which Emerson's writing can seek to perform the methods of consciousness; the recursion of the fractal offers a lens for viewing the self-referential qualities of consciousness. Using the initial “lord” of “Illusion” as a microcosm for viewing the fractal qualities of the other “lords,” this article then examines the implications of this fractal dynamic for the themes of “Experience” as a whole, including the relationship of part and whole, the role of human partiality, and the intricacies of self-awareness.
Resection and Immunotherapy for Recurrent Grade III Glioma
Authors: Elens Iris , De Vleeschouwer Steven , Pauwels Femke , Van Gool Stefaan
Published: February 2012

Background. Despite surgery, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy, the prognosis of relapsed grade III gliomas remains poor. After promising results of immunotherapy in grade IV gliomas, we investigated its safety and efficacy in recurrent grade III gliomas. Methods. Thirty-nine patients received vaccines containing dendritic cells loaded with autologous tumor lysate after tumor resection. Progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) were compared with those obtained after temozolomide (TMZ) treatment as found in the literature. Results. Median PFS and OS were 4.6 and 20.5, 3.4 and 18.8, 7.8 and 13.3 months in recurrent grade III astrocytoma, oligodendroglioma, and oligoastrocytoma, respectively. Compared with TMZ, no grade III/IV toxicity was reported and median OS tended to be higher although there was no difference in median PFS. The perceived benefit of immunotherapy was more pronounced in astrocytic tumors. Conclusions. We provide the first description of immunotherapy in recurrent grade III glioma as safe, promising, and feasible.
Advanced CMOS Gate Stack: Present Research Progress
Authors: Zhao Chun , Zhao C. Z. , Werner M. , Taylor S. , Chalker P. R.
Published: February 2012

The decreasing sizes in complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) transistor technology require the replacement of SiO2 with gate dielectrics that have a high dielectric constant (high-k). When the SiO2 gate thickness is reduced below 1.4 nm, electron tunneling effects and high leakage currents occur which present serious obstacles for device reliability. In recent years, various alternative gate dielectrics have been researched. Following the introduction of HfO2 into the 45 nm process by Intel in 2007, the screening and selection of high-k gate stacks, understanding their properties, and their integration into CMOS technology have been a very active research area. This paper reviews the progress and efforts made in the recent years for high-k dielectrics, which can be potentially integrated into 22 nm (and beyond) technology nodes. Our work includes deposition techniques, physical characterization methods at the atomic scale, and device reliability as the focus. For most of the materials discussed here, structural and physical properties, dielectric relaxation issues, and projections towards future applications are also discussed.
Modeling and Behavior Analysis of a Membraneless Fuel Cell
Authors: Flores-Rivera Ciro-Filemon
Published: February 2012

Membraneless fuel cells are examples of microelectromechanical systems (MEMSs) that can be considered as alternate energy sources. Applications include microfluidic-based devices like miniaturized laboratories, sensors, or actuators to be used in medicine or agronomy. This paper presents a mathematical model for this type of cells based on the governing physical laws. It includes fluid dynamics, electric charge distribution and electrostatics modeled by the Navier-Stokes, Nernst-Planck, and Poisson equations, respectively. A robust numerical algorithm is proposed to solve the model. Two cases are discussed: allowing electrochemical reactions on one of the electrodes and the simpler situation of null exchange current density. An initial characterization for the behavior of membraneless fuel cells is achieved concerning to prevalence of velocity and electric field, use of non-Newtonian fluids, relationship to initial conditions for some variables, general profile for conductivity and electric density, and linear dependence on current density under specific conditions.
Improving Contour Accuracy and Strength of Reactive Air Brazed (RAB) Ceramic/Metal Joints by Controlling Interface Microstructure
Authors: Li Chichi , Kuhn Bernd , Brandenberg Jörg , Beck Tilmann , Singheiser Lorenz , Bobzin Kirsten , Bagcivan Nazlim , Kopp Nils
Published: February 2012

The development of high‐temperature electrochemical devices such as solid oxide fuel cells, oxygen, and hydrogen separators and gas reformers poses a great challenge in brazing technology of metal/ceramic joints. To maintain the integrity of such equipment, the resulting seals have to be stable and hermetic during continuous and cyclic high temperature operation. As a solution for joining metal and ceramic materials, reactive air brazing has gained increasing interest in recent years. This paper compares joints brazed by different filler alloys: pure Ag, AgCu, and AgAl in three different aspects: contour accuracy, room temperature delamination resistance, and corresponding microstructures of the as‐brazed and fractured brazed joints. Discussion focuses on fracture mechanism and associated delamination resistance. AgAl brazed joints exhibit the most promising mechanical properties and contour accuracy.
Nickel‐Catalyzed Propene Dimerization Reactions in Triphenylbismuth‐Buffered Chloroaluminate Ionic Liquids: High Performance with Unconventional Cations
Authors: Dötterl Matthias , Alt Helmut G.
Published: February 2012

The addition of triphenylbismuth (BiPh3) efficiently buffers Lewis acidic chloroaluminate ionic liquids over a wide range of compositions. Since the melting points of these ternary mixtures are lower compared to unbuffered chloroaluminate systems, the scope of cations for the formation of buffered room temperature ionic liquids is greatly extended. The buffered ionic liquids were used to activate nickel complexes for selective biphasic propene dimerization reactions. Lifetimes, selectivities and productivities of such dimerization catalysts could be adjusted by the choice of the cation and the composition. At lower reaction temperatures, the selectivities to give dimers increased significantly. Propene dimers were obtained with selectivities of up to 98%. A cation screening with 100 ammonium and phosphonium halide salts was performed. N‐Methylpyrrolidine hydrochloride gave the best results in terms of selectivity and lifetime. Propene dimerization reactions in BiPh3‐buffered chloroaluminate melts were catalyzed by various soluble nickel compounds with similar performances. The introduction of basic, sterically demanding tricyclohexylphosphine ligands led to higher degrees of branching, however, at the expense of lower dimer selectivities.
Heterocyclic Spiranes and Dispiranes via Enantioselective Phosphine‐Catalyzed [3+2] Annulations
Authors: Duvvuru Deepti , Pinto Nathalie , Gomez Catherine , Betzer Jean‐François , Retailleau Pascal , Voituriez Arnaud , Marinetti Angela
Published: February 2012

The synthesis of highly functionalized heterocyclic spiranes has been carried out by [3+2] cyclizations between allenoates and enones, under phosphine catalysis. Excellent enantioselectivity levels (ees up to 99%) have been attained in FerroPHANE‐promoted cyclizations of this class, leading to chiral sulfides with unprecedented spiranic structures. The corresponding sulfoxides have been obtained then via a subsequent, highly diastereoselective oxidation of the prostereogenic sulfur centre.
An Efficient Iron Catalyst for the Synthesis of Five‐ and Six‐Membered Organic Carbonates under Mild Conditions
Authors: Whiteoak Christopher J. , Martin Eddy , Belmonte Marta Martínez , Benet‐Buchholz Jordi , Kleij Arjan W.
Published: February 2012

An iron(III) amine triphenolate complex, [FeTPhOA]2, able to efficiently catalyze the cycloaddition of carbon dioxide to a range of terminal epoxides under mild conditions, is described. In addition, it has also been found that the complex is able to catalyze the conversion with more sterically congested oxiranes and oxetanes which are generally considered challenging substrates to activate. Variation of the co‐catalyst, required for ring‐opening of the substrates, has also been examined. The results show that terminal epoxide substrates are converted more efficiently with an iodide co‐catalyst, whereas more bulky oxirane substrates give better product yields in the presence of a bromide co‐catalyst. The combined results demonstrate the broad applicability of these iron(III) complexes in this type of carbon dioxide fixation chemistry.
The Consequences and Correction of Inflation in Personal Savings Estimates in Specific Future Time Frames
Authors: Tam Leona , Dholakia Utpal M.
Published: February 2012

We examined the consequences of personal savings estimate inflation that occurs when decision makers provide savings estimates for specific future months when compared with the next month or the next year time frames, along with a method to attenuate this bias. The results of three experiments showed that the savings estimate inflation leads to significantly larger estimates of desired nest egg size (Experiment 1) and preference for riskier choices in other financial domains such as investment and employment decisions (Experiment 2). An attempt to attenuate this bias revealed that it is corrected when individuals provide a budgeting estimate prior to giving a savings estimate (Experiment 3). The theoretical and practical implications of the findings are discussed. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Sex-specific time trends in first admission to hospital for peripheral artery disease in Scotland 1991–2007
Authors: Inglis S C , Lewsey J D , Chandler D , Byrne D S , Lowe G D O , MacIntyre K
Published: February 2012

Background

This study examined trends for all first hospital admissions for peripheral artery disease (PAD) in Scotland from 1991 to 2007 using the Scottish Morbidity Record.

Methods

First admissions to hospital for PAD were defined as an admission to hospital (inpatient and day-case) with a principal diagnosis of PAD, with no previous admission to hospital (principal or secondary diagnosis) for PAD in the previous 10 years.

Results

From 1991 to 2007, 41 593 individuals were admitted to hospital in Scotland for the first time for PAD. Some 23 016 (55·3 per cent) were men (mean(s.d.) age 65·7(11·7) years) and 18 577 were women (aged 70·4(12·8) years). For both sexes the population rate of first admissions to hospital for PAD declined over the study interval: from 66·7 per 100 000 in 1991-1993 to 39·7 per 100 000 in 2006-2007 among men, and from 43·5 to 29·1 per 100 000 respectively among women. After adjustment, the decline was estimated to be 42 per cent in men and 27 per cent in women (rate ratio for 2007 versus 1991: 0·58 (95 per cent confidence interval 0·55 to 0·62) in men and 0·73 (0·68 to 0·78) in women). The intervention rate fell from 80·8 to 74·4 per cent in men and from 77·9 to 64·9 per cent in women. The proportion of hospital admissions as an emergency or transfer increased, from 23·9 to 40·7 per cent among men and from 30·0 to 49·5 per cent among women.

Conclusion

First hospital admission for PAD in Scotland declined steadily and substantially between 1991 and 2007, with an increase in the proportion that was unplanned.
Counting the cost of cancer surgery for advanced and metastatic disease
Authors: Russell R C G , Treasure T
Published: February 2012

Putting cancer surgery into context is vital