bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The plasma depletion layer in Saturn's magnetosheath
Authors: Masters A. , Phan T. D. , Badman S. V. , Hasegawa H. , Fujimoto M. , Russell C. T. , Coates A. J. , Dougherty M. K.
Published: January 2014

A plasma depletion layer (PDL) of reduced plasma density and enhanced magnetic field strength can form in the magnetosheath (shocked solar wind) adjacent to the magnetopause boundary of a planetary magnetosphere. The dominant factor controlling the level of plasma depletion and field enhancement in Earth's PDL is the magnetic shear across the magnetopause, due to the influence of this parameter on magnetic reconnection at the boundary. Here we examine the PDL in Saturn's magnetosheath using Cassini spacecraft observations. For most Cassini magnetosheath intervals analyzed, there is some level of both plasma depletion and magnetic field enhancement approaching Saturn's magnetopause, consistent with the presence of a PDL. We find some evidence that the Saturnian PDL responds to the solar wind dynamic pressure, in the same sense as Earth's PDL. However, we find no evidence for a response of Saturn's PDL to the magnetic shear across the magnetopause, in contrast with the terrestrial case. Our results thus suggest that the rate of magnetic flux transport due to reconnection at Saturn's magnetopause is generally small in comparison to the rate of magnetic flux advection by the solar wind and are consistent with the expectation that conditions at Saturn's magnetopause are less favorable for magnetopause reconnection than those at Earth's magnetopause.
Total ozone and Umkehr observations at Hoher Sonnblick 1994–2011: Climatology and extreme events
Authors: Fitzka M. , Hadzimustafic J. , Simic S.
Published: January 2014

Umkehr and total ozone measurements have been carried out at Hoher Sonnblick (47.05°N, 12.95°E; 3106 m above sea level) since 1994 with the Brewer MkIV #093 spectrophotometer. These measurements are used to investigate trends in total and vertically resolved ozone in the period 1994–2011 and for establishing an Umkehr climatology. A method to estimate daily thresholds for extreme events in total ozone (TO3) based on skewed log‐Weibull distributions is presented and applied to the record. An analysis of the such defined extreme events reveals a significant decline in the number of low events, whereas the high events increased by about the same amount. However, no significant trend is observed in the magnitude of extreme events. Solar activity and equivalent effective stratospheric chlorine show weak to no correlation with vertically resolved ozone, presumably due to the record's limited extent, while tropopause pressure and quasi‐biennial oscillation show a significant influence. Trend analysis of total and vertically resolved ozone indicates a significant increase in TO3of 2.0% per decade since 1994, whereas no recovery is observed in the upper stratosphere. While ozone concentrations continue to decrease or stagnate in the upper stratosphere, the loss is overcompensated by large gains in the lowest layers during winter, leading to a significant overall increase in TO3. During events with extremely low TO3, the largest deficiencies are found in the bottommost layers with a marked seasonal component. The topmost layers mainly contribute to TO3reductions during late winter and fall.
The Role of Working Memory when ‘Learning How’ with Multimedia Learning Material
Authors: van Genuchten Erlijn , van Hooijdonk Charlotte , Schüler Anne , Scheiter Katharina
Published: January 2014

The aim of the reported experiment was to obtain insight into how learners' visuo‐spatial working memory is involved during learning how to perform procedural‐motor tasks from a multimedia instruction (i.e. ‘learning how’). Eighty‐two participants studied first‐aid procedures using text only or multimedia. Working memory involvement was gauged by measuring the interference between learning first‐aid procedures and performing a spatial dual task. Learning outcomes were measured as task performance and task description. The results showed that performing a spatial dual task interfered to a larger extent with learning from text only than from multimedia. The results tend to support the assumption that pictures in tasks focusing on ‘learning how’ are beneficial to learning, because they might omit the need to engage in imagery and therewith reduce the cognitive effort that is required to understand the learning material. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A Facile Solution‐Doping Method to Improve a Low‐Temperature Zinc Oxide Precursor: Towards Low‐Cost Electronics on Plastic Foil
Authors: Weber Dennis , Botnaraş Silviu , Pham Duy Vu , Merkulov Alexey , Steiger Jürgen , Schmechel Roland , De Cola Luisa
Published: January 2014

Optimization of thin‐film transistors performance is usually accompanied by an increase of the process temperature. This work presents a method to raise the field effect mobility by a factor of 3 without a change of the process parameters. The modification involves a solution doping process where an ammine zinc complex is formed in the presence of metal ions of the 13th group, namely gallium and indium. Morphological studies, including scanning electron microscopy and atomic force microscopy, reveal the difference among the resulting films. Moreover, X‐ray diffraction results show that the doping affects the preferred orientation of the zinc oxide crystals in the resulting film. The electrical properties vary distinctly and are best for a solution doped with both gallium and indium. With a double‐layer system the performance of this new precursor exceeds field effect mobility values of 1 cm2 V−1 s−1 after a maximum process temperature of 160 °C.
Wicking and evaporation of liquids in porous wicks: A simple analytical approach to optimization of wick design
Authors: Beyhaghi Saman , Geoffroy Sandrine , Prat Marc , Pillai Krishna M.
Published: January 2014

Wicking and evaporation of volatile liquids in porous, cylindrical wicks is investigated where the goal is to model, using simple analytical expressions, the effects of variation in geometrical parameters of a wick, such as porosity, height and bead‐size, on the wicking and evaporation processes, and find optimum design conditions. An analytical sharp‐front flow model involving the single‐phase Darcy's law is combined with analytical expressions for the capillary suction pressure and wick permeability to yield a novel analytical approach for optimizing wick parameters. First, the optimum bead‐radius and porosity maximizing the wicking flow‐rate are estimated. Later, after combining the wicking model with evaporation from the wick‐top, the allowable ranges of bead‐radius, height and porosity for ensuring full saturation of the wick are calculated. The analytical results are demonstrated using some highly volatile alkanes in a polycarbonate sintered wick. © 2014 American Institute of Chemical EngineersAIChE J, 60: 1930–1940, 2014
Kinetic study of higher alcohol synthesis directly from syngas over CoCu/SiO2 catalysts
Authors: Su Junjie , Mao Wei , Xu Xin‐Chao , Yang Zhen , Li Honglin , Xu Jing , Han Yi‐Fan
Published: January 2014

Higher alcohol synthesis (HAS) directly from syngas is one of the most promising approaches for utilizing nonoil resources cleanly and efficiently. A series of bimetallic CoCu catalysts with different Co/Cu ratios were prepared using a SiO2 support. The structure of Cu modified Co catalysts was characterized using HRTEM, in/ex situ X‐ray diffraction, and temperature‐programmed reduction. It was evidenced that nanoscale metal particles were formed and the reduction of Co oxide at above 673 K. Meanwhile, the interaction between Co and Cu on the surface was assumed to be responsible for the enhanced selectivity to HAS. The intrinsic kinetics for this reaction was performed over a CoCu/SiO2 catalyst under realistic conditions. The kinetic parameters, including apparent activation energies and reaction orders, were calculated through power‐law models. With the combination of chain growth probability and kinetics, the effect of temperatures on the reaction mechanism and the Cu promotional effects on Co catalysts were elaborated. © 2014 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 60: 1797–1809, 2014
Fictitious particle method: A numerical model for flows including dense solids with large size difference
Authors: Tsuji Takuya , Higashida Kyohei , Okuyama Yoshitomo , Tanaka Toshitsugu
Published: January 2014

Large solids coexist with small solids in a number of dense gas‐solid flow applications such as fluidized beds and pneumatic conveyers. A new numerical model that is based on the discrete element method–computational fluid dynamics mesoscopic model and extended by introducing an idea appearing in volume penalization method is presented. In computational cells including large and small solids, the amount of momentum exchange between the fluid and the solids is estimated by assuming that a large solid consist of small, dense fictitious particles. We describe the proposed model in detail and show the optimal model parameters found through a number of parameter‐dependency studies. Validation study is performed for the motion of a large sphere in a bubbling fluidized bed and good agreements are confirmed for floating and sinking motions of the sphere between the present model and the experiment. © 2014 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 60: 1606–1620, 2014
Using virtual reality to investigate comparative spatial cognitive abilities in chimpanzees and humans
Authors: Dolins Francine L. , Klimowicz Christopher , Kelley John , Menzel Charles R.
Published: January 2014

The purpose of the present study was to determine the efficacy of investigating spatial cognitive abilities across two primate species using virtual reality. In this study, we presented four captive adult chimpanzees and 16 humans (12 children and 4 adults) with simulated environments of increasing complexity and size to compare species' attention to visuo‐spatial features during navigation. The specific task required participants to attend to landmarks in navigating along routes in order to localize the goal site. Both species were found to discriminate effectively between positive and negative landmarks. Assessing path efficiency revealed that both species and all age groups used relatively efficient, distance reducing routes during navigation. Compared to the chimpanzees and adult humans however, younger children's performance decreased as maze complexity and size increased. Surprisingly, in the most complex maze category the humans' performance was less accurate compared to one female chimpanzee. These results suggest that the method of using virtual reality to test captive primates, and in particular, chimpanzees, affords significant cross‐species investigations of spatial cognitive and developmental comparisons. Am. J. Primatol. 76:496–513, 2014. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Vegetable oil based polyurethanamide/organo‐montmorillonite bio‐nanocomposite
Authors: Zafar Fahmina , Zafar Hina , Sharmin Eram
Published: January 2014

The present work describes the synthesis and characterization of polyurethanamide/organo‐montmorillonite bio‐nanocomposites (OBNC) from Linseed oil‐a renewable resource. The aim of the work is (i) to widen the scope of application and improve the performance of vegetable oil based polymers, and (ii) to investigate the effect of introduction of modified clay on their structure, morphology, thermal stability, and coating properties. OBNC has been prepared by in situ polymerization of Linseed oil derived diol fattyamide and tolulylene‐2,4‐diisocyanate in the presence of different contents of OMMT (0.5–2.5 mass % in minimum amount of dimethylformamide) at room temperature. OBNC has been characterized by optical microscopy, FTIR, XRD, TEM, and TGA, which confirm the formation of OBNC. OBNC produced tough, scratch‐resistant, impact resistant, flexibility retentive coatings, which cure at room temperature with improved coating performance and thermal stability than virgin polymer. Amongst all the compositions, OMMT‐1.5 showed the best coating properties, with good scratch hardness (3.5 kg), impact (passes 200 lb/inch.) and bent test values (passes 1/8 inch). It can be commercially used as effective green coating material in future. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2014, 131, 40278.
A new efficient assembly language teaching aid for intel processors
Authors: Sweidan Saadeh Z. , Darabkh Khalid A.
Published: January 2014

Assembly 8086 language is an essential course that is taught in many universities offering computer engineering or science degree. However, the available software simulators that are used to write and run assembly programs do not fulfill the students' expectations due to being difficult to deal with and lacking a lot of necessary GUI features. In this article, we introduce a new Assembly Language Teaching Aid (ALTA32 or ALTA8086) which is basically a simulator that helps much in delivering concepts related to assembly language programming course for Intel microprocessors (µps). Among current and relevant simulators, ALTA32 not only is the simplest and easiest to use, but also has the most fascinating user‐friendly interface that exhibits constructive and informative features. Additionally, it offers multiple run modes with the option of writing programs directly or through loading existing files. It works efficiently in both 16‐bit and 32‐bit extensions considering real mode memory addressing. It supports all data and stack memory addressing modes along with all available directives to be used in both model and full‐segment program approaches. Furthermore, to understand and recognize changes after execution, all affected fields are emphasized and shown using visual effects such as dynamic labels, blinking texts, as well as colored codes. On the other hand, it is widely known that the Complex Instruction Set Computing (CISC) architecture, which is also a register‐memory architecture, is characterized by affording many instructions with various operands, affected flags, complex operations, and sources of syntax errors. Although it is really challenging to build up a simulator that completely supports that wide range of Intel assembly instructions taking into account the variety in their lengths and formats, we succeeded eventually to eliminate the code redundancy and make our code readable, maintainable, and scalable through programming all instructions based on the methodology of combining or grouping all instructions that almost act similarly to follow a certain efficient algorithm. As a programming environment, VB.Net has been used to develop the ALTA32 simulator. Throughout our experience in teaching assembly 8086 language programming course for CISC processors, we found many difficulties in getting the students familiar with well‐known simulators such as Microsoft Macro Assembler (MASM8086 or MASM32) or 8086 µp Emulator (EMU8086). Nevertheless, the feedback from our students about ALTA32 simulator was so impressive and the complaints were totally disappeared. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Comput Appl Eng Educ 23:217–238, 2015; View this article online at wileyonlinelibrary.com/journal/cae; DOI 10.1002/cae.21591
Anti‐solvent effect of crystallization by feeding ethanol under microwave radiation
Authors: Asakuma Y. , Murakami Y. , Konishi M.
Published: January 2014

The nucleation and crystal growth of sodium chloride in aqueous solution during crystallization by ethanol droplet feeding were investigated by determining the suspension density and crystal size distribution. Crystallization was conducted in a microwave reactor, and the effect of the power, stirring speed, and ethanol concentration were investigated to clarify the anti‐solvent effect under microwave radiation. Molecular diffusion was accelerated by fine particle production due to microwave radiation when the stirring speed was low and ethanol concentration was high. However, moderate microwave power and stirring speed were required for efficient molecular diffusion.
Synthesis, characterization and cathodoluminescence of high‐purity ZnS microbelts
Authors: Liu Baoyu , Zhang Dong , Pan Zhen , Wang Lei
Published: January 2014

ZnS microbelts with flat morphology have been synthesized through a physical vapor transportation method inside an induction furnace. The structure, morphology and cathodoluminescence properties of ZnS microbelts have been studied using various characterization methods. The width of the ZnS microbelts can be up to several micrometers and the length can reach to tens of µm. Optical measurements indicate that the ZnS microbelts show a sharp UV emission at 337 nm, a weak band at 377 nm, a strong visible luminescence band at 464 nm, and a shoulder at 665 nm. Finally, possible explanations for the optical emissions of ZnS microbelts are discussed.
Ranolazine protects from doxorubicin‐induced oxidative stress and cardiac dysfunction
Authors: Tocchetti Carlo G. , Carpi Andrea , Coppola Carmela , Quintavalle Cristina , Rea Domenica , Campesan Marika , Arcari Antonella , Piscopo Giovanna , Cipresso Clemente , Monti Maria Gaia , De Lorenzo Claudia , Arra Claudio , Condorelli Gerolama , Di Lisa Fabio , Maurea Nicola
Published: January 2014

Aims

Doxorubicin is widely used against cancer; however, it can produce heart failure (HF). Among other hallmarks, oxidative stress is a major contributor to HF pathophysiology. The late INa inhibitor ranolazine has proven effective in treating experimental HF. Since elevated [Na+]i is present in failing myocytes, and has been recently linked with reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, our aim was to assess whether ranolazine prevents doxorubicin‐induced cardiotoxicity, and whether blunted oxidative stress is a mechanism accounting for such protection.

Methods and result

In C57BL6 mice, doxorubicin treatment for 7 days produced LV dilation and decreased echo‐measured fractional shortening (FS). Ranolazine (305 mg/kg/day) prevented LV dilation and dysfunction when co‐administered with doxorubicin. Doxorubicin‐induced cardiotoxicity was accompanied instead by elevations in atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP), BNP, connective tissue growth factor (CTGF), and matrix metalloproteinase 2 (MMP2) mRNAs, which were not elevated on co‐treatment with ranolazine. Alterations in extracellular matrix remodelling were confirmed by an increase in interstitial collagen, which did not rise in ranolazine‐co‐treated hearts. Levels of poly(ADP‐ribose) polymerase (PARP) and pro‐caspase‐3 measured by western blotting were lowered with doxorubicin, with increased cleavage of caspase‐3, indicating activation of the proapoptotic machinery. Again, ranolazine prevented this activation. Furthermore, in HL‐1 cardiomyocytes transfected with HyPer to monitor H2O2 emission, besides reducing the extent of cell death, ranolazine prevented the occurrence of oxidative stress caused by doxorubicin. Interestingly, similar protective results were obtained with the Na+/Ca2+ exchanger (NCX) inhibitor KB‐R7943.

Conclusions

Ranolazine protects against experimental doxorubicin cardiotoxicity. Such protection is accompanied by a reduction in oxidative stress, suggesting that INa modulates cardiac redox balance, resulting in functional and morphological derangements.
Upgrading bio‐oil model compounds phenol and furfural with in situ generated hydrogen
Authors: Tan Zhichao , Xu Xingmin , Liu Yonggang , Zhang Changsen , Zhai Yunpu , liu Peng , Li Yu , Zhang Ruiqin
Published: January 2014

Bio‐oil produced from prolysis process of biomass cannot be directly used for transportation fuels, because of the poor quality. Catalytic hydrogenation is then used to upgrade bio‐oil to engine‐grade fuel. However, external H2 addition may not be cost effective to obtain high quality of oil. In this work, the feasibility of in situ hydrogen generation and hydrodeoxygenation is studied. Formic acid and acetic acid were selected as compounds for hydrogen generation by reforming reaction. Furfural and phenol were used as model bio‐oil compounds and were hydrogenated by in situ generated hydrogen from these acids using commercial Pd/C and Nickel based catalysts, RZ409. The reaction was performed in a batch‐scale reactor at 300°C for 3 h. The amount of H2 generation depended on the type of catalyst and substrate used. For example, 1 mol formic acid yielded 0.46 mol H2 (46% yield) and 0.46 mol CO2 with Pd/C, while it produced only 0.15 mol H2 and 0.15 mol CO2 with RZ490. The Furfural and phenol could be hydrogenrated and translated to different byproducts with in situ generated H2, with some byproducts identified. The results provide a clear rationale for utilization of in situ generated H2 for future bio‐oil upgrading to reduce external H2 usage. © 2014 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Environ Prog, 33: 751–755, 2014
Industrial estate wastewater treatment using single up‐flow aerobic/anoxic sludge bed (UAASB) bioreactor: A kinetic evaluation study
Authors: Asadi A. , Zinatizadeh A.A. , Sumathi S.
Published: January 2014

In this study, performance and kinetic analysis of carbon and nutrients removal in an up‐flow aerobic/anoxic sludge bed (UAASB) bioreactor for the treatment of an industrial estate wastewater was investigated. The performance of the reactor was evaluated as a function of two variables, including hydraulic retention time (HRT) of 4, 8, and 12 h and aeration time of 40 and 60 min/h. To obtain the kinetic coefficients, mass balance, first‐order, second‐order, and Stover–Kincannon models were employed. From the mass balance model, growth yield (Y), microbial decay rate (Kd), were found to be 0.161 g volatile suspended solid (VSS)/g chemical oxygen demand (COD), 0.039 1/d, respectively, whereas for first‐order model (K1) was 4.56 1/d. The constant values for Stover‐Kincannon model were obtained as half‐velocity constant (KB = 9.82 g/L) and maximum total substrate removal rate constant (Umax = 8.47 g/L d). © 2014 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Environ Prog, 33: 1220–1228, 2014
Inactivation of Wnt signaling by a human antibody that recognizes the heparan sulfate chains of glypican-3 for liver cancer therapy
Authors: Gao Wei , Kim Heungnam , Feng Mingqian , Phung Yen , Xavier Charles P. , Rubin Jeffrey S. , Ho Mitchell
Published: January 2014

Wnt signaling is important for cancer pathogenesis and is often up-regulated in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Heparan sulfate proteoglycans (HSPGs) function as coreceptors or modulators of Wnt activation. Glypican-3 (GPC3) is an HSPG that is highly expressed in HCC, where it can attract Wnt proteins to the cell surface and promote cell proliferation. Thus, GPC3 has emerged as a candidate therapeutic target in liver cancer. While monoclonal antibodies to GPC3 are currently being evaluated in preclinical and clinical studies, none have shown an effect on Wnt signaling. Here, we first document the expression of Wnt3a, multiple Wnt receptors, and GPC3 in several HCC cell lines, and demonstrate that GPC3 enhanced the activity of Wnt3a/β-catenin signaling in these cells. Then we report the identification of HS20, a human monoclonal antibody against GPC3, which preferentially recognized the heparan sulfate chains of GPC3, both the sulfated and nonsulfated portions. HS20 disrupted the interaction of Wnt3a and GPC3 and blocked Wnt3a/β-catenin signaling. Moreover, HS20 inhibited Wnt3a-dependent cell proliferation in vitro and HCC xenograft growth in nude mice. In addition, HS20 had no detectable undesired toxicity in mice. Taken together, our results show that a monoclonal antibody primarily targeting the heparin sulfate chains of GPC3 inhibited Wnt/β-catenin signaling in HCC cells and had potent antitumor activity in vivo. Conclusion: An antibody directed against the heparan sulfate of a proteoglycan shows efficacy in blocking Wnt signaling and HCC growth, suggesting a novel strategy for liver cancer therapy. (Hepatology 2014;60:576–587)
Hydrologic response to valley‐scale structure in alpine headwaters
Authors: Weekes Anne A. , Torgersen Christian E. , Montgomery David R. , Woodward Andrea , Bolton Susan M.
Published: January 2014

Few systematic studies of valley‐scale geomorphic drivers of streamflow regimes in complex alpine headwaters have compared response between catchments. As a result, little guidance is available for regional‐scale hydrological research and monitoring efforts that include assessments of ecosystem function. Physical parameters such as slope, elevation range, drainage area and bedrock geology are often used to stratify differences in streamflow response between sampling sites within an ecoregion. However, these metrics do not take into account geomorphic controls on streamflow specific to glaciated mountain headwaters. The coarse‐grained nature of depositional features in alpine catchments suggests that these landforms have little water storage capacity because hillslope runoff moves rapidly just beneath the rock mantle before emerging in fluvial networks. However, recent studies show that a range of depositional features, including talus slopes, protalus ramparts and ‘rock‐ice’ features may have more storage capacity than previously thought.

To better evaluate potential differences in streamflow response among basins with extensive coarse depositional features and those without, we examined the relationships between streamflow discharge, stable isotopes, water temperature and the amplitude of the diurnal signal at five basin outlets. We also quantified the percentages of colluvial channel length measured along the stepped longitudinal profile. Colluvial channels, characterized by the presence of surficial, coarse‐grained depositional features, presented sediment‐rich, transport‐limited morphologies that appeared to have a cumulative effect on the timing and volume of flow downstream. Measurements taken from colluvial channels flowing through depositional landforms showed median recession constants (Kr) of 0.9–0.95, δ18O values of ≥−14.5 and summer diurnal amplitudes ≤0.8 as compared with more typical surface water recession constant values of 0.7, δ18O ≤ −13.5 and diurnal amplitudes >2.0. Our results demonstrated strong associations between the percentage of colluvial channel length within a catchment and moderated streamflow regimes, water temperatures, diurnal signals and depleted δ18O related to groundwater influx. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Pedicle screw‐based posterior dynamic stabilizers for degenerative spine: In vitro biomechanical testing and clinical outcomes
Authors: Chamoli Uphar , Diwan Ashish D. , Tsafnat Naomi
Published: January 2014

Dynamic stabilization in a degenerate symptomatic spine may be advantageous compared with conventional fusion procedures, as it helps preserve motion and minimizes redistribution of loads at instrumented and adjacent segments. This article presents a systematic review of biomechanical and clinical evidence available on some of the pedicle screw based posterior dynamic stabilization (PDS) devices. Using Medline, Embase, and Scopus online databases, we identified four pedicle‐screw‐PDS devices for which both, biomechanical testing and clinical follow‐up data are available: Graf artificial ligaments, Isobar TTL, Polyetheretherketone rods, and Dynesys. The current state‐of‐the‐art of pedicle‐screw‐PDS devices is far from achieving its desired biomechanical efficacy, which has resulted in a weak support for the posited clinical benefits. Although pedicle‐screw‐PDS devices are useful in salvaging a moderately degenerate functionally suboptimal disc, for severe disc degeneration cases fusion is still the preferred choice. We conclude that a pedicle‐screw‐PDS device should aim at restoring load sharing amongst spinal elements while preserving the qualitative and quantitative nature of spinal motion, especially minimize posterior shift of the helical axis of motion. More precise and objective assessment techniques need to be standardized for in vivo evaluation of intervertebral motion and load sharing amongst spinal elements across different pedicle‐screw‐PDS devices. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part A: 102A: 3324–3340, 2014.
Protective Effect of the Y220C Mutant p53 Against Steatosis: Good News?
Authors: Gori Manuele , Barbaro Barbara , Arciello Mario , Maggio Roberta , Viscomi Carmela , Longo Alessia , Balsano Clara
Published: January 2014

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) ranges from simple steatosis to steatohepatitis, which may progress to fibrosis, and cirrhosis, leading eventually to hepatocarcinoma development. Recently, cases of hepatocarcinoma have been diagnosed in steatotic patients without nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) and cirrhosis. The p53 protein, besides its function as tumor suppressor, is emerging as an important regulator of cellular metabolism, but its role in steatosis remains unclear. We induced steatosis in HepG2 (wt‐p53) and Huh7.5.1 (Y220C‐mutant p53) cells using free fatty acids. We observed a different modulation of p53, different intracellular lipid content, and similar down‐regulation of the de novo lipid synthesis genes but opposite modulation of the fatty acid β‐oxidation pathway between HepG2 and Huh7.5.1. Accordingly, we found a diverse amount of apoptosis and reactive oxygen species between the two cell lines. Transfection of the wt‐p53 in Huh7.5.1 cells reverted the different lipid metabolism behavior observed in these cells. In conclusion, unlike the wt‐p53, the Y220C mutant provides a specific protection against steatosis and potentially against its progression. Our findings highlight for the first time an unknown role of a p53 mutant in the setting of steatosis. Being this mutation very frequent in human cancers, this study could be a breakthrough in explaining the occurrence of hepatocarcinoma in steatotic patients without NASH and cirrhosis. J. Cell. Physiol. 229: 1182–1192, 2014. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Ligand and solvent selection in challenging catalytic reactions
Authors: Moseley Jonathan D. , Murray Paul M.
Published: January 2014

Transition metal‐catalysed reactions are often strongly dependent on ligand and selection, among other factors, which makes discovering the ideal metal/ligand/solvent combination demanding. Furthermore, the effect of ligand and solvent choice is often subtle and unpredictable. This perspective describes how two statistical techniques, design of experiments (DoE) and principal component analysis (PCA), can be combined to guide the decision‐making process. The general approach to using these techniques is described, and illustrated with a brief worked example on challenging ‘borrowing hydrogen’ chemistry. The unique combination of DoE and PCA is a useful decision‐making tool to support the selection of ligands and solvents for challenging catalytic reactions. © 2014 Society of Chemical Industry
Assessment of brain damage and plasticity in the visual system due to early occipital lesion: Comparison of FDG‐PET with diffusion MRI tractography
Authors: Jeong Jeong‐won , Tiwari Vijay N. , Shin Joseph , Chugani Harry T. , Juhász Csaba
Published: January 2014

Purpose

To determine the relation between glucose metabolic changes of the primary visual cortex, structural abnormalities of the corresponding visual tracts, and visual symptoms in children with Sturge‐Weber syndrome (SWS).

Materials and Methods

In 10 children with unilateral SWS (ages 1.5–5.5 years), a region‐of‐interest analysis was applied in the bilateral medial occipital cortex on positron emission tomography (PET) and used to track diffusion‐weighted imaging (DWI) streamlines corresponding to the central visual pathway. Normalized streamline volumes of individual SWS patients were compared with values from age‐matched control groups as well as correlated with normalized glucose uptakes and visual field deficit.

Results

Lower glucose uptake and lower corresponding streamline volumes were detected in the affected occipital lobe in 9/10 patients, as compared to the contralateral side. Seven of these 9 patients had visual field deficit and normal or decreased streamline volumes on the unaffected side. The two other children had no visual symptoms and showed high contralateral visual streamline volumes. There was a positive correlation between the normalized ratios on DWI and PET, indicating that lower glucose metabolism was associated with lower streamline volume in the affected hemisphere (R = 0.70, P = 0.024).

Conclusion

We demonstrated that 18F‐flurodeoxyglucose (FDG)‐PET combined with DWI tractography can detect both brain damage on the side of the lesion and contralateral plasticity in children with early occipital lesions.J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2014;00:000–000. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2015;41:431–438.© 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Prevalence of human rhinovirus in children admitted to hospital with acute lower respiratory tract infections in Changsha, China
Authors: Zeng Sai‐Zhen , Xiao Ni‐Guang , Xie Zhi‐Ping , Xie Guang‐Cheng , Zhong Li‐Li , Wang Juan , Huang Han , Zhang Bing , Duan Zhao‐Jun
Published: January 2014

Human rhinovirus (HRV) is a causative agent of acute respiratory tract infections. This study analyzed the prevalence and clinical characteristics of three HRV groups (HRV‐A, ‐B, and ‐C) among 1,165 children aged 14 years or younger who were hospitalized with acute lower respiratory tract infection in China. PCR or reverse transcription‐PCR was performed to detect 14 respiratory viruses in nasopharyngeal aspirates collected from September 2007 to August 2008 in Changsha, China. HRV was detected in 202 (17.3%) of the 1,165 children; 25.3% of the HRV‐positive children were 13–36 months of age (χ2 = 22.803, P = 0.000). HRV was detected year round and peaked between September and December. Fifty‐three percent of the HRV‐positive samples were also positive for other respiratory viruses; respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) was the most common secondary virus. Phylogenetic analysis using the VP4/VP2 region grouped the HRV‐positive strains as follows: 101 HRV‐A (50.0%), 21 HRV‐B (10.4%), and 80 HRV‐C (39.6%). HRV‐A infections occurred predominantly in spring and autumn, and the peak prevalence of HRV‐C was in early winter and late autumn. HRV‐B infections were less common in spring (χ2 = 31.914, P = 0.000). No significant difference in clinical severity or presentation was found between patients with HRV single infection and HRV co‐detections. Furthermore, the clinical characterizations did not differ among the three HRV species. These results suggest that HRV‐C is an important viral agent along with HRV‐A and HRV‐B and that among hospitalized children with acute lower respiratory tract infection in China, the three HRV genotypes have similar clinical characteristics. J. Med. Virol. 86:1983–1989, 2014. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
RF and broadband noise investigation in High‐k/Metal Gate 28‐nm CMOS bulk transistor
Authors: Danneville F. , Poulain L. , Tagro Y. , Lepilliet S. , Dormieu B. , Gloria D. , Scheer P. , Dambrine G.
Published: January 2014

In order to pursue Moore's law, material engineering has constituted a real focus during the last decade. In particular, the recent introduction of new Gate stack using High‐k dielectrics and Metal Gate (H‐k/MG) for CMOS was a key point to downscale the ‘Equivalent Oxide Thickness’. Within this context, this paper intends to investigate radio frequency (RF) and broadband noise performance of a recent Low Power 28‐nm H‐k/MG CMOS Bulk Technology. For this purpose, S‐parameters carefully measured up to 110 GHz allowed the selection of the best RF transistor, leading to the best trade‐off for fT/fmax. For this transistor, multi‐bias RF Small Signal Equivalent Circuit (SSEC) was extracted, while its noise performance was assessed through different noise measurement methods and within different frequency ranges. It turned out that H‐k/MG 28‐nm CMOS Technology offers a minimum noise figure NFmin of 0.8 dB (with an associated gain Ga equal to 14 dB) at 20 GHz, for a quite low DC drain current of 135 mA/mm. Moreover, despite the aggressive length down‐scaling, the validity of the two‐temperature noise model was verified both in W band and through tuner based noise measurement in (6–18 GHz) frequency range. Finally, the noise performance were benchmarked with the best ones reported for H‐k/MG CMOS technology up‐to‐date. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Resolving the Beaufort Sea High using synoptic climatological methods
Authors: Ballinger Thomas J. , Sheridan Scott C. , Hanna Edward
Published: January 2014

Melt season frequencies of the Beaufort Sea High (BSH) have a profound effect on western Arctic climate, making the interannual spatial and temporal monitoring of this polar anticyclone important. This manuscript presents two automated synoptic climatological analyses using a two‐step cluster procedure to classify daily mean sea level pressure (MSLP) over 180–120°W and 70–85°N with an emphasis on identifyingBSHpatterns. Separate raw and anomalyMSLPcirculation pattern (CP) classifications are compared in order to assess the spatial characteristics of theBSHand its monthly frequency changes during the melt season from 1979 to 2012. Analysis of both classifications shows clear advantages to using the anomaly approach in terms of assessing temporal and spatial changes, particularly in light of the documented recent atmospheric circulation changes that have been observed over the region. Associations between the June anomaly circulation pattern (ACP) 5, a +4 hPa BSHpattern situated between 155°W and 135°W, and June indices of atmospheric teleconnections such as the Arctic Dipole and Arctic Oscillation are statistically significant. There is also a statistically significant link to the downstream Greenland Blocking Index; suggesting that theBSHmay be intricately related to climatic variability outside the analysed domain as well. Further,ACP5 occurred nearly 3 weeks more often during the melt season in recent massive Arctic Sea ice loss years (2007–2012) compared with the climatology (1979–2006). Recent increases in JuneACP5 frequencies account for a large proportion of this pattern's long‐term frequency changes.
In vivo monitoring of implant osseointegration in a rabbit model using acoustic sound analysis
Authors: Ruther Cathérine , Gabler Carolin , Ewald Hartmut , Ellenrieder Martin , Haenle Maximilian , Lindner Tobias , Mittelmeier Wolfram , Bader Rainer , Kluess Daniel
Published: January 2014

Implant osseointegration can currently only be assessed reliably post mortem. A novel method that relies on the principle of acoustic sound analysis was developed to enable examination of the longitudinal progress of osseointegration. The method is based on a magnetic sphere inside a hollow cylinder of the implant. By excitation using an external magnetic field, collision of the sphere inside the implant produces a sound signal. Custom‐made titanium implants equipped thusly were inserted in each lateral femoral epicondyle of 20 New Zealand White Rabbits. Two groups were investigated: Uncoated, machined surface versus antiadhesive surface; and calcium phosphate‐coated surface versus antiadhesive surface. The sound analysis was performed postoperatively and weekly. After 4 weeks, the animals were euthanized, and the axial pull‐out strengths of the implants were determined. A significant increase in the central frequency was observed for the loose implants (mean pull‐out strength 21.1 ± 16.9 N), up to 6.4 kHz over 4 weeks. In comparison, the central frequency of the osseointegrated implants (105.2 ± 25.3 N) dropped to its initial value. The presented method shows potential for monitoring the osseointegration of different implant surfaces and could considerably reduce the number of animals needed for experiments. © 2014 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 32:606–612, 2014.
Influence of aluminium on the corrosion behaviour of binary magnesium–aluminium alloys in saline solutions
Authors: Hoyer P. , Angrisani G. L. , Klose C. , Bach Fr.‐W. , Hassel T.
Published: January 2014

To improve the mechanical properties, the castability as well as the corrosion resistance of magnesium alloys, aluminium is frequently employed. As a rule, technically relevant alloys contain between 3 and 9 wt% aluminium. Normally, aluminium contents under 3 wt% is said to have no corrosion reducing effect. In order to investigate the influence of specific additions of aluminium, various methods are employed in practice and different electrolytes or concentrations of saline solutions are used as testing media. In doing this, it is rarely possible to compare the results. For this reason, the current work both discusses the influence of aluminium and the effect of different saline solutions on the corrosion behaviour of low alloy magnesium–aluminium alloys as well as compares two different measuring procedures (electrochemical and gravimetric).
Radiofrequency pulse design for the selective excitation of dissolved 129Xe
Authors: Leung General , Norquay Graham , Schulte Rolf F. , Wild Jim M.
Published: January 2014

Purpose

To optimize radiofrequency (RF) pulses for the selective excitation of dissolved phase 129Xe that take into account the very short T2*, while simultaneously, minimally exciting the much larger gas signal.

Methods

Numerical simulations of Shinnar le‐Roux pulses and binomial coefficient composite‐element pulses were performed and experimentally implemented on a 1.5 Tesla (T) clinical scanner. These were compared with pulses commonly used for short T2* imaging from the literature. The pulses were then experimentally tested in vivo with healthy volunteers inhaling hyperpolarized 129Xe using nuclear MR spectroscopy on a 1.5T clinical scanner.

Results

Standard RF excitation pulses inadvertently excite the gas compartment, or are long enough that the T2* of the dissolved compartment deteriorates the received signal. Amplitude modulated binomial composite pulses perform well being short and having high selectivity, however, deteriorate at high amplifier gain setting. Composite pulses using pulse width modulation provide the desired frequency response even in these nonlinear, high gain regimes.

Conclusion

Composite pulses provide a means of very narrow band frequency selectivity in a short duration pulse that is well suited to dissolved 129Xe imaging. Pulse width modulation maintains the desired frequency response even in the presence of amplitude distortion. Magn Reson Med 73:21–30, 2015. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Minisum multipurpose trip location problem on trees
Authors: Araghi Mojtaba , Berman Oded , Averbakh Igor
Published: January 2014

We consider the problem of locating facilities of two types at nodesof a tree network. Customers may need just one type of service, or bothtypes; in the latter case, to minimize transportation costs, the customers visit facilities of both types in a single trip. Each facility incurs a fixed cost that depends on the type of the facility and the node where it is located. It is required to minimize the sum of the total transportation and fixed costs. For the problem with a single facility of each type, we present an O( n) exact algorithm, which improves on the algorithm presented in [2]. For the problem with multiple facilities of each type, we present an algorithm. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. NETWORKS, Vol. 63(2), 154–159 2014
Morphology controlled synthesis zinc oxide and reinforcement in polyhydroxyalkanoates composites
Authors: Mo Zhaojun , Lin Jing , Zhang Xinhua , Fan Ying , Xu Xuewen , Xue Yanming , Liu Dong , Li Jie , Hu Long , Tang Chengchun
Published: January 2014

Micro‐sized ZnO crystals with different shapes have been successfully synthesized by a simple solvothermal reaction in glycol‐water binary solution or citrate solution. The morphology and size of the ZnO are strongly depended on synthetic environment. The growth of ZnO crystals with tunable shape was controlled by a suppressed crystal growth of the nonpolar plane and polar plane, due to the Tris selectively adsorbed on the different plane facets. Systematic reactions in the presence of different environments were conducted to control the formation of various well‐shaped ZnO crystals. In addition, the porous three‐dimensional microspheres possess larger surface area, which make it improving the mechanical properties of polymer compound. The mechanical properties of ZnO reinforced polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA) composites have been tremendously improved. The elongation to break and ultimate tensile strength are increased by 41.2 and 56% compared with the pure PHA, respectively. The Young's modulus of the composites is also further improved. The results demonstrate the effectiveness of ZnO as reinforcement applications in polymer composites. POLYM. COMPOS., 35:1701–1706, 2014. © 2014 Society of Plastics Engineers
Effect of smoking status on inhibin‐A in second‐trimester prenatal screening for Down syndrome
Authors: Huttly Wayne , Bestwick Jonathan , Wald Nicholas
Published: January 2014

What's already known about this topic?

Inhibin‐A is a useful marker in screening for Down syndrome in the second trimester of pregnancy.

It is known to be about 50% higher among women who state they smoke compared with women who state they do not smoke.

A single adjustment factor has been used in antenatal screening programmes.

What does this study add?

This study shows that the extent of the effect of smoking on Inhibin‐A is dependent on the gestational age of the pregnancy.

The extent of the effect increases from about 20% higher at early gestation (14 weeks) to about 70% higher at later gestations (20 weeks).

An equation allowing the effect of gestation to be considered is presented.
Exponentially weighted moving average chart as a suitable tool for nuchal translucency quality review
Authors: Hynek Martin , Smetanová Dagmar , Stejskal David , Zvárová Jana
Published: January 2014

Objectives

This study aimed to design an exponentially weighted moving average (EWMA) chart for the quality review of nuchal translucency (NT) and to assess its performance compared with the methods currently in use: retrospective distribution‐based methods and the cumulative sum (CUSUM) chart.

Methods

The EWMA model was designed for NT quality review using simulation. The NT measurements obtained during routine first‐trimester screening in our centre over a two‐and‐a‐half‐year period were retrieved from the database. The NT distribution parameters, EWMA and CUSUM chart were established, and the methods were compared.

Results

On the basis of the results from the simulation, the optimal EWMA settings were established. A set of 9338 NT measurements obtained from nine sonographers was used to construct the EWMA and CUSUM charts and to calculate the distribution parameters. Distribution‐based methods were unable to reveal the temporal periods of poor performance. The EWMA model agreed closely with the CUSUM but had the advantage promptly indicating when the process returned to an in‐control state, thus extending its use to long‐term prospective and retrospective quality assessments.

Conclusions

The EWMA provides a universal, easy and efficient tool for NT quality review when the prompt and effective detection of suboptimal performance is desired. © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.