bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Efficient Generation of Induced Pluripotent Stem (iPS) Cells from Adult Mouse Adipose Tissue-Derived and Neural Stem Cells
Authors: Tat Pollyanna A. , Sumer Huseyin , Jones Karen L. , Upton Kyle , Verma Paul J.
Published: July 2010

Ectopic expression of key reprogramming transgenes in somatic cells enables them to adopt the characteristics of pluripotency. Such cells have been termed induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells and have revolutionized the field of somatic cell reprogramming, as the need for embryonic material is obviated. One of the issues facing both the clinical translation of iPS cell technology and the efficient derivation of iPS cell lines in the research laboratory is choosing the most appropriate somatic cell type for induction. In this study, we demonstrate the direct reprogramming of a defined population of neural stem cells (NSCs) derived from the subventricular zone (SVZ) and adipose tissue-derived cells (ADCs) from adult mice using retroviral transduction of the Yamanaka factors Oct4, Sox2, Klf4, and c-Myc, and compared the results obtained with a mouse embryonic fibroblast (mEF) control. We isolated mEFs, NSCs, and ADCs from transgenic mice, which possess a GFP transgene under control of the Oct4 promoter, and validated GFP expression as an indicator of reprogramming. While transduction efficiencies were not significantly different among the different cell types (mEFs 68.70 ± 2.62%, ADCs 70.61 ± 15.4%, NSCs, 68.72 ± 3%, p = 0.97), the number of GFP-positive colonies and hence the number of reprogramming events was significantly higher for both NSCs (13.50 ± 4.10 colonies, 0.13 ± 0.06%) and ADCs (118.20 ± 38.28 colonies, 1.14 ± 0.77%) when compared with the mEF control (3.17 ± 0.29 colonies, 0.03 ± 0.005%). ADCs were most amenable to reprogramming with an 8- and 38-fold greater reprogramming efficiency than NSCs and mEFs, respectively. Both NSC iPS and ADC iPS cells were demonstrated to express markers of pluripotency and could differentiate to the three germ layers, both in vitro and in vivo, to cells representative of the three germ lineages. Our findings confirm that ADCs are an ideal candidate as a readily accessible somatic cell type for high efficiency establishment of iPS cell lines.
Colombine y el cine mudo en España (La mejor film)
Authors: Palomo M.ª del Pilar
Published: July 2010

Como contexto de los trabajos de Colombine sobre el cine que se analizan se comenta la aparición de las primeras cintas proyectadas en 1896 en Almería, y la situación del cinematógrafo en Madrid de 1901 a 1932: la unión de cine y teatro; primeras versiones sobre obras literarias españolas; el interés hacia el nuevo arte de las actrices teatrales y de los escritores vanguardistas... Se analizan dos artículos de Carmen de Burgos sobre Francesca Bertini de 1916, y su novela La mejor film, de 1918, que ofrece los pormenores de una filmación en dicha fecha.
Carmen de Burgos, la APM y aquellas admirables chicas del 98
Authors: Hernando Bernardino M.
Published: July 2010

Entre las cinco primeras mujeres periodistas pertenecientes a la Asociación de la Prensa de Madrid (APM) estaba la escritora, profesora, conferenciante y empedernida viajera Carmen de Burgos, llamada Colombine. Ella y las otras cuatro, Jesusa Granda, participante en la fundación de la APM en 1895, Atocha Ossorio y Gallardo, Salomé Núñez de Topete y Consuelo Álvarez Pool formaban un grupo esforzado de admirables mujeres luchadoras por la cultura y los derechos humanos. Identificadas con los ideales sociales más avanzados podrían haber pertenecido a la “generación del 98” si esta no hubiera sido tan machista como era casi todo en aquella época.
Carmen de Burgos y El divorcio en España
Authors: Abellán José Luis
Published: July 2010

El autor parte del difícil tratamiento del tema del divorcio en España, como consecuencia de su tradicional constitución como un Estado católico confesional. En este marco considera que la publicación del libro de Carmen de Burgos, El divorcio en España (1904), fue un verdadero revulsivo; se detiene el autor en algunos miembros de la generación del 98 –Azorín, Baroja, Unamuno– que contestaron a la encuesta del Diario Universa, y aprovecha la ocasión para poner de relieve la difícil coyuntura de la sociedad española –“crisis de fin de siglo”– en los primeros años del siglo XX.
Hasta que la ley de divorcio nos separe…
Authors: Sanz Romero Alejandro
Published: July 2010

En 1904, fruto de una noticia aparecida en el Diario Universal sobre la fundación de un “club de matrimonios mal avenidos”, veía la luz El divorcio en España, un libro que recogía por primera vez la opinión de un pequeño pero significativo sector de la sociedad sobre un tema tan delicado como controvertido, y para el que Carmen de Burgos, Colombine, solicitó la colaboración, a modo de referéndum, no solo de escritores e intelectuales tan importantes como Azorín, Unamuno o Pío Baroja, sino de los lectores del propio periódico. Este título contribuyó notablemente a la proyección pública de nuestra autora, que fue una verdadera y apasionada defensora de la ley de Divorcio y de los derechos de la mujer hasta su muerte.
Carmen de Burgos y las colecciones de novela corta
Authors: Sánchez Álvarez-Insúa Alberto
Published: July 2010

Se estudia la producción literaria de Carmen de Burgos en forma de novela corta. Se dan noticias de las diferentes colecciones y de los contenidos de las novelas.
Confidencias de artistas, de Carmen de Burgos
Authors: García Templado José
Published: July 2010

Confidencias de Artistas reúne las entrevistas a estrellas de la escena que lograron el éxito. Esas entrevistas apoyan o motivan los objetivos ideológicos que inspiraron a Colombine su peculiar feminismo. La crisis de fin de siglo, la Ilustración, las Constituciones, el Regeneracionismo, las nuevas corrientes filosóficas y literarias, iluminaron su camino y le proporcionaron un método de trabajo. Los resultados ponen de relieve la conculcación o ratificación de los derechos de la mujer moderna que Carmen de Burgos recoge en su ensayo sobre el tema.
De Rodalquilar a Recanati: fragmentos de un universo inevitablemente amoroso
Authors: Prieto Palomo Isabel
Published: July 2010

Se comenta la traducción y estudio de Leopardi por parte de Carmen de Burgos, y se plantea la disparidad de la psicología de Colombine y la del poeta de Recanati: un pesimismo vital por parte de Leopardi y la vitalidad de la escritora, que aplica al poeta italiano la tónica con que el Romanticismo europeo sintió el deber de la existencia.
Hablando con los descendientes, de Carmen de Burgos
Authors: Torres González Begoña
Published: July 2010

Hablando con los descendientes es un compendio de entrevistas llevadas a cabo a los descendientes de los más importantes artistas –sobre todo– del período romántico. Se relaciona con el artículo de costumbres y con la crónica periodística. En esta recopilación Colombine sabe ver lo general, pero le abruma lo particular por lo que, en muchas ocasiones, se pierde en la maleza de las nimiedades y anécdotas de las vidas de sus protagonistas. Lleva a cabo una tipificación de sus personajes en la que, como ocurría con Mesonero, cuentan más los modos de vivir, que los modos de ser. Tocada de lleno por el positivismo y el racionalismo, la autora defendió la importancia de la experiencia vital propia de cada hombre. Fascinada por el progreso material de la sociedad moderna, parece vislumbrar, sin embargo, la necesidad de proveer a este proyecto una alternativa regida por la virtud. Encontramos un idealismo humanístico de códigos morales que convive junto a la presencia de la tradición del pasado a la que considera válida para la formación de nuevos patrones del presente.
Colombine, biógrafa de Larra
Authors: Romero Tobar Leonardo
Published: July 2010

Carmen de Burgos Colombine cultivó también el género biográfico; la biografía más trabajada es la que dedicó a Larra que aún es libro de referencia para los larristas. Este artículo resume las aportaciones de su Fígaro (1919): abundantes manuscritos, valiosos documentos inéditos y textos periodísticos olvidados, un material que sirvió a Colombine para interpretar la trayectoria política, literaria y vital de un romántico con el que se sintió profundamente identificada.
Tomographic retrieval of cloud liquid water fields from a single scanning microwave radiometer aboard a moving platform – Part 2: Observation system simulation experiments
Authors: Huang D. , Gasiewski A. , Wiscombe W.
Published: July 2010

Abstract. Part 1 of this research concluded that many conditions of the 2003 Wakasa Bay experiment were not optimal for the purpose of tomographic retrieval. Part 2 (this paper) then aims to find possible improvements to the mobile cloud tomography method using observation system simulation experiments. We demonstrate that the incorporation of the L1 norm total variation regularization in the tomographic retrieval algorithm better reproduces discontinuous structures than the widely used L2 norm Tikhonov regularization. The simulation experiments reveal that a typical ground-based mobile setup substantially outperforms an airborne one because the ground-based setup usually moves slower and has greater contrast in microwave brightness between clouds and the background. It is shown that, as expected, the error in the cloud tomography retrievals increases monotonically with both the radiometer noise level and the uncertainty in the estimate of background brightness temperature. It is also revealed that a lower speed of platform motion or a faster scanning radiometer results in more scan cycles and more overlap between the swaths of successive scan cycles, both of which help to improve the retrieval accuracy. The last factor examined is aircraft height. It is found that the optimal aircraft height is 0.5 to 1.0 km above the cloud top. To summarize, this research demonstrates the feasibility of tomographically retrieving the spatial structure of cloud liquid water using current microwave radiometric technology and provides several general guidelines to improve future field-based studies of cloud tomography.
Technical Note: Trend estimation from irregularly sampled, correlated data
Authors: von Clarmann T. , Stiller G. , Grabowski U. , Eckert E. , Orphal J.
Published: July 2010

Abstract. Estimation of a trend of an atmospheric state variable is usually performed by fitting a linear regression line to a set of data of this variable sampled at different times. Often these data are irregularly sampled in space and time and clustered in a sense that error correlations among data points cause a similar error of data points sampled at similar times. Since this can affect the estimated trend, we suggest to take the full error covariance matrix of the data into account. Superimposed periodic variations can be jointly fitted in a straightforward manner, even if the shape of the periodic function is not known. Global data sets, particularly satellite data, can form the basis to estimate the error correlations. State-dependent amplitudes of superimposed periodic corrections result in a non-linear optimization problem which is solved iteratively.
Comparison of global inventories of monthly CO emissions derived from remotely sensed data
Authors: Stroppiana D. , Brivio P. A. , Grégoire J.-M. , Liousse C. , Guillaume B. , Granier C. , Mieville A. , Chin M. , Pétron G.
Published: July 2010

Abstract. Five global inventories of monthly CO emissions named VGT, ATSR, MODIS, GFED2 and MOPITT and based on remotely sensed active fires and/or burned area products for the year 2003 are compared. The objective is to highlight similarities and differences focusing on the geographical and temporal distribution of the emissions at the global and continental scale and for three broad land cover classes (forest, savanna/grassland and agriculture). Emissions for the year 2003 range between 398 Tg CO and 1422 Tg CO. Africa shows the best agreement among the inventories both in terms of total annual amounts (162.4–367.4 Tg CO) and of seasonality despite some overestimation of emissions from forest and agriculture land covers observed in the MODIS inventory. Eurasian boreal forests most contribute to the large difference observed due to the high fuel loads involved in burning. In these regions VGT tends to overestimate emissions especially outside the typical fire season. In South America the perfect agreement of annual totals given by VGT and MOPITT (121 Tg CO) hides a different geographical distribution of CO sources: compensation effects between the 0.5° grid cells lead to a better agreement when looking at regional or annual totals. Looking at the broad land covers, the range of contribution to global emissions is 64–74%, 13–19% and 3–4% for forests, savanna/grasslands and agriculture, respectively. Results suggest that there is still large uncertainty in global estimates of emissions and attention should be paid to accurate parameterization of vegetation characteristics and conditions at the time of fire.
The use of products from ground-based GNSS observations in meteorological nowcasting
Authors: Terradellas E. , Téllez B.
Published: July 2010

Abstract. Convective rainfall is often focalized in areas of moisture convergence. A close relationship between precipitation and fast variations of vertically-integrated water vapour (IWV) has been found in numerous cases. Therefore, continuous monitoring of atmospheric humidity and its spatial distribution is crucial to the operational forecaster for a proper nowcasting of heavy rainfall events. The microwave signals continuously broadcasted by the Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS) satellites are influenced by the water vapour as they travel through the atmosphere. Estimates of IWV retrieved from ground-based GNSS observations may, then, constitute a source of information on the horizontal distribution and the time evolution of atmospheric humidity. At the Spanish Meteorological Agency (AEMET), a near-real-time map of IWV estimates retrieved from ground GNSS measurements in the Iberian Peninsula and West Mediterranean region is operationally built and presented to the forecaster. The maps are generated every 15 minutes following a one-dimensional variational assimilation scheme with the previous map as the background state. A case study is presented in order to illustrate some strengths and weaknesses of the product, to assess the potential benefit of using GNSS products in nowcasting and to define the steps to be done in order to make use of the full potential of the method.
A fully automated FTIR system for remote sensing of greenhouse gases in the tropics
Authors: Geibel M. C. , Gerbig C. , Feist D. G.
Published: July 2010

Abstract. This article introduces a new fully automated FTIR system that is part of the Total Carbon Column Observing Network. It will provide continuous ground-based measurements of column-averaged volume mixing ratio for CO2, CH4 and several other greenhouse gases in the tropics. Housed in a 20-foot shipping container it was developed as a transportable system that could be deployed almost anywhere in the world. We describe the automation concept which relies on three autonomous subsystems and their interaction. Crucial components like a sturdy and reliable solar tracker dome are described in detail. First results of total column measurements at Jena, Germany show that the instrument works well and can provide diurnal as well as seasonal cycle for CO2. Instrument line shape measurements with an HCl cell suggest that the instrument stays well-aligned over several months. After a short test campaign for side by side intercomaprison with an existing TCCON instrument in Australia, the system will be transported to its final destination Ascension Island.
Fluorescence and absorption properties of chromophoric dissolved organic matter (CDOM) in coastal surface waters of the Northwestern Mediterranean Sea (Bay of Marseilles, France)
Authors: Para J. , Coble P. G. , Charrière B. , Tedetti M. , Fontana C. , Sempéré R.
Published: July 2010

Abstract. Seawater samples were collected in surface waters (2 and 5 m depths) of the Bay of Marseilles (Northwestern Mediterranean Sea; 5°17′30′′ E, 43°14′30′′ N) during one year from November 2007 to December 2008 and studied for total organic carbon (TOC) as well as chromophoric dissolved organic matter (CDOM) optical properties (absorbance and fluorescence). The annual mean value of surface CDOM absorption coefficient at 350 nm [aCDOM(350)] was very low (0.10 ± 0.02 m−1) with in comparison to values usually found in coastal waters, and no significant seasonal trend in aCDOM(350) could be determined. By contrast, the spectral slope of CDOM absorption (SCDOM) was significantly higher (0.023 ± 0.003 nm−1) in summer than in fall and winter periods (0.017 ± 0.002 nm−1), reflecting either CDOM photobleaching or production in surface waters during stratified sunny periods. The CDOM fluorescence, assessed through excitation emission matrices (EEMs), was dominated by protein-like component (peak T; 1.30–21.94 QSU) and marine humic-like component (peak M; 0.55–5.82 QSU), while terrestrial humic-like fluorescence (peak C; 0.34–2.99 QSU) remained very low. This reflected a dominance of relatively fresh material from biological origin within the CDOM fluorescent pool. At the end of summer, surface CDOM fluorescence was very low and strongly blue shifted, reinforcing the hypothesis of CDOM photobleaching. Our results suggested that unusual Rhône River plume eastward intrusion events may reach Marseilles Bay within 2–3 days and induce local phytoplankton blooms and subsequent fluorescent CDOM production (peaks M and T) without adding terrestrial fluorescence signatures (peak C). Besides Rhône River plumes, mixing events of the entire water column injected humic (peaks C and M) CDOM from the bottom into the surface and thus appeared also as an important source of CDOM in surface waters of the Marseilles Bay. Therefore, the assessment of CDOM optical properties, within the hydrological context, pointed out several biotic (in situ biological production, biological production within Rhône River plumes) and abiotic (photobleaching, mixing) factors controlling CDOM transport, production and removal in this highly urbanized coastal area.
Influence of solar variability, CO2 and orbital forcing between 1000 and 1850 AD in the IPSLCM4 model
Authors: Servonnat J. , Yiou P. , Khodri M. , Swingedouw D. , Denvil S.
Published: July 2010

Abstract. Studying the climate of the last millennium gives the possibility to deal with a relatively well-documented climate essentially driven by natural forcings. We have performed two simulations with the IPSLCM4 climate model to evaluate the impact of Total Solar Irradiance (TSI), CO2 and orbital forcing on secular temperature variability during the preindustrial part of the last millennium. The Northern Hemisphere (NH) temperature of the simulation reproduces the amplitude of the NH temperature reconstructions over the last millennium. Using a linear statistical decomposition we evaluated that TSI and CO2 have similar contributions to secular temperature variability between 1425 and 1850 AD. They generate a temperature minimum comparable to the Little Ice Age shown by the temperature reconstructions. Solar forcing explains ~80% of the NH temperature variability during the first part of the millennium (1000–1425 AD) including the Medieval Climate Anomaly (MCA). It is responsible for a warm period which occurs two centuries later than in the reconstructions. This mismatch implies that the secular variability during the MCA is not fully explained by the response of the model to the TSI reconstruction. With a signal-noise ratio (SNR) estimate we found that the temperature signal of the forced simulation is significantly different from internal variability over area wider than ~5.106 km2, i.e. approximately the extent of Europe. Orbital forcing plays a significant role in latitudes higher than 65° N in summer and supports the conclusions of a recent study on an Arctic temperature reconstruction over past two millennia. The forced variability represents at least half of the temperature signal on only ~30% of the surface of the globe. This study suggests that regional reconstructions of the temperature between 1000 and 1850 AD are likely to show weak signatures of solar, CO2 and orbital forcings compared to internal variability.
Assessing the internal consistency of the CARINA data base in the Pacific sector of the Southern Ocean
Authors: Sabine C. L. , Hoppema M. , Key R. M. , Tilbrook B. , van Heuven S. , Lo Monaco C. , Metzl N. , Ishii M. , Murata A. , Musielewicz S.
Published: July 2010

Abstract. The CARINA project is aimed at gathering and providing secondary quality control checks on carbon and carbon-relevant hydrographic and geochemical data from cruises all across the Atlantic, Arctic and Southern Ocean. In total the project gathered 188 cruises that were not previously available to the public. Of these 188 cruises, 37 are part of the Southern Ocean. Parameters from the Southern Ocean cruises, including total carbon dioxide (TCO2), total alkalinity, oxygen, nitrate, phosphate and silicate, were examined for cruise-to-cruise consistency. pH and chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) are also part of the data base, but are not discussed here. This paper focuses on the quality control of the Southern Ocean data from the Pacific sector which consisted of 29 cruises of which 17 were included in a previous synthesis called GLODAP, 11 were new cruises from the CARINA dataset, and one cruise was included in GLODAP but was updated with new data and therefore also included in CARINA. The Pacific sector quality control procedures included crossover analysis between stations and inversion analysis of all crossover data. The GLODAP data were included into the analysis as reference cruises but without applying the GLODAP recommended adjustments so the corrections could be independently verified. The outcome of this effort is an internally consistent, high-quality carbon data set for all cruises, including the reference cruises.
Design flood hydrographs from the relationship between flood peak and volume
Authors: Mediero L. , Jiménez-Álvarez A. , Garrote L.
Published: July 2010

Abstract. Hydrological frequency analyses are usually focused on flood peaks. Flood volumes and durations have not been so exhaustively studied although there are many practical cases, like dam design, where the full hydrograph is of interest. A flood hydrograph may be described by a multivariate function of peak, volume and duration. Most standard bivariate and trivariate functions do not produce univariate three-parameter functions as marginal distributions, but three-parameter functions are required to fit highly skewed data as flood peak and volume series. In this paper, relationship between flood peak and hydrograph volume is analysed to overcome this problem. A Monte Carlo experiment was carried out to generate an ensemble of hydrographs that keep the statistical properties of marginal distributions of peaks, volumes and durations. This ensemble can be applied to determine the Design Flood Hydrograph (DFH) for a reservoir, which is not a unique hydrograph, but a curve in the peak-volume space. All hydrographs in that curve have the same return period, understood as the inverse of the probability to exceed a certain water level in the reservoir any given year. The procedure can also be applied to design the length of the spillway crest in terms of risk to exceed a given water level in the reservoir.
Self-organized criticality in solar flares: a cellular automata approach
Authors: Morales L. F. , Charbonneau P.
Published: July 2010

Abstract. We give an overview of a novel lattice-based avalanche model that reproduces well a number of observed statistical properties of solar flares. The anisotropic lattice is defined as a network of vertically-connected nodes subjected to horizontal random displacements mimicking the kinks introduced by random motions of the photospheric footpoints of magnetic fieldlines forming a coronal loop. We focus here on asymmetrical driving displacements, which under our geometrical interpretation of the lattice correspond to a net direction of twist of the magnetic fieldlines about the loop axis. We show that a net vertical electrical current density does build up in our lattice, as one would expect from systematic twisting of a loop-like magnetic structure, and that the presence of this net current has a profound impact on avalanche dynamics. The presence of an additional energy reservoir tends to increase the mean energy released by avalanches, and yield a probability distribution of released energy in better agreement with observational inferences than in its absence. Symmetrical driving displacements are in better conceptual agreement with a random shuffling of photospheric footpoint, and yield a power-law distribution of energy release with exponent larger than 2, as required in Parker's nanoflare model of coronal heating. On the other hand, moderate asymmetrical driving generate energy distribution exponents that are similar to those obtained from SOHO EUV observations.
Metrological traceability of oceanographic salinity measurement results
Authors: Seitz S. , Feistel R. , Wright D. G. , Weinreben S. , Spitzer P. , De Bièvre P.
Published: July 2010

Abstract. Consistency of observed oceanographic salinity data is discussed with respect to contemporary metrological concepts. The claimed small uncertainty of salinity measurement results traceable to the conductivity ratio of a certified IAPSO Standard Seawater reference is not metrologically justified if results are compared on climatic time scales. This applies in particular to Practical Salinity SP, Reference Salinity SR, and the latest estimates of Absolute Salinity using the TEOS-10 formalism. In climate time scales an additional contribution to the uncertainty that is related to unknown property changes of the reference material must be accounted for. Moreover, when any of these measured or calculated quantity values is used to estimate Absolute Salinity of a seawater sample under investigation, another uncertainty contribution is required to quantify the accuracy of the equations relating the actually measured quantity to the Absolute Salinity. Without accounting for these additional uncertainties, such results cannot be used to estimate Absolute Salinity with respect to the International System of Units (SI), i.e. to the unit chosen for the mass fraction of dissolved material in the sample, which is "g/kg". From a metrological point of view, such deficiencies in the calculations involving other quantities will produce SI-incompatible results. We outline how these problems can be overcome by linking salinity to primary SI measurement standards.
Spatial and temporal variability in summer snow pack in the Dronning Maud Land, Antarctica
Authors: Vihma T. , Mattila O.-P. , Pirazzini R. , Johansson M. M.
Published: July 2010

Abstract. Snow temperature, density, and layering were measured in four summers in the Dronning Maud Land, Antarctica. Data from a 310-km-long transect showed that the most homogeneous snow pack located in the Riiser-Larsen Ice Shelf, while horizontal gradients in snow density, temperature, and hardness were larger in the escarpment region. In the local scale, day-to-day temporal variability dominated the standard deviation of snow temperature, while the diurnal cycle was next important, and horizontal variability in the scale of 0.4 to 10 m was the smallest component. The day-to-day and total small-scale variability decreased exponentially with depth with an e-folding depth at 0.25 to 0.30 m. Snow temperature depended on the cloud cover in the uppermost 0.30 m and snow density in the uppermost 0.10 m. Both in the intra-pit and transect scales, the ratio of horizontal to temporal variability increased with depth. In the intra-pit scale the temporal variability in snow density exceeded the horizontal variability throughout the uppermost 0.50 m layer, but in the 100-km scale only in the uppermost centimetres. The horizontal standard deviation of snow density increased rapidly between the scales of 0.4 and 2 m, and much more gradually from 101 to 102 m.
Biomorphic Silicon Carbide Coated with an Electrodeposition of Nanostructured Hydroxyapatite/Collagen as Biomimetic Bone Filler and Scaffold
Authors: Lelli M. , Foltran I. , Foresti E. , Martinez‐Fernandez J. , Torres‐Raya C. , Varela‐Feria F. M. , Roveri N.
Published: July 2010

The paper describes the method of preparation and chemical/physical characterization of a new biomaterial to be used as a bone substitute and bone‐tissue engineering scaffold, which synergistically joins a porous bio‐inspired morphology and the mechanical properties of biomorphic silicon carbide (BioSiC) with the surface bioactivity of a nanostructured hydroxyapatite/collagen biomimetic coating. FT‐IR spectroscopy and XRD techniques are utilized to determine the chemical coating's composition. The morphology and size of the inorganic and protein components are investigated by TEM. The characteristic morphology of BioSiC channels and pores, which differ as a function of the transversal or longitudinal cross‐section and with etching time, are investigated by SEM. Natural wood transformed into BioSiC acts as a cathode in an electrochemically assisted process that produces on its surface a biomimetic coating of hydroxyapatite nanocrystals and reconstituted type I collagen fibrils, producing an innovative apatite/collagen biomimetic porous bone filler and scaffold for tissue engineering.
An Ab Initio Molecular Dynamics Study of Bioactive Phosphate Glasses
Authors: Tang Emilia , Di Tommaso Devis , de Leeuw Nora H.
Published: July 2010

First principles molecular dynamics simulations of ternary phosphate‐based glasses P2O5CaONa2O (PBGs) have been carried out in order to provide an accurate description of the local structure and properties of these important materials for biomedical applications. The structures of PBGs with compositions (P2O5)0.45(CaO)x(Na2O)0.55 − x (x = 0.30, 0.35, and 0.40) were generated using a full ab initio molecular dynamics melt‐and‐quench procedure. The analysis of the structure of the glasses at 300 K shows the prevalence of the metaphosphate Q2 and pyrophosphate Q1 species, whereas the number of Q3 units, which constitute the three‐dimensional phosphate network, significantly decreases with the increase in calcium content in the glass. Calculation of the pair and angular distribution functions suggests that the rigidity of the phosphate tetrahedral glass network increases with the concentration of calcium, an observation which is interpreted in terms of the tendency of Ca2+ to be a stronger coordinator than sodium.
Conjugated‐Polymer‐Based Lateral Heterostructures Defined by High‐Resolution Photolithography
Authors: Chang Jui‐Fen , Gwinner Michael C. , Caironi Mario , Sakanoue Tomo , Sirringhaus Henning
Published: July 2010

Solution processing of polymer semiconductors provides a new paradigm for large‐area electronics manufacturing on flexible substrates, but it also severely restricts the realization of interesting advanced device architectures, such as lateral heterostructures with defined interfaces, which are easily accessible with inorganic materials using photolithography. This is because polymer semiconductors degrade, swell, or dissolve during conventional photoresist processing. Here a versatile, high‐resolution photolithographic method is demonstrated for patterning of polymer semiconductors and exemplify this with high‐performance p‐type and n‐type field‐effect transistors (FETs) in both bottom‐ and top‐gate architectures, as well as ambipolar light‐emitting field‐effect transistors (LEFETs), in which the recombination zone can be pinned at a photolithographically defined lateral heterojunction between two semiconducting polymers. The technique therefore enables the realization of a broad range of novel device architectures while retaining optimum materials performance.
Polymer Scaffolds for Small‐Diameter Vascular Tissue Engineering
Authors: Ma Haiyun , Hu Jiang , Ma Peter X.
Published: July 2010

To better engineer small‐diameter blood vessels, a few types of novel scaffolds are fabricated from biodegradable poly(L‐lactic acid) (PLLA) by means of thermally induced phase‐separation (TIPS) techniques. By utilizing the differences in thermal conductivities of the mold materials and using benzene as the solvent scaffolds with oriented gradient microtubular structures in the axial or radial direction can be created. The porosity, tubular size, and the orientational direction of the microtubules can be controlled by the polymer concentration, the TIPS temperature, and by utilizing materials of different thermal conductivities. These gradient microtubular structures facilitate cell seeding and mass transfer for cell growth and function. Nanofibrous scaffolds with an oriented and interconnected microtubular pore network are also developed by a one‐step TIPS method using a benzene/tetrahydrofuran mixture as the solvent without the need for porogen materials. The structural features of such scaffolds can be conveniently adjusted by varying the solvent ratio, phase‐separation temperature, and polymer concentration to mimic the nanofibrous features of an extracellular matrix. These scaffolds were fabricated for the tissue engineering of small‐diameter blood vessels by utilizing their advantageous structural features to facilitate blood‐vessel regeneration.
BioMOFs: Metal–Organic Frameworks for Biological and Medical Applications
Authors: McKinlay Alistair C. , Morris Russell E. , Horcajada Patricia , Férey Gérard , Gref Ruxandra , Couvreur Patrick , Serre Christian
Published: July 2010

The class of highly porous materials called metal–organic frameworks offer many opportunities for applications across biology and medicine. Their wide range of chemical composition makes toxicologically acceptable formulation possible, and their high level of functionality enables possible applications as imaging agents and as delivery vehicles for therapeutic agents. The challenges in the area encompass not only the development of new solids but also improvements in the formulation and processing of the materials, including tailoring the morphology and surface chemistry of the frameworks to fit the proposed applications.
Carbon Dioxide Capture: Prospects for New Materials
Authors: D'Alessandro Deanna M. , Smit Berend , Long Jeffrey R.
Published: July 2010

The escalating level of atmospheric carbon dioxide is one of the most pressing environmental concerns of our age. Carbon capture and storage (CCS) from large point sources such as power plants is one option for reducing anthropogenic CO2 emissions; however, currently the capture alone will increase the energy requirements of a plant by 25–40 %. This Review highlights the challenges for capture technologies which have the greatest likelihood of reducing CO2 emissions to the atmosphere, namely postcombustion (predominantly CO2/N2 separation), precombustion (CO2/H2) capture, and natural gas sweetening (CO2/CH4). The key factor which underlies significant advancements lies in improved materials that perform the separations. In this regard, the most recent developments and emerging concepts in CO2 separations by solvent absorption, chemical and physical adsorption, and membranes, amongst others, will be discussed, with particular attention on progress in the burgeoning field of metal–organic frameworks.
Effect of cooling rate on the partition of heavy and alkali metals during waste incineration
Authors: Han Jun , Qing Linbo , Xu Minghou , Yao Hong , Furuuchi Masami , Hata Mitsuhiko
Published: July 2010

The cooling rate is the most important factor affecting the partition of vapor metallic compounds in the downstream of waste incinerator. In this work, an experiment was performed in a bench‐scale incinerator to reveal the relationship between the cooling rate and the partition of heavy and alkali metals. Experimental results showed that the increase in cooling rate had a negative effect on the capture of heavy and alkali metals by silica filter in the temperature range of 26–160 °C/s. The higher cooling rate results in the formation of smaller particles, which are not easy to be captured by the silica filter. The optimum cooling rate for Cu gas–solid transformation was about 53.3 °C/s in the temperature range of 600–800 °C, and that for Na and K were 26.67 and 26.67 °C/s, respectively. The morphology observed by scanning electron microscope/energy dispersive using X‐ray (SEM‐EDX) confirmed that a large amount of vapor mineral matter or metals were transformed into solid or liquid phase by nucleation or condensation on the surface of the particles in the second and third filters. Moreover, the mass fraction of Pb in the second filter was as high as 37.0%, which means that the recovery of heavy and alkali metals by the multi‐section filter system is feasible. Copyright © 2010 Curtin University of Technology and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Influence of inclined magnetic field on peristaltic flow of a Jeffrey fluid with heat and mass transfer in an inclined symmetric or asymmetric channel
Authors: Nadeem S. , Akram Safia
Published: July 2010

In this article, we have investigated the peristaltic flow of a Jeffrey fluid with heat and mass transfer under the influence of inclined magnetic field in an inclined symmetric or asymmetric channel. The dissipation term in the energy equation is also taken into account. The governing equations are transformed from moving to fixed frame of reference and the resulting equations have then been simplified using the assumptions of long wavelength and low but finite Reynolds number approximation. The reduced equations have been solved numerically by Adomian decomposition method and the exact solutions have also been computed for stream function, temperature and concentration. The expression for pressure rise is computed numerically. Lastly, the physical features of various parameters have been discussed through graphs. Copyright © 2010 Curtin University of Technology and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Nonisothermal crystallization kinetics study of LDPE/MWCNT nanocomposites: Effect of aspect ratio and surface modification
Authors: Abbasi Sarfraz H. , Hussein Ibnelwaleed A. , Parvez M. Anwar
Published: July 2010

In this article, the effect of aspect ratio and chemical modification of multiwall carbon nanotubes (MWCNT) on the nonisothermal crystallization kinetics of LDPE/MWCNT nanocomposites was studied. Nine different samples were prepared using different MWCNT to study both effects. The cooling rate (R) was varied in the range 2–10°C/min. In this article, the effect of CNT loading, surface modification, and aspect ratio were studied. For the same MWCNT concentration, aspect ratio and COOH modification had weak influence on both the peak crystallization temperature and the crystallization onset temperature. However, the crystallization onset temperature was significantly affected by the amount of MWCNT. The rate parameters in the modified Avrami method and Mo method [F(T)] of analyses show a very good fit of data. The Vyazovkin and Sbirrazzuoli method of analysis, which is based on Hoffman–Lauritzen theory for secondary crystallization, was also used. Temperature dependency of activation energy was obtained for 30–75% relative crystallinity of the produced nanocomposites. Activation energy based on calculations of Hoffman‐Lauritzen theory showed a decrease with the increase in the concentration of MWCNT and crystallization temperature. A proposed model of the form E = a exp (‐bXT) which relates the activation energy, E, to relative crystallinity, X, and crystallization temperature, T, was able to fit the whole set of data. Incorporation of MWCNT in nanocomposites lowers the activation energy; hence enhances the initial crystallization process as suggested by the different methods of data analyses. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2011
Silencing the Metallothionein‐2A Gene Induces Entosis in Adherent MCF‐7 Breast Cancer Cells
Authors: Lai Yiyang , Lim Daina , Tan Puay‐Hoon , Leung Thomas King‐Chor , Yip George Wai‐Cheong , Bay Boon‐Huat
Published: July 2010

The presence of a live cell cohabiting within another cell has fascinated scientists for many decades. Far from being a spurious event, many have attempted to uncover the molecular mechanism underlying this phenomenon. In this study, we observed anchorage‐dependent MCF‐7 cells internalizing neighboring epithelial cells (entosis) after siRNA‐mediated silencing of the Metallothionein‐2A (MT‐2A) gene. MTs belong to a family of low‐molecular weight proteins, which bind metal ions endogenously and its over‐expression has been reported in a variety of cancers that include breast, prostate, and colon. We provide microscopic evidence at light and ultrastructural levels of the occurrence of entosis after altering MT expression in a subpopulation of MCF‐7 breast cancer cells by silencing the MT‐2A gene. Our results demonstrate that adheren junctions may play important roles in the formation of cell‐in‐cell cytostructure after MT‐2A gene downregulation and the entotic process does not appear to involve genes associated with autophagy. Interiorized cells often underwent lysosomal degradation within the cytoplasmic body of the engulfing cell. It would appear that a subset of breast cancer cells could die via entosis after MT‐2A gene silencing. Anat Rec 293:1685–1691, 2010. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Intracapsular Organization of Ciliary Zonules in Monkey Eyes
Authors: Hiraoka Mari , Inoue Ken‐Ichi , Ohtaka‐Maruyama Chiaki , Ohsako Shunji , Kojima Naosuke , Senoo Haruki , Takada Masahiko
Published: July 2010

Ciliary zonules are responsible for changing the curvature of a lens in the dioptric focus of an eye. Present established theory is based on the relaxation of zonular superficial fasciculi affixed to the capsular surface, thereby inducing the change of anterior‐ and posterior lens curvature causing spontaneous liquid movement of lens material. To achieve precise focusing at any distance, a more active functional organization should exist. The present studies were performed to determine not only the surface attachment but also the intracapsular affix of zonules on monkey eyes. In addition, the development of focusing in newborn and presbyopia is analyzed. Histology was prepared by conventional and molecular immunofluorescence stainings on the compositions of zonules with fibrillin‐1 (FBN 1) and lens capsule with collagen IV (COL IV), and in situ hybridization (ISH) analyses on frozen sections. Superficial circumferential attachments of zonule were found radially oriented between ciliary processes and anterior/posterior lens capsules forming a triangular figure. Two functional intralayer integrations were found above them; anterior‐posterior crossed fibers over the equator and radial fibers distributed toward the anterior or posterior polar areas. These fibers were bound tightly to the deep layer connective tissues close to the lens epithelium. Fine zonular fibers were aggregated, gradually forming bundles and bifurcated again on the way to the capsule. The lateral striped staining pattern in bundles suggested their elastic nature. Response of α‐helixes of collagen IV immunostaining was more positive on α‐1,2,4 than α‐3,5,6 on anterior‐ and posterior lens capsules. Newborn eyes revealed not fascicular but fine membranous zonules on the lens surface and small ciliary processes. ISH analysis revealed high synthetic expression of FBN 1 mRNA in cytoplasm of nonpigmented epithelial cells of ciliary processes. The synthetic expression of FBN 1 declined with aging. According to the mechanism of accommodation, active dynamic movement of anterior or posterior capsules play the main role of changing the lens configuration by two intralayer zonular integrations, including anterior‐posterior crossed fibers over the equator and radial fibers toward anterior or posterior polar areas acting with coordinated contraction of circular or longitudinal ciliary muscles. The developmental change on focusing is brought about by synthesis of FBN 1 in the newborn eye. Anat Rec 293:1797–1804, 2010. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Distribution of cognitive load in Web search
Authors: Gwizdka Jacek
Published: July 2010

The search task and the system both affect the demand on cognitive resources during information search. In some situations the demands may become too high for a person. This article has a three‐fold goal. First, it presents and critiques methods to measure cognitive load. Second, it explores the distribution of load across search task stages. Finally, it seeks to improve our understanding of factors affecting cognitive load levels in information search. To this end, a controlled Web search experiment with 48 participants was conducted. Interaction logs were used to segment search tasks semiautomatically into task stages. Cognitive load was assessed using a new variant of the dual‐task method. Average cognitive load was found to vary by search task stages. It was significantly higher during query formulation and user description of a relevant document as compared to examining search results and viewing individual documents. Semantic information shown next to the search results lists in one of the studied interfaces was found to decrease mental demands during query formulation and examination of the search results list. These findings demonstrate that changes in dynamic cognitive load can be detected within search tasks. Dynamic assessment of cognitive load is of core interest to information science because it enriches our understanding of cognitive demands imposed on people engaged in the search process by a task and the interactive information retrieval system employed.
On the nature of the purported common proper motion companions to the exoplanet host star 51 Peg
Authors: Mamajek E.E.
Published: July 2010

Greaves (2006) proposed that three red, high proper motion stars within 10° of 51 Peg (NLTT 54007, 54064, and 55547) are co‐moving companions to this famous exoplanet host star. While the stars clearly have proper motions similar to 51 Peg, the inferred kinematic parallaxes for these stars produce extremely inconsistent color‐magnitude positions 2 to 4 magnitudes below the main sequence. All three stars are likely to be background stars unrelated to 51 Peg (© 2010 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Low pH dye decolorization with ascomycete Lamprospora wrightii laccase
Authors: Mueangtoom Kitti , Kittl Roman , Mann Oliver , Haltrich Dietmar , Ludwig Roland
Published: July 2010

In a screening of saprotrophic, ectomycorrhizal and plant pathogen ascomycetes a frequent occurrence of laccase was observed. Lamprospora wrightii, the best producing organism, was chosen to elucidate the properties of a laccase from a moss‐associated, saprotrophic ascomycete. The expression of laccase by this bryophilic fungus could be increased by the addition of tomato juice or copper sulfate to the medium. The obtained volumetric activity after optimization was 420 U/mL in either shaking flask or bioreactor‐based cultivations. The purified laccase has a molecular mass of 68 kDa and an isoelectric point of 3.4. Although of ascomycete origin, its catalytic properties are similar to typical basidiomycte laccases, and an excellent activity and stability was observed at low pH, which makes it suitable for bioremediation in acidic environments. As an example, the decolorization reactions of azo‐, anthraquinone‐, trimethylmethane‐ and indigoid dyes at pH 3.0 and 5.0 were investigated. All ten selected dyes were decolorized, five of them very efficiently. Depending on the dye, the decolorization was found to be a combination of two reactions, degradation of the chromophore and formation of polymerized products, which contributed to the overall process in a dye‐specific pattern.