bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effect of temperature and pH on postmortem color development of porcine M. longissimus dorsi and M. semimembranosus
Authors: Duan Yanyu , Huang Libing , Xie Jinping , Yang Kaixuan , Yuan Fei , Bruce Heather L , Plastow Graham S , Ma Junwu , Huang Lusheng
Published: August 2012

BACKGROUND

Purchasing pork that is boned within 1 h postmortem and not aged is customary in China, and final pork color would not be fully realized. The relationship between early postmortem, pre‐rigor meat color and 24 h postmortem, post‐rigor pork color was investigated and related to the rate of pH and temperature decline within the longissimus dorsi (LD) and the semimembranosus (SM) muscles of pork carcasses. Muscle color, pH and temperature were measured at 45 min and at 3, 9, 15 and 24 h postmortem in carcasses of F2 White Duroc and Chinese Erhualian pigs.

RESULTS

Pork color at 45 min postmortem was not indicative of that at 24 h postmortem in LD and SM, although muscle pH values and temperature at 45 min postmortem were significantly correlated with the LD and SM ultimate color. High muscle pH was associated with decreased L*, whereas high muscle temperature increased L*. Muscle pH and temperature had little effect on a* and b* in LD and color evolution in SM.

CONCLUSIONS

Results indicated that meat color inspected shortly after slaughter does not reflect post‐rigor meat quality. © 2012 Society of Chemical Industry
Intraoperative ice pack application for uvulopalatoplasty pain reduction: A randomized controlled trial
Authors: Rotenberg Brian W. , Wickens Brandon , Parnes Jason
Published: August 2012

Objectives/Hypothesis:

Pain after uvulopalatoplasty continues to cause patients significant morbidity, especially from the tonsillectomy portion. The literature describes multiple techniques to reduce post‐tonsillectomy pain, none being definitive. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of intraoperative ice pack application on post‐uvulopalatoplasty pain.

Study Design:

Single‐blinded, randomized controlled trial.

Methods:

After inclusion and exclusion criteria were met, patients were enrolled and randomized, and subsequently underwent standard electrocautery uvulopalatoplasty. Packs were placed into the tonsillar fossae immediately following tonsil removal and into the palate after the palatoplasty. Patients then completed a questionnaire that evaluated their experience for 10 days following surgery. The primary outcome was pain rated on a visual analog scale. Return to work and return to normal diet were also assessed. T test and Mann‐Whitney statistical analyses, as well as routine descriptive statistics, were conducted.

Results:

Eighteen subjects were recruited. Patients that received intraoperative cold packs experienced a statistically significant change in VAS average pain [3.4 ± 1.1 cm (p = 0.00001)] when compared with patients receiving room temperature packs. No difference in return to work (p = 0.16) and return to normal diet (p = 0.12) was identified.

Conclusions:

Intraoperative ice pack administration results in significantly reduced pain following electrocautery uvulopalatoplasty.
Branched Dextran‐graft‐Polyacrylamide Copolymers as Perspective Materials for Nanotechnology
Authors: Kutsevol Nataliya , Bezugla Tetiana , Bezuglyi Mykola , Rawiso Michel
Published: August 2012

Branched dextran‐graft‐polyacrylamide copolymers (D‐g‐PAAn) with different number of PAA‐grafts have been synthesized for further conversion them to polyelectrolytes dextran‐graft‐(polyacrylamide‐co‐polyacrylic acid). It is shown that D‐g‐PAAn internal structure in water solution is more compact in comparison with linear polyacrylamide and depends upon the distance between PAA grafts. The branched polyelectrolytes are obtained by alkaline hydrolysis of synthesized D‐g‐PAAn samples. The conversion of nonionic polymers to partial anionic form depends upon the macromolecular internal structure of D‐g‐PAAn. The degree of transformation of amide groups to carboxylate ones is higher for branched copolymers than for linear PAA at the same condition. The synthesized branched copolymers are shown to be perspective as flocculation agents and the matrices for synthesis of the stable Ag nanosystems.
Physico‐Chemical Characterization of Pectic Polysaccharides from Various Sources Obtained by Steam Assisted Flash Extraction (SAFE)
Authors: Muhidinov Zayniddin , Teshaev Khurshed , Jonmurodov Abduvaly , Khalikov Djurabay , Fishman Marshall
Published: August 2012

Pectic polysaccharides (PP) have been isolated from a variety of sources and characterized by their yield, anhydrogalacturonic (AGA) content, degree of methyl esterification (DE) and microgel (MG) content. Molar mass and mass distribution (MMD) were analyzed by high performance size‐exclusion chromatography (HPSEC) coupled with pressure differential viscosity (PDV) and differential refractive index (DRI) detectors. Results were grouped according to the DE of the PP. Among sources of lower methylated (LM) pectins, apricot pectin had the highest weight average molar mass (Mw) followed by apple pectin. Among high methylated (HM) pectins, pumpkin pectin had the highest value of Mw followed by tangerine and lemon pectins. All pectins studied were found to have bi‐modal distribution as indicated by their molar mass calibration curves. Apple pectin was the most polydisperse whereas pumpkin pectin was the least polydisperse as indicated by Mw/Mn, where Mn is the number average molar mass.
Kinetics of Mutant Apomyoglobin Association
Authors: Katina Natalya , Timchenko Alexander , Kihara Hiroshi , Balobanov Vitaly , Vasiliev Victor , Kashparov Ivan , Bychkova Valentina
Published: August 2012

Association of protein molecules in human tissues underlies many diseases, which brings it in the focus of numerous studies. Previous reports described amyloid formation with the unfolded protein state taken as the starting point. Here, we present kinetics of protein aggregation starting from the protein native state and with consideration of its structural stability. We constructed mutant forms of apomyoglobin (apoMb) and investigated them by light scattering, small‐angle X‐ray scattering (SAXS), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), atomic force microscopy (AFM), fluorescence, far UV CD and FTIR spectroscopy. We found that apoMb mutants formed aggregates that changed their shape after 24 h incubation at a physiologically relevant temperature of 40 °C, pH 5.5, from almost globular (micellar) to elongated and curly. The elongated particles exhibited properties of the cross‐beta structure characteristic of amyloids. According to SAXS, the elongated aggregates were not less than 300 Å in length, the gyration radius of their cross‐section (Rc) was about 35 Å, and their molecular mass was over 400 kDa. An elongated shape of the aggregates was also demonstrated by TEM‐ and AFM imaging. The ability of apoMb mutants to form elongated amyloid‐like aggregates, as well as their compactness, negatively correlated with stability of their native structure.
Tuning the Catalytic Efficiency of Palladium Supported Complexes (Pd‐NHC‐SILLPs): The Cooperative Effect of the Ionic Liquid‐Like Groups
Authors: Sans Victor , Gelat Fabien , Burguete M. Isabel , García‐Verdugo Eduardo , Luis Santiago V.
Published: August 2012

Gel‐type Supported Ionic Liquid‐like Phases (g‐SILLPs) have been employed as medium for the preparation of Palladium carbene (Pd‐NHC) complexes. These supported complexes onto ionic liquid‐like phases were employed as catalysts for the phosphine‐, copper‐ and amine‐free Sonogashira reaction showing excellent activity and selectivity. The loading and nature of the ionic liquid‐like moieties have proved to have an effect in the reactivity of the different Pd‐NHC‐g‐SILLPs prepared, with TOF values ranging from 450 to 25000 h−1.
Thermoresponsive and Biodegradable Hydrogels for Sustained Release of Nerve Growth Factor to Stimulate Neurite Outgrowth
Authors: Huang Xiao , Wu Linfeng , Li Xiaoxun , Lowe Tao L.
Published: August 2012

A series of thermoresponsive and biodegradable hydrogels were developed for sustained release of nerve growth factor (NGF) for ultimate goal of treating neurological disorders. These hydrogels were composed of poly(N‐isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPAAm) as a thermoresponsive unit, poly(L‐lactic acid) (PLLA) as a hydrolytically degradable and hydrophobic unit, and dextran as an enzymatically degradable and hydrophilic unit. NGF was loaded into these hydrogels in aqueous solution with various loading efficiencies depending on the compositions of hydrogels. In‐vitro release study showed that the release of NGF from these hydrogels could last for at least 15 days. NGF released from the hydrogels was able to stimulate neurite growth from PC12 cells.
Multichannel receiver coils for improved coverage in cardiac metabolic imaging using prepolarized 13C substrates
Authors: Dominguez‐Viqueira William , Lau Angus Z. , Chen Albert P. , Cunningham Charles H.
Published: August 2012

MR imaging using hyperpolarized 13C substrates has become a promising tool to study real‐time cardiac‐metabolism in vivo. For such fast imaging of nonrecoverable prepolarized magnetization it is important to optimize the RF‐coils to obtain the best signal‐to‐noise ratio possible, given the required coverage. In this work, three different receiver‐coil configurations were computed in pig and human models. The sensitivity maps were demonstrated in phantoms and in vivo experiments performed in pigs. Signal‐to‐noise ratio in the posterior heart was increased up to 80% with the best multichannel coil as expected. These new coil configurations will allow imaging of the different metabolite signals even in the posterior regions of the myocardium, which is not possible with a single‐channel surface‐coil. Magn Reson Med, 2013. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Controlled radical polymerization of N‐acryloylglycinamide and UCST‐type phase transition of the polymers
Authors: Liu Fangyao , Seuring Jan , Agarwal Seema
Published: August 2012

N‐Acryloylglycinamide was polymerized via the reversible addition fragmentation transfer process without sacrificing its key property, the upper critical solution temperature in water. This could be achieved by choosing an appropriate nonionic initiator [2,2′‐azobis(4‐methoxy‐2.4‐dimethyl valeronitrile) (V‐70)] and nonionic chain‐transfer agent (cyanomethyl dodecyl trithiocarbonate). A good molar mass control was accomplished as proved by the linear increase of molar mass with conversion, a chain extension experiment, and low dispersity. The influence of molar mass, polymer end groups, or salt concentration on the cloud point was analyzed by turbidimetry. Polymer end groups exerted a distinct effect on the cloud points, whereas the influence increased with decreasing molar masses. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem, 2012
High reliability amorphous oxide semiconductor thin‐film transistors gated by buried thick aluminum
Authors: Luo Dongxiang , Lan Linfeng , Xu Miao , Xu Hua , Li Min , Zou Jianhua , Tao Hong , Wang Lei , Peng Junbiao
Published: August 2012

Indium‐zinc‐oxide thin‐film transistor (TFT) with a thick aluminum (Al, 1500 nm) gate was demonstrated. The Al gate assembly was planarized by a negative photoresist, and then was further anodized to form a layer of aluminum oxide (Al2O3) as gate dielectric. A good boundary profile between the Al gate and the photoresist was obtained. It was found that increasing the thickness of the Al gate could not only reduce the resistance, but also reduce the hillock density. Furthermore, the TFTs with this buried thick Al gate showed low operation voltage, high mobility, and little threshold voltage shift during gate bias stress. Therefore, it is attractive in large‐size, high‐resolution flat‐panel displays. (© 2012 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Pd Nanosheet‐Covered Hollow Mesoporous Silica Nanoparticles as a Platform for the Chemo‐Photothermal Treatment of Cancer Cells
Authors: Fang Weijun , Tang Shaoheng , Liu Pengxin , Fang Xiaoliang , Gong Jiawei , Zheng Nanfeng
Published: August 2012

A versatile system combining chemotherapy with photothermal therapy for cancer cells using Pd nanosheet‐covered hollow mesoporous silica nanoparticles is reported. While the hollow mesoporous silica core can be used to load anticancer drugs (i.e., doxorubicin) for chemotherapy, the Pd nanosheets on the surface of particles can convert NIR light into heat for photothermal therapy. More importantly, the loading of Pd nanosheets on hollow mesoporous silica nanospheres can dramatically increase the amount of cellular internalization of the Pd nanosheets: almost 11 times higher than the unloaded Pd nanosheets. The as‐prepared nanocomposites efficiently deliver both drugs and heat to cancer cells to improve the therapeutic efficiency with minimal side effects. Compared with chemotherapy or photothermal therapy alone, the combination of chemotherapy and phototherapy can significantly improve the therapeutic efficacy, exhibiting a synergistic effect.
Three Salts Containing the Fullerene Tetra‐Anion C604– – Synthesis, X‐Ray Single‐Crystal Structure Determination and EPR Investigation
Authors: Boeddinghaus M. Bele , Wahl Bernhard , Fässler Thomas F. , Jakes Peter , Eichel Rüdiger‐A.
Published: August 2012

A synthesis for four‐fold negatively charged fullerides in solution is presented. Three salts containing discrete C604– anions were synthesized by the reduction of C60 in solution using rubidium‐mercury amalgams and rubidium suboxide both in the presence of elemental mercury. The three new salts, [Rb6DMF14(C6H13N2O2)2]·C60 (1), [Rb(diaza‐18‐crown‐6)]4·C60·(en)4.1 (2), and [Rb(benzo‐18‐crown‐6)]4·C60 (3), were characterized by single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction. The results clearly indicate a charge of 4– for the fulleride anions. In 1 the fulleride units are ordered, and their distortion from Ih symmetry shows similarities to binary alkali metal fullerides that contain C604– anions. In the crystal structures of 2 and 3 the C604– anions show a rotational disorder. In all structures the 6:6 bond lengths within the fulleride are strongly enlarged compared to the ones in neutralC60. EPR measurements reveal a singlet state for the C604– anion.
Complex latitudinal variation in the morphology of the kleptoparasitic spiderArgyrodes kumadaiassociated with host use and climatic conditions
Authors: Baba Yuki G. , Walters Richard J. , Miyashita Tadashi
Published: August 2012

We examined complex geographical patterns in the morphology of a kleptoparasitic spider,Argyrodes kumadai, across its distributional range in Japan. To disentangle biotic and abiotic factors underlying morphological variation, latitudinal trends were investigated in two traits, body size and relative leg length, across separate transition zones for host use and voltinism. Statistical analyses revealed complex sawtooth clines. Adult body size dramatically changed at the transition zones for host use and voltinism, and exhibited a latitudinal decline following the converse to Bergmann's cline under the same host use and voltinism in both sexes. A similar pattern was observed for relative leg length in females but not in males. A genetic basis for a part of observed differences in morphology was supported by a common‐garden experiment. Our data suggest that local adaptation to factors other than season length such as resource availability (here associated with host use) obscures underlying responses to latitude.
Linearly repetitive Delone sets are rectifiable
Authors: Coronel Daniel , Gambaudo Jean-Marc , Aliste-Prieto José
Published: August 2012

We show that every linearly repetitive Delone set in the Euclidean

d

-space

\mathbb{R}^{d}

, with

d⩾2

, is equivalent, up to a bi-Lipschitz homeomorphism, to the integer lattice

\mathbb{Z}^{d}

. In the particular case when the Delone set

X

in

\mathbb{R}^{d}

comes from a primitive substitution tiling of

\mathbb{R}^{d}

, we give a condition on the eigenvalues of the substitution matrix which ensures the existence of a homeomorphism with bounded displacement from

X

to the lattice

\beta \mathbb{Z}^{d}

for some positive

β

. This condition includes primitive Pisot substitution tilings but also concerns a much broader set of substitution tilings.
Late-Holocene response of limber pine (Pinus flexilis) forests to fire disturbance in the Pine Forest Range, Nevada, USA
Authors: Shriver Robert K. , Minckley Thomas A.
Published: August 2012

Despite growing concerns that ecological stressors (fire, insect and pathogen outbreaks) may force vegetation change, few studies have attempted to use paleoecological data to understand small-scale interactions between disturbance and vegetation. Using charcoal and pollen data, we infer past fire episodes and subsequent vegetation responses for a limber pine (Pinus flexilis) forest in northwestern Nevada, USA, to determine local vegetation recovery from disturbance. Using superimposed epoch analysis we examined average-vegetation and individual-taxon responses to eight randomly selected fire events over the past 4.0 ka. Pollen evidence shows that on average fires produce a weak response of declining Pinus while other taxa including Artemisia and Poaceae increase directly after fire episodes. Within 30 yr of a disturbance, pollen data indicate ecosystem recovery to pre-fire composition, consistent with modern studies of fire recovery of limber pine forests. Similar to short-term changes of pollen abundance, long-term vegetation responses indicate Pinus abundance weakly declining and Artemisia increasing when fire episodes are frequent. However, despite fire-episode frequencies varying between 75 and 250 yr, the overall vegetation structure has remained relatively stable over the past 4.0 ka. Our study contributes to the limited information on the disturbance ecology of isolated, subalpine forests in the intermountain West.
Reduced-order Kalman-filtered hybrid simulation combining particle tracking velocimetry and direct numerical simulation
Authors: Suzuki Takao
Published: August 2012

The capability of state-of-the-art techniques integrating experimental and computational fluid dynamics has been expanding recently. In our previous study, we have developed a hybrid unsteady-flow simulation technique combining particle tracking velocimetry (PTV) and direct numerical simulation (DNS) and demonstrated its capability at low Reynolds numbers. Similar approaches have also been proposed by a few groups; however, applying algorithms of this type generally becomes more challenging with increasing Reynolds number because the time interval of the frame rate for particle image velocimetry (PIV) becomes much greater than the required computational time step, and the PIV/PTV resolution tends to be lower than that necessary for computational fluid dynamics. To extend the applicability to noisy time-resolved PIV/PTV data, the proposed algorithm optimizes the data input temporally and spatially by introducing a reduced-order Kalman filter. This study establishes a framework of the Kalman-filtered hybrid simulation and proves the concept by tackling a planar-jet flow at $\mathit{Re}\approx 2000$ as an example. We evaluate the filtering functions as well as convergence of the proposed algorithm by comparing with the existing PTV–DNS hybrid simulation, and show some techniques available to hybrid velocity fields by analysing vortical motion in the shear layers of the jet.
Asepsis and Bacteriology: A Realignment of Surgery and Laboratory Science1
Authors: Schlich Thomas
Published: August 2012

This paper examines the origins of aseptic surgery in the German-speaking countries. It interprets asepsis as the outcome of a mutual realignment of surgery and laboratory science. In that process, phenomena of surgical reality were being modelled and simplified in the bacteriological laboratory so that they could be subjected to control by the researcher’s hands and eyes. Once control was achieved, it was being extended to surgical practice by recreating the relevant features of the controlled laboratory environment in the surgical work place. This strategy can be seen in the adoption of Robert Koch’s bacteriology by German-speaking surgeons, and the resulting technical changes of surgery, leading to a set of beliefs and practices, which eventually came to be called ‘asepsis’.
Dietary intake of n-3 fatty acids and colorectal cancer risk: a meta-analysis of data from 489 000 individuals
Authors: Shen Xiao-Jian , Zhou Jun-Dong , Dong Jia-Yi , Ding Wei-Qun , Wu Jin-Chang
Published: August 2012

Preclinical studies have suggested an anti-colorectal cancer effect of n-3 fatty acids, yet epidemiological studies have reported mixed results. The goal of the present meta-analysis was to examine the association between the dietary intake of n-3 fatty acids and colorectal cancer risk by conducting a meta-analysis of prospective cohort studies. We searched the PubMed database up to February 2012 to identify eligible studies. Either a fixed- or random-effects model was used to obtain a pooled relative risk (RR) comparing the highest intake of n-3 fatty acids with the lowest. We conducted subgroup analyses according to sex, geographic region, length of follow-up, cancer site and type of n-3 fatty acids. We included seven prospective studies in the meta-analysis, comprising 489 465 participants and 4656 incident cases. The pooled RR of colorectal cancer in relation to n-3 fatty acids was 0·98 (95 % CI 0·88, 1·09). The results from subgroup analysis indicated a significant reduced risk of colorectal cancer in relation to n-3 fatty acids among men (RR 0·87, 95 % CI 0·75, 1·00; n 4). No significant association was observed in other subgroups. There was no evidence of publication bias as suggested by Begg's test (P = 0·76) and Egger's test (P = 0·66). The present meta-analysis showed insufficient evidence of a protective effect of n-3 fatty acids on colorectal cancer risk. However, a reduced risk observed in men warrants further investigation.
Was Duverger Correct? Single-Member District Election Outcomes in Fifty-three Countries
Authors: Singer Matthew M.
Published: August 2012

In districts where only one seat is contested, the electoral formula (plurality or majority) should be a major determinant of the number of parties that receive votes. Specifically, plurality rule should generate two-party competition while other institutional arrangements should generate electoral fragmentation. Yet tests of these propositions using district-level data have focused on a limited number of cases; they rarely contrast different electoral systems and have reached mixed conclusions. This study analyses district-level data from 6,745 single-member district election contests from 53 democratic countries to test the evidence for Duverger's Law and Hypothesis. Double-ballot majoritarian systems have large numbers of candidates, as predicted, but while the average outcome under plurality rule is generally consistent with two-party competition, it is not perfectly so. The two largest parties typically dominate the districts (generally receiving more than 90 per cent of the vote), and there is very little support for parties finishing fourth or worse. Yet third-place parties do not completely disappear, and ethnic divisions shape party fragmentation levels, even under plurality rule. Finally, institutional rules that generate multiparty systems elsewhere in the country increase electoral fragmentation in single-member plurality districts.
Evaluating the statistical variation in estimating forage dry matter intake of grazing Brahman bulls using n-alkanes
Authors: DE-STEFANI AGUIAR A. , FORBES T. D. A. , ROUQUETTE F. M. , TEDESCHI L. O. , RANDEL R. D.
Published: August 2012

The objectives of the current study were to determine the variation structure within a day and across days when determining dry matter intake (DMI) of Coastal bermudagrass (Cynodon dactylon (L.) Pers.) pasture using dotriacontane (C32) as an external marker, to determine the optimal times for faecal collection for forage DMI estimation and to compare C31 and C33 as internal markers in estimating forage DMI in Brahman bulls. Sixteen Brahman bulls were allocated by weight to four pastures, and stocked at a moderate to low grazing pressure for 63 days from late June to the end of August. Three intake measurement periods (P1, P2, P3) were used; each period consisting of 10 days of twice daily C32 (400 mg/day) administration. Faecal collections were taken during the last 5 days (07.00, 11.00, 15.00 and 19.00 h). The C32 was individually hand fed using Calan gates, with maize gluten as a carrier for the alkane. Gas chromatography was used to determine n-alkanes in the forage and faecal samples. The concentration of C31 was less than C33 in the bermudagrass for all periods (P < 0·001), but the concentration of C31 and C33 in faeces was not significantly different (P > 0·05). The average concentration of C32 in the forage was 5·1, 7·6 and 9·6 mg/kg dry matter (DM), for P1, P2 and P3, respectively, with an average of 7·5 mg/kg DM for all periods. During P1 and P2, the estimation of forage DMI using C33 had a better fit (smaller –2 × log and Akaike's information criterion (AIC)) than using C31 either with or without adjustments for C32. The variation in estimated forage DMI decreased when forage C32 was not included. The variances of forage DMI were similar using C31 across days, but the Pearson correlations between days were low, which suggested that several days of collection were needed to estimate forage DMI accurately. Correlations between collection times within days were medium to high for all periods and varied from 0·65 to 0.97 for C31 and from 0·26 to 0·96 for C33. When all periods were analysed together, estimates of forage DMI either using C31 or C33 had low correlations between days of collection. Adjustment for C32 did not improve the variance and (co)variance matrix. In summary, C33/C32 had the lowest variation in estimating forage DMI, and at least 5 days of faecal collection were needed to decrease the variability of estimating forage DMI. The optimum times for faecal collection were 07.00 and 19.00 h, and it was important to adjust for C32 alkane concentration in estimating forage DMI in Brahman bulls grazing Coastal bermudagrass.
Purification and characterization of phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase fromRaillietina echinobothrida, a cestode parasite of the domestic fowl
Authors: DAS B. , TANDON V. , SAXENA J. K. , JOSHI S. , SINGH A. R.
Published: August 2012

Phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase (PEPCK, EC 4.1.1.32) is an essential regulatory enzyme of glycolysis in helminths in contrast to its role in gluconeogenesis in their host. Previously we have reported that phytochemicals fromFlemingia vestita(Family: Fabaceae), genistein in particular, have vermifugal action and are known to affect carbohydrate metabolism in the cestode,Raillietina echinobothrida. In order to determine the functional differences of PEPCK from the parasite and its avian host (Gallus domesticus), we purified the parasite enzyme apparently to homogeneity, and characterized it. The native PEPCK is a monomer with a subunit molecular weight of 65 kDa. The purified enzyme displayed standard Michaelis-Menten kinetics withKm value of 42·52μM for its substrate PEP. TheKi for the competitive inhibitors GTP, GMP, ITP and IMP for the carboxylation reaction were determined and discussed. In order to identify putative modulators from plant sources, phytochemicals fromF. vestitaandStephania glabrawere tested on the purified PEPCK, which resulted in alteration of its activity. From our results, we hypothesize that PEPCK may be a potential target site for anthelmintic action.
Late Placement of the Finite Verb in Old NorseFornyrðislagMeter
Authors: Þorgeirsson Haukur
Published: August 2012

In Old Norse poetry, there is a syntactic difference between bound clauses (subordinate clauses and main clauses introduced by a con-junction) and unbound clauses (main clauses not introduced by a conjunction). In bound clauses, the finite verb is often placed late in the sentence, violating the V2 requirement upheld in prose. In unbound clauses, the V2 requirement is normally adhered to, but infornyrðislagpoetry, late placement of the finite verb is occasionally found. Hans Kuhn explained these instances as a result of influence from West Germanic poetry. The present article argues that these instances can be explained as a remnant of the Proto-Norse word order, and that this explanation is better supported by the data.*
Replacing coal with natural gas would reduce warming
Authors: Schultz Colin
Published: August 2012

A debate has raged in the past couple of years as to whether natural gas is better or worse overall than coal and oil from a global warming perspective. The back‐and‐forth findings have been due to the timelines taken into consideration, the details of natural gas extraction, and the electricity‐generating efficiency of various fuels. An analysis by Cathles, which focuses exclusively on potential warming and ignores secondary considerations, such as economic, political, or other environmental concerns, finds that natural gas is better for electricity generation than coal and oil under all realistic circumstances. To come to this conclusion, the author considered three different future fuel consumption scenarios: (1) a business‐as‐usual case, which sees energy generation capacity continue at its current pace with its current energy mix until the middle of the century, at which point the implementation of low‐carbon energy sources dominates and fossil fuel‐derived energy production declines; (2) a gas substitution scenario, where natural gas replaces all coal power production and any new oil‐powered facilities, with the same midcentury shift; and (3) a low‐carbon scenario, where all electricity generation is immediately and aggressively switched to non‐fossil fuel sources such as solar, wind, and nuclear.
Differentiating sulfate aerosol oxidation pathways for varying source altitudes using 35S and Δ17O tracers
Authors: Hill‐Falkenthal Jason , Priyadarshi Antra , Thiemens Mark
Published: August 2012

Due to the complex nature of the sulfur cycle, uncertainties remain in the transport rate and chemical transformation mechanisms of sulfur species, including sulfate aerosols. Here, we report oxygen isotopic anomaly and radioactive 35S measurements in sulfate aerosols collected at La Jolla, California during 2009–2010. A strong correlation results from increased levels of specific activity (up to 195 atoms of 35S/nmol non sea salt (nss)‐SO4) and Δ17O (up to 1.50‰) in sulfate aerosol (fine fraction) samples during Santa Ana wind events compared to background levels. This is possibly due to an increase in mixing of free tropospheric air mass, containing higher levels of 35S specific activity and higher Δ17O, into the boundary layer. These tracers show the ability to detect changes in oxidation chemistry during high altitude air mixing events and have the potential to trace the changes in oxidation pathways of sulfur species during Stratospheric‐Tropospheric exchange events. Sampling at higher latitudes where deep stratospheric intrusions are more prominent can help further parameterize how stratosphere‐troposphere exchange events (STE) affect oxidation chemistry in the boundary layer.
Acupoint Stimulation in Treating Psychological Disorders: Evidence of Efficacy
Authors: Feinstein David
Published: August 2012

Energy psychology is a clinical and self-help modality that combines verbal and physical procedures for effecting therapeutic change. While utilizing established clinical methods such as exposure and cognitive restructuring, the approach also incorporates concepts and techniques from non-Western healing systems. Its most frequently utilized protocols combine the stimulation of acupuncture points (by tapping on, holding, or massaging them) with the mental activation of a targeted psychological issue. Energy psychology has been controversial, in part due to its reliance on explanatory mechanisms that are outside of conventional clinical frameworks and in part because of claims by its early proponents—without adequate research support—of extraordinary speed and power in attaining positive clinical outcomes. This paper revisits some of the field's early claims, as well as current practices, and assesses them in the context of existing evidence. A literature search identified 51 peer-reviewed papers that report or investigate clinical outcomes following the tapping of acupuncture points to address psychological issues. The 18 randomized controlled trials in this sample were critically evaluated for design quality, leading to the conclusion that they consistently demonstrated strong effect sizes and other positive statistical results that far exceed chance after relatively few treatment sessions. Criteria for evidence-based treatments proposed by Division 12 of the American Psychological Association were also applied and found to be met for a number of anxiety-based conditions, including PTSD. Neurological mechanisms that may be involved in these surprisingly strong findings are also considered.
Optimal covering of C60 fullerene by rare gases
Authors: Acosta-Gutiérrez S. , Bretón J. , Llorente J. M. Gomez , Hernández-Rojas J.
Published: August 2012

Putative global energy minima of clusters formed by the adsorption of rare gases on a C60 fullerene molecule, C60XN (X=Ne, Ar, Kr, Xe; N ⩽ 70), are found using basin-hopping global optimization in an empirical potential energy surface. The association energies per rare gas atom as a function of N present two noticeable minima for Ne and Ar and just one for Kr and Xe. The minimum with the smallest N is the deepest one and corresponds to an optimal packing monolayer structure; the other one gives a monolayer with maximum packing. For Kr and Xe, optimal and maximum packing structures coincide. By using an isotropic average form of the X-C60 interaction, we have established the relevance of the C60 surface corrugation on the cluster structures. Quantum effects are relevant for Ne clusters. The adsorption of these rare gases on C60 follows patterns that differ significantly from the ones found recently for He by means of experimental and theoretical methods.
Novel Euler-LaCoste linkage as a very low frequency vertical vibration isolator
Authors: Hosain M. A. , Sirr A. , Ju L. , Blair D. G.
Published: August 2012

LaCoste linkage vibration isolators have shown excellent performance for ultra-low frequency vertical vibration isolation. However, such isolators depend on the use of conventional pre-stressed coil springs, which suffer from creep. Here, we show that compressional Euler springs can be configured to create a stable tension unit for use in a LaCoste structure. In a proof of concept experiment, we demonstrate a vertical resonance frequency of 0.15 Hz in an Euler-LaCoste configuration with 200 mm height. The system enables the use of very low creep maraging steel as spring elements to eliminate the creep while minimising spring mass and reducing the effect of parasitic resonances. Larger scale systems with optimized Euler spring boundary conditions should achieve performance suitable for applications on third generation gravitational wave detectors such as the proposed Einstein telescope.
Electro-diffusion in a plasma with two ion species
Authors: Kagan Grigory , Tang Xian-Zhu
Published: August 2012

Electric field is a thermodynamic force that can drive collisional inter-ion-species transport in a multicomponent plasma. In an inertial confinement fusion capsule, such transport causes fuel ion separation even with a target initially prepared to have equal number densities for the two fuel ion species. Unlike the baro-diffusion driven by ion pressure gradient and the thermo-diffusion driven by ion and electron temperature gradients, electro-diffusion has a critical dependence on the charge-to-mass ratio of the ion species. Specifically, it is shown here that electro-diffusion vanishes if the ion species have the same charge-to-mass ratio. An explicit expression for the electro-diffusion ratio is obtained and used to investigate the relative importance of electro- and baro-diffusion mechanisms. In particular, it is found that electro-diffusion reinforces baro-diffusion in the deuterium and tritium mix, but tends to cancel it in the deuterium and helium-3 mix.
Domain fragmentation during cyclic fatigue in 94%(Bi1/2Na1/2)TiO3-6%BaTiO3
Authors: Simons Hugh , Glaum Julia , Daniels John E. , Studer Andrew J. , Liess Andreas , Rödel Jürgen , Hoffman Mark
Published: August 2012

The fatigue of the lead-free piezoceramic 94%(Bi1/2Na1/2)TiO3-6%BaTiO3 was investigated under bipolar electric fields. Degradation of the polarization, strain, and permittivity was measured during the fatigue process, and correlated with structural data measured at incremental points in the fatigue process using neutron diffraction. The results suggest a two-stage fatigue mechanism whereby, following a field-induced phase transformation to a poled ferroelectric state, the domain structure becomes progressively fragmented by a repetitive process of domain wall pinning and subdivision.
Non-modal analysis of the diocotron instability: Plane geometry
Authors: Mikhailenko V. V. , June Lee Hae , Mikhailenko V. S.
Published: August 2012

The comprehensive investigation of the temporal evolution of the diocotron instability of the plane electron strip on the linear stage of its development is performed. By using the method of Kelvin of the shearing modes, the role of the initial perturbations of the electron density is elucidated, which is connected with the problem of the continuous spectrum. The linear non-modal evolution process detected by the solution of the initial value problem, leads toward convergence to the phase-locking configuration of the mutually growing normal modes.
Quantifying the effects of climate change and water abstraction on a population of barramundi (Lates calcarifer), a diadromous estuarine finfish
Authors: Tanimoto M. , Robins J. B. , O'Neill M. F. , Halliday I. A. , Campbell A. B.
Published: August 2012

Many aquatic species are linked to environmental drivers such as temperature and salinity through processes such as spawning, recruitment and growth. Information is needed on how fished species may respond to altered environmental drivers under climate change so that adaptive management strategies can be developed. Barramundi (Lates calcarifer) is a highly prized species of the Indo-West Pacific, whose recruitment and growth is driven by river discharge. We developed a monthly age- and length-structured population model for barramundi. Monte Carlo Markov Chain simulations were used to explore the population’s response to altered river discharges under modelled total licenced water abstraction and projected climate change, derived and downscaled from Global Climate Model A1FI. Mean values of exploitable biomass, annual catch, maximum sustainable yield and spawning stock size were significantly reduced under scenarios where river discharge was reduced; despite including uncertainty. These results suggest that the upstream use of water resources and climate change have potential to significantly reduce downstream barramundi stock sizes and harvests and may undermine the inherent resilience of estuarine-dependent fisheries.
From input to output controls in a short-lived species: the case of Australia's Northern Prawn Fishery
Authors: Dichmont Catherine M. , Deng Roy A. , Punt André E. , Venables William N. , Hutton Trevor
Published: August 2012

A management strategy evaluation (MSE) framework is developed to evaluate strategies that provide total allowable catches (TACs) when the target biomass corresponds to maximum economic yield (MEY). The framework is applied to Australia’s Northern Prawn Fishery (NPF), which has been actively managed using a tradable input-control system, but is to move to output controls based on individual transferable quotas (ITQs), with a consequence that the current management strategy needs to be replaced. Because the fleet is small, it is possible to set a TAC that cannot be taken entirely. Whereas input controls tend to self-adjust if recruitment is not accurately predicted, and consequently catch variability tends to be low, this is not the case for the reasonably variable species caught in the NPF when they are managed using TACs. The management strategy recovered the simulated stock to the target reference point when it was initially depleted, and avoided dropping the stock below the limit reference point (LRP) for five scenarios based on the current best understanding of resource status; however, in some cases, the stock was left above the target biomass because of biases in the assessment. A scenario in which the stock was forced to be initially depleted to below the limit reference point showed that the management strategy allows recovery.
Augmentation of French grunt diet description using combined visual and DNA-based analyses
Authors: Hargrove John S. , Parkyn Daryl C. , Murie Debra J. , Demopoulos Amanda W. J. , Austin James D.
Published: August 2012

Trophic linkages within a coral-reef ecosystem may be difficult to discern in fish species that reside on, but do not forage on, coral reefs. Furthermore, dietary analysis of fish can be difficult in situations where prey is thoroughly macerated, resulting in many visually unrecognisable food items. The present study examined whether the inclusion of a DNA-based method could improve the identification of prey consumed by French grunt, Haemulon flavolineatum, a reef fish that possesses pharyngeal teeth and forages on soft-bodied prey items. Visual analysis indicated that crustaceans were most abundant numerically (38.9%), followed by sipunculans (31.0%) and polychaete worms (5.2%), with a substantial number of unidentified prey (12.7%). For the subset of prey with both visual and molecular data, there was a marked reduction in the number of unidentified sipunculans (visual – 31.1%, combined – 4.4%), unidentified crustaceans (visual – 15.6%, combined – 6.7%), and unidentified taxa (visual – 11.1%, combined – 0.0%). Utilising results from both methodologies resulted in an increased number of prey placed at the family level (visual – 6, combined – 33) and species level (visual – 0, combined – 4). Although more costly than visual analysis alone, our study demonstrated the feasibility of DNA-based identification of visually unidentifiable prey in the stomach contents of fish.
Quantitative analysis of sperm mRNA in the pig: relationship with early embryo development and capacitation
Authors: Hwang Jae Yeon , Mulligan Brendan P. , Kim Hyung-Min , Yang Byoung-Chul , Lee Chang-Kyu
Published: August 2012

Although it is well known that mRNA is present in mammalian spermatozoa, the relevance of mRNA to capacitation and early embryo development in the pig remains unclear. In the present study, we investigated differences in the abundance of selected mRNAs coding for MYC, CYP19, ADAM2, PRM1 and PRM2 in purified porcine spermatozoa depending on embryo cleavage rate and capacitation (n = 20 semen samples). Semen samples were used in IVF procedures, with subsequent embryo development classified into one of two groups based on cleavage rate (i.e. high (>75%) and low (<75%) cleavage groups) and mRNA abundance in purified spermatozoa compared between these two groups. In addition, mRNA abundance was compared between capacitated and non-capacitated spermatozoa. Comparison of mRNA levels between porcine spermatozoa revealed that the abundance of MYC, CYP19, ADAM2, PRM1 and PRM2 mRNA was significantly greater in the high cleavage group (n = 10 high cleavage group semen samples) than in the low cleavage group (n = 10; P < 0.05). Significant downregulation of MYC mRNA was observed in capacitated spermatozoa (n = 12; P < 0.05). The results of the present study suggest that the amount of specific mRNAs could be used for estimating the quality of spermatozoa in the pig.
Remembering for narration and autobiographical memory
Authors: Norrick Neal R.
Published: August 2012

This article proposes a notion of “remembering for narration” based on Slobin’s (1987) concept of “thinking for speaking” to circumvent issues of autobiographical memory and focus on narrative practices. It suggests that we recognize a special cognitive mode of remembering for narration, which involves selecting from episodic memory those details that fit some conceptualization of the event for present purposes, and are readily encodable in the language and narrative format chosen for the current context. It seeks to demonstrate the value of this perspective in considering constraints on remembering in the storytelling performance in various contexts such as getting one’s story straight with input from recipients, filling in gaps in memory and conjuring up details, developing a personal narrative through co-narration, and producing appropriate personal stories in response to previous stories by other participants, and thereby sheds light on narrative processes and their significance for autobiographical memory and identity construction.
Genre or artistic merit?
Authors: Djikic Maja , Oatley Keith , Carland Matthew
Published: August 2012

We tested whether the genre of a literary text (essay as compared with short story) or its artistic merit would be primarily responsible for the variability in the self-perceived personality traits that individuals experience when they read. One hundred participants were randomly assigned to read either one of eight essays or one of eight short stories, matched for length, reading difficulty, and interest. The Big-Five personality traits were measured before and after reading. Genre did not affect variability in personality. Rather, participants who judged the text they read to be more artistic reported a greater variability in their personality trait profile after reading, independently of whether the text was an essay or a short story. Artistic merit appears to be associated with literature’s transformative effects through the instability in the self-perceived experience of the reader’s personality.
Emotion and transportation into fact and fiction
Authors: Green Melanie C. , Chatham Christopher , Sestir Marc A.
Published: August 2012

“Transportation into a narrative world” is a psychological mechanism through which narrative communication can affect beliefs (Green & Brock, 2000). Transportation, or psychological immersion into a story, entails imagery, emotionality, and attentional focus. Two studies (N = 92 and 126) suggested that when readers’ pre-reading emotional states match the emotional tone of a narrative, transportation into that narrative is increased. Low-arousal positive emotions (contentedness, thoughtful) also increase transportation. Transportation is also associated with greater story-consistent emotional response, even if the emotions evoked by the ending of the story are different from the emotional tone at the start of the story (and readers’ pre-reading emotions). Furthermore, labeling a narrative as fact versus fiction does not affect the intensity of emotional response.
The value of poetry writing
Authors: Iida Atsushi
Published: August 2012

The aim of the current study is to evaluate poetry writing as a way of second language (L2) learning by exploring the interaction between academic prose and the effect of writing Japanese poetry — haiku. This article first describes some critiques of using poetry in educational settings and discusses the nature of poetry writing at the tertiary level in L2 contexts. The study was designed as an intervention in which 20 EFL students in Japan produced pre- and post-argumentative essays and L2 haikus. The data obtained was submitted to statistical analysis, which showed that there was a significant difference in the use of linguistic features between pre- and post-tests indicating that the task of writing haiku affected the EFL students’ written performance in the post-argumentative essay. In addition, the L2 haiku corpus produced revealed the English haiku as short, personal, direct and descriptive poetry.