bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Fabrication of Transparent Conductive Thin Film Electrodes Based on Ag Nanowire on Transparent Substrates Using the Spray Method for Photovoltaic Applications
Authors: Giusti Gaël , Langley Daniel , Jiménez Carmen , Puyoo Etienne , Muthukumar Anusha , Appert Estelle , Consonni Vincent , Bellet Daniel
Published: November 2012

Materials with a remarkable combination of high electrical conductivity as well as optical transparency are playing a key role for opto-electronic devices. In addition to these specific electro-optical properties, transparent conductive materials should, for many applications, be lightweight, flexible, low-cost, non toxic and compatible with mass production techniques. In these regards, the use of Ag nanowire (Ag NW) networks appears to be a promising approach. In this study, Ag NW electrodes were fabricated by a novel spray injection method. The number of pulses was varied resulting in different network morphologies. Coatings were systematically characterised structurally, electrically and optically via SEM, four-point probe measurements and spectrophotometry, respectively. Semi uniform layers of nanowires with large haze coefficients have been obtained over large areas. Thermal annealing was shown to increase the nanowire film conductance resulting in 16 Ω/sq surface resistance and up to 73% maximal total transmittance. Films showed average optical transparencies superior to that of ITO over the 250-2500 nm range. Finally, encapsulation of Ag NWs within a matrix of ZnO nanoparticles greatly enhanced the thermal stability of these networks.
Methane Combustion Using CeO2-CuO Fibers Catalysts
Authors: Berutti Felipe A. , Reolon Raquel P. , Alves Annelise K. , Bergmann Carlos P.
Published: November 2012

The use of three-way catalysts is an accepted method to minimize NOx and CO emissions generated by internal combustion engines. These catalysts are generally formed by the support, stabilizers, promoters metal and transition metals, the most used metals of the platinum group. The use of cerium as a promoter is usually related to its ability to store oxygen and structural aspects such as the property of increasing the dispersion of metals and slow change of phase of the stabilizing support. On the other hand, the metal copper was explored as a possible replacement for palladium and platinum in the reduction of NO by CO. In this work, fibers of cerium oxide doped with copper were obtained from an acetate solution of cerium and coppers nitrates and polyvinyl butyral (PVB). This solution went through the process of electrospinning to produce nanostructured fibers. After heat treatment, cerium oxide fibers were obtained. These fibers were characterized structurally by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), had their specific surface area determined by BET method, were subjected to thermogravimetric test to determine their thermal decomposition and were analyzed by X-ray diffraction. The catalytic activity was assessed by the amount of O2consumed and CO and CO2formed for the combustion of methane and air. SEM images show fibers oriented randomly in the substrate. TEM images show that the diameter of the fibers is approximately 100 nm and the size of its crystallites are around 20 nm. In the presence of the catalyst, the combustion reaction started around 500°C, with the consumption of methane and oxygen and the formation of CO and/or CO2. There was no emission of NO and NOx gases during the tests with catalysts.
Porous Metal Oxides as Catalysts
Authors: Hu Boxun , Brooks Christopher , Kreidler Eric , Suib Steven L.
Published: November 2012

Porous CoO/Mn2O3 Fischer-Tropsch (F-T) catalysts have been studied in CO hydrogenation. These CoO/Mn2O3 catalysts have been synthesized by incipient wetness impregnation method. These mesoporous catalysts have pore diameters of 2-25 nm and a surface area of 9.0 m2/g. The gas and liquid products have been analyzed by an online gas chromatograph. The solid products were characterized by gas chromatograph-mass spectroscopy. These microsize cobalt catalysts exhibit good activity with 72.1% CO conversion and they are very stable in a 48 h stream test at 280ºC. The selectivity to paraffins is above 95%. Few wax products were synthesized with a yield of less than 2%. The size effects of the cobalt catalysts have been studied by scanning electron microscopy.
Nonthermal Bioplasma Diagnostics and its Applications to the Microbial and Living Cells
Authors: Choi Eun-Ha , Park Gyungsoon , Baik Ku Y. , Jung Ran J. , Kaushik Nagendra K. , Cho Guangsup , Lee Geon J. , Park Bong J. , Park Byoungchoo , Kwon Gi C. , Uhm Han S.
Published: November 2012

We have investigated the nonthermal bioplasma sources and their characteristics as well as their interactions with biological cells. The electron temperature and plasma density are measured to be about 1.5 eV and 3×1012 cm-3 , respectively, for the direct palsma jet under Ar gas flow. The hydroxyl radical density has also been investigated and measured to be maximum value of about 3 ×1015 cm-3 and 8 ×1014 cm-3 in the direct plasma jet and dielectric barrier discharge bioplasma, respectively, by the ultraviolet optical absorption spectroscopy. Herein, we have investigated the basic interactions of these nonthermal bioplasma with the living organisms in morphological and biomolecular aspects. We found that the secondary electron emision coefficient of the biological surface has been drastically increased by atmospheric bioplasma, which indicates the biological surface to be oxidized especially by the hydroxyl (OH) radical species. In order to elucidate the basic mechanisms for the cell shrinking and apoptosis leading to a cell death by the nonthermal bioplasma, the cell membrane potential has been estimated based on the ROS density as well as cell capacitances. It is also found that the molecular electron energy band structure in the biological cells have been shifted closer toward the vacuum surface and accordingly their central energy of molecular band becomes small by the nonthermal bioplasma due to cell oxidation caused by OH radicals.
Effects of Atmospheric Pressure Dielectric Barrier Discharge Plasma Irradiation on Yeast Growth
Authors: Kitazaki Satoshi , Koga Kazunori , Shiratani Masaharu , Hayashi Nobuya
Published: November 2012

We investigated effects of atmospheric pressure dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) plasma irradiation on growth characteristics of bread yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisie). Nitric oxide of 400 ppm and O3above 200 ppm are produce by the DBD plasmas. DBD plasma irradiation of 50 and 100 s enhances the growth of yeast in the lag phase, whereas 150 s irradiation suppresses the growth. There is an optimum duration of plasma irradiation for the growth promotion.
Influence of Atmospheric Pressure Torch Plasma Irradiation on Plant Growth
Authors: Akiyoshi Yusuke , Hayashi Nobuya , Kitazaki Satoshi , Koga Kazunori , Shiratani Masaharu
Published: November 2012

Growth enhancement characteristics of plants are investigated using an atmospheric discharge plasma. Atmospheric pressure plasma torch is consisted of alumina ceramics tube and the steel mesh electrodes wound inside and outside of the tube. The growth enhancement was observed in the length of stem and root of plants after the plasma irradiation to seeds. The stem length increases approximately 2.8 times after the cultivation time of 24 h. And the effect is found to be maintained for 40 h, after sowing seeds. The mechanism of the growth enhancement would be the redox reaction inside plant cells induced by oxygen radicals.
The Behavior of a TiO2 Nanoparticle under Extreme Conditions
Authors: Lowther J. E.
Published: November 2012

Compressibility of anatase nano particles of TiO2 changes from the bulk counterpart. This has been associated with amorphization and compaction. The behavior of such systems under extreme conditions is examined using a shell partial distribution function and some comparison made with rutile and baddeylite polytypes based nano structures. Particle energies of rutile and baddeylite nano particles appear to be rather size independent as compared to the anatase polytypes. The latter is associated with large relaxations and re-bonding in the relatively soft anatase phase of nano TiO2.
Targeting Vulnerable Life-Stages of Sericea Lespedeza (Lespedeza cuneata) with Prescribed Burns
Authors: Wong Bryant M. , Houseman Gregory R. , Hinman Sarah E. , Foster Bryan L.
Published: November 2012

There is growing interest in whether invasive species may be controlled by utilizing management strategies that target vulnerable life stages. We manipulated the timing of fire and measured its effects on sericea lespedeza germination and seedling survival. Although fire strongly decreased germination in the laboratory, fire increased germination under field conditions. Additionally, fire caused small decreases in seedling survival in the field. Therefore, controlled burns are likely to encourage spread of sericea lespedeza and are unlikely to effectively control this invasive species. Although targeting vulnerable life stages is a promising strategy for invasive species control, our results illustrate that system-specific studies may be needed to unravel potentially complex interactions between biotic and abiotic factors before effective control strategies can be devised.
Determinants of Chinese and European Privet (Ligustrum sinenseandLigustrum vulgare) Invasion and Likelihood of Further Invasion in Southern U.S. Forestlands
Authors: Wang Hsiao-Hsuan , Grant William E.
Published: November 2012

Chinese and European privets are among the most aggressive invasive shrubs in forestlands of the southern United States. We analyzed extensive field data collected by the U.S. Forest Service covering 12 states to identify potential determinants of invasion and to predict likelihood of further invasion under a variety of possible management strategies. Results of multiple logistic regression, which classified 75% of the field plots correctly with regard to species presence and absence, indicated probability of invasion is correlated positively with elevation, adjacency (within 300 m) to waterbodies, mean extreme maximum temperature, site productivity, species diversity, natural regeneration, wind disturbance, animal disturbance, and private land ownership and is correlated negatively with slope, stand age, site preparation, artificial regeneration, distance to the nearest road, fire disturbance, and public land ownership. Habitats most at risk to further invasion (likelihood of invasion > 10%) under current conditions occur throughout Mississippi, with a band stretching eastward across south-central Alabama, and in eastern Texas and western Louisiana. Invasion likelihoods could be reduced most by conversion to public land ownership, followed by site preparation, fire disturbance, artificial regeneration, and elimination of animal disturbance. While conversion of land ownership may be neither feasible nor desirable, this result emphasizes the opportunity for reducing the likelihood of invasions on private lands via increased use of selected management practices.
Road Survey of the Invasive Tree-of-Heaven (Ailanthus altissima) in Virginia
Authors: McAvoy Thomas J. , Snyder Amy L. , Johnson Nels , Salom Scott M. , Kok Loke T.
Published: November 2012

Tree-of-heaven is an invasive, nonnative species that invades newly disturbed areas and forms large monospecific stands. It was surveyed from a vehicle along 5,175 km of roads in Virginia in 2004, 2005, 2010, and 2011. Fifty-eight percent of every 1.6-km road segment had at least one tree-of-heaven. Mean density of tree-of-heaven throughout the roads surveyed in Virginia was 39 km−1. The interaction between road classification (interstate, primary, and secondary) and physiographic region (mountain, piedmont, and tidewater) was significant; consequently, the density of tree-of-heaven along the different road classifications depended on the effect of the physiographic region and vice versa. Tree-of-heaven was fairly evenly distributed throughout Virginia ranging from 39 to 78% of 1.6-km road segments infested, but had a greater variation in density. Current areas with low densities could increase in density in the future. The highest density of tree-of-heaven was along interstate highways in the mountains (85 km−1), followed by the tidewater (63 km−1), and piedmont (46 km−1) regions. Primary roads had a moderate density of tree-of-heaven with a range of 24 to 36 km−1. Secondary roads had lower densities with 12 km−1and 41 km−1in the tidewater and mountain regions, respectively. Tree-of-heaven spreads primarily by wind-dispersed seeds from female trees, and populations bordering roadsides could serve as seed sources for further local and landscape spread.
Redispersing aggregated latexes made with switchable surfactants
Authors: O’Neill Catherine , Fowler Candace , Jessop Philip , Cunningham Michael
Published: November 2012

Amidine-based switchable surfactants can be used as stabilizers during emulsion polymerization, and the resulting latexes can then be destabilized simply by the removal of CO2. Polystyrene and poly(methyl methacrylate [MMA]) latexes have been successfully redispersed by reintroducing CO2 to the latex, as shown by recovery of primary particle size, but an input of energy was required. Sonication is the most effective method of energy input, but lower-energy methods, such as rotor–stators and a blender, are successful in redispersing some aggregated latexes. Colloidal stability was found to be reversible for at least three aggregation/redispersion cycles, and redispersibility was achieved even after the removal of water and addition of fresh water. The traditional method of aggregating latexes involves addition of salts, acids or bases, which result in a contaminated wastewater stream. Furthermore, aggregated latexes cannot usually be redispersed. This approach could enable dewatering of latexes prior to transport followed by redispersion at the point of use, yielding significantly reduced transportation costs and energy consumption.
Prestressed concrete thermal behaviour
Authors: Aslani Farhad
Published: November 2012

The structural fire safety capacity of concrete is very complicated because concrete materials have considerable variations. Constitutive relationships for prestressed normal-strength concrete (NSC) and high-strength concrete (HSC) subjected to fire are needed to provide efficient modelling and to meet specific fire-performance criteria of the behaviour for prestressed concrete structures exposed to fire. In this paper, formulations for estimating the parameters affecting the behaviour of unconfined prestressed concrete at high temperatures are proposed. These formulations include residual compression strength, initial modulus of elasticity, peak strain, thermal strain, transient creep strain and the compressive stress–strain relationship at elevated temperatures. The proposed constitutive relationships are verified with available experimental data and existing models. The proposed relationships are general and rational, and show good agreement with the experimental data. More tests are needed to further verify and improve the proposed constitutive relationships.
Non-linear analysis of reinforced concrete walls under three-dimensional loading
Authors: Mullapudi Taraka Ravi Shankar , Ayoub Ashraf
Published: November 2012

Analytical studies are conducted to develop an effective analytical model to simulate the non-linear response of reinforced concrete (RC) walls subjected to three-dimensional (3D) loads. The interaction between the concrete and steel is taken into account with consideration of the smeared behaviour of steel and tension stiffening of concrete. The proposed model is formulated to address the interaction between the axial force, shear, bending and torsion loads. The shear mechanism along the beam is modelled by adopting a Timoshenko beam approach for 3D frame elements with arbitrary cross-section geometry. The non-linear behaviour of the composite element is derived entirely from the constitutive laws of concrete and steel. The concrete constitutive model follows the softened membrane model that predicts the tensile cracking, compression crushing, strain softening, steel yielding and material damage under combined loadings. The validity of the model is established through a correlation study of experimentally tested RC shear walls subjected to monotonic loading conditions.
On diameter and inverse degree of chemical graphs
Authors: Chen Xue-Gang , Fujita Shinya
Published: November 2012

The inverse degree r(G) of a finite graph G = (V,E) is defined as r(G) = ?v?V
1/d(v), where d(v) is the degree of vertex v. In Discrete Math. 310 (2010),
940-946, Mukwembi posed the following conjecture: Let G be a connected
chemical graph with diameter diam(G) and inverse degree r(G). Then diam(G) ?
12/5 r(G) + O(1). In this paper, we settle the conjecture affirmatively.
A Global View of Direct Access and Patient Self-Referral to Physical Therapy: Implications for the Profession
Authors: Bury Tracy J. , Stokes Emma K.
Published: November 2012

Background

International policy advocates for direct access, but the extent to which it exists worldwide was unknown.

Objective

The purpose of this study was to map the presence of direct access to physical therapy services in the member organizations of the World Confederation for Physical Therapy (WCPT) in the context of physical therapist practice and health systems.

Design

A 2-stage, mixed-method, descriptive study was conducted.

Methods

A purposive sample of member organizations of WCPT in Europe was used to refine the survey instrument, followed by an online survey sent to all WCPT member organizations. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, and content analysis was used to analyze open-ended responses to identify themes.

Results

A response rate of 68% (72/106) was achieved. Direct access to physical therapy was reported by 58% of the respondents, with greater prevalence in private settings. Organizations reported that professional (entry-level) education equipped physical therapists for direct access in 69% of the countries. National physical therapy associations (89%) and the public (84%) were thought to be in support of direct access, with less support perceived from policy makers (35%) and physicians (16%). Physical therapists' ability to assess, diagnose, and refer patients on to specialists was more prevalent in the presence of direct access.

Limitations

The findings may not be representative of the Asia Western Pacific (AWP) region, where there was a lower response rate.

Conclusions

Professional legislation, the medical profession, politicians, and policy makers are perceived to act as both barriers to and facilitators of direct access. Evidence for clinical effectiveness and cost-effectiveness and examples of good practice are seen as vital resources that could be shared internationally, and professional leadership has an important role to play in facilitating change and advocacy.
Natural history of cerebral arteriovenous malformations: a meta-analysis
Authors: Gross Bradley A. , Du Rose
Published: November 2012

Object

The purpose of this report was to provide overall arteriovenous malformation (AVM) hemorrhage rates and, with enhanced statistical power, to elucidate significant risk factors for hemorrhage.

Methods

The authors performed a meta-analysis via the PubMed database through January 2012 using the terms “AVM,” “arteriovenous malformation,” “natural history,” “bleed,” and “hemorrhage.” Additional studies were identified through reference searches in each reviewed article. English language studies providing annual hemorrhage rates for AVMs were included. Data extraction, performed independently by the authors, included demographic data, hemorrhage rates, and hazard ratios for hemorrhage risk factors. The analysis was performed using a random effects model.

Results

Nine natural history studies with 3923 patients and 18,423 patient-years of follow-up were identified for analysis. The overall annual hemorrhage rate was 3.0% (95% CI 2.7%–3.4%). The rate of hemorrhage was 2.2% (95% CI 1.7%–2.7%) for unruptured AVMs and 4.5% (95% CI 3.7%–5.5%) for ruptured AVMs. Prior hemorrhage (HR 3.2, 95% CI 2.1–4.3), deep AVM location (HR 2.4, 95% CI 1.4–3.4), exclusively deep venous drainage (HR 2.4, 95% CI 1.1–3.8), and associated aneurysms (HR 1.8, 95% CI 1.6–2.0) were statistically significant risk factors for hemorrhage. Any deep venous drainage (HR 1.3, 95% CI 0.9–1.75) and female sex (HR 1.4, 95% CI 0.6–2.1) demonstrated a trend toward an increased risk of hemorrhage that was not statistically significant. Small AVM size and older patient age were not significant risk factors for hemorrhage.

Conclusions

Arteriovenous malformations with prior hemorrhage, deep location, exclusively deep venous drainage, and associated aneurysms have greater annual hemorrhage rates than their counterparts, influencing surgical decision making and the selection of radiosurgery for these lesions.
Inhibition of glioblastoma and enhancement of survival via the use of mibefradil in conjunction with radiosurgery
Authors: Sheehan Jason P. , Xu Zhiyuan , Popp Britney , Kowalski Leigh , Schlesinger David
Published: November 2012

Object

The survival of patients with high-grade gliomas remains unfavorable. Mibefradil, a T-type calcium channel inhibitor capable of synchronizing dividing cells at the G1 phase, has demonstrated potential benefit in conjunction with chemotherapeutic agents for gliomas in in vitro studies. In vivo study of mibefradil and radiosurgery is lacking. The authors used an intracranial C6 glioma model in rats to study tumor response to mibefradil and radiosurgery.

Methods

Two weeks after implantation of C6 cells into the animals, each rat underwent MRI every 2 weeks thereafter for 8 weeks. After tumor was confirmed on MRI, the rats were randomly assigned to one of the experimental groups. Tumor volumes were measured on MR images. Experimental Group 1 received 30 mg/kg of mibefradil intraperitoneally 3 times a day for 1 week starting on postoperative day (POD) 15; Group 2 received 8 Gy of cranial radiation via radiosurgery delivered on POD 15; Group 3 underwent radiosurgery on POD 15, followed by 1 week of mibefradil; and Group 4 received mibefradil on POD 15 for 1 week, followed by radiosurgery sometime from POD 15 to POD 22. Twenty-seven glioma-bearing rats were analyzed. Survival was compared between groups using Kaplan-Meier methodology.

Results

Median survival in Groups 1, 2, 3, and 4 was 35, 31, 43, and 52 days, respectively (p = 0.036, log-rank test). Two animals in Group 4 survived to POD 60, which is twice the expected survival of untreated animals in this model. Analysis of variance and a post hoc test indicated no tumor volume differences on PODs 15 and 29. However, significant volume differences were found on POD 43; mean tumor volumes for Groups 1, 2, 3, and 4 were 250, 266, 167, and 34 mm3, respectively (p = 0.046, ANOVA). A Cox proportional hazards regression test showed survival was associated with tumor volume on POD 29 (p = 0.001) rather than on POD 15 (p = 0.162). In vitro assays demonstrated an appreciable and dose-dependent increase in apoptosis between 2- and 7-μM concentrations of mibefradil.

Conclusions

Mibefradil response is schedule dependent and enhances survival and reduces glioblastoma when combined with ionizing radiation.
Association between biomechanical parameters and concussion in helmeted collisions in American football: a review of the literature
Authors: Forbes Jonathan A. , Awad Ahmed J. , Zuckerman Scott , Carr Kevin , Cheng Joseph S.
Published: November 2012

Object

The authors' goal was to better define the relationship between biomechanical parameters of a helmeted collision and the likelihood of concussion.

Methods

The English-language literature was reviewed in search of scholarly articles describing the rotational and translational accelerations observed during all monitored impact conditions that resulted in concussion at all levels of American football.

Results

High school players who suffer concussion experience an average of 93.9g of translational acceleration (TA) and 6505.2 rad/s2 of rotational acceleration (RA). College athletes experience an average of 118.4g of TA and 5311.6 rad/s2 of RA. While approximately 3% of collisions are associated with TAs greater than the mean TA associated with concussion, only about 0.02% of collisions actually result in a concussion. Associated variables that determine whether a player who experiences a severe collision also experiences a concussion remain hypothetical at present.

Conclusions

The ability to reliably predict the incidence of concussion based purely on biomechanical data remains elusive. This study provides novel, important information that helps to quantify the relative insignificance of biomechanical parameters in prediction of concussion risk. Further research will be necessary to better define other factors that predispose to concussion.
Estimating glacier snow accumulation from backward calculation of melt and snowline tracking
Authors: Hulth John , Rolstad Denby Cecilie , Hock Regine
Published: November 2012

Estimating precipitation to determine accumulation is challenging. We present a method that combines melt modelling and snowline tracking to determine winter glacier snow accumulation along snowlines. The method assumes that the net accumulation is zero on the transient snowlines and the maximum winter accumulation at the snowline can be calculated backwards with a temperature-index melt model. To verify the method, the accumulation model is applied for the year 2004 on Storglaciären, Sweden, for which extensive meteorological and mass-balance data are available. The measured mean snowline accumulation is 0.94 ± 0.10mw.e. for 2004. Modelled accumulation, using backward melt modelling, at the same snowlines is 0.82 ± 0.25 m w.e. The accumulation model is also compared with an often used linear regression accumulation model which yields a mean snowline accumulation of 1.02 ± 0.38 m w.e. The reduction in standard error from 0.38 m w.e. to 0.25 m w.e. shows that the backward melt modelling applied at snowlines can provide a better spatial representation of the accumulation pattern than the regression model. Importantly, the applied method requires no field measurements of accumulation during the winter and snowlines can be readily traced in remotely sensed images.
Becoming Modern Women: Creating a New Female Identity through John Sung's Evangelistic Teams
Authors: Ireland Daryl R.
Published: November 2012

The Chinese evangelist John Sung ignited numerous revivals throughout Southeast Asia in the 1930s. As the catalyst, Sung has received extensive attention. Less has been written on the people whose lives were redirected by his evangelistic campaigns, yet they were the ones who turned Sung's preaching events into popular spiritual movements, perpetuating and extending the revival across the region. This study focuses on the evangelistic teams organised in Singapore before Sung's departure in 1935. These teams created a new social space for Chinese women, offering them a new community, a satisfying spirituality and divine sanction to explore contentious gender roles. As they spread across the island, evangelistic teams embodied a new way of life that, for a time, made Christian women the vanguard of modernity. Female evangelistic teams attracted others who also wanted to create a meaningful identity in the midst of rapid social changes.
Differential Regulation of CD4+ T Cell Adhesion to Cerebral Microvascular Endothelium by the β-Chemokines CCL2 and CCL3
Authors: Liu Kenneth , Dorovini-Zis Katerina
Published: November 2012

In Multiple sclerosis (MS), circulating lymphocytes cross the blood–brain barrier (BBB) and accumulate at sites of antigenic challenge. This process depends on specific interactions between lymphocytes and cerebral microvascular endothelium that involve endothelial activation by cytokines and the presence of chemokines. Chemokines play a key role in the orchestration of immune responses, acting both as chemoattractants and activators of leukocyte subsets. In the present study, we investigated the effects of the β-chemokines, CCL2 and CCL3, on the adhesion of CD4+ T cell subsets to human brain microvessel endothelial cells (HBMEC). Chemokines added to the lower compartment of a two-chamber chemotaxis system under confluent resting or cytokine-activated HBMEC, diffused through the culture substrate and bound to the basal surface of HBMEC. The low rate of adhesion of naïve, resting and memory CD4+ T cells to resting HBMEC was significantly upregulated following treatment of HBMEC with TNF-α and IFN-g. Recently activated CD4+ T cells readily adhered to resting monolayers. Concentration gradients of CCL2 upregulated the adhesion of activated CD4+ T cells to cytokine treated but not resting HBMEC. The presence of CCL3 in the lower chamber increased the adhesion of memory T cells to both unstimulated and cytokine-treated HBMEC. These findings emphasize the importance of brain endothelial cell activation and the role of CCL2 and CCL3 in regulating the adhesion of CD4+ T cell subsets to BBB endothelium, thus contributing to the specificity of immune responses in MS.
Synthesis of Biotin Linkers with the Activated Triple Bond Donor [p-(N-propynoylamino)toluic Acid] (PATA) for Efficient Biotinylation of Peptides and Oligonucleotides
Authors: Jezowska Martina , Romanowska Joanna , Bestas Burcu , Tedebark Ulf , Honcharenko Malgorzata
Published: November 2012

Biotin is an important molecule for modern biological studies including, e.g., cellular transport. Its exclusive affinity to fluorescent streptavidin/avidin proteins allows ready and specific detection. As a consequence methods for the attachment of biotin to various biological targets are of high importance, especially when they are very selective and can also proceed in water. One useful method is Hüisgen dipolar [3+2]-cycloaddition, commonly referred to as “click chemistry”. As we reported recently, the activated triple bond donor p-(N-propynoylamino)toluic acid (PATA) gives excellent results when used for conjugations at submicromolar concentrations. Thus, we have designed and synthesized two biotin linkers, with different lengths equipped with this activated triple bond donor and we proceeded with biotinylation of oligonucleotides and C-myc peptide both in solution and on solid support with excellent yields of conversion.
Recent Developments in the Reformatsky-Claisen Rearrangement
Authors: Ishihara Jun , Hatakeyama Susumi
Published: November 2012

The rearrangement of allyl a-bromoacetates with Zn dust is known as the Reformatsky-Claisen rearrangement. Whereas the Ireland-Claisen rearrangement has been widely used in the synthesis of a diverse range of natural products, the Zn-mediated Reformatsky-Claisen rearrangement has not been utilized so often. In this article, we will provide an overview of recent advances in the Reformatsky-Claisen rearrangement field, including the In-mediated Reformatsky-Claisen rearrangement we have recently developed.
Quantum Numbers and the Eigenfunction Approach to Obtain Symmetry Adapted Functions for Discrete Symmetries
Authors: Lemus Renato
Published: November 2012

The eigenfunction approach used for discrete symmetries is deduced from the concept of quantum numbers. We show that the irreducible representations (irreps) associated with the eigenfunctions are indeed a shorthand notation for the set of eigenvalues of the class operators (character table). The need of a canonical chain of groups to establish a complete set of commuting operators is emphasized. This analysis allows us to establish in natural form the connection between the quantum numbers and the eigenfunction method proposed by J.Q. Chen to obtain symmetry adapted functions. We then proceed to present a friendly version of the eigenfunction method to project functions.
A set of plastid microsatellite loci for the genus Dyckia (Bromeliaceae) derived from 454 pyrosequencing
Authors: Krapp Florian , Wöhrmann Tina , Pinangé Diego Sotero de Barros , Benko‐Iseppon Ana Maria , Huettel Bruno , Weising Kurt
Published: November 2012

• Premise of the study: Phylogeographical analyses of Dyckia (Bromeliaceae) suffer from low levels of sequence variation. Plastid microsatellite markers were developed to achieve a better‐resolved genus‐wide plastid genealogy of Dyckia.

• Methods and Results: Approximately 84% of the D. marnier‐lapostollei plastome was sequenced using 454 technology. Flanking primer pairs were designed for 34 out of 36 chloroplast simple sequence repeats (cpSSRs) detected, and 12 loci were further characterized by genotyping Dyckia samples at the level of populations and species. Three, five, and six cpSSRs were polymorphic among four individuals of D. limae, 12 individuals of D. dissitiflora, and 12 of D. pernambucana, respectively, with two to three alleles per locus and species. All loci were polymorphic among 19 different Dyckia species, with three to 10 alleles per locus. Ten primer pairs cross‐amplified with bromeliad genera from five subfamilies.

• Conclusions: The set of 12 cpSSR markers provides a toolbox to analyze phylogeographical patterns of Dyckia species.
Analyses of tropistic responses using metabolomics
Authors: Millar Katherine D. L. , Kiss John Z.
Published: November 2012

• Premise of the study: Characterization of phototropism and gravitropism has been through gene expression studies, assessment of curvature response, and protein expression experiments. To our knowledge, the current study is the first to determine how the metabolome, the complete set of small‐molecule metabolites within a plant, is impacted during these tropisms.

• Methods: We have determined the metabolic profile of plants during gravitropism and phototropism. Seedlings of Arabidopsis thaliana wild type (WT) and phyB mutant were exposed to unidirectional light (red or blue) or reoriented to induce a tropistic response, and small‐molecule metabolites were assayed and quantified. A subset of the WT was analyzed using microarray experiments to obtain gene profiling data.

• Key results: Analyses of the metabolomic data using principal component analysis showed a common profile in the WT during the different tropistic curvatures, but phyB mutants produced a distinctive profile for each tropism. Interestingly, the gravity treatment elicited the greatest changes in gene expression of the WT, followed by blue light, then by red light treatments. For all tropisms, we identified genes that were downregulated by a large magnitude in carbohydrate metabolism and secondary metabolism. These included ATCSLA15, CELLULOSE SYNTHASE‐LIKE, and ATCHS/SHS/TT4, CHALCONE SYNTHASE. In addition, genes involved in amino acid biosynthesis were strongly upregulated, and these included THA1 (THREONINE ALDOLASE 1) and ASN1 (DARK INDUCIBLE asparagine synthase).

• Conclusions: We have established the first metabolic profile of tropisms in conjunction with transcriptomic analyses. This approach has been useful in characterizing the similarities and differences in the molecular mechanisms involved with phototropism and gravitropism.
Le traitement des phases paranoïdes dans les groupes de thérapie psychocorporelle en institution
Authors: Gaudriault Pierre , Pistre Florence
Published: November 2012

Les groupes de thérapie psychocorporelle en institution soumettent les patients qui y participent à une triple régression. La première tient à l’abord corporel, la seconde est classiquement associée à la situation de groupe, la troisième est liée à la psychopathologie des patients admis dans ce genre de groupe. Ces régressions intenses peuvent avoir comme conséquence l’émergence d’angoisses paranoïdes massives. Après avoir décrit le dispositif tripartite utilisé (phase active et relationnelle, phase allongée et phase de verbalisation), nous allons centrer notre réflexion sur ces angoisses paranoïdes. Celles-ci sont réactivées par la triple régression et constituent un risque d’échec du traitement pour les patients qui n’entrent pas dans le cadre proposé. Le traitement de ces angoisses s’effectue pour les « survivants » en fonction des paramètres suivants : l’analyse du contre-transfert des thérapeutes, la solidité du groupe et l’accès au corps imaginaire subjectif chez les participants. À travers diverses vignettes cliniques, nous allons montrer que l’émergence de ces angoisses serait inhérente à ces dispositifs psychocorporels. Elles peuvent être à l’origine de crises difficiles mais salutaires quand elles sont surmontées.
Ontology: A Support Structure for a V-Labs Network: Euronet-Lab
Authors: Correia Raul Cordeiro
Published: November 2012

Our propose is to build a network of virtual laboratories, based in a Virtual Closet that will contain all the elements and parts that are needed to build the various experiences available in a v-labs network (that we call Euronet-Lab).

To build this complex network we need to find a system that supports effectively this structure. This probably will be a enormous database of v-labs and independent elements, where will be possible sometimes to â??recycleâ? some of the elements. This means â??re-useâ? the same element several times in many experiences. To do this is necessary to have a structure that allows us to have several instances of the same element.

Itâ??s important that in our structure and virtual environment we can create several â??imagesâ? of the same reality and this images can be used simultaneously in different circuits/experiments. This means that we can create several instances of the same element, to be used in different experiences and exercises.
An Open Source Multiplatform Virtual Laboratory for Engineering Education
Authors: Fernández-Cantí Rosa M. , Lazaro Jose A , Zarza-Sánchez Sergio , Villar-Zafra Aitor
Published: November 2012

An autonomous and multiplatform virtual laboratory for educational purposes is presented. The implemented platform includes a server with a SSH (Secure SHell) connection and a separated repository containing the virtual experiments. The programming of the experiments is implemented in Java language based tool, the EJS (Easy Java Simulation) and uses an external computation engine, for example Matlab. The virtual laboratory provides control system experiments at University level. Two application examples are described, namely, a magnetic levitator and an inverted pendulum-cart system. The virtual laboratory has been successfully used for education and training of Electronics Engineering students. A discussion of the results of this e-learning experience is also presented.
Comparison of electrical conductivity calculation methods for natural waters
Authors: McCleskey R. Blaine , Nordstrom D. Kirk , Ryan Joseph N.
Published: November 2012

The capability of eleven methods to calculate the electrical conductivity of a wide range of natural waters from their chemical composition was investigated. A brief summary of each method is presented including equations to calculate the conductivities of individual ions, the ions incorporated, and the method's limitations. The ability of each method to reliably predict the conductivity depends on the ions included, effective accounting of ion pairing, and the accuracy of the equation used to estimate the ionic conductivities. The performances of the methods were evaluated by calculating the conductivity of 33 environmentally important electrolyte solutions, 41 U.S. Geological Survey standard reference water samples, and 1593 natural water samples. The natural waters tested include acid mine waters, geothermal waters, seawater, dilute mountain waters, and river water impacted by municipal waste water. The three most recent conductivity methods predict the conductivity of natural waters better than other methods. Two of the recent methods can be used to reliably calculate the conductivity for samples with pH values greater than about 3 and temperatures between 0 and 40°C. One method is applicable to a variety of natural water types with a range of pH from 1 to 10, temperature from 0 to 95°C, and ionic strength up to 1 m.
An empirical study of software market share: Diversity and symbiotic relations
Authors: Yu Liguo
Published: November 2012

With the increasing use of software products, software ecosystems have emerged. Software ecosystems not only include the same type of products, but also include other related products that they support or depend on. Software marketplace diversity and the symbiotic relations between software products are important properties of a software ecosystem. They have great impact on the popularity and evolution of a software product. This paper presents an empirical study of a software marketplace ecosystem, which is formed by operating systems, Web browsers, and Web servers: (1) Using the concept of market share entropy, we analyze the diversity of the marketplace; and, (2) Using correlation tests, we analyze the symbiotic relations between products. Based on the results of these two studies, we analyze the relation between marketplace diversity and symbiosis in a software ecosystem.
Social media use and goals after the Great East Japan Earthquake
Authors: Jung Joo-Young
Published: November 2012

This paper examines the use of social media after the 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake. Based on media system dependency theory, the study focuses on the ways in which people used different types of social media to cope with a highly ambiguous situation created by the earthquake. A survey of Japanese university students revealed that the respondents used different forms of social media with different goals. Moreover, use of a particular social media type influenced the relative importance of social media for understanding developments relating to the Fukushima nuclear accident. Social media users and non–users also differed with regard to their use of other media. The implications of the current study in the context of ongoing research of the role of media in disaster situations are discussed.
Genomic DNA Isolation and Purification of Two Endemic Medicinal Plants (Pterocarpus Santalinus Linn.F & Pimpinella Tirupatiensis Bal&Subr) of Seshachalam Hills, Tirumala.
Authors: Vipranarayana S. , V.Prasad T.N.V.K. , Rajinikanth A. , Damodharam T.
Published: November 2012

Ptercarpus santalinus is an important endemic medicinal plant with high medicinal values that interfere with DNA extraction procedures and qualitative, quantitative agaros gel electrophoresis. An effective and low-cost protocol for isolating genomic DNA from the roots of Pterocarpus santilinus and Pimpinella tirupatiensis was described in this paper. It involved a modified CTAB method with distilled water pretreating samples.  The A260/A280 absorbance ratio of extracted DNA was found to be free from polysaccharide, poly-phenols and tannins contaminants ranged from 2.2 to 2.8 within the high level of purity.
Effects of Pruning in Monterrey Pine Plantations Affected by Fusarium circinatum.
Authors: Bezos García D. , Lomba J. María , Martínez-Álvarez P. , Fernández M. , Diez J. J.
Published: November 2012

Fusarium circinatum Nirenberg and O’Donnell (1998) is the causal agent of Pitch Canker Disease (PCD) in Pinus species, producing damage to the main trunk and lateral branches as well as causing branch dieback. The disease has been detected recently in northern Spain in Pinus spp. seedlings at nurseries and in Pinus radiata D. Don adult trees in plantations. Fusarium circinatum seems to require a wound to enter the tree, not only that as caused by insects but also that resulting from damage by humans, i.e. mechanical wounds. However, the effects of pruning on the infection process have yet to be studied. The aim of the present study was to know how the presence of mechanical damage caused by pruning affects PCD occurrence and severity in P. radiata plantations. Fifty P. radiata plots (pruned and unpruned) distributed throughout 16 sites affected by F. circinatum in the Cantabria region (northern Spain) were studied. Symptoms of PCD presence, such as dieback, oozing cankers and trunk deformation were evaluated in 25 trees per plot and related to pruning effect. A significant relationship between pruning and the number of cankers per tree was observed, concluding that wounds caused by pruning increase the chance of pathogen infection. Other trunk symptoms, such as the presence of resin outside the cankers, were also higher in pruned plots. These results should be taken into account for future management of Monterrey Pine plantations.
Disponibilidad y costos de producción de biomasa forestal como materia prima para la producción de bioetanol
Authors: Perez-Verdin G. , Navar-Chaidez J. J. , Grebner D. L , Soto-Alvarez C.
Published: November 2012

La biomasa forestal es una alternativa ecológica y económicamente viable para la generación de bioetanol debido a que su fuente es abundante, renovable y contribuye a la reducción de gases efecto invernadero. En este estudio, se propone y analiza una metodología para la estimación de la disponibilidad y costos de producción del uso potencial de la biomasa forestal como materia prima para la producción de bioetanol en bosques de pinos del estado de Durango, México. Se usó información del Inventario Forestal Periódico, programas de manejo forestal y datos de empresas de aserraderos e industriales forestales para estimar la biomasa forestal que incluye los restos de aprovechamientos forestales (puntas, ramas) y desperdicios industriales (aserrín, costeras). Se utilizaron simulaciones Monte Carlo para estimar costos de producción de la recolección, extracción y transporte de la biomasa a centros de transformación. Los resultados indican que alrededor de 322.000 toneladas pueden utilizarse para la producción de 38 millones de litros de etanol por año. Las simulaciones Monte Carlo indican que el costo promedio de residuos forestales es de US $23,8 por tonelada (US $0,20 L–1 etanol) mientras que el de residuos industriales es de US $22,6 por tonelada (US $0,19 L–1 etanol). Los factores más importantes en el análisis de sensibilidad fueron el costo pagado a dueños del material, eficiencia tecnológica y distancia de transporte. En el corto plazo, el uso de la biomasa forestal para la generación de biocombustibles tiene varios retos entre los que se encuentran los costos de transporte y la competencia generada por industrias similares como pulpa, papel y tableros aglomerados. Como alternativa se encuentra el desarrollo de biorefinerías integradoras y el uso de medios de transporte más eficientes.
Dynamic growth and yield model for Black pine stands in Spain
Authors: Mora J. V. , Del Rio M. , Bravo-Oviedo A.
Published: November 2012

In a forestry context, modelling stand development over time relies on estimates of different stand characteristics obtained from equations which usually constitute a multivariate system. In this study we have developed a stand growth model for even-aged stands of Black pine (Pinus nigra Arn.) in Spain. The 53 plots used to fit the equations came from the permanent sample plot network established by the Forest Research Centre (INIA) in 1963 and 1964 in the main distribution regions of Black pine. The model is made up of a system of equations to predict growth and yield in volume and basal area. In the fitting phase we took into account the correlation between the measurements within the same plot and the cross-equation residual correlations. The model incorporates a control function to estimate the thinning effect and a function for predicting the reduction in tree number due to regular mortality. In addition, we use the three parameter Weibull distribution function to estimate the number of trees in each diameter class by recovering the parameters using the moment method. The developed model is useful for simulating the evolution of even-aged stands with and without thinnings and allows the estimation of number of trees by diameter classes.