bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Mycotoxicological research in South Africa 1910-2011
Authors: Marasas W. , Gelderblom W. , Shephard G. , Vismer H.
Published: December 2011

The British mycologist, I.B. Pole-Evans, was appointed as the first South African government mycologist in 1905
following the Anglo-Boer War (1899-1902). The Onderstepoort Veterinary Research Institute was founded in 1908
with the Swiss veterinarian, Arnold Theiler, as the first director. Thus, the stage was set for the commencement
of mycotoxicological research when the Union of South Africa came into being in 1910. The first accounts of this
pioneering research appeared in the 'Seventh and eight reports of the Director of Veterinary Research, Union of
South Africa. 1918' in which D.T. Mitchell reported on the experimental reproduction of the neurotoxic syndrome,
diplodiosis, in cattle with pure cultures of Stenocarpella maydis (= Diplodia zea) isolated by P.A. Van der Bijl and
grown on sterile maize kernels. This is the first report of the experimental reproduction of a veterinary mycotoxicosis
with a pure culture of a fungus in South Africa and possibly in the world. This seminal research was followed by a
great deal of multidisciplinary research on veterinary mycotoxicoses as well as human syndromes in which fungal
toxins are suspected to be involved, taxonomy of mycotoxigenic fungi and chemistry of mycotoxins in South
Africa. The mycotoxicoses studied in South Africa include the following (more or less in chronological order):
diplodiosis, Paspalum staggers, aflatoxicosis, human hepatocellular carcinoma, ochratoxicosis, lupinosis, facial
eczema, tremorgenic mycotoxicosis, hyperoestrogenism, stachybotryotoxicosis, ergotism, leukoencephalomalacia
and human oesophageal cancer. A major breakthrough in mycotoxicological research was made in South Africa
in 1988 with the isolation and chemical characterisation of the carcinogenic fumonisins produced by Fusarium
verticillioides in maize. Current research at the PROMEC Unit of the South African Medical Research Council on
the risk assessment of fumonisins and intervention methods to reduce fumonisin intake by rural populations on
a maize staple diet is highlighted. This paper concludes with a selected list of mycotoxicological publications by
South African mycologists/plant pathologists, veterinarians and chemists/biochemists.
Organizational Change Contributions to E-Government Project Transitions
Authors: Goodyear Marilu
Published: December 2011

Leaders recognize that successful transitions to e-government projects are important factors in organizational effectiveness. And yet for many public organizations, such initiatives have produced cost overruns and schedule delays, and some have ended in failure. Practitioners and researchers alike have recognized that technology transitions are not just about the technology and have placed increased emphasis on planning and organizational factors as keys to success. Utilizing contributions from the disciplines of business administration, public administration, psychology, and communication studies, this chapter explores the planning, process, and people aspects of technology transitions in an integrated way. Organizational change theories are directly related to traditional concepts of project management; process views of organizational change are related to planning views of project management. A framework focused on the people aspect of technology transitions provides insights for researchers and practitioners on addressing resistance to change through the use of specific communication protocols. In addition, the framework addresses the development of successful follower profiles within technology transitions. Additional research is sought to validate this framework.
Managing in the Era of Digital Governance
Authors: Johnson Craig L. , Kioko Sharon N. , Pirog Maureen A.
Published: December 2011

E-government, or digital government, is broadly described as the creation and delivery of information and services inside governments and between governments and the public using electronic information and communication technologies (ICTs). Governments can incorporate ICTs to change administrative processes in ways that are client-oriented and needs based. These changes in administrative processes are part of digital-era governance (DEG) strategies. This chapter examines the administrative and managerial challenges of new electronic modes of transacting social services in the US, highlighting the challenges and outcomes of implementing electronic benefit transfer (EBT) technologies in the child support program.
Claudia Service Management Platform
Authors: Moran Daniel
Published: December 2011

Claudia is an IaaS solution created by Telefonica R&D aimed at managing services as whole entities and adding advanced features such as elasticity, service level, hardware monitoring, and virtual machine autoconfiguration. Claudia also provides an abstraction layer on top of both private and public Virtualization Providers. In this chapter, the Open Source version of Claudia will be installed, and it will be used to show how a load-balanced Web service can be deployed and managed in the system.
Cyber Command and Control
Authors: Ruiz Michael E. , Redmond Richard
Published: December 2011

Cyber-space is emerging as the fifth domain of warfare and a crucial operational concern for commercial industry. As such, it requires a command and control system that enables defensive and operational capabilities within cyber-space. This chapter describes a research and development project aimed at discovering solutions for a Cyber Command and Control both for commercial and military environments. The chapter identifies challenges and provides solutions rooted in the body of knowledge composed of Command and Control and Situation Awareness Theory.
GCD
Authors: Acharya Subrata
Published: December 2011

With the tremendous growth in the dependence of services on the Internet, service disruption has become less and less tolerable. The greatest threat to service availability is the rapid growth in the complexity and frequency of large-scale distributed attacks. These attacks cause economic losses due to unavailability of services and potentially serious security concerns by the incapacitation of critical infrastructures. Despite the tremendous attention by the research community to find distributed attack countermeasures, a practical and comprehensive solution is yet to see the light of the day. In this research, the authors present a research direction aimed at finding a solution to the above problem.
Mathematical Lens: The Soft Drink Wars
Authors: Wilcock Doug
Published: December 2011

Students analyze a photograph to solve mathematical questions related to the images captured in the photograph. This month, two differently shaped soda containers are compared. Volumes, including volumes of revolution, are computed.
Technology Tips: Using the TI-Nspire CAS to Explore Areas of Ellipses
Authors: Herman Marlena F.
Published: December 2011

Various methods of determining the area of an ellipse are discussed.
Designing Math Lessons for English Language Learners
Authors: Chval Kathryn B. , Chávez Óscar
Published: December 2011

A four-component process to teach mathematics to English language learners is explored. Research-based strategies within each example illustrate how research can be turned into practice.
Managing a Standards-Based Classroom
Authors: Edwards Susan
Published: December 2011

A specially designed professional development program supports quality instruction by novice teachers.
Listening Responsively
Authors: Callahan Kadian M.
Published: December 2011

Opportunities to explore prospective elementary teachers' ideas about the perimeter and area of polygons require more than simply engaging the teachers in mathematical discourse.
Particle deposition in natural gas pipelines using computational fluid dynamics modelling
Authors: Veluswamy, Ganesh K. , Utikar, Ranjeet P. , Pareek, Vishnu K. , Pack David J. , Tade Moses O.
Published: December 2011

Solid particles within natural gas transmission and distribution pipeline systems are known to create varying operational constraints for pipeline operators—from temporary to complete stoppage of the gas flow. The solid particles can be extremely variable, both in composition and origin. The particles can consist of discrete elements or mechanically and chemically driven combinations of soils, iron oxides, iron sulfides, sulfur compounds, salts, metal oxides, hydrocarbons and other contaminants. These particles tend to get deposited along the walls of gas pipelines under different circumstances. The flow dynamics and the turbulence associated with the flow play an important role in the complex mechanism of particle deposition. In this work, we have shown how turbulence acts as a dominant mechanism in influencing particle deposition. A ball valve's downstream flow was simulated for various opening positions and varying inlet Reynolds numbers to understand turbulence and its effect on particle deposition. The percentage of number of particles getting deposited at the downstream increased on decreasing the valve opening, whereas it was not greatly affected by the change in the inlet Reynolds number. The particle deposition sites at downstream were governed indirectly by valve opening percentage. © 2011 Curtin University of Technology and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Mineral kaolinite clay for preparation of nanocomposite hydrogels
Authors: Sirousazar M. , Kokabi M. , Hassan Z. M. , Bahramian A. R.
Published: December 2011

In this work, nanocomposite hydrogels on the basis of polyvinyl alcohol and mineral kaolinite clay were prepared via freezing–thawing cyclic method without using any chemical crosslinkers as well as any intercalants for modification of kaolinite. The nanocomposite hydrogels were characterized by XRD, TEM, SEM, and FTIR methods. The effect of kaolinite content on the gel fraction values of nanocomposite hydrogels was investigated. Thermal and mechanical properties of prepared nanocomposite hydrogels were also studied using the DSC, DMTA, and hardness tests. Finally, the swelling and dehydration kinetics of nanocomposite hydrogels were studied at different temperatures. The morphology of prepared nanocomposite hydrogels was determined as intercalated morphology on the basis of XRD and TEM techniques. The role of kaolinite in the creation of supramolecular crosslinked network of polyvinyl alcohol was exhibited by FTIR and gel fraction tests. The thermal and mechanical experiments showed the reinforcing effect of kaolinite in the polyvinyl alcohol matrix. Swelling and dehydration tests showed that an increase of kaolinite content causes a decrease in the swelling ratio as well as in the dehydration rate of nanocomposite hydrogels. On the other hand, direct dependences of the swelling ratio and dehydration rate to the temperature were observed for all nanocomposite hydrogels. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2012
Thermal and mechanical characterization of EVA/banana fiber‐derived cellulose composites
Authors: Silviya E. K. , Unnikrishnan G. , Varghese S. , Guthrie J. T.
Published: December 2011

Composite films based on poly(ethylene‐co‐vinyl acetate) (EVA) and cellulose derived from banana plant waste have been prepared and characterized. Cellulose whiskers isolated from, banana fibers, by an acid hydrolysis method and were incorporated into the EVA matrix by solution casting technique. The composite films were subsequently examined by scanning electron microscopy, thermogravimetry, differential scanning calorimetry, and FTIR spectroscopy. Compared with pure EVA and cellulose, the EVA/cellulose composite systems showed superior thermal stability. The mechanical testing of the composite films revealed that the tensile strength and elastic modulus were increased after cellulose incorporation into EVA. Among the EVA/cellulose composites, 7.5% cellulose loaded EVA showed the highest tensile strength. The percentage strain at break of the EVA/cellulose composite systems was found to be decreased which has been attributed to the restricted mobility of the polymer matrix by the presence of cellulose. X‐ray diffraction studies showed that the EVA/cellulose composites were more crystalline than EVA. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2012
Preparation and characterization of alginate/Hydroxypropyl chitosan blend fibers
Authors: Fan Lihong , Li Mingjia , Gong Yugui , Peng Kai , Xie Weiguo
Published: December 2011

Hydroxypropyl chitosan (HPCS) was synthesized from chitosan and propylene oxide under alkali conditions. It was characterized by IR spectroscopy and X‐ray diffraction (XRD). We prepared alginate/HPCS blend fibers by spinning their solution through a viscose‐type spinneret into a coagulating bath containing aqueous CaCl2 and ethanol. The structure and properties of the blend fibers were studied with the aid of IR spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and XRD. The results indicate a good miscibility between alginate and HPCS because of the strong interaction of the intermolecular hydrogen bonds. The mechanical properties and water‐retention properties were also measured. The best values of the tensile strength and breaking elongation of the blend fibers were obtained when the HPCS content was 30 wt %. The water‐retention values of the blend fibers increased as the amount of HPCS increased. Antibacterial fibers, obtained by the treatment of the fibers with an aqueous solution of silver nitrate, exhibited good antibacterial activity to Staphylococcus aureus. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2012
Ab Initio Molecular Dynamics Study of Water Oxidation Reaction Pathways in Mono‐Ru Catalysts
Authors: Vallés‐Pardo José Luis , Guijt Marieke C. , Iannuzzi Marcella , Joya Khurram S. , de Groot Huub J. M. , Buda Francesco
Published: December 2011

Ab initio molecular dynamics simulations with an adaptive biasing potential are carried out to study the reaction path in mononuclear Ru catalysts for water oxidation of the type [(Ar)Ru(X)(bpy)]+ with different aromatic ligands (Ar). The critical step of the OO bond formation in the catalytic cycle starting from the [(Ar)Ru(O)(bpy)]2+ intermediate is analyzed in detail. It is shown that an explicit inclusion of the solvent environment is essential for a realistic description of the reaction path. Clear evidence is presented for a concerted reaction in which the OO bond formation is quickly followed by a proton transfer leading to a RuOOH intermediate and a hydronium ion. An alternative path in which the approaching water first coordinates to the metal centre is also investigated, and it is found to induce a structural instability of the catalyst with the breaking of the aromatic ligand coordination bond.
‘Neutralizing the Patient’: Therapists' Accounts of Sexual Boundary Violations
Authors: McNulty Nick , Ogden Jane , Warren Fiona
Published: December 2011

Sexual contact between psychological therapists and their clients is regarded as highly damaging, both to the clients and to the professions, and regulatory bodies impose increasingly severe sanctions upon those practitioners who are disciplined. The present study captured therapists' accounts of sexual boundary violations through interpretative phenomenological analysis of interviews with three disciplined practitioners about their relationships with clients and former clients. The results highlighted two key themes relating to (i) therapists' efforts to neutralize the power imbalances between themselves and the clients by minimizing the clients' mental health problems, stressing the conventionality of the relationships and not testing the appropriateness of the relationship with their supervisors, and (ii) a shifting identity of the therapist between hero, victim, perpetrator, which permeated their accounts as the relationship moved from success to failure. In order for a sexual boundary violation to occur, the therapist needed to generate a sense of equivalent status between themselves and the client. As the relationships failed, the therapists' accounts of the clients shifted and the inequality of the relationship re‐emerged. The results are discussed in terms of implicit theories and the implications for both training and supervision in the prevention of sexual boundary violations. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Key Practitioner Message

In accounting for their sexual boundary violations, this small sample of therapists minimized the power imbalances between themselves and their clients.

Minimizing the client's mental health problems; stressing the conventionality of the relationship; stressing the therapist's own needs—all contributed to the neutralization of the client's patient status.

A relationship with a client that we are not willing to discuss with our supervisor should be a cause for concern.
Facial Selectivity in the Diels–Alder Reactions of 2,2‐Disubstituted Cyclopent‐4‐ene‐1,3‐dione Derivatives and a Computational Examination of the Facial Selectivity of the Diels–Alder Reactions of Structurally Related Dienes and Dienophiles
Authors: Liu Pei‐Ying , Wu Yong‐Jin , Pye Cory C. , Thornton Paul D. , Poirier Raymond A. , Burnell D. Jean
Published: December 2011

The facial selectivity in the Diels–Alder reactions via endo transition states of the plane‐nonsymmetric dienophiles spiro[bicyclo[2.2.2]octane‐2,1′‐[3]cyclopentene]‐2′,5′‐dione (6) and spiro[bicyclo[2.2.1]heptane‐2,1′‐[3]cyclopentene]‐2′,5′‐dione (7) has been found to be very similar to the facial selectivity of reactions of cyclopentadienes fused to bicyclo[2.2.2]octane and bicyclo[2.2.1]heptane (4 and 5). This is strong evidence for steric control in their facial selectivities. Density functional computations involving the reactions of these compounds, as well as a series of conformationally locked model addends (26a–c and 27a–c), revealed geometrical and energetic properties that confirmed that the facial selectivity is governed by steric effects. Steric interactions appeared to be the reason for the low endo/exo selectivity of dienophiles 6, 7, 2,2‐dimethylcyclopent‐4‐ene‐1,3‐dione (20), and spiro[5.4]dec‐8‐ene‐7,10‐dione (23).
Efficient Intermolecular Carbon–Carbon Bond‐Formation Reactions Assisted by Surface‐Condensed Electrodes
Authors: Okada Yohei , Yamaguchi Yusuke , Chiba Kazuhiro
Published: December 2011

Transient radical cation intermediates generated at electrodes were effectively trapped by reaction partners noncovalently condensed at the surface of an electrode, enabling efficient intermolecular carbon–carbon bond‐formation reactions. When the reactions were conducted with surface‐condensed electrodes, high reaction efficiencies remained even in the presence of a significantly smaller amount of olefin nucleophiles. The concept of surface‐condensed electrodes could offer opportunities for rapid intermolecular reactions.
A Concise Total Synthesis of the Non‐peptide Bradykinin B1 Receptor Antagonist Velutinol A
Authors: Isaka Nobuhisa , Tamiya Minoru , Hasegawa Atsushi , Ishiguro Masaji
Published: December 2011

A concise route to the bradykinin B1 receptor antagonist velutinol A, a natural product isolated from the rhizomatous of mandevilla velutina (Apocynaceae), has been developed. This synthesis features the highly regioselective construction of Δ14 silyl enol ether 13 from diol 8a followed by stereoselective introduction of a sterically hindered β‐hydroxy group at the C14 position by Rubottom oxidation. A prolonged reaction time and the presence of an excess amount of mCPBA during this step allowed the double Rubottom oxidation to proceed through intermediate 16 to install β‐hydroxy groups at the C14 and C16 positions in one pot. The following conversions from α‐keto‐diol 18 to the target natural product were accomplished by reduction of the ketone at C15, oxidative cleavage of the C15–16 bond, and subsequent deprotection and intramolecular acetalization.
Sustainable Ecotourism in Amazonia: Evaluation of Six Sites in Southeastern Peru
Authors: Doan Tiffany M.
Published: December 2011

It is widely assumed that ecotourism offers sustainable development opportunities in under‐developed countries, but little is known about the variables contributing to differential sustainability of multiple ecotourism ventures within a geographic region. This investigation compared differences among rainforest ecotourism sites in Tambopata, Amazonian Peru. These rainforest lodges act as stewards of the surrounding habitat. Different histories and philosophies regarding tourism resulted in varied levels of economic, social and ecological sustainability. This study quantitatively examines the differential sustainability of multiple ecotourism sites in a small geographic region. Tourism in Tambopata has a potential for sustainability of local communities and natural resources. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Decoupled circular‐polarized dual‐head volume coil pair for studying two interacting human brains with dyadic fMRI
Authors: Lee Ray F. , Dai W. , Jones J.
Published: December 2011

A major function of the human brain is to mediate interactions with other people. Until recently, studying social interactions as they occur within the brain was not possible due to the lack of measurable methods to observe two interacting minds simultaneously. We have developed a novel MRI dual‐head volume coil pair that can scan two subjects' brains simultaneously while the subjects are socially interacting in one MRI scanner. The feasibility of using this coil for dyadic functional MRI (fMRI) study has been successfully demonstrated for the first time. Meanwhile, an innovative robust scheme for decoupling two circular‐polarized coils (not surface coils) is introduced in theory and validated in practice in the coil technology development. Magn Reson Med, 2012. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
RETRACTED: Integrated knowledge exploitation: The complementarity of product development and technology licensing
Authors: Lichtenthaler Ulrich , Ernst Holger
Published: December 2011

In light of increasing licensing, we challenge the common assumption that product development and technology licensing are substitutes. We develop a resource‐based framework, which distinguishes a firm's technological resource base and technology exploitation processes. We further combine survey, patent, and financial data of 228 medium‐sized and large industrial companies to examine the interactions of firms' product development processes and technology licensing processes in order to explain heterogeneity in new product revenues, licensing performance, and firm performance. The results underscore that product development, which indicates innovative capacity, and technology licensing, which indicates desorptive capacity, are complements rather than substitutes in integrated knowledge exploitation in medium‐sized and large firms. This complementarity is particularly pronounced in firms with an emphasis on cross‐licensing and with a strong patent portfolio. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Is tooth wear a reliable means of aging wild European fallow deer in Tasmania, Australia?
Authors: Hall Graham P. , Murray Peter J. , Byrne Matthew J. , Lisle Allan T.
Published: December 2011

The tooth eruption and wear (TEW) technique for aging wild European fallow deer (Dama dama dama) in Tasmania, Australia has been in use for >15 yr, but it is also subjective and relies on the skill of the assessor and their assumptions of tooth wear. Deer managers and hunters have suggested that the TEW patterns observed in Tasmania are not consistent with age predictions of deer based on male antler growth. The cementum annuli (CA) technique provides a more objective assessment of age, but is more costly to perform. Our objective was to examine the relationship between the TEW and CA techniques for estimating the age of wild fallow deer in Tasmania. A game manager experienced in the use of the TEW technique assigned 300 deer jawbones collected from 3 sites during the 2001–2006 hunting seasons in Tasmania to different age categories. We conducted preliminary trials to develop a protocol that reliably exposed the CA in incisor teeth. Finally, we compared the ages determined by both methods. The preliminary trials successfully developed a protocol to use incisor teeth for reliably assessing CA. The CA technique gave a higher putative age than the TEW technique, though the magnitude of this result was dependent on location. The amount of soil ingested by the animals, and whether the animals mainly browsed or grazed were possible reasons why tooth wear varied between locations. Whilst the CA method is effective at indicating the age of wild deer, the method should be proven against known‐aged deer before being offered as a definitive measure of age. Managers should be clear in their objectives whether they require an approximate guide to age or an objective measure of age before deciding on which method to use. © 2011 The Wildlife Society.
Hexatellurium Rings in Coordination Polymers and Molecular Clusters: Synthesis and Crystal Structures of [M(Te6)]X3 (M = Rh, Ir; X = Cl, Br, I) and [Ru2(Te6)](TeBr3)4(TeBr2)2
Authors: Günther Anja , Ruck Michael
Published: December 2011

The reaction of an electron‐rich transition metal M (M = Ru, Rh, Ir), tellurium and TeX4 (X = Cl, Br, I) resulted in black crystals of five ternary coordination polymers with the general composition [MIII(Te6)]X3 (M = Rh, Ir) and of the molecular cluster compound [RuII2(Te6)](TeIIBr3)4(TeIIBr2)2. X‐ray diffraction on single‐crystals revealed that the compounds [M(Te6)]X3 crystallize isostructurally in the trigonal space group type R$\bar{3}$c. In their crystal structures linear, positively charged [MIII(Te6)] chains form the motif of a hexagonal rod packing. In the chain, each of the formally uncharged Te6 molecules with chair conformation acts as a bis‐tridentate bridging ligand to two M atoms. The octahedrally coordinated M atoms are spiro atoms in the chain of trans vertices sharing heterocubane fragments. Including the isolated halide ions, which provide charge balance, the entire arrangement resembles a cut‐out of the α‐polonium structure type.In the monoclinic compound Ru2Te12Br16 (space group P21/n), the ruthenium atoms of the hetero‐cubane core of the molecular cluster [Ru2(Te6)](TeBr3)4(TeBr2)2 are saturated by terminal bromidotellurate(II) groups. Again, the Te6 ring is formally uncharged. With the tellurium atoms acting as electron‐pair donors the 18 electron rule is fulfilled for the M atoms in all compounds.
Carbon monoxide as a tracer of gas transport in snow and other natural porous media
Authors: Huwald Hendrik , Selker John S. , Tyler Scott W. , Calaf Marc , van de Giesen Nick C. , Parlange Marc B.
Published: December 2011

The movement of air in natural porous media is complex and challenging to measure. Yet gas transport has important implications, for instance, for the evolution of the seasonal snow cover and for water vapor transport in soil. A novel in situmulti‐sensor measurement system providing high‐resolution observation of gas transport in snow is demonstrated. Carbon monoxide was selected as the tracer gas for having essentially the same density as air, low background concentration, low water solubility, and for being detectable to ≤ 1 ppmv with small, low‐cost, low‐power sensors. The plume of 1% CO injections 30 cm below the snow surface was monitored using 28 sensors (4 locations, 7 depths). The CO breakthrough curves obtained at distances of 0.5–1 m were in good agreement with a simple analytical advection‐diffusion model. The tracer system appears suitable for a wide range of applications in experimental soil science and hydrology addressing moisture transport and evapotranspiration processes.
Aerosol and cloud feedbacks on surface energy balance over selected regions of the Indian subcontinent
Authors: Urankar Gayatri , Prabha T. V. , Pandithurai G. , Pallavi P. , Achuthavarier D. , Goswami B. N.
Published: December 2011

We investigate aerosol and cloud forcing on the surface energy balance over selected regions in India. Four regions were selected with different surface characteristics and have considerable differences in the long‐term trends and seasonal distribution of clouds and aerosols. These regions are described as (1) northern semiarid, (2) humid subtropical, (3) populated central peninsula, and (4) northeast monsoon impacted. Modern Era Retrospective‐analysis for Research and Applications (MERRA) data and Climate Forecast System Reanalysis version 2 (CFSR) data are used in this study. An intercomparison of cloud fractions from both data sets shows that CFSR systematically underestimates high‐cloud fraction during premonsoon and monsoon seasons. However, there are fewer low‐cloud fraction biases. The positive temporal trend over 31 years (1979–2009) from MERRA in high clouds is greater than that of low clouds. This is due to positive anomalies in the cloud ice and supercooled liquid water content in MERRA. Biases in the radiative fluxes and surface fluxes show a strong relationship (correlations exceeding 0.8) with cloud fraction biases, more so for the high clouds. During the premonsoon season, aerosol forcing causes a change in surface shortwave radiation of −24.5, −25, −19, and −16 W m−2 over regions 1 −4, respectively. The corresponding longwave radiation decrease is −9.8, −6.8, −4.5, and −1.9 W m−2 over these same regions, respectively. The maximum surface shortwave reduction due to clouds, which is observed during the monsoon season, is −86, −113, −101, and −97 W m−2 for these same regions, respectively. A decreasing trend in the boundary layer height is noticed both in MERRA and CFSR. The variation in the Bowen ratio and its relation to aerosol and cloud effect anomalies are also discussed.
Spectral problems for the Weyl-ordered form of operators $\left(\frac{1}{\hat{p}}\right)^{n} \hat{q}^{n}$1p̂nq̂n
Authors: Gianfreda M. , Landolfi G.
Published: December 2011

In this paper, we consider quantization of powers of the ratio between the Hamiltonian coordinates for position and momentum in one-dimensional systems. The domain of the operators consists of square integrable functions over a finite real interval to ensure boundedness and self-adjointness. The spectral problems for the operators that result from using Weyl-ordering are discussed by introducing Fredholm integral operator forms in position representation, and the symmetry of the actions of the parity and time reversal operators on the kernels is discussed. Finally, the general structures and properties of the eigenfunctions and eigenvalues are also derived and analyzed.
Relations between transfer and scattering matrices in the presence of hyperbolic channels
Authors: Sadel Christian
Published: December 2011

We consider a cable described by a discrete, space-homogeneous, quasi-one-dimensional Schrödinger operator H0. We study the scattering by a finite disordered piece (the scatterer) inserted inside this cable. For energies E where H0 has only elliptic channels we use the Lippmann-Schwinger equations to show that the scattering matrix and the transfer matrix, written in an appropriate basis, are related by a certain polar decomposition. For energies E where H0 has hyperbolic channels we show that the scattering matrix is related to a reduced transfer matrix and both are of smaller dimension than the transfer matrix. Moreover, in this case the scattering matrix is determined from a limit of larger dimensional scattering matrices, as follows: We take a piece of the cable of length m, followed by the scatterer and another piece of the cable of length m, consider the scattering matrix of these three joined pieces inserted inside an ideal lead at energy E (ideal means only elliptic channels), and take the limit m → ∞.
Insights in quantum dynamical effects in the infrared spectroscopy of liquid water from a semiclassical study with an ab initio-based flexible and polarizable force field
Authors: Liu Jian , Miller William H. , Fanourgakis George S. , Xantheas Sotiris S. , Imoto Sho , Saito Shinji
Published: December 2011

The dynamical properties of liquid water play an important role in many processes in nature. In this paper, we focus on the infrared (IR) absorption spectrum of liquid water based on the linearized semiclassical initial value representation (LSC-IVR) with the local Gaussian approximation (LGA) [J. Liu and W. H. Miller, J. Chem. Phys. 131, 074113 (2009)] and an ab initio based, flexible, polarizable Thole-type model (TTM3-F) [G. S. Fanourgakis and S. S. Xantheas, J. Chem. Phys. 128, 074506 (2008)]. Although the LSC-IVR (LGA) gives the exact result for the isolated three-dimensional shifted harmonic stretching model, it yields a blueshifted peak position for the more realistic anharmonic stretching potential. By using the short-time information of the LSC-IVR correlation function; however, it is shown how one can obtain more accurate results for the position of the stretching peak. Due to the physical decay in the condensed phase system, the LSC-IVR (LGA) is a good and practical approximate quantum approach for the IR spectrum of liquid water. The present results offer valuable insight into future attempts to improve the accuracy of the TTM3-F potential or other ab initio-based models in reproducing the IR spectrum of liquid water.
High power, continuous wave, quantum cascade ring laser
Authors: Bai Y. , Tsao S. , Bandyopadhyay N. , Slivken S. , Lu Q. Y. , Caffey D. , Pushkarsky M. , Day T. , Razeghi M.
Published: December 2011

We demonstrate a quantum cascade ring laser with high power room temperature continuous wave operation. A second order distributed feedback grating buried inside the waveguide provides both in-plane feedback and vertical power outcoupling. Total output power reaches 0.51 W at an emission wavelength around 4.85 μm. Single mode operation persists up to 0.4 W. The far field analysis indicates that the device operates in a high order mode. The magnetic and electric components of the ring-shaped lasing beam are in radial and azimuthal directions, respectively.
Magnon magnetoresistance of NiFe nanowires: Size dependence and domain wall detection
Authors: Nguyen V. D. , Naylor C. , Vila L. , Marty A. , Laczkowski P. , Beigné C. , Notin L. , Ishaque Z. , Attané J. P.
Published: December 2011

The magnetoresistance of permalloy (Ni84Fe16) nanowires of various widths (down to 50 nm) has been measured for fields applied along the wires. The enhancement of the shape anisotropy in the narrowest widths leads to the disappearance of the anisotropic magnetoresistance signal, the remaining contribution to the magnetoresistance being that of the magnons. Using constrictions to pin a domain wall, we show that the magnon magnetoresistance signal can give access to the position of the domain wall along the wire.
Single-cell proteomic chip for profiling intracellular signaling pathways in single tumor cells
Authors: Shi Qihui , Qin Lidong , Wei Wei , Geng Feng , Fan Rong , Shik Shin Young , Guo Deliang , Hood Leroy , Mischel Paul S. , Heath James R.
Published: December 2011

We describe a microchip designed to quantify the levels of a dozen cytoplasmic and membrane proteins from single cells. We use the platform to assess protein–protein interactions associated with the EGF-receptor-mediated PI3K signaling pathway. Single-cell sensitivity is achieved by isolating a defined number of cells (
n
 = 0–5) in 2 nL volume chambers, each of which is patterned with two copies of a miniature antibody array. The cells are lysed on-chip, and the levels of released proteins are assayed using the antibody arrays. We investigate three isogenic cell lines representing the cancer glioblastoma multiforme, at the basal level, under EGF stimulation, and under erlotinib inhibition plus EGF stimulation. The measured protein abundances are consistent with previous work, and single-cell analysis uniquely reveals single-cell heterogeneity, and different types and strengths of protein–protein interactions. This platform helps provide a comprehensive picture of altered signal transduction networks in tumor cells and provides insight into the effect of targeted therapies on protein signaling networks.
Nanoscale buckling deformation in layered copolymer materials
Authors: Makke Ali , Perez Michel , Lame Olivier , Barrat Jean-Louis
Published: December 2011

In layered materials, a common mode of deformation involves buckling of the layers under tensile deformation in the direction perpendicular to the layers. The instability mechanism, which operates in elastic materials from geological to nanometer scales, involves the elastic contrast between different layers. In a regular stacking of “hard” and “soft” layers, the tensile stress is first accommodated by a large deformation of the soft layers. The inhibited Poisson contraction results in a compressive stress in the direction transverse to the tensile deformation axis. The hard layers sustain this transverse compression until buckling takes place and results in an undulated structure. Using molecular simulations, we demonstrate this scenario for a material made of triblock copolymers. The buckling deformation is observed to take place at the nanoscale, at a wavelength that depends on strain rate. In contrast to what is commonly assumed, the wavelength of the undulation is not determined by defects in the microstructure. Rather, it results from kinetic effects, with a competition between the rate of strain and the growth rate of the instability.
Extensive genetic diversity and substructuring among zebrafish strains revealed through copy number variant analysis
Authors: Brown Kim H. , Dobrinski Kimberly P. , Lee Arthur S. , Gokcumen Omer , Mills Ryan E. , Shi Xinghua , Chong Wilson W. S. , Chen Jin Yun Helen , Yoo Paulo , David Sthuthi , Peterson Samuel M. , Raj Towfique , Choy Kwong Wai , Stranger Barbara E. , Williamson Robin E. , Zon Leonard I. , Freeman Jennifer L. , Lee Charles
Published: December 2011

Copy number variants (CNVs) represent a substantial source of genomic variation in vertebrates and have been associated with numerous human diseases. Despite this, the extent of CNVs in the zebrafish, an important model for human disease, remains unknown. Using 80 zebrafish genomes, representing three commonly used laboratory strains and one native population, we constructed a genome-wide, high-resolution CNV map for the zebrafish comprising 6,080 CNV elements and encompassing 14.6% of the zebrafish reference genome. This amount of copy number variation is four times that previously observed in other vertebrates, including humans. Moreover, 69% of the CNV elements exhibited strain specificity, with the highest number observed for Tubingen. This variation likely arose, in part, from Tubingen's large founding size and composite population origin. Additional population genetic studies also provided important insight into the origins and substructure of these commonly used laboratory strains. This extensive variation among and within zebrafish strains may have functional effects that impact phenotype and, if not properly addressed, such extensive levels of germ-line variation and population substructure in this commonly used model organism can potentially confound studies intended for translation to human diseases.
d
-Amino acid oxidase controls motoneuron degeneration through
d
-serine
Authors: Sasabe Jumpei , Miyoshi Yurika , Suzuki Masataka , Mita Masashi , Konno Ryuichi , Matsuoka Masaaki , Hamase Kenji , Aiso Sadakazu
Published: December 2011

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a fatal neurodegenerative disorder involving an extensive loss of motoneurons. Aberrant excitability of motoneurons has been implicated in the pathogenesis of selective motoneuronal death in ALS.
d
-Serine, an endogenous coagonist of
N
-methyl-
d
-aspartate receptors, exacerbates motoneuronal death and is increased both in patients with sporadic/familial ALS and in a G93A-SOD1 mouse model of ALS (mSOD1 mouse). More recently, a unique mutation in the
d
-amino acid oxidase (DAO) gene, encoding a
d
-serine degrading enzyme, was reported to be associated with classical familial ALS. However, whether DAO affects the motoneuronal phenotype and
d
-serine increase in ALS remains uncertain. Here, we show that genetic inactivation of DAO in mice reduces the number and size of lower motoneurons with axonal degeneration, and that suppressed DAO activity in reactive astrocytes in the reticulospinal tract, one of the major inputs to the lower motoneurons, predominantly contributes to the
d
-serine increase in the mSOD1 mouse. The DAO inactivity resulted from expressional down-regulation, which was reversed by inhibitors of a glutamate receptor and MEK, but not by those of inflammatory stimuli. Our findings provide evidence that DAO has a pivotal role in motoneuron degeneration through
d
-serine regulation and that inactivity of DAO is a common feature between the mSOD1 ALS mouse model and the mutant DAO-associated familial ALS. The therapeutic benefit of reducing
d
-serine or controlling DAO activity in ALS should be tested in future studies.
Modulation of NF-κB-dependent gene transcription using programmable DNA minor groove binders
Authors: Raskatov Jevgenij A. , Meier Jordan L. , Puckett James W. , Yang Fei , Ramakrishnan Parameswaran , Dervan Peter B.
Published: December 2011

Nuclear factor κB (NF-κB) is a transcription factor that regulates various aspects of immune response, cell death, and differentiation as well as cancer. In this study we introduce the Py-Im polyamide 1 that binds preferentially to the sequences 5′-WGGWWW-3′ and 5′GGGWWW-3′. The compound is capable of binding to κB sites and reducing the expression of various NF-κB–driven genes includingIL6andIL8by qRT-PCR. Chromatin immunoprecipitation experiments demonstrate a reduction of p65 occupancy within the proximal promoters of those genes. Genome-wide expression analysis by RNA-seq compares the DNA-binding polyamide with the well-characterized NF-κB inhibitor PS1145, identifies overlaps and differences in affected gene groups, and shows that both affect comparable numbers of TNF-α–inducible genes. Inhibition of NF-κB DNA binding via direct displacement of the transcription factor is a potential alternative to the existing antagonists.
Role for the molecular chaperones Zuo1 and Ssz1 in quorum sensing via activation of the transcription factor Pdr1
Authors: Prunuske Amy J. , Waltner Jeanette K. , Kuhn Peter , Gu Bohao , Craig Elizabeth Anne
Published: December 2011

Zuo1 functions as a J-protein cochaperone of its partner Hsp70. In addition, the C terminus of Zuo1 and the N terminus of Ssz1, with which Zuo1 forms a heterodimer, can independently activate the
Saccharomyces cerevisiae
transcription factor pleiotropic drug resistance 1 (Pdr1). Here we report that activation of Pdr1 by Zuo1 or Ssz1 causes premature growth arrest of cells during the diauxic shift, as they adapt to the changing environmental conditions. Conversely, cells lacking Zuo1 or Ssz1 overgrow, arresting at a higher cell density, an effect overcome by activation of Pdr1. Cells lacking the genes encoding plasma membrane transporters Pdr5 and Snq2, two targets of Pdr1, also overgrow at the diauxic shift. Adding conditioned medium harvested from cultures of wild-type cells attenuated the overgrowth of both
zuo1Δssz1Δ
and
pdr5Δsnq2Δ
cells, suggesting the extracellular presence of molecules that signal growth arrest. In addition, our yeast two-hybrid analysis revealed an interaction between Pdr1 and both Zuo1 and Ssz1. Together, our results support a model in which (
i
) membrane transporters, encoded by Pdr1 target genes act to promote cell–cell communication by exporting quorum sensing molecules, in addition to playing a role in pleiotropic drug resistance; and (
ii
) molecular chaperones function at promoters to regulate this intercellular communication through their activation of the transcription factor Pdr1.
Safety of Aquaflor-Medicated Feed to Sunshine Bass
Authors: Straus David L , Bowker James D , Bowman Molly P , Carty Dan , Mitchell Andrew J , Farmer Bradley D
Published: December 2011

Aquaflor (florfenicol, 50% type A medicated article) is a relatively new antibiotic used in U.S. aquaculture and has been widely accepted as a safe and effective therapeutant. Some peer-reviewed studies have suggested that 15 mg florfenicol (FFC)·kg−1 body weight (BW)·d−1 for 10 d controls mortality to a greater extent than 10 mg FFC·kg−1 BW·d−1 for 10 d. This study evaluated the safety of Aquaflor to sunshine bass (female white bass Morone chrysops × male striped bass M. saxatilis) when administered in feed at 15 (1× the maximum proposed therapeutic dose), 45 (3×), and 75 (5×) mg FFC·kg−1 BW·d−1 for 20 d (2× the currently approved 10-d treatment duration). The medicated feed was top-coated with Aquaflor and fed at 2% BW·d−1 divided equally between the morning and afternoon feedings. Juvenile sunshine bass (13.6 ± 1.6 g [mean ± SD]) were stocked into 100-L flow-through tanks at 20 fish per tank. Diets were randomly assigned to three replicate tanks per treatment; fish in three additional nonstudy tanks were fed control diets and weighed weekly to calculate proper feeding quantities. Throughout the trial, water quality was maintained within ranges suitable for sunshine bass culture, fish behavior appeared normal, and all feed was readily and rapidly consumed. There were no mortalities and fish health evaluations revealed no chronic toxicity patterns. None of the histopathologies distinctive to the use of Aquaflor were observed. In conclusion, there is an adequate margin of safety associated with administering Aquaflor-medicated feed to fingerling sunshine bass at the proposed therapeutic treatment regimen of 15 mg FFC·kg−1 BW·d−1 for 10 d.
Application of Image Analysis in Studies of Quantitative Disease Resistance, Exemplified Using Common Bacterial Blight–Common Bean Pathosystem
Authors: Xie Weilong , Yu Kangfu , Pauls K. Peter , Navabi Alireza
Published: December 2011

The effectiveness of image analysis (IA) compared with an ordinal visual scale, for quantitative measurement of disease severity, its application in quantitative genetic studies, and its effect on the estimates of genetic parameters were investigated. Studies were performed using eight backcross-derived families of common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris) (n = 172) segregating for the molecular marker SU91, known to be associated with a quantitative trait locus (QTL) for resistance to common bacterial blight (CBB), caused by Xanthomonas campestris pv. phaseoli and X. fuscans subsp. fuscans. Even though both IA and visual assessments were highly repeatable, IA was more sensitive in detecting quantitative differences between bean genotypes. The CBB phenotypic difference between the two SU91 genotypic groups was consistently more than fivefold for IA assessments but generally only two- to threefold for visual assessments. Results suggest that the visual assessment results in overestimation of the effect of QTL in genetic studies. This may have been caused by lack of additivity and uneven intervals of the visual scale. Although visual assessment of disease severity is a useful tool for general selection in breeding programs, assessments using IA may be more suitable for phenotypic evaluations in quantitative genetic studies involving CBB resistance as well as other foliar diseases.