bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A Multi-Fault Diagnosis Method for Sensor Systems Based on Principle Component Analysis
Authors: Zhu Daqi , Bai Jie , Yang Simon  X.
Published: December 2009

A model based on PCA (principal component analysis) and a neural network is proposed for the multi-fault diagnosis of sensor systems. Firstly, predicted values of sensors are computed by using historical data measured under fault-free conditions and a PCA model. Secondly, the squared prediction error (SPE) of the sensor system is calculated. A fault can then be detected when the SPE suddenly increases. If more than one sensor in the system is out of order, after combining different sensors and reconstructing the signals of combined sensors, the SPE is calculated to locate the faulty sensors. Finally, the feasibility and effectiveness of the proposed method is demonstrated by simulation and comparison studies, in which two sensors in the system are out of order at the same time.
Spectroscopic and Chromatographic Characterization of Wastewater Organic Matter from a Biological Treatment Plant
Authors: Park Min-Hye , Lee Tae-Hwan , Lee Bo-Mi , Hur Jin , Park Dae-Hee
Published: December 2009

Spectroscopic and chromatographic changes in dissolved organic matter (DOM) characteristics of influent and treated sewage were investigated for a wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) with a biological advanced process. Refractory DOM (R-DOM) was defined as the dissolved organic carbon concentrations of the samples after 28-day incubation for this study. Specific UV absorbance (SUVA), hydrophobicity, synchronous fluorescence spectra and molecular weight (MW) distributions were selected as DOM characteristics. The percent distribution of R-DOM for the effluent was much higher than that of the influent, indicating that biodegradable DOM was selectively removed during the process. Comparison of the influent versus the effluent sewage revealed that SUVA, fulvic-like fluorescence (FLF), humic-like fluorescence (HLF), the apparent MW values were enhanced during the treatment. This suggests that more aromatic and humic-like compounds were enriched during the biological process. No significant difference in the DOM characteristics was observed between the original effluent (i.e., prior to the incubation) and the influent sewage after the incubation. This result suggests that the major changes in wastewater DOM characteristics occurring during the biological advanced process were similar to those for simple microbial incubation.
Structure and Function of Snake Venom Proteins Affecting Platelet Plug Formation
Authors: Matsui Taei , Hamako Jiharu , Titani Koiti
Published: December 2009

Many snake venom proteins have been isolated that affect platelet plug formation by interacting either with platelet integrins, membrane glycoprotein Ib (GPIb), or plasma von Willebrand factor (VWF). Among them, disintegrins purified from various snake venoms are strong inhibitors of platelet aggregation. Botrocetin and bitiscetin derived from Bothrops jararaca and Bitis arietans venom, respectively, induce VWF-dependent platelet agglutination in vitro. Several GPIb-binding proteins have also been isolated from snake venoms. In this review, we focus on the structure and function of those snake venom proteins that influence platelet plug formation. These proteins are potentially useful as reagents for the sub-diagnosis of platelet disorder or von Willebrand disease, as well as for clinical and basic research of thrombosis and hemostasis.
Recent Advances of Dendritic Cells (DCs)-Based Immunotherapy for Malignant Gliomas
Authors: Cho Der-Yang , Lin Shinn-Zong , Yang Wen-Kuang , Hsu Den-Mei , Lee Han-Chung , Lee Wen-Yeun , Liu Shih-Ping
Published: December 2009

Immunotherapy is a new light of hope for the treatment of malignant gliomas. The brain is no longer believed to be an immunologically privileged organ. The major advantage of immunotherapy is the tumor-specific cytotoxic effect on the tumor cells with minimal side effects. Autologous dendritic cells (DCs)-based immunotherapy is a promising and feasible method. DCs are the most potent antigen-presenting cells (APCs). DCs prime T lymphocytes by epitopic major histocompatibility (MHC) class I and II for CD8+cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs) and CD4+T helper cells, respectively. From the tissue specimen examination after DCs-based immunotherapy, CD8+CTLs have replaced T regulatory cells (Tregs) as the major dominant tissue infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs). CD8+CTLs play a key role in the tumor response, which may also be effective against cancer stem cells. DCs themselves also produce many cytokines including interferon-γ and interleukin (IL-2) to kill the tumor cells. From the preliminary better outcomes in the literature for malignant gliomas, DC-based immunotherapy may improve tumor response by increasing the survival rate and time. It is recommended that DC-based immunotherapy is applied as soon as possible with conjunctive radiotherapy and chemotherapy. Malignant gliomas have heterogeneity of tissue-associated antigens (TAAs). To find universal common antigens through different kinds of tumor culture may be the essential issue for tumor vaccine development in the future.
Mesenchymal Stem Cell Therapy for Nonmusculoskeletal Diseases: Emerging Applications
Authors: Kuo Tom K. , Ho Jennifer H. , Lee Oscar K.
Published: December 2009

Mesenchymal stem cells are stem/progenitor cells originated from the mesoderm and can different into multiple cell types of the musculoskeletal system. The vast differentiation potential and the relative ease for culture expansion have established mesenchymal stem cells as the building blocks in cell therapy and tissue engineering applications for a variety of musculoskeletal diseases, including repair of fractures and bone defects, cartilage regeneration, treatment of osteonecrosis of the femoral head, and correction of genetic diseases such as osteogenesis imperfect. However, research in the past decade has revealed differentiation potentials of mesenchymal stem cells beyond lineages of the mesoderm, suggesting broader applications than originally perceived. In this article, we review the recent developments in mesenchymal stem cell research with respect to their emerging properties and applications in nonmusculoskeletal diseases.
MicroRNAs Regulation Modulated Self-Renewal and Lineage Differentiation of Stem Cells
Authors: Liu Shih-Ping , Fu Ru-Huei , Yu Hsiu-Hui , Li Kuo-Wei , Tsai Chang-Hai , Shyu Woei-Cherng , Lin Shinn-Zong
Published: December 2009

Stem cells are unique cells in the ability that can self-renew and differentiate into a wide variety of cell types, suggesting that a specific molecular control network underlies these features. To date, stem cells have been applied to many clinical therapeutic approaches. For example, hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) and mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are the cells responding to ischemia or injury and engage in effective revascularization to repair within impairment regions. Transplantation of MSCs after stroke and hindlimb ischemia results in remarkable recovery through enhancing angiogenesis. MicroRNAs are a novel class of endogenous, small, noncoding RNAs that work via translational inhibition or degradation of their target mRNAs to downregulate gene expression. MicroRNAs have been strongly linked to stem cells, which have a remarkable role in development. In this study, we focused on the microRNA regulation in multiple stem cells. For example, miR-520h was upregulated and miR-129 was downregulated in HSC. MiR-103, 107, 140, 143, 638, and 663 were associated with MSCs while miR-302s and miR-136 were associated with ESCs. In NSCs, miR-92b, let-7, and miR-125 were the critical regulators. This overview of the recent advances in the aspects of molecular control of stem cell biology reveals the importance of microRNAs, which may be helpful for future work.
Forever Young: How to Control the Elongation, Differentiation, and Proliferation of Cells Using Nanotechnology
Authors: Ellis-Behnke R. G. , Liang Y. X. , Guo J. , Tay D. K. C. , Schneider G. E. , Teather L. A. , Wu W. , So K. F.
Published: December 2009

Within the emerging field of stem cells there is a need for an environment that can regulate cell activity, to slow down differentiation or proliferation, in vitro or in vivo while remaining invisible to the immune system. By creating a nanoenvironment surrounding PC12 cells, Schwann cells, and neural precursor cells (NPCs), we were able to control the proliferation, elongation, differentiation, and maturation in vitro. We extended the method, using self-assembling nanofiber scaffold (SAPNS), to living animals with implants in the brain and spinal cord. Here we show that when cells are placed in a defined system we can delay their proliferation, differentiation, and maturation depending on the density of the cell population, density of the matrix, and the local environment. A combination of SAPNS and young cells can be implanted into the central nervous system (CNS), eliminating the need for immunosuppressants.
Review of Lithium Effects on Brain and Blood
Authors: Young Wise
Published: December 2009

Clinicians have long used lithium to treat manic depression. They have also observed that lithium causes granulocytosis and lymphopenia while it enhances immunological activities of monocytes and lymphocytes. In fact, clinicians have long used lithium to treat granulocytopenia resulting from radiation and chemotherapy, to boost immunoglobulins after vaccination, and to enhance natural killer activity. Recent studies revealed a mechanism that ties together these disparate effects of lithium. Lithium acts through multiple pathways to inhibit glycogen synthetase kinase-3β (GSK3β). This enzyme phosphorylates and inhibits nuclear factors that turn on cell growth and protection programs, including the nuclear factor of activated T cells (NFAT) and WNT/β-catenin. In animals, lithium upregulates neurotrophins, including brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), nerve growth factor, neurotrophin-3 (NT3), as well as receptors to these growth factors in brain. Lithium also stimulates proliferation of stem cells, including bone marrow and neural stem cells in the subventricular zone, striatum, and forebrain. The stimulation of endogenous neural stem cells may explain why lithium increases brain cell density and volume in patients with bipolar disorders. Lithium also increases brain concentrations of the neuronal markers n-acetyl-aspartate and myoinositol. Lithium also remarkably protects neurons against glutamate, seizures, and apoptosis due to a wide variety of neurotoxins. The effective dose range for lithium is 0.6–1.0 mM in serum and >1.5 mM may be toxic. Serum lithium levels of 1.5–2.0 mM may have mild and reversible toxic effects on kidney, liver, heart, and glands. Serum levels of >2 mM may be associated with neurological symptoms, including cerebellar dysfunction. Prolonged lithium intoxication >2 mM can cause permanent brain damage. Lithium has low mutagenic and carcinogenic risk. Lithium is still the most effective therapy for depression. It “cures” a third of the patients with manic depression, improves the lives of about a third, and is ineffective in about a third. Recent studies suggest that some anticonvulsants (i.e., valproate, carbamapazine, and lamotrigene) may be useful in patients that do not respond to lithium. Lithium has been reported to be beneficial in animal models of brain injury, stroke, Alzheimer's, Huntington's, and Parkinson's diseases, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), spinal cord injury, and other conditions. Clinical trials assessing the effects of lithium are under way. A recent clinical trial suggests that lithium stops the progression of ALS.
Alternative Splicing Modulates Stem Cell Differentiation
Authors: Fu Ru-Huei , Liu Shih-Ping , Ou Chen-Wei , Yu Hsiu-Hui , Li Kuo-Wei , Tsai Chang-Hai , Shyu Woei-Cherng , Lin Shinn-Zong
Published: December 2009

Stem cells have the surprising potential to develop into many different cell types. Therefore, major research efforts have focused on transplantation of stem cells and/or derived progenitors for restoring depleted diseased cells in degenerative disorders. Understanding the molecular controls, including alternative splicing, that arise during lineage differentiation of stem cells is crucial for developing stem cell therapeutic approaches in regeneration medicine. Alternative splicing to allow a single gene to encode multiple transcripts with different protein coding sequences and RNA regulatory elements increases genomic complexities. Utilizing differences in alternative splicing as a molecular marker may be more sensitive than simply gene expression in various degrees of stem cell differentiation. Moreover, alternative splicing maybe provide a new concept to acquire induced pluripotent stem cells or promote cell–cell transdifferentiation for restorative therapies and basic medicine researches. In this review, we highlight the recent advances of alternative splicing regulation in stem cells and their progenitors. It will hopefully provide much needed knowledge into realizing stem cell biology and related applications.
Human Umbilical Cord Blood Cell Grafts for Brain Ischemia
Authors: Park Dong-Hyuk , Borlongan Cesar V. , Willing Alison E. , Eve David J. , Cruz L. Eduardo , Sanberg Cyndy D. , Chung Yong-Gu , Sanberg Paul R.
Published: December 2009

Irreversible and permanent damage develop immediately adjacent to the region of reduced cerebral blood perfusion in stroke patients. Currently, the proven thrombolytic treatment for stroke, tissue plasminogen activator, is only effective when administered within 3 h after stroke. These disease characteristics should be taken under consideration in developing any therapeutic intervention designed to widen the narrow therapeutic range, especially cell-based therapy. Over the past several years, our group and others have characterized the therapeutic potential of human umbilical cord blood cells for stroke and other neurological disorders using in vitro and vivo models focusing on the cells' ability to differentiate into nonhematopoietic cells including neural lineage, as well as their ability to produce several neurotrophic factors and modulate immune and inflammatory reaction. Rather than the conventional cell replacement mechanism, we advance alternative pathways of graft-mediated brain repair involving neurotrophic effects resulting from release of various growth factors that afford cell survival, angiogenesis, and anti-inflammation. Eventually, these multiple protective and restorative effects from umbilical cord blood cell grafts may be interdependent and act in harmony in promoting therapeutic benefits for stroke.
Fossil Ericaceae from New Zealand: Deconstructing the use of fossil evidence in historical biogeography
Authors: Jordan Gregory J. , Bannister Jennifer M. , Mildenhall Dallas C. , Zetter Reinhard , Lee Daphne E.
Published: December 2009

The Australasian Ericaceae epitomize many problems in understanding the biogeography of the southern hemisphere, especially the relative contributions of Gondwanan vicariance and dispersal. Late Cretaceous fossil pollen of the family suggests extreme antiquity of the group in Australasia, but recent phylogenetic evidence suggests much younger histories for most of the groups in that region. This paper documents two new species of latest Oligocene‐Early Miocene macrofossils of Ericaceae from New Zealand. Cyathodophyllum novae‐zelandiae G.J.Jord. & Bannister gen. and sp. nov. is the oldest record of the tribe Styphelieae, but is of a clade now extinct in New Zealand, possibly related to the Tasmanian genus Cyathodes. Richeaphyllum waimumuensis G.J.Jord. & Bannister sp. nov. is a member of Richeeae, but it is ambiguous as to whether it is a member of the impressive modern New Zealand radiation in Dracophyllum. These fossils emphasize the fact that at least some of the fossil pollen of Ericaceae may have been derived from extinct lineages and therefore should not be used as evidence for the antiquity of any modern New Zealand clade of Ericaceae. New fossils and/or detailed analysis of fossil and extant pollen may help resolve such uncertainty.
Floral emasculation reveals pollen quality limitation of seed output inBulbine bulbosa(Asphodelaceae)1
Authors: Vaughton Glenda , Ramsey Mike
Published: December 2009

Pollen commonly limits seed output in natural plant populations, but the relative contributions of pollen quantity and quality to pollen limitation remain largely unexplored. Estimates of these contributions are needed to promote better understanding of the ecological and evolutionary consequences of pollen limitation. We assessed pollen limitation and distinguished how pollen quantity and quality contributed to seed output in the predominantly outcrossing herbBulbine bulbosa. We compared seed output of emasculated and cross‐pollinated plants that could not self‐pollinate with that of intact plants. Seed output was similar in emasculated and cross‐pollinated plants, but it was about 50% less in intact plants. These findings indicate that the quantity of cross‐pollen deposited by pollinators did not limit seed output. However, pollinators also deposited self‐pollen, which reduced seed output because selfing disabled ovules, rendering them unavailable for cross‐fertilization. We conclude that pollen quality rather than quantity can limit seed output under natural conditions, which supports recent proposals for greater consideration of pollen quality in the study of pollen limitation.
Cheirolophus intybaceus (Asteraceae, Centaureinae) o la constància del valor 2C
Authors: Garnatje T. , Garcia S. , Hidalgo O. , Pellicer J. , Sánchez-Jiménez I. , Vallès J.
Published: December 2009

Cheirolophus intybaceus es una especie heliófila propia de los matorrales mediterráneos termófilos que crece en una franja litoral de unos 50 km de anchura que va desde Tolón (Var, Francia) hasta el sur de la península Ibérica, estando también presente en las islas Baleares (excepto en Menorca). Se encuentra también en las zonas elevadas y soleadas de las cuencas fluviales mediterráneas, formando un complejo de táxones estrechamente relacionados entre sí.
Los objetivos de este trabajo son: i) contribuir a la aportación de datos de tamaño del genoma para diversas especies de Asteraceae; ii) estudiar la variación de la cantidad de ADN a lo largo del área de distribución de una especie; iii) evaluar la capacidad de discriminación de este parámetro a niveles taxonómicos bajos.
Se ha encontrado una correlación positiva y significativa entre la cantidad de ADN y la latitud, es decir, que en hábitats con menor pluviosidad y más cálidos el tamaño del genoma tiende a disminuir en esta especie. La variación en todo el área de distribución de Ch. intybaceus es de 1,15 veces. Nos encontramos, por lo tanto, ante un caso de baja variabilidad que apoya la constancia del valor 2C.
L’herbari Bernades a l’Institut Botànic de Barcelona (BC)
Authors: Ibáñez N. , Soriano I. , Montserrat J. M.
Published: December 2009

[es] El herbario BC-Bernades es una de las colecciones más antiguas conservadas en el Instituto Botánico de Barcelona. Contiene parte de las recolecciones de Miquel Bernades y Mainader y Miquel Bernades y Clarís, médicos y botánicos catalanes del siglo XVIII establecidos en Madrid. Consta de 817 pliegos, la relación de los cuales presentamos en un anexo. También mostramos datos sobre las localidades de recolección, grupos taxonómicos y familias presentes, y una relación de pliegos de interés. Entre estos aparecen testimonios de plantas arvenses extinguidas o muy raras en tierras ibéricas como Hymenocarpos circinatus (L.) Savi o Securigera securidaca (L.) Degen & Dörfl , y también algunos de los primeros testimonios conocidos en España de plantas introducidas como Aster cordifolius L. o Bidens bipinnata L.

[ct] L’herbari BC-Bernades és una de les col·leccions més antigues de les conservades a l’Institut Botànic de Barcelona. Conté part de les recol·leccions de Miquel Bernades i Mainader i Miquel Bernades i Clarís, metges i botànics catalans del segle XVIII establerts a Madrid. Consta de 817 plecs, la relació dels quals donem en un annex. També presentem dades sobre localitats de recol·lecció, grups taxonòmics i famílies presents, i una relació de plecs d’interès. Entre aquests hi fi guren testimonis de plantes arvenses extingides o molt rares a les terres ibèriques com Hymenocarpos circinatus (L.) Savi o Securigera securidaca (L.) Degen & Dörfl , i també alguns dels primers testimonis coneguts a Espanya de plantes introduïdes com Aster cordifolius L. o Bidens bipinnata L.
Dos adiciones al complejo Jacea–Lepteranthus: adaptaciones paralelas en las enigmáticas especies Centaurea subtilis y C. exarata
Authors: Hilpold A. , Garcia–Jacas N. , Vilatersana R. , Susanna A.
Published: December 2009

[es] Centaurea subtilis del sureste de Italia y C. exarata del suroeste de la Península Ibérica fueron clasificadas anteriormente en el grupo Acrolophus-Phalolepis y dentro de él en la sect. Maculosae. Una revisión molecular basada en secuencias de la región ITS indica que ambas deberían clasificarse en el grupo Jacea-Lepteranthus. Este cambio es coherente con el número cromosómico de las dos especies, que tienen x = 11 como el resto de las especies del grupo Jacea-Lepteranthus y no x = 9 como las especies del grupo Acrolophus-Phalolepis. Estos resultados confirman advertencias anteriores sobre el carácter artificial de la sect. Maculosae. Centaurea exarata y C. subtilis son bastante diferentes de las otras especies de Jacea-Lepteranthus en algunos caracteres morfológicos importantes, resultado, según nuestra hipótesis, de adaptaciones a un clima más árido. La reducción o total pérdida de las flores estériles radiantes podría ser una adaptación a la falta de especies competidoras en la polinización.

[ct] Centaurea subtilis del sud-est d’Itàlia i C. exarata del sud-oest de la Península Ibèrica han estat classificades en el grup Acrolophus-Phalolepis i, dins d’aquest grup, a la secció Maculosae. Una revisió molecular basada en seqüències de la regió ITS indica que ambdues espècies haurien de classificar-se en el grup Jacea-Lepteranthus. Aquest canvi és coherent amb el nombre cromosòmic de les dues espècies, que tenen x = 11 com la resta de les espècies del grup Jacea-Lepteranthus i no x = 9 com les espècies del grup Acrolophus-Phalolepis. Aquests resultats confi rmen advertències anteriors sobre el caràcter artificial de la sect. Maculosae. Centaurea exarata i C. subtilis són bastant diferents de les altres espècies de Jacea-Lepteranthus en alguns caràcters morfològics importants, degut, segons la nostra hipòtesi, a adaptacions a un clima més àrid. La reducció o la total pèrdua de les flors estèrils radiants podria ser una adaptació a la falta d’espècies competidores en la pol·linització.
Una aproximación al conocimiento de la flora más amenazada de China
Authors: López-Pujol J. , Zhang Z. Y.
Published: December 2009

China posee una gran diversidad de especies vegetales, tanto en lo que se refiere al número total de taxones como a la cantidad de endemismos. Sin embargo, una parte significativa de esta diversidad (hasta un 20% de la flora autóctona) está amenazada en algún grado. Una cantidad apreciable aunque todavía indeterminada de taxones se encuentra en una situación de extremo riesgo debido a su escaso número de efectivos, a menudo inferior al centenar. Se han seleccionado 20 taxones como muestra representativa de esta flora en situación muy crítica, de los que se proporciona información sobre su área de distribución, tamaño poblacional, amenazas, medidas de conservación adoptadas, estatus legal y categoría de amenaza (de acuerdo con los criterios de la UICN). La rareza extrema de estos taxones puede relacionarse con su historia evolutiva (por su condición de paleo- o neoendemismos) y/o con la actuación humana (principalmente destrucción de hábitats y sobreexplotación).
Paleoecología del Holoceno en la Gran Sabana, SE Venezuela: Análisis preliminar de polen y microcarbones en la Laguna Encantada
Authors: Montoya E. , Rull V. , Nogué S. , Díaz W. A.
Published: December 2009

La región de la Gran Sabana, al SE de Venezuela, se caracteriza por la presencia de extensas sabanas neotropicales, en un clima cálido y húmedo, que parece más propicio para la existencia de bosques húmedos. Existen dos grandes grupos de hipótesis para explicar esta configuración vegetal: las naturales (cambios climáticos, pobreza de suelos) y las antrópicas (incendios provocados). El presente estudio utiliza el análisis de polen y microcarbones para reconstruir las tendencias paleoambientales, de la vegetación y del régimen de incendios, en la turbera litoral de la Laguna Encantada, durante los últimos 7.500 años. Las sabanas han dominado el paisaje durante todo este tiempo, a pesar de que los incendios locales no afectaron el área hasta hace unos 1.200 años, momento en el cual se establecen las comunidades actuales. Hacia los 4.000 años antes del presente tuvo lugar una expansión de los bosques de galería, causada por cambios climáticos, seguida de una evidente deforestación debida al fuego, que culminó en la situación actual. Estos resultados, junto con estudios anteriores, sugieren que las sabanas actuales de la Gran Sabana son el resultado de la interacción de diversos factores, estando el clima muy asociado a su origen y los fuegos provocados a su gran expansión actual.
Contribución al conocimiento de la flora alóctona de Cataluña
Authors: Pyke S.
Published: December 2009

Las siguientes especies: Drosanthemum candens, Ononis mitissima and Thinopyrum intermedium subsp. barbulatum son citadas aquí como novedades para la flora alóctona catalana.
Sobre cinco compuestas erróneamente iconografiadas en publicaciones acerca de la biodiversidad de plantas vasculares andorranas
Authors: Romo A. M. , Von Raab-Straube E.
Published: December 2009

Se comentan cinco taxones de compuestas que aparecen confusamente ilustrados en publicaciones florísticas de Andorra y que nunca se han recolectado en territorio andorrano.
Ursinia nana (Anthemideae, Asteraceae), una adventicia de Sudáfrica que está siendo naturalizada en el noreste de la península Ibérica. Observaciones sobre su biología reproductiva y sus mecanismos de dispersión de los frutos
Authors: Molero Briones J.
Published: December 2009

[es] Se indica por primera vez para el continente europeo la presencia de Ursinia nana, una Anthemideae de origen sudafricano introducida en el NE de la Península Ibérica. Además de su localización precisa, morfología, número cromosómico, ecología y de un censo de sus poblaciones, se ofrecen datos sobre el ciclo vital, estructura floral, biología reproductiva y dispersión de los frutos. Son remarcables el claro dominio de la autogamia (geitonogamia) sobre la xenogamia como sistema reproductivo y la alta producción de frutos con elevada e inmediata capacidad germinativa, características que permiten una colonización rápida de esta especie introducida que pudiera devenir invasora. No obstante la predación de sus frutos por la hormiga Messor barbarus evidencian un mecanismo natural que interviene en la regulación del crecimiento de sus poblaciones, lo que puede permitir su control biológico. Finalmente se analizan las posibilidades de expansión en el área colonizada y de su posible naturalización en el NE de la Península Ibérica.

[ct] La presència d’Ursinia nana, una Anthemideae d’origen sud-africà introduïda al NE de la Península Ibèrica, s’assenyala per primera vegada al continent europeu. A més de la seva precisa localització, morfologia, nombre cromosòmic, ecologia i un cens de les seves poblacions, s’ofereixen dades sobre el cicle vital, estructura floral, biologia reproductiva i dispersió dels fruits. Cal remarcar el clar domini de la geitonogàmia sobre la xenogàmia com a sistema reproductiu i l’abundant producció de fruits amb elevada i immediata capacitat germinativa, característiques que permeten a aquesta espècie introduïda una ràpida colonització que podria esdevenir invasora. Malgrat tot, la predació dels seus fruits per la formiga Messor barbarus posa de manifest un mecanisme natural que intervé en la regulació del creixement de les seves poblacions, la qual cosa permet un cert control biològic. Finalment s’analitzen les possibilitats d’expansió en el ària colonitzada i la seva possible naturalització en el NE de la Península Ibèrica.
Contribución al conocimiento de la vegetación de las montañas marroquíes
Authors: Romo A. M.
Published: December 2009

Se describe con la metodología fitosociológica diferentes tipos de comunidades vegetales, no detectadas hasta el presente en Marruecos. Se proponen las siguientes nuevas asociaciones y subasociaciones: Anthyllido polycephalae-Stachydetum fontqueri subass. quercetosum rotundifoliae corresponde a una maquia de las montañas septentrionales del Rif; Genisto anglicae-Ericetum ciliaris subsass. pinguiculetosum lusitanicae es un brezal del macizo de Bou Hassim en el Rif occidental; Cephalario maroccanae- Inuletum maletii es una formación de megaforbios del Atlas Medio; Bellis caerulescendis-Heracletum sphondyllii es una formación de megaforbios del Gran Atlas; Arenario armerinae-Sideritetum matris-filiae es un pastizal de alta montaña mediterránea del macizo de Tichchoukt en el Atlas Medio. Se aportan nuevos datos para otros sintáxones ya descritos pero con la distribución, variabilidad y ecología poco conocidas. Este es el caso de las asociaciones siguientes: Polysticho setiferi-Prunetum lusitanicae, bosquecillo ripario de las montañas del Rif occidental y central; Primulo acaulis-Betuletum celtibericae, corresponde a un bosque de abedules del Rif central, y Astragaletum numidico-maroccani es una comunidad de caméfitos de alta montaña mediterránea conocida hasta el presente del Rif occidental. Como conclusión se puede aseverar que la vegetación de los hábitats que ocupan áreas reducidas en las montañas marroquíes es conocida de forma parcial.
Sobre la distribució de Trifolium diffusum Ehrh. als Països Catalans
Authors: Pérez-Haase A. , Batriu E. , Mercadé A. , Blanco-Moreno J. M.
Published: December 2009

[es ] En esta nota a portamos nuevos datos sobre la distribución de Trifolium diffusum Ehrh. en los Países Catalanes y confirmamos su presencia en Cataluña.

[ct] En aquesta nota aportem noves dades corològiques de Trifolium diffusum Ehrh. als Països Catalans i confirmem la seva presència a Catalunya.
Credibility of concepts and models about service life of concrete structures in the face of the effects of the global climatic change. A critical review
Authors: Mendoza-Rangel J. M. , Castro-Borges P.
Published: December 2009

Service life definitions involve more considerations today than thirty years ago. This is because only mechanical parameters were taken into account by then. Other parameters like durability were introduced a few years ago but it is difficult to use these parameters to predict service life and validate, nowadays, future behavior. This is due mainly to a mixture of variables, methods, materials and environments whose behavior is hard to predict. These factors take special importance facing the effects from the climatic change that causes unpredictable and hardly modelling environmental behavior in terms of service life of the concrete. The aim of this work is to review critically the definitions of durability and service life of diverse codes and international associations, making emphasis in the points that must be improved to be in accordance with the requirements that suppose the effects of the climatic change. With base in this, new definitions of service life and durability were set out. A proposal to modify the philosophy of the approaches of service life must make emphasis in dividing service life in several stages, which could be the key to take into account the global climatic change.
Cutting Edge: Basophils Are Transiently Recruited into the Draining Lymph Nodes during Helminth Infection via IL-3, but Infection-Induced Th2 Immunity Can Develop without Basophil Lymph Node Recruitment or IL-3
Authors: Kim Sohee , Prout Melanie , Ramshaw Hayley , Lopez Angel F. , LeGros Graham , Min Booki
Published: December 2009

Basophils are recognized as immune modulators through their ability to produce IL-4, a key cytokine required for Th2 immunity. It has also recently been reported that basophils are transiently recruited into the draining lymph node (LN) after allergen immunization and that the recruited basophils promote the differentiation of naive CD4 T cells into Th2 effector cells. Using IL-3−/− and IL-3Rβ−/− mice, we report in this study that the IL-3/IL-3R system is absolutely required to recruit circulating basophils into the draining LN following helminth infection. Unexpectedly, the absence of IL-3 or of basophil LN recruitment played little role in helminth-induced Th2 immune responses. Moreover, basophil depletion in infected mice did not diminish the development of IL-4–producing CD4 T cells. Our results reveal a previously unknown role of IL-3 in recruiting basophils to the LN and demonstrate that basophils are not necessarily associated with the development of Th2 immunity during parasite infection.
Cutting Edge: HLA-DM–Mediated Peptide Exchange Functions Normally on MHC Class II–Peptide Complexes That Have Been Weakened by Elimination of a Conserved Hydrogen Bond
Authors: Ferrante Andrea , Gorski Jack
Published: December 2009

The mechanism by which HLA-DM (DM) promotes exchange of peptides bound to HLA-DR (DR) is still unclear. We have shown that peptide interaction with DR1 can be considered a folding process as evidenced by cooperativity. However, in DM-mediated ligand exchange, prebound peptide release is noncooperative, which could be a function of the breaking of a critical interaction. The hydrogen bond (H-bond) between β-chain His81 and the peptide backbone at the −1 position is a candidate for such a target. In this study, we analyze the exchange of peptides bound to a DR1 mutant in which formation of this H-bond is impaired. We observe that DM still functions normally. However, as expected of a cooperative model, this H-bond contributes to the overall energetics of the complex and its disruption impacts the ability of the exchange ligand to fold with the binding groove into a stable complex.
A Second Order Smooth Variational Principle on Riemannian Manifolds
Authors: Azagra Daniel , Fry Robb
Published: December 2009

We establish a second order smooth variational principle valid for functions defined on (possibly infinite-dimensional) Riemannian manifolds which are uniformly locally convex and have a strictly positive injectivity radius and bounded sectional curvature.
On Hankel Forms of Higher Weights: The Case of Hardy Spaces
Authors: Sundhäll Marcus , Tchoundja Edgar
Published: December 2009

In this paper we study bilinear Hankel forms of higher weights on Hardy spaces in several dimensions. (The Schatten class Hankel forms of higher weights on weighted Bergman spaces have already been studied by Janson and Peetre for one dimension and by Sundh¨all for several dimensions). We get a full characterization of Schatten class Hankel forms in terms of conditions for the symbols to be in certain Besov spaces. Also, the Hankel forms are bounded and compact if and only if the symbols satisfy certain Carleson measure criteria and vanishing Carleson measure criteria, respectively.
Goresky–MacPherson Calculus for the Affine Flag Varieties
Authors: Yun Zhiwei
Published: December 2009

We use the fixed point arrangement technique developed by Goresky and MacPherson to calculate the part of the equivariant cohomology of the affine flag variety ℱ ℓ G generated by degree 2. We use this result to show that the vertices of the moment map image of ℱ ℓ G lie on a paraboloid.
Sensor fault detection and isolation for wind turbines based on subspace identification and Kalman filter techniques
Authors: Wei Xiukun , Verhaegen Michel , van Engelen Tim
Published: December 2009

This paper aims at the blade root moment sensor fault detection and isolation issue for three‐bladed wind turbines with horizontal axis. The underlying problem is crucial to the successful application of the individual pitch control system, which plays a key role for reducing the blade loads of large offshore wind turbines. In this paper, a wind turbine model is built based on the closed loop identification technique, where the wind dynamics is included. The fault detection issue is investigated based on the residuals generated by dual Kalman filters. Both additive faults and multiplicative faults are considered in this paper. For the additive fault case, the mean value change detection of the residuals and the generalized likelihood ratio test are utilized respectively. For multiplicative faults, they are handled via the variance change detection of the residuals. The fault isolation issue is proceeded with the help of dual sensor redundancy. Simulation results show that the proposed approach can be successfully applied to the underlying issue. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Nickel(II) complexes bearing pyrazolylimine ligand: synthesis, structure, and catalytic properties for vinyl‐type polymerization of norbornene
Authors: Wang Yuan‐yuan , Li Ben‐xia , Zhu Yu‐zhang
Published: December 2009

Two nickel(II) complexes of {2‐[C3HN2(R1)2‐3,5]}[C(R2)N(C6H3iPr2‐2,6)]NiBr2 (complex 1: R1 = CH3, R2 = 2,4,6‐trimethylphenyl; complex 2: R1 = R2 = Ph) were synthesized and characterized. The solid‐state structure of complex 1 has been confirmed by X‐ray single‐crystal analysis. Activated by methylaluminoxane (MAO), complexes 1 and 2 are capable of catalyzing the polymerization of norbornene with moderate activities [up to 10.56 × 105 gPNBE (mol Ni h)−1] with high molecular weights (Mw⩽13.56 × 105 g mol−1) and molecular weight distributions were around 2. The influences of polymerization parameters such as reaction temperature and Al–Ni molar ratio on catalytic activity and molecular weight of the polynorbornene were investigated in detail. The obtained polynorbornenes were characterized by means of 1H‐NMR and FTIR techniques. The analytical results of polymer structures indicated that the norbornene polymerization is vinyl‐type polymerization rather than ROMP. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Early lifestage exposure and potential developmental susceptibility to tetrachloroethylene
Authors: Brown Dzubow Rebecca , Makris Susan , Siegel Scott Cheryl , Barone Stanley
Published: December 2009

BACKGROUND: Tetrachloroethylene, also known as perchloroethylene or “perc”, is a highly volatile and lipophilic solvent widely used in dry cleaning, textile processing, and metal‐cleaning operations. The limited epidemiological and toxicological data available for exposure to perc during developmental lifestages, as well as the evidence for critical windows of exposure, highlight early life as a period of potential susceptibility. METHODS: A literature search was performed to identify all peer‐reviewed epidemiological and toxicologial studies examining outcomes from early lifestage exposure to perc, and reviewed by developmental stage for both exposure and outcome. RESULTS: Exposure scenarios to perc unique to early lifestages include transplacental and breast milk intake, along with inhalation, ingestion, or dermal exposure. Toxicokinetics factors that may influence early lifestage susceptibility to perc, along with existing physiologically based pharmacokinetic (PBPK) models, are described. Adverse outcomes examined include: reproductive outcomes examined prior to conception including reduced fertility, adverse effects on sperm, or altered reproductive hormones; prenatal outcomes examined after exposure prior to conception or prenatally including fetal death, birth defects, and decreased birth weight; postnatal outcomes examined after exposure prior to conception, prenatally, or during childhood including neurotoxicity, immunotoxicity, cancer, hepatotoxicity, congential anomalies and mortality; and adult schizophrenia examined after exposure prior to conception. CONCLUSIONS: The limited evidence on early lifestage exposure to perc does not provide sufficient evidence of this sensitive period as being more or less important than exposure at a later lifestage, such as during adulthood. However, there are a number of adverse health effects observed uniquely in early lifestages, and increased sensitivity to visual system deficits is suggested in children. Other outcomes observed in adults may not have been adequately assessed in children to directly compare sensitivity. Birth Defects Res (Part B) 89:50–65, 2010. Published 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
EMF acts on rat bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells to promote differentiation to osteoblasts and to inhibit differentiation to adipocytes
Authors: Yang Yong , Tao Chaoxiong , Zhao Dongming , Li Feng , Zhao Wenchun , Wu Hua
Published: December 2009

The use of electromagnetic fields (EMFs) to treat nonunion fractures developed from observations in the mid‐1900s. Whether EMF directly regulates the bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), differentiating into osteoblasts or adipocytes, remains unknown. In the present study, we investigated the roles of sinusoidal EMF of 15 Hz, 1 mT in differentiation along these separate lineages using rat bone marrow MSCs. Our results showed that EMF promoted osteogenic differentiation of the stem cells and concurrently inhibited adipocyte formation. EMF increased alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity and mineralized nodule formation, and stimulated osteoblast‐specific mRNA expression of RUNX2, ALP, BMP2, DLX5, and BSP. In contrast, EMF decreased adipogenesis and inhibited adipocyte‐specific mRNA expression of adipsin, AP‐2, and PPARγ2, and also inhibited protein expression of PPARγ2. These observations suggest that commitment of MSCs into osteogenic or adipogenic lineages is influenced by EMF. Bioelectromagnetics 31:277–285, 2010. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Estimation of whole‐body SAR from electromagnetic fields using personal exposure meters
Authors: Joseph Wout , Vermeeren Günter , Verloock Leen , Martens Luc
Published: December 2009

In this article, personal electromagnetic field measurements are converted into whole‐body specific absorption rates for exposure of the general public. Whole‐body SAR values calculated from personal exposure meter data are compared for different human spheroid phantoms: the highest SAR values (at 950 MHz) are obtained for the 1‐year‐old child (99th percentile of 17.9 µW/kg for electric field strength of 0.36 V/m), followed by the 5‐year‐old child, 10‐year‐old child, average woman, and average man. For the 1‐year‐old child, whole‐body SAR values due to 9 different radiofrequency sources (FM, DAB, TETRA, TV, GSM900 DL, GSM1800 DL, DECT, UMTS DL, WiFi) are determined for 15 different scenarios. An SAR matrix for 15 different exposure scenarios and 9 sources is provided with the personal field exposure matrix. Highest 95th percentiles of the whole‐body SAR are equal to 7.9 µW/kg (0.36 V/m, GSM900 DL), 5.8 µW/kg (0.26 V/m, DAB/TV), and 7.1 µW/kg (0.41 V/m, DECT) for the 1‐year‐old child, with a maximal total whole‐body SAR of 11.5 µW/kg (0.48 V/m) due to all 9 sources. All values are below the basic restriction of 0.08 W/kg for the general public. 95th percentiles of whole‐body SAR per V/m are equal to 60.1, 87.9, and 42.7 µW/kg for GSM900, DAB/TV, and DECT sources, respectively. Functions of the SAR versus measured electric fields are provided for the different phantoms and frequencies, enabling epidemiological and dosimetric studies to make an analysis in combination with both electric field and actual whole‐body SAR. Bioelectromagnetics 31:286–295, 2010. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Sinusoidal ELF magnetic fields affect acetylcholinesterase activity in cerebellum synaptosomal membranes
Authors: Ravera Silvia , Bianco Bruno , Cugnoli Carlo , Panfoli Isabella , Calzia Daniela , Morelli Alessandro , Pepe Isidoro M.
Published: December 2009

The effects of extremely low frequency magnetic fields (ELF‐MF) on acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity of synaptosomal membranes were investigated. Sinusoidal fields with 50 Hz frequency and different amplitudes caused AChE activity to decrease about 27% with a threshold of about 0.74 mT. The decrease in enzymatic activity was independent of the time of permanence in the field and was completely reversible. Identical results were obtained with exposure to static MF of the same amplitudes. Moreover, the inhibitory effects on enzymatic activity are spread over frequency windows with different maximal values at 60, 200, 350, and 475 Hz. When synaptosomal membranes were solubilized with Triton, ELF‐MF did not affect AChE activity, suggesting the crucial role of the membrane, as well as the lipid linkage of the enzyme, in determining the conditions for inactivation. The results are discussed in order to give an interpretation at molecular level of the macroscopic effects produced by ELF‐MF on biological systems, in particular the alterations of embryo development in many organisms due to acetylcholine accumulation. Bioelectromagnetics 31:270–276, 2010. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Determination of carboplatin in canine plasma by high‐performance liquid chromatography
Authors: Villarino Nicolas , Cox Sherry , Yarbrough Jason , Martín‐Jiménez Tomás
Published: December 2009

Carboplatin is an antineoplastic drug administered to treat different tumoral conditions in canine oncology. The objective of this study was to validate a high‐performance chromatographic (HPLC) method which could be applied in canine pharmacokinetic studies. Following ultrafiltration using a Centrifree device, standards, quality controls and plasma samples were separated by isocratic reversed‐phase HPLC on an Inertsil ODS‐2 (250 × 4.6 mm i.d.) analytical column and quantified using UV detection at 220 nm. The mobile phase was potassium phosphate (pH 4.5), with a flow‐rate of 1.0 mL/min. The procedure produced a linear curve (r2 > 0.999) over the concentration range 1–200 μg/mL. The lower limit of quantification was 1 μg/mL. The intra‐assay and inter‐assay precision was ∼90%. The overall recovery was ∼90%. The method was illustrated with a preliminary pharmacokinetic analysis on nine dogs treated with carboplatin at our hospital. Carboplatin disposition followed a monocompartmental structure in dogs and was characterized by a short half‐life (50 min). Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Determination of enoxacin and ofloxacin by capillary electrophoresis with electrochemiluminescence detection in biofluids and drugs and its application to pharmacokinetics
Authors: Liu Yan‐Ming , Shi Yan‐Mei , Liu Zhuan‐Li
Published: December 2009

A novel and sensitive method for the simultaneous determination of enoxacin and ofloxacin has been established using capillary electrophoresis (CE) coupled with electrochemiluminescence (ECL) detection based on the ECL enhancement of tri(2,2‐bipyridyl)ruthenium(II). The conditions for sample solvent type, CE separation and ECL detection were investigated systematically. The analytes were well separated and detected within 7 min. The limits of detection (S/N = 3) of enoxacin and ofloxacin are 9.0 × 10−9 and 1.6 × 10−8 mol/L, respectively. The precisions (RSD%) of intraday and interday are less than 2.1 and 4.0%, respectively. The limits of quantitation (S/N = 10) of enoxacin and ofloxacin are 3.2 × 10−7 and 5.4 × 10−7 mol/L in human urine samples and 4.1 × 10−7 and 6.9 × 10−7 mol/L in human serum samples, respectively. The recoveries of enoxacin and ofloxacin at different concentration levels in human urine, serum and eye drop samples are between 94.0 and 106.7%. The proposed method was successfully applied to the determination of the enoxacin and ofloxacin in human urine, serum and eye drop samples and the monitoring of pharmacokinetics of ofloxacin in human body. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.