bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Biogeochemical exploration using the Thola shrub in the Andean Altiplano, Bolivia
Authors: Viladevall M. , Puigserver D. , Saavedra J. , Carmona J. M.
Published: February 2012

This study concerns the implementation of the most suitable geochemical prospecting methodology to explore for gold deposits in the Andean Altiplano, Bolivia. The main gold ore deposits in this area are associated with the ‘saddle reef antimony-gold type’ in low-grade metamorphic Ordovician–Silurian siliciclastic rocks, placer gold deposits of Miocene age and epithermal gold deposits related to acid volcanic rocks of Tertiary age. An orientation biogeochemical survey was carried out over these deposits by analysing a common plant (Thola shrub) for Au, Sb and pathfinder elements. Thola is widespread and abundant in this semi-arid highland terrain and includes different families such as Compositae (
Baccharis incarum/B. tola
) and Solanaceae (
Fabiana densa
) with deep roots (>5 m) that are able to penetrate allochthonous rocks (acid tuffs) and mineralized zones. This orientation survey shows strong anomalies in gold and antimony over saddle reef antimony-gold deposits and anomalies over placer gold deposits where the bottom of the placer is exposed. High concentrations of Au and pathfinder elements were obtained in transects across acid volcanic rocks in the vicinity of abandoned mines. The Thola shrub therefore has the potential to be an excellent exploration medium throughout an area of 140 000 km
2
in the Bolivian Altiplano.
Solubility controls for molybdenum in neutral rock drainage
Authors: Conlan Michael J.W. , Mayer K. Ulrich , Blaskovich Randy , Beckie Roger D.
Published: February 2012

Mineral controls on molybdate (MoO
4
2−
) solubility were studied to better understand the fate of molybdenum (Mo) in neutral rock drainage. Batch and column experiments lasting from 46–110 days predict that molybdate (MoO
4
2−
) mobility is limited by powellite (CaMoO
4
) and wulfenite (PbMoO
4
) precipitation under neutral pH conditions with aqueous Ca and Pb present. Batch experiments demonstrate that wulfenite forms almost instantaneously and effectively removes Pb from solution to concentrations below detection limits. Powellite formation is kinetically limited, but has the capacity to significantly reduce Mo concentrations in the presence of calcite. An initial inhibition of powellite formation is observed, likely due to a lack of available nucleation sites. After the nucleation phase, powellite formation from supersaturated conditions follows a second order rate expression with linear dependence on Ca
2+
and MoO
4
2−
. A column experiment provides further evidence of rapid wulfenite formation and kinetically limited powellite formation. Both powellite and wulfenite have also been identified in molybdenum-bearing carbonate-rich waste rock sampled from barrel-sized field cell weathering experiments, providing direct evidence that these minerals affect Mo mobility under field conditions. In contrast to Pb and Ca, both Cu and Zn did not form distinct molybdate precipitates.
Geochemical background, baseline and origin of contaminants from sediments in the mining-impacted Altiplano and Eastern Cordillera of Oruro, Bolivia
Authors: Tapia J. , Audry S. , Townley B. , Duprey J. L.
Published: February 2012

Oruro, located in the Bolivian Altiplano, has been subjected to intense mining and smelting activities since Colonial times (17th Century), yet the current geochemical composition of sediments and trace element behavior is practically unknown. A collection of 91 sediment samples retrieved from five sedimentary cores from Lake Uru Uru (Altiplano) and Cala Cala Lagoon (Eastern Cordillera) subjected to a total digestion technique, with a compilation of a pre-existing database of trace element concentrations in soils and lacustrine sediments obtained from the Oruro Pilot Project (PPO), facilitated the proposal of geochemical backgrounds and a present-time baseline for As, Cd, Cu, Pb, Sb and Zn in sediments from this area.

Results obtained by statistics and geographical information system (GIS) analyses showed that the natural geochemical backgrounds of As and Sb are significantly enhanced in comparison to the Upper Continental Crust (UCC) concentrations, world background levels, and those of industrial sites and historical mining sites. The use of a local enrichment factor (EF) normalized by the mean concentration within the Cala Cala lagoon (CCLAC) demonstrated that using UCC concentrations to calculate EFs (EF
UCC
) is inadequate for this highly mineralized environment and therefore is not supported. Regarding metals and metalloids, the strong multiplicity of sources in this environment makes it difficult to discriminate between natural and anthropogenic inputs into this endorheic drainage basin, although it is suggested that surficial soils are probably impacted by airborne particulates dispersed from the Vinto (Sb-Sn) smelter, while Lake Uru Uru is influenced by mining activities, particularly drainage waste of the San José and Huanuni mines. As a final contribution, a geochemical background and a present-time baseline for Bolivian highlands sediments are provided, which will be helpful for the improvement of environmental legislation and for the future interpretation of geochemistry data in contamination and/or pollution studies in the altiplanic area.
Advances in BAC-Based Physical Mapping and Map Integration Strategies in Plants
Authors: Ariyadasa Ruvini , Stein Nils
Published: February 2012

In the advent of next-generation sequencing (NGS) platforms, map-based sequencing strategy has been recently suppressed being too expensive and laborious. The detailed studies on NGS drafts alone indicated these assemblies remain far from gold standard reference quality, especially when applied on complex genomes. In this context the conventional BAC-based physical mapping has been identified as an important intermediate layer in current hybrid sequencing strategy. BAC-based physical map construction and its integration with high-density genetic maps have benefited from NGS and high-throughput array platforms. This paper addresses the current advancements of BAC-based physical mapping and high-throughput map integration strategies to obtain densely anchored well-ordered physical maps. The resulted maps are of immediate utility while providing a template to harness the maximum benefits of the current NGS platforms.
Radiatively Generated Leptogenesis inS4Flavor Symmetry Models
Authors: Nguyen T. Phong , Dong P. V.
Published: February 2012

We study how leptogenesis can be implemented in the seesaw models withS4flavor symmetry, which lead to the tri-bimaximal neutrino mixing matrix. By considering renormalization group evolution from a high-energy scale of flavor symmetry breaking (the GUT scale is assumed) to the low-energy scale of relevant phenomena, the off-diagonal terms in a combination of Dirac Yukawa-coupling matrix can be generated and the degeneracy of heavy right-handed neutrino Majorana masses can be lifted. As a result, the flavored leptogenesis is successfully realized. We also investigate how the effective light neutrino mass|〈mee〉|associated with neutrinoless double beta decay can be predicted along with the neutrino mass hierarchies by imposing the experimental data on the low-energy observables. We find a link between the leptogenesis and the neutrinoless double beta decay characterized by|〈mee〉|through a high-energy CP phase ϕ, which is correlated with the low-energy Majorana CP phases. It is shown that the predictions of|〈mee〉|for some fixed parameters of the high-energy physics can be constrained by the current observation of baryon asymmetry.
Hypoglycemic and Hypolipidemic Effects of Ethanolic Extract ofMirabilis jalapaL. Root on Normal and Diabetic Mice
Authors: Zhou Ji-Yin , Zhou Shi-Wen , Zeng Sheng-Ya , Zhou Jian-Yun , Jiang Ming-Jin , He Yan
Published: February 2012

The present study investigated the insulin sensitivity, hypoglycemic, and hypolipidemic activities of ethanolic extract ofMirabilis jalapaL. root (EEM) in normal and diabetic mice. After induction of diabetes with streptozotocin, both normal and diabetic mice were singly or repeatedly for 28 days administrated with EEM at doses of 2, 4, 8 g/kg, respectively. Before induction of diabetes, mice were administrated with EEM at doses of 2, 4, 8 g/kg for 14 days and were injected with streptozotocin and continued on EEM administration for another 28 days. Both after and before induction of diabetes, repeated administration with 4, 8 g/kg EEM continually lowered blood glucose level, decreased serum insulin level and improved insulin sensitivity index, and lowered serum total cholesterol, triglyceride levels and triglyceride content in liver and skeletal muscle, and increased glycogen content in these tissues; but repeated administration had no influence on those indexes of normal mice. Single administration with EEM (4, 8 g/kg) showed hypoglycemic effect in oral glucose tolerance test in normal and diabetic mice. Single administration with EEM had no hypoglycemic and hypolipidemic effects on normal and diabetic mice. These results suggest that EEM possesses both potential insulin sensitivity, hypoglycemic, and hypolipidemic effects on diabetes.
Reduced Plasma Nonesterified Fatty Acid Levels and the Advent of an Acute Lung Injury in Mice after Intravenous or Enteral Oleic Acid Administration
Authors: Gonçalves de Albuquerque Cassiano Felippe , Burth Patrícia , Younes Ibrahim Mauricio , Garcia Diogo Gomes , Bozza Patrícia Torres , Castro Faria Neto Hugo Caire , Castro Faria Mauro Velho
Published: February 2012

Although exerting valuable functions in living organisms, nonesterified fatty acids (NEFAs) can be toxic to cells. Increased blood concentration of oleic acid (OLA) and other fatty acids is detected in many pathological conditions. In sepsis and leptospirosis, high plasma levels of NEFA and low albumin concentrations are correlated to the disease severity. Surprisingly, 24 h after intravenous or intragastric administration of OLA, main NEFA levels (OLA inclusive) were dose dependently decreased. However, lung injury was detected in intravenously treated mice, and highest dose killed all mice. When administered by the enteral route, OLA was not toxic in any tested conditions. Results indicate that OLA has important regulatory properties on fatty acid metabolism, possibly lowering circulating fatty acid through activation of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors. The significant reduction in blood NEFA levels detected after OLA enteral administration can contribute to the already known health benefits brought about by unsaturated-fatty-acid-enriched diets.
On the Convergence of a Smooth Penalty Algorithm without Computing Global Solutions
Authors: Liu Bingzhuang , Wang Changyu , Zhao Wenling
Published: February 2012

We consider a smooth penalty algorithm to solve nonconvex optimization problem based on a family of smooth functions that approximate the usual exact penalty function. At each iteration in the algorithm we only need to find a stationary point of the smooth penalty function, so the difficulty of computing the global solution can be avoided. Under a generalized Mangasarian‐Fromovitz constraint qualification condition (GMFCQ) that is weaker and more comprehensive than the traditional MFCQ, we prove that the sequence generated by this algorithm will enter the feasible solution set of the primal problem after finite times of iteration, and if the sequence of iteration points has an accumulation point, then it must be a Karush‐Kuhn‐Tucker (KKT) point. Furthermore, we obtain better convergence for convex optimization problem.
Adaptive Output Feedback Control for a Class of Stochastic Nonlinear Systems with SiISS Inverse Dynamics
Authors: Duan Na , Liu Hai-Kuan
Published: February 2012

The adaptive stabilization scheme based on tuning function for stochastic nonlinear systems with stochastic integral input‐to‐state stability (SiISS) inverse dynamics is investigated. By combining the stochastic LaSalle theorem and small‐gain type conditions on SiISS, an adaptive output feedback controller is constructively designed. It is shown that all the closed‐loop signals are bounded almost surely and the stochastic closed‐loop system is globally stable in probability.
The Integrability and Existence of Periodic Solutions on a First‐Order Nonlinear Differential Equation with a Polynomial Nonlinear Term
Authors: Hua Ni , Li-Xin Tian
Published: February 2012

This paper deals with a first‐order differential equation with a polynomial nonlinear term. The integrability and existence of periodic solutions of the equation are obtained, and the stability of periodic solutions of the equation is derived.
White Organic Light-Emitting Diodes Using Two Phosphorescence Materials in a Starburst Hole-Transporting Layer
Authors: Inden Tomoya , Hishida Tomoya , Takahashi Masayuki , Ohsumi Masato , Ohtani Naoki
Published: February 2012

We fabricated two kinds of white organic light-emitting diodes (WOLEDs); one consisted of two emissive materials of red and blue, and the other of three emissive materials of red, green, and blue. The red and blue emissive materials were phosphorescent. We evaluated the thickness dependence of the CIE coordinate, the external quantum efficiency (EQE), and the luminance by changing the thicknesses of the Ir(btp)2acac and FIrpic layers. Samples consisting of three emissive materials revealed the best CIE coordinate and the best EQE in the same sample structure. On the other hand, the samples consisting of two emissive materials revealed the best CIE coordinate and the best EQE in different structures. The best CIE coordinate of (0.33, 0.36) was observed by changing the thicknesses of the stacked active layers. The best EQE was 9.73%, which was observed in the sample consisting of different thickness of stacked active layers.
A Simple and Safe Anastomosis for Pancreatogastrostomy Using One Binding Purse-String and Two Transfixing Mattress Sutures
Authors: Bartsch D. K. , Langer P. , Kanngießer V. , Fendrich V. , Dietzel K.
Published: February 2012

Pancreatic anastomotic leakage remains a persistent problem after pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD), especially in the presence of a soft, nonfibrotic pancreas. A modified technique for pancreatogastrostomy was devised, which combines one binding purse-string and two transfixing mattress sutures between the pancreatic stump and the posterior gastric wall. This technique was applied in 35 patients after PD for malignant and benign diseases of whom 10 (28.6%) had a soft pancreas. Median time for the anastomosis was 18 minutes. Operative mortality was zero, and morbidity was 34.3%. Three (8.6%) patients developed a pancreatic fistula (2 type A, 1 type B) as classified according to the International Study Group on pancreatic fistula. All fistulas resolved without further intervention. The described technique is a simple and safe reconstruction procedure after PD that warrants further evaluation.
Flow Measurements Using Particle Image Velocimetry in the Ultracompact Combustor
Authors: Thomas Levi M. , Branam Richard D. , Reeder Mark F.
Published: February 2012

The potential for the ultracompact combustor (UCC) lie in future research to reduced fuel consumption and improved engine performance. Velocity measurements performed on the UCC test rig at the Air Force Institute of Technology revealed flow patterns and time-averaged turbulence statistics for data taken burning hydrogen fuel in a straight and a curved cavity vane configuration. Over an equivalence ratio from 0.7 to 1.5, the straight vane configuration showed spanwise velocity decreased linearly with distance from the cavity vane over the width of the main channel. Increasing the flow rates and holding the equivalence ratio and ratio of cavity to main airflow rates constant, flow velocities in the main channel showed an increase with the curved circumferential configuration but a decrease with the straight circumferential configuration. Turbulence intensity is expected to be a major contributing factor, specifically since measured at 15% and 21% in the main channel for the straight and curved configurations, respectively. The results also show how the radial vane cavity (RVC) created strong vorticity throughout the main flow supporting a recirculation zone for mixing. Peak vorticity occurred farthest from the cavity vane suggesting the angle of the radial vane cavity is effective in generating increasing flow rotation.
A Fast Fourier Transform Technique for Pricing European Options with Stochastic Volatility and Jump Risk
Authors: Zhang Su-mei , Wang Li-he
Published: February 2012

We consider European options pricing with double jumps and stochastic volatility. We derived closed‐form solutions for European call options in a double exponential jump‐diffusion model with stochastic volatility (SVDEJD). We developed fast and accurate numerical solutions by using fast Fourier transform (FFT) technique. We compared the density of our model with those of other models, including the Black‐Scholes model and the double exponential jump‐diffusion model. At last, we analyzed several effects on option prices under the proposed model. Simulations show that the SVDEJD model is suitable for modelling the long‐time real‐market changes and stock returns are negatively correlated with volatility. The model and the proposed option pricing method
are useful for empirical analysis of asset returns and managing the corporate credit risks.
Camel Milk Modulates the Expression of Aryl Hydrocarbon Receptor-Regulated Genes,Cyp1a1, Nqo1, andGsta1, in Murine hepatoma Hepa 1c1c7 Cells
Authors: Korashy Hesham M. , El Gendy Mohamed A. M. , Alhaider Abdulqader A. , El-Kadi Ayman O.
Published: February 2012

There is a traditional belief in the Middle East that camel milk may aid in prevention and treatment of numerous cases of cancer yet, the exact mechanism was not investigated. Therefore, we examined the ability of camel milk to modulate the expression of a well-known cancer-activating gene, Cytochrome P450 1a1 (Cyp1a1), and cancer-protective genes, NAD(P)H:quinone oxidoreductase 1 (Nqo1) and glutathione S-transferase a1 (Gsta1), in murine hepatoma Hepa 1c1c7 cell line. Our results showed that camel milk significantly inhibited the induction ofCyp1a1gene expression by 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD), the most potent Cyp1a1 inducer and known carcinogenic chemical, at mRNA, protein, and activity levels in a concentration-dependent manner. In addition, camel milk significantly decreased the xenobiotic responsive element (XRE)-dependent luciferase activity, suggesting a transcriptional mechanism is involved. Furthermore, this inhibitory effect of camel milk was associated with a proportional increase in heme oxygenase 1. On the other hand, camel milk significantly induced Nqo1 and Gsta1 mRNA expression level in a concentration-dependent fashion. The RNA synthesis inhibitor, actinomycin D, completely blocked the induction of Nqo1 mRNA by camel milk suggesting the requirement ofde novoRNA synthesis through a transcriptional mechanism. In conclusion, camel milk modulates the expression of Cyp1a1, Nqo1, and Gsta1 at the transcriptional and posttranscriptional levels.
Some Sunni Ḥadīth on the Qurʾānic Term Kalāla: An Attempt at Historical Reconstruction
Authors: Pavlovitch Pavel
Published: February 2012

Since the 1980s the Qurʾānic term kalāla has been studied comprehensively, using Islamic literary sources, by David Powers and Agostino Cilardo. Cilardo, who deploys J. Schacht’s Ḥadīth-analytical criteria to date the kalāla traditions, points to the first half of the 2nd century AH and, occasionally, to the end of the 1st century AH as the period in which most of these traditions were circulated. Powers, who combines the literary evidence with the documentary evidence of BNF 328a, concludes that kalāla traditions evolved during the second half of the first and the first quarter of the second century AH. In the present essay I employ the isnād-cum-matn methodology to date several kalāla traditions discussed by Powers and Cilardo.
Precipitation Characteristics of the South American Monsoon System Derived from Multiple Datasets
Authors: Carvalho Leila M. V. , Jones Charles , Posadas Adolfo N. D. , Quiroz Roberto , Bookhagen Bodo , Liebmann Brant
Published: February 2012

The South American monsoon system (SAMS) is the most important climatic feature in South America and is characterized by pronounced seasonality in precipitation during the austral summer. This study compares several statistical properties of daily gridded precipitation from different data (1998–2008): 1) Physical Sciences Division (PSD), Earth System Research Laboratory [1.0° and 2.5° latitude (lat)/longitude (lon)]; 2) Global Precipitation Climatology Project (GPCP; 1° lat/lon); 3) Climate Prediction Center (CPC) unified gauge (CPC-uni) (0.5° lat/lon); 4) NCEP Climate Forecast System Reanalysis (CFSR) (0.5° lat/lon); 5) NASA Modern-Era Retrospective Analysis for Research and Applications (MERRA) reanalysis (0.5° lat/0.3° lon); and 6) Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission (TRMM) 3B42 V6 data (0.25° lat/lon). The same statistical analyses are applied to data in 1) a common 2.5° lat/lon grid and 2) in the original resolutions of the datasets.

All datasets consistently represent the large-scale patterns of the SAMS. The onset, demise, and duration of SAMS are consistent among PSD, GPCP, CPC-uni, and TRMM datasets, whereas CFSR and MERRA seem to have problems in capturing the correct timing of SAMS. Spectral analyses show that intraseasonal variance is somewhat similar in the six datasets. Moreover, differences in spatial patterns of mean precipitation are small among PSD, GPCP, CPC-uni, and TRMM data, while some discrepancies are found in CFSR and MERRA relative to the other datasets. Fitting of gamma frequency distributions to daily precipitation shows differences in the parameters that characterize the shape, scale, and tails of the frequency distributions. This suggests that significant uncertainties exist in the characterization of extreme precipitation, an issue that is highly important in the context of climate variability and change in South America.
Role of Thermal Condition over Asia in the Weakening Asian Summer Monsoon under Global Warming Background
Authors: Zuo Zhiyan , Yang Song , Kumar Arun , Zhang Renhe , Xue Yan , Jha Bhaskar
Published: February 2012

The large-scale Asian summer monsoon circulation has experienced a weakening tendency in recent decades. Using observed data and output from model experiments with the atmospheric component of the NCEP Climate Forecast System, the authors show that a relatively smaller warming in Asia compared to the surrounding regions may be a plausible reason for this change in the monsoon. Although the surface temperature over Asia has increased, the landmass has become a relative “heat sink” because of the larger warming in other regions of the world. Indeed, over Asia, the vertically integrated tropospheric temperature in the most recent decades is colder than that in the earlier decades, a feature different from the characteristics outside Asia.
Trees: Symbols of Unification, Love, and Peace among Civilizations
Authors: Chatrudi Mahdokht Poorkhaleghi , Jalali Maryam
Published: February 2012

Trees – a part of nature in almost all civilizations – have a cultural value and usually it is the representation of God’s superiority, monotheism, peace, and love. In most human civilization, trees are the origin of humanity and human power. In this essay, trees are a symbol of unification and creating peace and love among people. Trees grow towards the sun in parallel, yet they are far from each other. In other words, not only do they vary from one other, but they also have unity. The space between trees is symbolic of friendship as well as cordial and peaceful dialogue. The color green, more significantly, is the color of liberty and forgiveness. It indicates that there is no obstacle to reach towards perfection. The trees’ shadow is the symbol of a base and social justice. The liveliness, freshness, and fertility of the tree are symbolic of love in perpetuity, so human civilization can have both unity and peace by love.
A textless title: The mythical status of Blaise Cendrars’ La Légende de Novgorode
Authors: Parish Nina
Published: February 2012

Throughout his literary career, Blaise Cendrars gave his first poem, La Légende de Novgorode, a privileged position. However, although this title is cited at the top of all his bibliographical lists, nobody had ever seen this work and it was thought to be mythical until a Russian translation was discovered in 1995. Scholars of Cendrars’ work were astounded by this unexpected discovery and immediately set out to examine its authenticity. In this article, it is argued that the importance of La Légende de Novgorode lies not in its discovery as an authentic or forged text, but rather in its existence as a textless title, in its very textual absence. The question of why Cendrars gave this poem such a prominent position and chose to situate his literary beginnings in a Russian legend could instead be said to cast light on the creative process itself.
Recording the many faces of death at the Denbigh Asylum, 1848–1938
Authors: Michael Pamela , Hirst David
Published: February 2012

The funeral was a symbolic event in Welsh society, and members of staff and relatives of patients at the Denbigh Asylum shared cultural assumptions about the importance of a final resting place for the body. Formal procedures following the death of a patient were governed by asylum rules and regulations. At Denbigh the asylum chaplain played an important role, both in terms of ministering to the dying and in performing the funeral ceremony. During the late nineteenth century the burial ground became a contested space as nonconformists and Roman Catholics fought against the ascendancy of the Anglican Church in Wales and demanded that patients be buried according to their religious affiliation. The lunatic asylum became a site for advancing the case for Welsh disestablishment. By the twentieth century, infectious diseases had become a serious concern, and the need to carry out screening and conduct post-mortem examinations resulted in the appointment of a pathologist, whose main role was to conduct biological and histological examinations to identify cases of tuberculosis, syphilis, dysentery, typhoid, influenza and other bodily diseases.
‘Of the Termination of Insanity in Death’, by James Cowles Prichard (1835)
Authors: Andrews Jonathan
Published: February 2012

While considerable scholarly attention has been devoted to the Treatise on Insanity (1835) by James Cowles Prichard (1786–1848) and his theory of ‘moral insanity’, Prichard’s assessment of mortality among the insane which formed one succinct section of his Treatise – and comprises this Classic Text – has been largely ignored. It is significant for its generally upbeat prognostics, for its significant challenge to competing professional ascription of deaths associated with insanity to brain disease, and for its espousal of an aetiological model foregrounding non-cerebral, especially visceral, somatic morbidity.
Feline alimentary lymphoma
Authors: Barrs Vanessa , Beatty Julia
Published: February 2012

Practical relevance Alimentary lymphoma (AL) occurs commonly in cats and exists as distinct subtypes that differ in their clinical course, response to treatment and prognosis. Accurate diagnosis is important to guide appropriate treatment.

Clinical challenges Differentiation of low-grade alimentary lymphoma from lymphoplasmacytic enteritis can be challenging, especially where endoscopic intestinal biopsies, which sample only the mucosa and submucosa, are used. The major differentials for intermediate- and high-grade alimentary lymphoma are other neoplastic and non-neoplastic intestinal mass lesions. The diagnosis of large granular lymphocyte lymphoma requires vigilance as it may be missed with routine diagnostics.

Patient group AL affects predominantly middle- to old-aged domestic crossbred cats (median age 10–13 years).

Evidence base The evidence supporting this review is grade II, III and IV, derived from prospective studies, retrospective case series, reviews, extrapolation from other species, pathophysiological justification and the combined clinical experience of those working in the field.
Interconnections
Authors: Walters Lori C. , Hughes Darin E. , Hughes Charles E.
Published: February 2012

Virtual reality (VR) transports the mind beyond the two-dimensional bounds of text and photographs; it engages the imagination and forms visual and cognitive links. VR can free participants from stereotyped bounds projected by society. Interconnections: Revisiting the Future applies these innate qualities of virtual worlds to weave together individual threads of singular disciplines into a multidisciplinary tapestry of exploration. The authors are creating an accurately modeled 1964–1965 New York World’s Fair where users can freely explore 140+ pavilions set on 660 virtual square acres. The myriad of pavilions offer links to multiple disciplines—science, engineering, technology, national and international political/cultural affairs, art, history, and architecture. The project provides on-site museum experiences with its partners, the New York Hall of Science and Queens Museum of Art. The three-dimensional virtual Fair environment serves as a central portal that links together not only subjects within that environment but also experiences at these partnering institutions.
Friction stir welding of 304 stainless steel using Ir based alloy tool
Authors: Miyazawa T , Iwamoto Y , Maruko T , Fujii H
Published: February 2012

In order to investigate the durability of an Ir based alloy tool, friction stir welding (FSW) of 304 stainless steel plates was performed under various welding conditions, and the mechanical properties of the joints were measured. Defect free joints are possible under certain conditions, and the mechanical properties of the joints are the same as the base material. When the rotation pitch is ∼0·3, the degree of wear of the Ir based alloy tool with 1·4 mm probe height, which was used for the FSW of a 304 stainless steel plate with 2 mm thickness, was less than or equal to that of the polycrystalline cubic boron nitride tool with 2 mm probe height, which was used for the FSW of a 304 stainless steel plate with 9 mm thickness. The result of the tool life test in this study showed that the Ir based alloy tool enabled the FSW of 304 stainless steel over a 75 m length.
The origin of black colouration in onyx agate from Mali
Authors: Götze J. , Nasdala L. , Kempe U. , Libowitzky E. , Rericha A. , Vennemann T.
Published: February 2012

Natural onyx agate from Mali was investigated in an integrated mineralogical and chemical study to reveal the origin of the unusual black colouration. Detailed studies by polarizing microscopy, scanning electron microscopy and micro-Raman spectroscopy showed that the colour of the dark bands is related to the incorporation of small particles of carbon (low-crystalline graphite) up to 200 nm in size into the cryptocrystalline silica matrix. The dark bands have carbon contents of 1.88 wt.%. The location of the graphite particles is closely related to the primary structural banding in the chalcedony. Cathodoluminescence data shows that the banding is interrupted by small fissures containing secondary hydrothermal quartz. The carbon isotope composition (δ13C value of –31.1±0.2‰) of the carbonaceous material points to an organic precursor. Both the direct hydrothermal formation of graphite from methane under elevated temperature and the graphitization of organic precursors by secondary hydrothermal or metamorphic overprint are possible explanations for the colour of the dark bands. The graphitization of organic precursors results in an intense electron spin resonance line at geff = 2.0026.
Plastic deformation of natural diamonds by twinning: evidence from X-ray diffraction studies
Authors: Titkov S.V. , Krivovichev S. V. , Organova N. I.
Published: February 2012

A pink-purple diamond crystal from the Internatsional'naya kimberlite pipe (Siberia) was studied by single-crystal X-ray diffraction techniques using an area detector. Direct indexing of the diffraction pattern suggested a primitive hexagonal unit cell [ahex = 2.513(4), chex = 6.172(11) Å], instead of the well known face-centred cubic unit cell (acub ∼3.567 Å). Theoretical considerations and diffraction pattern simulation showed that the hexagonal diffraction pattern is the result of the superposition of two diffraction patterns with cubic symmetry due to spinel-law twinning along (111). These data are in good agreement with previous analyses of deformation microtwins in natural pink-purple diamonds using electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy and optical microscopy. The results suggest that natural epigenetic plastic deformation of diamonds occurs not only by dislocation slipping but also as a result of mechanical twinning.
Davidlloydite, ideally Zn3(AsO4)2(H2O)4, a new arsenate mineral from the Tsumeb mine, Otjikoto (Oshikoto) region, Namibia: description and crystal structure
Authors: Hawthorne F.C. , Cooper M. A. , Abdu Y. A. , Ball N. A. , Back M. E. , Tait K. T.
Published: February 2012

Davidlloydite, ideally Zn3(AsO4)2(H2O)4, is a new supergene mineral from the Tsumeb mine, Otjikoto (Oshikoto) region, Namibia. It occurs as elongated prisms (∼10:1 length-to-width ratio) that are flattened on {010}, and up to 100 × 20 × 10 μm in size. The crystals occur as aggregates (up to 500 μm across) of subparallel to slightly diverging prisms lying partly on and partly embedded in fine-grained calcioandyrobertsite. Crystals are prismatic along [001] and flattened on {010}, and show the forms {010} dominant and {100} subsidiary. Davidlloydite is colourless with a white streak and a vitreous lustre; it does not fluoresce under ultraviolet light. The cleavage is distinct on {010}, and no parting or twinning was observed. The Mohs hardness is 3 – 4. Davidlloydite is brittle with an irregular to hackly fracture. The calculated density is 3.661 g cm–3. Optical properties were measured with a Bloss spindle stage for the wavelength 590 nm using a gel filter. The indices of refraction are α = 1.671, β = 1.687, γ = 1.695, all ±0.002; the calculated birefringence is 0.024; 2Vobs = 65.4(6)°, 2Vcalc = 70°; the dispersion is r < v, weak; pleochroism was not observed. Davidlloydite is triclinic, space group P1, with a = 5.9756(4), b = 7.6002(5), c = 5.4471(4) Å, α = 84.2892(9), β = 90.4920(9), γ = 87.9958(9)°, V = 245.99(5) Å3, Z = 1 and a:b:c = 0.7861:1:0.7167. The seven strongest lines in the X-ray powder diffraction pattern [listed as d (Å), I, (hkl)] are as follows: 4.620, 100, (011, 10); 7.526, 71, (010); 2.974, 49, (200, 01); 3.253, 40, (021, 120); 2.701, 39, (10, 002, 1); 5.409, 37, (001); 2.810, 37, (210). Chemical analysis by electron microprobe gave As2O5 43.03, ZnO 37.95, CuO 5.65, H2O(calc) 13.27, sum 99.90 wt.%. The H2O content and the valence state of As were determined by crystal structure analysis. On the basis of 12 anions with H2O = 4 a.p.f.u., the empirical formula is (Zn2.53Cu0.39)Σ2.92As2.03O8(H2O)4.

The crystal structure of davidlloydite was solved by direct methods and refined to an R1 index of 1.51% based on 1422 unique observed reflections collected on a three-circle rotating-anode (MoKα radiation) diffractometer equipped with multilayer optics and an APEX-II detector. In the structure of davidlloydite, sheets of corner-sharing (As5+O4) and (ZnO4) tetrahedra are linked by ZnO2(H2O)4 octahedra. The structure is related to that of parahopeite.
Tin and associated metal and metalloid geochemistry by femtosecond LA-ICP-QMS microanalysis of pegmatite–leucogranite melt and fluid inclusions: new evidence for melt–melt–fluid immiscibility
Authors: Borisova A. Y. , Thomas R. , Salvi S. , Candaudap F. , Lanzanova A. , Chmeleff J.
Published: February 2012

Granitic pegmatites are exceptional igneous rocks and the possible role of an immiscibility process in their origin is strongly debated. To investigate metal and metalloid behaviour in hydrous peraluminous systems (aluminium saturation index, ASI >1), we analysed 15 quartz-hosted primary melt and fluid inclusions from pegmatites in the Ehrenfriedersdorf Complex (Erzgebirge, Germany) and 26 primary melt inclusions from leucogranites of the Ehrenfriedersdorf district (Germany), Kymi (Finland) and Erongo (Namibia) by femtosecond laser ablation inductively coupled plasma quadrupole mass spectrometry. The results presented here for 32 elements provide evidence for metal and metalloid fractionation between two types of immiscible melts (A and B) and NaCl – HCl-rich brine in the pegmatite system. No evidence for the boundary layer effect was observed in the 40 – 500 μm size melt inclusions that were investigated. The data on the Ehrenfriedersdorf pegmatites allow quantification of the metal and metalloid partitioning between natural NaCl-rich brine and the two types of melt (e.g. KAsbrine/type-A,B melts = 0.01 – 1.7; KSbbrine/type-A,B melts = 10 – 285; KZnbrine/type-A,B melts ≥ 50; KPbbrine/type-A melt ≥ 50; KAgbrine/type-A melt = 46). These data are in accord with existing natural and experimental data on equilibrium fluid – melt partitioning as well as spectroscopic data on the metal and metalloid complexation in hydrous aluminosilicate melts and NaCl – HCl-rich fluids.
ADAM8 in squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck: a retrospective study
Authors: Zielinski Valerie , Brunner Markus , Heiduschka Gregor , Schneider Sven , Seemann Rudolf , Erovic Boban , Thurnher Dietmar
Published: February 2012

Background

A disintegrin and metalloproteinase (ADAMs) have been associated with multiple malignancies. ADAMs are involved in cell fusion, cell migration, membrane protein shedding and proteolysis. ADAM8 has been found to be overexpressed in squamous cell carcinomas of the lung. A new study showed that ADAM8 is significantly overexpressed in metastasis of squamous cell carcinomas of the head and neck (HNSCC).

Methods

We determined ADAM8 levels in the serum of 79 HNSCC patients at the time of diagnosis, in 35 patients 3 months after treatment and in 10 patients 1 year after therapy and compared the results to the sera of 31 healthy volunteers. We also constructed tissue microarrays to detect ADAM8 immunohistochemically in 100 patients. The results were correlated with the survival data of the patients to determine the diagnostic and prognostic value.

Results

The data demonstrated that patients with high ADAM8 expression in the tumor have worse survival rates. We found that high ADAM8 serum levels correlated with high ADAM8 expression in tumor samples. Soluble ADAM8 levels did not show any prognostic or diagnostic properties.

Conclusion

In summary ADAM8 expression is a prognostic factor for survival of patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma.
A context-aware multimedia service scheduling framework in smart homes
Authors: Liang Yunji , Zhou Xingshe , Yu Zhiwen , Wang Haipeng , Guo Bin
Published: February 2012

Many pervasive services are embedded in smart homes. It is a great challenge to schedule these services due to the heterogeneity and the mobility of devices. In this article, we elaborate a context-aware service scheduling framework (CASSF), which discovers available services hosted on those heterogeneous and mobile devices, selects suitable services that meet task requirements (TR) and ultimately enhances user experience with content adaptation. Contributions of this article are in three folds. First, the device ontology is designed to describe device features including built-in services, which benefits the knowledge sharing and facilitates the service discovery; second, a context-aware service selection mechanism is proposed, in which available services and contexts including user situations, TR, device capabilities, etc. are taken into consideration. Furthermore, due to the heterogeneity and the diversity of devices, the content adaptation is introduced in the framework to improve user satisfaction. Based on the CASSF, a multimedia prompting system is implemented to assist the elderly with intelligent services, and the evaluation of the proposed framework is performed in term of the execution time. The experimental results showed the framework is feasible and effective.
Blockade of interleukin-6 signaling inhibits the classic pathway and promotes an alternative pathway of macrophage activation after spinal cord injury in mice
Authors: Guerrero Alexander Rodriguez , Uchida Kenzo , Nakajima Hideaki , Watanabe Shuji , Nakamura Masaya , Johnson William EB , Baba Hisatoshi
Published: February 2012

Background

Recentin vivoandin vitrostudies in non-neuronal and neuronal tissues have shown that different pathways of macrophage activation result in cells with different properties. Interleukin (IL)-6 triggers the classically activated inflammatory macrophages (M1 phenotype), whereas the alternatively activated macrophages (M2 phenotype) are anti-inflammatory. The objective of this study was to clarify the effects of a temporal blockade of IL-6/IL-6 receptor (IL-6R) engagement, using an anti-mouse IL-6R monoclonal antibody (MR16-1), on macrophage activation and the inflammatory response in the acute phase after spinal cord injury (SCI) in mice.

Methods

MR16-1 antibodies versus isotype control antibodies or saline alone were administered immediately after thoracic SCI in mice. SC tissue repair was compared between the two groups by Luxol fast blue (LFB) staining for myelination and immunoreactivity for the neuronal markers growth-associated protein (GAP)-43 and neurofilament heavy 200 kDa (NF-H) and for locomotor function. The expression of T helper (Th)1 cytokines (interferon (IFN)-γ and tumor necrosis factor-α) and Th2 cytokines (IL-4, IL-13) was determined by immunoblot analysis. The presence of M1 (inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS)-positive, CD16/32-positive) and M2 (arginase 1-positive, CD206-positive) macrophages was determined by immunohistology. Using flow cytometry, we also quantified IFN-γ and IL-4 levels in neutrophils, microglia, and macrophages, and Mac-2 (macrophage antigen-2) and Mac-3 in M2 macrophages and microglia.

Results

LFB-positive spared myelin was increased in the MR16-1-treated group compared with the controls, and this increase correlated with enhanced positivity for GAP-43 or NF-H, and improved locomotor Basso Mouse Scale scores. Immunoblot analysis of the MR16-1-treated samples identified downregulation of Th1 and upregulation of Th2 cytokines. Whereas iNOS-positive, CD16/32-positive M1 macrophages were the predominant phenotype in the injured SC of non-treated control mice, MR16-1 treatment promoted arginase 1-positive, CD206-positive M2 macrophages, with preferential localization of these cells at the injury site. MR16-1 treatment suppressed the number of IFN-γ-positive neutrophils, and increased the number of microglia present and their positivity for IL-4. Among the arginase 1-positive M2 macrophages, MR16-1 treatment increased positivity for Mac-2 and Mac-3, suggestive of increased phagocytic behavior.

Conclusion

The results suggest that temporal blockade of IL-6 signaling after SCI abrogates damaging inflammatory activity and promotes functional recovery by promoting the formation of alternatively activated M2 macrophages.
Synchronous clear cell renal cell carcinoma and tubulocystic carcinoma: genetic evidence of independent ontogenesis and implications of chromosomal imbalances in tumor progression
Authors: Quiroga-Garza Gabriela , Piña-Oviedo Sergio , Cuevas-Ocampo Karime , Goldfarb Richard , Schwartz Mary R , Ayala Alberto G , Monzon Federico A
Published: February 2012

Seven percent of renal cell carcinoma (RCC) cases are diagnosed as "unclassified" RCC by morphology. Genetic profiling of RCCs helps define renal tumor subtypes, especially in cases where morphologic diagnosis is inconclusive. This report describes a patient with synchronous clear cell RCC (ccRCC) and a tubulocystic renal carcinoma (TCRC) in the same kidney, and discusses the pathologic features and genetic profile of both tumors. A 67 year-old male underwent CT scans for an unrelated medical event. Two incidental renal lesions were found and ultimately removed by radical nephrectomy. The smaller lesion had multiple small cystic spaces lined by hobnail cells with high nuclear grade separated by fibrous stroma. This morphology and the expression of proximal (CD10, AMACR) and distal tubule cell (CK19) markers by immunohistochemistry supported the diagnosis of TCRC. The larger lesion was a typical ccRCC, with Fuhrman's nuclear grade 3 and confined to the kidney. Molecular characterization of both neoplasms using virtual karyotyping was performed to assess relatedness of these tumors. Low grade areas (Fuhrman grade 2) of the ccRCC showed loss of 3p and gains in chromosomes 5 and 7, whereas oncocytic areas displayed additional gain of 2p and loss of 10q; the high grade areas (Fuhrman grade 3) showed several additional imbalances. In contrast, the TCRC demonstrated a distinct profile with gains of chromosomes 8 and 17 and loss of 9. In conclusion, ccRCC and TCRC show distinct genomic copy number profiles and chromosomal imbalances in TCRC might be implicated in the pathogenesis of this tumor. Second, the presence of a ccRCC with varying degrees of differentiation exemplifies the sequence of chromosomal imbalances acquired during tumor progression.

Virtual Slides

The virtual slide(s) for this article can be found here:

http://www.diagnosticpathology.diagnomx.eu/vs/1790525735655283
A salt tracer test monitored with surface ERT to detect preferential flow and transport paths in fractured/karstified limestones
Authors: Robert Tanguy , Caterina David , Deceuster John , Kaufmann Olivier , Nguyen Frédéric
Published: February 2012

In hard-rock aquifers, fractured zones constitute adequate drinking water exploitation areas but also potential contamination paths. One critical issue in hydrogeological research is to identify, characterize, and monitor such fractured zones at a representative scale. A tracer test monitored with surface electrical resistivity tomography (ERT) could help by delineating such preferential flow paths and estimating dynamic properties of the aquifer. However, multiple challenges exist including the lower resolution of surface ERT compared with crosshole ERT, the finite time that is needed to complete an entire data acquisition, and the strong dilution effects. We conducted a natural gradient salt tracer test in fractured limestones. To account for the high transport velocity, we injected the salt tracer continuously for four hours at a depth of 18 m. We monitored its propagation with two parallel ERT profiles perpendicular to the groundwater flow direction. Concerning the data acquisition, we always focused on data quality over temporal resolution. We performed the experiment twice to prove its reproducibility by increasing the salt concentration in the injected solution (from 38 to [Formula: see text]). Our research focused on how we faced every challenge to delineate a preferential flow and solute transport path in a typical calcareous valley of southern Belgium and on the estimation of the transport velocity (more than [Formula: see text]). In this complex environment, we imaged a clear tracer arrival in both ERT profiles and for both tests. Applying filters (with a cutoff on the relative sensitivity matrix and on the background-resistivity changes) was helpful to isolate the preferential flow path from artifacts. Regarding our findings, our approach could be improved to perform a more quantitative experiment. With a higher temporal resolution, the estimated value of the transport velocity could be narrowed, allowing estimation of the percentage of tracer recovery.
A Concise Synthesis of a Highly Strained Cyclobutane in Solanoeclepin A by Radical Cyclization
Authors: Komada Takema , Adachi Masaatsu , Nishikawa Toshio
Published: February 2012

Tin- and samarium(II)-mediated 4-exo-trig radical cyclizations enable the synthesis of highly strained cyclobutane-containing tricyclic compounds related to the right-hand nucleus of solanoeclepin A, a hatching agent of potato cyst nematode.