bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Atmospheric turbulence triggers pronounced diel pattern in karst carbonate geochemistry
Authors: Roland M. , Serrano-Ortiz P. , Kowalski A. S. , Goddéris Y. , Sánchez-Cañete E. P. , Ciais P. , Domingo F. , Cuezva S. , Sanchez-Moral S. , Longdoz B. , Yakir D. , Van Grieken R. , Schott J. , Cardell C. , Janssens I. A.
Published: January 2013

Abstract. CO2 exchange between terrestrial ecosystems and the atmosphere is key to understanding the feedbacks between climate change and the land surface. In regions with carbonaceous parent material, CO2 exchange patterns occur that cannot be explained by biological processes, such as disproportionate outgassing during daytime or nighttime CO2 uptake during periods when all vegetation is senescent. Neither of these phenomena can be attributed to carbonate weathering reactions, since their CO2 exchange rates are too small. Soil ventilation induced by high atmospheric turbulence is found to explain atypical CO2 exchange between carbonaceous systems and the atmosphere. However, by strongly altering subsurface CO2 concentrations, ventilation can be expected to influence carbonate weathering rates. By imposing ventilation-driven CO2 outgassing in a carbonate weathering model, we show here that carbonate geochemistry is accelerated and does play a surprisingly large role in the observed CO2 exchange patterns. We found that by rapidly depleting soil CO2 during daytime, ventilation disturbs soil carbonate equilibria and therefore strongly magnifies daytime carbonate precipitation and associated CO2 production. At night, ventilation ceases and the depleted CO2 concentrations increase steadily. Dissolution of carbonate is now enhanced, which consumes CO2 and largely compensates for the enhanced daytime carbonate precipitation. This is why only a relatively small effect on global carbonate weathering rates is to be expected. On the short term, however, ventilation has a drastic effect on synoptic carbonate weathering rates, resulting in a pronounced diel pattern that exacerbates the non-biological behavior of soil-atmosphere CO2 exchanges in dry regions with carbonate soils.
A Review of Symptomatic Leg Length Inequality following Total Hip Arthroplasty
Authors: McWilliams Anthony B. , Grainger Andrew J. , O'Connor Philip J. , Redmond Anthony C. , Stewart Todd D. , Stone Martin H.
Published: January 2013

Leg length inequality (LLI) following total hip replacement is a complication which features increasingly in the recent literature. The definition of LLI is complicated by lack of consensus regarding radiological measurement, clinical measurement and the incomplete relationship between LLI and associated symptoms. This paper reviews 79 reports relating to LLI post hip replacement, detailing definitions and classification and highlighting patient populations prone to symptomatic LLI.

While there is no universal definition of LLI, there is a broad consensus that less than 10 mm of difference on AP view plain radiographs is clinically acceptable. There are few techniques described that consistently produce a postoperative LLI of less than this magnitude. Where postoperative LLI exists, lengthening appears to cause more problems than shortening.

In cases of mild LLI, non-surgical management produces adequate outcomes in the majority of cases, with functional LLI cases doing better than those with true LLI. Operative correction is effective in half of cases, even where nerve palsy is present, and remains an important option of last resort. Poor outcomes in patients with LLI may be minimised if individuals at risk are identified and counselled appropriately.
Fruit Quality Changes of Salak “Pondoh” Fruits (Salacca zalacca (Gaertn.) Voss) during Maturation and Ripening
Authors: Lestari Reni , Ebert Georg , Huyskens-Keil Susanne
Published: January 2013

Salak is a very important fruit product in Indonesia that has been cultivated throughout Indonesia and has been exported to several countries. The study to determine biochemical and physical as well as physiological changes during fruit maturation and ripening was applied to two superior salak cultivars, “pondoh hitam” and “pondoh super” originally from Sleman, Yogyakarta of Indonesia. Fresh salak fruits of the cultivars “pondoh hitam” and “pondoh super” at three different ripening stages were used, i.e. stage 4, stage 5 and stage 5.5 (4, 5 and 5.5 months after pollination, respectively) for “pondoh hitam” and stage 4, stage 5 and stage 6 (4, 5 and 6 months after pollination, respectively) for “pondoh super”. Immediately after air transport from Indonesia to Germany, determination of fruit colour and texture as well as biochemical analyses were carried out in Berlin. Freeze-dried sample material was used for the determination of minerals, mono- and disaccharides, pectic substances and dietary fibre. Results of the study showed that increase in fruit size and weight as well as changes in peel and pulp colour occurred during maturation and ripening of salak fruits. Different patterns of peel and pulp colour changes were found in “pondoh super” and “pondoh hitam” during ripening. Physiological processes in “pondoh super” occurred to at a later stage but then accelerated faster than “pondoh hitam” in term of changes of mono- and disaccharides, resulting in a poorer marketability and shorter shelf life. In respect to the changes of sugar/acid ratio, there was a faster ripening process in “pondoh super” than in “pondoh hitam”. “Pondoh super” possessed higher content of polysaccharides and lignin, however, the ripening process accelerated earlier in comparison to “pondoh hitam”. Alterations in cell wall and middle lamella structure did not correlated with the physical non destructive texture measurement during ripening of salak.
Cosmopolitanism
Authors: Kleingeld Pauline
Published: January 2013

The term “cosmopolitan” derives from the Greek word for “citizen of the world.” The word has a wide range of uses, both outside of philosophy and within it. Within philosophical contexts, it has a less technical and a more specific sense. In the less technical sense, a cosmopolitan is someone who is impartial or open‐minded, a person who is well traveled, or a person who feels at home in a multicultural environment or simply anywhere. In the more specific sense, a cosmopolitan is a defender of cosmopolitanism, which is a family of theories that affirm some conception of world citizenship. This description of cosmopolitanism is not very informative because it does not specify any particular theoretical commitments that all forms of cosmopolitanism share. A more contentful definition is impossible, however, because beyond the formal description there is not a single essential element of the position that all recognizably cosmopolitan positions have in common. Depending on thearea of human activity(morality, politics, culture, etc.) and theconception of citizenshipinvolved (egalitarian or not) (seeCitizenship), and depending on whether “world citizenship” is takenliterally or metaphorically, cosmopolitanism takes on very different forms. In current moral and political theory, “cosmopolitanism” often refers to the thesis that human beings are equal (seeEgalitarianism), combined with the idea that a theory of global justice should address the needs and interests of human individuals directly – as citizens of the world – instead of indirectly, via their membership in states. But some Stoic and neo‐Stoic cosmopolitans were not egalitarians in this sense. Moreover, the term is also regularly used for very different views, such as a particular conception of a modern form of cultural identity, or a theory about the proper relations among the states in the world (see below). Cosmopolitanism is therefore best considered as a family of positions, centered on the notion of world citizenship, either in a literal sense (political cosmopolitanism) or in a metaphorical sense (moral or cultural cosmopolitanism).
Correlation of Absorption Profile and Fill Factor in Organic Solar Cells: The Role of Mobility Imbalance
Authors: Tress Wolfgang , Merten André , Furno Mauro , Hein Moritz , Leo Karl , Riede Moritz
Published: January 2013

We investigate the role of the spatial absorption profile within bulk heterojunction small molecule solar cells comprising a 50 nm ZnPc:C60 active layer. Exploiting interference effects the absorption profile is varied by both the illumination wavelength and the thickness of an optical spacer layer adjacent to the reflecting electrode. The fill factor under 1 sun illumination is observed to change from 43 to 49% depending on the absorption profile which approximately equals the charge‐carrier generation profile. It is shown by varying the mixing ratio between ZnPc and C60 that the importance of the generation profile is correlated with the imbalance of mobilities. Therefore, it is concluded that non‐geminate recombination is the dominating loss mechanism in these devices. Numerical drift‐diffusion simulations reproduce the experimental observations showing that charge carrier extraction is more efficient if charge carriers are generated close to the contact collecting the less mobile charge carrier type. Furthermore, this effect can explain the dependence of the internal quantum efficiency measured at short circuit on wavelength and implies that the spectral mismatch for a given solar simulator and device depends on the applied voltage.
Low‐dose naltrexone for the treatment of fibromyalgia: Findings of a small, randomized, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled, counterbalanced, crossover trial assessing daily pain levels
Authors: Younger Jarred , Noor Noorulain , McCue Rebecca , Mackey Sean
Published: January 2013

Objective

To determine whether low dosages (4.5 mg/day) of naltrexone reduce fibromyalgia severity as compared with the nonspecific effects of placebo. In this replication and extension study of a previous clinical trial, we tested the impact of low‐dose naltrexone on daily self‐reported pain. Secondary outcomes included general satisfaction with life, positive mood, sleep quality, and fatigue.

Methods

Thirty‐one women with fibromyalgia participated in the randomized, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled, counterbalanced, crossover study. During the active drug phase, participants received 4.5 mg of oral naltrexone daily. An intensive longitudinal design was used to measure daily levels of pain.

Results

When contrasting the condition end points, we observed a significantly greater reduction of baseline pain in those taking low‐dose naltrexone than in those taking placebo (28.8% reduction versus 18.0% reduction; P = 0.016). Low‐dose naltrexone was also associated with improved general satisfaction with life (P = 0.045) and with improved mood (P = 0.039), but not improved fatigue or sleep. Thirty‐two percent of participants met the criteria for response (defined as a significant reduction in pain plus a significant reduction in either fatigue or sleep problems) during low‐dose naltrexone therapy, as contrasted with an 11% response rate during placebo therapy (P = 0.05). Low‐dose naltrexone was rated equally tolerable as placebo, and no serious side effects were reported.

Conclusion

The preliminary evidence continues to show that low‐dose naltrexone has a specific and clinically beneficial impact on fibromyalgia pain. The medication is widely available, inexpensive, safe, and well‐tolerated. Parallel‐group randomized controlled trials are needed to fully determine the efficacy of the medication.
RMetS conference workshop: monsoons and their teleconnections
Authors: Williams C. J. R. , Turner A. G.
Published: January 2013

This short report details the presentations and subsequent discussion that occurred during the ‘Monsoons and their teleconnections’ session, one of the workshops at the 2011 National Conference of the Royal Meteorological Society.
Middle Atmosphere Focus workshop: stretching the scientific capabilities of a middle atmosphere resolving General Circulation Model
Authors: Bushell A. C. , Hardiman S. C.
Published: January 2013

The 2011 Royal Meteorological Society conference Middle Atmosphere Focus workshop reviewed progress over the six years since Exeter last hosted the conference and addressed prospects for the next six years with an invitation for interactive discussion on areas that offer promise for expanding the scientific capabilities of middle atmosphere configurations in general circulation models or which might imply new scientific challenges for the decade. In order to initiate discussion, invited speakers gave presentations that offered a flavour of developing areas, covering middle atmosphere interactions with extended-range forecast prediction, tracer advection, impact of solar variability and geoengineering insights from volcanic eruptions.Copyright © 2012 Royal Meteorological Society
An ex vivo study of selenium, genistein on the morphological and nuclear changes in anticancer drug‐induced apoptosis in human peripheral blood lymphocytes
Authors: Sonaa Elango , Usha Subbiah , Ja In Jeong
Published: January 2013

Behavioral difference of cancer cells and normal cells to anticancer drugs is diverse. Debilitating side effects observed with certain chemotherapeutic and prophylactic anticancer drugs have lead to identification of natural agents that may offer protective role against the damage induced in normal cells. The present study aimed to determine the protective role of the micronutrient mineral selenium (Se) and plant product genistein (Gn) in synergy and single, against the apoptosis induced in human peripheral blood lymphocytes by the cytotoxic agents cisplatin and mitomycin C. We observed reduction in apoptotic potential of cisplatin and mitomycin C in lymphocytes by pre‐treatment and post‐treatment with selenium (30 μM) and genistein (100 μM). The intercellular interaction of Se + Gn in synergy is found to be more efficient in protecting lymphocytes than as individual. Moreover the beneficial results were well pronounced in pre‐treatment than in post‐treatment condition. The protective action of these natural compounds suggests that they might be useful immunomodulators during the course of chemotherapy and prophylaxis. © 2013 BioFactors, 2013
Brain processing of pain in patients with unresponsive wakefulness syndrome
Authors: Markl Alexandra , Yu Tao , Vogel Dominik , Müller Friedemann , Kotchoubey Boris , Lang Simone
Published: January 2013

By definition, patients with unresponsive wakefulness syndrome (UWS) do not experience pain, but it is still not completely understood how far their brain can process noxious stimuli. The few positron emission tomography studies that have examined pain processing did not yield a clear and consistent result. We performed an functional magnetic resonance imaging scan in 30 UWS patients of nontraumatic etiology and 15 age‐ and sex‐matched healthy control participants (HC). In a block design, noxious electrical stimuli were presented at the patients' left index finger, alternating with a resting baseline condition. Sixteen of the UWS patients (53%) showed neural activation in at least one subsystem of the pain‐processing network. More specifically, 15 UWS patients (50%) showed responses in the sensory‐discriminative pain network, 30% in the affective pain network. The data indicate that some patients completely fulfilling the clinical UWS criteria have the neural substrates of noxious stimulation processing, which resemble that in control individuals. We therefore suppose that at least some of these patients can experience pain.
Contrasting Narratives on Responses to Victims and Survivors of Clerical Abuse in England and Wales: Challenges to Catholic Church Discourse
Authors: Gilligan Philip
Published: January 2013

Accounts of the Catholic Church's response to those disclosing sexual abuse by clergy to diocesan safeguarding commissions (formerly child protection commissions) in England and Wales are analysed and compared. The accounts given and the conclusions reached by the Church and those it employs or has commissioned are considered alongside the experiences reported by survivors. The contrasts between these narratives are discussed using techniques underpinned by critical discourse analysis and highlighting service user perspectives. Reports for the period to 2010 and published in 2011 by the National Catholic Safeguarding Commission and Minister and Clergy Sexual Abuse Survivors are discussed in detail, with the resulting analysis of the narratives emerging arguably reflecting a broader discourse. It is suggested that, despite attempts to present the situation differently, the Roman Catholic Church in England and Wales continues to be hampered in its efforts to respond sensitively to the needs of those who have been abused, because, as an institution, it also continues to serve conflicting legitimacy communities, and that, as a result, it risks further alienating those victims and survivors who have been led to expect that their needs will be prioritised over the financial interests and reputation of the institution. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

‘The contrasts between these narratives are discussed using techniques underpinned by critical discourse’

Key Practitioner Messages

Accounts by institutions about how they respond to victims and survivors of abuse need to be critically analysed using accounts offered by victims and survivors themselves.

Institutions may seek to serve conflicting legitimacy communities and, as a result, risk alienating victims and survivors of abuse where they have been led to expect that their needs will be prioritised over matters such as the financial interests and reputation of the institution.

‘Institutions may seek to serve conflicting legitimacy communities’
Synthesis and Evaluation of the Analogues of Penicillide against Cholesterol Ester Transfer Protein
Authors: Zhang Qiao , Deng Chunlin , Fang Lisong , Xu Wenwei , Zhao Qun , Zhang Jiange , Wang Yiping , Lei Xinsheng
Published: January 2013

A series of penicillide analogues, with modifications at C‐3 and C‐9 positions, are synthesized as potential cholesteryl ester transfer protein (CETP) inhibitors. The preliminary in vitro inhibition assay provided some valuable structure‐activity relationship information about penicillide.
Facile Access to Chiral Alcohols with Pharmaceutical Relevance Using a Ketoreductase Newly Mined from Pichia guilliermondii
Authors: Xu Guochao , Yu Huilei , Xu Jianhe
Published: January 2013

Chiral secondary alcohols with additional functional groups are frequently required as important and valuable synthons for pharmaceuticals, agricultural and other fine chemicals. With the advantages of environmentally benign reaction conditions, broad reaction scope, and high stereoselectivity, biocatalytic reduction of prochiral ketones offers significant potential in the synthesis of optically active alcohols. A CmCR homologous carbonyl reductase from Pichia guilliermondii NRRL Y‐324 was successfully overexpressed. Substrate profile characterization revealed its broad substrate specificity, covering aryl ketones, aliphatic ketones and ketoesters. Furthermore, a variety of ketone substrates were asymmetrically reduced by the purified enzyme with an additionally NADPH regeneration system. The reduction system exhibited excellent enantioselectivity (>99% ee) in the reduction of all the aromatic ketones and ketoesters, except for 2‐bromoacetophenone (93.5% ee). Semi‐preparative reduction of six ketones was achieved with high enantioselectivity (>99% ee) and isolation yields (>80%) within 12 h. This study provides a useful guidance for further application of this enzyme in the asymmetric synthesis of chiral alcohol enantiomers.
Fast adjustable spectrum sensing circuit for cognitive radio applications
Authors: Vahidpoor Zeynab , Forooraghi Keyvan , Fotowat‐Ahmady Ali , Atlasbaf Zahra
Published: January 2013

A fast and adjustable spectrum sensing method is proposed using a phase frequency detector for cognitive radio applications. Using this method, spectral sensing can be done in a very short time by a low‐cost, low‐power circuit, compared with available implemented methods.

Different aspects of sensing procedure in different situations are investigated including frequency sweep time and system errors. Accurate operation of this method is verified through simulations, and comparison with other methods shows faster sweep rates. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Computational tools and resources for prediction and analysis of gene regulatory regions in the chick genome
Authors: Khan Mohsin A.F. , Soto‐Jimenez Luz Mayela , Howe Timothy , Streit Andrea , Sosinsky Alona , Stern Claudio D.
Published: January 2013

The discovery of cis‐regulatory elements is a challenging problem in bioinformatics, owing to distal locations and context‐specific roles of these elements in controlling gene regulation. Here we review the current bioinformatics methodologies and resources available for systematic discovery of cis‐acting regulatory elements and conserved transcription factor binding sites in the chick genome. In addition, we propose and make available, a novel workflow using computational tools that integrate CTCF analysis to predict putative insulator elements, enhancer prediction, and TFBS analysis. To demonstrate the usefulness of this computational workflow, we then use it to analyze the locus of the gene Sox2 whose developmental expression is known to be controlled by a complex array of cis‐acting regulatory elements. The workflow accurately predicts most of the experimentally verified elements along with some that have not yet been discovered. A web version of the CTCF tool, together with instructions for using the workflow can be accessed from http://toolshed.g2.bx.psu.edu/view/mkhan1980/ctcf_analysis. For local installation of the tool, relevant Perl scripts and instructions are provided in the directory named “code” in the supplementary materials. genesis 51:311–324. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Synthesis and Reactivity of Allenylporphyrins
Authors: Plunkett Shane , Dahms Katja , Senge Mathias O.
Published: January 2013

Several different methods have been utilized for the effective synthesis of a new class of porphyrins that contains the synthetically intriguing propadienyl (or allenyl) functional group. Of these approaches, successive Horner–Wadsworth–Emmons couplings proved impossible, but Pd‐catalyzed cross‐coupling reactions enabled quick and easy synthetic access to allenylporphyrins. The conditions for the Suzuki–Miyaura cross‐coupling reaction of bromoporphyrins with allenylboronic acid pinacol ester were optimized. This reaction represents the first successful use of this boronic acid in a Suzuki‐type coupling. Although this routine was successful for the syntheses of porphyrins that contain aromatic substituents, a more robust method was also developed that involves a Sonogashira coupling of a bromoporphyrin with N,N‐diisopropylprop‐2‐yn‐1‐amine followed by a Pd‐catalyzed rearrangement to give allenylporphyrins in high yields. For both routes, the applicable metalation states of the porphyrin core were investigated with mixed results. The utility of the addition of the allenyl functional group was then probed with both directly linked allenylporphyrins and those containing a phenyl “spacer”.
Palladium‐Mediated [11C]Carbonylation at Atmospheric Pressure: A General Method Using Xantphos as Supporting Ligand
Authors: Dahl Kenneth , Schou Magnus , Amini Nahid , Halldin Christer
Published: January 2013

The palladium‐catalyzed [11C]carbonylation of aryl halides and triflates was achieved at atmospheric pressure by employing xantphos as the supporting ligand. Aryl halides were converted into their corresponding [11C]amides in good to excellent yields. The conditions were also successfully employed in the radiolabeling of an [11C]ester, a [11C]carboxylic acid, an [11C]aldehyde, and a [11C]ketone.
FUNDING HIV‐VACCINE RESEARCH IN DEVELOPING COUNTRIES—WHAT IS WRONG WITHIAVI'sRECOMMENDATION?
Authors: Sonntag Diana
Published: January 2013

The International AIDS Vaccine Initiative recommends targeting resources to research institutions in developing countries in order to accelerate the development of an effective HIV vaccine. In contrast, this paper shows that neither lump‐sum nor in‐kind transfers are an effective policy. We analyze several financing mechanisms as a means to overcome the lack of depth in HIV‐vaccine research in a non‐cooperative framework. At first, we point to cases in which financial support is actually counterproductive. Then we analyze whether in‐kind transfers are preferable to lump‐sum transfers. Even if donors prefer aid in kind because the incentives for moral hazard of recipients can be reduced, we demonstrate that it is effective only if recipients have cost advantages. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Dynamic and reversible surface topography influences cell morphology
Authors: Kiang Jennifer D. , Wen Jessica H. , del Álamo Juan C. , Engler Adam J.
Published: January 2013

Microscale and nanoscale surface topography changes can influence cell functions, including morphology. Although in vitro responses to static topography are novel, cells in vivo constantly remodel topography. To better understand how cells respond to changes in topography over time, we developed a soft polyacrylamide hydrogel with magnetic nickel microwires randomly oriented in the surface of the material. Varying the magnetic field around the microwires reversibly induced their alignment with the direction of the field, causing the smooth hydrogel surface to develop small wrinkles; changes in surface roughness, ΔRRMS, ranged from 0.05 to 0.70 μm and could be oscillated without hydrogel creep. Vascular smooth muscle cell morphology was assessed when exposed to acute and dynamic topography changes. Area and shape changes occurred when an acute topographical change was imposed for substrates exceeding roughness of 0.2 μm, but longer‐term oscillating topography did not produce significant changes in morphology irrespective of wire stiffness. These data imply that cells may be able to use topography changes to transmit signals as they respond immediately to changes in roughness. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part A, 2013.
Ni/ZSM‐5 Zeolite Modified Carbon Paste Electrode as an Efficient Electrode for Electrocatalytic Oxidation of Formaldehyde
Authors: Raoof Jahan Bakhsh , Chekin Fereshteh , Ojani Reza , Ghodrati Sakineh
Published: January 2013

In this study, we prepared a modified carbon paste electrode consisting of Nickel entrapped in synthesized ZSM‐5 zeolite (Ni/ZMCPE). Then Ni(II) ions were incorporated to electrode by immersion of modified electrode in 1 M Ni(II) ion solution. Cyclic voltammetry and chronoamperometry experiments were used for electrochemical study of this modified electrode; a good redox behavior of Ni(OH)2/NiOOH couple at the surface of electrode can be observed, the excellent capability of this modified electrode for catalytic oxidation of formaldehyde was demonstrated during the anodic potential sweep in alkaline solution. The amount of transfer coefficient (α), surface coverage (Γ*) of the redox species and catalytic chemical reaction rate constant (k) for formaldehyde were evaluated. Thus, it can be a candidate as an anode for fuel cell application.
Systemic effects of Wnt signaling
Authors: Maruotti Nicola , Corrado Addolorata , Neve Anna , Cantatore Francesco Paolo
Published: January 2013

Wnt signaling plays a key role in several physiological and pathological aspects. Even if Wnt signal was first described more than 20 years ago, its role in systemic effects, such as angiogenesis and vascular disorders, bone biology, autoimmune diseases, neurological diseases, and neoplastic disorders, was only recently emerged through the use of animal and in vitro models. Moreover, Wnt signaling inhibitors, such as DKK‐1, may be advantageously considered targets for the treatment of several diseases, including osteoporosis, vascular diseases, inflammatory diseases, neurological diseases, and cancer. Nevertheless, further studies are required to provide a complete understanding of this complex signaling pathway, and especially of its role in human diseases, considering the possible advantageous effects of Wnt signaling inhibitors on the progression of disease conditions. J. Cell. Physiol. 228: 1428–1432, 2013. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Organotellurium Chemistry: Remarkably Facile Preparation of Benzo‐1,3‐tellurazoles
Authors: McMullen Nathan C. , Fronczek Frank R. , Junk Thomas
Published: January 2013

Benzo‐1,3‐tellurazoles carrying alkyl or aryl substituents in position 2 were prepared in a facile two‐step sequence, starting with readily available 2‐haloanilines. This approach relies on the preparation of bis(2‐aminophenyl) ditellurides by nucleophilic halide displacement from 2‐haloanilines with sodium telluride in N‐methylpyrrolidone. Subsequent reductive cyclization with carboxylic acid halides or carboxylic anhydrides furnished benzo‐1,3‐tellurazoles in good yields.
Molecular epidemiology of Echovirus 30 in Fujian, China between 2001 and 2011
Authors: Yang Xiu‐hui , Yan Yan‐sheng , Weng Yu‐wei , He Ai‐hua , Zhang Hong‐rong , Chen Wei , Zhou Yong
Published: January 2013

Echovirus 30 (E‐30) was responsible for an outbreak of aseptic meningitis between April 1 and June 2, 2011 in Fujian Province, China. A molecular epidemiology study of 115 E‐30 strains was performed to characterize the genetic features of the etiologic agent of the 2011 aseptic meningitis outbreak. The phylogenetic trees of the complete VP1 gene (876 bp) from 74 of 115 isolates and 50 reference sequences were analyzed. Three lineages (E‐30_h, i, and j) were detected that had co‐circulated in Fujian in the last decade, of which E‐30_j was new. The other 72 Fujian strains and 16 representative strains from other provinces of China all belong to E‐30_h and E‐30_i. Two distinct E‐30 clusters including virus isolates obtained during adult surveillance were associated with the 2011 outbreak and differed from Fujian isolates prior to 2011, suggesting that the viruses may vary and adult infections play an important role in viral transmission. Thus, the multiple lineages of E‐30 in Fujian and variant viruses enhanced transmissibility, which may be related to the epidemic activity of E‐30. J. Med. Virol. 85:696–702, 2013. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Norovirus infection in children admitted to hospital for acute gastroenteritis in Belém, Pará, Northern Brazil
Authors: Siqueira Jones Anderson Monteiro , Linhares Alexandre da Costa , de Carvalho Thaís Cristina Nascimento , Aragão Glicélia Cruz , Oliveira Darleise de Souza , dos Santos Mirleide Cordeiro , de Sousa Maisa Silva , Justino Maria Cleonice Aguiar , Mascarenhas Joana D'Arc Pereira , Gabbay Yvone Benchimol
Published: January 2013

Noroviruses are the leading cause of epidemic, non‐bacterial outbreaks of acute gastroenteritis, and are also a major cause of sporadic acute gastroenteritis in infants. The aim of the present study was to identify norovirus infections in children not infected by rotavirus admitted to hospital for acute gastroenteritis in Belém. A total of 348 fecal specimens were obtained from children with diarrhea aged less than 5 years, all of whom had tested negative for rotavirus, between May 2008 and April 2010. Fecal samples were screened for norovirus antigen using enzyme‐immunoassay (EIA). Specimens were subjected to reverse‐transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT‐PCR) using the primers Mon432/434–Mon431/433 for detection of the GI and GII norovirus strains, respectively. Based on both methods, the overall norovirus positivity rate was 36.5% (127/348). Of the 169 samples collected in the first year, 44.4% (n = 75) tested positive for norovirus using both methods, 35.5% (n = 60) by EIA and 40.8% (n = 69) by RT‐PCR. Using RT‐PCR as a reference standard, a sensitivity of 78.3%, specificity of 94%, and agreement of 87.6% were recorded. Genome sequencing was obtained for 22 (31.9%) of the 69 positive samples, of which 90.9% (20/22) were genotype GII.4d and 9.1% (2/22) were genotype GII.b. Norovirus infection was most frequent in children under 2 years of age (41.5%–115/277). The peak incidence (62.1%) of norovirus‐related acute gastroenteritis in these patients (not infected by rotavirus) was observed in February 2010. These findings emphasize the importance of norovirus as a cause of severe acute gastroenteritis among children in Belém, Pará, Northern Brazil. J. Med. Virol. 85:737–744, 2013. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Raman scattering enhancement by dielectric spheres
Authors: Cardenas Juan F.
Published: January 2013

Raman scattering experiments were performed on Si(60 nm)/metal/substrate structures with and without silica microspheres (with a diameter between 0.5 and 5 µm) on top. Raman scattering from the thin Si layer exhibits enhancements (~20) due to the dielectric spheres, where the enhancement factors depend on the diameter of the spheres. The interaction between light and dielectric spheres has been simulated by finite difference time domain calculations (FDTD), wherein particularly the electric energy density (ED) distribution in the thin Si layer was of concern. For microspheres with a diameter less than ~3 µm, the transverse ED distribution (perpendicular to the incident light direction) within the Si layer is characterised by a single peak centered on the optical axis. For larger diameters, a multimodal transverse ED distribution develops where the maximum is not centered on the optical axis. Using an ad‐hoc approach for surface enhanced Raman scattering in combination with the FDTD calculations, the experimental Raman observations are well accounted for. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A green and efficient protocol for large‐scale production of glycyrrhizic acid from licorice roots by combination of polyamide and macroporous resin adsorbent chromatography
Authors: Zheng Yun‐Feng , Wei Juan‐Hua , Qi Lian‐Wen , Cheng Jian‐Ming , Peng Guo‐Ping
Published: January 2013

A green and efficient method for large‐scale preparation of glycyrrhizic acid from licorice roots was developed by combination of polyamide and macroporous resin. The entire preparation procedure consisted of two simple separation steps. The first step is to use polyamide resin to remove licorice flavoniods from the licorice crude extract. Subsequently, various macroporous resins were tried to purify glycyrrhizic acid, and HPD‐400 showed the most suitable adsorption and desorption properties. Under the optimized conditions, a large‐scale preparation of glycyrrhizic acid from licorice roots was carried out. A 20 kg raw material produced 0.43 kg of glycyrrhizic acid using green aqueous ethanol as the solvent. The purity of glycyrrhizic acid was increased from 11.40 to 88.95% with a recovery of 76.53%. The proposed method may be also extended to produce large‐scale other triterpenoid saponins from herbal materials.
Mixed responses of farmland birds to the Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program in Pennsylvania
Authors: Pabian Sarah E. , Wilson Andrew M. , Brittingham Margaret C.
Published: January 2013

The Pennsylvania Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program (CREP) was initiated in 2000 and within 4 years, 40,000 ha of conservation grasslands were established in southern Pennsylvania. We determined whether CREP habitat has benefitted farmland and grassland bird populations during the 10 years since the program began. From 2001 to 2010, bird surveyors conducted road‐side point counts in a 20‐county area in south‐central Pennsylvania. We observed positive CREP effects on the abundances (in 2009–2010) and changes in abundance (from 2001–2002 to 2009–2010) of 5 species, including eastern meadowlark (Sturnella magna); negative CREP effects for 3 species, including vesper sparrow (Pooecetes gramineus); and no CREP effects for 2 species, including grasshopper sparrows (Ammodramus savannarum). We additionally observed changes in the size and direction of the local CREP effects (within 250 m of count locations) depending on the amount of CREP grassland or field cover in the surrounding landscape (within 5,000 m of survey routes). For example, the local CREP effect on the change in abundance of eastern meadowlarks was 15 times greater at points nested within landscapes with 9% CREP cover compared to landscapes with 1% CREP cover, indicating the potential for greater benefits of adding new CREP grasslands to areas with more CREP habitat already in the surrounding area. We conclude that more careful spatial targeting of CREP enrollment could improve the benefits of the program for farmland and grassland bird populations. © The Wildlife Society, 2013
The influence of lubricating oil on deposits formation in a diesel engine under the operation condition of high power density
Authors: Dong Lihui , Liang Xingyu , Shu Gequn
Published: January 2013

The requirements of higher power density and stricter regulations on emissions of internal combustion engines lead to lubricating oil's role shifting from simply lubricating to adapting higher power density and to achieving lower emissions. An important factor influencing an engine's power and emissions is the deposits in the engine. Lubricating oil is a chief contributor to deposits formation. The objective of this paper is to investigate the influence of lubricating oil on deposits formation when the engine is operated under high power density. Metal elements content in lubricating oil and changes to power and emissions were measured to verify deposits changes. Different power densities can be achieved by adjusting the fuel supply system in the engine. Three kinds of synthesised lubricating oils were used in the investigation. The temperature of the oil pan and cooling water was strictly controlled. The experimental results demonstrated well the influence of the quality of different kinds of oil on deposits formation. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Multipeak fat‐corrected complex R2* relaxometry: Theory, optimization, and clinical validation
Authors: Hernando Diego , Kramer J. Harald , Reeder Scott B.
Published: January 2013

Purpose

To develop R2* mapping techniques corrected for confounding factors and optimized for noise performance.

Theory and Methods

Conventional R2* mapping is affected by two key confounding factors: noise‐related bias and the presence of fat in tissue. Noise floor effects introduce bias in magnitude‐based reconstructions, particularly at high R2* values. The presence of fat, if uncorrected, introduces severe protocol‐dependent bias. In this work, the bias/noise properties of different R2* mapping reconstructions (magnitude‐ and complex‐fitting, fat‐uncorrected, and fat‐corrected) are characterized using Cramer‐Rao Bound analysis, simulations, and in vivo data. A framework for optimizing the choice of echo times is provided. Finally, the robustness of liver R2* mapping in the presence of fat is evaluated in 28 subjects.

Results

Fat‐corrected R2* mapping removes fat‐related bias without noise penalty over a wide range of R2* values. Complex nonlinear least‐squares fitted and fat‐corrected R2* reconstructions that account for the spectral complexity of fat provide robust R2* estimates with low bias and optimized noise performance over a wide range of echo times combinations and R2* values.

Conclusion

The use of complex fitting and fat‐correction improves the robustness, noise performance, and accuracy of R2* measurements, and are necessary to establish R2* as quantitative imaging biomarker in the liver. Magn Reson Med 70:1319–1331, 2013. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Development, characterization, and modeling of environmentally friendly open‐cell acoustic foams
Authors: Mosanenzadeh Shahrzad Ghaffari , Naguib Hani E. , Park Chul B. , Atalla Noureddine
Published: January 2013

This study shows the development of new polymeric open‐cell foams from polypropylene (PP) and polylactide (PLA) resins with a focus on sound absorption properties and modeling of these foams. The objective is to develop new environmentally friendly foams to replace the existing non‐recyclable Polyurethane foams are currently used for sound insulation in industry. Through this research, open‐cell foams of about 90% porosity were fabricated from PP and PLA. These resins were selected since PP is a recyclable thermoplastic polymer, and PLA is a bio‐based thermoplastic polymer made from renewable resources. Polyurethane (PU) foam which is currently used for sound absorption and noise control in industry was compared to the fabricated PP and PLA foams. As the first attempt to fabricate environmentally friendly acoustic foams, the resulting foam structures show improved properties as compared to the existing materials. The average absorption of PP and PLA foams fabricated is in the range of 0.42–0.55 which is comparable or even higher than the average absorption of PU foam. To better understand the effect of structural and material properties on sound absorption and further improve the acoustic performance of bio‐based foams, an analytical model based on Johnson–Champoux–Allard model was used to numerically simulate the acoustic performance of foams under study. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 2013. © 2013 Society of Plastics Engineers
Evaluation of thiol‐ene click chemistry in functionalized polysiloxanes
Authors: Cole Megan A. , Bowman Christopher N.
Published: January 2013

Polysiloxanes are commonly used in a myriad of applications, and the “click” nature of the thiol‐ene reaction is well suited for introducing alternative functionalities or for crosslinking these ubiquitous polymers. As such, understanding of the thiol‐ene reaction in the presence of silicones is valuable and would lead to enhanced methodologies for modification and crosslinking. Here, the thiol‐ene reaction kinetics were investigated in functionalized oligosiloxanes having varying degrees of thiol functionalization (SH), π–π interactions (from diphenyls, DP), and ene types (CC). In the ene‐functionalized oligomers, π–π interactions were controlled through the use of dioctyl repeats (DO). The polymerization rate and rate‐limiting steps were determined for all systems containing an allyl‐functionalized oligomer, and rates ranging from 0.10 to 0.54 mol L−1 min−1 were seen. The rate‐limiting step varied with the oligomer composition; examples of rate‐limited propagation (5:3:2 CC:DP:DO/1:1 SH:DP) or chain transfer (5:3:2 CC:DP:DO/3:1 SH:DP) were found in addition to cases with similar reaction rate constants (5:2:3 CC:DP:DO/1:1 SH:DP). None of the siloxanes were found to exhibit autoacceleration despite their relatively high viscosities. Instead, the allyl‐, vinyl‐, and acrylate‐functionalized siloxanes were all found to undergo unimolecular termination based on their high α scaling values (0.98, 0.95, and 0.82, respectively) in the relation Rp ∝ Riα. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem, 2013
Gender Relations and Effect of Credit Availability on Household Expenditure: Evidence from Rural Bangladesh
Authors: Jayaraman Anuja , Findeis Jill L.
Published: January 2013

To improve the well‐being of individuals, development policies not only have to take into account how resources are allocated within the family or household but also look at the impact of this resource allocation on individuals. The objective of this article is to understand how intrahousehold dynamics (e.g., variations in household bargaining behaviors) lead to differences in outcomes of specific interest (e.g., food and non‐food expenditure). The household bargaining model is used to study the effects of credit, both formal and informal, on consumption choices. The focus is on the household expenditure patterns and participation in the credit market is taken as the measure of bargaining between the head and the spouse. This article uses the International Food Policy Research Institute's Food Management and Research Support Project (IFPRI‐FMRSP) household survey of Bangladesh for the years 1998–99. OLS is used to estimate the food share and personal care share equations, and Tobit models are used to estimate the 10 other non‐food budget shares. Our results indicated that more men compared to women participate in the credit market. Amount of credit taken by the male household head negatively affects food expenditure and positively affects the share spent on adult goods. The negative effect on food expenditure has policy implications related to nutritional intake and educational attainment of children in the household. Women's use of credit has a positive impact on the expense of children's goods, durable goods, education, and housing. The results show that resources in the hands of women have implications for improvement in child outcomes, especially educational outcomes.
Duplication in CHIT1 gene and the risk for aspergillus lung disease in CF patients
Authors: Livnat Galit , Bar‐Yoseph Ronen , Mory Adi , Dagan Efrat , Elias Nael , Gershoni Ruth , Bentur Lea
Published: January 2013

Background

Aspergillus often persists in the respiratory tract of patients with Cystic Fibrosis (CF) and may cause allergic broncho‐pulmonary aspergillosis (ABPA). Chitinases are enzymes that digest the chitin polymer. Plants use chitinase as a defense mechanism against fungi. Chitotriosidase (CHIT1) is the major chitinase in human airways. Variation in the coding region with 24‐bp duplication allele results in reduced CHIT1 activity. Recently, CHIT1 duplication heterozygocity was found in 6/6 patients with severe asthma and fungal sensitization (SAFS).

Aim

Our aim was to evaluate the link between CHIT1 duplication in CF patients and the predisposition to Allergic broncho‐pulmonary mycosis (ABPM) or persistent Aspergillus positive sputum (APS).

Patients and Methods

CHIT1 duplication was assessed in three CF groups. Group 1: patients who had neither ABPM nor APS in the past (control group). Group 2: patients with persistent APS (≥2/year), without ABPA. Group 3: patients with current or past ABPM.

Results

Forty patients with CF were included in the analysis, CHIT1 duplication heterozygocity was found in 3/6 (50%) of the patients in the ABPM group, 3/12 (25%) in the APS group, and 7/22 (31.8%) in the control group (P > 0.05). Eleven patients carried W1282X mutation, 90.9% were negative for CHIT1 duplication, five of them were homozygous for W1282X; none of them had CHIT1 duplication or ABPM.

Conclusions

CHIT1 duplication is not found in all CF patients with ABPM in contrast to patients with SAFS. These results suggest that CHIT1 duplication cannot be the sole explanation for Aspergillus positive sputum in CF patients. Pediatr Pulmonol. 2014; 49:21–27. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Molecular dynamics simulation of PNPLA3 I148M polymorphism reveals reduced substrate access to the catalytic cavity
Authors: Xin Yong‐Ning , Zhao Yuqi , Lin Zhong‐Hua , Jiang Xiangjun , Xuan Shi‐Ying , Huang Jingfei
Published: January 2013

A missense mutation I148M in PNPLA3 (patatin‐like phospholipase domain‐containing 3 protein) is significantly correlated with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). To glean insights into mutation's effect on enzymatic activity, we performed molecular dynamics simulation and flexible docking studies. Our data show that the size of the substrate‐access entry site is significantly reduced in mutants, which limits the access of palmitic acid to the catalytic dyad. Besides, the binding free energy calculations suggest low affinity for substrate to mutant enzyme. The substrate‐bound system simulations reveal that the spatial arrangement of palmitic acid is distinct in wild‐type from that in mutant. The substrate recognition specificity is lost due to the loop where the I148M mutation was located. Our results provide strong evidence for the mechanism by which I148M affects the enzyme activity and suggest that mediating the dynamics may offer a potential avenue for NAFLD. Proteins 2013. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.