bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The False Spring of 2012, Earliest in North American Record
Authors: Ault T. R. , Henebry G. M. , de Beurs K. M. , Schwartz M. D. , Betancourt J. L. , Moore D.
Published: May 2013

Phenology—the study of recurring plant and animal life cycle stages, especially their timing and relationships with weather and climate—is becoming an essential tool for documenting, communicating, and anticipating the consequences of climate variability and change. For example, March 2012 broke numerous records for warm temperatures and early flowering in the United States [Karl et al., 2012; Elwood et al., 2013]. Many regions experienced a “false spring,” a period of weather in late winter or early spring sufficiently mild and long to bring vegetation out of dormancy prematurely, rendering it vulnerable to late frost and drought.
The Future of Marine Biogeochemistry, Ecosystems, and Societies
Authors: Bundy Alida , Liu Kon‐Kee , Thomas Helmuth
Published: May 2013

The international project Integrated Marine Biogeochemistry and Ecosystem Research (IMBER) convenes an IMBIZO (a Zulu word meaning “a gathering”) biennially, with a format of three concurrent, interacting workshops designed to synthesize information on topical research areas in marine science. IMBIZO III, held at the National Institute of Oceanography in Goa, India, focused on multidimensional approaches to challenges of global change in continental margins (CM), open ocean systems, and dependent human societies. More than 120 participants from 29 nations attended the meeting; the smaller workshop groups allowed in‐depth discussions, and daily plenary sessions facilitated discussion among interdisciplinary experts.
Monitoring and Modeling the Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill: A Record‐Breaking Enterprise
Authors: Schultz Colin
Published: May 2013

On 20 April 2010, an explosion on the Deepwater Horizon oil drilling platform killed 11 people, and the subsequent blowout of the deepwater wellhead sparked one of the most costly oil spills in history. In the days and months that followed, researchers and disaster response crews flocked to the Gulf of Mexico to study, assess, and guide cleanup operations. In the AGU monograph Monitoring and Modeling the Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill: A Record‐Breaking Enterprise, editors Yonggang Liu, Amy MacFadyen, Zhen‐Gang Ji, and Robert H. Weisberg pull together the results of the state‐of‐the‐art rapid response research conducted during the Gulf oil spill. Here Eos talks to Yonggang Liu.
New technique could boost researchers' view of Earth's core
Authors: Schultz Colin
Published: May 2013

Studies of the Earth's core rely exclusively on remote detection because direct access is blocked by temperature, pressure, and thousands of kilometers of solid rock. Measurements of the magnetic field or of seismic waves provide researchers with a glimpse into the core's properties. Traditionally, to get a good look at the core, researchers watch for earthquake‐generated seismic body waves that travel through the Earth—either passing through or reflecting off the core—that are then picked up by a seismic wave detection array on the other side of the planet. The requirement that stations be properly aligned in comparison to the earthquake is sufficiently strict that observations are often more opportunistic than many scientists would prefer.
Growth hormone receptor (GHR) gene polymorphism and prader–willi syndrome
Authors: Butler Merlin G. , Roberts Jennifer , Hayes Jena , Tan Xiaoyu , Manzardo Ann M.
Published: May 2013

Prader–Willi syndrome (PWS) is a genomic imprinting disorder due to loss of paternally expressed genes in the 15q11–q13 region and characterized by hypotonia, a poor suck, failure to thrive, hypogonadism/hypogenitalism, growth hormone deficiency, learning, and behavioral problems and hyperphagia leading to early childhood obesity. Growth hormone acts as a ligand for the growth hormone receptor (GHR) coded by a gene polymorphic for an exon‐3 deletion (d3) seen in about 50% of Caucasians and associated with an increased response to growth hormone (GH) therapy. We examined 69 individuals with PWS (average age ± SD = 20.1 ± 12.8 year). The GHR allele distribution in our PWS subjects was similar to reported data in the literature with no gender or PWS genetic subtype differences. A negative correlation was found with age for height standard deviational scores and a positive correlation with age for weight and BMI for non‐GH treated PWS subjects. Adjusting for effects of age and gender, individuals with PWS and the d3/d3 allele showed a significant increase in BMI compared with those having the full length (fl) allele. In addition, 12 infants and children with PWS were examined when growth and GH data were available before and during GH treatment. A significant increase in growth rate (1.7 times) was noted in the presence of the d3 allele (fl/fl = 0.87 cm/month; fl/d3 or d3/d3 = 1.5 cm/month; P < 0.05). The presence of the d3 allele and its impact on growth and medical care of individuals with PWS while on GH therapy should be further investigated. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Ethanol Alters Proliferation and Differentiation of Normal and Chromosomally Abnormal Human Embryonic Stem Cell‐Derived Neurospheres
Authors: Krishnamoorthy Malini , Gerwe Brian A. , Scharer Christopher D. , Sahasranaman Vanita , Eilertson Carmen D. , Nash Rachel J. , Usta Sümeyra Naz , Kelly Shasmine , Rose Matthew , Peraza Rene , Arumugham Jagan , Stewart Bethany , Stice Steven L. , Nash Rodney J.
Published: May 2013

Ethanol is a powerful substance and, when consumed during pregnancy, has significant psychoactive and developmental effects on the developing fetus. These abnormalities include growth retardation, neurological deficits, and behavioral and cognitive deficiencies, commonly referred to as fetal alcohol spectrum disorder. The effect of ethanol has been reported to affect cellular development on the embryonic level, however, not much is known about mutations contributing to the influence of ethanol. The purpose of our study was to determine if mutation contribute to changes in differentiation patterning, cell‐cycle regulatory gene expression, and DNA methylation in human embryonic stem cells after ethanol exposure. We exposed human embryonic stem cells (with and without know DNA mutations) to a low concentration (20 mM) of ethanol and measured neurosphere proliferation and differentiation, glial protein levels, expression of various cell‐cycle genes, and DNA methylation. Ethanol altered cell‐cycle gene expression between the two cell lines; however, gene methylation was not affected in ether lines.. Birth Defects Res (Part B) 98:283–295, 2013. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
In vivo metabolism study of bergenin in rats by HPLC‐QTOF mass spectrometry
Authors: Song Haojing , Wang Jin , Zhang Rui , Liu Xiaoyan , Yuan Guiyan , Wei Chunmin , Zhao Wenjing , Li Rong , Wang Benjie , Guo Ruichen
Published: May 2013

Bergenin is the major component of Ardisia creanta sims and Rodgersia sambucifolia hemsl with many biological activities. Although bergenin has been used to treat human diseases in China for man years, there is no report regarding its metabolism. This is the first report to separate and identify the metabolites of bergenin in vivo. In the study, HPLC/Q‐TOF‐MS/MS was used to investigate the metabolites of bergenin in vivo by analyzing the rat body fluid and feces samples. Three metabolites of bergenin were finally identified by the TIC chromatograms, and the structures were also confirmed by their MS2 spectra. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Increased platelet reactivity in patients with late‐stage metastatic cancer
Authors: Cooke Niamh M. , Egan Karl , McFadden Siobhan , Grogan Liam , Breathnach Oscar S. , O'Leary John , Hennessy Bryan T. , Kenny Dermot
Published: May 2013

Platelet hyperreactivity is associated with an increased risk of thrombosis. Cancer patients are at an increased risk of thrombosis, a risk that increases with disease progression. While cancer patients show evidence of platelet activation in vivo, few studies have extensively assessed whether these patients display platelet hyperreactivity. We hypothesized that patients with metastatic cancer would display platelet hyperreactivity, reflecting their associated high risk of thrombosis. In a cohort of patients with metastatic cancer (n = 13), we assessed platelet function using well‐established assays of platelet reactivity (agonist‐induced platelet aggregation, spontaneous platelet aggregation, and agonist‐induced P‐selectin expression). In comparison with healthy controls (n = 10), patients with metastatic cancer displayed global platelet hyperreactivity. Agonist‐induced platelet aggregation responses to ADP (adenosine diphosphate), epinephrine, collagen, arachidonic acid, and PAR‐1 (protease‐activated receptor‐1) activating peptide, as well as spontaneous platelet aggregation, were significantly increased in patients with metastatic cancer. Furthermore, agonist‐induced platelet P‐selectin expression was also significantly increased within the patient cohort. We demonstrate that patients with metastatic cancer are characterized by global platelet hyperreactivity, a factor that may contribute to their increased risk of thrombosis.
Extra‐Large‐Pore Zeolites with UTL Topology: Control of the Catalytic Activity by Variation in the Nature of the Active Sites
Authors: Shamzhy Mariya V. , Shvets Oleksiy V. , Opanasenko Maksym V. , Kurfiřtová Lenka , Kubička David , Čejka Jiří
Published: May 2013

The catalytic behavior of isomorphously substituted B‐, Al‐, Ga‐, and Fe‐containing extra‐large‐pore UTL zeolites was investigated in the acylation of p‐xylene with benzoyl chloride and Beckmann rearrangement of 1‐indanone oxime. The clear synergism between the Brønsted acidity (i.e., the concentration and the strength of protonic acid sites) of UTL catalysts and their activity in benzoylation was established. (Ga)UTL zeolite containing the Brønsted acid sites of medium strength is characterized by the optimum activity and selectivity in the benzoylation of p‐xylene. Because of a higher accessibility of active centers, (Al)UTL zeolite appears to be a more active and selective catalyst than (Al)BEA in the benzoylation of p‐xylene. In contrast to (B), (Ga), and (Al)UTL, the leaching of active sites occurs in the benzoylation over (Fe)UTL. All UTL zeolites showed 100 % selectivity in the Beckmann rearrangement of 1‐indanone oxime, which provides the target 3,4‐dihydroquinolin‐2(1H)‐one. (B) and (Fe)UTL zeolites containing the weakest acid centers were found to be more active in the Beckmann rearrangement of 1‐indanone oxime than (Ga) and (Al)UTL: 100 % yield of the target amide was achieved in 240 min of the reaction time over (B) and (Fe)UTL.
Room Temperature Hydrogen Production from Ethanol over CeNiXHZOY Nano‐Oxyhydride Catalysts
Authors: Fang Wenhao , Pirez Cyril , Paul Sébastien , Capron Mickaël , Jobic Hervé , Dumeignil Franck , Jalowiecki‐Duhamel Louise
Published: May 2013

CeNiXHZOY nano‐oxyhydride catalysts were developed for the highly efficient sustainable hydrogen production from ethanol and water in the oxidative steam reforming reaction. After an in situ treatment in hydrogen in the temperature range of 200–300 °C, the cerium–nickel binary mixed oxides became hydrogen reservoirs, which were called oxyhydrides, in the presence of hydrogen species of the hydride nature in the anionic vacancies of mixed oxides. A novel technology was developed for the room temperature hydrogen production by using the chemical energy released from the reaction between CeNiXHZOY nano‐oxyhydride catalysts and oxygen, which completely converted ethanol specifically at 60 °C (oven temperature) and simultaneously produced hydrogen, carbon dioxide, and carbon monoxide along with small amounts of methane and ethanal. CeNiXHZOY nano‐oxyhydride catalysts demonstrated excellent catalytic stability, which was attributed to the graphitic filamentous carbon formed during the reaction. The unique activation phenomenon of the reaction (a huge variation in the temperature between the catalyst bed and the oven) was demonstrated in detail. Finally, the correlations among the catalyst properties, the catalytic performances, and the characterizations were thoroughly discussed.
Base‐Free β‐Boration of α,β‐Unsaturated Imines Catalysed by Cu2O with Concurrent Enhancement of Asymmetric Induction
Authors: Calow Adam D. J. , Solé Cristina , Whiting Andrew , Fernández Elena
Published: May 2013

The stereoselective synthesis of γ‐aminoalcohols from the catalytic asymmetric β‐boration of α,β‐unsaturated imine precursors has been streamlined with the use of Cu2O as the catalyst, readily accessible (R)‐(+)‐2,2′‐bis(diphenylphosphino)‐1,1′‐binaphthyl as the chiral ligand and no additional base. The new simplicity of the catalytic system has the added value of in situ formation of the imines, which allows access to cyclic and acyclic β‐boryl imines. The reaction was followed by using in situ IR spectroscopy, which demonstrated the imine formation– β‐boration sequence and that the new catalytic system is superior to those employed for this reaction previously.
Enthalpy–Entropy Compensation Combined with Cohesive Free‐Energy Densities for Tuning the Melting Temperatures of Cyanobiphenyl Derivatives
Authors: Dutronc Thibault , Terazzi Emmanuel , Guénée Laure , Buchwalder Kerry‐Lee , Spoerri Aurore , Emery Daniel , Mareda Jiri , Floquet Sébastien , Piguet Claude
Published: May 2013

This work illustrates how minor structural perturbations produced by methylation of 4′‐(dodecyloxy)‐4‐cyanobiphenyl leads to enthalpy–entropy compensation for their melting processes, a trend which can be analyzed within the frame of a simple intermolecular cohesive model. The transformation of the melting thermodynamic parameters collected at variable temperatures into cohesive free‐energy densities expressed at a common reference temperature results in a novel linear correlation, from which melting temperatures can be simply predicted from molecular volumes.
Circular Dichroism Studies on Intermolecular Interactions of Amphotericin B in Ionic Liquid‐Rich Environments
Authors: Jameson Laramie P. , Dzyuba Sergei V.
Published: May 2013

Aggregation of amphotericin B (AmB) in an ionic liquid‐rich environment was investigated using circular dichroism (CD) spectroscopy. It was found that nature of the ionic liquids’ anion had a strong impact not only on the aggregation of AmB, but more importantly on the nature of AmB aggregates, as observed in the asymmetry of the exciton couplet of the aggregate in CD spectra. Unique CD signals for AmB aggregates were observed in three different 1‐butyl‐3‐methylimidazolium ionic liquid solutions: [C4‐mim]Br favored the formation of AmB aggregates that were similar to those found in water, whereas [C4‐mim]BF4 and [C4‐mim]NO3 produced AmB aggregates that were different from each other and those found in water. The obtained results suggest that the designer solvent ability of ionic liquids could be expanded to address numerous intermolecular processes. Chirality 25:487‐492, 2013. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Enantioselective Organocatalytic Aza‐Michael Additions of Phthalimide Derivatives to α,β‐Unsaturated Aldehydes
Authors: Ma Shijun , Liu Ming , Huang Yaodong , Wang Yongmei
Published: May 2013

Phthalimide derivatives as nitrogen nucleophiles with α,β‐unsaturated aldehydes for asymmetric aza‐Michael additions have been reported. The reactions proceed smoothly to afford corresponding Michael adducts in good yields (up to 98%) and enantioselectivities (up to 95% ee).
Functionalized Bis(pentafluoroethyl)phosphanes: Improved Syntheses and Molecular Structures in the Gas Phase
Authors: Zakharov Alexander V. , Vishnevskiy Yury V. , Allefeld Nadine , Bader Julia , Kurscheid Boris , Steinhauer Simon , Hoge Berthold , Neumann Beate , Stammler Hans‐Georg , Berger Raphael J. F. , Mitzel Norbert W.
Published: May 2013

(C2F5)2PNEt2 represents an excellent starting material for the selective synthesis of bis(pentafluoroethyl)phosphane derivatives. The moderately air‐sensitive aminophosphane is accessible on a multi‐gram scale by treating Cl2PNEt2 with C2F5Li. Treatment with gaseous HCl or HBr yielded the corresponding phosphane halides (C2F5)2PCl and the so far unknown (C2F5)2PBr in good yields. The hitherto unknown (C2F5)2PF was obtained by treating (C2F5)2PBr with excess antimony trifluoride. Treatment of (C2F5)2PCl with Bu3SnH led to the quantitative formation of (C2F5)2PH. Deprotonation formally yielded the (C2F5)2P– anion in a form that was stabilized by coordination to mercury ions to form the complex [Hg{P(C2F5)2}2(dppe)]. An improved high‐yielding synthesis of (C2F5)2POH was achieved by treating (C2F5)2PNEt2 with p‐toluenesulfonic acid. The gas‐phase structures of (C2F5)2PH and (C2F5)2POH were determined by electron diffraction. The vibrational corrections employed in the data analysis of the diffraction data were derived from molecular dynamics calculations. Both compounds exist in the gas phase mostly as C1‐symmetric cis,cis conformers with regard the orientation of the C2F5 groups relative to the functional groups H and OH. The presence of a second conformer at ambient temperature is likely in both cases. The refined amounts of dominant conformers are 94(6) and 85(6) % for (C2F5)2PH and (C2F5)2POH, respectively. The conformational behaviour was further explored by potential energy surface scans based on DFT calculations. Important experimental structural parameters for the most stable conformers are re(P–C)average = 1.884(3) Å for (C2F5)2PH and re(P–C)average = 1.894(4) Å and re(P–O) = 1.582(3) Å for (C2F5)2POH. The different coordination properties of (C2F5)3P, (C2F5)2POH, (CF3)3P and (CF3)2POH were evaluated by complex formation with [Ni(CO)4]: the maximum achievable number of CO ligands substituted by (C2F5)3P is 1, by (C2F5)2POH is 2, by (CF3)3P is 3 and by the smallest ligand (CF3)2POH is 4.
N‐Heterocyclic Carbenes Functioning as Monoligating Clamps
Authors: Teci Matthieu , Brenner Eric , Matt Dominique , Toupet Loïc
Published: May 2013

Invited for the cover of this issue is the group of Dominique Matt at the University of Strasbourg. The cover image shows a palladium complex stabilized by an N‐heterocyclic carbene bearing two non‐rotating alkylfluorenyl substituents. The NHC ligand functions like a clamp to permanently protect two trans‐located coordination sites.
Synthetic Access to Hydrogen and Halogen Derivatives of 3‐Amino‐4‐nitrothiophenes
Authors: Vogt Eva‐Janina , Zapol'skii Viktor A. , Nutz Eva , Kaufmann Dieter E.
Published: May 2013

The unique synthesis of 3‐amino‐4‐nitrothiophenes 2 provides easy access to reference species of a new family of push‐pull substituted thiophenes. The chemoselective modification of 2 into suitable derivatives was accomplished by selective S‐oxidation of the vinylsulfanyl unit, followed by substitution of the vinylsulfinyl group of 3 by nucleophiles. Dihalothiophenes were formed this way in very good yields. A subsequent selective dehalogenation at the 2, 5 or 2 and 5 positions also proved feasible, and the push‐pull unit was untouched. The new 2,5‐dihalothiophenes could be interesting monomers for conducting polymers.
Practical evaluation of organic polymer thermoelectrics by large‐area R2R processing on flexible substrates
Authors: Søndergaard Roar R. , Hösel Markus , Espinosa Nieves , Jørgensen Mikkel , Krebs Frederik C.
Published: May 2013

Here, we present a process based on roll‐to‐roll (R2R) technology which allows for very fast processing of polymer thermoelectric (TE) devices and we furthermore demonstrate a simplified but more efficient way of serially connecting these devices by means of R2R thin‐film processing. The new device architecture makes it possible to use only one TE material (opposed to two materials which are employed in well‐known Peltier elements), and a total of 18,000 serially connected junctions were prepared by flexoprinting of silver electrodes and by rotary screen printing of poly(3,4‐ethylenedioxythiophene) (PEDOT):polystyrene sulfonate (PSS) as the TE material. Testing of devices revealed that the new architecture clearly showed to be functioning as expected, but also pointed toward challenges for thin‐film TE development which is the influence of the substrate thickness on the thermal gradient over a device and the currently low performance available. A life‐cycle assessment (LCA) was carried out in order to evaluate the sustainability of the new architecture and to estimate the requirements for development of a successful technology.
Renewables—Marketing: Armed Forces' Gigawatt Initiative for Renewable Energy Creating Great Interest
Authors: Mostow Peter D.
Published: May 2013

Over the past decade, the United States armed forces have come to see energy security as a critical component of their mission—and have realized that their current energy supply is unacceptably insecure.
Relative Sea‐Level Changes During Roman Times in the Northwest Mediterranean: The 1st Century A.D. Fish Tank of Forum Julii, Fréjus, France
Authors: Morhange Christophe , Marriner Nick , Excoffon Pierre , Bonnet Stéphane , Flaux Clément , Zibrowius Helmut , Goiran Jean‐Philippe , Amouri Mourad El
Published: May 2013

Fish tanks become fashionable throughout the Mediterranean area between the 1st century B.C. and the 1st century A.D. Because of this narrow chronological window, and their link to former sea level, they constitute precious archives to investigate relative sea level (RSL) since the Roman period, especially when combined with fossilized marine benthos found attached to the fish tank walls. Here, we present new results from an integrated analysis of a fish tank located in the Roman colony of Fréjus, Southeastern France. The well‐preserved biological remains on the fish tank wall allow us to estimate an RSL rise of 40 ± 10 cm at Fréjus since Roman times, consistent with a recently published range of −32 to −58 ± 5 cm for the Northwestern Mediterranean for the same time. By contrast, the findings contradict the ∼150 cm of RSL change since Roman times reported for the Northwestern Mediterranean by some authors. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
A slow bow shock ahead of the heliosphere
Authors: Zieger B. , Opher M. , Schwadron N. A. , McComas D. J. , Tóth G.
Published: May 2013

Current estimates of plasma parameters in the local interstellar medium indicate that the speed of the interstellar wind, i.e., the relative speed of the local interstellar cloud with respect to the Sun, is most likely less than both the fast magnetosonic speed (subfast) and the Alfvén speed (sub‐Alfvénic) but greater than the slow magnetosonic speed (superslow). In this peculiar parameter regime, MHD theory postulates a slow magnetosonic shock ahead of the heliosphere, provided that the angle between the interstellar magnetic field and the interstellar plasma flow velocity is quite small (e.g., 15° to 30°). In this likely scenario, our multifluid MHD model of the heliospheric interface self‐consistently produces a spatially confined quasi‐parallel slow bow shock. Voyager 1 is heading toward the slow bow shock, while Voyager 2 is not, which means that the two spacecraft are expected to encounter different interstellar plasma populations beyond the heliopause. The slow bow shock also affects the density and spatial extent of the neutral hydrogen wall.
THERAPEUTIC SUBSTITUTION POST‐PATENT EXPIRY: THE CASES OF ACE INHIBITORS AND PROTON PUMP INHIBITORS
Authors: Vandoros Sotiris
Published: May 2013

This paper examines whether there is a switch in total (originator and generic) consumption after generic entry from molecules that face generic competition towards other molecules of the same class, which are still in‐patent. Data from six European countries for the time period 1991 to 2006 are used to study the cases of angiotensin‐converting enzyme inhibitors and proton pump inhibitors. Empirical evidence shows that patent expiry of captopril and enalapril led to a switch in total (off‐patent originator and generic) consumption towards other in‐patent angiotensin‐converting enzyme inhibitors, whereas patent expiry of omeprazole led to a switch in consumption towards other proton pump inhibitors. This phenomenon makes generic policies ineffective and results in an increase in pharmaceutical expenditure due to the absence of generic alternatives in the market of in‐patent molecules. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Designing discriminative spatial filter vectors in motor imagery brain–computer interface
Authors: Lee Kyeong‐Yeon , Kim Sun
Published: May 2013

The problem of a volume conduction effect in electroencephalography is considered one of the challenging issues in brain–computer interface (BCI) community. In this article, we propose a novel method of designing a class‐discriminative spatial filter assuming that a combination of spatial pattern vectors, irrespective of the eigenvalues of the common spatial pattern (CSP), can produce better performance in terms of classification accuracy. We select discriminative spatial filter vectors that determine features in a pairwise manner, that is, eigenvectors of the K largest eigenvalue and the K smallest eigenvalue. Although the pair of the eigenvectors of the K largest and the K smallest eigenvalues helps extract discriminative features, we believe that a different set of eigenvector pairs is more appropriate to extract class‐discriminative features. In our experimental results using the publicly available dataset of BCI Competition IV, we show that the proposed method outperformed the conventional CSP methods and a filter‐bank CSP. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Imaging Syst Technol, 23, 147–151, 2013
Automatic detection of brain tumor in magnetic resonance images using multi‐texton histogram and support vector machine
Authors: Jayachandran A. , Dhanasekaran R.
Published: May 2013

Segmentation is the process of labeling objects in image data. It is a decisive phase in several medical imaging processing tasks for operation planning, radio therapy or diagnostics, and widely useful for studying the differences of healthy persons and persons with tumor. Magnetic Resonance Imaging brain tumor segmentation is a complicated task due to the variance and intricacy of tumors. In this article, a tumor segmentation scheme is presented, which focuses on the structural analysis on both tumorous and normal tissues. Our proposed method hits the target with the aid of the following major steps: (i) Tumor Region Location, (ii) Feature Extraction using Multi‐texton Technique, and (iii) Final Classification using support vector machine (SVM). The results for the tumor detection are validated through evaluation metrics such as, sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy. The comparative analysis is carried out by Radial Basis Function neural network and Feed Forward Neural Network. The obtained results depict that the proposed Multi‐texton histogram and support vector machine based brain tumor detection approach is more robust than the other classifiers in terms of sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Imaging Syst Technol, 23, 97–103, 2013
Some mechanisms of FLIP expression in inhibition of HIV‐1 replication in Jurkat cells, CD4+ T cells and PBMCs
Authors: Tan Jiying , Wang Xue , Devadas Krishnakumar , Zhao Jiangqin , Zhang Panhe , Hewlett Indira
Published: May 2013

HIV‐1 infection and replication are affected by host factors. Recent studies demonstrate that molecules from apoptotic pathways regulate HIV‐1 replication. Therefore, studies on effects of host factors that maintain host cell survival and influence HIV‐1 replication are critical to understanding the mechanisms of HIV‐1 replicative cycle. Using the susceptible Jurkat cell line, CD4+ T cells, and peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs), we studied the role of FLIP, an inhibitor of caspase‐8, in HIV‐1 production. Full length cellular FLIP (cFLIP) inhibited HIV‐1 replication in these cells. cFLIP upregulated the expression of viral restriction factors, such as TRIM5, Apobec3G, and Bst2/tetherin, decreased nuclear factor 1C expression and inactivated ERK and p38 induced by HIV‐1 in Jurkat cells. cFLIP blocked the trafficking of gp120 and Gag p24 capsid protein into lipid rafts with inhibition of Tsg101 and Alix in ESCRT signaling pathway. cFLIP also promoted Bst2/tetherin trafficking into lipid rafts. These results indicate that cFLIP may inhibit the HIV‐1 replication cycle at multiple steps, including viral RNA release, transcription, traffic and assembly. We also found that cFLIP expression downregulated Fas expression and inactivated FADD in the Fas‐mediated apoptotic pathway. The inactivated FADD also inhibited HIV‐1 replication. J. Cell. Physiol. 228: 2305–2313, 2013. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Expression of microRNA‐184 in keratinocytes represses argonaute 2
Authors: Roberts Julian C. , Warren Richard B. , Griffiths Christopher E.M. , Ross Kehinde
Published: May 2013

Interleukin‐22 (IL‐22) is a proinflammatory cytokine that has been associated with the pathogenesis of inflammatory skin disorders. However, the impact of IL‐22 on microRNA (miRNA) expression in epidermal keratinocytes is unknown. Here we show that IL‐22 induces miR‐184 in reconstituted human epidermis (RHE) and in the HaCaT keratinocyte cell line. Exposure to IL‐22 increased miR‐184 expression 8‐ and 15‐fold in RHE and HaCaT cells, respectively. Oncostatin M, an unrelated proinflammatory cytokine, also raised miR‐184 expression in RHE and HaCaT keratinocytes. Pharmacologic and genetic inhibition demonstrated that cytokine‐induced expression of miR‐184 was mediated by signal transducer and activation of transcription 3 (STAT3). Argonaute 2 (AGO2), a member of the RNA‐induced silencing complex (RISC), is a predicted miR‐184 target. Using protein, messenger RNA and reporter analyses, we found that miR‐184 regulates the expression of AGO2. We conclude that cytokine‐induced miR‐184 attenuates AGO2 expression in keratinocytes. J. Cell. Physiol. 228: 2314–2323, 2013. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
miR‐10a restores human mesenchymal stem cell differentiation by repressing KLF4
Authors: Li Jiao , Dong Jun , Zhang Zhen‐hui , Zhang Dong‐Cheng , You Xiang‐Yu , Zhong Yun , Chen Min‐Sheng , Liu Shi‐Ming
Published: May 2013

miRNAs have recently been shown to play a significant role in human aging. However, data demonstrating the effects of aging‐related miRNAs in human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs) are limited. We observed that hMSC differentiation decreased with aging. We also identified that miR‐10a expression was significantly decreased with age by comparing the miRNA expression of hMSCs derived from young and aged individuals. Therefore, we hypothesized that the downregulation of miR‐10a may be associated with the decreased differentiation capability of hMSCs from aged individuals. Lentiviral constructs were used to up‐ or downregulate miR‐10a in young and old hMSCs. Upregulation of miR‐10a resulted in increased differentiation to adipogenic, osteogenic, and chondrogenic lineages and in reduced cell senescence. Conversely, downregulation of miR‐10a resulted in decreased cell differentiation and increased cell senescence. A chimeric luciferase reporter system was generated, tagged with the full‐length 3′‐UTR region of KLF4 harboring the seed‐matched sequence with or without four nucleotide mutations. These constructs were cotransfected with the miR‐10a mimic into cells. The luciferase activity was significantly repressed by the miR‐10a mimic, proving the direct binding of miR‐10a to the 3′‐UTR of KLF4. Direct suppression of KLF4 in aged hMSCs increased cell differentiation and decreased cell senescence. In conclusion, miR‐10a restores the differentiation capability of aged hMSCs through repression of KLF4. Aging‐related miRNAs may have broad applications in the restoration of cell dysfunction caused by aging. J. Cell. Physiol. 228: 2324–2336, 2013. © The Authors. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Utilization of ammonia‐containing wastewater by combining membrane absorption and vacuum membrane distillation
Authors: Lu Jun , Li Baoan , Wang Li , Wang Yue , Wang Shichang
Published: May 2013

Background

In this study, membrane absorption and vacuum membrane distillation were integrated to recover ammonia and water, respectively, from saline ammonia‐containing wastewater discharged by metallurgical plants.

Results

Ammonia was removed by membrane absorption with a parallel hollow fiber membrane (HFM) module to decrease the ammonia content to below 5 mg L−1. Then the wastewater was concentrated by vacuum membrane distillation with a cross‐flow HFM module to maximize fresh water recovery, while maintaining higher permeate flux levels. The Taguchi method was used for experiment designs and contributions of operating parameters were determined over the specified parameter ranges through variance analysis. Recovery of ammonia and fresh water reached 99.8% and 80% within 250 min and 160 min, respectively. Membrane fouling in the membrane distillation process could be mitigated at lower concentrate rate in semi‐batch running mode, while permeate flux was maintained at high levels for a longer time. Permeate flux was greatly restored through a cleaning technique consisting of alkaline cleaning, acid picking, EDTA washing and drying. Permeate flux loss due to irreversible membrane fouling was 0.7%.

Conclusion

The experimental results demonstrate the potential for resource utilization of saline ammonia‐containing wastewater by combining membrane absorption and vacuum membrane distillation. © 2013 Society of Chemical Industry
CO Cameron band and UV doublet emissions in the dayglow of Venus: Role of CO in the Cameron band production
Authors: Bhardwaj Anil , Jain Sonal Kumar
Published: May 2013

The present study deals with the model calculations of CO Cameron band and ultraviolet doublet emissions in the dayglow of Venus. The overhead and limb intensities of CO Cameron band and UV doublet emissions are calculated for low, moderate, and high solar activity conditions. Using updated cross sections, the impact of different e‐CO cross sections for Cameron band production is estimated. The electron impact on CO is the major source mechanism of Cameron band, followed by electron and photon impact dissociation of CO2. The overhead intensities of CO Cameron band and UV doublet emissions are about a factor of 2 higher in solar maximum than those in solar minimum condition. The effect of solar EUV flux models on the emission intensity is ∼30–40% in solar minimum condition and ∼2–10% in solar maximum condition. At the altitude of emission peak (∼135 km), the model predicted limb intensity of CO Cameron band and UV doublet emissions in moderate (F10.7=130) solar activity condition is about 2400 and 300 kR, respectively, which is in agreement with the very recently published SPICAV/Venus Express observation. The model limb intensity profiles of CO Cameron band and UV doublet are compared with SPICAV observation. We also calculated intensities of N2Vegard‐Kaplan UV bands and O I 2972 Å emissions during moderate and high solar activity conditions.
Predicting wave‐induced ripple equilibrium geometry
Authors: Nelson Timothy Robert , Voulgaris George , Traykovski Peter
Published: May 2013

A comprehensive database of existing (since 1954) field and laboratory measurements of ripple geometry is compiled and combined with newly collected field data to examine the performance of ripple equilibrium predictors. Reanalysis of this enlarged ripple geometry data set reveals that ripples formed from monochromatic waves scale differently than ripples formed from random waves for many existing ripple predictors. Our analysis indicates that ripple wavelengths from the two data sets collapse into a single scaling when the semiorbital excursion and sediment grain diameter are used as normalizing factors. Ripple steepness remains relatively constant for both regular and irregular wave conditions, and it only slightly increases for shorter ripple wavelengths. These findings allowed for the development of a new equilibrium ripple predictor suitable for application in a wide range of wave and sediment conditions.
Updated high‐resolution grids of monthly climatic observations – the CRU TS3.10 Dataset
Authors: Harris I. , Jones P.D. , Osborn T.J. , Lister D.H.
Published: May 2013

This paper describes the construction of an updated gridded climate dataset (referred to as CRU TS3.10) from monthly observations at meteorological stations across the world's land areas. Station anomalies (from 1961 to 1990 means) were interpolated into 0.5° latitude/longitude grid cells covering the global land surface (excluding Antarctica), and combined with an existing climatology to obtain absolute monthly values. The dataset includes six mostly independent climate variables (mean temperature, diurnal temperature range, precipitation, wet‐day frequency, vapour pressure and cloud cover). Maximum and minimum temperatures have been arithmetically derived from these. Secondary variables (frost day frequency and potential evapotranspiration) have been estimated from the six primary variables using well‐known formulae. Time series for hemispheric averages and 20 large sub‐continental scale regions were calculated (for mean, maximum and minimum temperature and precipitation totals) and compared to a number of similar gridded products. The new dataset compares very favourably, with the major deviations mostly in regions and/or time periods with sparser observational data. CRU TS3.10 includes diagnostics associated with each interpolated value that indicates the number of stations used in the interpolation, allowing determination of the reliability of values in an objective way. This gridded product will be publicly available, including the input station series (http://www.cru.uea.ac.uk/ and http://badc.nerc.ac.uk/data/cru/). © 2013 Royal Meteorological Society
Assessment of economic and environmental impacts of two typical cotton genotypes with contrasting potassium efficiency
Authors: Yanshu Hao , Xiaoli Wang , Ying Xia , Lishu Wu , Cuncang Jiang
Published: May 2013

It is essential to produce optimal crop yields while reducing adverse environmental impacts of overfertilization. Therefore, nutrient‐efficient plants may play a major role in improving the efficiency of fertilizer use whilst increasing crop yields. This field trial was conducted to study the differences on absorption and utilization of nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K) of K‐efficient cotton genotype 103 and K‐inefficient cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) genotype 122 and their environmental and economic effects. The results show that seed cotton yield was significantly different between K‐efficient cotton genotype 103 and K‐inefficient cotton genotype 122; the yields of genotype 103 were 39.2%, 33.8%, and 25.0% higher than those of genotype 122 with no K fertilizer (K0), 112 kg K ha–1 K (K1), and 224 kg K ha–1 (K2), respectively. Even when no K fertilizer was applied, the yield of genotype 103 was still 7.9% higher than the yield of genotype 122 at the highest K level (K2). Further economic benefit analysis revealed that the value cost ratio (VCR) of genotype 103 was significantly higher than 122 at K0 and K1, and harvest index (HI) of genotype 103 was significantly higher than that of genotype 122 at all three K levels. In addition, when fertilized with K, partial factor productivity of applied K (PFPK) of genotype 103 was dramatically higher than that of genotype 122, demonstrating that genotype 103 had stronger ability to utilize K. Besides, the N‐ and P‐use efficiencies of genotype 103 were also higher than those of genotype 122. It is concluded that: (1) genotype 103 gives better profit than genotype 122 and (2) genotype 103 uses fertilizer more efficiently and reduced fertilizer inputs will alleviate environmental risks.
Current potassium‐management status and grain‐yield response of Chinese maize to potassium application
Authors: Wu Liang‐quan , Ma Wen‐qi , Zhang Chao‐chun , Wu Liang , Zhang Wei‐feng , Jiang Rong‐feng , Zhang Fu‐suo , Cui Zhen‐ling , Chen Xin‐ping
Published: May 2013

The great achievement of the development of intensive in agriculture in China can be partly attributed to substantial increases in mineral‐nutrient application. However, whereas farmers tend to apply high levels of nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) application of potassium (K) has been neglected. A greater understanding of the relationship between maize (Zea mays L.) grain yield and K‐application rate is thus required to provide an improved rationale for K fertilization for farmers in the various agro‐ecological regions of China. In this study, a total of 2765 farmers' survey data and 3124 on‐farm experiments across major maize agro‐ecological regions in China were collected and evaluated for farmers' K‐management status and to determine grain‐yield response to K application. Nationally, the average K‐application rate on farms was 26 kg K ha–1 and varied from 0 to 158 kg K ha–1, with a coefficient of variation of 107%, but the applied K‐fertilizer rates were not related to grain yield. Maize grain yields at recommended K rates increased by 14.0%, 14.7%, 19.4%, and 4.3% in Northeast China, North China Plain, Southwest China, and Northwest China, respectively, compared to zero K fertilization (K0). Increased yield due to K fertilization (IYmax, difference between maximum yield across all treatments and K0‐treatment yield for each experiment) averaged 1.4 t ha–1 but varied widely in different agro‐ecological regions. Soil extractable K (NH4OAc‐K) and intercounty variation resulted in large variation in IYmax in agro‐ecological regions, as did other factors, such as use of particular maize hybrids, soil types, or years in different regions.
Citrus leaf nutrient status: A critical evaluation of guidelines for optimal yield in Israel
Authors: Raveh Eran
Published: May 2013

Maintaining orchards with trees at optimal leaf nutrient concentrations is one of the key issues for maximizing yield. Experiments for evaluating and updating guidelines are very rare since they require several years of field experiments with mature fruit‐bearing trees. In the present paper, we first evaluated the Israeli guidelines for citrus by comparing them to the Israeli orchard leaf mineral status using a 10‐year leaf‐mineral database (results of 20 244 leaf analyses from commercial orchards all over Israel). Then, we created an updated guideline using a second database (the Israeli National Wastewater Effluent Irrigation Surveys database; INWEIS). This database summarizes yield and leaf mineral concentrations of commercial orchards from all over Israel. The data were collected from 122 orchards: 39 orchards of “Oroblanco” Pomelit (Citrus grandis), 33 orchards of “Michal” mandarin (C. reticulata), 30 orchards of “Star Ruby” grapefruit (C. paradise), and 20 orchards of “Shamouti” oranges (C. sinensis) over a 7‐year period. Based on the first database, there was a disagreement between recommendations and the leaf nutrient status (e.g., the Israeli Ministry of Agriculture recommendations were higher than orchard median values), which indicated that the growers and/or the recommendations need to be corrected. Based on the INWEIS database, a new guideline was set. It was found that the optimal leaf nutrient concentrations for grapefruit trees are 1.7% to 2.1% dry weight (DW) for N, 0.08% to 0.010% DW for P, 0.37% to 0.48% DW for K, and 0.33% to 0.45% DW for Mg. For orange trees, the optimal leaf nutrient concentrations are 1.9% to 2.3% DW for N, 0.11% to 0.14% DW for P, 0.80% to 1.00% DW for K, and 0.19% to 0.26% DW for Mg. For mandarin trees, the optimal leaf nutrient concentrations are 2.0% to 2.4% DW for N, 0.09% to 0.12% DW for P, 0.55% to 0.69% DW for K, and 0.19% to 0.26% DW for Mg. Maintaining leaf nutrient concentrations within these ranges will support maximal yields of 110 to 120 t ha–1 for grapefruit, 65 to 70 t ha–1 for orange, and 60 to 70 t ha–1 for mandarin cultivars.
Late Pleistocene–Holocene records from Lake Ulaan, southern Mongolia: implications for east Asian palaeomonsoonal climate changes
Authors: LEE MIN KYUNG , LEE YONG IL , LIM HYOUN SOO , LEE JAE IL , YOON HO IL
Published: May 2013

A 5.88‐m‐long core taken from Lake Ulaan was studied for high‐resolution paleoclimatic changes during the last 17 000 years. The core sediments are divided into three units based on grain‐size distribution: unit 1 (top to 392 cm depth, covering the last 11 200 years), unit 2 (392–530 cm, 11.2–15 ka) and unit 3 (530–588 cm, 15.0–16.7 ka). These sediments were transported by local westerly winds (units 1 and 3) and fluvial processes (unit 2). Based on major element compositions and geological setting of adjacent areas, provenance of unit 1 sediments was interpreted to be the Lake terrane, and that of unit 2 to be the Idermeg terrane. Unit 3 sediments were derived from the Gobi Altai terrane. The records of total organic carbon, C/N ratio and weathering intensity suggest that paleoclimate in the source area of Lake Ulaan sediment was most humid during the Early Holocene, humid during the mid‐Holocene and dry in the Late Holocene. The decrease of humidity through the Holocene is a typical characteristic of the East Asian monsoon region. Comparison with lacustrine records of other Mongolia regions suggests that the northern boundary of East Asian summer‐monsoon influence could have been located further north than previously assumed. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Evidence for Storegga tsunami run‐up at the head of Nordfjord, western Norway
Authors: VASSKOG KRISTIAN , WALDMANN NICOLAS , BONDEVIK STEIN , NESJE ATLE , CHAPRON EMMANUEL , ARIZTEGUI DANIEL
Published: May 2013

Numerical simulations show that the Storegga tsunami (∼8 150 cal a BP) penetrated into fjords and sounds along the Norwegian coast because of its large wavelengths of about 600–800 km. Despite this, deposits from the tsunami have not previously been reported from the innermost fjord district, probably because suitable sedimentary archives are lacking in the steep fjord landscape. Here we describe a persistent and well‐defined depositional unit, up to 3 m thick, found in a lake sequence at the head of the 106‐km‐long Nordfjord, which we interpret as a deposit from the Storegga tsunami. The unit is identified and mapped in seismic profiles as a continuous semi‐transparent unit which in places cut deeply into the underlying strata. In sediment cores the unit consists of grey silt with sub‐units containing shell or plant fragments, gravel and sand clasts, and redeposited lake mud. Radiocarbon ages date the deposit to the time of the Storegga tsunami (∼8 150 cal a BP). We estimate a minimum run‐up of 1–7.5 m for the tsunami based on the inferred elevation of the lake outlet relative to sea level at that time. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Antioxidant and rheological properties of guava jam with added concentrated grape juice
Authors: Corrêa Rúbia C G , Haminiuk Charles W I , Sora Gisele T S , Bergamasco Rosangela , Vieira Angélica M S
Published: May 2013

BACKGROUND

Guava jam enriched by the addition of concentrated grape juice in the proportion of 30% (w/w) (ENR) was studied for its antioxidant potential and rheological behavior. Total phenolics content, 1,1‐diphenyl‐2‐picrylhydrazyl radical (DPPH•) scavenging activity and β‐carotene–linoleic acid coupled oxidation assays were used to evaluate the antioxidant properties of the samples during storage for 90 days at room temperature (25°C).

RESULTS

The ENR showed a total phenolic content of 11.09 g GAE kg−1 of jam at production, more than two‐fold the phenolic content presented by the standard formulation (STA). For the ENR formulation the antioxidant capacity increased in almost 20% (P ≤ 0.05) with time on the β‐carotene assay and decreased with time on the DPPH assay. The enriched guava jam exhibited a non‐Newtonian shear‐thinning behavior at temperatures ranging from 25 to 55°C, and, moreover, presented higher stability than the standard formulation when exposed to temperature variation.

CONCLUSION

ENR constitutes an original food product with a notable antioxidant potential, even greater than the potential presented by the standard guava jam, worldwide appreciated delicacy. © 2013 Society of Chemical Industry