bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Employers' Collective Action
Authors: Offerlé Michel
Published: January 2013

Debates about employers' collective action have remained inconclusive. Historians, sociologists, and political scientists have established that neither competition between employers, nor the secretive nature of their business practices, nor their supposed individualism, prevent them from acting together or from establishing permanent organizations of various natures. The very rich literature dealing with interest groups (including organizations representing economic interests) demonstrates this fact very convincingly. For instance, Michel Pinçon and Monique Pinçon‐Charlot (2000) have shown that when it comes to its sociabilities and its reproduction, the Frenchbourgeoisiebehaves like a “collectivist” class.
Formal Models and Computer Simulations
Authors: Oliver Pamela
Published: January 2013

A formal model is a mathematical representation of some single process, in this case a process that is believed to be common and important in at least some social movements. Closely related are computer simulation models that link multiple mathematical expressions to represent different actors or types of actors in a system. This type of modeling is different from empirical statistical modeling, in which there is a data set of cases and variables, and regression techniques are used to estimate the coefficients for predicting dependent variables from independent variables. Instead, the “data” are all internal to the model itself. However, the results of empirical studies may be used to inform the nature of the mathematical relations or the numerical parameters in the model. An important sub‐type of computer simulation models is agent‐based simulations in which each actor's behavior is a function of a set of mathematical relations, the expressions determining one actor's behavior are in part a function of other actors' behavior, and the computer program generates the interactions among these actors over time. Some formal or computer models express determinate relations in which the same inputs will always produce the same results. Many models contain probabilistic elements, in which the mathematical expressions increase or decrease the probability that a given action will be taken; probabilistic models yield different results each time they are run, and analysis of them focuses on the distribution of possible outcomes for a given set of inputs.
Hooliganism
Authors: Vliegenthart Rens
Published: January 2013

The study of hooliganism—violence committed by sport fans—has been an isolated area of academic inquiry (Spaaij & Anderson 2010), despite the fact that scholars with varying backgrounds have studied the phenomena. Sociological (Dunning 2000), anthropological (Marsh 1978), and psychological (Armstrong 1998) explanations for the occurrence of hooliganism have been given. These explanations too often emphasize the irrational character of the violent behavior: hooligans are considered to be outrageous, emotional, and involved in a highly ritualized act. In many respects, these assumptions about violent fans resemble the psychological and “convergence” explanations made about participants in protests and riots in the 1960s. However, while social movement scholars have since considered alternative explanations for participation in protests, and even riots, such as shared mobilizing grievances, students of hooliganism have until recently not considered fan violence as inspired by such motivations. This is unfortunate, since oftentimes hooliganism could well be driven by grievances and the urge to express them.
Moral Economy Theory and Peasant Movements in
L
atin
A
merica
Authors: Trevizo Dolores
Published: January 2013

Eric Wolf (1969), Joel S. Migdal (1974), and James C. Scott (1976) offered compatible explanations about agrarian revolts and revolutions in the developing world that continue to resonate for Latin America. Before presenting their “moral economy” theory, along with important criticisms of that work, I first define some terms. This is followed by an application of moral economy arguments to exemplary cases of recent peasant and indigenous‐peasant movements in Latin America.
Plowshares Movement
Authors: Nepstad Sharon Erickson
Published: January 2013

The Plowshares movement began in September 1980 when eight religious activists entered a General Electric (GE) plant outside Philadelphia, armed with hammers and bottles of blood. Inside the plant, they located the nuclear weapons that General Electric was developing. They hammered upon the weapons, poured blood, kneeled in prayer, and waited for security officers. When they were taken into custody, they released a press statement declaring “We commit civil disobedience at General Electric because this genocidal entity is the fifth leading producer of weaponry in the U.S.…In confronting GE, we choose to obey God's law of life, rather than a corporate summons to death. Our beating of swords into plowshares is a way to enflesh this biblical call” (Berrigan 1987: 55, 65).
Postcommunism and Social Movements
Authors: Císar̂ Ondr̂ej
Published: January 2013

Social movements in the postcommunist world are generally believed to be underdeveloped and weak. Given that various social movements and their organizations form a standard group of collective political actors in the established democracies nowadays, one might even wonder whether the extant regimes in postcommunist East Central Europe can at all claim to be real democracies. In terms of political mobilization, they seem to be miles away from the Western social movement societies, defined by the presence of capable, institutionalized, and professionalized activist organizations (Meyer & Tarrow 1998). Going beyond the East/West dichotomy, this entry presents a more complex picture of postcommunist social movement activism.
Religion and social movements
Authors: Burns Gene , Kniss Fred
Published: January 2013

This entry summarizes some of the central foci in the literature on religion's role in social movements. These include the study of social movements that found new religions; social movements within existing religious organizations (here organizations are broadly defined to include organized religious traditions); and the state context of religious movements, focusing especially on religion–state relationships. (The more common term is “church–state” relationships, but “religion–state” avoids using a specifically Christian term for a concept that applies to multiple religious traditions.) The entry concludes with a discussion of some of the theoretical questions that emerge from an overview of these different issues.
Rumor in Collective Behavior and Social Movements
Authors: Alan Fine Gary
Published: January 2013

At the heart of collective action is the desire for secure information. When people gather together, definitive knowledge is often in short supply and the desire is great. Uncertainty produces fear and as a consequence there is an insistent desire to know, placing oneself and one's community on a firmer footing. Whereas formal institutional actors (states, economic institutions, agencies of social control) generate forms of official knowledge, communities without legitimated information gathering processes depend on uncertain knowledge (or what has been termed “truth claims”). Access to secure information reflects the political structure, and, within movements and collective behavior, rumor plays a vital role.
Social Movements and the State in
S
ingapore
Authors: Clammer John
Published: January 2013

The tiny city‐state of Singapore, occupying an island of just 274 square miles at the southern tip of the Malay peninsula and with the Riau Islands of Indonesia clearly visible to the south on a clear day, is something of an anomaly in Southeast Asia. From its foundation as a colonial outpost of the British East India Company, a date usually traced to the arrival of Sir Stamford Raffles in 1819, and its subsequent incorporation into the British Empire as a Crown Colony it rapidly flourished as a major port city for trade in the region, as a transit point for migrant labor from China and India coming to work in the plantations, mines, and commercial establishments of British Malaya, and as an administrative and military center for British rule in the peninsula (Chew & Lee 1991). This particular history has deeply marked its current culture and ethnic makeup: still a city very much oriented to trade and acting as a communications hub for Southeast Asia, it is also highly diverse in its ethnic composition, with a large Chinese majority (approximately 75% of the population), a substantial Malay community, a significant Indian one (about 8% of the population) and a large number of smaller minorities of Indonesian, Filipino, Arab, European, Sri Lankan, and other South Asian origins together with substantial but transitory populations of Japanese, Korean, Taiwanese, European, Australian, and North American business people, diplomats, students, and tourists. As the colonial era drew to a close, Singapore became first a self‐governing colony, then joined the new state of Malaysia in 1963 and in 1965 as a result of ethnic and political tensions, left Malaysia to become the new independent state of the Republic of Singapore.
Foam‐Like Behavior in Compliant, Continuously Reinforced Nanocomposites
Authors: Carey Brent J. , Patra Prabir K. , Hahm Myung Gwan , Ajayan Pulickel M.
Published: January 2013

In the pursuit of advanced polymer composites, nanoscale fillers have long been championed as promising candidates for structural reinforcement. Despite progress, questions remain as to how these diminutive fillers influence the distribution of stresses within the matrix and, in turn, influence bulk mechanical properties. The dynamic mechanical behavior of elastomer‐impregnated forests of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) has revealed distinct orientation‐dependent behavior that sheds light on these complicated interactions. When compressed along the axis of the fillers, the composite will mimic open‐cell foams and exhibit strain softening for increasing amplitudes due to the collective Euler buckling of the slender nanotubes. In contrast, the same material will behave similarly to the neat polymer when compressed orthogonal to the alignment direction of the nanotubes. However, in this orientation the material is incapable of achieving the same ultimate compressive strain due to the role that the embedded nanotubes play in augmenting the effective cross‐link density of the polymer network. Both of these responses are recoverable, robust, and show little dependency on the diameter and wall‐number of the included CNTs. Such observations give insight into the mechanics of polymer/nanoparticle interactions in nanocomposite structures under strain, and the thoughtful control of such coordinated buckling behavior opens the possibility for the development of foam‐like materials with large Poisson ratios.
Fast Olefin Metathesis: Synthesis of 2‐Aryloxy‐Substituted Hoveyda‐Type Complexes and Application in Ring‐Closing Metathesis
Authors: Kos Pavlo , Savka Roman , Plenio Herbert
Published: January 2013

Four 1‐(4‐R‐phenoxy)‐2‐ethenylbenzenes (R=NMe2, H, Cl, NO2) 4a, 4b, 4c and 4d were reacted with the ruthenium complexes [RuCl2(NHC)(3‐phenylindenylidene)(py)] in the presence of a protic resin to result in the formation of the respective Hoveyda‐type complexes 5a–d {NHC=SIMes [1,3‐bis(2,4,6‐trimethylphenylimidazolin)‐2‐ylidene]} and 6a–d {NHC=SIPr [1,3‐bis(2,6‐diisopropylphenylimidazolin)‐2‐ylidene]} in 66–84% yield. The lower steric bulk and the decreased donation of the diaryl ether oxygen atoms in complexes 5 and 6 led to rapidly initiating precatalysts. The Ru(II/III) redox potentials of complexes 6 were determined (6a–d: ΔE=0.89–1.08 V). In the crystal structure of 5b two independent molecules were observed in the unit cell, displaying RuO distances of 226.6(4) and 230.5(3) pm. The catalytic performance of complexes 5 and 6 in various ring‐closing metathesis (RCM) reactions was studied. Catalyst loadings of between 15–200 ppm are sufficient for the formation of >90% yield of the respective cyclic products. Complex 6b catalyzes the formation of N‐protected 2,5‐dihydropyrroles with up to TON 64,000 and TOF 256,000 h−1, of the N‐protected 1,2,3,6‐ tetrahydropyridines with up to TON 18,200 and TOF 73,000 h−1 and of the N‐protected 2,3,6,7‐tetrahydroazepines with up to TON 8,100 and TOF 32,000 h−1 with yields ranging between 77 and 96%.
Neurofibromatosis type 2 in the elderly population: Clinical and molecular features
Authors: Goutagny Stéphane , Bah Alpha B. , Parfait Béatrice , Sterkers Olivier , Kalamarides Michel
Published: January 2013

Neurofibromatosis type 2 (NF2) is rare genetic disorder characterized by the development of multiple benign tumors of the nervous system. The majority of people with NF2 are diagnosed in the second or third decade of life with bilateral vestibular schwannomas. Among NF2 patients followed up in our NF2 clinic, seven patients have been diagnosed with NF2 after the age of 70 years. Bilateral vestibular schwannomas were present in 4/7 patients. No NF2 mutation was identified by blood screening, suggesting a high prevalence of NF2 somatic mosaicism. During a mean follow‐up of 96 months, 8/11 vestibular schwannomas demonstrated no tumor growth, and only one patient required treatment. Other tumors, including meningiomas and other schwannomas, remained stable. One patient required shunting for secondary normal‐pressure hydrocephalus. Thus, NF2 can occasionally be diagnosed in people aged 70 and older, and is characterized by a high prevalence of atypical forms and a low growth potential of tumors, arguing in favor of a wait‐and‐scan policy as initial management. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Synthesis and characterization of hydroxypropyl terminated polydimethylsiloxane‐polyurethane copolymers
Authors: Bai Hao‐Chen , Tao Lin , Pang Yuan‐Jin , Zhou Yuan‐Jian , Chen Jun
Published: January 2013

Polyurethane (PU) block copolymers were synthesized using prepared hydroxypropyl terminated polydimethylsiloxane (HTPDMS MW 990) and polyether diols (N‐210) as soft segment with 4,4′‐diphenylmethane diisocyanate (MDI) and 1,4‐butanediol. This low molecular weight polydimethylsiloxanes (PDMS) containing hydroxypropyl end‐groups displayed better compatibility with PU than common PDMS. In this article, we illustrate its synthesis routes and confirmed the proposed molecular structures using NMR and infrared radiation (IR). We varied the contents of HTPDMS and N‐210 in soft segments (HTPDMS—N‐210: 0 : 100, 20 : 80, 40 : 60, 60 : 40, 80 : 20, and 100 : 0) to synthesize a series of PDMS‐PU copolymer. IR spectroscopy showed the assignment characteristic groups of each peak in copolymers and confirmed that the desired HTPDMS‐PU copolymers have been prepared. The different thermal, dynamic mechanical and surface properties of the copolymers were compared by thermogravimetry, DMA, contact angle and solvent resistance. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci., 2013
Study on the synthesis of a macroporous ethylacrylate‐divinylbenzene copolymer, its conversion into a bi‐functional cation exchange resin and applications for extraction of toxic heavy metals from wastewater
Authors: Ali Syed Wasim , Waqar Farhat , Malik Muhammad Arif , Yasin Tariq , Muhammad Bashir
Published: January 2013

Macroporus ethylacrylate‐divinylbenzene copolymers were synthesized by suspension polymerization using diethyl phthalate and n‐heptane as diluent. A hydrolysis study revealed that conversion of esters into carboxylic acid groups was dependent on three factors: (1) crosslinkage: increases with a decrease in crosslinkage, (2) reagent: sulfuric acid>aqueous NaOH>NaOH in a 1 : 1 water to ethylene glycol, and (3) pore volume (PV): highest when PV was ∼ 0.7 mL g−1. Sulfuric acid hydrolyzed ester to COOH and introduced SO3H on phenyl rings, thus producing a bi‐functional resin. The functional groups were verified by IR spectroscopy and quantified by acid–base titration. The bi‐functional resin's capacity for toxic heavy metals in water samples was 12.51, 10.43, 9.43, 13.21, and 11.12 mg g−1 for Cu, Cd, Ni, Pb, and Zn, respectively and the recoveries exceeded >95% in range of pH 2–8, showing that it is suitable for water purification. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci., 2013
Bayesian nonparametric centered random effects models with variable selection
Authors: Yang* Mingan
Published: January 2013

In a linear mixed effects model, it is common practice to assume that the random effects follow a parametric distribution such as a normal distribution with mean zero. However, in the case of variable selection, substantial violation of the normality assumption can potentially impact the subset selection and result in poor interpretation and even incorrect results. In nonparametric random effects models, the random effects generally have a nonzero mean, which causes an identifiability problem for the fixed effects that are paired with the random effects. In this article, we focus on a Bayesian method for variable selection. We characterize the subject‐specific random effects nonparametrically with a Dirichlet process and resolve the bias simultaneously. In particular, we propose flexible modeling of the conditional distribution of the random effects with changes across the predictor space. The approach is implemented using a stochastic search Gibbs sampler to identify subsets of fixed effects and random effects to be included in the model. Simulations are provided to evaluate and compare the performance of our approach to the existing ones. We then apply the new approach to a real data example, cross‐country and interlaboratory rodent uterotrophic bioassay.
Mechanistic investigation of ultrasonic enhancement of glycerol bioconversion by immobilized Clostridium pasteurianum on silica support
Authors: Khanna Swati , Goyal Arun , Moholkar Vijayanand S.
Published: January 2013

Glycerol, the principal byproduct of biodiesel production, can be a valuable carbon source for bioconversion into diverse class of compounds. This article attempts to investigate the mechanistic aspects of ultrasound mediated bioconversion of glycerol to ethanol and 1,3‐propanediol (1,3‐PDO) by immobilized Clostridium pasteurianum cells on silica support. Our approach is of coupling experimental results with simulations of cavitation bubble dynamics and enzyme kinetics. In addition, the statistical analysis (ANOVA) of experimental results was also done. The glycerol uptake by cells was not affected by either immobilization or with ultrasonication. Nonetheless, both immobilization and ultrasonication were found to enhance glycerol consumption. The enhancement effect of ultrasound on glycerol consumption was most marked (175%) at the highest glycerol concentration of 25 g/L (271.7 mM). The highest glycerol consumption (32.4 mM) was seen for 10 g/L (108.7 mM) initial glycerol concentration. The immobilization of cells shifted the metabolic pathway almost completely towards 1,3‐PDO. No formation of ethanol was seen with mechanical shaking, while traces of ethanol were detected with ultrasonication. On the basis of analysis of enzyme kinetics parameters, we attribute these results to increased substrate‐enzyme affinity and decreased substrate inhibition for 1,3‐PDO dehydrogenase in presence of ultrasound that resulted in preferential conversion of glycerol into 1,3‐PDO. Biotechnol. Bioeng. 2013; 110: 1637–1645. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Functional expression of oxidative phosphorylation proteins in the rod outer segment disc
Authors: Panfoli Isabella , Calzia Daniela , Bruschi Maurizio , Oneto Michele , Bianchini Paolo , Ravera Silvia , Petretto Andrea , Diaspro Alberto , Candiano Giovanni
Published: January 2013

The rod Outer Segment (OS) disc, an organelle devoid of mitochondria, is specialized in phototransduction, a process requiring a continual chemical energy supply. We have shown that OS discs express functional mitochondrial electron transport chains, FoF1‐ATP synthase and the tricarboxylic acid cycle enzymes, all mitochondrial features. Here, we focus on oxygen consumption and adenosine triphosphate (ATP) synthesis by OS discs analysing electron transport chain I‐III‐IV and II‐II‐IV pathways, supported by reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide and succinate, respectively. Interestingly, respiratory capacity of discs was measurable also in the presence of 3‐hydroxy‐butyrrate, a typical metabolic substrate for the brain. Data were supported by a two‐dimensional electrophoresis analyses conducted as our previous one, but focused to those mitochondrial proteins that are involved in oxidative phosphorylation. Carbonic anhydrase was also found active in OS discs. Moreover, colocalization of Rhodopsin with respiratory complex I and ATP synthase seems a further step in the characterization of some proteins typical of the mitochondrial inner membranes that are expressed in the rod discs. The existence of oxygen utilization in the outer retina, likely supplying ATP for phototransduction, may shed light on some retinal pathologies related to oxidative stress of the outer retina. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Assessment of the Relative Adequacy of Landfills as a Means of Solid Waste Disposal in Malaysia
Authors: Ismail Zubaidah , Abdullah Siti Zaleha , Othman Siti Zulaikha , Shirazi Sharif M. , Karim Ramlee
Published: January 2013

This study examined the relative adequacy of active landfills between states in Malaysia. The percentages of closed landfills were determined. The accessibility and loading of the landfills were examined. The characteristics of each landfill studied were noted. The study involved the compilation and analyses of data on groundwater, stream water and current land use surrounding landfills. Results of the study showed that the number of active landfills was not adequate to handle solid waste disposal. The potential of alternative approaches was examined and discussed.
Intra‐areal and corticocortical circuits arising in the dysgranular zone of rat primary somatosensory cortex that processes deep somatic input
Authors: Kim Uhnoh , Lee Taehee
Published: January 2013

Somesthesis‐guided exploration of the external world requires cortical processing of both cutaneous and proprioceptive information and their integration into motor commands to guide further haptic movement. In the past, attention has been given mostly to the cortical circuits processing cutaneous information for somatic motor integration. By comparison, little has been examined about how cortical circuits are organized for higher order proprioceptive processing. Using the rat cortex as a model, we characterized the intrinsic and corticocortical circuits arising in the major proprioceptive region of the primary somatosensory cortex (SI) that is conventionally referred to as the dysgranular zone (DSZ). We made small injections of biotinylated dextran amine (BDA) as an anterograde tracer in various parts of the DSZ, revealing three distinct principles of its cortical circuit organization. First, its intrinsic circuits extend mainly along the major axis of DSZ to organize multiple patches of interconnections. Second, the central and peripheral regions of DSZ produce differential patterns of intra‐areal and corticocortical circuits. Third, the projection fields of DSZ encompass only selective regions of the second somatic (SII), posterior parietal (PPC), and primary motor (MI) cortices. These projection fields are at least partially separated from those of SI cutaneous areas. We hypothesize, based on these observations, that the cortical circuits of DSZ facilitate a modular integration of proprioceptive information along its major axis and disseminate this information to only selective parts of higher order somatic and MI cortices in parallel with cutaneous information. J. Comp. Neurol. 521:2585–2601, 2013. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Differential changes in the cellular composition of the developing marsupial brain
Authors: Seelke Adele M.H. , Dooley James C. , Krubitzer Leah A.
Published: January 2013

Throughout development both the body and the brain change at remarkable rates. Specifically, the number of cells in the brain undergoes dramatic nonlinear changes, first exponentially increasing in cell number and then decreasing in cell number. Different cell types, such as neurons and glia, undergo these changes at different stages of development. The current investigation used the isotropic fractionator method to examine the changes in cellular composition at multiple developmental milestones in the short‐tailed opossum, Monodelphis domestica. Here we report several novel findings concerning marsupial brain development and organization. First, during the later stages of neurogenesis (P18), neurons make up most of the cells in the neocortex, although the total number of neurons remains the same throughout the life span. In contrast, in the subcortical regions, the number of neurons decreases dramatically after P18, and a converse relationship is observed for nonneuronal cells. In the cerebellum, the total number of cells gradually increases until P180 and then remains constant, and then the number of neurons is consistent across the developmental ages examined. For the three major structures examined, neuronal density and the percentage of neurons within a structure are highest during neurogenesis and then decrease after this point. Finally, the total number of neurons in the opossum brain is relatively low compared with other small‐brained mammals such as mice. The relatively low number of neurons and correspondingly high number of nonneurons suggests that in the marsupial brain nonneurons may play a significant role in signal processing. J. Comp. Neurol. 521:2602–2620, 2013. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Effect of choroidal blood perfusion and natural convection in vitreous humor during transpupillary thermotherapy (TTT)
Authors: Narasimhan Arunn , Sundarraj C.
Published: January 2013

During retinal surgical treatment often the gel‐like vitreous humor is replaced by aqueous substitutes. A two‐dimensional computational model is developed for simulating transpupillary thermotherapy (TTT) process in a human eye under post‐retinal treatment. The model accounts for natural convection in vitreous humor and the choroidal blood perfusion. Time dependent and steady state forms of Pennes bio heat transfer and the natural convection governing energy equations are solved using finite volume formulation. The results for steady state and at the end of 60 s of the laser irradiated TTT process show that flow in vitreous humor is significant. The velocity contours indicate strong natural convection on the upper half of the vitreous chamber. Compared with the stationary vitreous case, the peak temperature in retina during TTT, drops by 15 K and 12.5 K due to natural convection flow in the vitreous humor under steady and transient states, respectively. The choroidal blood perfusion also reduces the peak retinal temperature by 6 K and 1.5 K in steady state and transient cases, respectively. The vitreous humor convection enhances heat transfer in the regions adjacent to the laser spot. The temperature rise and the associated thermal damage in the neighboring regions resulting from the flow of vitreous humor is presented. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
STUB1 is essential for T‐cell activation by ubiquitinating CARMA1
Authors: Wang Shuai , Li Yi , Hu Yun‐Hong , Song Ren , Gao Yan , Liu Hai‐Yun , Shu Hong‐Bing , Liu Yu
Published: January 2013

Ag receptor engagement triggers lymphocyte activation and proliferation by activating several transcription factors including NF‐κB. Caspase recruitment domain (CARD) containing membrane‐associated guanylate kinase (MAGUK) protein 1 (CARMA1) is an essential adaptor protein that links Ag receptors to NF‐κB activation. Here, we identify stress‐induced‐phosphoprotein 1 homology and U‐box containing protein 1 (STUB1) as a CARMA1‐associated protein. STUB1 constitutively interacted with CARMA1, and the interaction was intensified by TCR stimulation. Downregulation of STUB1 expression by RNAi markedly diminished TCR‐induced canonical NF‐κB activation and IL‐2 production. Furthermore, overexpression of STUB1 enhanced the ubiquitination of CARMA1, whereas knockdown of STUB1 abolished the endogenous ubiquitination of CARMA1 induced by TCR stimulation. Subsequently, the ubiquitination of CARMA1 catalyzed by STUB1 was identified as Lys‐27 linked, which is important for CARMA1‐mediated NF‐κB activation. These data provide the first evidence that ubiquitination of CARMA1 by STUB1 promotes TCR‐induced NF‐κB signaling.
Advantages and limitations of mouse models to deplete dendritic cells
Authors: van Blijswijk Janneke , Schraml Barbara U. , Sousa Caetano Reis e
Published: January 2013

Dendritic cells (DCs) play a key role in regulating innate and adaptive immunity. Our understanding of DC biology has benefited from studies in CD11c.DTR and CD11c.DOG mouse models that use the CD11c promoter to express a diphtheria toxin (DT) receptor transgene to inducibly deplete CD11c+ cells. Other models to inducibly deplete specific DC subsets upon administration of DT have also been generated. However, most models suffer from limitations such as depletion of additional cell types or the requirement to be used as radiation chimeras. Moreover, CD11c.DTR and CD11c.DOG mice have recently been reported to display neutrophilia and monocytosis upon DT injection. We discuss here some of the limitations that should be taken into consideration when interpreting results obtained with mouse models of DC ablation.
Organoruthenium‐Supported Polyoxotungstate – Synthesis, Structure and Oxidation of n‐Hexadecane with Air
Authors: Meng Rui‐Qi , Wang Bin , Sui Hui‐Min , Li Bao , Song Wei , Wu Li‐Xin , Zhao Bing , Bi Li‐Hua
Published: January 2013

A ruthenium complex, KNa[Ru2(C6H6)2(CH3COO)6] (Ru‐KNa), and its polyoxotungstate derivative, Na6[{Ru(C6H6)}2W8O28(OH)2]·16H2O (Ru‐Na), have been successfully isolated from routine synthetic reactions and characterized by X‐ray single‐crystal structure analysis, IR spectroscopy and elemental analysis. A remarkable aspect of Ru‐KNa is that it has two ligand types, benzene and acetate, and the acetate ligands are connected exclusively by a central Na cation to form a dimeric sandwich‐type structure, which is further connected by K cations to construct the 3D structures. Based on complex Ru‐KNa, the compound Ru‐Na was synthesized, and it consists of two {Ru(C6H6)} units linked to a [W8O28(OH)2]10– fragment by three Ru–O(W) bonds to result in an assembly with idealized C2 symmetry in which the polyanions form 3D structures by the connection of Na chains. Subsequently, the compound Ru‐Na was anchored on (3‐aminopropyl)triethoxysilane (apts) modified SBA‐15 to prepare the solid catalysts, which were characterized by powder XRD, N2 adsorption measurements and FTIR spectroscopy. Finally, the catalytic efficiency of Ru‐Na was assessed in the oxidation of n‐hexadecane with air without any additives and solvents. The results indicated that Ru‐Na is a heterogeneous catalyst and exhibits higher catalytic activity than previously reported Ru‐containing polyoxotungstates.
Fourier transform mid‐infrared spectroscopy evaluation of early stages of virgin olive oil autoxidation
Authors: Nenadis Nikolaos , Tsikouras Ioannis , Xenikakis Polidoros , Tsimidou Maria Z.
Published: January 2013

The applicability of FT‐MIR/ATR spectroscopy (4000–400 cm−1) for the evaluation of early stages of autoxidation was examined for extra virgin olive oil samples (EVOO), which even after 12‐month storage (dark, 23 ± 3°C) satisfied official limits for acidity, peroxide, K232 and K270 values. Changes in intensity values at 3470 cm−1 (hydroperoxide formation) and in values of various intensity ratios, namely A3006/2924, A3006/2853, A3006/1746, A3006/1465, A3006/1163, A1118/1097, A2853/1746, A2853/1417, A2853/1163, A2853/1118, A2853/1097, and A2853/723 (relevant to the degree of oil unsaturation) did not offer more information than the physicochemical criteria when examined one by one. Principal component – discriminant analysis of intensity values at 2924, 2853, 1746, 1465, 1163, 1118, 1097, and 723 cm−1 led to a 100, 91, and 54.5% correct classification for the 12, 6, and 0 months stored ones, respectively. Improvement in correct classification of the latter (73–91%) was obtained when the second derivatives of various spectral ranges were treated by the same statistical approach. Frequencies assigned to stretching and/or bending of CO and CH2 groups (1020–1260 cm−1) produced the best discrimination among samples. Findings are discussed with reference to literature reports about FT‐MIR applicability under various oxidation conditions of virgin olive oil (VOO). A systematic inter‐laboratory study is suggested in order FT‐MIR/ATR to be used as a robust tool in VOO quality control.

Practical applications: There is an increasing awareness among consumers and olive oil producers and distributors about virgin olive oil freshness and discussions are on the way for updating of the relevant EU regulations on its quality characteristics. Modernization of methods of analysis and introduction of additional criteria can be achieved by the employment of powerful techniques that can provide solid, multiple type of information with little sample manipulation. FT‐MIR/ATR requires no sample preparation, the spectra are related to all chemical components of the lipid matrix and are recorded over a broad region (4000–400 cm−1) in few minutes. Chemometric analysis of the numerous peaks extracts all of the valuable information that can enhance claims or disputes about the oxidative status of a virgin olive oil (e.g., freshness or loss of freshness). Moreover, FT‐MIR apparatus has multiple uses in the oil industry (authenticity, origin) so that an investment on such a green technique is advisable.
Synthetic Studies on the Nhatrangins: Stereoselective Access to an Advanced Aldehyde Intermediate
Authors: Raffier Ludovic , Piva Olivier
Published: January 2013

Two different strategies have been considered to achieve the first total synthesis of nhatrangins A and B. The first approach based on a cross metathesis (CM) reaction was unsuccessful. The second, which combined a highly stereoselective alkylation, a diastereoselective aldolization, and finally an esterification, furnished an advanced aldehyde intermediate bearing the three contiguous stereogenic centres and the expected side‐chain.
Organocatalytic syn‐Aldol Reactions of Hydroxy Ketones with (S)‐Isoserinal: Asymmetric Synthesis of 6‐Deoxy‐1,5‐iminohexitols and Related Compounds
Authors: Nicolas Cyril , Pluta Roman , Pasternak‐Suder Monika , Martin Olivier R. , Mlynarski Jacek
Published: January 2013

An improved and convenient preparation of protected (S)‐isoserinal on a large scale is reported. This key intermediate was reacted through organocatalyzed aldol reaction or Wittig based chain extension and functionalization to give enantiopure 1,5,6‐trideoxy‐1,5‐imino‐hexitols such as 10a (L‐manno) and 10b (D‐gluco). These two compounds are of interest as glycosidase inhibitors. The elaborated organocatalytic process includes diastereoselective syn aldol reaction of (S)‐isoserinal hydrate and hydroxyacetone or 1‐hydroxy‐2‐octanone and is promoted by various amino acid‐based catalysts. Diastereoselectivities of up to 8:1 were achieved, thus establishing a new, efficient synthetic route to these important carbohydrate mimics.
Biomolecules Immobilization Using the Aryl Diazonium Electrografting
Authors: Abdellaoui S. , Corgier B. C. , Mandon C. A. , Doumèche B. , Marquette C. A. , Blum L. J
Published: January 2013

The electrografting of aryl‐diazonium was proven to be an efficient way to immobilize antibodies, oligonucleotides and enzymes onto conductive supports. Biomolecules chemically functionalized with aniline derivates or diazotated derivates could be used to build complex architectures acting as sensing layers for biosensors, biochips or others bioelectronic devices. Additionally, the use of SPR offers new opportunities to characterize the grafted surfaces as well as to develop label‐free assays. Here, we give an overview of our group achievements in the field during the last 7 years. We highlight the applications of these functionalized surfaces in multiparametric sandwich assays, in the label free detection and imaging of macromolecular interactions by SPRi and in the immobilization of dehydrogenase via its cofactor.
Using the Solid Digestate from a Wet Anaerobic Digestion Process as an Energy Resource
Authors: Li Hailong , Lindmark Johan , Nordlander Eva , Thorin Eva , Dahlquist Erik , Zhao Li
Published: January 2013

The wet anaerobic digestion process is a widely used method to produce biogas from biomass. To avoid the risks involved with using the digestion waste as a fertilizer, this work investigates the possibilities to use the solid digestate as an energy resource to produce heat and electricity, which could save some energy currently consumed by the plant and, therefore, may increase the overall efficiency of a biogas plant. Simulations were conducted based on real data from the Växtkraft biogas plant in Västerås, Sweden as a case study. Results show that it is necessary to dry the solid digestate before combustion and include flue‐gas condensation to recover enough heat for the drying process. When a steam turbine cycle is integrated, the generated electricity could cover 13–18 % of the total electricity consumption of the plant, depending on the degree of dryness. In addition, reducing the digestion period can increase the carbon content (ultimate analysis), the heating value, and the mass flow of the solid digestate. As a result, the production of electricity and heat is augmented in the steam turbine cycle. However, the production of biogas is reduced. Therefore, a comprehensive economic evaluation is suggested to optimize a biogas plant that uses the solid digestate from a wet anaerobic digestion process as an energy resource.
An unstructured finite‐volume method for coupled models of suspended sediment and bed load transport in shallow‐water flows
Authors: Benkhaldoun Fayssal , Elmahi Imad , Sari Saida , Seaid Mohammed
Published: January 2013

The aim of this work is to develop a well‐balanced finite‐volume method for the accurate numerical solution of the equations governing suspended sediment and bed load transport in two‐dimensional shallow‐water flows. The modelling system consists of three coupled model components: (i) the shallow‐water equations for the hydrodynamical model; (ii) a transport equation for the dispersion of suspended sediments; and (iii) an Exner equation for the morphodynamics. These coupled models form a hyperbolic system of conservation laws with source terms. The proposed finite‐volume method consists of a predictor stage for the discretization of gradient terms and a corrector stage for the treatment of source terms. The gradient fluxes are discretized using a modified Roe's scheme using the sign of the Jacobian matrix in the coupled system. A well‐balanced discretization is used for the treatment of source terms. In this paper, we also employ an adaptive procedure in the finite‐volume method by monitoring the concentration of suspended sediments in the computational domain during its transport process. The method uses unstructured meshes and incorporates upwinded numerical fluxes and slope limiters to provide sharp resolution of steep sediment concentrations and bed load gradients that may form in the approximate solutions. Details are given on the implementation of the method, and numerical results are presented for two idealized test cases, which demonstrate the accuracy and robustness of the method and its applicability in predicting dam‐break flows over erodible sediment beds. The method is also applied to a sediment transport problem in the Nador lagoon.Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Infiltrated SrTiO3:FeCr‐based Anodes for Metal‐Supported SOFC
Authors: Blennow P. , Sudireddy B. R. , Persson Å. H. , Klemensø T. , Nielsen J. , Thydén K.
Published: January 2013

The concept of using electronically conducting anode backbones with subsequent infiltration of electrocatalytic active materials has been used to develop an alternative solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) design based on a ferritic stainless steel support. The anode backbone consists of a composite made of Nb‐doped SrTiO3 (STN) and FeCr stainless steel. A number of different experimental routes and analysis techniques have been used to evaluate the microstructural and chemical changes occurring in the composite anode layer during electrochemical testing at intermediate temperatures (650 °C). STN and FeCr stainless steel was found to be compatible on the macro‐scale level, however, some micro‐scale chemical interaction was observed. The composite anode backbone showed a promising corrosion resistance, with a decrease in formation of Cr2O3 on the FeCr particles, when exposed to SOFC operating conditions. The electronic conductivity of the infiltrated anode backbone furthermore showed good redox stability properties. Electrochemical testing of metal‐supported cells having the STN:FeCr composite anode backbone infiltrated with electrocatalysts showed comparable performance and promising durability properties compared with other metal‐supported cell designs presented in the literature. This work illustrates the potential advantages and challenges when incorporating SrTiO3‐based materials into metal‐supported cells based on ferritic stainless steel.
Hairy cell leukemia has a B‐cell genotype
Authors: Meyers Frederick J. , Cardiff Robert D. , Taylor Clive R. , Zuniga Martha , Radich Jerry
Published: January 2013

The phenotype and, by inference, the cell of origin of some lymphocytic neoplasms has been defined by surface marker studies; however, the precise cellular origin of other neoplasms of the lymphoid system is still unknown. For example, with reference to hairy cell leukemia (HCL), cell marker data has been used in support of a monocytic, a T cell, or a B cell origin. If hairy cell leukemia is a B cell‐derived neoplasm, the controversy may be resolved by genotyping the cells, using the rearrangement of immunoglobulin genes as a marker of the B cell nature of the process. Rearrangement of these genes is detected using the Southern blot technique and cloned probes specific for the JH segment of the immunoglobulin genes.

In this study, the arrangement of the immunoglobulin genes was analysed in normal tissue, in two accepted B cell lymphomas and in nine cases of hairy cell leukemia. DNA from peripheral blood leukocytes (two patients) and from the spleen (seven patients) revealed a discrete new JH restriction fragment length in the leukocytes of hairy cell leukemia cases. The presence of rearranged restriction fragments is interpreted as evidence of the existence of clonal B cell populations. Three of six samples had rearranged kappa light chain fragments.

We conclude that most cases of hairy cell leukemia have a B cell genotype. The use of genotyping has wider application in the analysis of hematological malignancies.
Relationship between myeloblasts and cluster‐forming cells in acute non‐lymphocytic leukemia
Authors: Gustavsson Anita , Olofsson Tor , Olsson Inge
Published: January 2013

The relationship between myeloblast‐like cells and cluster‐forming cells detected by growth in agar has been studied in 22 untreated patients with acute non‐lymphocytic leukemia by means of comparing data for 3H‐TdR labelling of myeloblast‐like cells and 3H‐TdR suiciding of cluster‐forming cells. The fraction of myeloblast‐like cells in S‐phase was significantly smaller (13·1 ± 8·7 per cent) than the fraction of cluster‐forming cells in S‐phase (35·5 ± 15·3 per cent). In 2/22 patients approximately half of the myeloblast‐like cells in DNA‐synthesis were calculated to produce clusters in agar which may suggest similarity for cell cycle active myeloblast‐like cells and cluster‐forming cells. The other patients showed decreased plating efficiency for myeloblast‐like cells in S‐phase indicating non‐identity or modification of the growth pattern due to environmental factors and variations in death rate during culture. Sequential studies in three patients indicated a changing relationship between myeloblast‐like cells and cluster‐forming cells suggesting non‐identity or differences in growth regulation during the course of the disease.
Simian AIDS—Evidence for a retroviral etiology
Authors: Gardner Murray , Marx Preston , Maul Don , Osborn Kent , Henrickson Roy , Lerche Nick , Munn Bob , Bencken Betsy , Bryant Marty
Published: January 2013

This paper reviews the major features of a simian model of acquired immunodeficiency (‘SAIDS’), SAIDS occurs endemically in colonies of macaque monkeys in the United States and resembles AIDS in humans in overall clinical manifestations, pathology, and immune deficiency. An infectious type D retrovirus, related to but distinct from the Mason‐Pfizer monkey virus, has been identified as the primary cause of SAIDS. The relevance of these findings for human AIDS is discussed.
Non‐random chromosomal aberrations associated with multiple myeloma
Authors: Lewis Jerry P. , Mackenzie Malcolm R.
Published: January 2013

Myelomatous tissue from 30 patients was assessed for cytogenetic abnormalities and one‐third showed chromosomal deletions, additions, and/or rearrangements. Evidence is presented that those cases with only normal cytogenetics represent metaphase cells of nonmyelomatous tissue. The findings of our abnormal cases when added to the 18 reported in two series by others show unique cytogenetic patterns are present in this disease. From analysis of these 27 banded cases of myeloma, we conclude: (1) cytogenetic abnormalities of myeloma are not random; (2) clonal evolution may be associated with disease progression, however the abnormalities identified late in the disease are similar to those found in early myeloma; (3) cytogenetic aberrations of multiple myeloma differ considerably from those of chronic lymphocytic leukemia, non‐Hodgkin's lymphoma, and acute lymphocytic and nonlymphocytic leukemia; and (4) the myeloma karyotype often exhibits one or more of the following: rearrangements involving chromosome 1 and 14, trisomy 3, 5, 7, 9 and 11, and monosomy 8 and 13. These findings have great importance for molecular biologic studies of multiple myeloma.
A distinctive follicular hyperplasia in the acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) and the AIDS related complex
Authors: Meyer Paul R. , Yanagihara Eugene T. , Parker John W. , Lukes Robert J.
Published: January 2013

The histological features of a distinctive follicular hyperplasia observed in twenty‐nine male patients with AIDS or the AIDS related complex are described. The group includes four patients with Kaposi's sarcoma, five with lymphoma, 16 with persistent generalized lymphadenopathy, and four with hemophilia. Histopathology is correlated with lymphocyte phenotyping and clinical findings and a model for the pathogenesis of this unique syndrome is presented.