bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Inhibition of hepatitis B virus DNA replication by a thermostable interferon-γ variant
Authors: Brunelle Marie Noëlle , Saboulard Didier , Massinet Hélène , Lamant Céline , Soussan Patrick , Brezillon Nicolas , Kremsdorf Dina
Published: August 2010

Background

Treatment of HBV chronic carriers using interferon (IFN)-α or nucleoside/nucleotide analogues fails to suppress viral infection. Type-II IFN-γ has been shown to inhibit HBV replication. The goal of the present work was to evaluate the antiviral efficacy against HBV of a thermostable IFN-γ variant isolated using Massive Mutagenesis® and thermoresistant selection (THR™) technologies.

Methods

The thermostability of wild-type (wt) and S63C IFN-γ was determined in vitro and in vivo. Activation of the IFN-γ responsive element by wt and S63C IFN-γ was tested using a luciferase assay. HepG2.2.15 cells constitutively expressing HBV were used to analyse the antiviral activity of wt and S63C IFN-γ against HBV replication. Intracellular HBV DNA was detected by Southern blot and quantified by real-time PCR analyses.

Results

S63C IFN-γ was shown to be more thermostable and had a longer half-life than wt IFN-γ. Both wt and S63C IFN-γ displayed a similar capacity to activate the IFN pathway. The treatment of HepG2.2.15 cells with wt or S63C IFN-γ induced the inhibition of HBV viral replication. After heating, S63C IFN-γ displayed better conservation of its antiviral activity against HBV when compared with wt IFN-γ.

Conclusions

These results confirm that the THR™ method can be used to isolate mutants with enhanced thermostability and demonstrate that a thermostable IFN-γ variant presents antiviral properties against HBV replication. This molecule could provide a new strategy to treat patients who do not respond to antiviral therapy.
Occult HBV infection in untreated HIV-infected adults in Côte d'Ivoire
Authors: N'Dri-Yoman Thérèse , Anglaret Xavier , Messou Eugène , Attia Alain , Polneau Sandrine , Toni Thomas , Chenal Henri , Seyler Catherine , Gabillard Delphine , Wakasugi Naomi , Eholié Serge , Danel Christine
Published: August 2010

Background

In countries with high rates of chronic HBV, the World Health Organization recommends screening all HIV-infected adults for hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) before initiating antiretroviral therapy (ART), and starting HIV–HBV-coinfected patients on regimens containing lamivudine (3TC) or emtricitabine (FTC) plus tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF). Here, we estimated the prevalence of untreated HIV-infected adults with negative serum HBsAg and detectable plasma HBV DNA in Côte d'Ivoire.

Methods

This was a cross-sectional survey. We tested all untreated HIV type-1 (HIV-1)-infected adults with CD4+ T-cell counts <500 cells/mm3 for HBsAg, hepatitis B core antibodies (anti-HBc) and HBsAg antibodies (anti-HBs). We measured plasma HBV DNA in patients who tested positive for HBsAg and/or anti-HBc.

Results

We included 495 adults, of whom 73% were women. Median CD4+ T-cell count was 329 cells/mm3 and median HIV RNA was 4.9 log10 copies/ml. Overall, 63 (13%) patients had chronic hepatitis B (HBsAg-positive), 115 (23%) had never been exposed to HBV (HBsAg-negative, anti-HBc-negative and anti-HBs-negative), 108 (22%) had signs of cured infection (anti-HBc-positive and anti-HBs-positive) and 209 (42%) had isolated anti-HBc (HBsAg-negative, anti-HBc-positive and anti-HBs-negative). Of these, 51 (10%) had detectable HBV DNA. Median HBV DNA level was 5.2 log10 copies/ ml (interquartile range [IQR] 3.2–8.8) for patients with chronic hepatitis and 2.2 log10 copies/ml (IQR 1.8–2.7) for those with occult HBV infection.

Conclusions

Among ART-naive HIV-1-infected African adults, 13% were HBsAg-positive and 42% had isolated anti-HBc, including 10% who had occult HBV. The clinical implications of high occult HBV prevalence are unknown. Future studies should assess the benefits of routine use of 3TC or FTC plus TDF as first-line ART in African settings, where HBV DNA tests are unavailable.
Care Gap in Patients with Early Inflammatory Arthritis with a High Fracture Risk Identified Using FRAX®
Authors: CHENG CARLY K. , McDONALD-BLUMER HEATHER , BOIRE GILLES , POPE JANET E. , HARAOUI BOULOS , HITCHON CAROL A. , THORNE CARTER , SUN YE , BYKERK VIVIAN P.
Published: August 2010

Objective.

To determine the proportion of patients with early inflammatory arthritis in a Canadian cohort who are at high risk for a major osteoporotic fracture using the Fracture Risk Assessment Tool (FRAX®), and to determine if a care gap exists in high-risk patients.

Methods.

FRAX was applied to 238 patients enrolled in the Canadian Early Arthritis Cohort (CATCH) study based on norms from the United States and the United Kingdom, without the use of bone mineral density measurements.

Results.

FRAX identified 5%–13% of patients at high risk for fracture, using a conservative analysis. Based on US norms, there was a significant correlation between increasing fracture risk groups and oral glucocorticoid use (p = 0.012) and baseline erosions (p = 0.040). Calcium or vitamin D use did not vary among the different fracture risk groups (p = NS), nor did bisphosphonate use (p = NS). The Disease Activity Score with 28 joint count in the high-risk group was significantly higher compared to the low-risk group (p = 0.048).

Conclusion.

Patients at increased risk had higher disease activity, more frequent glucocorticoid use, and more baseline erosions compared to patients at low risk. A care gap exists, in that a very low proportion of patients at high risk are being treated with calcium, vitamin D, and/or bisphosphonates. A higher fracture risk was calculated in our cohort using the US FRAX calculation tool compared to the UK calculation tool. These data highlight the need to identify and modify fracture risk in patients with early inflammatory arthritis.
Factors Associated with a Longer Time to Access Pediatric Rheumatologists in Canadian Children with Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis
Authors: SHIFF NATALIE J. , TUCKER LORI B. , GUZMAN JAIME , OEN KIEM , YEUNG RAE S.M. , DUFFY CIARÁN M.
Published: August 2010

Objective.

The Research on Arthritis in Canadian Children Emphasizing Outcomes (ReACCh Out) cohort is a prospective inception cohort of patients with newly diagnosed juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) seen in 16 Canadian pediatric rheumatology (PR) centers. We used data from this cohort to explore factors associated with longer time from symptom onset to the first visit to (PR), and with longer time from first visit to a diagnosis of JIA.

Methods.

We included children enrolled in ReACCh Out within 6 months of JIA diagnosis, for whom the dates of symptom onset and first PR visit were recorded. We used Cox proportional hazard modeling to investigate the effects of history, physical examination, and laboratory evaluation on the interval from JIA symptom onset to first PR assessment.

Results.

In total, 319 children from the cohort were included. Having a fever (hazard ratio 1.80, 95% CI 1.10, 2.93), any part South Asian ethnicity (HR 1.75, 95% CI 1.04, 2.95), highly educated parents (HR 1.69, 95% CI 1.18, 2.44), and limp (HR 1.55, 95% 1.16, 2.06) were significantly associated with shorter time from symptom onset to first PR assessment, while a history of heel pain or enthesitis (HR 0.61, 95% 0.38, 0.97) was significantly associated with a longer time to first PR visit.

Conclusion.

Children with a history of a fever, limp, any part South Asian ethnicity, or highly educated parents were more likely to see PR sooner than patients without these features, while children with a history of enthesitis received PR care later than those without enthesitis.
Utility of Serum S100B Protein for Identification of Central Nervous System Involvement in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus
Authors: FRAGOSO-LOYO HILDA , CABIEDES JAVIER , ATISHA-FREGOSO YEMIL , LLORENTE LUIS , SÁNCHEZ-GUERRERO JORGE
Published: August 2010

Objective.

To evaluate utility of S100B protein in serum as a marker of central nervous system involvement in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).

Methods.

Forty patients with SLE, hospitalized because of central neuropsychiatric (cNP) manifestations (n = 36) and peripheral NP manifestations (pNP, n = 4) were studied. Patients were evaluated at hospitalization and 6 months later, including a serum and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) sample. As controls, 4 SLE patients with septic meningitis (SLEsm), 13 surgical SLE patients (SLE surgical), 14 patients with nonautoimmune diseases, and 4 patients with primary NP syndromes were included. Serum and CSF S100B protein levels were determined by ELISA.

Results.

At baseline, serum levels of S100B protein did not differ across SLE groups. Using an arbitrary cutoff value, positive S100B levels in serum were observed in 7 (19%), 6 (46%), and 1 patient from the cNPSLE, SLE surgical, and SLEsm groups, respectively. S100B protein levels in cNPSLE and SLE surgical patients were similar. In CSF, S100B protein levels did not differ among SLE groups, except in patients with SLEsm. Paired serum/CSF samples were obtained in 23 patients with cNPSLE at 6 months after the acute event. Overall, levels of S100B protein in serum did not change despite the decrease observed in CSF (p = 0.004). The correlation coefficient of serum and CSF S100B protein levels among all the SLE patients at baseline was poor (r = 0.23).

Conclusion.

Serum levels of S100B protein do not differentiate SLE patients with and those without central neurological manifestations.
Use of Highly Sensitive C-Reactive Protein for Followup of Wegener’s Granulomatosis
Authors: KÄLSCH ANNA-ISABELLE , CSERNOK ELENA , MÜNCH DOMINIK , BIRCK RAINER , YARD BENITO A. , GROSS WOLFGANG , KÄLSCH THORSTEN , SCHMITT WILHELM H.
Published: August 2010

Objective.

Since Wegener’s granulomatosis (WG) represents a relapsing disease, efforts have been made to reliably predict relapses using blood tests. Followup measures such as conventionally determined C-reactive protein (CRP), antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (C-ANCA) titer, and proteinase-3 (PR3) ELISA are applied. We evaluated whether during remission elevated highly sensitive CRP (hsCRP) precedes relapse as a marker of subclinical inflammation and thus might improve clinical assessment.

Methods.

We investigated 227 sera of 57 patients with WG: 74 sera collected from patients in remission who subsequently relapsed (before relapse), 30 sera collected during relapse, and 123 sera from patients in remission without relapse. We also distinguished between major and minor relapse. hsCRP, conventionally determined CRP (CRP), C-ANCA, PR3-ELISA, and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) were measured using commercial kits, and levels were correlated to clinical status.

Results.

Only hsCRP and ANCA titer, but not CRP levels, were higher in sera from patients who subsequently relapsed versus those who did not, indicating patients at risk. Levels of hsCRP, CRP, and ESR were higher in sera collected during relapse than in the sera before relapse. hsCRP, conventional CRP, and ESR were also higher in samples collected during major relapse than before major relapse. Looking at the levels just before relapse compared to previous levels during remission, none of these measures rose directly before the clinical manifestation of the relapse.

Conclusion.

Our study provides evidence for an additional value of hsCRP in the clinical assessment of patients with WG.
L'emploi des personnes incarcérées en prison : pénurie, fléxibilité et précariat.
Authors: Dufaux Florence
Published: August 2010

En considérant l’univers carcéral comme un microcosme reflétant, de manière exacerbée, les rapports de force présents au sein de la société, nous nous poserons la question des raisons de l’absence de législation relative au travail des détenus alors qu’il existe, en Belgique, une loi conférant droits et devoirs aux reclus depuis 2005 – loi qui, dans ses travaux préparatoires, prévoyait l’octroi d’une sécurité sociale pour les personnes incarcérées. Dans une approche foucaldienne, nous envisagerons le travail comme enjeu de pouvoir et tenterons, d’une part, d’éclairer ce qu’il apporte aux personnes incarcérées et à l’institution pénitentiaire et nous essaierons, d’autre part, de comprendre le sens de l’absence de législation en la matière et les analogies possibles entre travail intra-et extra-muros.
Clinique et management : une synergie en construction
Authors: Mirebeau Sylvie
Published: August 2010

Résumé Cliniciens et managers se sont longtemps ignorés tant la vision respective de leur rôle dans la production des soins était opposée. Pourtant, la fonction de manager mérite d’être réhabilitée car elle participe également à l’amélioration de la qualité des soins. Les nouvelles méthodes de management, basées sur la recherche de la performance, se sont complexifiées, grâce à l’émergence d’outils. Les nouvelles méthodes apportées par la gouvernance permettent aux cliniciens et managers de se retrouver dans la recherche d’amélioration de la qualité des soins et d’évaluation des performances. Ils doivent construire ensemble une nouvelle forme de gouvernance clinique pour garantir l’excellence et la pérennité du système de santé.
De la négociation conflictuelle à la négociation concertative : un « Point de Passage Transactionnel »
Authors: Beuret Jean-Eudes
Published: August 2010

Résumé Selon Christophe Dupont (2006), certains processus de négociation sont à dominante conflictuelle alors que d’autres sont à dominante concertative, en vertu d’une intention différente. Mais comment passer, au cours d’un même processus, d’une négociation conflictuelle à une négociation concertative ? Nous avons exploré le passage de l’une à l’autre grâce à l’analyse comparative de processus de négociation pour le partage de ressources naturelles ou la gestion de biens d’environnement soumis à des usages concurrents. Sur la base de trois exemples, en France, au Guatemala et au Canada, nous nous attachons à mettre en évidence l’existence de mécanismes similaires dans des contextes très différents : un préaccord apparaît comme un point de passage obligé qui permet de passer d’une situation d’affrontement à une situation de coopération en vue d’une construction commune. Chacun l’accepte car ce préaccord engage la partie adverse. L’analyse de la construction de ce préaccord et de son contenu nous conduit à le qualifier de point de passage transactionnel : il définit un univers de coopération et tend à irréversibiliser l’engagement de chacune des parties dans le processus, ainsi que son changement d’intention. Une lecture théorique de ces mécanismes est proposée, en mobilisant la sociologie de l’innovation : en résultent certaines déductions opérationnelles.
Morteros de albañilería con escombros de demolición
Authors: Álvarez Cabrera J. L. , Urrutia F. , Lecusay D. , Fernández A.
Published: August 2010

The possibility of recycling construction rubble, its technical and economic effectiveness, and the social and ecological impact they provide for our society is the reason and the starting point for an optimal exploitation of this aggregate in the manufacture of masonry mortar, since it has the same inherent properties as those obtained from the quarry aggregates, described in the Cuban standard NC52-79:93.
The work consists in the preparation and study of masonry mortars using recycled aggregates -demolition product-. Four volumetric dosages were prepared (1:4; 1:5; 1:6 y 1:8), which were submitted to physical and mechanical tests at 7, 28 and 60 days, adherence resistance at 28 days, and capillary absorption, obtaining similar results to those.
Interface study of fiber reinforced concrete
Authors: Pacios A. , Fernández Cánovas M.
Published: August 2010

In a composite material that uses fibers as reinforcement, the breakage of the matrix is produced jointly with the separation of the fiber from the matrix. The mechanical behavior of the interface describes how fibers can work stabilizing the cracking process. The interface is the medium that puts the fiber on load, being the mechanical behavior of the interface and the strength of the fiber two important parameters to consider to characterize the general behavior of the composite.
The present work studies the effect of several parameters on the behavior of the interface. Those parameters are the type of fiber, its geometry and dimension and the modified matrix and loading rate. An experimental technique was designed to allow testing the same set-up for pull-out tests in a quasistatic machine and Charpy pendulum.
Modifications of the matrix by adding a mineral admixture improve the behavior of the interface as much as a 100%. It has been observed that combining the two actions, an improved matrix with crimped fibers, the type of failure can be modified. In this new type of failure, the fiber breaks consequently toughness decreases. Other parameters, as the loading rate and inclination of the fiber also affect the behavior of the interface.
El corte de rocas ornamentales con discos diamantados: influencia de las características petrográficas de la roca
Authors: Rodríguez-Rey A. , Suárez del Río L. M. , Calleja L. , Ruiz de Argandoña V. G
Published: August 2010

This paper follows another one published in the preceding number of this same journal, that reviewed some scientific papers on the influence of the factors of the cutting equipments (machinery, cutting characteristics, disks, etc) on the efficiency of the cutting process of ornamental rocks with diamond disks. In this second part, the inner rock characteristics (mineralogy, texture and voids) affecting the cutting performance are considered. Some rock classifications based on their cuttability proposed by some authors and Institutions are also reviewed.
Preparación de la dosificación de un hormigón con humo de sílice, cuya RMC sea > 40 kp/cm2, a edades iniciales (5-10 horas)
Authors: Bollati M. R. , Talero R , Hernández Olivares F.
Published: August 2010

Silica fume (SF) or microsilica is related mainly with preparation of High Resistance Concrete. This has justified its use -together with portland cement (I-42'5/SR,MR) and an superfiuidifying additive- in the preparation of a concrete whose value for compressive mechanical resistance at early ages (only 5 to 10 hours) is higher than 40 kp/cm2, instead of preparing it with the portland cement plus a setting accelerator or "model" dosage.
The experimental techniques used to reach that objective have been: ultrasound energy and a press for breaking 30 x 15 mm specimens, and a maximum load of 2001. With the first technique, in only 25 days, 13 different dossages were prepared, which were compared to the "model" dosage, and two more that did not contain neither setting accelerator nor SF, this means that they had been prepared with the same portland cement, same fine and coarse aggregates and the same consistency, and that they would act as "reference" for all previous ones.
In such a way the dosage was found: E, in this case, that was the same as the "model" as for the amount of fine and coarse aggregates, but not as for the amount of the portland cement used which this time was 360 kg/m3 instead of 400kg/m3 SF content 40 kg/m3 and water 144 l/m3
Measurement of color in different construction materials. The restoration in sandstone buildings
Authors: García Pascua N. , Sánchez de Rojas M. I. , Frías M.
Published: August 2010

The use of construction materials and their subsequent repair purposes include a search of knowledge and preservation of their original appearance. For this reason, the main aim of this study is to determine a color range which does not change with the possible actions on a building, both when restoration works which imply the use and repair of "ancient" materials are carried out, and when construction is carried out with new materials.
It is necessary to obtain the quantification of this property in order to check its variation over the passage of time. Each construction material must be taken into account as an isolated problem, since the color is different in each case.
The UV-VIS spectrophotometry applied to color and stability study in colored mortars
Authors: Alejandre F. J.
Published: August 2010

In the field of methodologies for color studying, a research of it has been done on colored mortars by applying uv-vis spectrophotometry, instrumental technique which can be used for solid materials works, and previously applied to building materials study. Results obtained show that the mentioned technique permits to evaluate quantitatively and qualitatively colors in an easy and objective way, besides nowadays advantages of the instrumental analysis: digital color register, computerized data processing, and precision and exactness increment in chromatic comparisons.
Long-Term Effects of Large Woody Debris Addition on Stream Habitat and Brook Trout Populations
Authors: Sweka John A. , Hartman Kyle J. , Niles Jonathan M.
Published: August 2010

In this study, we resurveyed stream habitat and sampled brook trout Salvelinus fontinalis populations 6 y after large woody debris additions to determine long-term changes in habitat and brook trout populations. In a previous study, we added large woody debris to eight streams in the central Appalachians of West Virginia to determine whether stream habitat could be enhanced and brook trout populations increased following habitat manipulation. The large woody debris additions had no overall effect on stream habitat and brook trout populations by 6 y after the additions. The assumption that a lack of large woody debris is limiting stream habitat and brook trout populations was not supported by our results. In high-gradient streams, habitat complexity may be governed more by the abundance of boulders and large woody debris may have a lesser influence on trout populations.
Population Demographics and Dynamics of Colonizing Elk in a Desert Grassland–Scrubland
Authors: Bender Louis C. , Piasecke Jessica R.
Published: August 2010

Elk Cervus elaphus are rare in Southwestern desert grassland and desert-scrub habitats, and these habitats are anecdotally considered unsuitable for elk. We studied a colonizing herd in a Southwestern desert grassland–scrubland in northwestern New Mexico to determine the condition and population dynamics of elk in this habitat type. We radiotracked ≤ 24 adult (1.5 y and older) cows and ≤ 8 calves annually, 2003–2006; the sample of radiocollared cows in this study was very close to a census of the entire population for 2004–2006 based on repeated surveys and monitoring. Mean body fat of lactating cows in autumn was 10.6–13.2% in 2003–2004, indicating that lactating elk were acquiring high moderate–low good nutrition, but dropped to 5.6% in 2005 and 6.8% in 2006, indicating poor nutrition for these years of low precipitation. We found adult female survival of 0.94–1.00 and calf survival of 0.38–1.00. Calf survival was related to maternal size, maternal condition, and cumulative annual precipitation through parturition; all calf mortality occurred at or near parturition. Pregnancy rates averaged 0.33 for yearling cows and 0.86 for ≥ 2.5-y-olds, 2003–2006, and pregnancy was positively related to body mass for ≥ 2.5-y-old adults. Lactation rates of ≥ 2.5-y-olds averaged 0.59, 2003–2005, but dropped to 0.30 in 2006, due to poor maternal condition and low precipitation. Since colonization, elk have increased from about 20 to ≥ 53 individuals, a mean rate of increase of 18%/y prior to 2006, but decreasing to ≤ 4% in 2006. The high sustained rate of increase (with few exceptions) indicates that desert grassland–scrubland habitats are suitable for elk and merit consideration in elk management plans of Southwestern agencies.
Nanotopographical Control of Stem Cell Differentiation
Authors: McNamara Laura E. , McMurray Rebecca J. , Biggs Manus J. P. , Kantawong Fahsai , Oreffo Richard O. C. , Dalby Matthew J.
Published: August 2010

Stem cells have the capacity to differentiate into various lineages, and the ability to reliably direct stem cell fate determination would have tremendous potential for basic research and clinical therapy. Nanotopography provides a useful tool for guiding differentiation, as the features are more durable than surface chemistry and can be modified in size and shape to suit the desired application. In this paper, nanotopography is examined as a means to guide differentiation, and its application is described in the context of different subsets of stem cells, with a particular focus on skeletal (mesenchymal) stem cells. To address the mechanistic basis underlying the topographical effects on stem cells, the likely contributions of indirect (biochemical signal-mediated) and direct (force-mediated) mechanotransduction are discussed. Data from proteomic research is also outlined in relation to topography-mediated fate determination, as this approach provides insight into the global molecular changes at the level of the functional effectors.
Holomorphic Variations of Minimal Disks with Boundary on a
Lagrangian Surface
Authors: Chen Jingyi , Fraser Ailana
Published: August 2010

Let L be an oriented Lagrangian submanifold in an
n-dimensional Kähler manifold M. Let
u: D → M be a minimal
immersion from a disk D with
u(𝜕D) ⊂ L such that
u(D) meets L
orthogonally along u(𝜕D). Then the real
dimension of the space of admissible holomorphic variations is at least
n + μ(E,
F), where μ(E,
F) is a boundary Maslov index; the minimal disk is
holomorphic if there exist n admissible holomorphic
variations that are linearly independent over ℝ at some point
p ∈ 𝜕D; if M =
ℂPn and u intersects L positively,
then u is holomorphic if it is stable, and its Morse index
is at least n + μ(E,
F) if u is unstable.
Canonical Toric Fano Threefolds
Authors: Kasprzyk Alexander M.
Published: August 2010

An inductive approach to classifying all toric Fano varieties is given. As an application of this technique, we present a classification of the toric Fano threefolds with at worst canonical singularities. Up to isomorphism, there are 674,688 such varieties.
Air quality during the 2008 Beijing Olympics: secondary pollutants and regional impact
Authors: Wang T. , Nie W. , Gao J. , Xue L. K. , Gao X. M. , Wang X. F. , Qiu J. , Poon C. N. , Meinardi S. , Blake D. , Wang S. L. , Ding A. J. , Chai F. H. , Zhang Q. Z. , Wang W. X.
Published: August 2010

Abstract. This paper presents the first results of the measurements of trace gases and aerosols at three surface sites in and outside Beijing before and during the 2008 Olympics. The official air pollution index near the Olympic Stadium and the data from our nearby site revealed an obvious association between air quality and meteorology and different responses of secondary and primary pollutants to the control measures. Ambient concentrations of vehicle-related nitrogen oxides (NOx) and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) at an urban site dropped by 25% and 20–45% in the first two weeks after full control was put in place, but the levels of ozone, sulfate and nitrate in PM2.5 increased by 16%, 64%, 37%, respectively, compared to the period prior to the full control; wind data and back trajectories indicated the contribution of regional pollution from the North China Plain. Air quality (for both primary and secondary pollutants) improved significantly during the Games, which were also associated with the changes in weather conditions (prolonged rainfall, decreased temperature, and more frequent air masses from clean regions). A comparison of the ozone data at three sites on eight ozone-pollution days, when the air masses were from the southeast-south-southwest sector, showed that regional pollution sources contributed >34–88% to the peak ozone concentrations at the urban site in Beijing. Regional sources also contributed significantly to the CO concentrations in urban Beijing. Ozone production efficiencies at two sites were low (~3 ppbv/ppbv), indicating that ozone formation was being controlled by VOCs. Compared with data collected in 2005 at a downwind site, the concentrations of ozone, sulfur dioxide (SO2), total sulfur (SO2+PM2.5 sulfate), carbon monoxide (CO), reactive aromatics (toluene and xylenes) sharply decreased (by 8–64%) in 2008, but no significant changes were observed for the concentrations of PM2.5, fine sulfate, total odd reactive nitrogen (NOy), and longer lived alkanes and benzene. We suggest that these results indicate the success of the government's efforts in reducing emissions of SO2, CO, and VOCs in Beijing, but increased regional emissions during 2005–2008. More stringent control of regional emissions will be needed for significant reductions of ozone and fine particulate pollution in Beijing.
High variability of the heterogeneous ice nucleation potential of oxalic acid dihydrate and sodium oxalate
Authors: Wagner R. , Möhler O. , Saathoff H. , Schnaiter M. , Leisner T.
Published: August 2010

Abstract. The heterogeneous ice nucleation potential of airborne oxalic acid dihydrate and sodium oxalate particles in the deposition and condensation mode has been investigated by controlled expansion cooling cycles in the AIDA aerosol and cloud chamber of the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology at temperatures between 244 and 228 K. Previous laboratory studies have highlighted the particular role of oxalic acid dihydrate as the only species amongst a variety of other investigated dicarboxylic acids to be capable of acting as a heterogeneous ice nucleus in both the deposition and immersion mode. We could confirm a high deposition mode ice activity for 0.03 to 0.8 μm sized oxalic acid dihydrate particles that were either formed by nucleation from a gaseous oxalic acid/air mixture or by rapid crystallisation of highly supersaturated aqueous oxalic acid solution droplets. The critical saturation ratio with respect to ice required for deposition nucleation was found to be less than 1.1 and the size-dependent ice-active fraction of the aerosol population was in the range from 0.1 to 22%. In contrast, oxalic acid dihydrate particles that had crystallised from less supersaturated solution droplets and had been allowed to slowly grow in a supersaturated environment from still unfrozen oxalic acid solution droplets over a time period of several hours were found to be much poorer heterogeneous ice nuclei. We speculate that under these conditions a crystal surface structure with less-active sites for the initiation of ice nucleation was generated. Such particles partially proved to be almost ice-inactive in both the deposition and condensation mode. At times, the heterogeneous ice nucleation ability of oxalic acid dihydrate significantly changed when the particles had been processed in preceding cloud droplet activation steps. Such behaviour was also observed for the second investigated species, namely sodium oxalate. Our experiments address the atmospheric scenario that coating layers of oxalic acid or its salts may be formed by physical and chemical processing on pre-existing particulates such as mineral dust and soot. Given the broad diversity of the observed heterogeneous ice nucleability of the oxalate species, it is not straightforward to predict whether an oxalate coating layer will improve or reduce the ice nucleation ability of the seed aerosol particles.
Contribution of advection to the carbon budget measured by eddy covariance at a steep mountain slope forest in Switzerland
Authors: Etzold S. , Buchmann N. , Eugster W.
Published: August 2010

Abstract. We calculated the contribution of advection to the C budget measured by the eddy covariance (EC) technique for a steep and forested mountain site (CarboEurope site CH-Lae, Lägeren, Switzerland) during the growing season 2007 (May to August). Thereby we followed two approaches: (1) the physical correction of the EC data for directly measured advection terms and (2) the u∗ filter approach that replaces periods with u∗ below a site-specific threshold with empirically modelled fluxes. We found good agreement between the two approaches in terms of daily (linear regression slope: 0.78 ± 0.04, intercept: 0.68 ± 0.29 μmol m−2 s−1, adj. R2=0.78) and seasonal sums of gross fluxes (difference ≤ 12%), when using a u∗ threshold of 0.3 m s−1 and correcting EC for horizontal advection only. Incorporating also vertical advection into the mass balance equation resulted in unrealistic and highly erratic fluxes. However, on a daily basis vertical advection cancelled out to nearly zero. The u∗ filter seems to account primarily for respiration fluxes, which are mainly affected by horizontal advection. We could confirm our corrections by a cross-validation with independent approaches, such as soil respiration chamber measurements, light curves and energy budget closure. Our results show that flux measurements on steep sites with complex topography are possible. Actually, sloping sites seem to have the advantage over flat sites that advection measurements can be reduced to a simplified two-dimensional measurement approach due to the two-dimensional characteristics of the wind field at those sites.
Climate signatures of grape harvest dates
Authors: Krieger M. , Lohmann G. , Laepple T.
Published: August 2010

Abstract. Grape harvest dates have been recorded in many European locations for several centuries, and potentially contain important information about past climate. In this study, we systematically analyse the relationship of grape harvest dates recorded in the Burgundy region (France) with different climate data sets in order to understand the connection between climatic conditions and the time of harvest. The results point to a primary dependence of the grape harvest on the temperature from April to August. The strength of this connection depends on the winter to summer temperature relationship and increases over the last 100 years. The grape harvest date is also related to the winter temperature. This connection is non-stationary on interannual, but stable on decadal-to-multidecadal time scales. Therefore, the grape harvest date can be used for independent reconstructions of local April-to-August temperature on interannual time scales as well as remote winter temperature on decadal-to-multidecadal time scales.
A modeling approach to determine the impacts of land use and climate change scenarios on the water flux of the upper Mara River
Authors: Mango L. M. , Melesse A. M. , McClain M. E. , Gann D. , Setegn S. G.
Published: August 2010

Abstract. With the flow of the Mara River becoming increasingly erratic especially in the upper reaches, attention has been directed to land use change as the major cause of this problem. The semi-distributed hydrological model Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT) and Landsat imagery were utilized in the upper Mara River Basin in order to 1) map existing field scale land use practices in order to determine their impact 2) determine the impacts of land use change on water flux; and 3) determine the impacts of rainfall (0%, ±10% and ±20%) and air temperature variations (0% and +5%) based on the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change projections on the water flux of the upper Mara River. This study found that the different scenarios impacted on the water balance components differently. Land use changes resulted in a slightly more erratic discharge while rainfall and air temperature changes had a more predictable impact on the discharge and water balance components. These findings demonstrate that the model results show the flow was more sensitive to the rainfall changes than land use changes. It was also shown that land use changes can reduce dry season flow which is the most important problem in the basin. The model shows also deforestation in the Mau Forest increased the peak flows which can also lead to high sediment loading in the Mara River. The effect of the land use and climate change scenarios on the sediment and water quality of the river needs a thorough understanding of the sediment transport processes in addition to observed sediment and water quality data for validation of modeling results.
The influence of temperature and salinity variability on the upper ocean density and mixed layer
Authors: Helber R. W. , Richman J. G. , Barron C. N.
Published: August 2010

Abstract. The relative influence of both temperature and salinity on the mixed layer depth (MLD) is evaluated using a relationship of binned regressions of MLD on vertical density compensation and isothermal layer depth (ILD) from a global set of in situ profile observations. Our approach is inspired by the observations of the difference between the MLD and the sonic layer depth (SLD) that evolve seasonally around the global ocean. In this article, we hypothesize that vertical density compensation governs SLD-MLD differences and can be used for mapping the relative influence of temperature and salinity on upper ocean structure. The Turner angle, computed between the surface and 200 m (bulk Turner angle, BTA), serves as a measure of vertical density compensation that quantifies times and areas where either temperature or salinity is destabilizing. For temperature destabilization the ocean exhibits cool/fresh overlying hot/salty water. For salinity destabilization the ocean exhibits hot/salty overlying cool/fresh water. These two classes of density compensation have seasonal variability with different geographical characteristics. Profiles with salinity controlled stable density and destabilizing temperature gradient are found most often at high latitudes. Profiles with temperature controlled stable density and destabilizing salinity gradient are found in the tropics and subtropics of all oceans. Results indicate that about half of the ocean has vertical density compensation that is a necessary condition for SLD-MLD differences. While density compensation is necessary, it is not a sufficient condition for predicting the dependence of MLD on BTA. Density compensation is the dominant factor in MLD variability in heavy river input and subduction regions that cover only ~14% of the ocean.
Enhancing Phosphorescence and Electrophosphorescence Efficiency of Cyclometalated Pt(II) Compounds with Triarylboron
Authors: Hudson Zachary M. , Sun Christina , Helander Michael G. , Amarne Hazem , Lu Zheng‐Hong , Wang Suning
Published: August 2010

A synthetic strategy for the preparation of cyclometalated platinum(II) acetylacetonate (acac) complexes functionalized with triarylboron is achieved. This method is used to synthesize a series of triarylboron‐functionalized phosphorescent Pt(acac) compounds, which are characterized by NMR spectroscopy, X‐ray crystallography, and theoretical calculations. These complexes exhibit a range of bright phosphorescent colors spanning the green to red region of the visible spectrum (λmax = ∼520–650 nm) in solution and the solid state. Functionalization with a triarylboron group leads to significant enhancement in quantum yield for several of these complexes relative to the non‐borylated Pt(II) parent chromophores, which may be attributed to the increased mixing of 1MLCT and 3LC states. The phosphorescent enhancement, electron transport capabilities, and steric bulkiness offered by the triarylboron group can be used to significantly enhance the performance of electrophosphorescent devices based on Pt(II) emitters. A high efficiency green electrophosphorescent device is fabricated with a maximum external quantum efficiency of 8.9%, luminance efficiency of 34.5 cd A−1, and power efficiency of 29.8 lm W−1, giving significantly improved performance over control devices in which the Pt(II) emitter lacks the boron functionality.
Uptake and Release of Double‐Walled Carbon Nanotubes by Mammalian Cells
Authors: Neves Vera , Heister Elena , Costa Sara , Tîlmaciu Carmen , Borowiak‐Palen Ewa , Giusca Cristina E. , Flahaut Emmanuel , Soula Brigitte , Coley Helen M. , McFadden Johnjoe , Silva S. Ravi P.
Published: August 2010

Efforts to develop carbon nanotubes (CNTs) as nano‐vehicles for precise and controlled drug and gene delivery, as well as markers for in vivo biomedical imaging, are currently hampered by uncertainties with regard to their cellular uptake, their fate in the body, and their safety. All of these processes are likely to be affected by the purity of CNT preparation, as well as the size and concentration of CNTs used, parameters that are often poorly controlled in biological experiments. It is demonstrated herein that under the experimental conditions of standard transfection methods, DWNTs are taken up by cultured cells but are then released after 24 h with no discernable stress response. The results support the potential therapeutic use of CNTs in many biomedical settings, such as cancer therapy.
Stretchable, Transparent Zinc Oxide Thin Film Transistors
Authors: Park Kyungyea , Lee Deok‐Kyou , Kim Byung‐Sung , Jeon Haseok , Lee Nae‐Eung , Whang Dongmok , Lee Hoo‐Jeong , Kim Youn Jea , Ahn Jong‐Hyun
Published: August 2010

Stretchable and transparent thin film transistors (TFTs) with intrisically brittle oxide semiconductors are built using a wavy structural configuration that can provide high flexibility and stretchability. After device fabrication procedures including high temperature annealing, the oxide semiconductor‐based TFT arrays can be transferred directly to plastic or rubber substrates, without an additional device process, using transfer printing methods. This procedure can avoid some of the thermal degradation problems associated with plastic or rubber substrates by separating them from the annealing procedure needed to improve the device performance. These design and fabrication methods offer the possibility of developing a new format of stretchable electronics.
High‐Yield Synthesis and Electrochemical and Photovoltaic Properties of Indene‐C70 Bisadduct
Authors: He Youjun , Zhao Guangjin , Peng Bo , Li Yongfang
Published: August 2010

[6, 6]‐Phenyl‐C61‐butyric acid methyl ester (PC60BM) is the widely used acceptor material in polymer solar cells (PSCs). Nevertheless, the low LUMO energy level and weak absorption in visible region are its two weak points. For enhancing the solar light harvest, the soluble C70 derivative PC70BM has been used as acceptor instead of PC60BM in high efficiency PSCs in recent years. But, the LUMO level of PC70BM is the same as that of PC60BM, which is too low for the PSCs based on the polymer donors with higher HOMO level, such as poly (3‐hexylthiophene) (P3HT). Here, a new soluble C70 derivative, indene‐C70 bisadduct (IC70BA), is synthesized with high yield of 58% by a one‐pot reaction of indene and C70 at 180 °C for 72 h. The electrochemical properties and electronic energy levels of the fullerene derivatives are measured by cyclic voltammetry. The LUMO energy level of IC70BA is 0.19 eV higher than that of PC70BM. The PSC based on P3HT with IC70BA as acceptor shows a higher Voc of 0.84 V and higher power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 5.64%, while the PSC based on P3HT/PC60BM and P3HT/PC70BM displays Voc of 0.59 V and 0.58 V, and PCE of 3.55% and 3.96%, respectively, under the illumination of AM1.5G, 100 mW cm−2. The results indicate that IC70BA is an excellent acceptor for the P3HT‐based PSCs and could be a promising new acceptor instead of PC70BM for the high performance PSCs based on narrow bandgap conjugated polymer donor.
Non‐Volatile Organic Memory Elements Based on Carbon‐Nanotube‐Enabled Vertical Field‐Effect Transistors
Authors: Liu Bo , McCarthy Mitchell A. , Rinzler Andrew G.
Published: August 2010

High‐performance non‐volatile memory elements based on carbon‐nanotube‐enabled vertical field‐effect transistors (CN‐VFETs) are demonstrated. A thin crosslinking polymer layer, benzocyclobutene (BCB), on top of the gate dielectric acts as the charge storage layer. This results in a large, fully gate sweep programmable, hysteresis in the cyclic transfer curves exhibiting on/off ratios >4 orders of magnitude. The carbon nanotube random network source electrode facilitates charge injection into the charge storage layer, realizing the strong memory effect without sacrificing mobility in the vertical channel. Given their intrinsically simple fabrication and compact size CN‐VFETs could provide a path to cost‐effective, high‐density organic memory devices.
Breastfeeding and later psychosocial development in the Philippines
Authors: Duazo Paulita , Avila Josephine , Kuzawa Christopher W.
Published: August 2010

Objectives: Evaluate whether breastfeeding (BF) duration predicts later psychosocial development (PD) in a large low socioeconomic status (SES) sample in the Philippines.

Methods: The sample consists of 2,752 children aged 5–6 years who were measured in 2004 as part of the Philippine government's Early Childhood Development Project. Duration of any BF was the primary independent variable in regression models predicting a cumulative index of PD that has been shown previously to predict school readiness.

Results: In this sample, mothers who breastfed their children for longer tended to have lower educational attainment and to come from lower income households. Despite this, BF duration was a positive predictor of future PD measured in late childhood, but only after adjustment for SES and related confounders.

Conclusions: These findings add to growing evidence that BF could provide lasting economic and social benefits and underscore the importance of continuing current public health efforts to promote BF in the Philippines and across the globe. Am. J. Hum. Biol., 2010. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Blood lipids, infection, and inflammatory markers in the Tsimane of Bolivia
Authors: Vasunilashorn Sarinnapha , Crimmins Eileen M. , Kim Jung Ki , Winking Jeff , Gurven Michael , Kaplan Hillard , Finch Caleb E.
Published: August 2010

Objectives: Little is known about blood cholesterol (blood‐C) levels under conditions of infection and limited diet. This study examines blood‐C and markers of infection and inflammation in the Tsimane of the Bolivian Amazon, indigenous forager farmers living in conditions that model preindustrial European populations by their short life expectancy, high load of infections and inflammation, and limited diets.

Methods: We use multivariate models to determine the relationships between lipid levels and markers of infection and inflammation. Adult Tsimane (N = 418, age 20–84) were characterized for blood lipids, cells, and inflammatory markers in relation to individual loads of parasites and village region.

Results: Most of the Tsimane (60%) carried at least one parasite species, averaging 1.3 species per person. Serum high‐density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL‐C), total cholesterol (total‐C), and low‐density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL‐C) were below the U.S. norms and varied inversely with markers of infection and inflammation: C‐reactive protein (CRP), interleukin‐6 (IL‐6), erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), immunoglobulin (Ig) E and eosinophil count. Although no relationship of parasite load to blood‐C was found, there was an association between anemia and parasite prevalence.

Conclusions: We conclude that the highly infected environment of the Tsimane is related to low levels of blood total‐C, HDL‐C, and LDL‐C. This may suggest a potential reason why arterial disease is largely absent in the Tsimane. Am. J. Hum. Biol., 2010. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.