bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Ketonic Decarboxylation Reaction Mechanism: A Combined Experimental and DFT Study
Authors: Pulido Angeles , Oliver‐Tomas Borja , Renz Michael , Boronat Mercedes , Corma Avelino
Published: November 2012

The ketonic decarboxylation of carboxylic acids has been carried out experimentally and studied theoretically by DFT calculations. In the experiments, monoclinic zirconia was identified as a good catalyst, giving high activity and high selectivity when compared with other potential catalysts, such as silica, alumina, or ceria. It was also shown that it could be used for a wide range of substrates, namely, for carboxylic acids with two to eighteen carbon atoms. The reaction mechanism for the ketonic decarboxylation of acetic acid over monoclinic zirconia was investigated by using a periodic DFT slab model. A reaction pathway with the formation of a β‐keto acid intermediate was considered, as well as a concerted mechanism, involving simultaneous carbon–carbon bond formation and carbon dioxide elimination. DFT results showed that the mechanism with the β‐keto acid was the kinetically favored one and this was further supported by an experiment employing a mixture of isomeric (linear and branched) pentanoic acids.
Organocatalytic Asymmetric Michael Addition of Oxazolones to Arylsulfonyl Indoles: Facile Access to syn‐Configured α,β‐Disubstituted Tryptophan Derivatives
Authors: Cai Chang‐Wu , Zhu Xing‐Li , Wu Song , Zuo Zong‐Le , Yu Liang‐Liang , Qin Da‐Bin , Liu Quan‐Zhong , Jing Lin‐Hai
Published: November 2012

Enantioselective Michael addition of oxazolones to in situ generated vinylogous imine intermediates is reported. A series of optically active 3‐alkylindole derivatives with adjacent quaternary and tertiary stereocenters was obtained. The resulting adducts can readily be converted into syn‐configured α,β‐disubstituted tryptophan derivatives without compromising the stereoselectivities.
Association between CYP2A6 genetic polymorphisms and lung cancer: A meta‐analysis of case–control studies
Authors: Liu Tao , Xie Chuan‐Bo , Ma Wen‐Jun , Chen Wei‐Qing
Published: November 2012

Cytochrome P450 2A6 (CYP2A6) is an enzyme responsible for the metabolism of nicotine and some tobacco‐specific carcinogens (such as N‐nitrosamines). CYP2A6 genetic variations are associated with the activity of the CYP2A6 enzyme, which affects smoking behavior and the rate at which some tobacco‐specific carcinogens are metabolized, which in turn determines the incidence of lung cancer. Several studies have investigated the relationship between CYP2A6 genotypes and lung cancer; however, the results are controversial. In this meta‐analysis, we searched for all studies on the association between CYP2A6 genotypes and lung cancer indexed in the MEDLINE, PubMed, Embase, China Biological Medicine, and Wanfang databases from January 1, 1966 to August 1, 2011. The pooled odds ratios (ORs) for one CYP2A6 mutant allele and two CYP2A6 mutant alleles, in comparison with the wild‐type CYP2A6 gene, were 0.82 [95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.73–0.92] and 0.57 (95% CI = 0.48–0.68), respectively. Furthermore, in two studies of participants who were all smokers, the associations of one CYP2A6 mutant allele and two CYP2A6 mutant alleles with reduced risk of lung cancer were strengthened, and the pooled ORs were 0.71 (95% CI = 0.58–0.87) and 0.47 (95% CI = 0.35–0.62), respectively. However, we did not find statistically significant relationships between CYP2A6 genotypes and lung cancer in studies that included both never smokers and smokers (pooled ORone CYP2A6 mutant allele = 0.88, 95% CI = 0.76–1.01; pooled ORtwo CYP2A6 mutant alleles = 0.61, 95% CI = 0.35–1.06). The results of this meta‐analysis suggest that the reduced‐activity CYP2A6 genotype may decrease the risk of lung cancer in smokers only. Environ. Mol. Mutagen., 2013. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Mass‐balance modeling of mineral weathering rates and CO2 consumption in the forested, metabasaltic Hauver Branch watershed, Catoctin Mountain, Maryland, USA
Authors: Price Jason R. , Rice Karen C. , Szymanski David W.
Published: November 2012

Mineral weathering rates and a forest macronutrient uptake stoichiometry were determined for the forested, metabasaltic Hauver Branch watershed in north‐central Maryland, USA. Previous studies of Hauver Branch have had an insufficient number of analytes to permit determination of rates of all the minerals involved in chemical weathering, including biomass. More equations in the mass‐balance matrix were added using existing mineralogic information. The stoichiometry of a deciduous biomass term was determined using multi‐year weekly to biweekly stream‐water chemistry for a nearby watershed, which drains relatively unreactive quartzite bedrock.

At Hauver Branch, calcite hosts ~38 mol% of the calcium ion (Ca2+) contained in weathering minerals, but its weathering provides ~90% of the stream water Ca2+. This occurs in a landscape with a regolith residence time of more than several Ka (kiloannum). Previous studies indicate that such old regolith does not typically contain dissolving calcite that affects stream Ca2+/Na+ ratios. The relatively high calcite dissolution rate likely reflects dissolution of calcite in fractures of the deep critical zone.

Of the carbon dioxide (CO2) consumed by mineral weathering, calcite is responsible for approximately 27%, with the silicate weathering consumption rate far exceeding that of the global average. The chemical weathering of mafic terrains in decaying orogens thus may be capable of influencing global geochemical cycles, and therefore, climate, on geological timescales. Based on carbon‐balance calculations, atmospheric‐derived sulfuric acid is responsible for approximately 22% of the mineral weathering occurring in the watershed. Our results suggest that rising air temperatures, driven by global warming and resulting in higher precipitation, will cause the rate of chemical weathering in the Hauver Branch watershed to increase until a threshold temperature is reached. Beyond the threshold temperature, increased recharge would produce a shallower groundwater table and reduced chemical weathering rates. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Performance and Robustness of Penalized and Unpenalized Methods for Genetic Prediction of Complex Human Disease
Authors: Abraham Gad , Kowalczyk Adam , Zobel Justin , Inouye Michael
Published: November 2012

A central goal of medical genetics is to accurately predict complex disease from genotypes. Here, we present a comprehensive analysis of simulated and real data using lasso and elastic‐net penalized support‐vector machine models, a mixed‐effects linear model, a polygenic score, and unpenalized logistic regression. In simulation, the sparse penalized models achieved lower false‐positive rates and higher precision than the other methods for detecting causal SNPs. The common practice of prefiltering SNP lists for subsequent penalized modeling was examined and shown to substantially reduce the ability to recover the causal SNPs. Using genome‐wide SNP profiles across eight complex diseases within cross‐validation, lasso and elastic‐net models achieved substantially better predictive ability in celiac disease, type 1 diabetes, and Crohn's disease, and had equivalent predictive ability in the rest, with the results in celiac disease strongly replicating between independent datasets. We investigated the effect of linkage disequilibrium on the predictive models, showing that the penalized methods leverage this information to their advantage, compared with methods that assume SNP independence. Our findings show that sparse penalized approaches are robust across different disease architectures, producing as good as or better phenotype predictions and variance explained. This has fundamental ramifications for the selection and future development of methods to genetically predict human disease.
Enhanced cell–material interactions on medium‐pressure plasma‐treated polyhydroxybutyrate/polyhydroxyvalerate
Authors: Jacobs Tinneke , Declercq Heidi , De Geyter Nathalie , Cornelissen Ria , Dubruel Peter , Leys Christophe , Beaurain Arnaud , Payen Edmond , Morent Rino
Published: November 2012

In this article, a medium‐pressure DBD plasma treatment is used to improve the cell–material interaction of a polyhydroxybutyrate/polyhydroxyvalerate (PHB/PHV) film. PHB/PHV is a biodegradable natural polyester, used for different biomedical applications, including sutures, repair devices, and bone marrow scaffolds. The cell adhesion onto PHB/PHV is far less than optimal due to inadequate surface properties, and a surface modification is usually necessary to be able to use the full potential. Medium‐pressure plasma treatments, in different atmospheres, are used to change the surface properties of a PHB/PHV foil. The hydrophilic character could be increased, as shown by water contact angle measurements. X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) revealed an increased oxygen and nitrogen content. Cell culture test with human foreskin fibroblasts showed that the plasma was able to improve cell adhesion (both quantitatively and qualitatively). Both an increase in the number of adherent cells and an improved morphology were obtained after plasma treatment. After 7 days, a confluent cell layer could be observed on plasma‐treated samples. The differences between the three discharge gases are negligible when looking at the improved cell–material interactions. From economical point of view, treatments in air are thus the best choice. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part A, 2013.
New lignocellulose pretreatments using cellulose solvents: a review
Authors: Sathitsuksanoh Noppadon , George Anthe , Zhang Y‐H Percival
Published: November 2012

Non‐food lignocellulosic biomass is the most abundant renewable bioresource as a collectable, transportable, and storable chemical energy that is far from fully utilized. The goal of biomass pretreatment is to improve the enzymatic digestibility of pretreated lignocellulosic biomass. Many substrate factors, such as substrate accessibility, lignin content, particle size and so on, contribute to its recalcitrance. Cellulose accessibility to hydrolytic enzymes is believed to be the most important substrate characteristic limiting enzymatic hydrolysis. Cellulose solvents effectively break linkages among cellulose, hemicellulose and lignin, and also dissolve highly‐ordered hydrogen bonds in cellulose fibers accompanied with great increases in substrate accessibility. Here the history and recent advances in cellulose solvent‐based biomass pretreatment are reviewed and perspectives provided for addressing remaining challenges. The use of cellulose solvents, new and existing, provides opportunities for emerging biorefineries to produce a few precursors (e.g. monosaccharides, oligosaccharides, and lignin) for the production of low‐value biofuels and value‐added biochemicals. © 2012 Society of Chemical Industry
Effects of the pre‐treatment alternatives on the treatment of oil‐gas field produced water by nanofiltration and reverse osmosis membranes
Authors: Ozgun Hale , Ersahin Mustafa Evren , Erdem Selime , Atay Burcu , Kose Borte , Kaya Recep , Altinbas Mahmut , Sayili Sema , Hoshan Pelin , Atay Doga , Eren Esra , Kinaci Cumali , Koyuncu Ismail
Published: November 2012

Background

Produced water is generated in huge volumes from oil and gas production facilities. Different alternatives including physical, chemical, and biological methods can be applied for the treatment of produced waters. In this study, different pre‐treatment alternatives used before a final nanofiltration and reverse osmosis membrane system were evaluated. A membrane bioreactor and pressurized microfiltration and ultrafiltration systems were used in the pre‐treatment stage.

Results

According to the results, the highest flux was obtained by the combination of ultrafiltration/microfiltration and nanofiltration; whereas, the maximum removal efficiencies for conductivity and chemical oxygen demand were obtained by the combination of membrane bioreactor and reverse osmosis systems.

Conclusion

The results of this study show that the emphasis should be placed on applying the right combination of membrane treatment processes instead of focusing only on pre‐ or final treatment units. © 2012 Society of Chemical Industry
Biting Performance and Skull Biomechanics of a Chisel Tooth Digging Rodent (Ctenomys tuconax; Caviomorpha; Octodontoidea)
Authors: Becerra Federico , Casinos Adrià , Vassallo Aldo Iván
Published: November 2012

Biting performance is a key factor in vertebrate groups possessing particular food habits. In subterranean rodents that use the incisors as a digging tool, apart from requirements related to gnawing abrasive diets, the force exerted at the incisors tips must be sufficient to break down soils that are often exceedingly compact. The subterranean genusCtenomysdiversified in the southern portion of South America closely associated with the relatively open environments that characterize that region. This genus is considered a “claw and chisel tooth digger,” that is, during the excavation of their galleries, the animals break down the soil with both the fore‐claws and the incisors. We report here measurements of in vivo bite force in one of the largest species of the genus,C. tuconax, which occupies highland grasslands with compacted soils. We document the combined use of claws and incisors observed under field conditions, also providing measurements of soil compaction in the habitat occupied by this species. We report estimates of bite force at the level of the incisors and cheek teeth calculated from the physiological cross‐sectional area of jaw muscles. To this aim, anatomical and biomechanical analyses of the mandibular apparatus were performed in preserved specimens. We found thatC. tuconaxbites with a higher force than expected for a mammal of its size. To assess anatomical correlates of biting performance, the morphology of the skull and jaw, and incisor second moment of area were compared with those of other caviomorph rodents with different lifestyle. J. Exp. Zool. 319A:74–85, 2013. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Prediction of Bovine Serum Albumin‐Water Partition Coefficients of a Wide Variety of Neutral Organic Compounds by Means of Support Vector Machine
Authors: Golmohammadi Hassan , Dashtbozorgi Zahra , Acree William E.
Published: November 2012

Support vector machine (SVM) was used to develop a quantitative structure property relationship (QSPR) model that correlates molecular structures to their bovine serum albumin water partition coefficients (KBSA/W). The performance and predictive aptitude of SVM are considered and compared with other methods such as multiple linear regression (MLR) and artificial neural network (ANN) methods. A set of 83 natural organic compounds and drugs were selected and suitable sets of molecular descriptors were calculated. Genetic algorithm (GA) was used to select important molecular descriptors, and linear and nonlinear models were applied to correlate the selected descriptors with the experimental values of log KBSA/W. The correlation coefficients, R, between experimental and predicted log KBSA/W for the validation set by MLR, ANN and SVM are 0.951, 0.986 and 0.991, respectively. Results obtained document the reliability and good predictability of the nonlinear QSPR model to predict partition coefficients of organic compounds. Comparison between the values of statistical parameters demonstrates that the predictive ability of the SVM model is comparable or superior to those obtained by MLR and ANN.
MR‐based field‐of‐view extension in MR/PET: B0 homogenization using gradient enhancement (HUGE)
Authors: Blumhagen Jan O. , Ladebeck Ralf , Fenchel Matthias , Scheffler Klaus
Published: November 2012

In whole‐body MR/PET, the human attenuation correction can be based on the MR data. However, an MR‐based field‐of‐view (FoV) is limited due to physical restrictions such as B0 inhomogeneities and gradient nonlinearities. Therefore, for large patients, the MR image and the attenuation map might be truncated and the attenuation correction might be biased. The aim of this work is to explore extending the MR FoV through B0 homogenization using gradient enhancement in which an optimal readout gradient field is determined to locally compensate B0 inhomogeneities and gradient nonlinearities. A spin‐echo‐based sequence was developed that computes an optimal gradient for certain regions of interest, for example, the patient's arms. A significant distortion reduction was achieved outside the normal MR‐based FoV. This FoV extension was achieved without any hardware modifications. In‐plane distortions in a transaxially extended FoV of up to 600 mm were analyzed in phantom studies. In vivo measurements of the patient's arms lying outside the normal specified FoV were compared with and without the use of B0 homogenization using gradient enhancement. In summary, we designed a sequence that provides data for reducing the image distortions due to B0 inhomogeneities and gradient nonlinearities and used the data to extend the MR FoV. Magn Reson Med, 70:1047–1057, 2013. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Morphological, mechanical, tribological, and thermal expansion properties of organoclay reinforced polyethylene composites
Authors: Pöllänen Maija , Suihkonen Reija , Nevalainen Katja , Koistinen Arto P. , Suvanto Mika , Vuorinen Jyrki , Pakkanen Tuula T.
Published: November 2012

The morphological, mechanical, thermal, and tribological properties of high‐density polyethylene (HDPE) composites reinforced with organo‐modified nanoclay (3 and 6 wt%) were studied. A commercial maleic anhydride‐based polymeric compatibilizer (PEgMA) was used to improve the adhesion between the polyethylene and clay. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) characterization of composites revealed that nanoclay exists mainly in a multilayered structure in the HDPE matrix. Mechanical testing of composites showed that Young's modulus and tensile strength increased with nanoclay content. Coefficients of the linear thermal expansion (CLTE) of HDPE–PEgMA–clay composites were slightly lower in the flow direction than those of HDPE–PEgMA. The tribological properties were measured in dry conditions against a steel counterface. The friction coefficient of the matrix was decreased by the addition of clay. Electron microscopic results suggested that the wear mechanism for HDPE and HDPE composites was mainly adhesive. Clay agglomerates were observed on the worn surfaces of the composites, which may partly explain decreased friction. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 2013. © 2012 Society of Plastics Engineers
Transition Metal Complexes with the Schiff Base Ligand 1‐{[2‐(2‐Hydroxyethylamino)ethylimino]methyl}naphthalen‐2‐ol
Authors: Niu Mei‐Ju , Li Huan‐Huan , Wang Su‐Na , Cao Zhi‐Qiang , Sun Da‐Wei , Dou Jian‐Min
Published: November 2012

Six transition metal compounds [Cu(H2L)(CH3COO)]·H2O (1), [Cu(H2L)(CH3COO)] (2), [Cu(H2L)](ClO4)·CH3OH (3), 2[Cu(H2L)2] (4), [Co(H2L)2](NO3)·2CH3OH (5), and [Ni(H2L)](NO3) (6) were synthesized by reactions of the Schiff base ligand H3L (1‐{[2‐(2‐hydroxyethyl amino)ethylimino]methyl}naphthalen‐2‐ol) with the corresponding metal salts and characterized by single crystal X‐ray diffraction, elemental analysis, IR and UV/Vis spectroscopy and TG analysis. All compounds are mononuclear molecules, in which the Schiff base ligand exhibits diverse coordination modes and conformations. The N–H···O, O–H···O, and C–H···O inter‐ and intramolecular hydrogen bonding interactions link these molecules into multidimensional network supramolecular structures.
Two pH‐Dependent 1D Copper(II) Coordination Polymers based on a Bis‐triazole‐bis‐amide Ligand: Syntheses, Structures, and Properties
Authors: Lu Qi‐Lin , Zhao Wei , Zhang Ju‐Wen , Wang Xiu‐Li , Luan Jian
Published: November 2012

Two bis‐triazole‐bis‐amide‐based copper(II) coordination polymers, [Cu4(μ3‐OH)2(dtb)(DNBA)6(H2O)2]·2H2O (1) and Cu(dtb)(DNBA)2 (2) [dtb = N,N′‐bis(4H‐1, 2, 4‐triazole)butanamide and HDNBA = 3, 5‐dinitrobenzoic acid], were synthesized and structurally characterized. Polymer 1 shows a one‐dimensional (1D) chain based on tetranuclear CuII cluster and the dtb ligands, whereas polymer 2 exhibits a 1D chain constructed from CuII ions and the dtb ligands. The pH values have a crucial influence on the formation of 1 and 2. In addition, the electrochemical and luminescent properties of 1 and 2 as well as magnetic properties of 1 were investigated.
Auf dem Weg zur Stadtregion?
Authors: Pyschny Andreas , Wilde Erik , Knippschild Robert
Published: November 2012

An inter-municipal and informal cooperation dealing with commercial land development exists in the region Halle/Leipzig since 2009. The cooperation is formed by cities and villages and extends over the border between the two federal states of Saxony and Saxony-Anhalt. The article gives an overview of the previous steps and its main results, i.e. conclusions of an evaluation of the commercial land potential in the region Halle/Leipzig. In addition, it describes the functioning as well as the communication patterns within the cooperation. However, the main goal of this article is to determine how the inter-municipal cooperation can be classified as a form of regional governance, based on the theoretical debate on that topic. General conclusions will be drawn as well as implications for the upcoming process in the region Halle/Leipzig.
Wild Milnor attractors accumulated by lower-dimensional dynamics
Authors: POTRIE RAFAEL
Published: November 2012

We present new examples of open sets of diffeomorphisms such that generic diffeomorphisms in those sets have no dynamically indecomposable attractors in the topological sense and have infinitely many chain-recurrence classes. We show that all other classes except one are contained in periodic surfaces. This study allows us to obtain the existence of Milnor attractors as well as study ergodic properties of the diffeomorphisms in those open sets by using ideas and results from Bonatti and Viana [SRB measures for partially hyperbolic diffeomorphisms whose central direction is mostly contracting. Israel J. Math.115 (2000), 157–193] and Buzzi and Fisher [Entropic stability beyond partial hyperbolicity. Preprint, 2011, arXiv:1103:2707].
A subgroup formula for f-invariant entropy
Authors: SEWARD BRANDON
Published: November 2012

We study a measure entropy for finitely generated free group actions called f-invariant entropy. The f-invariant entropy was developed by L. Bowen and is essentially a special case of his measure entropy theory for actions of sofic groups. In this paper we relate the f-invariant entropy of a finitely generated free group action to the f-invariant entropy of the restricted action of a subgroup. We show that the ratio of these entropies equals the index of the subgroup. This generalizes a well-known formula for the Kolmogorov–Sinai entropy of amenable group actions. We then extend the definition of f-invariant entropy to actions of finitely generated virtually free groups. We also obtain a numerical virtual measure conjugacy invariant for actions of finitely generated virtually free groups.
Basins of attraction of automorphisms in ℂ3
Authors: STENSONES BERIT , VIVAS LIZ
Published: November 2012

In this paper we shall give examples of maps and automorphisms with regions of attraction that are not simply connected.
The metric entropy of random dynamical systems in a Banach space: Ruelle inequality
Authors: LI ZHIMING , SHU LIN
Published: November 2012

Consider a random cocycle Φ on a separable infinite-dimensional Banach space preserving a probability measure, which is supported on a random compact set. We show that if Φ satisfies some mild integrability conditions on the differentials, then Ruelle’s inequality relating entropy and positive Lyapunov exponents holds.
The entropy of a special overlapping dynamical system
Authors: BARNSLEY MICHAEL , HARDING BRENDAN , VINCE ANDREW
Published: November 2012

The term special overlapping refers to a certain simple type of piecewise continuous function from the unit interval to itself and also to a simple type of iterated function system (IFS) on the unit interval. A correspondence between these two classes of objects is used (1) to find a necessary and sufficient condition for a fractal transformation from the attractor of one special overlapping IFS to the attractor of another special overlapping IFS to be a homeomorphism and (2) to find a formula for the topological entropy of the dynamical system associated with a special overlapping function.
ODD MULTIPERFECT NUMBERS
Authors: CHEN SHI-CHAO , LUO HAO
Published: November 2012

A natural number$n$is called multiperfect or$k$-perfect for integer$k\ge 2$if$\sigma (n)=kn$, where$\sigma (n)$is the sum of the positive divisors of$n$. In this paper, we establish a theorem on odd multiperfect numbers analogous to Euler’s theorem on odd perfect numbers. We describe the divisibility of the Euler part of odd multiperfect numbers and characterise the forms of odd perfect numbers$n=\pi ^\alpha M^2$such that$\pi \equiv \alpha ~({\rm mod}~8)$, where$\pi ^\alpha $is the Euler factor of$n$. We also present some examples to show the nonexistence of odd perfect numbers of certain forms.
Calcium, magnesium and potassium intake and mortality in women with heart failure: the Women's Health Initiative
Authors: Levitan Emily B. , Shikany James M. , Ahmed Ali , Snetselaar Linda G. , Martin Lisa W. , Curb J. David , Lewis Cora E.
Published: November 2012

Although diet is thought to affect the natural history of heart failure (HF), nutrient intake in HF patients has not been well studied. Based on prior research linking high intake of Ca, Mg and K to improved cardiovascular health, we hypothesised that these nutrients would be inversely associated with mortality in people with HF. Of the 161 808 participants in the Women's Health Initiative (WHI), we studied 3340 who experienced a HF hospitalisation. These participants were followed for post-hospitalisation all-cause mortality. Intake was assessed using questionnaires on food and supplement intake. Hazard ratios (HR) and 95 % CI were calculated using Cox proportional hazards models adjusted for demographics, physical function, co-morbidities and dietary covariates. Over a median of 4·6 years of follow-up, 1433 (42·9 %) of the women died. HR across quartiles of dietary Ca intake were 1·00 (referent), 0·86 (95 % CI 0·73, 1·00), 0·88 (95 % CI 0·75, 1·04) and 0·92 (95 % CI 0·76, 1·11) (P for trend = 0·63). Corresponding HR were 1·00 (referent), 0·86 (95 % CI 0·71, 1·04), 0·88 (95 % CI 0·69, 1·11) and 0·84 (95 % CI 0·63, 1·12) (P for trend = 0·29), across quartiles of dietary Mg intake, and 1·00 (referent), 1·20 (95 % CI 1·01, 1·43), 1·06 (95 % CI 0·86, 1·32) and 1·16 (95 % CI 0·90, 1·51) (P for trend = 0·35), across quartiles of dietary K intake. Results were similar when total (dietary plus supplemental) nutrient intakes were examined. In summary, among WHI participants with incident HF hospitalisation, intakes of Ca, Mg and K were not significantly associated with subsequent mortality.
The Transformation of Swedish Shipping, 1970–2010
Authors: Sjögren Hans , Lennerfors Thomas Taro , Poulsen René Taudal
Published: November 2012

Since the early 1970s, as shipping has undergone a period of structural change, Swedish shipping has rapidly declined from a position of global importance. The Swedish-controlled fleet has dwindled, and the structure of the industry itself has changed. This article explores the influence of shipping markets, shipping regulations, company strategies, maritime know-how, and financial resources on the development of Swedish shipping from 1970 to 2010. A comparison is made between, on the one hand, the direction taken by two failing companies and, on the other, the courses followed by two companies that managed to grow despite difficult conditions. On a broader level, the article traces the development of expertise in a declining industry.
Histological examination of non-lactating bovine udders inoculated with Lactobacillus perolens CRL 1724
Authors: Frola Ignacio D , Pellegrino Matías S , Magnano Gabriel , Giraudo José A , Espeche María C , Nader-Macias María EF , Bogni Cristina I
Published: November 2012

The effect of intramammary inoculation of Lactobacillus perolens CRL 1724 on bovine udders at drying off was evaluated through histological examination of the canal and cistern tissues. The persistence of the strain in the udder 7 d post inoculation was also determined. Lb. perolens CRL 1724 was recovered from all mammary quarters and no clinical signs or teat damage were observed after inoculation of 106 cfu/ml. The udders showed a normal structural aspect and there were no modifications of the milk appearance. Lb. perolens CRL 1724 cells were evidenced on the surface of the epithelial cells of the cistern without causing any morphological modifications or cell alterations. Lb. perolens CRL 1724 produces a mild inflammatory reaction, characterized by recruitment of neutrophils to the epithelial zone and a slight hyperaemia into blood vessels. This preliminary study provides important information for further studies directed towards the inclusion of Lb. perolens CRL 1724 in the design of probiotic products for preventing bovine mastitis in non-lactating dairy cows.
Neurocognitive phenomics: examining the genetic basis of cognitive abilities
Authors: Donohoe G. , Deary I. J. , Glahn D. C. , Malhotra A. K. , Burdick K. E.
Published: November 2012

Cognitive deficits are core to the disability associated with many psychiatric disorders. Both variation in cognition and psychiatric risk show substantial heritability, with overlapping genetic variants contributing to both. Unsurprisingly, therefore, these fields have been mutually beneficial: just as cognitive studies of psychiatric risk variants may identify genes involved in cognition, so too can genome-wide studies based on cognitive phenotypes lead to genes relevant to psychiatric aetiology. The purpose of this review is to consider the main issues involved in the phenotypic characterization of cognition, and to describe the challenges associated with the transition to genome-wide approaches. We conclude by describing the approaches currently being taken by the international consortia involving many investigators in the field internationally (e.g. Cognitive Genomics Consortium; COGENT) to overcome these challenges.
Synthesis and X-ray powder diffraction data of N-benzyl-6-chloro-4-(4-methoxyphenyl)-3-methyl-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroquinoline
Authors: Pinilla J. A. , Henao J. A. , Macías M. A. , Romero Bohórquez Arnold R. , Kouznetsov Vladimir V.
Published: November 2012

The N-benzyl-6-chloro-4-(4-methoxyphenyl)-3-methyl-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroquinoline derivative (chemical formula: C24H24ClNO) was obtained from cationic imino Diels–Alder reaction catalyzed by BF3.OEt2. Molecular characterization was performed by 1H and 13C NMR, Fourier transform-infrared and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. The X-ray powder diffraction (XRPD) pattern for the new compound was analyzed and found to be crystallized in an orthorhombic system with space group Fdd2 (No. 43) and refined unit-cell parameters a = 33.053(7) Å, b = 41.558(9) Å, c = 5.841(1) Å and V = 8023(2) Å3.
Powder diffraction data for methylenedioxymethylamphetamine hydrochloride monohydrate (MDMA.HCl.H2O, Ecstasy hydrate)
Authors: Rendle D. F. , Glazier E. J.
Published: November 2012

Powder diffraction data are presented for 3,4-methylenedioxymethylamphetamine hydrochloride monohydrate, the hydrated form of MDMA.HCl, the drug of abuse commonly known as Ecstasy. Samples of pure MDMA.HCl were recrystallized from a variety of solvents, and powder diffraction patterns of the resulting products recorded. Data were collected at room temperature using iron-filtered CoKα radiation.
New counts of Adélie penguin populations at Scullin and Murray monoliths, Mac. Robertson Land, East Antarctica
Authors: Southwell Colin J. , Emmerson Louise M.
Published: November 2012

Scullin and Murray monoliths are thought to hold the largest concentration of breeding seabirds in East Antarctica. The monoliths were designated as an Antarctic Specially Protected Area (ASPA No. 164) in 2005 in recognition of the global importance of the seabird assemblages and to protect their outstanding ecological and scientific values. The management plan for the Scullin and Murray Monoliths ASPA encourages regular seabird population monitoring using methods such as aerial photography, but the complex logistics of accessing this remote site has until now limited quantitative assessment of the seabird populations to a single survey in 1986/87. In December 2010 we photographed the Adélie penguin population to provide the population counts presented here. We discuss the potential biases and uncertainties in estimating the breeding population from both the recent and 1980s population count data.
Prefrontal cortex, dopamine, and jealousy endophenotype
Authors: Marazziti Donatella , Poletti Michele , Dell'Osso Liliana , Baroni Stefano , Bonuccelli Ubaldo
Published: November 2012

Jealousy is a complex emotion characterized by the perception of a threat of loss of something that the person values, particularly in reference to a relationship with a loved one, which includes affective, cognitive, and behavioral components. Neural systems and cognitive processes underlying jealousy are relatively unclear, and only a few neuroimaging studies have investigated them. The current article discusses recent empirical findings on delusional jealousy, which is the most severe form of this feeling, in neurodegenerative diseases. After reviewing empirical findings on neurological and psychiatric disorders with delusional jealousy, and after considering its high prevalence in patients with Parkinson's disease under dopamine agonist treatment, we propose a core neural network and core cognitive processes at the basis of (delusional) jealousy, characterizing this symptom as possible endophenotype. In any case, empirical investigation of the neural bases of jealousy is just beginning, and further studies are strongly needed to elucidate the biological roots of this complex emotion.
Comparison of Semantic and Episodic Memory BOLD fMRI Activation in Predicting Cognitive Decline in Older Adults
Authors: Hantke Nathan , Nielson Kristy A. , Woodard John L. , Breting Leslie M. Guidotti , Butts Alissa , Seidenberg Michael , Carson Smith J. , Durgerian Sally , Lancaster Melissa , Matthews Monica , Sugarman Michael A. , Rao Stephen M.
Published: November 2012

Previous studies suggest that task-activated functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) can predict future cognitive decline among healthy older adults. The present fMRI study examined the relative sensitivity of semantic memory (SM) versus episodic memory (EM) activation tasks for predicting cognitive decline. Seventy-eight cognitively intact elders underwent neuropsychological testing at entry and after an 18-month interval, with participants classified as cognitively “Stable” or “Declining” based on ≥1.0 SD decline in performance. Baseline fMRI scanning involved SM (famous name discrimination) and EM (name recognition) tasks. SM and EM fMRI activation, along with Apolipoprotein E (APOE) ε4 status, served as predictors of cognitive outcome using a logistic regression analysis. Twenty-seven (34.6%) participants were classified as Declining and 51 (65.4%) as Stable. APOE ε4 status alone significantly predicted cognitive decline (R2 = .106; C index = .642). Addition of SM activation significantly improved prediction accuracy (R2 = .285; C index = .787), whereas the addition of EM did not (R2 = .212; C index = .711). In combination with APOE status, SM task activation predicts future cognitive decline better than EM activation. These results have implications for use of fMRI in prevention clinical trials involving the identification of persons at-risk for age-associated memory loss and Alzheimer's disease. (JINS, 2012, 18, 1–11)
Examining Protein Crystallization Using Scanning Electron Microscopy
Authors: Gomery Kathryn , Humphrey Elaine C. , Herring Rodney
Published: November 2012

Elucidation of protein structure using X-ray crystallography relies on the quality of the crystal. Crystals suffer from many different types of disorder, some of which occur during crystal nucleation and early crystal growth. To date, there are few studies surrounding the quality and nucleation of protein crystals partly due to difficulties surrounding viewing biological samples at high resolution. Recent research has led our current understanding of nucleation to be a two-step mechanism involving the formation of nuclei from dense liquid clusters; it is still unclear whether nuclei first start as amorphous aggregate or as crystalline lattices. Our research examines this mechanism through the use of electron microscopy. Using scanning electron microscopy imaging of the protein crystal growth process, a stacking, spiraling manner of growth is observed. The tops of the pyramid-like tetragonal protein crystal structures measure ~0.2 μm across and contain ~125,000 lysozyme units. This noncrystalline area experiences strain due to growth of the protein crystal. Our work shows that it is possible to view detailed early stage protein crystal growth using a wet scanning electron microscopy technique, thereby overcoming the problem of viewing liquids in a vacuum.
Propranolol reduces cognitive deficits, amyloid β levels, tau phosphorylation and insulin resistance in response to chronic corticosterone administration
Authors: Dobarro Marta , Orejana Lourdes , Aguirre Norberto , Ramírez Maria J.
Published: November 2012

Chronic exposure to glucocorticoids might result not only in insulin resistance or cognitive deficits, but it is also considered as a risk factor for pathologies such as Alzheimer's disease. Propranolol is a β-adrenergic antagonist commonly used in the treatment of hypertension or acute anxiety. The effects of propranolol (5 mg/kg) have been tested in a model of chronic corticosterone administration (100 µg/ml, 4 wk) in drinking water. Corticosterone administration led to cognitive impairment in the novel object recognition test that was reversed by propranolol. Increased levels of Aβ in the hippocampus of corticosterone-treated mice were counteracted by propranolol treatment, purportedly through an increased IDE expression. Chronic corticosterone treatment induced responses characteristic of insulin resistance, as increased peripheral insulin levels, decreased activation of the insulin receptor (pIR) and decreased associated intracellular pathways (pAkt). These effects might be related to a decreased c-Jun N terminal kinase 1 expression. Again, propranolol was able to counteract all corticosterone-induced effects. One of the main kinases involved in tau phosphorylation, glycogen synthase kinase 3β (GSK3β), which is inactivated by phosphorylation by pAkt, was found to be decreased after corticosterone and increased after propranolol treatment. Concomitant changes in pTau expression were found. Overall, these data further strengthen the potential of propranolol as a therapeutic agent for pathologies associated with the interaction glucocorticoids-insulin resistance and the development of relevant cellular processes for Alzheimer's disease.
Disability and Social (In)Security: Emotions, Contradictions of ‘Inclusion’ and Employment and Support Allowance
Authors: Grover Chris , Piggott Linda
Published: November 2012

The focus of this article is on the ways in which emotions are engaged in the discursive construction and treatment of disabled people in receipt of social security benefits. The article draws upon the literature related to the social importance of emotions and that concerned with moral boundary drawing. It argues that the evocation of emotional reactions is crucial in understanding the ways in which changes to out-of-work benefits for disabled people (the development of Employment and Support Allowance) have recently been effected and the ways in which this has reflected a desire to more closely denote those judged able and not able to work in a redrawing of the ‘disability category’. While this has been done in the name of ‘inclusion’, the article concludes that its consequences are, in various ways, the ‘exclusion’ and stigmatisation of disabled people.
Whatever Happened to William Dawson'sNegro Folk Symphony?
Authors: BROWN GWYNNE KUHNER
Published: November 2012

William Levi Dawson (1899–1990) is remembered chiefly for his masterful choral arrangements of Negro spirituals and for his multi-decade leadership of the Tuskegee Institute Choir. In 1934, however, his career seemed to be headed in a very different direction: Leopold Stokowski programmed Dawson'sNegro Folk Symphonyon four Philadelphia Orchestra concerts that met with acclaim from critics and audiences alike. The broadcast of one of these concerts on the Columbia Broadcasting System had a particularly powerful impact on the many African Americans in the radio audience. Materials in the William Levi Dawson Collection at Emory University illuminate both the momentousness of the symphony's debut and its provocatively minor impact on the trajectory of its composer's career. This article examines the premiere of theNegro Folk Symphonyas a groundbreaking event both public and personal, offers an explanation for the symphony's startlingly rapid descent into obscurity, and argues that this effective and fascinating work merits renewed attention from conductors and scholars today.
Magnetic Resonance Imaging-Based Neuromorphometry in Single Patients –
Authors: Hänggi Jürgen
Published: November 2012

The usefulness of MRI-based neuromorphometry for the investigation of single patients is described. A longitudinal cortical thickness analysis in a patient revealed lateral temporal lobe atrophy, suggesting rather semantic than frontotemporal dementia. A boy with the diagnosis of ADHD and control boys were compared and showed cortical thickness increases in the patient in the orbitofrontal cortex contradicting ADHD and suggesting disturbed social behaviour. The multiple synaesthetes E. S. was compared with control groups and showed hyperconnectivity between auditory and gustatory brain regions suggesting that interval-taste synaesthesia is rooted in anatomical alterations. McLeod syndrome patients were investigated and revealed severe atrophy of the caudate nucleus bilateral across time. Additionally, statistical recommendations for the comparison of MRI data of single patients are provided.
Language Comprehension in Parkinson’s Disease: The Case of Temporal Connectives
Authors: Al-Khaled Mohamed , Bolstorff Inga , Hagenah Johann , Münte Thomas F. , Heldmann Marcus
Published: November 2012

Language dysfunction is not normally considered to be a typical symptom of Parkinson’s disease (PD). Previous studies, however, have shown that PD might lead to comprehension deficits whenever a language task taxes verbal working memory. A case in point are sentences starting with temporal connectives (before or after). While “After A, B” sentences state the events in the same order as they occurred in real life, the event-order is reversed in “Before B, A”. Neuroimaging studies have revealed that the caudate nucleus is important for the additional computations necessitated by the processing of ‘before’-initial sentences, suggesting that such sentences should be particularly difficult for patients suffering from basal ganglia diseases such as PD. In the present investigation, we compared a group of PD patients with normal control participants. A further group of patients with restless legs syndrome (RLS) treated with dopaminergic medication was also tested. Replicating earlier studies, PD patients were disproportionately impaired in comprehending ‘before’-initial sentences. Importantly, this deficit was also observed in unmedicated de novo patients, suggesting that these difficulties occur relatively early in the disease. RLS patients also had increased error rates compared to healthy controls. This latter finding should be confirmed in further studies.
The Association Between Physical Activity and Attentional Control in Younger and Older Middle-Aged Adults
Authors: Winneke Axel H. , Godde Ben , Reuter Eva-Maria , Vieluf Solveig , Voelcker-Rehage Claudia
Published: November 2012

This study investigates the association between physical activity level and attentional control in a group of younger and older middle-aged adults (MA). Participants performed a Flanker task; two types of conflict were analyzed: response and perceptual conflict. For perceptual conflict, behavioral findings suggest that, irrespective of age, physical activity is positively associated with attentional control. For response conflicts, only highly active younger MA showed better attentional control, indicated by increased amplitudes of the event related potential N2 and reduced interference costs by distracting information. Physical activity did not modulate P3 amplitudes. The findings are discussed with respect to physical activity as functional approach to maintain cognitive functioning across the lifespan.
The Contributions of Cognitive Trainings to the Stability of Cognitive, Everyday, and Brain Functioning across Adulthood
Authors: Eschen Anne
Published: November 2012

This review covers the contributions of cognitive trainings to stability in cognitive, everyday, and brain functioning across adulthood. For these functional domains, relevant types of empirical evidence were defined for training-induced enhancement in absolute, differential, and dimensional stability in the light of developmental decline. The state of research regarding these types of evidence is presented. Little data were generally available on the effects of cognitive trainings on the stability of everyday and brain functioning and across all covered domains for their contributions to differential stability. There was sound empirical support for training-induced enhancements of absolute and dimensional cognitive stability across adulthood. The theoretical, methodological, and practical implications of these findings are discussed.
Multi‐decadal trends in the advection and mixing of natural carbon in the Southern Ocean
Authors: Lovenduski Nicole S. , Long Matthew C. , Gent Peter R. , Lindsay Keith
Published: November 2012

Multi‐decadal trends in the advection, mixing, and air‐sea flux of natural carbon dioxide (CO2) in the Southern Ocean are investigated using output from a hindcast simulation of a non‐eddy‐resolving ocean model. Particular emphasis is placed on the model's improved eddy‐induced advection parameterization. From 1958 to 2007, the model predicts a significant increase in the outgassing of natural CO2 from the Southern Ocean, congruent with a positive trend in the wind speed over this period. The natural CO2 flux trend is largely driven by enhanced Eulerian‐mean advection and diapycnal mixing of dissolved inorganic carbon (DIC) into the Southern Ocean surface. The natural CO2 flux trend would be larger, if not for an increase in the eddy‐induced advection of DIC out of the Southern Ocean surface, caused by the multi‐decadal increase in the model's eddy‐induced advection coefficient.