bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A New Simple Method for Estimating Exergy Destruction in Heat Exchangers
Authors: López Paniagua Ignacio , Rodríguez Martín Javier , González Fernandez Celina , Jiménez Alvaro Ángel , Nieto Carlier Rafael
Published: January 2013

This paper presents an abbreviated method for estimating exergy destruction in a heat exchanger, requiring only black-box data of the exchanger’s inputs and outputs, and eliminating part of the mathematical difficulties associated with the calculations. A well-known model for temperature distributions in an exchanger is adapted for this case, and is used to distinguish between the contributions of the three major causes of the total exergetic loss: heat transfer, fluid friction and energy dissipation to the surroundings. This provides insight into the relative importance of the three, allowing for identification of potential improvements to a given design.
Neurodegeneration and Neuroprotection in Diabetic Retinopathy
Authors: Ola Mohammad , Nawaz Mohd , Khan Haseeb , Alhomida Abdullah
Published: January 2013

Diabetic retinopathy is widely considered to be a neurovascular disease. This is in contrast to its previous identity as solely a vascular disease. Early in the disease progression of diabetes, the major cells in the neuronal component of the retina consist of retinal ganglion cells and glial cells, both of which have been found to be compromised. A number of retinal function tests also indicated a functional deficit in diabetic retina, which further supports dysfunction of neuronal cells. As an endocrinological disorder, diabetes alters metabolism both systemically and locally in several body organs, including the retina. A growing body of evidences indicates increased levels of excitotoxic metabolites, including glutamate, branched chain amino acids and homocysteine in cases of diabetic retinopathy. Also present, early in the disease, are decreased levels of folic acid and vitamin-B12, which are potential metabolites capable of damaging neurons. These altered levels of metabolites are found to activate several metabolic pathways, leading to increases in oxidative stress and decreases in the level of neurotrophic factors. As a consequence, they may damage retinal neurons in diabetic patients. In this review, we have discussed those potential excitotoxic metabolites and their implications in neuronal damage. Possible therapeutic targets to protect neurons are also discussed. However, further research is needed to understand the exact molecular mechanism of neurodegeneration so that effective neuroprotection strategies can be developed. By protecting retinal neurons early in diabetic retinopathy cases, damage of retinal vessels can be protected, thereby helping to ameliorate the progression of diabetic retinopathy, a leading cause of blindness worldwide.
Out of the Lab and into the Bathroom: Evening Short-Term Exposure to Conventional Light Suppresses Melatonin and Increases Alertness Perception
Authors: Wahnschaffe Amely , Haedel Sven , Rodenbeck Andrea , Stoll Claudia , Rudolph Horst , Kozakov Ruslan , Schoepp Heinz , Kunz Dieter
Published: January 2013

Life in 24-h society relies on the use of artificial light at night that might disrupt synchronization of the endogenous circadian timing system to the solar day. This could have a negative impact on sleep–wake patterns and psychiatric symptoms. The aim of the study was to investigate the influence of evening light emitted by domestic and work place lamps in a naturalistic setting on melatonin levels and alertness in humans. Healthy subjects (6 male, 3 female, 22–33 years) were exposed to constant dim light (<10 lx) for six evenings from 7:00 p.m. to midnight. On evenings 2 through 6, 1 h before habitual bedtime, they were also exposed to light emitted by 5 different conventional lamps for 30 min. Exposure to yellow light did not alter the increase of melatonin in saliva compared to dim light baseline during (38 ± 27 pg/mL vs. 39 ± 23 pg/mL) and after light exposure (39 ± 22 pg/mL vs. 44 ± 26 pg/mL). In contrast, lighting conditions including blue components reduced melatonin increase significantly both during (office daylight white: 25 ± 16 pg/mL, bathroom daylight white: 24 ± 10 pg/mL, Planon warm white: 26 ± 14 pg/mL, hall daylight white: 22 ± 14 pg/mL) and after light exposure (office daylight white: 25 ± 15 pg/mL, bathroom daylight white: 23 ± 9 pg/mL, Planon warm white: 24 ± 13 pg/mL, hall daylight white: 22 ± 26 pg/mL). Subjective alertness was significantly increased after exposure to three of the lighting conditions which included blue spectral components in their spectra. Evening exposure to conventional lamps in an everyday setting influences melatonin excretion and alertness perception within 30 min.
Annexin-Phospholipid Interactions. Functional Implications
Authors: Lizarbe María , Barrasa Juan , Olmo Nieves , Gavilanes Francisco , Turnay Javier
Published: January 2013

Annexins constitute an evolutionary conserved multigene protein superfamily characterized by their ability to interact with biological membranes in a calcium dependent manner. They are expressed by all living organisms with the exception of certain unicellular organisms. The vertebrate annexin core is composed of four (eight in annexin A6) homologous domains of around 70 amino acids, with the overall shape of a slightly bent ring surrounding a central hydrophilic pore. Calcium- and phospholipid-binding sites are located on the convex side while the N-terminus links domains I and IV on the concave side. The N-terminus region shows great variability in length and amino acid sequence and it greatly influences protein stability and specific functions of annexins. These proteins interact mainly with acidic phospholipids, such as phosphatidylserine, but differences are found regarding their affinity for lipids and calcium requirements for the interaction. Annexins are involved in a wide range of intra- and extracellular biological processes in vitro, most of them directly related with the conserved ability to bind to phospholipid bilayers: membrane trafficking, membrane-cytoskeleton anchorage, ion channel activity and regulation, as well as antiinflammatory and anticoagulant activities. However, the in vivo physiological functions of annexins are just beginning to be established.
Effects of Heme Oxygenase-1 Upregulation on Blood Pressure and Cardiac Function in an Animal Model of Hypertensive Myocardial Infarction
Authors: Chen Tian-meng , Li Jian , Liu Lin , Fan Li , Li Xiao-ying , Wang Yu-tang , Abraham Nader , Cao Jian
Published: January 2013

In this study, we evaluate the effect of HO-1 upregulation on blood pressure and cardiac function in the new model of infarct spontaneous hypertensive rats (ISHR). Male spontaneous hypertensive rats (SHR) at 13 weeks (n = 40) and age-matched male Wistar (WT) rats (n = 20) were divided into six groups: WT (sham + normal saline (NS)), WT (sham + Co(III) Protoporphyrin IX Chloride (CoPP)), SHR (myocardial infarction (MI) + NS), SHR (MI + CoPP), SHR (MI + CoPP + Tin Mesoporphyrin IX Dichloride (SnMP)), SHR (sham + NS); CoPP 4.5 mg/kg, SnMP 15 mg/kg, for six weeks, one/week, i.p., n = 10/group. At the sixth week, echocardiography (UCG) and hemodynamics were performed. Then, blood samples and heart tissue were collected. Copp treatment in the SHR (MI + CoPP) group lowered blood pressure, decreased infarcted area, restored cardiac function (left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), left ventricular fraction shortening (LVFS), +dp/dtmax, (−dp/dtmax)/left ventricular systolic pressure (LVSP)), inhibited cardiac hypertrophy and ventricular enlargement (downregulating left ventricular end-systolic diameter (LVEDD), left ventricular end-systolic diameter (LVESD) and heart weight/body weight (HW/BW)), lowered serum CRP, IL-6 and Glu levels and increased serum TB, NO and PGI2 levels. Western blot and immunohistochemistry showed that HO-1 expression was elevated in the SHR (MI + CoPP) group, while co-administration with SnMP suppressed the benefit functions mentioned above. In conclusion, HO-1 upregulation can lower blood pressure and improve post-infarct cardiac function in the ISHR model. These functions may be involved in the inhibition of inflammation and the ventricular remodeling process and in the amelioration of glucose metabolism and endothelial dysfunction.
Graphite-Supported Perchloric Acid (HClO4-C): An Efficient and Recyclable Heterogeneous Catalyst for the One-Pot Synthesis of Amidoalkyl Naphthols
Authors: Lei Zhen-Kai , Xiao Li , Lu Xiao-Quan , Huang He , Liu Chen-Jiang
Published: January 2013

An efficient and direct protocol for the preparation of amidoalkylnaphthols employing a multi-component, one-pot condensation reaction of 2-naphthol, aromatic aldehydes and acetamide or benzamide in the presence of graphite supported perchloric acid under solvent-free conditions is described. The thermal solvent-free procedure offers advantages such as simple work-up, shorter reaction times and higher product yields, and the catalyst exhibited remarkable reactivity and can be recycled.
Design of a Novel MEMS Gyroscope Array
Authors: Wang Wei , Lv Xiaoyong , Sun Feng
Published: January 2013

This paper reports a novel four degree-of-freedom (DOF) MEMS vibratory gyroscope. A MEMS gyroscope array is then presented using the novel gyroscope unit. In the design of the proposed 4-DOF MEMS vibratory gyroscope, the elements of the drive-mode are set inside the whole gyroscope architecture, and the elements of sense-mode are set around the drive-mode, which thus makes it possible to combine several gyroscope units into a gyroscope array through sense-modes of all the units. The complete 2-DOF vibratory structure is utilized in both the drive-mode and sense-mode of the gyroscope unit, thereby providing the desired bandwidth and inherent robustness. The gyroscope array combines several gyroscope units by using the unique detection mass, which will increase the gain of sense-mode and improve the sensitivity of the system. The simulation results demonstrate that, compared to a single gyroscope unit, the gain of gyroscope array (n = 6) is increased by about 8 dB; a 3 dB bandwidth of 100 Hz in sense-mode and 190 Hz in drive-mode are also provided. The bandwidths of both modes are highly matched with each other, providing a bandwidth of 100 Hz for the entire system, thus illustrating that it could satisfy the requirements in practical applications.
Acute Psychosocial Stress-Mediated Changes in the Expression and Methylation of Perforin in Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
Authors: Falkenberg Virginia R. , Whistler Toni , Murray Janna R. , Unger Elizabeth R. , Rajeevan Mangalathu S.
Published: January 2013

Perforin ( PRF1) is essential for immune surveillance and studies report decreased perforin in chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), an illness potentially associated with stress and/or infection. We hypothesize that stress can influence regulation of PRF1 expression, and that this regulation will differ between CFS and non-fatigued (NF) controls. We used the Trier Social Stress Test (TSST) as a standardized acute psychosocial stress, and evaluated its effect on PRF1 expression and methylation in CFS (n = 34) compared with NF (n = 47) participants. During the TSST, natural killer (NK) cells increased significantly in both CFS ( P = <0.0001) and NF subjects ( P = <0.0001). Unlike previous reports, there was no significant difference in PRF1 expression at baseline or during TSST between CFS and NF. However, whole blood PRF1 expression increased 1.6 fold during the TSST in both CFS ( P = 0.0003) and NF ( P = <0.0001). Further, the peak response immediately following the TSST was lower in CFS compared with NF ( P = 0.04). In addition, at 1.5 hours post TSST, PRF1 expression was elevated in CFS compared with NF (whole blood, P = 0.06; PBMC, P = 0.02). Methylation of seven CpG sites in the methylation sensitive region of the PRF1 promoter ranged from 38%-79% with no significant differences between CFS and NF. Although, the average baseline methylation of all seven CpG sites did not differ between CFS and NF groups, it showed a significant negative correlation with PRF1 expression at all TSST time points in both CFS (r = –0.56, P = <0.0001) and NF (r = –0.38, P = <0.0001). Among participants with high average methylation (≥65%), PRF1 expression was significantly lower in CFS than NF subjects immediately following TSST. These findings suggest methylation could be an important epigenetic determinant of inter-individual differences in PRF1 expression and that the differences in PRF1 expression and methylation between CFS and NF in the acute stress response require further investigation.
Structure of second-order symmetric Lorentzian manifolds
Authors: Blanco Oihane F. , Senovilla José M. M. , Sánchez Miguel
Published: January 2013

Second-order symmetric Lorentzian spaces
, that is to say, Lorentzian manifolds with vanishing second derivative

\nabla \nabla R\equiv 0

of the curvature tensor

R

, are characterized by several geometric properties, and explicitly presented. Locally, they are a product

M=M_1\times M_2

where each factor is uniquely determined as follows:

M_2

is a Riemannian symmetric space and

M_1

is either a constant-curvature Lorentzian space or a definite type of plane wave generalizing the Cahen–Wallach family. In the proper case (i.e.,

\nabla R \neq 0

at some point), the curvature tensor turns out to be described by some local affine function which characterizes a globally defined {parallel lightlike direction}. As a consequence, the corresponding global classification is obtained, namely: any complete second-order symmetric space admits as universal covering such a product

M_1\times M_2

. From the technical point of view, a direct analysis of the second-symmetry partial differential equations is carried out leading to several results of independent interest relative to spaces with a parallel lightlike vector field—the so-called Brinkmann spaces.
A single parameter representation of hygroscopic growth and cloud condensation nucleus activity – Part 3: Including surfactant partitioning
Authors: Petters M. D. , Kreidenweis S. M.
Published: January 2013

Abstract. Atmospheric particles can serve as cloud condensation nuclei in the atmosphere. The presence of surface active compounds in the particle may affect the critical supersaturation that is required to activate a particle. Modelling surfactants in the context of Köhler theory, however, is difficult because surfactant enrichment at the surface implies that a stable radial concentration gradient must exist in the droplet. In this study, we introduce a hybrid model that accounts for partitioning between the bulk and surface phases in the context of single parameter representations of cloud condensation nucleus activity. The presented formulation incorporates analytical approximations of surfactant partitioning to yield a set of equations that maintain the conceptual and mathematical simplicity of the single parameter framework. The resulting set of equations allows users of the single parameter model to account for surfactant partitioning by applying minor modifications to already existing code.
Aircraft measurements of gases pollutants and particles during CAREBeijing-2008: distributions, characteristics and influencing factors
Authors: Zhang W. , Zhu T. , Yang W. , Bai Z. , Sun Y. L. , Xu Y. , Yin B.
Published: January 2013

Abstract. Measurements of gaseous pollutants, including ozone (O3), sulfur dioxide (SO2), nitrogen oxides (NOx = NO + NO2), carbon monoxide (CO), particle number concentrations (5.6–560 nm and 0.47–30 μm), and meteorological parameters (T, RH, P) were conducted during the Program of Campaigns of Air Quality Research in Beijing and Surrounding Region (CAREBeijing) from 27 August through 13 October 2008. The data of total 18 flights (70 h flight time) from the ground to 2100 m were obtained by a Yun-12 aircraft in the southern surrounded areas of Beijing (38° N–40° N, 114° E–118° E). This measurement was to characterize the regional variation of air pollution during and after the Olympics of 2008, the impacts of different transport direction and possible influencing factors. Results suggested that four different groups of transport sources influenced the pollution level of pollutants with the consideration of the backward trajectory analysis, including: (1) the pollutant transport of the southern direction with higher pollutants level; (2) the cleaner long-range transport of the northern or northwestern direction with lower pollutants level; (3) the transport from the eastern direction with characteristics of sea sources, i.e. middle level of gases pollutants and higher particle concentration; (4) the transport of mixing directions, i.e. lower altitudes from the pollutant transport direction or local pollution but higher altitudes from the clean transport direction. Additionally, the relatively long-lived CO was shown to be a possible transport tracer of long-range transport of northwestern direction especially on the higher altitudes. Three factors influenced the size distribution of particles, i.e. air mass transport direction, ground source emissions and meteorological influences were also discussed.
Radical mechanisms of methyl vinyl ketone oligomerization through aqueous phase OH-oxidation: on the paradoxical role of dissolved molecular oxygen
Authors: Renard P. , Siekmann F. , Gandolfo A. , Socorro J. , Salque G. , Ravier S. , Quivet E. , Clément J.-L. , Traikia M. , Delort A.-M. , Voisin D. , Thissen R. , Monod A.
Published: January 2013

Abstract. It is now accepted that one of the important pathways of Secondary Organic Aerosol (SOA) formation occurs through aqueous phase chemistry in the atmosphere. However, the liquid phase chemical mechanisms leading to macromolecules are still not well understood. For α-dicarbonyl precursors, such as methylglyoxal and glyoxal, radical reactions through OH-oxidation produce oligomers, irreversibly and faster than accretion reactions. Methyl vinyl ketone (MVK) was chosen in the present study as it is an α, β-unsaturated carbonyl that can undergo such reaction pathways in the aqueous phase and forms even high molecular weight oligomers. We present here experiments on the aqueous phase OH-oxidation of MVK, performed under atmospheric relevant conditions. Using NMR and UV absorption spectroscopy, high and ultra-high resolution mass spectrometry, we show that the fast formation of oligomers up to 1800 Da is due to radical oligomerization of MVK, and 13 series of oligomers (out of a total of 26 series) are identified. The influence of atmospherically relevant parameters such as temperature, initial concentrations of MVK and dissolved oxygen are presented and discussed. In agreement with the experimental observations, we propose a chemical mechanism of OH-oxidation of MVK in the aqueous phase that proceeds via radical oligomerization of MVK on the olefin part of the molecule. This mechanism highlights the paradoxical role of dissolved O2: while it inhibits oligomerization reactions, it contributes to produce oligomerization initiator radicals, which rapidly consume O2, thus leading to the supremacy of oligomerization reactions after several minutes of reaction. These processes, together with the large ranges of initial concentrations investigated (60–656 μM of dissolved O2 and 0.2–20 mM of MVK) show the fundamental role that O2 likely plays in atmospheric organic aerosol.
Multifractal analysis of vertical total electron content (VTEC) at equatorial region and low latitude, during low solar activity
Authors: Bolzan M. J. A. , Tardelli A. , Pillat V. G. , Fagundes P. R. , Rosa R. R.
Published: January 2013

Abstract. This paper analyses the multifractal aspects of the GPS data (measured during a period of low solar activity) obtained from two Brazilian stations: Belém (01.3° S, 48.3° W) and São José dos Campos (SJC) (23.2° S, 45.9° W). The results show that the respective geographic sites show important scaling differences as well as similarities when their multifractal signatures for vertical total electron content (VTEC) are compared. The f(α) spectra have a narrow shape for great scales, which indicates the predominance of deterministic phenomena, such as solar rotation (27 days) over intermittent phenomena. Furthermore, the f(α) spectra for both sites have a strong multifractality degree at small scales. This strong multifractality degree observed at small scales (1 to 12 h) at both sites is because the ionosphere over Brazil is a non-equilibrium system. The differences found were that Belém presented a stronger multifractality at small scales (1 h to 12 h) compared with SJC, particularly in 2006. The reason for this behaviour may be associated with the location of Belém, near the geomagnetic equator, where at this location the actions of X-rays, ultraviolet, and another wavelength from the Sun are more direct, strong, and constant throughout the whole year. Although the SJC site is near ionospheric equatorial anomaly (IEA) peaks, this interpretation could explain the higher values found for the intermittent parameter μ for Belém compared with SJC. Belém also showed the presence of one or two flattening regions for f(α) spectra at the same scales mentioned before. These differences and similarities also were interpreted in terms of the IEA content, where this phenomenon is an important source of intermittence due the presence of the VTEC peaks at ±20° geomagnetic latitudes.
Autonomous, high-resolution observations of particle flux in the oligotrophic ocean
Authors: Estapa M. L. , Buesseler K. , Boss E. , Gerbi G.
Published: January 2013

Abstract. Observational gaps limit our understanding of particle flux attenuation through the upper mesopelagic because available measurements (sediment traps and radiochemical tracers) have limited temporal resolution, are labor-intensive, and require ship support. Here, we conceptually evaluate an autonomous, optical proxy-based method for high-resolution observations of particle flux. We present four continuous records of particle flux collected with autonomous, profiling floats in the western Sargasso Sea and the subtropical North Pacific, as well as one shorter record of depth-resolved particle flux near the Bermuda Atlantic Timeseries Study (BATS) and Oceanic Flux Program (OFP) sites. These observations illustrate strong variability in particle flux over very short (~1 day) timescales, but at longer timescales they reflect patterns of variability previously recorded during sediment trap timeseries. While particle flux attenuation at BATS/OFP agreed with the canonical power-law model when observations were averaged over a month, flux attenuation was highly variable on timescales of 1–3 days. Particle fluxes at different depths were decoupled from one another and from particle concentrations and chlorophyll fluorescence in the immediately-overlying surface water, consistent with horizontal advection of settling particles. We finally present an approach for calibrating this optical proxy in units of carbon flux, discuss in detail the related, inherent physical and optical assumptions, and look forward toward the requirements for the quantitative application of this method in highly time-resolved studies of particle export and flux attenuation.
The support of multidimensional approaches in integrate monitoring for SEA: a case of study
Authors: Torre C. M. , Selicato M.
Published: January 2013

Abstract. During the centuries, the seaside has represented a crucial pole for future human development and civilization. The use of the sea for transport and trade and the overwhelming availability of food derived from coastal waters have encouraged and strengthened the growth of urban settlements. In the same time, the human pressure menaces to destroy coastal habitats and consequently their carrying capacity that allows for many essential functions. Low-impact activities are often replaced, on the surface, by new intensive ones that are attractive in the short term, but that in the long term undermine by reducing the resilience of the coast. It is clear that, in a perspective of sustainable development, economically efficient and socially equitable use of coastal areas need to be supported inside strategies to correct these weaknesses. The definition of such strategies and their implementation in the Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) is an essential tool for supporting decisions and of monitoring. The issues of monitoring, more in particular, have been the subject of study and modelling by the use of Dynamic Spatial Data Analysis (DSDA), in the case of the SEA of the Coastal Plan of the Italian Apulia Region, as an information instrument for regulating the anthropogenic changes; a possibility to implement the analysis of environmental sensitivity and propensity to Coastal erosion has been explored, in order to control the level of human pressure on land. The monitoring system should provide an automatic "alert" when the dimension and the velocity of the change of land use overpass some threshold of environmental pressure.
Towards a publicly available, map-based regional software tool to estimate unregulated daily streamflow at ungauged rivers
Authors: Archfield S. A. , Steeves P. A. , Guthrie J. D. , Ries III K. G.
Published: January 2013

Abstract. Streamflow information is critical for addressing any number of hydrologic problems. Often, streamflow information is needed at locations that are ungauged and, therefore, have no observations on which to base water management decisions. Furthermore, there has been increasing need for daily streamflow time series to manage rivers for both human and ecological functions. To facilitate negotiation between human and ecological demands for water, this paper presents the first publicly available, map-based, regional software tool to estimate historical, unregulated, daily streamflow time series (streamflow not affected by human alteration such as dams or water withdrawals) at any user-selected ungauged river location. The map interface allows users to locate and click on a river location, which then links to a spreadsheet-based program that computes estimates of daily streamflow for the river location selected. For a demonstration region in the northeast United States, daily streamflow was, in general, shown to be reliably estimated by the software tool. Estimating the highest and lowest streamflows that occurred in the demonstration region over the period from 1960 through 2004 also was accomplished but with more difficulty and limitations. The software tool provides a general framework that can be applied to other regions for which daily streamflow estimates are needed.
Comparing Surgical Complications of Donors and Recipients in Retroperitoneoscopic versus Mini-Incision Donor Nephrectomy: A Single-Center Experience
Authors: Koch Martina , Bachmann Alexander , Nashan Bjoern
Published: January 2013

Anterior vertical mini-incision donor nephrectomy (MIDN) has been used as the standard retrieval procedure in our center. Though the MIDN approach was tolerated very well with low complication rates, there were especially cosmetic reasons, to consider a change of procedure. Hence we switched to a total retroperitoneoscopic donor nephrectomy (RPDN) in 2011. We compared the outcome and surgical complications of donors and recipients of the first 30 RPDNs performed with 30 consecutive MIDN procedures. In both techniques, right and left nephrectomies were carried out. After a very short learning curve, the mean RPDN operation times were shorter compared to the MIDN (109 versus 171 min, P<0.01) and donors were discharged earlier. No major complications occurred in the RPDN group and complications were less frequent compared to MIDN (17% versus 40%). The renal function in the recipients was equivalent in both groups at the time of discharge and after one year. We conclude that RPDN is easy to learn for a surgical team experienced in open retroperitoneal donor nephrectomy. The change of the retrieval technique is safe for the donor and the recipient regarding surgical complications and recipients’ renal function. Donors benefit from RPDN due to earlier hospital discharge and faster recovery.
Description of eight new species of the traumatically inseminating plant bug genus Coridromius (Heteroptera: Miridae: Orthotylinae: Coridromini)
Authors: Tatarnic Nikolai Juris , Cassis Gerasimos
Published: January 2013

Eight new species of the plant bug genus Coridromius are described: C. basilanus sp. nov. from the Philippines, C. eremnos sp. nov. from Sabah, Malaysia, C. fomangsu sp. nov. and C. tafo sp. nov. from Ghana, C. norfolkensis sp. nov. from Norfolk Island, Australia, C. mulu sp. nov. from Sarawak, Malaysia, C. macchabeeus sp. nov. from Mauritius, and C. taravao sp. nov. from Tahiti, French Polynesia.
Reid, Thomas
Authors: Cuneo Terence
Published: January 2013

Thomas Reid (1710–96) defended the view that there is a plurality of moral first principles which are self‐evident to the conscientious agent. Reid further claimed that these moral principles are not part of the natural order described by science. It is because of these commitments that Reid's view is often described as a version of moral intuitionism (seeIntuitionism, Moral). While not inaccurate, this description conceals important ways in which Reid's view differs from that of later intuitionists, such as W. D. Ross (seeRoss, W. D.). For, unlike Ross, Reid's defense of moral intuitionism appeals primarily to the nature of science and human agency. Only if we have a proper understanding of both these subjects, Reid argues, can we develop a satisfactory theory of morals.
Recognition
Authors: Williams Robert R.
Published: January 2013

Paul Ricoeur points out that no theory of recognition exists in the way that one or more theories of knowledge or truth exist. This absence of theoretical insight stands in contrast to the coherence that allows the word “recognition” to appear in a dictionary as a single lexical unit. Lest anyone think that the term “recognition” has some obvious coherent sense, Ricoeur asks, “What do Kant's synthesis ofrecognitionin transcendental deduction, Bergson's account ofreconnaissanceas the mnemonic act par excellence, and Hegel's account ofAnerkennenas a process that culminates in an ‘I' that is a ‘We' have in common?” (2005: 18).
Using microbial genome annotation as a foundation for collaborative student research
Authors: Reed Kelynne E. , Richardson John M.
Published: January 2013

We used the Integrated Microbial Genomes Annotation Collaboration Toolkit as a framework to incorporate microbial genomics research into a microbiology and biochemistry course in a way that promoted student learning of bioinformatics and research skills and emphasized teamwork and collaboration as evidenced through multiple assessment mechanisms. Student teams in microbiology used bioinformatics tools to identify and characterize gene products from Mucilaginibacter paludis necessary for the synthesis of specific amino acids and then designed and carried out growth experiments to determine if the organism could indeed synthesize the amino acids. Students in biochemistry worked to characterize one of the amino acid biosynthetic pathways reconstructed by a previous microbiology class through amplification and cloning of the M. paludis genes and complementation analysis of Escherichia coli mutants. © 2012 by The International Union of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, 41(1):34–43, 2013
Microsurgical anatomy of the infratemporal fossa
Authors: Joo Wonil , Funaki Takeshi , Yoshioka Fumitaka , Rhoton Albert L.
Published: January 2013

The objective of this study is to clearly and precisely describe the topography and contents of the infratemporal fossa. Ten formalin‐fixed, adult cadaveric specimens were studied. Twenty infratemporal fossa were dissected and examined using micro‐operative techniques with magnifications of 3–40×. Information was obtained about the inter‐relationships of the contents of the infratemporal fossa. The infratemporal fossa lies at the boundary of the head and neck, and the intracranial cavity. It is surrounded by the maxillary sinus anteriorly, the mandible laterally, the pterygoid process anteromedially, and the parapharyngeal space posteromedially. It contains the maxillary artery and its branches, the pterygoid muscles, the mandibular nerve, and the pterygoid venous plexus. The course and the anatomic variation of the maxillary artery and the branches of the mandibular nerve were demonstrated. The three‐dimensional (3D) relationships between the important bony landmarks and the neurovascular bundles of the infratemporal fossa were also shown. The skull base anatomy of the infratemporal fossa is complex, requiring neurosurgeons and head and neck surgeons to have a precise knowledge of 3D details of the topography and contents of the region. A detailed 3D anatomic knowledge is mandatory to manage benign or malignant lesions involving the infratemporal fossa without significant postoperative complications. Clin. Anat., 2013. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Protoporphyrin IX/Cobyrinate Derived Hybrids – Novel Activators of Soluble Guanylyl Cyclase
Authors: Chromiński Mikołaj , ó Proinsias Keith , Martin Emil , Gryko Dorota
Published: January 2013

Cobyrinate/protoporphyrin IX molecular hybrids were prepared through application of the CuOAc catalyzed azide‐alkyne cycloaddition (CuAAC) "click" reaction. The synthesis involved selective preparation of cobyrinate and PpIX derived building blocks possessing respectively terminal alkyne and azide moieties, followed by a CuOAc catalyzed cycloaddition reaction. Synthesized molecules activated soluble guanylyl cyclase and showed strong linker‐length/activation dependence.
Modulation of human osteoblasts by metal surface chemistry
Authors: Hofstetter Wilhelm , Sehr Harald , Wild Michael de , Portenier Jeannette , Gobrecht Jens , Hunziker Ernst B.
Published: January 2013

The use of metal implants in dental and orthopedic surgery is continuously expanding and highly successful. While today longevity and load‐bearing capacity of the implants fulfill the expectations of the patients, acceleration of osseointegration would be of particular benefit to shorten the period of convalescence. To further clarify the options to accelerate the kinetics of osseointegration, within this study, the osteogenic properties of structurally identical surfaces with different metal coatings were investigated. To assess the development and function of primary human osteoblasts on metal surfaces, cell viability, differentiation, and gene expression were determined. Titanium surfaces were used as positive, and surfaces coated with gold were used as negative controls. Little differences in the cellular parameters tested for were found when the cells were grown on titanium discs sputter coated with titanium, zirconium, niobium, tantalum, gold, and chromium. Cell number, activity of cell layer‐associated alkaline phosphatase (ALP), and levels of transcripts encoding COL1A1 and BGLAP did not vary significantly in dependence of the surface chemistry. Treatment of the cell cultures with 1,25(OH)2D3/Dex, however, significantly increased ALP activity and BGLAP messenger RNA levels. The data demonstrate that the metal layer coated onto the titanium discs exerted little modulatory effects on cell behavior. It is suggested that the microenvironment regulated by the peri‐implant tissues is more effective in regulating the tissue response than is the material of the implant itself. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part A, 2013.
Efficient One‐Pot Synthesis of Bis(4‐hydroxycoumarin)methanes in the Presence of Sulfonic Acid Functionalized Nanoporous Silica (SBA‐Pr‐SO3H)
Authors: Ziarani Ghodsi Mohammadi , Badiei Alireza , Azizi Masoomeh , Lashgari Negar
Published: January 2013

An efficient and simple method for the synthesis of bis(4‐hydroxycoumarin)methanes has been achieved through a one‐pot condensation of aryl aldehydes and 4‐hydroxycoumarin in the presence of nanoporous solid acid catalyst of SBA‐Pr‐SO3H with pore size of 6 nm. Excellent yields, short reaction times, reusability of the catalyst and simple workup are advantages of this synthetic procedure.
Evolution of the tissue selective estrogen complex (TSEC)
Authors: Komm Barry S. , Mirkin Sebastian
Published: January 2013

Estrogens mediate gene transcription and signaling of numerous cellular processes in a variety of tissues, including the bone, breast, and endometrium, through binding and activation of estrogen receptors (ERs). Estrogen‐mediated ER agonist activity has shown benefit in conditions related to estrogen deficiency in women; however, these effects have been associated with stimulation of breast and uterine tissues. Due to the complexity of ER signaling, selective estrogen receptor modulators (SERMs) can exhibit ER agonist or antagonist activity depending on the target tissue. A newer approach to menopausal therapy, the tissue selective estrogen complex (TSEC), pairs a SERM with one or more estrogens with the goal of maintaining the benefits of estrogens without the stimulatory effects on the breast and uterus. Preclinically, different TSECs have been associated with distinct gene expression profiles compared with each other and with their individual SERM/estrogen components. Studies in cultured breast cancer cells and animal models have demonstrated a lack of estrogen‐induced stimulation with TSECs in the mammary gland and endometrium. In the breast, biochemical analyses indicate that degradation of the ER is an important mechanism by which TSECs exert their antagonistic effects. TSECs have also shown positive effects similar to estrogens in other tissue types, including bone and the central nervous system, although mechanisms underlying these activities are less clear. Overall, preclinical studies have shown that estrogens, SERMs, and TSECs each exert distinct and tissue specific molecular and pharmacologic effects. J. Cell. Physiol. 228: 1423–1427, 2013. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Sestrins: Novel antioxidant and AMPK‐modulating functions regulated by exercise?
Authors: Sanchis‐Gomar Fabian
Published: January 2013

Oxidative stress results from damage to tissues caused by free radicals and is increased by exercise. Peroxiredoxins (PRXs) maintain the cellular reducing environment by scavenging intracellular hydrogen peroxide. It has been recently noted that physical exercise has a positive effect on the PRX system, exerting a protective effect against oxidative stress‐induced damage. However, other compounds, such as sestrins (SESNs), a stress‐inducible protein family with antioxidant properties, should also be considered in the function of PRXs. SESNs are clearly involved in the regeneration process of PRXs and therefore may also be modulated by physical exercise. In addition, SESNs are clearly involved in TOR, AMPK, p53, FoxO, and PRXs signaling pathways. The aforementioned pathways are implicated in aging processes by inducing an increased resistance to subsequent stress, thus delaying age‐related changes, such as sarcopenia and frailty, and consequently promoting longevity. Likewise, exercise also modulates these pathways. In fact, exercise is one of the most important recommended strategies to prevent sarcopenia and frailty, increase longevity, and improve health in the elderly. Loss of SESNs can cause several chronic pathologies, such as fat accumulation, mitochondrial dysfunction, cardiac arrhythmia, and/or muscle degeneration. Accordingly, physical inactivity leads to accumulation of visceral fat and consequently the activation of a network of inflammatory pathways, which promote development of insulin resistance, atherosclerosis, neurodegeneration, and tumor growth. To date, the SESNs‐exercise relationship has not been explored. However, this emerging family of stress proteins may be part of the redox‐based adaptive response to exercise. J. Cell. Physiol. 228: 1647–1650, 2013. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Synthesis of Novel Benzotriazoloazepine Derivatives
Authors: Zhang Wei , Han Rong‐Bi , Zhang Wen‐Bin , Jiang Ri‐Shan , Piao Feng‐Yu
Published: January 2013

Eight new benzotriazoloazepine derivatives have been synthesized starting from 7‐methoxy‐2,3,4,5‐tetrahydro‐1H‐2‐benzo[c]azepin‐1‐one. The compounds 2a–c have been synthesized by the reaction of 7‐methoxy‐2,3,4,5‐tetrahydro‐1H‐2‐benzo[c]azepin‐1‐thione with various hydrazides. Reaction of 5 with hydrazine hydrate, followed by treatment of the resultant hydrazone with formic acid, gave corresponding 9‐alkoxy‐6,7‐dihydro‐5H‐benzo[c][1,2,4]triazolo[4,3‐a]azepine(6a,b). Cyclization of 5 with methyl carbazate gave 9‐alkoxy‐6,7‐dihydro‐2H‐benzo[c][1,2,4]triazolo[4,3‐a]azepin‐3(5H)‐one (7a–c). The structures of the compounds were confirmed by their elemental analysis and spectral data. Their anticonvulsant activities have been initially screened.
Efficient One‐Pot Synthesis of Spiro[indoline‐3,1′‐pyrazolo[1,2‐b] phthalazine] Derivatives via Three‐Component Reaction
Authors: Chen Hui , Shi Da‐Qing
Published: January 2013

An efficient one‐pot synthesis of spiro[indoline‐3,1′‐pyrazolo[1,2‐b]phthalazine] derivatives via three‐component reaction of phthalhydrazide, isatin, and malononitrile (cyanoacetic ester) is described. This new protocol has the advantages of high efficiency, mild reaction conditions, one‐pot procedure, and convenient operation.
Bio‐inspired optimization for electromagnetic structure design using full‐wave techniques on GPUs
Authors: Kilic O. , El‐Araby E. , Nguyen Q. , Dang V.
Published: January 2013

The electromagnetic modeling of antennas and radio frequency devices has become increasingly challenging as the applications demand intricate and complex designs, such as fine features embedded in electrically large structures or integrated systems (e.g., antennas on vehicles). Often the design stage is further challenged by the need to find an optimal solution, which results in a numerically intensive problem. The objective of this paper is to investigate the use of graphics processing units (GPUs) in such challenging design and optimizations. Two full‐wave approaches (method of moments and rigorous coupled wave analysis) are discussed along with a bio‐inspired optimization technique, namely the particle swarm optimization. The inherent parallel nature of the GPUs is utilized in implementing the most numerically intensive parts of these full‐wave methods. Furthermore, the independent search mechanism employed by the particle swarm optimization in its agent‐based search renders itself to parallelism offered by GPUs. The paper demonstrates the acceleration achieved by the GPUs in designing a variety of radio frequency structures such as reconfigurable patch antennas and antireflective surfaces. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Real Options, Intangible Resources and Performance of Franchise Networks
Authors: Gorovaia Nina , Windsperger Josef
Published: January 2013

This study investigates the performance of franchise networks through the lens of the resource‐based and real options theory. First, according to the resource‐based view, we argue that the intangible resources of the franchisor (system‐specific know‐how and brand name) and the intangible outlet‐specific resources of the franchisees (exploration and exploitation capabilities) positively impact the performance of the franchise system. Second, on the basis of the real option perspective, we show that the franchisor's use of an explicit call option in the franchise contract—as a clause that gives him or her the right to acquire franchise units—increases the franchisor's managerial flexibility and incentives for intangible investments and hence improves the performance of the franchise network. We test the hypotheses with cross‐sectional data from the franchise sector in Germany. The data provide some support of the hypotheses. Our study contributes to the franchise and interorganizational network literature as no prior study has applied the real option perspective to franchising. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The impact of utilization of early aneuploidy screening on amniocenteses available for training in obstetrics and fetal medicine
Authors: Rose Nancy C. , Lagrave Danielle , Hafen Brent , Jackson Marc
Published: January 2013

Objective

First‐trimester aneuploidy screening has high detection rates and low false‐positive rates. Their use as well as the implementation of non‐invasive prenatal testing may affect specialty training in prenatal diagnosis procedures.

Study design

Descriptive study of first‐trimester aneuploidy screening and amniocentesis in an obstetric training program. Screening methods were tracked from their introduction in 2004 through 2011. The volume of amniocentesis procedures from 2000 to 2011 was evaluated.

Results

First‐trimester screening tests increased from 283 to 1225 between 2005 and 2011, whereas genetic amniocenteses declined from 460 to 168 during the same period. The percent of older women who chose a first‐trimester screen test rose from 12.7% to 44.2%

Conclusion

First‐trimester screening options reduce genetic amniocenteses available for training. Fetal medicine and general obstetrics training programs need to evaluate their clinical experience and determine whether simulation training methods are needed for education. © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
TNF‐238 polymorphism may predict bronchopulmonary dysplasia among preterm infants in the Egyptian population
Authors: Elhawary Nasser A. , Tayeb Mohammed T. , Abdel‐Ghafar Shereen , Rashad Mona , Alkhotani Abdel‐Aziz
Published: January 2013

Bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) remains as a major and increasing burden in Egypt.

Rationale

To determine whether alleles of TNFα‐238G > A affect the risk of BPD or the severity of BPD in preterm infants in Egypt.

Study Design

We prospectively genotyped 220 premature neonates (birth weight <1,500 g and gestational age 26–32 weeks) for the −238 polymorphism, and assessed the clinical risk factors for BPD in our study populations. Infants with BPD were mechanically ventilated.

Results

Infants who developed BPD (n = 120) had a younger gestational age (31.0 ± 2.1 weeks vs. 34.3 ± 1.5 weeks) and lower birth weight (1,490 ± 360 g vs. 1,880 ± 520 g) than infants who did not develop BPD (n = 100). Results of antenatal steroid supplementation, surfactant therapy, or sepsis might affect the genetic modulation of BPD. The −238G > A polymorphism was associated with a twofold risk of BPD (OR = 2.86; 95% confidence interval, 1.35–3.83). Despite the dominance of the G allele in the Egyptian population, the −238A allele was more common among infants with BPD (23%) than among infants without BPD (15%). The A allele occurred less often in infants with mild BPD (9%) than in infants with severe (39%) or moderate (52%). The AA genotype occurred in 15% of cases but in none of the controls.

Conclusion

The TNFα −238G > A polymorphism—particularly the presence of an A allele—should be evaluated as a biomarker to predict the clinical outcome of preterm infants with BPD in Egypt. Even the presence of one copy of this mutant allele appears to be sufficient to influence the severity of disease. Pediatr Pulmonol. 2013; 48:699–706. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
A complex surface of general type with 𝑝_{𝑔}=0, 𝐾²=2 and 𝐻₁=ℤ/4ℤ
Authors: Park Heesang , Park Jongil , Shin Dongsoo
Published: January 2013

We construct a new minimal complex surface of general type with

p
g

=
0

p_g=0

,

K
2

=
2

K^2=2

and

H
1

=

Z

/

4

Z

H_1=\mathbb {Z}/4\mathbb {Z}

(in fact,

π
1

alg

=

Z

/

4

Z

\pi _1^{\text {alg}}=\mathbb {Z}/4\mathbb {Z}

), which settles the existence question for numerical Campedelli surfaces with all possible algebraic fundamental groups. The main techniques involved in the construction are a rational blow-down surgery and a

Q

\mathbb {Q}

-Gorenstein smoothing theory.