bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A novel method for diagnosing seasonal to inter-annual surface ocean carbon dynamics from bottle data using neural networks
Authors: Sasse T. P. , McNeil B. I. , Abramowitz G.
Published: November 2012

Abstract. The ocean's role in modulating the observed 1–7 Pg C yr−1 inter-annual variability in atmospheric CO2 growth rate is an important, but poorly constrained process due to sparse spatio-temporal ocean carbon measurements. Here, we investigate and develop a non-linear empirical approach to predict inorganic CO2 concentrations (total carbon dioxide (CT) and total alkalinity (AT) in the global ocean mixed-layer from hydrographic properties (temperature, salinity, dissolved oxygen and nutrients). The benefit of this approach is that once the empirical relationship is established, it can be applied to hydrographic datasets that have better spatio-temporal coverage, and therefore provide an additional constraint to diagnose ocean carbon dynamics globally. Previous empirical approaches have employed multiple linear regressions (MLR), and relied on ad-hoc geographic and temporal partitioning of carbon data to constrain complex global carbon dynamics in the mixed-layer. Synthesising a new global CT/AT carbon bottle dataset consisting of ~33 000 measurements in the open ocean mixed-layer, we develop a neural network based approach to better constrain the non-linear carbon system. The approach classifies features in the global biogeochemical dataset based on their similarity and homogeneity in a self-organizing map (SOM; Kohonen, 1988). After the initial SOM analysis, which includes geographic constraints, we apply a local linear optimizer to the neural network which considerably enhances the predictive skill of the new approach. We call this new approach SOMLO, or self-organizing multiple linear output. Using independent bottle carbon data, we compare a traditional MLR analysis to our SOMLO approach to capture the spatial CT and AT distributions. We find the SOMLO approach improves predictive skill globally by 19% for CT, with a global capacity to predict CT to within 10.9 μmol kg−1 (9.2 μmol kg−1 for AT. The non-linear SOMLO approach is particularly powerful in complex, but important regions like the Southern Ocean, North Atlantic and equatorial Pacific where residual standard errors were reduced between 25–40% over traditional linear methods. We further test the SOMLO technique using the Bermuda Atlantic time-series (BATS) and Hawaiian ocean (HOT) datasets, where hydrographic data was capable of explaining 90% of the seasonal cycle and inter-annual variability at those multi-decadal time-series stations.
UV/PAR radiations and DOM properties in surface coastal waters of the Canadian shelf of the Beaufort Sea during summer 2009
Authors: Para J. , Charrière B. , Matsuoka A. , Miller W. L. , Rontani J. F. , Sempéré R.
Published: November 2012

Abstract. Water masses from the Beaufort Sea in the Arctic Ocean were evaluated for dissolved organic carbon (DOC), and optical characteristics including UV and PAR diffuse attenuation (Kd), and chromophoric and fluorescent dissolved organic matter (CDOM and FDOM) as part of the MALINA field campaign (30 July to 27 August). Even with relatively low mean daily solar radiation incident on the sea surface (0.12 ± 0.03, 8.46 ± 1.64 and 18.09 ± 4.20 kJ m−2 for UV-B (305 nm), UV-A (380 nm) and PAR, respectively), we report significant light penetration with 10% irradiance depths (Z10% (λ)) reaching 9.5 m for 340 nm (UV-A) radiation in the Eastern sector and 4.5 m in the Mackenzie River influenced area (Western sector). Spectral absorption coefficients (aCDOM (350 nm) (m−1)) were significantly correlated to both diffuse attenuation coefficients (Kd) in the UV-A and UV-B and to DOC concentrations. This indicates CDOM as the dominant attenuator of UV solar radiation and suggests its use as an optical proxy for DOC concentrations in this region. Extrapolating CDOM to DOC relationships, we estimate that ~ 16% of the DOC in the Mackenzie River does not absorb radiation at 350 nm. DOC and CDOM discharges by the Mackenzie River during the MALINA Cruise are estimated as ~ 0.22 TgC and 0.18 TgC, respectively. Three dissolved fluorescent components (C1–C3) were identified by fluorescence Excitation/Emission Matrix Spectroscopy (EEMS) and PARAFAC analysis. Our results showed an in-situ biological component (C1) that co-dominated with a terrestrial humic-like component (C2) in the Mackenzie Delta sector, whereas the protein-like (C3) component dominated in the saltiest waters of the North East sector.
Experiences from online and classroom education in hydroinformatics
Authors: Popescu I. , Jonoski A. , Bhattacharya B.
Published: November 2012

Abstract. Universities and other higher education institutions involved in water-related engineering education are facing new challenges in offering lifelong learning services and online educational support. Both the curricula and the form of delivery are changing, as contemporary water problems require interdisciplinary approaches involving diverse and up to date expertise maintained via continuous professional development. Hydroinformatics education faces similar challenges in developing relevant curricula and finding appropriate combinations of course delivery to its target group. This article presents experiences from delivering two hydroinformatics courses in the fields of flood modelling for management (FMM) and decision support systems (DSS) in river basin management that in recent years have been delivered both online and in classroom settings. Comparisons between the two modes of delivery are provided, with the conclusion that online education in this field, although still faced with many challenges, has a promising potential for meeting future educational needs.
Surface signature of Mediterranean water eddies in the Northeastern Atlantic: effect of the upper ocean stratification
Authors: Bashmachnikov I. , Carton X.
Published: November 2012

Abstract. Meddies, intra-thermocline eddies of Mediterranean water, can often be detected at the sea surface as positive sea-level anomalies. Here we study the surface signature of several meddies tracked with RAFOS floats and AVISO altimetry. While pushing its way through the water column, a meddy raises isopycnals above. As a consequence of potential vorticity conservation, negative relative vorticity is generated in the upper layer. During the initial period of meddy acceleration after meddy formation or after a stagnation stage, a cyclonic signal is also generated at the sea-surface, but mostly the anticyclonic surface signal follows the meddy. Based on geostrophy and potential vorticity balance, we present theoretical estimates of the intensity of the surface signature. It appears to be proportional to the meddy core radius and to the Coriolis parameter, and inversely proportional to the core depth and buoyancy frequency. This indicates that surface signature of a meddy may be strongly reduced by the upper ocean stratification. Using climatic distribution of the stratification intensity, we claim that the southernmost limit for detection in altimetry of small meddies (with radii on the order of 10–15 km) should lie in the subtropics (35–45° N), while large meddies (with radii of 25–30 km) could be detected as far south as the northern tropics (25–35° N). Those results agree with observations.
The early twentieth century warming and winter Arctic sea ice
Authors: Semenov V. A. , Latif M.
Published: November 2012

Abstract. The Arctic has featured the strongest surface warming over the globe during the recent decades, and the temperature increase has been accompanied by a rapid decline in sea ice extent. However, little is known about Arctic sea ice change during the early twentieth century warming (ETCW) during 1920–1940, also a period of a strong surface warming, both globally and in the Arctic. Here, we investigate the sensitivity of Arctic winter surface air temperature (SAT) to sea ice during 1875–2008 by means of simulations with an atmospheric general circulation model (AGCM) forced by estimates of the observed sea surface temperature (SST) and sea ice concentration. The Arctic warming trend since the 1960s is very well reproduced by the model. In contrast, ETCW in the Arctic is hardly captured. This is consistent with the fact that the sea ice extent in the forcing data does not strongly vary during ETCW. AGCM simulations with observed SST but fixed sea ice reveal a strong dependence of winter SAT on sea ice extent. In particular, the warming during the recent decades is strongly underestimated by the model, if the sea ice extent does not decline and varies only seasonally. This suggests that a significant reduction of winter Arctic sea ice extent may have also accompanied the early twentieth century warming, pointing toward an important link between anomalous sea ice extent and Arctic surface temperature variability.
La diversidad cultural nutre la autonomia y la unidad en la diversidad
Authors: Kain Myrna Cunningham
Published: November 2012

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5377/wani.v66i0.883 Wani No.66 2012 pp.6-10
La cabeza de piedra de manatí: Historia de una pieza arqueológica
Authors: Vargas Bernardo Ceferion
Published: November 2012

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5377/wani.v66i0.885 Wani No.66 2012 pp.20-21
Resúmenes No.66
Authors: Editor El
Published: November 2012

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5377/wani.v66i0.886Wani No.66 2012 pp.2-5
Práctica de medicina tradicional en la comunidad afrodescendientes creole de Bilwi
Authors: Rankin Erna Patterson
Published: November 2012

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5377/wani.v66i0.890 Wani No.66 2012 pp.35-38
Documentación de la medicina tradicional creole de Laguna de Perlas
Authors: Dixon Vilma Marie Anderson
Published: November 2012

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5377/wani.v66i0.892 Wani No.66 2012 pp.43-46
Medicina Tradicional en la comunidad garífuna de Orinoco
Authors: López Stephen Forn Prudencia
Published: November 2012

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5377/wani.v66i0.893Wani No.66 2012 pp.47-50
Huertos botánicos: alternativa mayangna contra la pérdida de valores por el desuso de medicina tradicional
Authors: Rener Ethelmina Benjamín
Published: November 2012

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5377/wani.v66i0.894 Wani No.66 2012 pp.51-53
La melodía de los cantos creoles del Set-Up en la ciudad de Bluefields
Authors: Taylor Nydia , Campbell Wellene
Published: November 2012

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5377/wani.v66i0.898Wani No.66 2012 pp.64-66
Danzas tradicionales del pueblo ulwa en la comunidad indígena de Karawala
Authors: Martínez Orlando Santiago
Published: November 2012

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5377/wani.v66i0.899 Wani No.66 2012 pp.67-69
A Delay-Dependent Approach to Stability of Uncertain Discrete-Time State-Delayed Systems with Generalized Overflow Nonlinearities
Authors: Kandanvli V. Krishna Rao , Kar Haranath
Published: November 2012

This paper addresses the problem of global asymptotic stability of a class of uncertain discrete-time state-delayed systems employing generalized overflow nonlinearities. The systems under investigation involve parameter uncertainties that are assumed to be deterministic and norm bounded. A new computationally tractable delay-dependent criterion for global asymptotic stability of such systems is presented. A numerical example is given to illustrate the effectiveness of the proposed method.
Electronic Structure Calculation of Adsorbate Gas Molecules on an Armchair Graphene Nanoribbon
Authors: Imani Khadije , Jafari Gholamhossein , Abolhasani Mohammad Reza
Published: November 2012

By using the first-principle methods, we have investigated the adsorption of the CO, CO2, NO, and NH3 molecules on an armchair graphene nanoribbon (AGNR). The optimal adsorption
positions and orientations of these molecules on AGNR are determined. The adsorption energies, the charge transfer, and the density of states (DOS) are obtained. The NO, CO, and CO2 adsorbed molecules act as an acceptor, and the NH3 adsorbed molecule acts as a donor. The NO and CO molecules contributed with localized states in the center of the original band gap. But the system exhibits -type or -type semiconductor after NH3 or CO2 adsorption.
The Biomechanical Effect of the Sensomotor Insole on a Pediatric Intoeing Gait
Authors: Mabuchi Akiyoshi , Kitoh Hiroshi , Inoue Masato , Hayashi Mitsuhiko , Ishiguro Naoki , Suzuki Nobuharu
Published: November 2012

Background. The sensomotor insole (SMI) has clinically been shown to be successful in treating an intoeing gait. We investigated the biomechanical effect of SMI on a pediatric intoeing gait by using three-dimensional gait analysis. Methods. Six patients with congenital clubfeet and four patients with idiopathic intoeing gait were included. There were five boys and five girls with the average age at testing of 5.6 years. The torsional profile of the lower limb was assessed clinically. Three-dimensional gait analysis was performed in the same shoes with and without SMI. Results. All clubfeet patients exhibited metatarsal adductus, while excessive femoral anteversion and/or internal tibial torsion was found in patients with idiopathic intoeing gait. SMI showed significant decreased internal rotation of the proximal femur in terminal swing phase and loading response phase. The internal rotation of the tibia was significantly smaller in mid stance phase and terminal stance phase by SMI. In addition, SMI significantly increased the walking speed and the step length. Conclusions. SMI improved abnormal gait patterns of pediatric intoeing gait by decreasing femoral internal rotation through the end of the swing phase and the beginning of the stance phase and by decreasing tibial internal rotation during the stance phase.
Bioequivalence Study of Donepezil Hydrochloride Tablets in Healthy Male Volunteers
Authors: Rojanasthien Noppamas , Aunmuang Siriluk , Hanprasertpong Nutthiya , Roongapinun Sukit , Teekachunhatean Supanimit
Published: November 2012

The objective of this study was to investigate the bioequivalence of two formulations of 5 mg donepezil HCL tablets: Tonizep as the test and Aricept as the reference. The two products were administered as a single oral dose according to a randomized two-phase crossover with a 3-week washout period in 20 healthy Thai Male volunteers. After drug administration, serial blood samples were collected over a period of 216 hours. Plasma donepezil concentrations were measured by high performance liquid chromatography with UV detection. Pharmacokinetic parameters were analyzed based on noncompartmental analysis. The logarithmically transformed data of AUC0–∞ and were analyzed for 90% confidence intervals (CI) using ANOVA. The mean (90% CI) values for the ratio of AUC0–∞ and values of the test product over those of the reference product were 1.08 (1.02–1.14) and 1.08 (0.99–1.17), respectively (within the bioequivalence range of 0.8–1.25). The median for the test product was similar to that of the reference product (2.0 hr), and the 90% CI for the difference between the two preparations was –0.19 to 0.29 hr and within the bioequivalence range of ± 20% of the of the reference formulation. Our study demonstrated the bioequivalence of the two preparations.
Vanillin-Based Polymers—part II: Synthesis of Schiff Base Polymers of Divanillin and Their Chelation with Metal Ions
Authors: Amarasekara Ananda S. , Razzaq Ashfaqur
Published: November 2012

Condensation of renewable resources-based monomer divanillin with alkyl diamines gives Schiff base polymers with degree of polymerization (DP) ~25–32 in 88–95% yield. These yellow polymers are insoluble in water and common organic solvents, slightly soluble in warm DMSO, DMF and dissolves in aqueous NaOH. The polymers were characterized using FT-IR, 1H, and 13C NMR spectroscopy and by comparison with the model compound N,N′-bis(vanillidene)-1,3-propanediamine. Polymer prepared by condensation of divanillin and 1,6-diaminohexane is shown to chelate with Cu(II), Fe(II), and Co(II) metal ions in basic aqueous methanol.
Docosahexaenoic Acid Protects Muscle Cells from Palmitate-Induced Atrophy
Authors: Bryner Randall W. , Woodworth-Hobbs Myra E. , Williamson David L. , Alway Stephen E.
Published: November 2012

Background. Accumulation of free fatty acids leads to lipid-toxicity-associated skeletal muscle atrophy. Palmitate treatment reduces myoblast and myotube growth and causes apoptosisin vitro. It is not known if omega-3 fatty acids will protect muscle cells against palmitate toxicity. Therefore, we examined the effects of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) on skeletal muscle growth.Methods. Mouse myoblasts (C2C12) were differentiated to myotubes, and then treated with 0 or 0.5 mM palmitic acid or 0 or 0.1 mM DHA.Results. Intramyocellular lipid was increased in palmitate-treated cells but was prevented by DHA-palmitate cotreatment. Total AMPK increased in DHA+ palmitate-treated compared to palmitate only cells. RpS6 phosphorylation decreased after palmitate (−55%) and this was blunted by DHA+ palmitate (−35%) treatment. Palmitate treatment decreased PGC1 protein expression by 69%, but was increased 165% with DHA+ palmitate () versus palmitate alone. While palmitate induced 25% and 90% atrophy in myotubes (after 48 hours and 96 hours, resp.), DHA+ palmitate treatment caused myotube hypertrophy of ~50% and 100% after 48 and 96 hours, respectively.Conclusion. These data show that DHA is protective against palmitate-induced atrophy. Although DHA did not activate the AMPK pathway, DHA treatment restored growth-signaling (i.e., rpS6) and rescued palmitate-induced muscle atrophy.
Frequency Distribution of COMT Polymorphisms in Greek Patients with Schizophrenia and Controls: A Study of SNPs rs737865, rs4680, and rs165599
Authors: Maria Kotrotsou , Charalampos Touloumis , Vassilakopoulou Dido , Stavroula Syriou , Vasiliki Kalampoki , Nikolaos Drakoulis
Published: November 2012

Schizophrenia, a severe psychiatric condition, is characterized by disturbances of cognition, emotion, and social functioning. The disease affects almost 1% of world population. Recent studies evaluating the role of catechol-O-methyltransferase enzyme (COMT) polymorphisms in the pathogenesis of schizophrenia have resulted in ambiguous findings. The current study examined the association of schizophrenia with three COMT polymorphisms, namely, rs737865, rs4680, and rs165599 in a Greek population. There was no significant association between schizophrenia and any of the three SNPs examined. However, haplotype analysis showed that cases have higher frequency of the T-A-A haplotype, and participants with that haplotype were at increased risk for developing schizophrenia (OR = 1.52; CL : 1.12–2.08; ). Furthermore, patients with schizophrenia displayed an excess of TC/AA/AA and the TT/AA/GA genotypes. Similarly a protective effect of TT/GG/GG and TT/GA/GG was suggested by our results.
Dual Divergence Estimators of the Tail Index
Authors: Bouzebda Salim , Cherfi Mohamed
Published: November 2012

The main purpose of the present paper is to propose a new estimator of the tail index using -divergences and the duality technique. These estimators are explored with respect to robustness through the influence function approach. The empirical performances of the proposed estimators are illustrated by simulation.
Langmuir-Blodgett Films of Supported Polyester Dendrimers
Authors: Redón Rocío , Carreón-Castro M. Pilar , Mendoza-Martínez F. J.
Published: November 2012

Amphiphiles with a dendritic structure are attractive materials as they combine the features of dendrimers with the self-assembling properties and interfacial behavior of water-air affinities. We have synthesized three generations of polyester dendrimers and studied their interfacial properties on the Langmuir films. The behavior obtained was, as a rule, the lowest generation dendrimers behaving like traditional amphiphiles and the larger molecules presenting complicated isotherms. The Langmuir films of these compounds have been characterized by their surface pressure versus molecular area (π/A) and Brewster angle microscopy (BAM) observations.
Development and Validation of Stability-Indicating RP-UPLC Method for the Determination of Methdilazine in Bulk Drug and in Pharmaceutical Dosage Form
Authors: Raghu Madihalli S. , Basavaiah Kanakapura , Xavier Cijo M. , Prashanth Kudige N.
Published: November 2012

A simple, precise, and accurate, and stability-indicating isocratic Ultraperformance Liquid Chromatography (UPLC) method was developed for the determination of methdilazine hydrochloride (MDH) in bulk drug and in its tablets. The use of UPLC, with a rapid 5-minute-reversed-phase isocratic separation on a 1.7 μm reversed-phase packing material to provide rapid ‘‘high throughput’’ support for MDH, is demonstrated. The method was developed using Waters Acquity BEH C18 column (100 mm × 2.1 mm, 1.7 μm) with mobile phase consisting of a mixture of potassium dihydrogenorthophosphate and 1-pentane sulphonic acid buffer of pH 4.0 and acetonitrile (60 : 40 v/v). The eluted compound was detected at 254 nm with a UV detector. The standard curve of mean peak area versus concentration showed an excellent linearity over a concentration range 0.5–80 μg mL−1 MDH with regression coefficient () value of 0.9999. The limit of detection () was 0.2 μg mL−1 and the limit of quantification () was 0.5 μg mL−1. Forced degradation of the bulk sample was conducted in accordance with the ICH guidelines. Acidic, basic, hydrolytic, oxidative, thermal, and photolytic degradations were used to assess the stability indicating power of the method. The drug was found to be stable in acidic, basic, thermal, hydrolytic, and photolytic stress conditions and showed slight degradation in oxidative stress condition.
Incidence of Renal Involvement in Malaria in Children of Odisha
Authors: Padhi Rajesh Kumar , Mishra Soumya
Published: November 2012

About 500 million people suffer from malaria leading to death in 2-3 million cases every year, of which about 1 million are children. Horstman et al., 1985, and Weber et al., 1991, demonstrated an acute renal failure as a well-described complication ofPlasmodium falciparummalaria in nonimmune adults and a major contributor to their mortality. In children, renal failure, though not very common, has become a rising issue leading to death. This study aims at determining the incidence of renal complication in malaria cases reported in children of Odisha. 108 cases of malaria who were admitted to Department of Paediatrics, SCB Medical College and Hospital and Sardar Vallab Bhai Patel Post Graduate Institute of Paediatrics, Cuttack, Odisha, India during the period from July 2006 to November 2008 were included in the prospective study. Extensive investigations were carried out to check for renal involvement in these cases. 50.9% of cases showed some form of renal involvement, most of which were recorded in age group of 5–10 years. Overall, males had a higher incidence than females. 62.7% of total cases infected withP. falciparumshowed renal involvement though mixed infections with bothP. falciparumandP. vivaxhad 100% renal involvement.
Optical coherence tomography changes in macular CMV retinitis
Authors: Sun Lisa L. , Goodwin Todd , Park Joseph J.
Published: November 2012

Cytomegalovirus (CMV) retinitis characteristically causes peripheral retinitis with associated vasculitis. It rarely begins in the macula or causes macular necrosis exclusively. We report a case of unilateral macular CMV retinitis in a 65-year-old immunosuppressed patient and document changes in the macula during treatment through optical coherence tomography (OCT).
A 7-year-old boy with a right anterior orbital mass
Authors: Hitti Ibrahim F. , Sawicki Janusz I.
Published: November 2012

The parents of a 7-year-old boy sought medical attention for "recent swelling" of their son's right upper eyelid. The boy had no surgical history. His only pertinent medical history consisted of five seizure episodes of unknown etiology at the age of 5 months, for which he was given medication until the age of 18 months.
A 31-year-old man with vitritis, chorioretinitis, and hydrocephalus
Authors: Schneier Andrew J.
Published: November 2012

A 31-year-old man presented to the emergency department of the Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary with a chief complaint of blurry vision and redness in his right eye of 1 week's duration. He was a native of Brazil, and the history and examination were performed with the aid of a Portuguese interpreter. The patient was in his usual state of excellent health preceding the episode. He reported mild pressure in the affected eye along with a constant, bilateral, temporal headache that may have predated the blurred vision. The headache was readily relieved by acetaminophen. He denied flashes, photosensitivity, or other visual aberrations. He maintained that his vision was "weaker" on the right at baseline. On further questioning, he felt that his symptom was best characterized as "many floaters" in the right eye. He believed he may have been exposed to a toxic chemical at his workplace 2 months prior to this presentation. The patient's past medical history was unremarkable. He had no known drug allergies, and he denied a family history of medical or surgical conditions. His social history was significant for the use of occasional alcohol. He denied high-risk sexual activities, intravenous drug use, and blood transfusions.
Insecticidal Efficiency of Intergeneric Recombinants between Bacillus thuringiensis and Bacillus subtilis Against Viability of Cotton Leafworm
Authors: Saad A. Alotaibi
Published: November 2012

Bacillus thuringiensis is the most widely applied biological insecticide and is used to manage insects that affect forestry and agriculture. This ubiquitous spore-forming bacterium kills insect larvae largely through the action of insecticidal crystal proteins and is commonly deployed as a direct bacterial spray. Moreover, this study aimed to measuring recombinant efficiency of recombinant bioinsecticides (Bacillus thuringiensis x Bacillus subtilis) against Spodoptera litoralis. For decades, the mechanism of insect killing has been assumed to be toxin-mediated lysis of the gut epithelial cells, which leads to starvation, or B. thuringiensis septicemia. In the present work, two strains of Bacillusstrains belonging to two serotypes and four of their transconjugants were screened with respect to their insecticidal activity against lepidopterous cotton pest. Two strains of Bacillus were screened for their drug resistance to be used as a genetic markers to identify bacterial strains in the conjugation process. B. subtilis was found to be resistant to crystal violet and sensitive to hiconcil. Although, B. thuringiensis was found to be sensitive to crystal violet, except for it was resistant to hiconcil. Bacterial transconjugants isolated from conjugation between both strains were more resistant to both crystal violet and hiconcil. Two groups of crystals and spores have been isolated within Bacillus strains and their transconjugants. The results appeared a highly potent recombinant efficiency in reducing leaves consumption at 72h (crystals), 120h (crystals + endospores) and 144h (crystals + endospors). However, transcongugants B and c was more effective in reducing the rate of consumption at all different times of larval ages. The weight of surviving larvae feeding on leaves sprayed with recombinants of Cry, Cry + End. was markedly reduced especially at 48h of larval age. However, ransconjugants A, B and C appeared recombinant efficiency in reduced survival percentage of larvae at 96h, 120h, 144h and 168h in response to recombinants of both cry, cry + endospores. The same trend was also shown by transconjugant C at 48h and 72h in response to both recombinant bioinsecticides. The results indicated that recombinant endotoxin preparations containing crystals + endospores was more effective against Spodoptera litoralisthan that containing crystals.
Legitimacy and the Swedish Security Service’s Attempts to Mobilize Muslim Communities
Authors: Peterson Aabby
Published: November 2012

The paper addresses how the Swedish Security Service (SÄPO) is attempting to mobilize the support of the Muslim communities in their counterterrorism strategy, together with their measures to prevent radicalisation processes among Muslim young people. Under what circumstances can we find voluntary cooperation by Muslim Swedes in the state’s anti-terror policing efforts and under what circumstances can we expect that voluntary cooperation will be withheld? The analysis focuses two intertwined factors which I argue influence voluntary cooperation: the potential unintended consequences of the Security Service’s outreach activities and the link between cooperation, institutional legitimacy and procedural justice. It is argued that both the ‘soft’ and ‘hard’ aspects of the Swedish Security Service’s preventive, respective control and intelligence strategies, interconnect to produce unanticipated and unwanted consequences. The Swedish Security Service’s outreach programme can have the unintended consequence that instead of counteracting radicalization processes, the programme, which targets practicing Muslims as per definition potential terrorists, can very well lead to radicalization among young Muslims with experiences of misrecognition.
Synthesis of Copolymers Based on Benzene and Biphenyl and their Characterization by XRD and DSC
Authors: Triantou Despina , Soulis Spyridon
Published: November 2012

In this work the crystalinity and the thermal transitions of soluble and insoluble in chlorobenzene polyphenylene copolymers (synthesized by oxidative cationic polymerization) were studied. All copolymers had a degree of crystallinity between 44.6 and 66.7 %. With Differential Scanning Calorimentry (DSC) measurements it was found that the copolymers exhibited endothermic peaks in the region 268 up to 286 oC. These peaks in the case of soluble polyphenylenes were attributed to the melting of their crystallites, whereas in the case of insoluble polyphenylenes were attributed to liquid crystal transitions.
Obtention and Characterization of Polypropylene, Calcium Carbonate and Poly(ethylene-co-vinyl acetate) Composites
Authors: Alberton Josué , Martelli Silvia Maria , Soldi Valdir
Published: November 2012

In the increasingly competitive market, the survival of the industries that manufacture components or pieces of polymer is strictly linked to the reduction of production costs. An alternative could be the use of composites of polypropylene, calcium carbonate and poly(ethylene-co-vinyl acetate) for the production of thermoplastics sheets. The thermoplastics sheets obtained by extrusion and co-extrusion processes were characterized through the chemical, physical, thermal, mechanical and morphological characteristics of materials, enabling the performance analysis of the production processes and application to the design of components or parts. The results showed that the addition of 30 wt% CaCO3-EVA increased the thermal stability of polypropylene (PP) around 32°C, decreasing the processing temperature of composites in 15°C, also by decreasing the crystallinity of the polymer from 43% to 30% and the deflection temperature of plastics under flexural load in the edgewise position (DTUL) from 122°C to 107°C. Regarding to the mechanical tests, the yield stress of the composites obtained by extrusion and co-extrusion processes decreased with the addition of CaCO3-EVA. According with the obtained results, we suggest that PP/CaCO3-EVA composites could be used in the production of polymeric parts or components where tensile strengths higher than 25 MPa are not required and for service temperatures between 30°C and 70°C.
Mussel Inspired Dynamic Cross‐Linking of Self‐Healing Peptide Nanofiber Network
Authors: Ceylan Hakan , Urel Mustafa , Erkal Turan S. , Tekinay Ayse B. , Dana Aykutlu , Guler Mustafa O.
Published: November 2012

A general drawback of supramolecular peptide networks is their weak mechanical properties. In order to overcome a similar challenge, mussels have adapted to a pH‐dependent iron complexation strategy for adhesion and curing. This strategy also provides successful stiffening and self‐healing properties. The present study is inspired by the mussel curing strategy to establish iron cross‐link points in self‐assembled peptide networks. The impact of peptide‐iron complexation on the morphology and secondary structure of the supramolecular nanofibers is characterized by scanning electron microscopy, circular dichroism and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. Mechanical properties of the cross‐linked network are probed by small angle oscillatory rheology and nanoindentation by atomic force microscopy. It is shown that iron complexation has no influence on self‐assembly and β‐sheet‐driven elongation of the nanofibers. On the other hand, the organic‐inorganic hybrid network of iron cross‐linked nanofibers demonstrates strong mechanical properties comparable to that of covalently cross‐linked network. Strikingly, iron cross‐linking does not inhibit intrinsic reversibility of supramolecular peptide polymers into disassembled building blocks and the self‐healing ability upon high shear load. The strategy described here could be extended to improve mechanical properties of a wide range of supramolecular polymer networks.
Engineering of Push‐Pull Thiophene Dyes to Enhance Light Absorption and Modulate Charge Recombination in Mesoscopic Solar Cells
Authors: Cai Ning , Wang Yinglin , Xu Mingfei , Fan Ye , Li Renzhi , Zhang Min , Wang Peng
Published: November 2012

The elaborate selection of diverse π‐conjugated segments which bridge the electron donors and acceptors in organic push‐pull dyes can not only tune the molecular energy‐levels but also impact the interfacial energetics and kinetics of dye‐sensitized solar cells (DSCs). In this paper, a series of triphenylamine‐cyanoacrylic acid photosensitizers is reported with TT, EDOT‐BT, EDOT‐CPDT, and CPDT‐EDOT (herein TT, EDOT, BT, and CPDT denote terthiophene, ethylenedioxythiophene, bithiophene, and cyclopentadithiophene, respectively) as the π‐linkers, and the dye‐structure correlated photocurrent and photovoltage features of DSCs based on a cobalt electrolyte are scrutinized via analyzing light absorption and multichannel charge transfer kinetics. Both stepwise incorporation of more electron‐rich blocks and rational modulation of connection order of dissimilar segments can result in a negative movement of ground‐state redox potential and a red‐shift of the absorption peak. While these styles of reducing energy‐gap do not exert too much influence on the electron injection from photoexcited dye molecules to titania, the dyestuff employing the EDOT‐BT linker presents a faster interfacial charge recombination and a slower dye regeneration, accounting for its inferior cell efficiency of 5.3% compared to that of 9.4% at the AM1.5G conditions achieved by the CPDT‐EDOT dye.
Correlating Stiffness, Ductility, and Morphology of Polymer:Fullerene Films for Solar Cell Applications
Authors: Awartani Omar , Lemanski Bethany I. , Ro Hyun Wook , Richter Lee J. , DeLongchamp Dean M. , O'Connor Brendan T.
Published: November 2012

The development of flexible and physically robust organic solar cells requires detailed knowledge of the mechanical behavior of the heterogeneous material stack. However, in these devices there has been limited research on the mechanical properties of the active organic layer. Here, two critical mechanical properties, stiffness and ductility, of a widely studied organic solar cell active layer, a blend film composed of poly(3‐hexylthiophene) (P3HT) and [6,6]‐phenyl C61‐butyric acid methyl ester (PCBM) are reported. Processing conditions are varied to produce films with differing morphology and correlations are developed between the film morphology, mechanical properties and photovoltaic device performance. The morphology is characterized by fitting the absorption of the P3HT:PCBM films to a weakly interacting H‐aggregate model. The elastic modulus is determined using a buckling metrology approach and the crack onset strain is determined by observing the film under tensile strain using optical microscopy. Both the elastic modulus and crack onset strain are found to vary significantly with processing conditions. Processing methods that result in improved device performance are shown to decrease both the compliance and ductility of the film.
Expression and Function of Ferroportin 1 in O‐2A Progenitor Cells
Authors: Lin Qing , Feng Junsheng , Zhao Xiaozhen , Zhang Geng , Wang Wei
Published: November 2012

Iron plays a crucial role in the survival, differentiation, and myelin formation of oligodendrocyte lineages. However, the regulation mechanism of iron homeostasis in oligodendrocytes remains unclear. Recently, much research has focused on Ferroportin 1 (FPN1), an iron exporter protein. First, about 95% pure primary rat O‐2A progenitor cells were obtained by shaking methods in our laboratory. The expression of FPN1 mRNA and protein in O‐2A progenitor cells were determined by reverse transcription‐PCR and western blot. In addition, the localization of FPN1 at the cell membrane, in the cytoplasm and in processes was assayed by double‐labeling immunofluorescence. A time‐dependent increase of iron efflux from O‐2A progenitor cells was confirmed by the calcein‐indicated iron efflux assay. However, the same cells treated with FPN1 antibody showed no obvious change in iron release. For further confirmation, overexpression of FPN1 in O‐2A progenitor cells was transduced with lentivirus. The release of iron in O‐2A progenitor cells was dramatically increased by the overexpressed FPN1 when compared with that of the control group. Both ferritin (Ft) and transferrin receptor (TfR) are routinely used as indicators of labile iron pool. Cells pretreated with FPN1 antibody upregulated Ft and downregulated TfR protein level, while the opposite results occurred in the FPN1 overexpressing cells. Determination of Ft and TfR indirectly indicated that FPN1 might contribute to iron release from O‐2A progenitor cells. We suggested that expression of FPN1 in O‐2A progenitor cells might play a critical role in iron efflux from these cells. Anat Rec, 2013. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Lysosome Dysfunction Enhances Oxidative Stress‐Induced Apoptosis through Ubiquitinated Protein Accumulation in Hela Cells
Authors: Yu Chunyan , Huang Xiaowei , Xu Ye , LI Hongyan , Su Jing , Zhong Jiateng , Kang Jinsong , Liu Yuhe , Sun Liankun
Published: November 2012

The role of lysosomal system in oxidative stress‐induced apoptosis in cancer cells is not fully understood. Menadione is frequently used as oxidative stress model. It is indicated that menadione could induce autophagy in Hela cells. In the present study, we examined whether the lysosomal inhibitor, ammonium chloride (NH4Cl) could prevent the autophagy flux by inhibiting the fusion of autophagosomes with lysosomes and enhance apoptosis induced by menadione via mitochondrial pathway. The results demonstrated generation and accumulation of reactive oxygen species and increased levels of ubiquitinated proteins and GRP78 in cells treated with both menadione and NH4Cl. Our data indicates that lysosomal system through autophagy plays an important role in preventing menadione‐induced apoptosis in Hela cells by clearing misfolded proteins, which alleviates endoplasmic reticulum stress. Anat Rec, 2013. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Difference in subchondral cancellous bone between postmenopausal women with hip osteoarthritis and osteoporotic fracture: Implication for fatigue microdamage, bone microarchitecture, and biomechanical properties
Authors: Li Zhan‐Chun , Dai Li‐Yang , Jiang Lei‐Sheng , Qiu Shijing
Published: November 2012

Objective

Osteoarthritis (OA) and osteoporosis (OP) of the hip rarely occur in the same patient. The purpose of this study was to determine whether this difference might be attributable to the different quantity and quality of subchondral cancellous bone in the two conditions.

Methods

Subchondral cancellous bone from the femoral head was obtained at the time of hip arthroplasty from 60 postmenopausal women, 30 with OA and 30 with OP. In each group, 10 specimens were subjected to compressive fatigue loading and 20 were left nonloaded. Specimens were examined by compressive mechanical testing, micro–computed tomography scanning, fluorescence microscopy, and nanoindentation techniques.

Results

Both the ultimate stress and the elastic modulus of cancellous bone from OA patients were significantly higher than those of cancellous bone from OP patients (P < 0.05). Compared to cancellous bone from OP patients, the bone volume fraction and trabecular thickness were significantly increased, but bone matrix mineralization was significantly decreased, in cancellous bone from OA patients (P < 0.05 for each comparison). The microcrack density was significantly higher in OP cancellous bone than in OA cancellous bone (P < 0.001), irrespective of fatigue loading. In addition, fatigue loading resulted in a significant increase in microcrack density in both OA and OP cancellous bone (P < 0.001). There was no significant difference in nanoindentation elastic modulus and hardness between cancellous bone from OA and OP patients, as well as between bones with and without fatigue loading.

Conclusion

The difference in mechanical properties between OA and OP cancellous bone is attributed to different bone mass and bone structure. OP cancellous bone is susceptible to fatigue damage due to insufficient structure. However, increased bone volume and plate‐like structure provide OA cancellous bone a superior capacity to resist fatigue damage.
Do radiographic disease and pain account for why people with or at high risk of knee osteoarthritis do not meet physical activity guidelines?
Authors: White Daniel K. , Tudor‐Locke Catrine , Felson David T. , Gross K. Douglas , Niu Jingbo , Nevitt Michael , Lewis Cora E. , Torner James , Neogi Tuhina
Published: November 2012

Objective

Knee osteoarthritis (OA) and pain are assumed to be barriers to meeting physical activity guidelines, but this has not been formally evaluated. The purpose of this study was to determine the proportions of people with and those without knee OA and knee pain who meet recommended physical activity levels through walking.

Methods

We performed a cross‐sectional analysis of community‐dwelling adults from the Multicenter Osteoarthritis Study who had or who were at high risk of knee OA. Participants wore a StepWatch activity monitor to record steps per day for 7 days. The proportion of participants who met the recommended physical activity levels was defined as those accumulating ≥150 minutes per week at ≥100 steps per minute in bouts lasting ≥10 minutes. These proportions were also determined for those with and those without knee OA, as classified by radiography and by severity of knee pain.

Results

Of the 1,788 study participants (mean ± SD age 67.2 ± 7.7 years, mean ± SD body mass index 30.7 ± 6.0 kg/m2, 60% women), lower overall percentages of participants with radiographic knee OA and knee pain met recommended physical activity levels. However, these differences were not statistically significant between those with and those without knee OA; 7.3% and 10.1% of men (P = 0.34) and 6.3% and 7.8% of women (P = 0.51), respectively, met recommended physical activity levels. Similarly, for those with moderate/severe knee pain and those with no knee pain, 12.9% and 10.9% of men (P = 0.74) and 6.7% and 11.0% of women (P = 0.40), respectively, met recommended physical activity levels.

Conclusion

Disease and pain have little impact on achieving recommended physical activity levels among people with or at high risk of knee OA.
Zone‐specific gene expression patterns in articular cartilage
Authors: Grogan Shawn P. , Duffy Stuart F. , Pauli Chantal , Koziol James A. , Su Andrew I. , D'Lima Darryl D. , Lotz Martin K.
Published: November 2012

Objective

To identify novel genes and pathways specific to the superficial zone (SZ), middle zone (MZ), and deep zone (DZ) of normal articular cartilage.

Methods

Articular cartilage was obtained from the knees of 4 normal human donors. The cartilage zones were dissected on a microtome. RNA was analyzed on human genome arrays. The zone‐specific DNA array data obtained from human tissue were compared to array data obtained from bovine cartilage. Genes differentially expressed between zones were evaluated using direct annotation for structural or functional features, and by enrichment analysis for integrated pathways or functions.

Results

The greatest differences in genome‐wide RNA expression data were between the SZ and DZ in both human and bovine cartilage. The MZ, being a transitional zone between the SZ and DZ, thereby shared some of the same pathways as well as structural/functional features of the adjacent zones. Cellular functions and biologic processes that were enriched in the SZ relative to the DZ included, most prominently, extracellular matrix–receptor interactions, cell adhesion molecule functions, regulation of actin cytoskeleton, ribosome‐related functions, and signaling aspects such as the IFN, IL4, Cdc42/Rac, and JAK/STAT signaling pathways. Two pathways were enriched in the DZ relative to the SZ, including PPARG and EGFR/SMRTE.

Conclusion

These differences in cartilage zonal gene expression identify new markers and pathways that govern the unique differentiation status of chondrocyte subpopulations.
Association of fibromyalgia with altered skeletal muscle characteristics which may contribute to postexertional fatigue in postmenopausal women
Authors: Srikuea Ratchakrit , Symons T. Brock , Long Douglas E. , Lee Jonah D. , Shang Yu , Chomentowski Peter J. , Yu Guoqiang , Crofford Leslie J. , Peterson Charlotte A.
Published: November 2012

Objective

To identify muscle physiologic properties that may contribute to postexertional fatigue and malaise in women with fibromyalgia (FM).

Methods

Healthy postmenopausal women with (n = 11) and without (n = 11) FM, ages 51–70 years, participated in this study. Physical characteristics and responses to self‐reported questionnaires were evaluated. Strength loss and tissue oxygenation in response to a fatiguing exercise protocol were used to quantify fatigability and the local muscle hemodynamic profile. Muscle biopsies were performed to assess between‐group differences in baseline muscle properties using histochemical, immunohistochemical, and electron microscopic analyses.

Results

There was no significant difference between healthy controls and FM patients in muscle fatigue in response to exercise. However, self‐reported fatigue and pain were correlated with prolonged loss of strength following 12 minutes of recovery in patients with FM. Although there was no difference in percent succinate dehydrogenase (SDH)–positive (type I) and SDH‐negative (type II) fibers or in mean fiber cross‐sectional area between groups, FM patients exhibited greater variability in fiber size and altered fiber size distribution. In healthy controls only, fatigue resistance was strongly correlated with the size of SDH‐positive fibers and hemoglobin oxygenation. In contrast, FM patients with the highest percentage of SDH‐positive fibers recovered strength most effectively, and this was correlated with capillary density. However, overall, capillary density was lower in the FM group.

Conclusion

Peripheral mechanisms, i.e., altered muscle fiber size distribution and decreased capillary density, may contribute to postexertional fatigue in FM. Understanding of these defects in fibromyalgic muscle may provide valuable insight with regard to treatment.