bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Role of Volunteering in an Era of Cultural Transition: Can It Provide a Role Identity for Older People from Asian Cultures?
Authors: Warburton Jeni , Winterton Rachel
Published: July 2010

In western countries, one of the challenges facing ageing populations is an absence of social roles. One response to this is to volunteer, with evidence suggesting that this assigns meaning to the lives of older people and enhances health and well-being. This holds potential significance for older people from diverse cultural and linguistic backgrounds, and particularly those from Asian cultures, where there is evidence that cultural erosion is diminishing older people’s traditional roles. However, while volunteering can create role identities for older people, it may also further challenge existing cultural values. This paper debates these issues, drawing on a growing body of evidence relating to volunteering within Asian cultures.
Hydrogenation of Ethyl Acetate to Ethanol over Ni-Based Catalysts Obtained from Ni/Al Hydrotalcite-Like Compounds
Authors: Zhang Beixiao , Lin Lu , Zhuang Junping , Liu Ying , Peng Lincai , Jiang Longfei
Published: July 2010

A series of Ni-based catalysts were prepared using hydrogen reduction of Ni/Al hydrotalcite-like compounds (Ni/Al HTlcs) synthesized by coprecipitation. The physico-chemical properties of Ni/Al hydrotalcite-like compounds and the corresponding Ni-based catalysts were characterized using inductively coupled plasma (ICP), BET surface areas, X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) techniques. The results indicated that Ni/Al HTlcs with layered structures could be successfully prepared by the coprecipitation method, and the characteristic HTlcs reflections were also observed in the XRD analysis. The NiO and Ni0 phases were identified in all Ni-based catalysts, which displayed randomly interconnected pores and no layer structures. In addition, the studies also found the Ni/Al HTlcs and Ni-based catalysts had high specific surface areas, low pore volumes and low pore diameters. The catalytic hydrogenation of ethyl acetate to ethanol with Ni-based catalysts was also investigated. Among the studied catalysts, RE1NASH-110-3 showed the highest selectivity and yield of ethyl acetate to ethanol, which were 68.2% and 61.7%, respectively. At the same time, a major by-product, butyl acetate, was formed due to an ester-exchange reaction. A proposed hydrogenation pathway for ethyl acetate over Ni-based catalysts was suggested.
A Theory-Based Self-Care Talk Intervention for Family Caregiver-Nurse Partnerships
Authors: Parker Cherie , Teel Cynthia , Leenerts Mary Hobbs , Macan Anita
Published: July 2010

Family caregivers need assistance with information, support, and advice from nurses and other health care professionals to successfully meet the demands of caregiving. Self-Care TALK (SCT) is a theory-based nursing intervention designed to improve the health and well-being of older adult spouse caregivers. The Self-Care for Health Promotion in Aging Model (S-CHPA) provides a framework for development of SCT. Key to implementation of the SCT intervention is partnership building between nurses and caregivers, which is fostered through relational conversations. In this article, the model and intervention are described, and an individual example is provided to show the application of the model in practice. Implications for practice and research are explored.
Clinical Review of Periorbital Capillary Hemangioma of Infancy
Authors: Jalil Assad , Maino Anna , Bhojwani Rajan , Vose Mark , Ashworth Jane , Lloyd I. C. , Biswas Susmito
Published: July 2010

Purpose:

To explore the role of intralesional steroid injections (ILSI) and oral steroids in the management of periocular hemangioma of infancy (HOI).

Methods:

In this retrospective study, treatment options studied were observation, ILSI, and oral steroids. All children received adjunctive amblyopia treatment if required. The main indications for treatment were cosmetic, worsening astigmatism, and visual axis obscuration. Success was defined as complete HOI regression before the age of 5 years (cosmetic group), reduction of astigmatism of at least 1 diopter cylinder (DC) (astigmatism group), or no evidence of amblyopia at the last follow-up (visual axis obscuration group).

Results:

Twenty-four of 41 children (58.5%) had amblyopia at presentation. Eighteen children formed the observation group, 17 children received ILSI, and 6 children received oral steroids. Successful outcome was achieved in all except 2 patients in the cosmetic group and 6 of 7 in the visual axis obscuration group. Mean astigmatic correction of all cases was 1.65 ± 1.34 DC before treatment and 0.91 ± 1.17 DC after treatment, the change being statistically significant (
P
< .001).

Conclusion:

Observation appears to be a highly effective strategy if coupled with amblyopia therapy, especially for mild cases. Intralesional and oral steroids appear to be equally effective for lesions requiring treatment, but their exact role cannot be clearly determined in the presence of a spontaneously resolving lesion.
Longitudinal Study of Optic Cup Progression in Children
Authors: Park Hee-Jung , Hampp Christian , Demer Joseph L.
Published: July 2010

Purpose:

To determine the normative rate of cup-to-disc-ratio (C:D) progression in children and the effect of prematurity and low birth weight on this rate.

Method:

In a single pediatric ophthalmology practice, a single examiner evaluated optic cup size by serial ophthalmoscopy over a minimum of 5 years in 92 patients (184 eyes) without intraocular surgery or optic nerve disease. A cross-sectional analysis of C:D was performed per year of age from 0 to 10 years and linear regression was used to compare C:D progression between preterm and term children and between low versus normal birth weight children.

Results:

Children exhibited progressive optic cupping. In term children, mean C:D increased by 0.0075 per year. Rate of mean C:D progression was double in children born preterm: 0.0160 (
P
= .049, comparison to term) per age-year. A similar, nonsignificant trend is observed when comparing low birth weight to normal children (
P
= .131).

Conclusion:

Prematurity and low birth weight are associated with increased rate of cupping in children. Clinicians should recognize that C:D progression is not a specific sign of glaucoma in children.
Paraorbital Cellular Neurothekeoma in a 10-Year-Old Girl
Authors: Engelbert Michael , El-Sawy Tarek , Joffe Renata , Leib Martin L.
Published: July 2010

The authors report the case of a 10-year-old girl with cellular neurothekeoma, a benign tumor that should be included in the differential diagnosis of paraorbital dermal lesions in the young, particularly women.
Time Use of Mothers with Adolescents: A Lasting Impact of a Child's Disability
Authors: Crowe Terry K. , Michael Hallie J.
Published: July 2010

The purpose of this study was to compare the time use of mothers with adolescents with disabilities and mothers of adolescents without disabilities. Twenty mothers of adolescents (13 to 19 years old) with disabilities and 20 mothers of adolescents without disabilities completed time diaries for a period of seven 24-hour days. Mothers of adolescents with disabilities spent significantly more time in activities related to supervising their adolescents and less time in participation and socialization activities than mothers of adolescents without disabilities. As a child gets older, there is generally a decrease in the amount of time all mothers spend in childcare activities. However, mothers' occupations are impacted by having a child with a disability. Professionals working in partnership with families need to understand that the role of being a mother evolves as a child matures, and that a mother's time demands may impact the occupational engagement of all family members.
Staff Teamwork in Long-Term Care Facilities
Authors: Tyler Denise A. , Parker Victoria A.
Published: July 2010

The purpose of this study was to describe the organizational factors associated with high and low amounts of teamwork among direct-care workers in long-term care (LTC) facilities. A systematic analysis of observation data collected at 20 LTC facilities was first used to categorize facilities as high-, moderate-, or low-teamwork facilities. Next, qualitative analysis of 59 interviews collected in 4 high-teamwork and 5 low-teamwork facilities was used to identify the organizational factors associated with high and low teamwork. Findings showed that high- and low-teamwork LTC facilities in this study differed in three organizational areas: management style, training, and feedback and recognition. As such, improved teamwork in LTC facilities may result from changes to basic management practices, such as training and employee feedback.
A complicated grief intervention model
Authors: Drenth Cornelia M. , Herbst Alida G. , Strydom Herman
Published: July 2010

Complicated grief refers to a prolonged state of grief and indicates the inability of the client to incorporate the death into his or her life. Few social workers in South Africa assess the possibility of complicated grief as a contributing factor to impaired social functioning. This can be as a result of limited knowledge, ignorance and/or insufficient skills on the part of the social worker to assess and identify complicated grief. In this article, the researchers tabulate some of the models and approaches to bereavement and discusses its applicability to complicated grief. Specific attention is given to the Dual Process Model (Stroebe & Schut 1999) and the Task-Centred approach (a social work approach to therapy) in an attempt to develop a model for complicated grief intervention. This article furthermore proposes the Complicated Grief Intervention Model through the integration of the Dual Process Model and the Task-Centred approach while drawing on intervention techniques from other therapeutic approaches.OpsommingGekompliseerde rou verwys na ‘n verlengde staat van rou en impliseer ‘n onvermoë by die klient om die dood van ‘n geliefde in sy/haar lewe te integreer. Gekompliseerde rou word deur min maatskaplike werkers as bydraende faktor tot verlaagde maatskaplike funksionering geassesseer. Dit kan toegeskryf word aan beperkte kennis, ignorering van/of ontoereikende vaardighede by die maatskaplike werker in die identifisering en assessering van gekompliseerde rou. Die outeurs tabuleer sommige van die rouberadingsmodelle en –benaderings in hierdie artikel en bespreek die toepaslikheid daarvan op gekompliseerde rou. Spesifieke aandag word aan die Tweeledige Prosesmodel (Dual Process Model) (Stroebe & Schut 1999) verleen, asook aan die taakgesentreerde benadering (‘n maatskaplike werkbenadering) in ‘n poging om ‘n model te ontwikkel vir gekompliseerde rou intervensie. Die artikel beveel aan dat die Gekompliseerde Rou Intervensie Model (GRIM) deur middel van die integrasie van die Tweeledige Prosesmodel en die taakgesentreerde maatskaplike werkbenadering aangebied word, terwyl intervensietegnieke van verskeie terapeutiese benaderings benut word.
Managing semantics in XML vocabularies: an experience in the legal and legislative domain
Authors: Barabucci Gioele , Cervone Luca , Di Iorio Angelo , Palmirani Monica , Peroni Silvio , Vitali Fabio
Published: July 2010

Akoma Ntoso is an XML vocabulary for legal and legislative documents sponsored by the United Nations, initially for African Countries and subsequently for use in other world countries. The XML documents that represent legal and legislative resources in Akoma Ntoso contain a large quantity of elements and sections with concrete semantic information about the correct description and identification of the resource itself and the legal knowledge it contains. Such information is organized in many distinct conceptual layers, allowing for the contribution of different semantic information according to competencies and role in the workflow of the contributor.

This paper shows how the Akoma Ntoso standard expresses the independent conceptual layers of semantic information, and provides ontological structures on top of them. We also discuss how current Semantic Web technologies could be used on these layers to reason on the underlying legal texts.

As one of the main funding principles of Akoma Ntoso is the long-term preservation of legal documents and of their intended meaning, this paper also shows and justifies some design decisions that have been made in order allow future toolmakers to access the enclosed legal information without having to rely on current technology that may be long forgotten in the future decades.
Grammar-driven Markup Generation
Authors: Blažević Mario
Published: July 2010

This paper defines the concept of grammar-driven normalization of incomplete instances, sketches its implementation for RELAX NG schema and XML documents, and presents an example of its practical use for automated document conversion.
Automatic upconversion using XSLT 2.0 and XProc: A real world example
Authors: Haupt Stefanie , Stührenberg Maik
Published: July 2010

All too much of the data on the Web appears in unstructured presentation-centric formatting that isn't suited for structured searching and retrieval. Upconversion to a more data-centric information storage format offers a potential for many new uses of the data. The starting point of our work is a collection of HTML documents containing video game reviews. Our goal is to describe a target XML format that supports certain elements and attributes containing information that we consider valuable. Furthermore, the conversion process itself should be carried out automatically by means of an XProc pipeline. We conclude our paper with a demonstration of typical benefits of the highly structured data that results from our conversions.
Discourse situations and markup interoperability
Authors: Wickett Karen M.
Published: July 2010

Interoperability is often considered a key issue for information systems, but there are many different kinds of interoperability and only a few have been give precise definitions. Situation semantics and the notions of discourse situations and resource situations are promising tools for the conceptualization of markup within a general theory of communication. This paper uses these concepts to explore the role of context in determining the meaning of markup and to define a particular kind of interoperability for markup structures. A Dublin Core OAI-PMH record and associated schema are used to show how the use of contextual information supports (or fails to support) the interoperability of the record.
Scripting Documents with XQuery: Virtual Documents in TNTBase
Authors: Zholudev Vyacheslav , Kohlhase Michael
Published: July 2010

This paper introduces the concept of Virtual Documents and its prototypical realization in our TNTBase system, a versioned XML database. Virtual Documents integrate XQuery-based computational facilities into documents like JSP/PHP do for relational queries. We view the integration of computation in documents as an enabling technology and evaluate it on a handful of real-world use cases.
Biogeochemistry of the Tana estuary and delta (northern Kenya)
Authors: Bouillon Steven , Dehairs Frank , Schiettecatte Laure-Sophie , Borges Alberto Vieira
Published: July 2010

The estuarine mixing zone of the Tana River (northern Kenya) and an extensive deltaic area just south of the estuary were sampled in April 2004 with the aim of identifying the distribution, sources, and processing of particulate and dissolved organic carbon (POC, DOC) and inorganic carbon (DIC). C4 inputs from the catchment contributed ~50% to the POC pool in the Tana River and estuary, and in the mangrove creek water column and intertidal sediments. The δ13C values of DOC, however, were typically much more negative than that of POC, indicating a substantially higher contribution by C3 and/or mangrove‐derived carbon in the DOC pool. The undersaturation of O2, high pCO2, and the nonconservative nature of DIC and δ13CDIC suggest a strongly heterotrophic water column, particularly in the freshwater part of the Tana and in the tidal creeks in the delta, where high additional inputs of organic matter were observed. However, some of these sites showed δ18ODO signatures lower than the atmospheric equilibrium (i.e., +24.2‰) indicative of significant O2 production by photosynthesis. Therefore, the heterotrophic signature in the water column is likely the result of a strong interaction with the large intertidal areas, whereby respiratory activity in sediments and in the overlying water column during tidal inundation leave a marked signature on the water column. This is confirmed by the covariation between salinity‐normalized total alkalinity and DIC, whose slope indicates an important role for anaerobic diagenetic processes. If our data are representative for other large river systems in the region, current estimates are likely to underestimate suspended matter and both inorganic and organic C fluxes to the Indian Ocean from tropical east Africa.
Dissolved organic matter and persistence of the invasive zebra mussel (Dreissena polymorpha) under low food conditions
Authors: Baines Stephen B. , Fisher Nicholas S. , Cole Jonathan J.
Published: July 2010

To determine whether the ability of zebra mussels (Dreissena polymorpha) to absorb and metabolize a variety of dissolved organic compounds allows them to persist when food levels are too low to sustain them, we compared how quickly starving mussels lost weight when kept in water with and without natural dissolved organic matter (DOM). Mussels fed a starvation ration of algae were maintained either in filtered Hudson River water or in ultraviolet‐treated deionized water with major ions added at concentrations equivalent to those in the Hudson. Both types of water were continually filtered. Zebra mussels lost weight two‐ to fivefold faster in the absence of natural DOM, consistent with the idea that the uptake of DOM provides a substantial metabolic subsidy to these organisms. Ingestion of bacteria could not account for this effect. We calculate that the DOM subsidy amounted to more than half of the zebra mussel respiratory requirement under the experimental conditions, which is enough to double the length of time that zebra mussels can survive in the complete absence of particulate food. The effect of DOM on zebra mussel metabolism is 1.5‐ to fourfold larger than that predicted solely from estimates of amino and fatty acid uptake in the Hudson River. Because Hudson River DOM is largely allochthonous in origin, this subsidy could give zebra mussels a distinct advantage over other organisms competing for phytoplankton resources. We postulate that zebra mussels will have the largest effects on freshwater ecosystems that receive substantial inputs of organic matter from the surrounding watershed.
Suspended minerogenic particles in a reservoir: Light‐scattering features from individual particle analysis
Authors: Peng Feng , Effler Steven W.
Published: July 2010

Light‐scattering attributes of minerogenic particles in a reservoir, where these particles dominate over a wide range of light‐scattering levels, were characterized by an individual particle analysis technique, scanning electron microscopy interfaced with automated X‐ray microanalysis and image analysis (SAX). SAX provided characterizations of the elemental X‐ray composition, shape, number concentration (N), particle size distribution (PSD), and projected area per unit volume (PAVm) of these particles. Clay mineral particles represented ~84% of the PAVm, and they deviated from sphericity more than the other components of the minerogenic assemblage. Scattering coefficients for minerogenic particles at 660 nm (bm(660)) were estimated directly from SAX results based on Mie theory. Both PAVm and bm(660) were strong predictors of the observed wide variations in light scattering. Most of the light scattering in the reservoir was attributable to particles in the size range 2‐8 µm. Reasonably good closure is reported for estimates of bm(660), based on comparisons to in situ measurements of the beam attenuation coefficient at 660 nm. The widely used hyperbolic (or Junge) model (to describe PSDs) failed to accurately represent the total value and the particle size dependency of bm(660) as calculated from SAX observations, whereas the two‐component PSD model (using both components or the “B”‐component only) succeeded for these two features. SAX offers the opportunity to advance partitioning of scattering between minerogenic and organic particle contributions as well as among constituents of the minerogenic component.
Is ω6 docosapentaenoic acid an essential fatty acid during early ontogeny in marine fauna?
Authors: Parrish Christopher C. , Whiticar Michael , Puvanendran Velmurugu
Published: July 2010

A thraustochytrid marine protist (Schizochytrium sp.) was fed to rotifers (Branchionus plicatilis), which in turn, were fed to cod larvae (Gadus morhua). Samples of larvae 1 and 11 d after hatch, the rotifer diet, and the enrichment were collected for molecular and isotope analyses of fatty acids. Schizochytrium sp. had unusually high proportions of ω6DPA (8.6% α 0.6%), which was reflected in the rotifers fed this protist (8.7% α 0.2%). This fatty acid was also unusually 13C‐enriched in both the protists (211.63% α 0.11%) and the rotifers (‐11.83% α 0.39%). The proportions of ω6DPA were very low in prefeeding cod larvae but they increased 30‐fold by d 11; however, ω6DPA showed the smallest δ13C change from the protist source. This, combined with reports of significantly higher growth rates in cod and scallops fed diets rich in this fatty acid, provide strong evidence for ω6DPA being essential at least in the early life stages of these two very different groups.
Reproductive isolation keeps hybridizing Daphnia species distinct
Authors: Keller Barbara , Wolinska Justyna , Tellenbach Christoph , Spaak Piet
Published: July 2010

We asked whether pre‐ (e.g., assortative mating, temporal isolation) or postzygotic (e.g., hybrid inviability, infertility) barriers are more likely to affect the hybridization between Daphnia galeata and Daphnia hyalina. We compared the taxonomic composition of different reproductive stages in the life cycle of D. galeata, D. hyalina, and their hybrids in Greifensee (Switzerland) by using molecular genetic methods. We found evidence for reproductive isolation between taxa and that hybrids in particular, have reduced sexual fitness. The results provide one potential mechanism for parental taxa to remain distinct. F1 hybrid dominance in Greifensee could be explained by an increased asexual reproduction of hybrids that results in a higher proportion of gravid females compared with the parental D. galeata. The low sexual fitness of hybrids limits the abilities of hybrids to take advantage of diapausing eggs. The lower dispersal ability, including colonization of new habitats, and survival probability during harsh environmental conditions, could, therefore, lead to underestimates of historical hybrid occurrence by using diapausing egg bank reconstructions.
Natural inactivation of phosphorus by aluminum in preindustrial lake sediments
Authors: Kopáček Jiři , Marešová Marie , Hejzlar Josef , Norton Stephen A.
Published: July 2010

Noncalcareous phosphorus (P)‐rich lake sediments typically release P associated with iron hydroxide [Fe(OH)3] during the development of hypolimnetic anoxia. High concentrations of aluminum hydroxide [Al(OH)3] in such sediments (e.g., in aluminum [Al]‐treated lakes) can prevent the P release. Here we show that sediment ability to bind P can naturally develop during lake history because of changes in the Al(OH)3 concentration and the Al(OH)3 to Fe(OH)3 ratio in sediment. We reconstructed the development of sediment Psorption characteristics through the Late Glacial and Holocene periods on the basis of sequential fractionation analysis of P, Al, iron, calcium, and magnesium in a ~14,000‐yr‐long sediment record, fresh settling seston, and bedrock from Plešné Lake, Czech Republic. The most significant change occurred at the Late Glacial—Holocene transition (~10,000 yr before present), when the watershed became forested and soil erosion decreased. The Late Glacial sediment was rich in mineral detritus, derived from the watershed till and bedrock, had most of its P associated with Fe(OH)3 (37%) and calcite and/or apatite (42%), and was probably able to release P during anoxia. In contrast, the Holocene sediment was highly organic, the P release during anoxia was likely negligible, and >90% of P was associated with Al(OH)3. This Al(OH)3 originated from photochemical liberation of Al from dissolved organically‐bound Al (Alo) exported to the lake from soils. Because the photochemical mechanism was a more efficient source for Al(OH)3 than for Fe(OH)3, the sediment became a P trap by the beginning of the Holocene. The ability of the sediment to immobilize P increased further during the anthropogenic acidification era because of elevated terrestrial export of ionic Al. Similar sediment fractionation results in cores from six lakes in Maine suggest that this P‐immobilizing mechanism is a general process that can occur in lakes with high Alo inputs.
Patterns and regulation of dissolved organic carbon: An analysis of 7,500 widely distributed lakes
Authors: Sobek Sebastian , Tranvik Lars J. , Prairie Yves T. , Kortelainen Pirkko , Cole Jonathan J.
Published: July 2010

Dissolved organic carbon (DOC) is a key parameter in lakes that can affect numerous features, including microbial metabolism, light climate, acidity, and primary production. In an attempt to understand the factors that regulate DOC in lakes, we assembled a large database (7,514 lakes from 6 continents) of DOC concentrations and other parameters that characterize the conditions in the lakes, the catchment, the soil, and the climate. DOC concentrations were in the range 0.1–332 mg L−1, and the median was 5.71 mg L−1. A partial least squares regression explained 48% of the variability in lake DOC and showed that altitude, mean annual runoff, and precipitation were negatively correlated with lake DOC, while conductivity, soil carbon density, and soil C:N ratio were positively related with lake DOC. A multiple linear regression using altitude, mean annual runoff, and soil carbon density as predictors explained 40% of the variability in lake DOC. While lake area and drainage ratio (catchment : lake area) were not correlated to lake DOC in the global data set, these two factors explained significant variation of the residuals of the multiple linear regression model in several regional subsets of data. These results suggest a hierarchical regulation of DOC in lakes, where climatic and topographic characteristics set the possible range of DOC concentrations of a certain region, and catchment and lake properties then regulate the DOC concentration in each individual lake.
The ice regime of Lake Baikal from historical and satellite data: Relationship to air temperature, dynamical, and other factors
Authors: Kouraev Alexei V. , Semovski Sergei V. , Shimaraev Michail N. , Mognard Nelly M. , Legrésy Benoît , Rémy Frédérique
Published: July 2010

We give an overview of the history of the ice cover studies in Lake Baikal and a detailed description of the temporal and spatial variability of Lake Baikal ice conditions based on satellite and historical data. We analyze the long‐term evolution of ice conditions using historical data and recent observations from satellite altimetry and radiometry for 1992–2004 for northern, middle, and southern Baikal. These data show a recent (since the 1990s) tendency for colder winters, with earlier ice formation, later ice break‐up, and ice duration increase. These observations are in agreement with the long‐period cycles of air temperature variability (warming between the 1970s and 1990s, with a cooling phase afterwards). We then compare air temperature data from meteorological stations to ERA‐40 reanalysis and suggest that ERA‐40 data can be used to assess seasonal and interannual changes of air temperature for Lake Baikal. The ERA‐40 data also indicate a recent tendency for colder winters and for warmer summers. We further analyze how the ice regime is influenced by air temperature and how this influence is affected by dynamic (wind field, currents) and other (bathymetry, precipitation, etc.) factors. We estimate the relationship between air temperature parameters and the timing of ice events (ice formation and fast ice duration) and show that air temperature has the strongest effect on the ice regime. Dynamic and other factors interfere with the thermal influence, resulting in a change of ice formation dates and ice duration compared to the relationship that takes into account only the influence of air temperature.
A consistent dataset of Antarctic ice sheet topography, cavity geometry, and global bathymetry
Authors: Timmermann R. , Le Brocq A. , Deen T. , Domack E. , Dutrieux P. , Galton-Fenzi B. , Hellmer H. , Humbert A. , Jansen D. , Jenkins A. , Lambrecht A. , Makinson K. , Niederjasper F. , Nitsche F. , Nøst O. A. , Smedsrud L. H. , Smith W. H. F.
Published: July 2010

Abstract. Sub-ice shelf circulation and freezing/melting rates in ocean general circulation models depend critically on an accurate and consistent representation of cavity geometry. Existing global or pan-Antarctic data sets have turned out to contain various inconsistencies and inaccuracies. The goal of this work is to compile independent regional fields into a global data set. We use the S-2004 global 1-min bathymetry as the backbone and add an improved version of the BEDMAP topography (ALBMAP bedrock topography) for an area that roughly coincides with the Antarctic continental shelf. The position of the merging line is individually chosen in different sectors in order to get the best out of each data set. High-resolution gridded data for ice shelf topography and cavity geometry of the Amery, Fimbul, Filchner-Ronne, Larsen C and George VI Ice Shelves, and for Pine Island Glacier are carefully merged into the ambient ice and ocean topographies. Multibeam survey data for bathymetry in the former Larsen B cavity and the southeastern Bellingshausen Sea have been obtained from the data centers of Alfred Wegener Institute (AWI), British Antarctic Survey (BAS) and Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory (LDEO), gridded, and blended into the existing bathymetry map. The resulting global 1-min topography data set (RTopo-1) contains maps for upper and lower ice surface heights, bedrock topography, and consistent masks for open ocean, grounded ice, floating ice, and bare land surface. The data set is available in NetCDF format from the PANGAEA database at doi:10.1594/pangaea.741917.
Evaluation of Penman-Monteith model applied to a maize field in the arid area of northwest China
Authors: Zhao W.-Z. , Ji X.-B. , Kang E.-S. , Zhang Z.-H. , Jin B.-W.
Published: July 2010

Abstract. The Penman-Monteith (P-M) model has been applied to estimate evapotranspiration in terrestrial ecosystem throughout the world. As shown in many studies, bulk canopy resistance is an especially important factor in the application of the P-M model. In this study, the authors used the Noilhan and Planton (N-P) approach and the Jacobs and De Bruin (J-D) approach to express the bulk canopy resistance. The P-M model was applied to a maize field using the two approaches in an arid area of northwest China and evaluated on the basis of measured half-hourly values from the eddy covariance system. The results indicate that the N-P approach slightly underestimates the bulk canopy resistance, while the J-D approach overestimates it. Over the entire maize growing season, the N-P approach yielded a more consistent estimate of bulk canopy resistance than did the J-D approach. Correspondingly, the P-M model with J-D bulk canopy resistance slightly underestimated the latent heat flux throughout the maize growing season, but overestimated the latent heat flux during the dry season as compared to the N-P approach results. The good fit between the simulated latent heat flux estimated by the P-M model using the N-P approach and the data measured at half-hour time steps demonstrates that the application of this approach is reasonable in relatively homogenous maize fields that are not drought-stressed. Further research to improve the performance of P-M model to simulate evapotranspiration in the cropped fields is discussed.
Asymmmetric Diamino Functionalization of Nanotubes Assisted by BOC Protection and Their Epoxy Nanocomposites
Authors: Zhao Yao , Barrera Enrique V.
Published: July 2010

Homogenous dispersion and strong interfacial bonding are prerequisites for taking full advantage of the mechanical properties of nanotubes in a composite. In order to simultaneously achieve both conditions, a highly efficient and mechanically non‐destructive functionalization of nanotubes is developed. With fluoronanotubes as the precursor, asymmetric diamine molecules, N‐BOC‐1,6‐diaminohexane, are used to replace fluorines on the wall of fluoronanotubes and construct covalent bonding to the surface of the nanotubes. A BOC de‐protection reaction is conducted and the resulting exposed amino groups create strong covalent bonds with the matrix in the course of epoxy ring‐opening etherification and curing chemical reactions. In comparison with the conventional functionalization based on symmetric diamine molecules, the functionalized nanotubes derived from the BOC‐protected diamine molecule are more dispersed within the epoxy matrix. Dynamic mechanical analysis shows that the functionalized nanotubes have better crosslinking with the matrix. The composites reinforced by the nanotubes demonstrate improvement in various mechanical properties. The Young’s Modulus, ultimate tensile strength, and storage modulus of composites loaded with 0.5 wt% functionalized nanotubes are enhanced by 30%, 25%, and 10%, respectively, compared with the neat epoxy. The increase of the glass transition temperature, as much as 10 °C, makes the composites suited for engineering applications under higher temperatures. The new functionalization method allows for an competitive enhancement in the composite performance in use of relatively low cost raw nanotubes at a small loading level. The reinforcement mechanism of the functionalized nanotubes in the epoxy resin is discussed.
Phase behavior and mechanism of formation of protofiber morphology of solution spun poly(acrylonitrile) copolymers in DMF‐water system
Authors: Agrawal Ashwini K. , Jassal Manjeet , Sahoo Anasuya , Garapati Santhosh K.
Published: July 2010

Phase diagrams of a series of copolymers of acrylonitrile (AN) and acrylic acid (AAc) were constructed using linearized cloud point correlation. The miscibility region in the phase diagram was found to increase with the increase in AAc content of the copolymers. For various compositions, χ13 (polymer–water interaction parameter) values were estimated by sorption experiment. As the hydrophilic nature of the polymer increased with the increase in the content of acrylic acid, the χ13 interaction parameter was found to decrease from poly(acrylonitrile) homopolymer to its copolymer with 50 mol % acrylic acid (AA50B). The polymer–solvent interaction parameters (χ23) and composition at the critical points for all the polymers were determined by fitting the theoretical bimodal curves to the experimental cloud point curves using Kenji Kamide equations. The polymer composition at the critical point was found to increase by 400% with increasing AAc content. The polymers were solution spun in DMF‐water coagulation bath at 30°C and their protofiber structures were investigated under scanning electron microscopy. The observed morphological differences in protofibers were explained on the changes brought about in the phase separation behavior of the polymer–solvent–nonsolvent systems. The copolymers with higher acrylic acid content could be solution spun into void free homogeneous fibers even at conditions that produced void‐filled inhomogeneous fibers in poly(acrylonitrile) and its copolymers with lower AAc content. The experiments demonstrate the important role of thermodynamics in deciding the protofiber morphology during coagulation process. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2011
Synthesis of soluble and thermally stable polyimides from 3,5‐diamino‐N‐(4‐(8‐quinolinoxy) phenyl) aniline and various dianhydrides
Authors: Ghaemy Mousa , Bazzar Maasoomeh
Published: July 2010

Three novel polyimides (PIs) having pendent 4‐(quinolin‐8‐yloxy) aniline group were prepared by polycondensation of a new diamine with commercially available tetracarboxylic dianhydrides, such as pyromellitic dianhydride, 3,3′,4,4′‐benzophenone tetracarboxylic dianhydride, and bicyclo[2.2.2]‐oct‐7‐ene‐2,3,5,6‐tetracarboxylic dianhydride. These PIs were characterized by FTIR, 1H NMR, and elemental analysis; they had high yields with inherent viscosities in the range of 0.4–0.5 dl g−1, and exhibited excellent solubility in many organic solvents such as N,N‐dimethyl acetamide, N,N′‐dimethyl formamide, N‐methyl pyrrolidone (NMP), dimethyl sulfoxide, and pyridine. These PIs exhibited glass transition temperatures (Tg) between 250 and 325° C. Their initial decomposition temperatures (Ti) ranged between 270 and 450°C, and 10% weight loss temperature (T10) up to 500°C with 68% char yield at 600°C under nitrogen atmosphere. Transparent and hard polymer films were obtained via casting from their NMP solutions. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2011
Methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase gene polymorphisms and neural tube defects epidemiology in the Slovak population
Authors: Behunova Jana , Klimcakova Lucia , Zavadilikova Eva , Potocekova Dana , Sykora Pavol , Podracka Ludmila
Published: July 2010

BACKGROUND

Folate deficiency is a known factor contributing to the formation of neural tube defects (NTDs). Many folate metabolism gene variants have been investigated, but only a few substantial associations have been established, the C677T polymorphism of the methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) gene being one of the most significant.

METHODS

We determine the MTHFR C677T and A1298C genotypes in 93 Slovak NTD patients and 290 control newborns with respect to sex and ethnicity. Furthermore, we summarize current data on the incidence and types of NTDs in Slovakia.

RESULTS

The Slovak population frequencies of T allele and TT genotype of the C677T MTHFR gene polymorphism were 0.25 and 6.9%, respectively; similarly, those of the C allele and CC genotype of the A1298C polymorphism were 0.35 and 13.8%, respectively. No differences between the sexes and within ethnic groups were observed. In NTD patients, genotype analysis of the C677T polymorphism revealed 0.29 and 9.8% for T allele and TT genotype frequencies, respectively (p = 0.26; OR, 1.23; 95% CI, 0.84–1.81; resp. p = 0.36; OR, 1.46; 95% CI, 0.56–3.52) compared to the controls. The frequencies of C allele and CC genotype of A1298C polymorphism were 0.34 and 6.5%, respectively (p = 0.81; OR, 0.96; 95% CI, 0.66–1.38; resp. p = 0.06; OR, 0.44; 95% CI, 0.15–1.09). There were also no sex‐related differences in genotypes distribution in NTD patients.

CONCLUSIONS

No significant associations between the C677T and A1298C MTHFR gene polymorphisms and NTDs and no differences between the two main ethnic groups (white‐Caucasians, Roma) were found in Slovakia. The total incidence of NTDs in Slovakia is, according to the official sources, 0.53/1000, and the incidence among liveborn newborns is 0.28/1000. Birth Defects Research (Part A), 2010. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Decongestant use during pregnancy and its association with preterm delivery
Authors: Hernandez Rohini K. , Mitchell Allen A. , Werler Martha M.
Published: July 2010

BACKGROUND

Despite the frequent intake of decongestants during pregnancy, only one study to date has evaluated the association of decongestants with preterm delivery, and it identified a reduced risk. We examined this association in more detail.

METHODS

Using a population‐based random sample of 3271 Massachusetts live‐born births without major malformations, we categorized decongestant exposure according to timing, frequency of use, route, and indication. Preterm birth was defined as a gestational age of <37 completed weeks. We estimated hazard ratios and examined confounding by indication by examining various strata of women and through multivariate adjustment.

RESULTS

Compared to nonexposed women, those who took decongestants during the second or third trimester only were less likely to experience preterm delivery (HR, 0.42; 95% CI, 0.21–0.84). This association was observed only for women without preeclampsia.

CONCLUSIONS

A protective association between decongestant use and preterm delivery has now been observed in two studies; however, the possibility of confounding by underlying condition remains. Birth Defects Research (Part A), 2010. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Genetic variants in COL2A1, COL11A2, and IRF6 contribute risk to nonsyndromic cleft palate
Authors: Nikopensius Tiit , Jagomägi Triin , Krjutškov Kaarel , Tammekivi Veronika , Saag Mare , Prane Inga , Piekuse Linda , Akota Ilze , Barkane Biruta , Krumina Astrida , Ambrozaitytė Laima , Matulevičienė Aušra , Kučinskienė Zita Aušrelė , Lace Baiba , Kučinskas Vaidutis , Metspalu Andres
Published: July 2010

Background

Orofacial clefts are among the most common birth defects with a strong genetic component. Nonsyndromic cleft palate (NSCP) is a complex malformation determined by the interaction between multiple genes and environmental risk factors.

Methods

We conducted a case‐control association study to investigate the role of 40 candidate genes in predisposition to orofacial clefting. Five hundred ninety‐one haplotype tagging single nucleotide polymorphism (tagSNPs) were genotyped in a clefting sample from the Baltic region, composed of 104 patients with nonsyndromic cleft palate and 606 controls from an Estonian, Latvian, and Lithuanian population.

Results

In case‐control comparisons, the minor alleles of IRF6 rs17389541 (p = 5.45 × 10−4) and COL2A1 rs1793949 (p = 7.26 × 10−4) were associated with increased risk of NSCP. Multiple haplotypes in COL2A1 and COL11A2 and haplotypes in WNT3, FGFR1, and CLPTM1were associated with NSCP. The strongest associations were found for IRF6 haplotype rs17389541/rs9430018 GT (p = 2.23 × 10−4) and COL2A1 haplotype rs12822608/rs6823 GC (p = 3.68 × 10−4). The strongest epistatic interactions were observed between MSX1 and BMP2, FGF1 and PVRL2, and COL2A1 and FGF2 genes.

Conclusions

This study provides for the first time evidence of the implication of IRF6, COL2A1, and WNT3 in the occurrence of NSCP. It is likely that variation in cartilage collagen II and XI genes, IRF6, and the Wnt and FGF signaling pathway genes contributes susceptibility to nonsyndromic cleft palate in Northeastern European populations. Birth Defects Research (Part A), 2010. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Improved process analytical technology for protein a chromatography using predictive principal component analysis tools
Authors: Hou Ying , Jiang Canping , Shukla Abhinav A. , Cramer Steven M.
Published: July 2010

Protein A chromatography is widely employed for the capture and purification of antibodies and Fc‐fusion proteins. Due to the high cost of protein A resins, there is a significant economic driving force for using these chromatographic materials for a large number of cycles. The maintenance of column performance over the resin lifetime is also a significant concern in large‐scale manufacturing. In this work, several statistical methods are employed to develop a novel principal component analysis (PCA)‐based tool for predicting protein A chromatographic column performance over time. A method is developed to carry out detection of column integrity failures before their occurrence without the need for a separate integrity test. In addition, analysis of various transitions in the chromatograms was also employed to develop PCA‐based models to predict both subtle and general trends in real‐time protein A column yield decay. The developed approach has significant potential for facilitating timely and improved decisions in large‐scale chromatographic operations in line with the process analytical technology (PAT) guidance from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Biotechnol. Bioeng. 2011; 108:59–68. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
PPARγ inhibits inflammatory reaction in oxidative stress induced human diploid fibloblast
Authors: Lee Young‐Hee , Lee Nan‐Hee , Bhattarai Govinda , Yun Ji‐Soo , Kim Tae‐Il , Jhee Eun‐Chung , Yi Ho‐Keun
Published: July 2010

The ageing of an inevitable life function is an unavoidable regressive physical process. Peroxisome proliferator‐activated receptors (PPARs) are members of the nuclear hormone receptor family. PPARγ plays an important role in regulating several metabolic pathways. Recently, PPARγ has been implicated in inflammatory responses and age‐related diseases. The aim of this study was to determine the anti‐inflammatory reaction of PPARγ in an induced ageing progress. The late passage of human diploid fibroblasts (HDF), an in vitro ageing model, reveals the biological index materials of ageing. Aged cells showed decreased PPARγ expression and elevated levels of intracellular adhesion molecule‐1 (ICAM‐1), an inflammatory molecule. To induce the aged cell phenotype, the middle stage of HDF cells (PD31) were induced stress induced premature senescence (SIPS) with 200 µM H2O2 for 2 h. SIPS‐HDF cells showed high levels of ICAM‐1, extracellular signal regulated kinase (ERK1/2) activity and matrix metallomatrix protease (MMP‐2, ‐9) activity, and low levels of PPARγ expression. A reconstitution of SIPS HDF cells with Ad/PPARγ resulted in the downregulation of ICAM‐1, ERK1/2, MMP‐2 and ‐9, and normalized growth of SIPS‐HDF cells. Moreover, PPARγ in aged HDF cells reduced pro‐inflammatory molecules and eliminated the formation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) through the ERK1/2 pathway. These results strongly suggest that PPARγ plays a key role in age‐related inflammation and may have clinical applications as a molecular target in the treatment of age‐related inflammation. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
ChemInform Abstract: Magnetic and Crystal Structures of BiCrO3.
Authors: Darie C. , Goujon C. , Bacia M. , Klein H. , Toulemonde P. , Bordet P. , Suard E.
Published: July 2010

Polycrystalline samples of the title compound are prepared by solid state reaction of Bi2O3 and Cr2O3 (Au capsule, 2 GPa, 805 °C) and characterized by powder neutron diffraction and magnetic susceptibility measurements.
ChemInform Abstract: Crystal Growth of a New Series of Layered Tantalates LnKNaTaO5 (Ln: La, Pr, Nd, Sm, Gd).
Authors: Roof Irina P. , Smith Mark D. , zur Loye Hans‐Conrad
Published: July 2010

Single crystals of the title compounds are prepared from mixtures of Ln2O3 (Ln: La, Pr, Nd, Sm, Gd), Ta2O5, and a eutectic mixture of KOH and NaOH (Ag tube, 600 °C, 12 h).
ChemInform Abstract: Observation of 2,7‐Disubstitution in Palladium Catalyzed Directed C—H Activation of Indoles.
Authors: Fanton Guilia , Coles Nicola M. , Cowley Andrew R. , Flemming Jonathan P. , Brown John M.
Published: July 2010

The possibility of palladium‐catalyzed alkenylation in the 7‐position of indoles is studied.
ChemInform Abstract: One Pot Synthesis of Spiro Pyrimidinethiones/Spiro Pyrimidinones, Quinazolinethiones/Quinazolinones, and Pyrimidopyrimidines.
Authors: Gupta Poonam , Gupta Shallu , Sachar Anand , Kour Daljeet , Singh Jasbir , Sharma Rattan L.
Published: July 2010

The three‐component condensation of diketone (I) with aldehydes (III) and urea or thiourea leads either to octahydroquinazolines (IV) or spiro pyrimidine derivatives (V) depending on the amount of aldehyde employed.
ChemInform Abstract: Microwave‐Assisted Syntheses of Nucleosides and Their Precursors
Authors: Roy Vincent , Pradere Ugo , Agrofoglio Luigi A.
Published: July 2010

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