bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Seasonal cycle and source analyses of aerosol optical properties in a semi-urban environment at Puijo station in Eastern Finland
Authors: Leskinen A. , Arola A. , Komppula M. , Portin H. , Tiitta P. , Miettinen P. , Romakkaniemi S. , Laaksonen A. , Lehtinen K. E. J.
Published: June 2012

Abstract. We introduce a four-year (in 2006–2010) continuous data set of aerosol optical properties at Puijo in Kuopio, Finland. We study the annual and diurnal variation of the aerosol scattering and absorption coefficients, hemispheric backscattering fraction, scattering Ångström exponent, and single scattering albedo, whose median values over this period were 7.2 Mm−1 (at 550 nm), 1.0 Mm−1 (at 637 nm), 0.15, 1.93 (between 450 and 550 nm), and 0.85, respectively. The scattering coefficient peaked in the spring and autumn, being 2–4 times those in the summer and winter. An exception was the summer of 2010, when the scattering coefficient was elevated to ~300 Mm−1 by plumes from forest fires in Russia. The absorption coefficient peaked in the winter when soot-containing particles derived from biomass burning were present. The higher relative absorption coefficients resulted in lower single scattering albedo in winter. The optical properties varied also with wind direction and time of the day, indicating the effect of the local pollutant sources and the age of the particles. Peak values in the single scattering albedo were observed when the wind blew from a paper mill and from the sector without local pollutant sources. These observations were linked, respectively, to the sulphate-rich aerosol from the paper mill and the oxygenated organics in the aged aerosol, which both are known to increase the scattering characteristics of aerosols. Decreases in the single scattering albedo in the morning and afternoon, distinct in the summertime, were linked to the increased traffic density at these hours. The scattering and absorption coefficients of residential and long-range transported aerosol (two separate cloud events) were found to be decreased by clouds. The effect was stronger for the scattering than absorption, indicating preferential activation of the more hygroscopic aerosol with higher scattering characteristics.
Organic carbon and nitrogen export from a tropical dam-impacted floodplain system
Authors: Zurbrügg R. , Suter S. , Lehmann M. F. , Wehrli B. , Senn D. B.
Published: June 2012

Abstract. Tropical floodplains play an important role in organic matter transport, storage, and transformation between headwaters and oceans. However, the fluxes and quality of organic carbon (OC) and organic nitrogen (ON) in tropical river-floodplain systems are not well constrained. We explored the quantity and characteristics of dissolved and particulate organic matter (DOM and POM) in the Kafue River flowing through the Kafue Flats (Zambia). The Kafue Flats are a tropical dam-impacted river-floodplain system in the Zambezi River basin. During the flooding season, >80% of the Kafue River water passed through the floodplain, mobilizing large quantities of OC and ON, which resulted in a net export of 75 kg OC km−2 d−1 and 2.9 kg ON km−2 d−1, 80% of which was in the dissolved form. Mass budget estimates showed that ON export, denitrification, and burial caused an annual deficit of ~21 000 t N yr−1 in the Kafue Flats. A N isotope balance and the δ15N of DON and PON suggest that N-fixation must level out the large N losses. The elemental C:N ratio of ~20, the δ13C values of higher than −24‰, and spectroscopic properties (excitation-emission matrices) showed that DOM in the river was mainly of terrestrial origin. Despite a threefold increase in OC loads due to inputs from the floodplain, the river DOM characteristics remained relatively constant along the sampled 400-km river reach. This suggested that floodplain DOM had similar properties than DOM from the upstream reservoir. In contrast, based on its low δ13C of −29‰ and the C:N ratio of ~8, POM originated from phytoplankton production in the upstream reservoir and in the floodplain. While the reservoir had little impact on DOM properties, terrestrial POM was efficiently trapped and, instead, phytoplankton-derived POM was discharged to the downstream Kafue Flats.
Dabigatran for stroke prevention in atrial fibrillation
Authors: Diener H.-C. , Hohnloser S. H.
Published: June 2012

Dabigatran is a novel direct thrombin inhibitor that has recently been approved for primary and secondary stroke prevention and prevention of systemic embolism in patients with atrial fibrillation. In the pivotal RE-LY study, dabigatran 110 mg BID was demonstrated to be associated with a stroke rate similar to that observed with warfarin (INR target 2.0 to 3.0), but with a lower rate of major haemorrhage. Dabigatran administered at a dose of 150 mg BID was significantly more effective in stroke prevention than warfarin and showed a similar rate of major hemorrhages. Of note, both dosages resulted in an approximately 60–70% relative risk reduction of haemorrhagic stroke. The dosage of 110 mg BID should be preferably used in patients aged 75–80 years or older as the rate of extracranial bleeding events tends to increase with dabigatran 150 mg BID above this age limit. In RE-LY, myocardial infarcts occurred at a very low incidence. There were numerically more myocardial infarcts in dabigatran-treated patients than in warfarin patients; however, other myocardial ischaemic events were similar in the three treatment arms.
Novel Quantitative Method to Evaluate Globotriaosylceramide Inclusions in Renal Peritubular Capillaries by Virtual Microscopy in Patients With Fabry Disease
Authors: Barisoni Laura , Jennette J. Charles , Colvin Robert , Sitaraman Sheela , Bragat Alexander , Castelli Jeff , Walker Dan , Boudes Pol
Published: June 2012

Context.—Assessing the amount of globotriaosylceramide inclusions in renal peritubular capillaries by a semiquantitative approach is a standard and useful measure of therapeutic efficacy in Fabry disease, achievable by light microscopy analysis.

Objective.—To describe a novel virtual microscopy quantitative method to measure globotriaosylceramide inclusions (Barisoni Lipid Inclusion Scoring System [BLISS]) in renal biopsies from patients with Fabry disease.

Design.—Plastic embedded 1-µm-thick sections from kidney biopsies from 17 patients enrolled in a Fabry disease clinical trial were evaluated using a standard semiquantitative methodology and BLISS to compare sensitivity. We also tested intrareader and interreader variability of BLISS and compared results from conventional light microscopy analysis with a virtual microscopy-based methodology. Peritubular capillaries were first annotated on digital images of whole slides by 1 pathologist and then scored for globotriaosylceramide inclusions by 2 additional pathologists.

Results.—We demonstrated that (1) quantitative analysis by BLISS results in detection of small amount of globotriaosylceramide inclusions even when by semiquantitative analysis the score is 0, (2) application of BLISS combined with conventional light microscopy results in low intrareader and interreader variability, and (3) BLISS combined with virtual microscopy results in significant reduction of intrareader and interreader variability compared with BLISS–light microscopy.

Conclusions.—BLISS is a simpler and more sensitive scoring system compared to the semiquantitative approach. The virtual microscopy–based methodology increases accuracy and reproducibility; moreover, it provides a permanent record of retrievable data with full transparency in clinical trials.
Primitive Neuroectodermal Tumor/Ewing Sarcoma of the Retina
Authors: Grossniklaus Hans E. , Shehata Bahig , Sorensen Poul , Bergstrom Chris , Hubbard G. Baker
Published: June 2012

An 11-year-old boy underwent enucleation of his left eye for an intraocular tumor. Examination showed a small, round blue cell tumor arising in the peripheral retina near the ciliary body. Immunohistochemical stain results were positive for neuron-specific enolase, synaptophysin, cluster of differentiation 99 (CD99), Friend leukemia integration 1, and CD56. Ultrastructural findings included occasional intracytoplasmic dense core granules. Polymerase chain reaction of the tumor showed a Ewing sarcoma/Friend leukemia integration gene fusion product. The tumor was classified as a primitive neuroectodermal tumor/Ewing sarcoma of the retina and should be distinguished from retinoblastoma. To our knowledge, this is the first case of primary primitive neuroectodermal tumor of the retina.
Strategic assay deployment as a method for countering analytical bottlenecks in high throughput process development: Case studies in ion exchange chromatography
Authors: Konstantinidis Spyridon , Heldin Eva , Chhatre Sunil , Velayudhan Ajoy , Titchener‐Hooker Nigel
Published: June 2012

High throughput approaches to facilitate the development of chromatographic separations have now been adopted widely in the biopharmaceutical industry, but issues of how to reduce the associated analytical burden remain. For example, acquiring experimental data by high level factorial designs in 96 well plates can place a considerable strain upon assay capabilities, generating a bottleneck that limits significantly the speed of process characterization. This article proposes an approach designed to counter this challenge; Strategic Assay Deployment (SAD). In SAD, a set of available analytical methods is investigated to determine which set of techniques is the most appropriate to use and how best to deploy these to reduce the consumption of analytical resources while still enabling accurate and complete process characterization. The approach is demonstrated by investigating how salt concentration and pH affect the binding of green fluorescent protein from Escherichia coli homogenate to an anion exchange resin presented in a 96‐well filter plate format. Compared with the deployment of routinely used analytical methods alone, the application of SAD reduced both the total assay time and total assay material consumption by at least 40% and 5%, respectively. SAD has significant utility in accelerating bioprocess development activities. © 2012 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Biotechnol. Prog., 2012
Healing responses after bifurcation stenting with the dedicated TRYTON side‐branch stent™ in combination with XIENCE‐V™ stents: A clinical, angiography, fractional flow reserve, and optical coherence tomography study: The PYTON (Prospective evaluation of the TRYTON side‐branch stent™ with an additional XIENCE‐v™ everolimus‐eluting stent in coronary bifurcation lesions) study
Authors: Dubois Christophe , Adriaenssens Tom , Ughi Giovanni , Wiyono Stefanus , Bennett Johan , Coosemans Mark , Ferdinande Bert , Sinnaeve Peter , D'hooge Jan , Desmet Walter
Published: June 2012

Objectives

We evaluated healing responses with optical coherence tomography (OCT), and clinical and angiographic outcome after bifurcation stenting with the TRYTON Side‐Branch Stent™.

Background

Dedicated bifurcation stents have been proposed as a potential alternative for treatment of true coronary bifurcation lesions.

Methods

We treated 20 consecutive patients with coronary bifurcation lesions and significant involvement of the side‐branch (SB) with the TRYTON Stent and an additional XIENCE‐V™ everolimus‐eluting stent. At 9 months, we assessed the ratio of uncovered to total stent struts (RUTSS) with OCT, angiographic late luminal loss (LLL), and in‐stent and in‐segment restenosis. Clinical endpoints at 1 year included major adverse cardiac events (MACE) and their components [target lesion revascularization (TLR), myocardial infarction (MI), and cardiac death].

Results

LLL (N = 16) was 0.34 (0.17–0.46), 0.29 (0.24–0.48) and 0.57 (0.29–0.73) mm in the proximal main vessel (MV), distal MV and SB, respectively. In‐bifurcation binary in‐stent restenosis occurred in four patients (25%), in‐segment restenosis in five (31.25%). The RUTSS (N = 13) was 4.0 ± 5.8, 0.7 ± 1.3, 0, and 2.5 ± 3.6% in the proximal MV, distal MV, SB, and polygon of confluence, respectively. At 1 year, MACE occurred in 5 (25%) [4 TLR (20%), 3 MI (15%)].

Conclusion

The homogeneous stent strut coverage and the low LLL in the MV reflect proper healing characteristics of the TRYTON Stent in combination with the XIENCE‐V™ stent. However, proximal MV edge and ostial SB restenoses together with overall clinical outcomes do not fulfill expectations of a dedicated bifurcation stent. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Bail out use of the gore excluder following pulmonary conduit rupture during transcatheter pulmonary valve replacement
Authors: Sosnowski Cyndi R. , Kenny Damien , Hijazi Ziyad M.
Published: June 2012

This report describes the use of the Gore Excluder self‐expanding stent to successfully exclude a contained right ventricle to pulmonary artery conduit rupture during transcatheter pulmonary valve replacement (tPVR). This stent was designed for percutaneous abdominal aortic aneurysm exclusion; however, its use in this setting allowed progression to tPVR following conduit rupture without the need for emergent surgery. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Hydrolysis of Phosphotriesters: A Theoretical Analysis of the Enzymatic and Solution Mechanisms
Authors: López‐Canut Violeta , Ruiz‐Pernía J. Javier , Castillo Raquel , Moliner Vicent , Tuñón Iñaki
Published: June 2012

A theoretical study on the alkaline hydrolysis of paraoxon, one of the most popular organophosphorus pesticides, in aqueous solution and in the active site of Pseudomonas diminuta phosphotriesterase (PTE) is presented. Simulations by means of hybrid quantum mechanics/molecular mechanics (QM/MM) potentials show that the hydrolysis of paraoxon takes place through an ANDN or associative mechanism both in solution and in the active site of PTE. The results correctly reproduce the magnitude of the activation free energies and can be used to rationalize the observed kinetic isotope effects (KIEs) for the hydrolysis of paraoxon in both media. Enzymatic hydrolysis of O,O‐diethyl p‐chlorophenyl phosphate, a phosphotriester having a leaving group with higher pKa than paraoxon, was also simulated. Hydrolysis of this phosphotriester by PTE follows a AN+DN mechanism with a pentacoordinate intermediate. Moreover, the leaving group of this new substrate coordinates to one of the zinc ions of the bimetallic active site in order to stabilize the large negative charge developed on the oxygen atom of the leaving group when the PO bond is broken in the products state. To accommodate this new ligand in the coordination shell, carbamylated Lys169 must be displaced from one zinc ion to the other, which in turn affects the acidity of Asp301, a residue originally bound to the second zinc ion. This ability to displace some of the ligands of the coordination shell of the zinc centers would explain the promiscuity of this enzyme, which is capable of catalyzing hydrolysis of different substrate by means of different mechanisms.
Supramolecular‐Tilt‐Chirality on Twofold Helical Assemblies
Authors: Hisaki Ichiro , Sasaki Toshiyuki , Tohnai Norimitsu , Miyata Mikiji
Published: June 2012

A twofold helix (21 helix) is an essential motif in approximately 70 % of organic crystals. Although handedness of 21 helix has not been discussed from a mathematical viewpoint, we noticed that the handedness can be defined by considering the molecular shape and manner of assembly. Herein we propose the supramolecular‐tilt‐chirality (STC) method to define the handedness, and illustrate it by way of some examples. We believe that establishment of the systematic rules for supramolecular chirality will contribute to the progression of supramolecular chemistry and material science.
Glycosylated Star‐Shaped Conjugated Oligomers for Targeted Two‐Photon Fluorescence Imaging
Authors: Wang Guan , Zhang Xinhai , Geng Junlong , Li Kai , Ding Dan , Pu Kan‐Yi , Cai Liping , Lai Yee‐Hing , Liu Bin
Published: June 2012

A glucopyranose functionalized star‐shaped oligomer, N‐tris{4,4′,4′′‐[(1E)‐2‐(2‐{(E)‐2‐[4‐(benzo[d]thiazol‐2‐yl)phenyl]vinyl}‐9,9‐bis(6‐2‐amido‐2‐deoxy‐1‐thio‐β‐D‐glucopyranose‐hexyl)‐9H‐fluoren‐7‐yl)vinyl]phenyl}phenylamine (TVFVBN‐S‐NH2), is synthesized for two‐photon fluorescence imaging. In water, TVFVBN‐S‐NH2 self‐assembles into nanoparticles with an average diameter of ∼49 nm and shows a fluorescence quantum yield of 0.21. Two‐photon fluorescence measurements reveal that TVFVBN‐S‐NH2 has a two‐photon absorption cross‐section of ∼1100 GM at 780 nm in water. The active amine group on the glucopyranose moiety allows further functionalization of TVFVBN‐S‐NH2 with folic acid to yield TVFVBN‐S‐NH2FA with similar optical and physical properties as those for TVFVBN‐S‐NH2. Cellular imaging studies reveal that TVFVBN‐S‐NH2FA has increased uptake by MCF‐7 cells relative to that for TVFVBN‐S‐NH2, due to specific interactions between folic acid and folate receptors on the MCF‐7 cell membrane. This study demonstrates the effectiveness of glycosylation as a molecular engineering strategy to yield water‐soluble materials with a large two‐photon absorption (TPA) cross‐section for targeted cancer‐cell imaging.
Elektrochemisches Schreiben & Löschen und noch mehr!
Authors: Brenner Tatjana , Kunz Isabella , Ducci Matthias
Published: June 2012

In diesem Beitrag werden neue Experimente zum Themenfeld „Elektrochemisches Schreiben“ vorgestellt. Beim elektrochemischen Schreiben wird mit einer Elektrode auf Filterpapier geschrieben, das zuvor in einer speziellen Lösung getränkt wurde. Hierbei zeigen sich faszinierende Effekte, da u. a. Farbstoffgemische verwendet werden sowie der Leit‐Elektrolyt variiert wird. Insbesondere sind die Experimente zur vertieften Behandlung des Donator‐Akzeptor‐Prinzips geeignet.
Dose intensification of daunorubicin and cytarabine during treatment of adult acute lymphoblastic leukemia
Authors: Stock Wendy , Johnson Jeffrey L. , Stone Richard M. , Kolitz Jonathan E. , Powell Bayard L. , Wetzler Meir , Westervelt Peter , Marcucci Guido , DeAngelo Daniel J. , Vardiman James W. , McDonnell Diane , Mrózek Krzysztof , Bloomfield Clara D. , Larson Richard A.
Published: June 2012

BACKGROUND:

Cancer and Leukemia Group B (CALGB) Study 19802, a phase 2 study, evaluated whether dose intensification of daunorubicin and cytarabine could improve disease‐free survival (DFS) in adults with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) and whether high‐dose systemic and intrathecal methotrexate could replace cranial radiotherapy for central nervous system (CNS) prophylaxis.

METHODS:

One hundred sixty‐one eligible, previously untreated patients ages 16 to 82 years (median age, 40 years) were enrolled, and 33 (20%) were aged ≥60 years.

RESULTS:

One hundred twenty‐eight patients (80%) achieved complete remission (CR). Dose intensification of daunorubicin and cytarabine was feasible. At a median follow‐up of 10.4 years for surviving patients, the 5‐year DFS rate was 25% (95% confidence interval, 18%‐33%), and the overall survival (OS) rate was 30% (95% confidence interval, 23%‐37%). Patients aged <60 years who received the 80 mg/m2 dose of daunorubicin had a DFS of 33% (95% confidence interval, 22%‐44%) and an OS of 39% (95% confidence interval, 29%‐49%) at 5 years. Eighty‐four patients (52%) relapsed, including 9 patients (6%) who had isolated CNS relapses. The omission of cranial irradiation did not result in higher than historic CNS relapse rates.

CONCLUSIONS:

Intensive systemic, oral, and intrathecal methotrexate dosing permitted the omission of CNS irradiation in adult patients with ALL. This intensive approach using higher doses of daunorubicin and cytarabine failed to result in an overall improvement in DFS or OS compared with historic CALGB studies. Future therapeutic strategies for adults with ALL should be tailored to specific age and molecular genetic subsets. Cancer 2013. © 2012 American Cancer Society.
Psychosocial service use and unmet need among recently diagnosed adolescent and young adult cancer patients
Authors: Zebrack Brad J. , Block Rebecca , Hayes‐Lattin Brandon , Embry Leanne , Aguilar Christine , Meeske Kathleen A. , Li Yun , Butler Melissa , Cole Steven
Published: June 2012

BACKGROUND:

Adolescents and young adults (AYAs) with cancer demonstrate biomedical risks and psychosocial issues distinct from those of children or older adults. In this study, the authors examined and compared the extent to which AYAs treated in pediatric or adult oncology settings reported use of, and unmet need for, psychosocial support services.

METHODS:

Within 4 months of initial cancer diagnosis, 215 AYAs ages 14 to 39 years (99 from pediatric care settings and 116 from adult care settings; 75% response rate) were assessed for reporting use of information resources, emotional support services, and practical support services. Statistical analyses derived odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals for service use and unmet needs after controlling for race, employment/school status, sex, relationship status, severity of cancer, treatment, and treatment‐related side effects.

RESULTS:

AYAs ages 20 to 29 years were significantly less likely than teens and older patients ages 30 to 39 years to report using professional mental health services and were significantly more likely to report an unmet need with regard to cancer information, infertility information, and diet/nutrition information. Compared with teens who were treated in pediatric facilities, AYAs who were treated in adult facilities were more likely to report an unmet need for age‐appropriate Internet sites, professional mental health services, camp/retreats programs, transportation assistance, and complementary and alternative health services.

CONCLUSIONS:

Substantial proportions of AYAs are not getting their psychosocial care needs met. Bolstering psychosocial support staff and patient referral to community‐based social service agencies and reputable Internet resources may enhance care and improve quality of life for AYAs. Cancer 2013. © 2012 American Cancer Society.
Phase 1 trial of preoperative, short‐course carbon‐ion radiotherapy for patients with resectable pancreatic cancer
Authors: Shinoto Makoto , Yamada Shigeru , Yasuda Shigeo , Imada Hiroshi , Shioyama Yoshiyuki , Honda Hiroshi , Kamada Tadashi , Tsujii Hirohiko , Saisho Hiromitsu ,   Working Group for Pancreas Cancer
Published: June 2012

BACKGROUND:

The authors evaluated the tolerance and efficacy of carbon‐ion radiotherapy (CIRT) as a short‐course, preoperative treatment and determined the recommended dose needed to reduce the risk of postoperative local recurrence without excess injury to normal tissue.

METHODS:

Patients radiographically defined with potentially resectable pancreatic cancer were eligible. A preoperative, short‐course, dose‐escalation study was performed with fixed 8 fractions in 2 weeks. The dose of irradiation was increased by 5% increments from 30 grays equivalents (GyE) to 36.8 GyE. Surgery was to be performed 2 to 4 weeks after the completion of CIRT.

RESULTS:

The study enrolled 26 patients. At the time of restaging after CIRT, disease progression with distant metastasis or refusal ruled out 5 patients from surgery. Twenty‐one of 26 patients (81%) patients underwent surgery. The pattern of initial disease progression was distant metastasis in 17 patients (65%) and regional recurrence in 2 patients (8%). No patients experienced local recurrence. The 5‐year survival rates for all 26 patients and for those who underwent surgery were 42% and 52%, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS:

Preoperative, short‐course CIRT followed by surgery is feasible and tolerable without unacceptable morbidity. Cancer 2013. © 2012 American Cancer Society.
Improving energy‐efficient communications with a battery lifetime‐aware mechanism in IEEE802.16e wireless networks
Authors: Chou Li‐Der , Li David Chunhu , Hong Wei‐Yong
Published: June 2012

Green network communication has recently received attention because of its economic and environmentally friendly benefits. Energy consumption significantly affects mobile subscriber stations in wireless broadband access networks. Efficient energy saving is an important and challenging issue because all mobile stations are powered by limited battery lifetimes. The IEEE 802.16e standard adopts the sleep mode operation for energy saving with three important parameters: idle threshold, initial sleep window and final sleep window. Adaptively adjusting these parameters to improve energy‐efficient communication is an open research topic. This paper proposes a battery lifetime‐aware energy‐saving mechanism to adaptively adjust three sleep mode parameters for mobile stations and extend batteries lives. The new mechanism considers effect factors, including residual battery lifetime and traffic load on mobile stations. Analytical sleep mode operation models were explored in this work. Our proposed mechanism was examined with a computer simulation using QualNet. The simulation results demonstrate that the proposed mechanism outperforms the IEEE 802.16e standard in the average lives of mobile stations, improving them by up to 30.08% with little increase in the average waiting delay. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
High‐Amplitude versus Low‐Amplitude Current Oscillations during the Anodic Oxidation of p‐Type Silicon in Fluoride Containing Electrolytes
Authors: Schönleber Konrad , Krischer Katharina
Published: June 2012

Sustained electrochemical oscillations at p‐type Si(100) in a dilute ammonium fluoride electrolyte are investigated by means of ellipsometric intensity and hydrogen measurements. Two main types of oscillations are identified, one with a low and one with a high current amplitude. It is demonstrated that the low‐current amplitude oscillations do not involve any variations in oxide quality or etch rate. Furthermore, experimental results suggest that the high‐amplitude current oscillations emerge from the low‐amplitude current oscillations and thus share the feedback loops causing the oscillatory instability. Hence, the origin of oscillations during anodic dissolution of silicon has to be reconsidered.
Coprecipitated, Copper‐Based, Alumina‐Stabilized Materials for Carbon Dioxide Capture by Chemical Looping Combustion
Authors: Imtiaz Qasim , Kierzkowska Agnieszka Marta , Müller Christoph Rüdiger
Published: June 2012

Chemical looping combustion (CLC) has emerged as a carbon dioxide capture and storage (CCS) process to produce a pure stream of CO2 at very low costs when compared with alternative CCS technologies, such as scrubbing with amines. From a thermodynamic point of view, copper oxide is arguably the most promising candidate for the oxygen carrier owing to its exothermic reduction and oxidation reactions and high oxygen‐carrying capacity. However, the low melting point of pure copper of only 1085 °C has so far prohibited the synthesis of copper‐rich oxygen carriers. This paper is concerned with the development of copper‐based and Al2O3‐stabilized oxygen carriers that contain a high mass fraction of CuO, namely, 82.4 wt %. The oxygen carriers were synthesized by using a coprecipitation technique. The synthesized oxygen carriers were characterized in detail with regards to their morphological properties, chemical composition, and surface topography. It was found that both the precipitating agent and the pH at which the precipitation was performed strongly influenced the structure and chemical composition of the oxygen carriers. In addition, XRD analysis confirmed that, for the majority of the precipitation conditions investigated, CuO reacted with Al2O3 to form fully reducible CuAl2O4. The redox characteristics of the synthesized materials were evaluated at 800 °C by using methane as the fuel and air for reoxidation. It was found that the oxygen‐carrying capacity of the synthesized oxygen carriers was strongly influenced by both the precipitating agent and the pH at which the precipitation was performed; however, all oxygen carriers tested showed a stable cyclic oxygen‐carrying capacity. The oxygen carriers synthesized at pH 5.5 using NaOH or Na2CO3 as the precipitating agents were the best oxygen carriers synthesized owing to their high and stable oxygen transfer and uncoupling capacities. The excellent redox characteristics of the best oxygen carrier were interpreted in light of the detailed morphological characterization of the synthesized material and a synthesis–structure–performance relationship was developed.
Consequences of high temperatures and premature mortality on the transcriptome and blood physiology of wild adult sockeye salmon (Oncorhynchus nerka)
Authors: Jeffries Ken M. , Hinch Scott G. , Sierocinski Thomas , Clark Timothy D. , Eliason Erika J. , Donaldson Michael R. , Li Shaorong , Pavlidis Paul , Miller Kristi M.
Published: June 2012

Elevated river water temperature in the Fraser River, British Columbia, Canada, has been associated with enhanced mortality of adult sockeye salmon (Oncorhynchus nerka) during their upriver migration to spawning grounds. We undertook a study to assess the effects of elevated water temperatures on the gill transcriptome and blood plasma variables in wild‐caught sockeye salmon. Naturally migrating sockeye salmon returning to the Fraser River were collected and held at ecologically relevant temperatures of 14°C and 19°C for seven days, a period representing a significant portion of their upstream migration. After seven days, sockeye salmon held at 19°C stimulated heat shock response genes as well as many genes associated with an immune response when compared with fish held at 14°C. Additionally, fish at 19°C had elevated plasma chloride and lactate, suggestive of a disturbance in osmoregulatory homeostasis and a stress response detectable in the blood plasma. Fish that died prematurely over the course of the holding study were compared with time‐matched surviving fish; the former fish were characterized by an upregulation of several transcription factors associated with apoptosis and downregulation of genes involved in immune function and antioxidant activity. Ornithine decarboxylase (ODC1) was the most significantly upregulated gene in dying salmon, which suggests an association with cellular apoptosis. We hypothesize that the observed decrease in plasma ions and increases in plasma cortisol that occur in dying fish may be linked to the increase in ODC1. By highlighting these underlying physiological mechanisms, this study enhances our understanding of the processes involved in premature mortality and temperature stress in Pacific salmon during migration to spawning grounds.
Progesterone suppresses the mTOR pathway and promotes generation of induced regulatory T cells with increased stability
Authors: Lee Jee H. , Lydon John P. , Kim Chang H.
Published: June 2012

While induced FoxP3+ T cells (iTreg cells) are promising cellular therapeutics to treat inflammatory diseases, a limitation in utilizing iTreg cells prepared in vitro is their low stability in inflammatory conditions. Progesterone (P4) is an immune regulatory nuclear hormone with a potent Treg induction activity. We reasoned that this function of progesterone would be utilized to generate iTreg cells with highly suppressive activity and improved stability in vivo. Here we generated iTreg cells with progesterone in vitro and found that progesterone generates iTreg cells that are highly stable in inflammatory conditions. Moreover, P4‐induced iTreg cells highly express latency‐associated peptide TGF‐β1 and are efficient in regulating inflammation in multiple tissues, whereas control iTreg cells induced with TGF‐β1 alone are less stable and ineffective in suppressing inflammation. The function of progesterone in inducing iTreg cells with improved regulatory activity is associated with the function of P4 in suppressing the mTOR pathway. Moreover, the function of progesterone in inducing FoxP3+ T cells is decreased but not completely abolished on nuclear progesterone receptor‐deficient T cells, suggesting that both nuclear and nonnuclear progesterone receptors are involved in mediating the function. We conclude that P4 can be utilized to generate iTreg cells with a high therapeutic potential in treatment of tissue inflammation.
The Wnt inhibitor secreted Frizzled‐Related Protein 1 (sFRP1) promotes human Th17 differentiation
Authors: Lee Yoon‐Sook , Lee Kyoo‐A , Yoon Hae‐Bom , Yoo Seung‐Ah , Park Young Woo , Chung Yeonseok , Kim Wan‐Uk , Kang Chang‐Yuil
Published: June 2012

Wnt/β‐catenin signaling plays a crucial role during embryogenesis and tumorigenesis, and in T cells, promotes the differentiation of Th2 cells. However, the role of Wnt signals in the differentiation and maintenance of human Th17 cells remains poorly understood. We found that the higher levels of IL‐17 in the synovial fluid of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients compared with that of osteoarthritis (OA) patients were associated with a higher concentration of sFRP1 (secreted Frizzled‐Related Protein 1), an inhibitor of the Wnt/β‐catenin pathway. The addition of sFRP1 during TCR‐mediated stimulation induced a significant increase in IL‐17 production by both naïve and memory CD4+ T cells. Moreover, under Th17‐differentiation conditions, the addition of sFRP1 significantly reduced the requirement for TGF‐β. Mechanistically, we observed that sFRP1 significantly enhanced the phosphorylation of Smad2/3 in CD4+ T cells upon TGF‐β stimulation and that blocking TGF‐β signaling abolished the Th17‐promoting activity of sFRP1. Our findings reveal a novel function for sFRP1 as a potent inducer of human Th17‐cell differentiation. Consequently, sFRP1 may represent a promising target for the treatment of Th17‐mediated disease in humans.
Identification of potential complementary serum biomarkers to differentiate prostate cancer from benign prostatic hyperplasia using gel‐ and lectin‐based proteomics analyses
Authors: Jayapalan Jaime J. , Ng Keng L. , Razack Azad H. A. , Hashim Onn H.
Published: June 2012

Diagnosis of prostate cancer (PCa) is currently much reliant on the invasive and time‐consuming transrectal ultrasound‐guided biopsy of the prostate gland, particularly in light of the inefficient use of prostate‐specific antigen as its biomarker. In the present study, we have profiled the sera of patients with PCa and benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) using the gel‐ and lectin‐based proteomics methods and demonstrated the significant differential expression of apolipoprotein AII, complement C3 beta chain fragment, inter‐alpha‐trypsin inhibitor heavy chain 4 fragment, transthyretin, alpha‐1‐antitrypsin, and high molecular weight kininogen (light chain) between the two groups of patients’ samples. Our data are suggestive of the potential use of the serum proteins as complementary biomarkers to effectively discriminate PCa from BPH, although this requires further extensive validation on clinically representative populations.
Development of an ultra‐low volume flow cell for surface plasmon resonance detection in a miniaturized capillary electrophoresis system
Authors: Gaspar Attila , Gomez Frank A.
Published: June 2012

A miniaturized capillary electrophoresis system coupled to a surface plasmon resonance (SPR) sensor on a microfluidic platform fabricated from PDMS is detailed. A previously described split‐flow injection technique is first utilized to manipulate sample into the microfluidic chip, followed by separation within the fused‐silica capillary and final off‐capillary detection of analytes via SPR. Instead of using commercial SPR flow cells requiring relatively large detection volumes, samples of less than 1 nL volume are utilized. The interface between the CE system and SPR sensor made it possible to detect minute volumes of sample with minimal dispersion. The flow cell has the potential to be applicable to miniaturized flow‐injection (FI) systems where submicroliter volumes of sample are frequently only available for analysis. The components present in solution, but not bound to the sensor surface, were also investigated. The sensitivity of the CE‐SPR system was similar to that found in UV‐spectrometric instruments and nonchromophoric components could also be measured.
Restoration of full‐length APC protein in SW480 colon cancer cells induces exosome‐mediated secretion of DKK‐4
Authors: Lim Justin W. E. , Mathias Rommel A. , Kapp Eugene A. , Layton Meredith J. , Faux Maree C. , Burgess Antony W. , Ji Hong , Simpson Richard J.
Published: June 2012

Mutations in the adenomatous polyposis coli (APC) tumor suppressor gene are common in both inherited and sporadic forms of colorectal cancer (CRC), and are associated with dysregulated Wnt signaling. Colon carcinoma SW480 cells restored with stable expression of wild‐type APC (SW480APC cells) exhibit attenuated Wnt signaling, and reduced tumorigenicity, including increased cell adhesion. We performed a comparative proteomic analysis of exosomes isolated from SW480 and SW480APC cells to examine the effects of restored APC on exosome protein expression. A salient finding of our study was the unique expression of the Wnt antagonist Dickkopf‐related protein 4 (DKK4) in SW480APC, but not parental SW480 cell‐derived exosomes. Upregulation of DKK4 in SW480APC cells was confirmed by semiquantitative RT‐PCR, immunoblotting, and immunogold electron microscopy. Analysis of the DKK4 gene promoter by methylation‐specific PCR revealed reduced methylation in SW480APC cells, while RT‐PCR demonstrated the downregulation of DNMT‐3a, compared to the parental cell line. Our discovery of exosome‐mediated secretion of DKK4 opens up the possibility that exosomal DKK4 may be a mechanism used by epithelial colon cells to regulate Wnt signaling which is lost during CRC progression.
Separation of proteins from human plasma by sample displacement chromatography in hydrophobic interaction mode
Authors: Josic Djuro , Breen Lucas , Clifton James , Gajdosik Martina Srajer , Gaso‐Sokac Dajana , Rucevic Marijana , Müller Egbert
Published: June 2012

Sample displacement chromatography (SDC) in reversed‐phase and ion‐exchange modes was introduced approximately 20 years ago. This method was first used for the preparative purification of peptides and proteins. Recently, SDC in ion‐exchange mode was also successfully used for enrichment of low‐abundance proteins from human plasma. In this paper, the use of SDC for the separation of plasma proteins in hydrophobic interaction mode is demonstrated. By use of two or more columns coupled in series during sample application, and subsequent elution of detached columns in parallel, additional separation of bound proteins was achieved. Further low‐abundance, physiologically active proteins could be highly enriched and detected by ESI‐MS/MS.
Chip‐nanoelectrospray quadrupole time‐of‐flight tandem mass spectrometry of meningioma gangliosides: A preliminary study
Authors: Schiopu Catalin , Vukelić Željka , Capitan Florina , Kalanj‐Bognar Svjetlana , Sisu Eugen , Zamfir Alina D.
Published: June 2012

A strategy combining high‐performance thin layer chromatography (HPTLC), laser densitometry, and fully automated chip‐based nanoelectrospray (nanoESIchip) performed on a NanoMate robot coupled to QTOF‐MS was developed, optimized, and for the first time applied for mapping and structural identification of gangliosides (GGs) extracted and purified from a human angioblastic meningioma specimen. While HPTLC pattern indicated only seven fractions migrating as GM3, GM2, GM1, GD3, GD1a (nLD1, LD1), GD1b, GT1b, and possibly GD2, due to the high sensitivity, mass accuracy, and ability to ionize minor species in complex mixtures, nanoESIchip‐QTOF MS was able to discover significantly more GG species than ever reported in meningioma. Thirty‐four distinct glycosphingolipid components of which five asialo, one GM4, nine GM3, two GM2, two GD3, nine GM1, and six GD1 differing in their ceramide compositions were identified. All structures presented long‐chain bases with 18 carbon atoms, while the length of the fatty acid was found to vary from C11 to C25. MS screening results indicated also that the diversity of the expressed GM1 structures is higher than expected in view of the low proportions evidenced by densitometric quantification. Simultaneous fragmentation of meningioma‐associated GM1 (d18:1/24:1) and GM1 (d18:1/24:0) by MS/MS using CID confirmed the postulated structures of the ceramide moieties and provided data on the glycan core, which document that for each of the GM1 (d18:1/24:1) and GM1 (d18:1/24:0) forms both GM1a and GM1b isomers are expressed in the investigated meningioma tissue.
Study on the adequacy of landfill cover at muassim landfill, makkah, Saudi Arabia
Authors: Selamat Mohamad Razip , Abu‐Rizaiza Asad Siraj , Aziz Hamidi Abdul , Nordin Mohd Nawawi Mohd , Yusoff Mohd Suffian , Abustan Ismail , Ariffin Kamar Shah , Saad Rosli , Bashir Mohammed J.K.
Published: June 2012

This study examined the adequacy of an existing sandy landfill cover—1.0 m to 2.3 m in thickness and 0.9 km2 in area—in protecting the waste against rainfall infiltration by testing equivalent cover material at a location away from the site. The landfill is located in Muassim, Makkah—Mecca, in English—Saudi Arabia, while laboratory tests were carried out in Malaysia using simulated sand of equal gradation properties as material of the site. Samples of thicknesses between 0.1 m and 0.9 m were tested in a transparent column, 0.194 m in internal diameter, and applied to the top of the column was 3.31 L of water, the equivalence of 1 year rainfall in Muassim. A container was placed at the bottom of the column to collect water in case of a “breakthrough”. Each experiment was allowed to run for 24 h and measurements were made for “breakthrough” time, volume of water collected over time, and depth of wetted front over time. The veracity of the measurements was verified by carrying out similar tests at site, in the Saudi Arabian landfill, using real cover material. The study suggests that under ideal circumstances, the existing sandy landfill cover probably is capable of protecting the waste body against infiltration. The study also demonstrates the appropriateness of carrying out tests on simulated geotechnical material in a situation when the actual material is not readily available. © 2012 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Environ Prog, 32: 569–575, 2013
Observations and conceptual modelling of morphological coupling in a double sandbar system
Authors: Price Timothy D. , Ruessink B. G.
Published: June 2012

Nearshore sandbars, located in <10 m water depth, can contain remarkably periodic alongshore undulations in both cross‐shore position and depth. In a double sandbar system, the alongshore spacing of these morphological patterns in the inner sandbar may be identical to those in the outer sandbar. Although this morphological coupling has been observed previously, its frequency and predominance remain unclear. In this paper, we use a 9.3‐year dataset of daily low‐tide time exposure images from the double‐barred beach at Surfers Paradise (Gold Coast, Australia) to analyse the temporal and spatial characteristics of morphological coupling within a double sandbar system. We distinguish five types of morphological coupling between the inner and outer sandbars, of which four coincide with a downstate progression of the outer bar. Coupling is either in‐phase (with a landward perturbation of the inner bar facing an outer‐bar horn) or out‐of‐phase (with a seaward perturbation of the inner bar facing an outer‐bar horn), where the coupled inner‐bar features either consist of rip channels or, predominantly, perturbations of the low‐tide terrace. Cross‐correlation of the image‐derived inner‐ and outer‐bar patterns shows coupling to be a common phenomenon in the double sandbar system studied here, with coupling in 40% of the observations. In contrast to previous observations of sandbar–shoreline coupling at single‐barred beaches, in‐phase coupling (85% of all coupled bar patterns) predominates over out‐of‐phase coupling (15%). Based on our observations and bathymetries assimilated from the images for a restricted set of coupling events, we hypothesize that the angle of offshore wave incidence, wave height and depth variations along the outer sandbar determine the type of flow pattern (cell circulations versus meandering currents) above the inner bar and hence steer the type of coupling. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Linking weathering and rock slope instability: non‐linear perspectives
Authors: Viles Heather A.
Published: June 2012

Weathering is linked complexly to the erosion and evolution of rock slopes. Weathering influences both the strength of rock slopes and the stresses that act upon them. While weathering has often been portrayed in an over‐simplified way by those studying rock slope instability, in reality it consists of multiple processes, acting over different spatial and temporal scales, with many complex inter‐linkages. Through a demonstration of the sources of non‐linearities in rock slope weathering systems and their implications for rock slope instability, this paper proposes five key linkages worthy of further study. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Numerical flux functions for Reynolds‐averaged Navier–Stokes and kω turbulence model computations with a line‐preconditioned p‐multigrid discontinuous Galerkin solver
Authors: Wallraff Marcel , Leicht Tobias , Lange‐Hegermann Markus
Published: June 2012

We present an eigen‐decomposition of the quasi‐linear convective flux formulation of the completely coupled Reynolds‐averaged Navier–Stokes and kω turbulence model equations. Based on these results, we formulate different approximate Riemann solvers that can be used as numerical flux functions in a DG discretization. The effect of the different strategies on the solution accuracy is investigated with numerical examples. The actual computations are performed using a p‐multigrid algorithm. To this end, we formulate a framework with a backward‐Euler smoother in which the linear systems are solved with a general preconditioned Krylov method. We present matrix‐free implementations and memory‐lean line‐Jacobi preconditioners and compare the effects of some parameter choices. In particular, p‐multigrid is found to be less efficient than might be expected from recent findings by other authors. This might be due to the consideration of turbulent flow. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Refining the Preschool Self‐regulation Assessment for Use in Preschool Classrooms
Authors: Bassett Hideko Hamada , Denham Susanne , Wyatt Todd M. , Warren‐Khot Heather Kiernan
Published: June 2012

To aid in understanding preschoolers' self‐regulation and refinement of measurement, we examined properties of a field‐based assessment battery of preschooler's self‐regulation, the Preschool Self‐regulation Assessment (PSRA). The PSRA, which includes seven age‐appropriate tasks that tap children's executive control, was administered to 313 preschoolers and then to 261 of these children approximately 3 months later. Teachers reported on children's school readiness (social competence and classroom adjustment) at the end of preschool and kindergarten years, and on academic success in kindergarten. PSRA tasks were examined for ceiling effects at 35–65 months; Pencil Tap, Balance Beam, Toy Wrap and Snack Delay were retained for lack of such effects. Confirmatory factor analyses showed two components at each time point – hot and cool executive control – and cross‐time correlations showed significant stability of individual differences. Four‐year‐old girls and children of higher socioeconomic status outperformed 3‐year‐old boys and those at socioeconomic risk. Children, especially girls, scored higher on hot executive control. Finally, aspects of executive control differentially predicted teacher‐reports of school readiness at both times of assessment, with age, gender and risk status controlled. These selected PSRA tasks, as a shortened battery, have potential for research and applied usage, and findings speak to theoretical understanding of preschoolers' self‐regulation. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.