bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Steps for Successful Implementation of Proteomic Research in the OR
Authors: Martin Chidima Tsion , Henry Linda , Martin Lisa , Ad Niv
Published: February 2010

Proteomic studies (ie, the investigation and identification of proteins found in biological samples such as blood and tissue) are at the forefront of the identification of disease biomarkers and the understanding of proteins. These studies promise to enhance diagnostic and prognostic analysis across all disciplines of clinical practice. As the practice of nursing and medicine becomes more preventative in nature and predictive in terms of patient care, successfully integrating and implementing proteomic research will become increasingly important, especially in the OR. It is imperative that perioperative nurses and researchers establish a collaborative process for specimen collection. Steps in establishing and maintaining a successful specimen collection program include implementing and evaluating a protocol, developing good communication, and keeping all participants up to date on the progress of the study.
Surgical Vacuum Drains: Types, Uses, and Complications
Authors: Durai Rajaraman , Ng Philip C.H.
Published: February 2010

High‐ and low‐pressure vacuum drains are commonly used after surgical procedures. High‐pressure vacuum drains (ie, sealed, closed‐circuit systems) are efficient and allow for easy monitoring and safe disposal of the drainage. Low‐pressure vacuum drains use gentle pressure to evacuate excess fluid and air, and are easy for patients to manage at home because it is easy to reinstate the vacuum pressure. Perioperative nurses should be able to identify the various types of commonly used drains and their surgical applications. Nurses should know how to care for drains, how to reinstate the vacuum pressure when necessary, and the potential complications that could result from surgical drain use.
Managing a Chest Tube and Drainage System
Authors: Durai Rajaraman , Hoque Happy , Davies Tony W.
Published: February 2010

Intercostal drainage tubes (ie, chest tubes) are inserted to drain the pleural cavity of air, blood, pus, or lymph. The water‐seal container connected to the chest tube allows one‐way movement of air and liquid from the pleural cavity. The container should not be changed unless it is full, and the chest tube should not be clamped unnecessarily. After a chest tube is inserted, a nurse trained in chest‐tube management is responsible for managing the chest tube and drainage system. This entails monitoring the chest‐tube position, controlling fluid evacuation, identifying when to change or empty the containers, and caring for the tube and drainage system during patient transport. This article provides an overview of indications, insertion techniques, and management of chest tubes.
How to Tell Anyone Anything
Authors: Lash Sandra
Published: February 2010

How to Tell Anyone Anything Richard S. Gallagher 2009, AMACOM 224 pages, $14.95 softcover
Comparing eGFR Changes in Partial Nephrectomy (PN), Cryoablation (CA) and Radiofrequency Ablation (RFA)—A Single Centre Experience
Authors: Ord J.J. , Havranek E.G. , Ayres B.E. , Eddy B. , Magrill D. , Errico M. , Patel U. , Pilcher J. , Corbishley C. , Anderson C.J.
Published: February 2010

Objective:

The effect of nephron-sparing surgery on estimated Glomerular Filtration Rate (eGFR) is unclear. Comparisons of baseline to post-operative creatinine ratios are well published, but as eGFR and corresponding chronic kidney disease (CKD) stage is a more accepted measure of renal function and relates to quality of life we postulate preference for this measurement.

Patients:

100 open partial nephrectomies (PN), 28 laparoscopic cryoablations (CA) and 14 percutaneous radiofrequency ablations (RFA) were compared from a prospective database. Estimated eGFR was calculated by the modified diet in renal disease formula. Changes in eGFR were calculated by the formula 100 × ( B — A)/ A where A = pre-operative eGFR and B = post-operative eGFR.

Results:

Overall there was a mean decrease of −8% after PN, 0% after laparoscopic cryotherapy and −1% after RFA. These differences were not statistically significant. After PN 3% improved CKD stage, 59% remained the same stage, 34% deteriorated by one stage, and 4% by two stages. Two PN patients, both with imperative indications and with pre-operative eGFR less than 15 ml/min, required permanent renal replacement therapy at 1 year post-operatively; no other cases resulted in this outcome.

Conclusions:

Overall nephron-sparing surgery results in a small mean eGFR reduction on long-term follow-up. After PN most patients retain their pre-operative CKD stage, a third drop by one stage and one in twenty-five by two stages.
The Value of TNM Tumour Staging and Serum Alkaline Phosphatase Levels in Predicting the Presence of Bone Metastases in Patients with Renal Cell Carcinoma
Authors: George M.J. , Buscombe J. , Al-Akraa M.
Published: February 2010

Objectives:

To determine if the TNM tumour staging and serum alkaline phosphatase levels (SAP) can be used to identify which patients with renal cell carcinoma (RCC) are at greatest risk of osseous metastases.

Patients and methods:

A retrospective review of patients with histologically proven RCC was conducted. All patients had initial CT or MRI staging scans of the chest and abdomen. Patients also underwent bone scintigraphy and all abnormal areas were further evaluated with either serial or collaborative imaging to determine their nature.

Results:

91 patients including 66 men and 25 women, with a mean age of 61, were included in the study. The incidence of bone metastases was 17.6%. The incidence of bone metastases in T1–4 disease was 4%, 31.3%, 31.8% and 66.7%, respectively. Patients with >T1N0M0 disease, as defined by initial staging scans, accounted for 53% of the cohort and included all instances of proven osseous disease. Thus ‘>T1N0M0’ was 100% sensitive and 57.3% specific as a predictor of bone metastases. Conversely, a raised SAP (>129 U/L) was only 25% sensitive but had a specificity of 94.3%.

Conclusions:

Patients with >T1N0M0 staging should undergo bone scintigraphy. SAP is a far less sensitive predictor and its concurrent use is unwarranted.
Vertebrate β‐thymosins: Conserved synteny reveals the relationship between those of bony fish and of land vertebrates
Authors: Edwards John
Published: February 2010

Using conservation of synteny I show how the four thymosins expressed by teleost fish are related to the three of tetrapods, which is not evident from their protein sequences. This clarification was aided by identification of a novel thymosin of reptilians that replaces the β10 thymosin of mammals. Recent reconstruction of the ancestral vertebrate genome suggests that divergence of β‐thymosins began with duplication preceding the two rounds of whole genome duplication.
Myeloid translocation gene 16b is a dual A‐kinase anchoring protein that interacts selectively with plexins in a phospho‐regulated manner
Authors: Fiedler Sarah E. , Schillace Robynn V. , Daniels Crystal J. , Andrews Sarah F. , Carr Daniel W.
Published: February 2010

MINT‐7556989: MTG 16b (uniprotkb:O75081) physically interacts (MI:0915) with PlexinA3 (uniprotkb:P51805) by pull down (MI:0096)
Generating artificial homologous proteins according to the representative family character in molecular mechanics properties – an attempt in validating an underlying rule of protein evolution
Authors: Liu Xin , Zhao Ya-Pu
Published: February 2010

The molecular mechanics property is the foundation of many characters of proteins. Based on intramolecular hydrophobic force network, the representative family character underlying a protein's mechanics property is described by a simple two‐letter scheme. The tendency of a sequence to become a member of a protein family is scored according to this mathematical representation. Remote homologs of the WW‐domain family could be easily designed using such a mechanistic signature of protein homology. Experimental validation showed that nearly all artificial homologs have the representative folding and bioactivity of their assigned family. Since the molecular mechanics property is the only consideration in this study, the results indicate its possible role in the generation of new members of a protein family during evolution.
Positive contribution of the IRE1α–XBP1 pathway to placental expression of CEA family genes
Authors: Oikawa Daisuke , Akai Ryoko , Iwawaki Takao
Published: February 2010

Inositol requiring enzyme‐1α (IRE1α) is an ER‐located transmembrane RNase whose activation leads to the production of the transcription factor X‐box binding protein 1 (XBP1). Recently, we showed that the IRE1α–XBP1 pathway plays an essential role in the placenta. However, details of its function remain unclear. To address this point, we searched for IRE1α‐ or XBP1‐regulated genes in the placenta, and identified the CEA family as a novel target of the IRE1α–XBP1 pathway. Moreover, PSG genes, which also belong to the CEA family, were up‐regulated by XBP1. We have therefore identified a new aspect of the physiological function of the IRE1α–XBP1 pathway in the placenta.
Are Coethnics More Effective Counterinsurgents? Evidence from the Second Chechen War
Authors: LYALL JASON
Published: February 2010

Does ethnicity matter for explaining violence during civil wars? I exploit variation in the identity of soldiers who conducted so-called “sweep” operations (zachistki) in Chechnya (2000–5) as an empirical strategy for testing the link between ethnicity and violence. Evidence suggests that the intensity and timing of insurgent attacks are conditional on who “swept” a particular village. For example, attacks decreased by about 40% after pro-Russian Chechen sweeps relative to similar Russian-only operations. These changes are difficult to reconcile with notions of Chechen solidarity or different tactical choices. Instead, evidence, albeit tentative, points toward the existence of a wartime “coethnicity advantage.” Chechen soldiers, enmeshed in dense intraethnic networks, are better positioned to identify insurgents within the population and to issue credible threats against civilians for noncooperation. A second mechanism—prior experience as an insurgent—may also be at work. These findings suggest new avenues of research investigating the conditional effects of violence in civil wars.
Dietary supplementation with medium-chain TAG has long-lasting cognition-enhancing effects in aged dogs
Authors: Pan Yuanlong , Larson Brian , Araujo Joseph A. , Lau Winnie , de Rivera Christina , Santana Ruben , Gore Asa , Milgram Norton W.
Published: February 2010

The present study focused on the hypothesis that dietary supplementation with medium-chain TAG (MCT) will improve cognitive function in aged dogs by providing the brain with energy in the form of ketones. Aged Beagle dogs were subjected to a baseline battery of cognitive tests, which were used to establish cognitively equivalent control or treatment groups. The dogs in the treatment group were maintained on a diet supplemented with 5·5 % MCT. After an initial wash-in period, all the dogs were tested with a battery of cognitive test protocols, which assessed sequentially landmark discrimination learning ability, egocentric visuospatial function and attention. The groups were maintained on the diets for 8 months. The MCT-supplemented group showed significantly better performance in most of the test protocols than the control group. The group differences also varied as a function of task difficulty, with the more difficult task showing greater supplementation effects than the easier tasks. The group given the MCT supplement showed significantly elevated levels of β-hydroxybutyrate, a ketone body. These results indicate, first, that long-term supplementation with MCT can have cognition-improving effects, and second, that MCT supplementation increases circulating levels of ketones. The results support the hypothesis that brain function of aged dogs can be improved by MCT supplementation, which provides the brain with an alternative energy source.
Laboratory experiments and a non-harmonic theory for topographic Rossby waves over a linearly sloping bottom on the f-plane
Authors: COHEN YAIR , PALDOR NATHAN , SOMMERIA JOËL
Published: February 2010

Low-frequency waves that develop in a shallow layer of fluid, contained in a channel with linearly slopping bottom and rotating with uniform angular speed are investigated theoretically and experimentally. Exact numerical solutions of the eigenvalue problem, obtained from the linearized shallow water equations on the f-plane, show that the waves are trapped near the channel's shallow wall and propagate along it with the shallow side on their right in the Northern hemisphere. The phase speed of the waves is slower compared with that of the harmonic theory in which bottom slope is treated inconsistently. A first-order approximation of the cross-channel dependence of the coefficient in the eigenvalue equation yields an approximation of the cross-channel velocity eigenfunction as an Airy function, which, for sufficiently wide channels, yields an explicit expression for the wave's dispersion relation. The analytic solutions of the eigenvalue problem agree with the numerical solutions in both the wave trapping and the reduced phase speed. For narrow channels, our theory yields an estimate of the channel width below which the harmonic theory provides a more accurate approximation. Laboratory experiments were conducted on a 13 m diameter turntable at LEGI-Coriolis (France) into which a linearly sloping bottom of 10 % incline was installed. A wavemaker generated waves of known frequency at one end of the turntable and the wavenumbers of these waves were measured at the opposite end using a particle imaging velocimetry technique. The experimental results regarding the phase speed and the radial structure of the amplitude are in very good agreement with our theoretical non-harmonic predictions, which support the present modification of the harmonic theory in wide channels.
Vicarious Revolutionaries: Martial Discourse and the Origins of Mass Party Competition in the United States, 1789–1848
Authors: de Leon Cedric
Published: February 2010

Social scientists of democratic change have emphasized the role of class action in that process, neglecting the discursive shift that was necessary to legitimate mass party competition in the early American case. Although historians of U.S. party formation have emphasized the discursive dimension of this transition, they have focused on more formal theories of party and neglected the importance of martial discourse, which was perhaps more pedestrian, but had a distinctive mass appeal. Drawing on the papers of prominent politicians and the editorials of local party newspapers in Alabama and Illinois, I argue that incipient party elites used the language of wartime discipline to recruit national-level leaders, local operatives, and voters to the new form of elective politics. Martial discourse was therefore integral to the larger discourse of party, which ultimately helped to overcome the inherited antipartyism of the early Republic.
The spatial distribution of campylobacteriosis in New Zealand, 1997–2005
Authors: RIND E. , PEARCE J.
Published: February 2010

In New Zealand Campylobacter infection rates have increased steadily since 1980, reaching a peak in 2003 (396/100 000 population). Compared to other nations, disease rates are unfavourably high (e.g. Australia 117/100 000 population, UK 85/100 000 population, USA 13/100 000 population). This ecological study investigated spatial variations in Campylobacter infection rates across New Zealand's Territorial Local Authorities (TLAs, n=73) for the period 1997–2005. Applying multiple linear regression, we examined whether geographical factors such as socio-demographic characteristics, climate, land use, water and the food environment were associated with local differences in the occurrence of Campylobacter infection rates. The results suggested significant variations in campylobacteriosis across TLAs (average annual rates ranging from 97 to 526/100 000 population), with higher rates in the South Island. Disease rates were associated with lower socio-economic deprivation (P<0·01), the proportion of the population aged 25–44 years (P<0·01) and fresh food outlet density (P<0·76). The results underline the role of area-level characteristics in explaining the spatial distribution of campylobacteriosis in New Zealand. In particular, the findings draw attention to the relatively unexplored role of fresh food outlets as a potential risk factor for increased Campylobacter notifications.
LECTOTYPIFICATION AND STATUS OF PEDICULARIS OEDERI VAHL VAR. HETEROGLOSSA PRAIN (OROBANCHACEAE)
Authors: Pusalkar P. K. , Singh D. K.
Published: February 2010

Pedicularis oederi Vahl var. heteroglossa Prain (Orobanchaceae) is raised to species rank and lectotypified, and an emended description provided. This taxon has pink or purple-pink corollas rather than the yellow colour otherwise typical for the Pedicularis oederi group of taxa.
VACCINIUM ON THE EDGE
Authors: Vander Kloet S. P. , Avery T. S.
Published: February 2010

Variation among 19 phenological features taken from 48 species of Vaccinium (Ericaceae), both in vivo and in vitro as well as from existing literature, were subjected to several clustering strategies. Our results suggest three distinct phenological clusters that reflect the ability of these taxa to tolerate frost, namely a ‘Tropical’ group of 16 taxa which tolerate no or very little frost; a ‘Temperate’ group whose 17 members tolerate some frost; and finally a ‘Boreal-Arctic’ group whose 15 taxa are winter hardy.
IMPORTANT PLANT AREAS IN THE ARABIAN PENINSULA: 1. JABAL QARAQIR
Authors: Llewellyn O. A. , Hall M. , Miller A. G. , Al-Abbasi T. M. , Al-Wetaid A. H. , Al-Harbi R. J. , Al-Shammari K. F. , Al-Farhan A.
Published: February 2010

Jabal Qaraqir in Saudi Arabia is the first site to be assessed for the Important Plant Area (IPA) programme in the Arabian Peninsula. This paper describes the geology, fauna and flora of the Qaraqir site and provides the first botanical checklist of the area. It designates the locality as an IPA due to the quality of the wadi vegetation and the presence of endemic and biogeographically relictual species. As well as assessments, this study also touches on the planning stage of conservation activity. Socio-economic issues and threats to the conservation of Qaraqir are discussed and suggestions for conservation action are provided.
MANDEVILLA CATIMBAUENSIS (APOCYNACEAE), A NEW SPECIES FROM THE SEMI-ARID REGION, PERNAMBUCO, BRAZIL
Authors: De Souza-Silva R. F. , Rapini A. , Morales J. F.
Published: February 2010

Mandevilla (Apocynaceae) is a neotropical genus which is well represented in Brazil. A recent taxonomic revision of the Brazilian species of Mandevilla subgenus Mandevilla included eight new species, one of them from the State of Pernambuco. Nevertheless, while preparing a survey of Apocynaceae from the Brazilian semi-arid region, a new species of the subgenus was recognised. Mandevilla catimbauensis Souza-Silva, Rapini & J.F.Morales is here described and illustrated. It is a twining plant with elliptic, glabrous leaves and hypocrateriform, purple flowers, known only from the Vale do Catimbau National Park, in the State of Pernambuco.
A NEW SPECIES OF RIEDELIA (ZINGIBERACEAE) FROM PAPUA, INDONESIA
Authors: Newman M. F.
Published: February 2010

A new species of Riedelia (Zingiberaceae), Riedelia charontis M.F.Newman from Papua Province, Indonesia, is described and illustrated.
A NEW SPECIES AND SYNOPSIS OF ADELOCARYUM (BORAGINACEAE – CYNOGLOSSEAE) WITH NOTES ON LINDELOFIA AND BRANDELLA
Authors: Mill R. R.
Published: February 2010

Adelocaryum Brand (Boraginaceae – Cynoglosseae) is shown to be the correct name for Paracaryopsis (H.Riedl) R.R.Mill, and the new combination Adelocaryum lambertianum (C.B.Clarke) R.R.Mill is made. The new species Adelocaryum nebulicola R.R.Mill is described from Oman and its affinities with the Indian species A. coelestinum (Lindl.) R.R.Mill are discussed. A synopsis of and revised key to the entire genus is provided as well as a revised description of Adelocaryum coelestinum. As circumscribed here Adelocaryum is restricted to tall mesophytic herbs lacking long glochidiate spinules on the wing-like margin of the nutlets. The desert annual or biennial Brandella erythraea is here excluded from Adelocaryum. The new combination Brandella erythraea forma subexalata (H.Riedl) R.R.Mill is made. Lindelofia spectabilis Lehm., for which the current correct name is L. longiflora (Benth.) Baill., is designated lectotype of the genus Lindelofia Lehm.
TWO NEW SPECIES OF GENTIANACEAE FROM INDO-CHINA
Authors: Hul S.
Published: February 2010

Two new species of Gentianaceae from Indo-China are described: Exacum darae Hul (Cambodia, Thailand) and Canscora bidoupensis Hul (Vietnam).
Adnominal adjectives in Old English
Authors: HAUMANN DAGMAR
Published: February 2010

Even though adnominal adjectives in Old English are distributionally versatile in that they may precede, follow or flank the noun they modify, their positioning is not random but follows from systematic interpretive contrasts between pre- and postnominal adjectives, such as ‘attribution vs predication’, ‘individual-level vs stage-level reading’ and ‘restrictive vs non-restrictive modification’. These contrasts are largely independent of adjectival inflection (pace Fischer 2000, 2001, 2006). The placement of adnominal adjectives in Old English is investigated in relation to recent comparative and theoretical studies on word order and word order variation (see Cinque 2007; Larson & Marušič 2004).
Die Effektivität formativer Evaluation bei der Entwicklung gebrauchs- tauglicher Software–eine Fallstudie
Authors: Kaspar Kai , Hamborg Kai-Christoph , Sackmann Timo , Hesselmann Julia
Published: February 2010

Die vorliegende Fallstudie befasste sich mit der Effektivität von Usability-Tests als Methodik für die Gestaltung gebrauchstauglicher Software. Ein Online-Bookshop wurde zu zwei Zeitpunkten in einem Entwicklungszyklus mithilfe eines Usability-Tests evaluiert. Aus den im ersten Usability-Test identifizierten Usability-Problemen wurden Gestaltungskonsequenzen abgeleitet und umgesetzt. Die so überarbeitete zweite Version des Bookshops wurde einem weiteren Usability-Test unterzogen, in dem wiederum Usability-Probleme erhoben wurden. Die ausgewertete Stichprobe von 22 studentischen Versuchspersonen unterteilte sich in 11 Novizen und 11 Experten, 10 Probanden waren männlichen und 12 weiblichen Geschlechts. Von diesen 22 Probanden nahmen jeweils 11 an einem der beiden Usability-Tests teil, in denen die gleichen drei aufeinander aufbauenden Testaufgaben bearbeitet wurden. Die Befunde zeigen wie angenommen, dass sich die Quantität der erkannten Usability-Probleme vom ersten zum zweiten Usability-Test verringerte. Entgegen der Erwartung wurde jedoch keine Veränderung der Bedeutsamkeit der erhobenen Usability-Probleme verzeichnet. Entsprechend der Untersuchungsannahmen zeigt sich weiterhin ein Effekt der Kombination von Evaluation und Gestaltung auf die subjektive Bewertung von Gefallensaspekten und der ergonomischen Qualität des Bookshops durch die Nutzer. Zudem stellt sich die Expertise der Nutzer als relevanter Faktor für die Häufigkeit explizit geäußerter Kritik am Produkt dar. Konsequenzen für die Praxis und weitere Forschung im Bereich des Usability-Engineerings sowie die Notwendigkeit einer psychologisch begründeten Definition des Konstrukts des Usability-Problems werden diskutiert.
Erreichen vorbereitete Verhandlungsführer mehr?
Authors: Lang Alexander , Otto Barbara
Published: February 2010

Ziel dieses Beitrags ist es, ein wissenschaftlich evaluiertes Training zur Verbesserung der strategischen Verhandlungsplanung vorzustellen. Die Entwicklung des Trainings basierte inhaltlich auf dem theoretischen Selbstregulationsmodell von Zimmerman (2000) , wobei vornehmlich auf die Planungsphase fokussiert wurde. In dem eintägigen Trainingsprogramm wurden die Planungsschritte Zielsetzung, Interessenanalyse, Entwicklung von realistischen Einigungsmöglichkeiten und Strategiewahl erarbeitet. Die Stichprobe setzte sich aus 60 Teilnehmern zusammen, die in Großunternehmen rekrutiert wurden und mindestens wöchentlich Verhandlungen im Rahmen der Berufstätigkeit führten. Die Evaluation erfolgte durch ein Vortest-Nachtest-Kontrollgruppendesign. Anhand von Fragebogendaten und einer Verhandlungssimulation wurde der Trainingserfolg überprüft. Erfasst wurden Parameter der Kooperationsbereitschaft, die Ausprägung kognitiver Fehlurteile und die Ergebnisfokussierung. Anhand der Verhandlungssimulation wurden zudem die erzielten Verhandlungsergebnisse erfasst. Die Ergebnisse belegen die Effektivität des Trainingsprogramms. Die Teilnehmer der Experimentalgruppe zeigten nach dem Training eine kooperativere Haltung und konnten durch den Abbau kognitiver Fehlurteile die Interessenlage einer anstehenden Verhandlung realistischer einschätzen. Ebenfalls fokussierten die Teilnehmer nach dem Training stärker Gewinne und erzielten in der Verhandlungssimulation deutlich bessere Verhandlungsergebnisse.
Laboratory measurements of the frictional properties of the Zuccale low‐angle normal fault, Elba Island, Italy
Authors: Smith S. A. F. , Faulkner D. R.
Published: February 2010

Using a case study from the island of Elba, Italy, we seek to test the hypothesis that the presence of minerals with low frictional strengths can explain prolonged slip on low‐angle normal faults. The central core of the Zuccale low‐angle normal fault contains a distinctive fault rock zonation that developed during progressive exhumation. Most fault rock components preserve microstructural evidence for having accommodated deformation entirely, or partly, by frictional mechanisms. One millimeter thick sample powders of all the major fault rock components were deformed in a triaxial deformation apparatus under water‐saturated conditions, at room temperature, and at constant effective normal stresses of 25, 50, and 75 MPa. Pore fluid pressure was maintained at 50 MPa throughout. Overall, the coefficient of friction (μ) of the fault rocks varies between 0.25 and 0.8, emphasizing the marked strength heterogeneity that may exist within natural fault zones. Also, μ is strongly dependent on fault rock mineralogy and is <0.45 for fault rocks containing talc, chlorite, and kaolinite and >0.6 for fault rocks dominated by quartz, dolomite, calcite, and amphibole. Localization of frictional slip within talc‐rich portions of the fault core can potentially explain movements along the Zuccale fault over a wide range of depths within the upper crust, although the mechanical importance of the talc‐bearing fault rocks likely decreased following their dismemberment into a series of poorly connected fault rock lenses. Additionally, slip within clay‐bearing fault gouges with μ between 0.4 and 0.5 may have facilitated movements in the uppermost (<2 km) crust. For several other fault rock components, μ varies between 0.5 and 0.8, and mineralogical weakening alone is insufficient to account for low‐angle slip. In the latter fault rock components, other weakening mechanisms such as the development of high fluid pressures, or dissolution‐precipitation creep, may have been particularly important in reducing fault strength.
Seasonal variations of the large‐scale geostrophic flow field and eddy kinetic energy inferred from the TOPEX/Poseidon and Jason‐1 tandem mission data
Authors: Scharffenberg Martin G. , Stammer Detlef
Published: February 2010

Geostrophic surface velocity anomalies are used to analyze the annual variations of the large‐scale geostrophic currents and of the eddy kinetic energy (EKE) field of the ocean circulation. The underlying geostrophic currents were estimated from the Jason‐1‐TOPEX/Poseidon (JTP) tandem altimetric sea surface height data using the “parallel track approach” with a 10 km along‐track resolution; however, because of the given separation of the tracks of the two satellites only large mesoscale eddies are resolved by the tandem measurements. The analysis covers the entire 3 year period of the tandem mission (109 repeat cycles) from September 2002 to September 2005. The analysis of the seasonal flow changes reveals annual changes of all major current systems, but especially of the zonal flow field in low latitudes, leading to zonal jets on the annual cycle in the southern Pacific, Atlantic, and Indian oceans. In middle and high latitudes, indications of a seasonally modulated strength of the Sverdrup circulation emerge from the analysis. The EKE field also shows changes in its amplitude on the annual period. In low latitudes, those can be rationalized as resulting from seasonally modulated currents. In middle and high latitudes, changes in the wind‐driven barotropic circulation loom large, which are not represented in other altimetric velocity products. Results shown suggest that velocity time series of the JTP tandem mission should be continued through similar constellations, e.g., of Jason‐1 and Jason‐2.
Seasonal versus permanent thermocline warming by tropical cyclones
Authors: Jansen Malte F. , Ferrari Raffaele , Mooring Todd A.
Published: February 2010

Recent studies suggest that the enhanced upper ocean mixing caused by tropical cyclones significantly contributes to the ocean heat transport. However, existing studies that try to quantify this contribution make the assumption that all heat pumped below the mixed layer by tropical cyclones is finally released in higher latitudes. Tropical cyclones occur primarily during summer and early fall, when the ocean mixed layer is generally shallow. As the mixed layer deepens in the following winter, any warm anomaly deposited within the seasonal thermocline will be reabsorbed by the mixed layer and lost to the atmosphere. Analysis of satellite sea surface temperature and sea surface height data, together with climatological subsurface ocean data, suggests that only about one quarter of the heat that is mixed downward by tropical cyclones eventually makes it into the permanent thermocline.
Partitioning of oxygen between the Earth's mantle and core
Authors: Frost Daniel J. , Asahara Yuki , Rubie David C. , Miyajima Nobuyoshi , Dubrovinsky Leonid S. , Holzapfel Christian , Ohtani Eiji , Miyahara Masaaki , Sakai Takeshi
Published: February 2010

Experiments to investigate the partitioning of oxygen between liquid iron and (Mg,Fe)O magnesiowüstite were conducted at 30–70 GPa and 2800–3500 K using a laser‐heated diamond anvil cell. A thin foil was prepared from the reacted regions in the recovered samples using a focused ion beam. The compositions of coexisting quenched iron and magnesiowüstite were measured using a transmission electron microscope equipped with energy dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy and electron energy‐loss spectroscopy. In order to understand and model the results, additional experiments were performed to determine the activity of oxygen, or rather FeO, in liquid Fe metal. Multianvil experiments to measure the oxygen contents of coexisting immiscible metallic and ionic liquids in the Fe‐FeO system were performed up to 25 GPa. The results were used to extract excess mixing properties for Fe‐FeO liquids at high pressure and temperature. These properties were used to derive a model that describes oxygen partitioning in the Fe‐Mg‐O system that is independent of the actual experimental partitioning data. The model indicates that the oxygen content of liquid Fe becomes a strong nonlinear function of the FeO content of magnesiowüstite at pressures greater than 25 GPa. This prediction is in excellent agreement with the experimental partitioning data, which is faithfully reproduced in most instances. The new results confirm that the Earth's core is undersaturated in oxygen with respect to the FeO content of the bulk mantle, which will result either in FeO being depleted from the very base of the mantle or lead to the development of an FeO‐enriched outer layer of the core. These possibilities are not mutually exclusive.
Influenza viruses differ in ability to infect macrophages and to induce a local inflammatory response following intraperitoneal injection of mice
Authors: Reading Patrick C , Whitney Paul G , Pickett Danielle L , Tate Michelle D , Brooks Andrew G
Published: February 2010

Strains of influenza A virus show marked differences in their ability to infect murine macrophages (MΦ) such that strain A/PR/8/34 (PR8; H1N1) infects MΦ poorly while strain BJx109 (H3N2) infects MΦ to high levels. Given the central role of MΦ in initiating and regulating inflammatory responses, we hypothesized that virus strains that infect MΦ poorly may also be poor at initiating inflammatory responses. Studies to compare the inflammatory response of mice after intranasal inoculation with either BJx109 or PR8 were confounded by the rapid growth of the PR8 virus in lung tissues. Consequently, we have characterized the cellular inflammatory response following inoculation into the peritoneal cavity, as influenza viruses do not replicate at this site. Herein, we report marked differences in the local inflammatory response to BJx109 or PR8 in the peritoneal cavity with strain PR8 being particularly poor in its ability to recruit and activate peritoneal leukocytes, including NK cells and MΦ. In vitro BJx109, but not PR8, stimulated release of high levels of type I IFNs and TNF‐α from PEC MΦ, and treatment of mice with neutralizing antibodies to either cytokine inhibited the ability of BJx109 to recruit and activate NK cells and MΦs in the peritoneal cavity. Together, these data suggest that the ability of influenza virus strains to infect MΦ and stimulate cytokine release is an important factor governing the nature of the acute inflammatory response.
Foxp3 induction in human and murine thymus precedes the CD4+ CD8+ stage but requires early T‐cell receptor expression
Authors: Nunes‐Cabaço Helena , Ribot Julie C , Caramalho Íris , Serra‐Caetano Ana , Silva‐Santos Bruno , Sousa Ana E
Published: February 2010

The thymus generates a T‐cell lineage dedicated to immune regulation, ‘naturally occurring’ regulatory T cells, best specified by the forkhead family transcription factor Foxp3. Here, we have conducted a parallel study in humans and mice where we have dissected the earliest stages of Foxp3 induction during thymocyte development. By analyzing a large collection of 21 human thymuses we show that Foxp3 can be consistently detected in CD4 immature single positive thymocytes that precede the CD4(+)CD8(+) (double positive, DP) stage. The reduced levels of CD3 expression found at this stage of human thymocyte development raise the question of TCR (T‐cell receptor) requirement for Foxp3 induction. We further show that, in mice, Foxp3 expression was also detected in pre‐DP thymocytes of TCRα‐sufficient but not in TCRα‐deficient animals, genetically showing the TCR dependence of Foxp3 expression at pre‐DP stages of T‐cell development.
Naturally occurring tumor‐specific CD8+ T‐cell precursors in individuals with and without cancer
Authors: Karanikas Vaios , Zamanakou Maria , Soukou Faye , Kerenidi Theodora , Gourgoulianis Konstantinos I , Germenis Anastasios E
Published: February 2010

Boosting pre‐existing, naturally occurring cytolytic CD8+ T‐cell (CTLs) responses directed against class‐I MHC‐restricted peptides of tumor antigens, represents a primary goal of cancer immunotherapy. The number of pre‐existing antitumor CTLs and their impaired function has been incriminated as the most likely candidates for the reduced clinical efficacy of these trials. This study was scheduled to determine possible differences in the frequency and the function of naturally occurring CTL precursors (pCTLs) against multiple peptides derived from the cancer‐testis antigens MAGE‐A1 and MAGE‐A3, and the overexpressed antigen hTERT, in newly diagnosed lung cancer patients as compared with aged‐matched healthy individuals. The cumulative frequency of circulating peptide‐specific pCTLs was found significantly higher in the cancer patients, varied widely and was not affected by radiotherapy and chemotherapy. Furthermore, this frequency was greatly different between the various tumor‐antigen peptides. Under the light of recent evidence provided from animal models, these results indicate that the peptide‐specific pCTL frequency might represent an important determinant for the fate of cancer immunotherapy. In addition, our results show that tumor‐specific pCTLs of cancer patients can present functional differences regarding their proliferative capacity, intensity of multimer staining and lytic capacity, when compared with those of healthy individuals. Hence, our findings could have an important role for the design of improved immunotherapeutic approaches for lung cancer.
The thermal and boron-catalysed direct amide formation reactions: mechanistically understudied yet important processes
Authors: Charville Hayley , Jackson David , Hodges George , Whiting Andrew
Published: February 2010

This review provides a summary and discussion of work reported to date regarding the mechanistic aspects of the catalysed and uncatalysed direct amide formation reaction.
Emission characteristics of H− ion source with inverse gas magnetron geometry
Authors: Baturin V. A. , Litvinov P. A. , Pustovoitov S. A. , Karpenko A. Yu.
Published: February 2010

The work is dedicated to the experimental investigation of the intense volume-plasma H− ion source. Preliminary experimental researches of two parameters of the upgraded source—emission density of H− ions and gas flow—are represented below. In plasma volume of noncesium H− ion source, the conditions for obtaining of increased density of H− ions in the field of adjoining to the emission aperture were realized. The advancing of electrode system of the emission chamber of a source has allowed receiving the value of an emission density of H− ions equal to 600 mA/cm2.
Functionalized single wall carbon nanotube sensor in a perturbed microwave resonant cavity based toxin/pollutant gas pressure sensor
Authors: Tooski S. B.
Published: February 2010

The Vlasov and Maxwell’s equations are established and solved numerically to describe the effects of toxin/pollutant gas pressure and functionalized single wall carbon nanotube (SWCNT) sensor in a perturbed microwave resonant cavity. The dependence of the absorption coefficient on incident frequency, toxin/pollutant gas pressure, electron density, and collision frequency is presented. The numerical results illustrate that the resonant frequency shifts by a suitable amount for modest changes in toxin/pollutant gas pressure. It is also illustrated that high density and low collision of the blend of toxin/pollutant gas and SWCNT sensor in a microwave resonant cavity can be employed as broadband absorption of microwave and the detection of toxin/pollutant gas characteristics through adjustments of the amount of toxin/pollutant gas pressure and functionalized SCWNT sensor. The numerical results additionally illustrate that the microwave absorption spectra of the blend of toxin/pollutant gas and SWCNT sensor in a microwave resonant cavity are in good agreement with the available experimental data. The present method is, in principle, applicable to any kind of a single nanofiber, nanowire, silica gel, cotton fiber, and even various types of nanotubes.
Simulation of laser-induced backside wet etching of fused silica with hydrocarbon liquids
Authors: Zimmer Klaus , Ehrhardt Martin , Böhme Rico
Published: February 2010

The mechanism of laser-induced backside wet etching (LIBWE) is important for the optimization of application processes but is still ambiguous. Extremely high surface absorption coefficients of more than 40×104 cm−1 at λ=248 nm that decay exponentially within less than 25 nm were measured for LIBWE-etched fused silica surface. Therefore, the resulting laser-induced temperatures quickly exceed the boiling point and result in surface erosion of the modified material. Numerical calculations of the temperature considering the measured absorption and phase transitions have been used to evaluate the etching depth of fused silica with a pyrene/toluene solution that agrees well with the measured rates well. A model of LIBWE is proposed that bases on the laser ablation of the high-absorbing modified fused silica as the dominating erosion process.
Numerical investigation of flow-through immunoassay in a microchannel
Authors: Sinha A , Ganguly R , Puri I K.
Published: February 2010

Immunomagnetic separation (IMS) is a method to isolate biomaterials from a host fluid in which specifically selected antibodies attached to magnetic particles bind with their corresponding antigens on the surface of the target biological entities. A magnet separates these entities from the fluid through magnetophoresis. The method has promising applications in microscale biosensors. We develop a comprehensive model to characterize the interaction between target species and magnetic particles in microfluidic channels. The mechanics of the separation of target nonmagnetic N particles by magnetic M particles are investigated using a particle dynamics simulation. We consider both interparticle magnetic interactions and the binding of the functionalizing strands of complementary particles. The temporal growth of a particle aggregate and the relative concentrations of M and N particles are investigated under different operating conditions. A particle aggregate first grows and then exhibits periodic washaway about a quasisteady mean size. The washaway frequency and amplitude depend on the initial fractional concentration of N particles while the aggregate size scales linearly with the dipole strength and inversely with the fluid flow rate.
Structure formation and very low thermal conductivity in Pb:Te:Ag:Se mixtures
Authors: Drymiotis Fivos R. , Drye Tyler B. , Wang Yisha , He Jian , Rhodes Daniel , Modic Kimberly , Cawthorne Samantha , Zhang Qiu Run
Published: February 2010

We have observed that reacting Pb:Te:Ag:Se in a 1:1:1.9:1 molar ratio gives rise to what appears to be a predominantly single-phase alloy, which crystallizes in the PbSe cF8 fcc structure. However, further investigation of the structure using energy dispersive x-ray analysis reveals the presence of two phases, PbSe and β-Ag2Te, with identical lattice parameters. The total thermal conductivity of the formed alloy is remarkably low for a crystalline material, κT<0.6W∕mK at 675K, it is reproducible, and in addition, the compound has good mechanical properties.
Drift-resistive-inertial ballooning modes in quasihelical stellarators
Authors: Rafiq T. , Hegna C. C. , Callen J. D. , Kritz A. H.
Published: February 2010

A linear stability theory of nonideal magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) ballooning modes is investigated using a two fluid model for electron-ion plasmas. Drift-resistive-inertial ballooning mode eigenvalues and eigenfunctions are calculated for a variety of equilibria including axisymmetric shifted circular geometry (ŝ−α model) as well as for three dimensional configurations relevant for the Helically Symmetric Stellarator (HSX) [F. S. B. Anderson, A. F. Almagri, D. T. Anderson, et al., Fusion Technology 27, 273 (1995)]. For typical HSX parameters, characteristic ballooning mode growth rates exceed the electron collision frequency. In this regime, electron inertial effects dominate plasma resistivity and produce an instability whose growth rate scales with the electromagnetic skin depth. However, as plasma β is increased, the resistive and inertial effects become unimportant. Under these conditions, the mode is completely stabilized by drift frequency effects, which dominate resistivity and inertia. Numerical results indicate that in the absence of drift effects, the resistive-inertial MHD modes are purely growing and persist in regimes where ideal MHD ballooning modes are stable. It is found that the magnitudes of the linear growth rates are not sensitive to the addition of a mirror term to the magnetic spectrum that spoils the quasihelical symmetry of the configuration. The eigenvalues and eigenvectors in the strong ballooning approximation are used together with a quasilinear mixing length estimate to determine particle flux and particle diffusivity. The particle diffusivity increases with rising density gradient and collisionality in a plasma with a low electron temperature. This increase in transport is consistent with the increase observed in the edge region of HSX plasmas. The magnitude of the particle diffusivity is computed to be in the range from 5 to 10 m2/s, which is consistent with the experimental measured particle diffusivity at the edge of HSX plasmas.
Development of radioactive ion beam production systems for Tokai Radioactive Ion Acceleration Complex—High temperature ion source for short-lived isotopes
Authors: Otokawa Y. , Osa A. , Sato T. K. , Matsuda M. , Ichikawa S. , Jeong S. C.
Published: February 2010

We have developed a new ion source system in the isotope separator on-line at Japan Atomic Energy Agency, for separation of short-lived isotopes produced by proton-induced fission of U238. The ion source system is a forced electron beam induced arc discharge version E type ion source with a target container. We successfully operated this system at 2000 °C as a result of reductions in volume of the ion source and the target container, introduction of heating method by electron bombardment, and improvement to the heat shield. This new ion source system was tested using U238 of 640 mg/cm2 with a proton primary beam of 30 MeV, 350 nA. Release times were measured for Kr, In, and Xe. The values of release times are 2.6 s for Kr, 1.8 s for In, and 4.6 s for Xe. In this work, the ion source system enabled us to mass-separate short-lived isotopes such as K93r(T1/2=1.286 s), I129n(T1/2=0.61 s), and X141e(T1/2=1.73 s) with intensity of 103 ions/s.
Local density of electromagnetic states within a nanometric gap formed between two thin films supporting surface phonon polaritons
Authors: Francoeur Mathieu , Mengüç M. Pinar , Vaillon Rodolphe
Published: February 2010

We present a detailed physical analysis of the near-field thermal radiation spectrum emitted by a silicon carbide (SiC) film when another nonemitting SiC layer is brought in close proximity. This is accomplished via the calculation of the local density of electromagnetic states (LDOS) within the gap formed between the two thin films. An analytical expression for the LDOS is derived, showing explicitly that (i) surface phonon polariton (SPhP) coupling between the layers leads to four resonant modes, and (ii) near-field thermal radiation emission is enhanced due to the presence of the nonemitting film. We study the impact of the interfilm separation gap, the distance where the fields are calculated, and the thickness of the nonemitting layer on the spectral distribution of the LDOS. Results show that for an interfilm gap of 10 nm, the near-field spectrum emitted around the SPhP resonance can increase more than an order of magnitude as compared to a single emitting thin layer. Interfilm SPhP coupling also induces a loss of spectral coherence of resonance, mostly affecting the low frequency modes. The effect of the nonemitting film can be observed on LDOS profiles when the distance where the fields are calculated is close to the interfilm gap. As the LDOS is calculated closer to the emitter, the near-field spectrum is dominated by SPhPs with small penetration depths that do not couple with the modes associated with the nonemitting film, such that thermal emission is similar to what is observed for a single emitting layer. Spectral distribution of LDOS is also significantly modified by varying the thickness of the nonemitting film relative to the thickness of the emitting layer, due to an increasing mismatch between the cross-coupled SPhP modes. The results presented here show clearly that the resonant modes of thermal emission by a polar crystal can be enhanced and tuned, between the transverse and longitudinal optical phonon frequencies, by simply varying the structure of the system. This analysis provides the physical grounds to tune near-field thermal radiation emission via multilayered structures, which can find application in nanoscale-gap thermophotovoltaic power generation.