bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Characterizing the surface radiation budget over the Tibetan Plateau with ground‐measured, reanalysis, and remote sensing data sets: 1. Methodology
Authors: Shi Qinqing , Liang Shunlin
Published: August 2013

The surface radiation budget (SRB) over the Tibetan Plateau (TP) greatly influences local climate, climate extremes (e.g., drought, flood) in China, and the East Asian monsoon. However, current estimates of SRB from models and satellite data are subject to large errors, and ground‐measured data sets within this region are rather limited over the TP. Our objective is to determine the SRB over the TP by integrating information from three sources: (1) four ground‐measured data sets from AsiaFlux, ChinaFLUX, GAME/Tibet, and CAMP/Tibet; (2) four reanalysis data sets from Climate Forecast System Reanalysis, Modern‐Era Retrospective Analysis for Research and Applications, ERA‐Interim, and Japanese 25‐year Reanalysis; and (3) two remote sensing data sets, Global Energy and Water Cycle Experiment Surface Radiation Budget and International Satellite Cloud Climatology Project FD. This study, the first of a two‐paper series, presents the methodology. Individual radiation components of reanalysis and remote sensing data set were first validated using ground‐measured data from 1997 to 2007; then, a linear regression method was applied to generate the fused data from July 1983 to December 2007. The cross‐validation results indicate that the monthly mean root‐mean‐square errors (RMSEs) of fused downward shortwave irradiance and albedo are 15.1 W m−2 and 0.05, respectively; the RMSEs of the downward and upward longwave fluxes are 13.3 and 8.4 W m−2, respectively; and the RMSE of all‐wave net radiation is as low as 18.9 W m−2. Compared to nine sites with long‐term observation of downward shortwave irradiance, the fused data represent the decadal variations with higher correlation than using individual products, suggesting the potential for application of the fused data sets in climatic and environmental research.
A stochastic fractional dynamics model of space‐time variability of rain
Authors: Kundu Prasun K. , Travis James E.
Published: August 2013

Rainfall varies in space and time in a highly irregular manner and is described naturally in terms of a stochastic process. A characteristic feature of rainfall statistics is that they depend strongly on the space‐time scales over which rain data are averaged. A spectral model of precipitation has been developed based on a stochastic differential equation of fractional order for the point rain rate, which allows a concise description of the second moment statistics of rain at any prescribed space‐time averaging scale. The model is thus capable of providing a unified description of the statistics of both radar and rain gauge data. The underlying dynamical equation can be expressed in terms of space‐time derivatives of fractional orders that are adjusted together with other model parameters to fit the data. The form of the resulting spectrum gives the model adequate flexibility to capture the subtle interplay between the spatial and temporal scales of variability of rain but strongly constrains the predicted statistical behavior as a function of the averaging length and time scales. We test the model with radar and gauge data collected contemporaneously at the NASA TRMM ground validation sites located near Melbourne, Florida and on the Kwajalein Atoll, Marshall Islands in the tropical Pacific. We estimate the parameters by tuning them to fit the second moment statistics of radar data at the smaller spatiotemporal scales. The model predictions are then found to fit the second moment statistics of the gauge data reasonably well at these scales without any further adjustment.
Separation and purification of four compounds from Desmodium styracifolium using off‐line two‐dimensional high‐speed counter‐current chromatography
Authors: Su Wen , Liu Qi , Yang Qing , Yu Jingang , Chen Xiaoqing
Published: August 2013

An off‐line 2D high‐speed counter‐current chromatography technique in preparative scale has been successfully applied to separate and purify the main compounds from the ethyl acetate extract of Desmodium styracifolium. A two‐phase solvent system composed of n‐hexane/ethyl acetate/methanol/water at an optimized volume ratio of 1:2:1:2 v/v/v/v was used. Conventional high‐speed counter‐current chromatography was used as the first dimension, and the upper phase of the solvent system was used as the stationary phase in the head‐to‐tail elution mode at a flow rate of 2.0 mL/min and a rotation speed of 900 rpm. Recycling high‐speed counter‐current chromatography served as the second dimension to separate an impure fraction of the first dimension. A total of four well‐separated substances including vanillic acid (1), β‐sitosterol (2), formononetin (3), and aromadendrin (4) were obtained, and their purities and structures were identified by HPLC–MS and 1H NMR spectroscopy. The results illustrated that off‐line 2D high‐speed counter‐current chromatography is an effective way to isolate compounds in complex samples.
Monoliths: Special issue in a new package
Authors: Svec Frantisek
Published: August 2013

Regular special issues concerning monoliths have always been a stronghold of the Journal of Separation Science. Typically, we issued a call for papers, collected and processed the submitted manuscripts, and all of them were then printed in a single issue of the journal. This approach worked to a certain limit quite acceptably but there was always a longer waiting time between the early submissions and publication. This is why we decided to do it this year differently. I claimed in my 2013 New Years Editorial: “We are living in the electronic era! Why not to make an advantage of that?” And we do. As a result, all manuscript submitted for publication in the special issue Monoliths have already been published in regular issues as soon as they were accepted. The first page of these papers includes a footnote: “This paper is included in the virtual special issue Monoliths available at the Journal of Separation Science website.” All papers published with this footnote were collected in a virtual special issue accessible through the internet. This concept ruled out possible delays in publication of contributions submitted early. Since we did not have any real “special issue”, there was no need for any hard deadline for submission. We just collected manuscripts submitted for the special issue Monoliths published from January to July 2013 and included them in the virtual special issue. This new approach worked very well and we published 22 excellent papers that are included in the issue available now at this website: http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/journal/10.1002/(ISSN)1615‐9314/homepage/virtual_special_issue__monoliths.htm
Identification of radiation‐induced radical structure in azocalix[4]arene: an EPR study
Authors: Usta Keziban , Ozen Karakus Ozlem , Usta Ayhan , Deligoz Hasalettin
Published: August 2013

A macrocyclic azocalix[4]arene (1) based ester derivative was synthesized. The single crystals of azocalix[4]arene were produced by slow evaporation of concentrated ethyl acetate solutions. These single crystals were exposed to 60Co gamma rays with a dose rate of 0.980 kGy h‐1 for 48 and 72 h to produce a stable free radical. Electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) measurements were performed in three mutually perpendicular planes of the single crystal in the magnetic field, in addition, temperature dependence of the EPR signal was studied between 120 K and 450 K. The spectra were found to be temperature and angular dependent. Analysis based on the spectra recorded showed that a free radical was formed by fission of a C–H bond. This radical is described as •CaHCbH3 The averages of the principal values of the hyperfine parameters and g‐factor are: g = 2.0034, AHa = 1.28 mT, AH1=H2 = 1.00 mT, and AH3 = 0.49 mT. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Simultaneous T1 and B1+ Mapping Using Reference Region Variable Flip Angle Imaging
Authors: Sung Kyunghyun , Saranathan Manojkumar , Daniel Bruce L. , Hargreaves Brian A.
Published: August 2013

Purpose

To present a new method that can simultaneously and efficiently measure T1 and B1+ maps using reference region variable flip angle (RR‐VFA) imaging.

Methods

Assuming T1 relaxation time in a reference region such as fat is well characterized, and the reference region sufficiently covers smoothly varying B1+ field inhomogeneity, B1+ maps can be measured from VFA images, conventionally used for T1 measurements. Fat‐only images from two‐point Dixon acquisitions were used to compute B1+ maps, and the B1+ maps were compared with ones using the double‐angle method (DAM) in 22 breast MRI patients at 3T. Additionally, high spatial resolution VFA images were acquired to show T1 measurements with and without the RR‐VFA B1+ correction in six patients.

Results

RR‐VFA is able to generate reliable B1+ maps, similar to those using the conventional DAM. This simultaneous T1 and B1+ mapping can also be used to reduce T1 estimation errors, where T1 maps have more uniform fibroglandular tissue T1 and better depiction of heterogeneous T1 of breast masses.

Conclusion

A new method that can measure both T1 and B1+ maps based on Dixon VFA images is described, offering improved T1 quantification with no scan time penalty. Magn Reson Med, 70:954–961, 2013. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Diffusion tensor imaging detects treatment effects of FTY720 in experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis mice
Authors: Wang Xiaojie , Brieland Joan K. , Kim Joong H. , Chen Ying‐Jr , O'Neal Janet , O'Neil Shawn P. , Tu Tsang‐Wei , Trinkaus Kathryn , Song Sheng‐Kwei
Published: August 2013

Fingolimod (FTY720) is an orally available sphingosine‐1‐phosphate (S1P) receptor modulator reducing relapse frequency in patients with relapsing–remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS). In addition to immunosuppression, neuronal protection by FTY720 has also been suggested, but remains controversial. Axial and radial diffusivities derived from in vivo diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) were employed as noninvasive biomarkers of axonal injury and demyelination to assess axonal protection by FTY720 in experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) mice. EAE was induced through active immunization of C57BL/6 mice using myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein peptide 35–55 (MOG35–55). We evaluated both the prophylactic and therapeutic treatment effect of FTY720 at doses of 3 and 10 mg/kg on EAE mice by daily clinical scoring and end‐point in vivo DTI. Prophylactic administration of FTY720 suppressed the disease onset and prevented axon and myelin damage when compared with EAE mice without treatment. Therapeutic treatment by FTY720 did not prevent EAE onset, but reduced disease severity, improving axial and radial diffusivity towards the control values without statistical significance. Consistent with previous findings, in vivo DTI‐derived axial and radial diffusivity correlated with clinical scores in EAE mice. The results support the use of in vivo DTI as an effective outcome measure for preclinical drug development. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The prognostic effect of high diagnostic WT1 gene expression in pediatric AML depends on WT1 SNP rs16754 status: Report from the Children's Oncology Group
Authors: Ho Phoenix A. , Alonzo Todd A. , Gerbing Robert B. , Kuhn Julia , Pollard Jessica A. , Hirsch Betsy , Raimondi Susana C. , Gamis Alan S. , Meshinchi Soheil
Published: August 2013

Background

WT1 is aberrantly over‐expressed in most cases of AML. We recently demonstrated that WT1 SNP rs16754 correlates with favorable outcome and high diagnostic WT1 expression in childhood AML. We examined the clinical correlates of diagnostic WT1 expression within a contemporary COG trial and determined whether its prognostic impact differs between SNP+ and SNP− patients.

Procedure

WT1 mRNA expression was measured via qRT‐PCR in diagnostic specimens obtained from 225 patients enrolled on COG‐AAML03P1. Direct sequencing of WT1 exon 7 was performed to determine SNP rs16754 genotype. WT1 expression was correlated with disease characteristics, SNP status, and outcome.

Results

Patients were categorized into four groups (quartiles: Q1 through Q4) based on diagnostic WT1 expression for analysis. FLT3/ITD (P = 0.017) and WT1 mutations (P < 0.001) both occurred more frequently in patients with the highest WT1 expression. SNP rs16754 frequency did not vary significantly among the quartiles. When all patients were considered, survival outcomes were similar between quartiles. However, when only SNP− patients (n = 150) were analyzed, those with highest WT1 expression (Q4) had the poorest OS (51% vs. 72% for Q1–Q3, P = 0.006) and EFS (35% vs. 54% for Q1–Q3, P = 0.031). Among SNP+ patients (n = 75), survival did not vary significantly between WT1 expression quartiles.

Conclusion

Although WT1 expression was not prognostic when all patients were considered together, stratifying patients by SNP rs16754 genotype revealed significant differences in outcome. In SNP− patients, high WT1 expression predicted decreased survival in univariate, but not multivariate, analysis, due to a preponderance of high‐risk cyto/molecular abnormalities in the highest expression quartile. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2014;61:81–88. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Variable presentation between a mother and a fetus with Goltz syndrome
Authors: Sellars Elizabeth A. , Wusik Katie , Weaver K. Nicole , Hopkin Robert J.
Published: August 2013

What's already known about this topic?

Goltz syndrome is a rare and variable X‐linked dominant condition that can affect a number of organ systems. Most patients have no family history of Goltz syndrome indicating that new mutations are relatively common.

What does this study add?

This case demonstrates the importance of considering Goltz syndrome in family members even when the symptoms are mild. This degree of variation between mother and child with a prenatal diagnosis has rarely been described. This is also the first report focused on prenatal diagnosis, which allowed a thoughtful, patient‐centered approach to prenatal and postnatal management.
Identification of interleukin‐1 beta, but no other inflammatory proteins, as an early onset pre‐eclampsia biomarker in first trimester serum by bead‐based multiplexed immunoassays
Authors: Siljee Jacqueline E. , Wortelboer Esther J. , Koster Maria P. H. , Imholz Sandra , Rodenburg Wendy , Visser Gerard H. A. , de Vries Annemieke , Schielen Peter C. J. I. , Pennings Jeroen L. A.
Published: August 2013

Objective

This study aimed to determine the predictive value of growth factors, cardiovascular, and immunological markers for first trimester identification of early onset pre‐eclampsia (PE).

Methods

In a retrospective case–control study, maternal serum samples of 35 early onset PE cases and 35 controls were analysed by multiplexed immunoassays, to determine serum concentrations of 41 proteins whose functionality can be associated with PE pathogenesis. All levels were converted into multiples of the gestation‐specific normal median. For prediction modelling, proteins that were found to be significant were combined with previously obtained values of three established PE markers, that is, placental growth factor, placental protein 13, and pregnancy‐associated plasma protein A. Prediction modelling was used to determine predicted detection rates for 5% and 10% false‐positive rates.

Results

Three of the proteins examined in this study, interleukin‐1 beta (IL‐1β), fibrinogen, and carcinoembryonic antigen, showed significantly different serum levels at p < 0.05. In prediction modelling, only IL‐1β added predictive value to the three previously established biomarkers, by increasing detection from 38.2% to 44.1% at a 5% false‐positive rate.

Conclusions

This study indicates that IL‐1β has potential to improve first trimester prediction of pre‐eclampsia. Studies on larger cohorts will be needed to validate these findings. © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Comparison of different processing methods to prepare poly(lactid acid)–hydrotalcite composites
Authors: Scaffaro R. , Botta L. , Passaglia E. , Oberhauser W. , Frediani M. , Di Landro L.
Published: August 2013

The effect of the compounding method on the morphology and on the properties of poly(lactic acid) (PLA)–hydrotalcite (HT) composites was studied. Moreover, the influence of two different kinds of HT—organically modified (OM‐HT) and unmodified (U‐HT)—and their concentration was evaluated. The composites were prepared using either a single screw extruder (SSE), a counter rotating twin‐screw compounder (TSC) or a corotating twin‐screw extruder (TSE). The prepared materials were characterized by scanning electron microscopy, gel permeation chromatography (GPC) analysis, mechanical and rheological measurements. The results indicated that the best morphology, i.e., particles dimension and distribution, is exhibited by materials prepared by TSE while the worse ones by the samples processed by SSE. The viscosity of all the materials containing the HT is lower in comparison with the viscosity exhibited by the neat matrix, in particular, when the OM‐HT is used. These results were correlated to degradation phenomena occurring during the processing of the materials as revealed by the results of GPC analysis. The addition of HT caused only a slight increase of elastic modulus of filled materials even when 5% of filler was incorporated. However, in full agreement with morphological analyses, the best performances were exhibited by materials prepared by TSE while the worse ones by the samples processed by SSE. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 54:1804–1810, 2014. © 2013 Society of Plastics Engineers
Gold‐Nanoparticle‐Assisted Self‐Assembly of Chemical Gradients with Tunable Sub‐50 nm Molecular Domains
Authors: Lundgren Anders , Hulander Mats , Brorsson Joakim , Hermansson Malte , Elwing Hans , Andersson Olof , Liedberg Bo , Berglin Mattias
Published: August 2013

A simple and efficient principle for nanopatterning with wide applicability in the sub‐50 nanometer regime is chemisorption of nanoparticles; at homogeneous substrates, particles carrying surface charge may spontaneously self‐organize due to the electrostatic repulsion between adjacent particles. Guided by this principle, a method is presented to design, self‐assemble, and chemically functionalize gradient nanopatterns where the size of molecular domains can be tuned to match the level corresponding to single protein binding events. To modulate the binding of negatively charged gold nanoparticles both locally (<100 nm) and globally (>100 μm) onto a single modified gold substrate, ion diffusion is used to achieve spatial control of the particles’ mutual electrostatic interactions. By subsequent tailoring of different molecules to surface‐immobilized particles and the void areas surrounding them, nanopatterns are obtained with variable chemical domains along the gradient surface. Fimbriated Escherichia coli bacteria are bound to gradient nanopatterns with similar molecular composition and macroscopic contact angle, but different sizes of nanoscopic presentation of adhesive (hydrophobic) and repellent poly(ethylene) glycol (PEG) domains. It is shown that small hydrophobic domains, similar in size to the diameter of the bacterial fimbriae, supported firmly attached bacteria resembling catch‐bond binding, whereas a high number of loosely adhered bacteria are observed on larger hydrophobic domains.
Electronic transitions in α, θ and γ polymorphs of ultraporous monolithic alumina
Authors: Museur L. , Bouslama M. , Amamra M. , Kanaev A.
Published: August 2013

Spectroscopy of α, θ, and γ phases of high‐purity ultraporous alumina has been studied at cryogenic temperatures of 7 K in the near‐IR–VUV range of spectra with synchrotron radiation excitation. The UV photoluminescence (PL) spectra are dominated by optical transitions of self‐trapped excitons, while the PL excitation spectra are assigned to free excitons and interband transitions. The analysis of PL excitation spectra indicates a tendency to fundamental bandgap narrowing in order of 9.36 eV (α) to 7.60 eV (θ) and 6.85 eV (γ). Structural defects related to oxygen vacancies are responsible for the visible F+/F transitions decrease in order γ > θ > α. (© 2013 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Carbon disulfide as a dopant in photon‐induced chemical ionization mass spectrometry
Authors: Dousty Faezeh , O'Brien Robert T. , Gahler Roland , Kersten Hendrik , Benter Thorsten
Published: August 2013

RATIONALE

The addition of a dopant to an Atmospheric Pressure PhotoIonization (APPI) source of a mass spectrometer has been shown to enhance the degree of analyte ionization. A series of different dopants has been successfully utilized; however, there has been very little published on the characteristics of a good dopant. We have proposed carbon disulfide (CS2) as a novel new dopant based on its absorption cross‐section for the VUV photon's energy used and its unique gas‐phase ion chemistry, notably the fact that it does not contain a proton.

METHODS

The ability of CS2 to enhance the ionization effectiveness of APPI was tested by using a group of compounds that have different proton affinities (PAs) and electron affinities (EAs). These results were compared to results obtained using the commonly used dopants, toluene and anisole. Particular attention was paid to the formation of [M]+ ions relative to [M+H]+ ions. Mass spectra were collected using a Waters Quattro Premier liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry (LC/MS/MS) system equipped with a commercial Photomate™ photoionization source.

RESULTS

The results show that CS2 increases the ionization efficiency of most of the analytes studied in this work comparably to toluene and anisole. CS2 promotes both ionization routes of [M]+ and [M+H]+. In addition, due to the higher ionization energy (IE) of CS2 (10.01) compared to the IEs of toluene (8.83) and anisole (8.20), CS2 can enhance the ionization efficiency of analytes that cannot be enhanced with toluene and anisole.

CONCLUSIONS

We have determined that CS2 is a viable dopant for use in APPI sources. For some analytes, significant [M+H]+ ion signals are observed; therefore, the donated proton must come from either water clusters or solvents. In addition, CS2 promotes the ionization of analytes with low PAs and higher IEs than that of toluene and anisole. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Context and Implications Document for: Can Education Change Society? Du Bois, Woodson, and The Politics Of Social Transformation
Authors: Apple Michael W.
Published: August 2013

This guide accompanies the following article: Michael W. Apple, Can Education Change Society? Du Bois, Woodson, and the Politics of Social Transformation, Review of Education, 10.1002/rev3.3000
Context and Implications Document for: Assessment And The Logic Of Instructional Practice In Secondary 3 English And Mathematics Classrooms In Singapore
Authors: Hogan David , Chan Melvin , Rahim Ridzuan , Maung Aye Khin , Chen Loo Siok , Zhe Seng Yee , Wenshu Luo
Published: August 2013

This guide accompanies the following article: David Hogan, Melvin Chan, Ridzuan Rahim, Aye Khin Maung, Loo Siok Chen, Seng Yee Zhe and Luo Wenshu, Assessment And The Logic Of Instructional Practice In Secondary 3 English And Mathematics Classrooms In Singapore, Review of Education, 10.1002/rev3.3002
Theoretical Study of the Hydrogen Influence on Iron Oxides Reduction at the Blast Furnace Process
Authors: Bernasowski Mikolaj
Published: August 2013

In recent years, environmental considerations and requirements about limiting of carbon dioxide emissions into the atmosphere again forced researchers to consider hydrogen as an alternative reducer at the ironmaking processes. In those studies, the reduction of iron oxides by a mixture of hydrogen and carbon monoxide mainly was considered, but reducing ability of solid carbon was taken into account rarely. The article presents an analysis of the impact of different content of hydrogen and carbon monoxide on the reduction processes equilibrium at the blast furnace conditions. Calculations were performed by using the FactSage thermochemical software and databases. The study presents influence of hydrogen content in the bosh gas on range of wustite stability at the blast furnace process conditions. The calculations revealed possible mechanisms of wustite reduction and role of water−gas shift reaction and hydrogen itself.
Grouted connections for offshore wind turbine structures
Authors: Schmidt Michael , Fehling Ekkehard , Braun Torsten
Published: August 2013

On offshore wind turbine structures, grouted connections are widely used to connect the tower structure to the foundation while accommodating the unavoidable geometrical tolerances effectively. The long‐term behaviour of high‐ and ultra‐high‐strength grouts primarily depends on the adequate strength and durability of the material plus the process reliability. The performance of the fresh and the hardened grout is influenced by many factors that have to be evaluated and considered individually with respect to the “rough” offshore conditions. Those factors are: mix performance and consistency, the ambient conditions at the place and time of use, the equipment for and stability of the mixing and casting processes, the length of casting time and the thermal and mechanical loads during the early stages. To ensure adequate long‐term behaviour, a meaningful quality assurance system should be set up to cover both the materials and the processes. The article emphasises some fundamental experiences gained by the authors with numerous wind turbine parcs in the North Sea and the Baltic Sea.
Crosstalk Between Mesenchymal Stem Cells and Endothelial Cells Leads to Downregulation of Cytokine-Induced Leukocyte Recruitment
Authors: Thin Luu N. , Mcgettrick Helen M. , Buckley Christopher D. , Newsome Phil N. , Ed Rainger G. , Frampton Jon , Nash Gerard B.
Published: August 2013

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) have immunomodulatory properties, but their effects on endothelial cells (EC) and recruitment of leukocytes are unknown. We cocultured human bone marrow-derived MSC with EC and found that MSC could downregulate adhesion of flowing neutrophils or lymphocytes and their subsequent transendothelial migration. This applied for EC treated with tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF), interleukin-1β (IL-1), or TNF and interferon-γ combined. Supernatant from cocultures also inhibited endothelial responses. This supernatant had much higher levels of IL-6 than supernatant from cultures of the individual cells, which also lacked inhibitory functions. Addition of neutralizing antibody against IL-6 removed the bioactivity of the supernatant and also the immunomodulatory effects of coculture. Studies using siRNA showed that IL-6 came mainly from the MSC in coculture, and reduction in production in MSC alone was sufficient to impair the protective effects of coculture. Interestingly, siRNA knockdown of IL-6-receptor expression in MSC as well as EC inhibited anti-inflammatory effects. This was explained when we detected soluble IL-6R receptor in supernatants and showed that receptor removal reduced the potency of supernatant. Neutralization of transforming growth factor-β indicated that activation of this factor in coculture contributed to IL-6 production. Thus, crosstalk between MSC and EC caused upregulation of production of IL-6 by MSC which in turn downregulated the response of EC to inflammatory cytokines, an effect potentiated by MSC release of soluble IL-6R. These studies establish a novel mechanism by which MSC might have protective effects against inflammatory pathology and cardiovascular disease. Stem Cells  2013;31:2690–2702
Generation and Characterization of Spiking and Nonspiking Oligodendroglial Progenitor Cells from Embryonic Stem Cells
Authors: Jiang Peng , Chen Chen , Liu Xiao-Bo , Selvaraj Vimal , Liu Wei , Feldman Daniel H. , Liu Ying , Pleasure David E. , Li Ronald A. , Deng Wenbin
Published: August 2013

Pluripotent stem cells (PSCs) have been differentiated into oligodendroglial progenitor cells (OPCs), providing promising cell replacement therapies for many central nervous system disorders. Studies from rodents have shown that brain OPCs express a variety of ion channels, and that a subset of brain OPCs express voltage-gated sodium channel (NaV), mediating the spiking properties of OPCs. However, it is unclear whether PSC-derived OPCs exhibit electrophysiological properties similar to brain OPCs and the role of NaV in the functional maturation of OPCs is unknown. Here, using a mouse embryonic stem cell (mESC) green fluorescent protein (GFP)-Olig2 knockin reporter line, we demonstrated that unlike brain OPCs, all the GFP+/Olig2+ mESC-derived OPCs (mESC-OPCs) did not express functional NaV and failed to generate spikes (hence termed “nonspiking mESC-OPCs”), while expressing the delayed rectifier and inactivating potassium currents. By ectopically expressing NaV1.2 α subunit via viral transduction, we successfully generated mESC-OPCs with spiking properties (termed “spiking mESC-OPCs”). After transplantation into the spinal cord and brain of myelin-deficient shiverer mice, the spiking mESC-OPCs demonstrated better capability in differentiating into myelin basic protein expressing oligodendrocytes and in myelinating axons in vivo than the nonspiking mESC-OPCs. Thus, by generating spiking and nonspiking mESC-OPCs, this study reveals a novel function of NaV in OPCs in their functional maturation and myelination, and sheds new light on ways to effectively develop PSC-derived OPCs for future clinical applications. Stem Cells  2013;31:2620–2631
WIREs Climate Change after 4 years: an editorial essay
Authors: Hulme Mike
Published: August 2013

The first issue of WIREs (Wiley Interdisciplinary Reviews) Climate Change appeared in January 2010 and nearly 4 years later the journal has published over 200 review articles at the average rate of more than one per week. Over these 4 years, the journal has made a unique, visible, and valuable contribution to the burgeoning and broadening scholarship on climate change. This reflects not only the vision and work of the Executive Editorial Board, but also the way in which the idea of climate change continues to take on new meanings as it meets and shapes new physical processes and cultural practices. In this editorial I reflect on the contribution of WIREs Climate Change to this scholarship and assess the achievements of the journal to date. WIREs Clim Change 2014, 5:1–5. doi: 10.1002/wcc.248

This article is categorized under:

Perceptions, Behavior, and Communication of Climate Change > Communication

Climate, History, Society, Culture > Ideas and Knowledge
Research on atmospheric turbulence by Wilfried Brutsaert and collaborators
Authors: Dias Nelson L.
Published: August 2013

In this paper, several lines of investigation of atmospheric turbulence, by Wilfried Brutsaert, his students, and collaborators, are reviewed. Overall, we classify these lines asK‐theory, surface roughness parameterization dealing with momentum and scalar fluxes, radiative effects on temperature fluctuations, stable conditions, scalar similarity, and atmospheric boundary‐layer parameterization. Emphasis is placed on turbulence parameterization. Although these topics are presented more or less in chronological order, this order is broken whenever connections need to be established. Hopefully, these connections are the most interesting part of this review: it is there that Brutsaert's insights and long‐range scientific questions may be found. His approach invariably included a careful formulation of the physical and mathematical basis of the problem at hand, and proceeded to focus on some essential issues that allowed analytical, numerical or statistical treatment. There is much to be learned from this approach; it is hoped that some of it can be glimpsed here.
Some aspects of self-duality and generalised BPS theories
Authors: Adam C. , Ferreira L. A. , da Hora E. , Wereszczynski A. , Zakrzewski W. J.
Published: August 2013

Abstract

If a scalar field theory in (1+1) dimensions possesses soliton solutions obeying first order BPS equations, then, in general, it is possible to find an infinite number of related field theories with BPS solitons which obey closely related BPS equations. We point out that this fact may be understood as a simple consequence of an appropriately generalised notion of self-duality. We show that this self-duality framework enables us to generalize to higher dimensions the construction of new solitons from already known solutions. By performing simple field transformations our procedure allows us to relate solitons with different topological properties. We present several interesting examples of such solitons in two and three dimensions.
One‐Stage Urethroplasty for Urethral Strictures at the Ladoke Akintola University of Technology Teaching Hospital, Osogbo, South Western Nigeria
Authors: Eziyi Amogu K. , Olajide Abimbola O. , Etonyeaku Amarachukwu C. , Ojewuyi Olufemi O. , Eziyi Josephine A. E. , Adeyanju Temiloluwa , Adeyemo Lukman
Published: August 2013

Background

Urethral stricture, a common urologic condition, is probably the most common cause of urinary retention in tropical Africa and a frequent cause of lower urinary tract symptoms worldwide. This study aimed at presenting our experience with one‐stage urethroplasty at the Ladoke Akintola University of Technology Teaching Hospital Osogbo, Nigeria.

Methods

All male patients who underwent one‐stage urethroplasty between December 2005 and December 2011 were studied retrospectively. Details of their presentation and management were reviewed.

Results

A total of 50 patients aged 2–75 years (mean ± SD 44.2 ± 21.53 years) with a urethral stricture underwent one‐stage urethroplasty. The modal age group was 61–75 years (26 %). In all, 27 (54 %) patients were >40 years. Strictures following previous urethritis were more common (29, 58 %) than those seen after trauma (21, 42 %). Strictures following trauma were more common in men ≤40 years (52.2 %), and 69 % of strictures in men >40 years were infective in origin. Altogether, 88 % of strictures were exclusively found in the anterior urethra. In all, 32 (64 %) patients had bacteriuria at presentation. Strictures ≥2 cm with extensive fibrosis were noted in 21 (42 %). Excision of scar tissue was done, followed by end‐to‐end anastomosis in 32 (64 %), penile pedicle flap in 16 (32 %), and buccal mucosal graft in 2 (4 %) of the patients. Wound infection was the most common complication. Overall, 76 % of patients achieved a urine flow rate of 15 ml/s and postvoid residual urine of ≤50 ml.

Conclusions

One‐stage urethroplasty offered satisfactory results in the study group. It is recommended for urethral reconstruction in men with urethral stricture.
Antidyslipidemic and Antioxidant Effects of Novel Lupeol‐Derived Chalcones
Authors: Srivastava Shishir , Sonkar Ravi , Mishra Sunil Kumar , Tiwari Avinash , Balramnavar Vishal , Mir Snober , Bhatia Gitika , Saxena Anil K. , Lakshmi Vijai
Published: August 2013

A series of Lupeol‐based chalcones have been synthesized aiming to enhance the therapeutic efficacy of parent compound, the novel compounds were evaluated for their antidyslipidemic activity in triton‐WR 1339 induced hyperlipidemic rats. Among the ten synthesized chalcones, the most active K4, K8, and K9 reversed the plasma levels of TC by (24, 25, 27 %), phospholipid by (25, 26, 25 %) and triacylglycerol by (27, 24, 24 %) respectively. In addition, the compounds showed significant in vitro antioxidant activity. The lipid lowering activity of these compounds were mediated through lipoprotein lipase activation (12–21 %) and enhanced post‐heparin lipolytic activity (15–16 %). The compounds also displayed noteworthy inhibitory effect on 3‐hydroxy‐3‐methyl‐glutaryl reductase activity (in vitro). The in vitro effect of the most active compounds on MDI‐induced adipogenesis using 3T3‐L1 preadipocytes at 10 and 20 μM concentrations showed significant inhibition (20–32 %) of adipogenesis.
Characterization of the supporting role of SecE in protein translocation
Authors: Lycklama a Nijeholt Jelger A. , de Keyzer Jeanine , Prabudiansyah Irfan , Driessen Arnold J.M.
Published: August 2013

SecYEG functions as a membrane channel for protein export. SecY constitutes the protein‐conducting pore, which is enwrapped by SecE in a V‐shaped manner. In its minimal form SecE consists of a single transmembrane segment that is connected to a surface‐exposed amphipathic α‐helix via a flexible hinge. These two domains are the major sites of interaction between SecE and SecY. Specific cleavage of SecE at the hinge region, which destroys the interaction between the two SecE domains, reduced translocation. When SecE and SecY were disulfide bonded at the two sites of interaction, protein translocation was not affected. This suggests that the SecY and SecE interactions are static, while the hinge region provides flexibility to allow the SecY pore to open.
Proteasome inhibition enhances resistance to DNA damage via upregulation of Rpn4‐dependent DNA repair genes
Authors: Karpov Dmitry S. , Spasskaya Daria S. , Tutyaeva Vera V. , Mironov Alexander S. , Karpov Vadim L.
Published: August 2013

The 26S proteasome is an ATP‐dependent multi‐subunit protease complex and the major regulator of intracellular protein turnover and quality control. However, its role in the DNA damage response is controversial. We addressed this question in yeast by disrupting the transcriptional regulation of the PRE1 proteasomal gene. The mutant strain has decreased proteasome activity and is hyper‐resistant to various DNA‐damaging agents. We found that Rpn4‐target genes MAG1, RAD23, and RAD52 are overexpressed in this strain due to Rpn4 stabilisation. These genes represent three different pathways of base excision, nucleotide excision and double strand break repair by homologous recombination (DSB‐HR). Consistently, the proteasome mutant displays increased DSB‐HR activity. Our data imply that the proteasome may have a negative role in DNA damage response.
Water extract of Pueraria lobata Ohwi has anti‐viral activity against human respiratory syncytial virus in human respiratory tract cell lines
Authors: Lin Tzeng‐Jih , Yeh Chia‐Feng , Wang Kuo‐Chih , Chiang Lien‐Chai , Tsai Jih‐Jin , Chang Jung‐San
Published: August 2013

Human respiratory syncytial virus (HRSV) infects all age groups and causes bronchiolitis, pneumonia, and acute respiratory distress syndrome with a significant mortality rate. To date, only ribavirin has been used to manage HRSV infection. However, ribavirin is expensive with an only modest effect. Furthermore, ribavirin has several side effects, which means it has limited clinical benefit. Pueraria lobata Ohwi (P. lobata) is a common ingredient of Ge‐Gen‐Tang (Kakkon‐to) and Sheng‐Ma‐Ge‐Gen‐Tang (Shoma‐kakkon‐to), which are prescriptions of Chinese traditional medicine proven to have antiviral activity against HRSV. Therefore, it was hypothesized that P. lobata might be effective against HRSV. To find a cost‐effective therapeutic modality, both human upper (HEp‐2) and lower (A549) respiratory tract cell lines were used to test the hypothesis that P. lobata could inhibit HRSV‐induced plaque formation. Results showed that the water extract of P. lobata was effective (p < 0.0001) against HRSV‐induced plaque formation. P. lobata was more effective when given prior to viral inoculation (p < 0.0001) by inhibiting viral attachment (p < 0.0001) and penetration (p < 0.0001). However, supplementation with P. lobata could not stimulate interferon secretion after HRSV infection. In conclusion, P. lobata has antiviral activity against HRSV‐induced plaque formation in airway mucosa mainly by inhibiting viral attachment and internalization. Further identification of effective constituents could contribute to the prevention of HRSV infection.
Quality of life in terminally ill patients – a challenge for future research
Authors: Meffert Cornelia , Becker Gerhild
Published: August 2013

Recent statistics reveal a substantial and even growing need for palliative care in present-day society. Providing adequate pain therapy remains a largely unsolved problem, mainly because of the small number of clinical studies in palliative medicine. Hence, clinical research is urgently needed – and therefore suitable tools to measure outcomes must be developed. Contrary to typical clinical studies, the usual outcome parameters such as decreased mortality and/or morbidity are unsuitable. Future research should focus on developing an instrument which allows to measure quality of life as the central outcome criterion of clinical studies in palliative medicine.
Confronting the Politics of Nonconforming Sexualities in Africa
Authors: Tamale Sylvia
Published: August 2013

The connections between democracy and sexuality—that is, between civil liberties and the protection of nonconforming sexualities—are rarely discussed in Africa. On the contrary, nonconforming sexualities have been instrumentalized to entrench dictatorships and to weaken democracy. As was the case in early twentieth-century Europe and North America, homophobia has become a political tool used by conservative politicians to promote self-serving agendas. Heterosexuality is also idealized by an acute ahistoricization of African politics by the Western media and civil society. The problem is also compounded by the distortion of African history promulgated by the dictatorial leadership on the continent.
The Morality of the U.N. Security Council Sanctions against Eritrea: Defensibility, Political Objectives, and Consequences
Authors: Bereketeab Redie
Published: August 2013

This article seeks to examine the sanctions imposed on Eritrea by the U.N. Security Council (UNSC) based on Eritrea’s alleged involvement in Somalia and its border dispute with Djibouti. It argues that the UNSC’s failure to sanction the parties for reneging on their commitment to implement the Permanent Court of Arbitration’s verdict on the border dispute between Eritrea and Ethiopia casts doubt on the morality of the sanctions. It also argues that the decision may have been driven by political motives. These sanctions will hurt the people of Eritrea and the Eritrean nation, and indeed, there is a real risk that the outcome of the sanctions could be the collapse of the Eritrean state.
Obama’s Africa Policy: The Limits of Symbolic Power
Authors: Zeleza Paul Tiyambe
Published: August 2013

The election of Barack Obama as the first African-descended president of the United States in 2008 was greeted with euphoria in the U.S. and around the world, including Africa. Little, however, changed in the substance of U.S.–Africa relations. This underscores the limits of the symbolic politics of race and presidential personalities in the face of the structural imperatives of U.S. power and foreign policy in which African interests remain marginal and subordinate to U.S. interests. The article explores the structural contexts of foreign policy-making in the United States and what might be expected from the second Obama administration.
Africa: Beware of Obama’s Second Term
Authors: Samatar Abdi Ismail
Published: August 2013

Obama’s rise to the U.S. presidency in 2008 gave many supporters of Africa the false hope that U.S. policy toward Africa would become more progressive. When such a shift failed to transpire, advocates argued that the major economic crisis in the U.S. monopolized the president’s attention and that his second term would create new opportunities for the continent. These claims failed to take into account the deep-rooted U.S. interests that dominate Africa policy with or without Obama. In addition, most of the Africa advocates have ignored the influence of the new breed of African Americans who staff key positions in the Department of State and whose priority is their own careers rather than a just policy toward the continent. Finally, most African leaders have not advocated for African interests and instead have pursued their particularistic agendas, leaving Africa vulnerable. Given this context, it is unlikely that Obama’s second term will introduce an Africa-friendly policy.
Hopf type rigidity for thermostats
Authors: ASSYLBEKOV YERNAT M. , DAIRBEKOV NURLAN S.
Published: August 2013

We study the motion of a particle on a Riemannian 2-torus under the influence of a magnetic field and a Gaussian thermostat. We prove a Hopf type rigidity for this dynamical system without conjugate points.
Area-preserving diffeomorphisms of the torus whose rotation sets have non-empty interior
Authors: ADDAS-ZANATA SALVADOR
Published: August 2013

In this paper we consider${C}^{1+ \epsilon } $area-preserving diffeomorphisms of the torus $f$, either homotopic to the identity or to Dehn twists. We suppose that$f$has a lift$\widetilde {f} $to the plane such that its rotation set has interior and prove, among other things, that if zero is an interior point of the rotation set, then there exists a hyperbolic$\widetilde {f} $-periodic point$\widetilde {Q} \in { \mathbb{R} }^{2} $such that${W}^{u} (\widetilde {Q} )$intersects${W}^{s} (\widetilde {Q} + (a, b))$for all integers$(a, b)$, which implies that$ \overline{{W}^{u} (\widetilde {Q} )} $is invariant under integer translations. Moreover,$ \overline{{W}^{u} (\widetilde {Q} )} = \overline{{W}^{s} (\widetilde {Q} )} $and$\widetilde {f} $restricted to$ \overline{{W}^{u} (\widetilde {Q} )} $is invariant and topologically mixing. Each connected component of the complement of$ \overline{{W}^{u} (\widetilde {Q} )} $is a disk with diameter uniformly bounded from above. If$f$is transitive, then$ \overline{{W}^{u} (\widetilde {Q} )} = { \mathbb{R} }^{2} $and$\widetilde {f} $is topologically mixing in the whole plane.
Abelian maximal pattern complexity of words
Authors: KAMAE TETURO , WIDMER STEVEN , ZAMBONI LUCA Q.
Published: August 2013

In this paper, we study the maximal pattern complexity of infinite words up to Abelian equivalence. We compute a lower bound for the Abelian maximal pattern complexity of infinite words which are both recurrent and aperiodic by projection. We show that in the case of binary words, the bound is actually achieved and gives a characterization of recurrent aperiodic words.
The Indian Voice: Connecting Self-Representation and Identity Formulation in Diaspora
Authors: Nasar Saima
Published: August 2013

This article examines a previously overlooked publication titled The Indian Voice of British East Africa, Uganda and Zanzibar. Printed in Nairobi between 1911 and 1913, the Indian Voice has been dismissed by some scholars as “insignificant” in the wider context of Kenya’s militant press. As an important tool for discovering, exploring and analyzing the nature of racial hierarchies, diasporic identity and belonging, this article argues that the Indian Voice can be used to understand how “new kinds of self-representation” both emerged and dissolved in early twentieth-century East Africa. By contextualizing the historical significance of the newspaper, it demonstrates how the Indian Voice offers an invaluable means of generating new insights into the complex cultural and political formulations of Indian identities in diaspora. In doing so, this article contributes to remapping the historical perspective of East African Indians within the early colonial period.
The Legacy of Pierre Fatumbi Verger in the Whydah Historical Museum (Benin): Development of an Ambivalent Concept of Hybridity
Authors: Seiderer Anna
Published: August 2013

This article analyses the ambivalent legacy of Pierre Verger in the Whydah Historical Museum (Benin). Created in the Portuguese fort once used for the Atlantic slave trade and transformed into a museum in 1967, it is dedicated to the history of the region and its cultural consequences. This article examines the distinction between the way Verger used his photographs as a tool for anthropological exploration and the reinterpretation of those pictures by way of an ideological discourse once they were fixed in a museological context.