bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Le cerf-volant d'une constellation
Authors: Popescu-Pampu Patrick
Published: December 2013

On considère un point lisse

O

d'une surface analytique complexe

S

. Une constellation basée en

O

est un ensemble de points infiniment voisins de

O

. Les constellations finies sont codées combinatoirement soit à l'aide d'un diagramme d'Enriques, soit à l'aide du graphe dual du diviseur obtenu en éclatant les points, deux arbres décorés. Des algorithmes de passage d'un arbre à l'autre sont connus, mais aucun ne permet de se représenter géométriquement leur relation. Nous associons ici à chaque constellation un complexe simplicial de dimension deux, appelé son cerf-volant, qui contient canoniquement le diagramme d'Enriques et le graphe dual. De plus, les décorations de ces deux arbres s'expriment très simplement en termes de la géométrie affine du cerf-volant. La transition vers les calculs de fractions continues, ubiquitaires dans ce contexte, est assurée par des plongements partiels des cerfs-volants dans un complexe simplicial canoniquement associé à une base d'un réseau, son lotus universel. Cette dernière notion est généralisée en toutes dimensions.
Continua as minimal sets of homeomorphisms of $S^2$
Authors: Matsumoto Shigenori , Nakayama Hiromichi
Published: December 2013

Let

f

be an orientation preserving homeomorphism of

S^2

which has a continuum

X

as a minimal set. Then there are exactly two connected components of

S^2\setminus X

which are left invariant by

f

and all the others are wandering. The Carathéodory rotation number of an invariant component is irrational.
Siegel's mass formula and averages of Dirichlet $L$-functions over function fields
Authors: Maciak Piotr , Morales Jorge
Published: December 2013

Let

\mathfrak G

be a genus of definite ternary lattices over

\mathbb F_q[t]

of square-free determinant. In this paper we give self-contained and relatively elementary proofs of Siegel's formulas for the weighted sum of primitive representation numbers over the classes of

\mathfrak G

and for the mass of

\mathfrak G

. Our proof of the mass formula shows an interesting and seemingly new relation with certain averages of Dirichlet

L

-functions.
Exemples de variétés projectives strictement convexes de volume fini en dimension quelconque
Authors: Marquis Ludovic
Published: December 2013

Nous construisons des exemples de variétés projectives

\Omega/\Gamma

proprement convexes de volume fini, non hyperboliques, non compactes en toute dimension

n \ge 2

. Ceci nous permet au passage de construire des sous-groupes discrets Zariski-denses

\Gamma

de

\mathrm {SL}_{n+1}(\mathbb{R})

qui ne sont ni des réseaux de

mathrm {SL}_{n+1}(\mathbb{R})

, ni des groupes de Schottky. De plus, les ouverts proprement convexes

\Omega

ainsi construits sont strictement convexes, même Gromov-hyperboliques. Enfin, on donne une condition suffisante pour que le recollement de variétés projectives convexes à bord totalement géodésique soit une variété projective convexe.
Circle-valued momentum maps for symplectic periodic flows
Authors: Pelayo Alvaro , Ratiu Tudor S.
Published: December 2013

We give a detailed proof of the well-known classical fact that every symplectic circle action on a compact manifold admits a circle-valued momentum map relative to some symplectic form. This momentum map is Morse-Bott-Novikov and each connected component of the fixed point set has even index. These proofs do not seem to have appeared elsewhere.
Alternating quotients of free groups
Authors: Wilton Henry
Published: December 2013

We strengthen Marshall Hall's theorem to show that free groups are locally extended residually alternating. Let

F

be any free group of rank at least two, let

H

be a finitely generated subgroup of infinite index in

F

and let

\{\gamma_1,\ldots,\gamma_n\}\subseteq F\smallsetminus H

be a finite subset. Then there is a surjection

f

from

F

to a finite alternating group such that

f(\gamma_i)\notin f(H)

for any

i

. The techniques of this paper can also provide symmetric quotients.
Some bounds on the coefficients of covering curves
Authors: Fisher Tom
Published: December 2013

We compute bounds on the coefficients of the equations defining everywhere locally soluble

n

-coverings of elliptic curves over the rationals for

n

= 2,3,4. Our proofs use recent work of the author with Cremona and Stoll on the minimisation of genus one curves, together with standard results from the geometry of numbers. We use the same methods to give a criterion (satisfied by only a finite number of "small'' elliptic curves) for ruling out the existence of elements of order

3

in the Tate-Shafarevich group.
The surjectivity of the combinatorial Laplacian on infinite graphs
Authors: Ceccherini-Silberstein Tullio , Coornaert Michel , Dodziuk Jozef
Published: December 2013

Given a connected locally finite simplicial graph

G

with vertex set

V

, the combinatorial Laplacian

\Delta_G \colon \mathbb R^V \to \mathbb R^V

is defined on the space of all real-valued functions on

V

. We prove that

\Delta_G

is surjective if

G

is infinite.
The Tambara-Yamagami categories and 3-manifold invariants
Authors: Turaev Vladimir , Vainerman Leonid
Published: December 2013

We prove that if two Tambara-Yamagami categories

\mathcal{TY}(A,\chi,\nu)

and

\mathcal{TY}(A',\chi',\nu')

give rise to the same state sum invariants of 3-manifolds and the order of one of the groups

A, A'

is odd, then

\nu=\nu'

and there is a group isomorphism

A\approx A'

carrying

\chi

to

\chi'

. The proof is based on an explicit computation of the state sum invariants for the lens spaces of type

(k,1)

.
The theory of Schur polynomials revisited
Authors: Tamvakis Harry
Published: December 2013

We use Young's raising operators to give short and uniform proofs of several well-known results about Schur polynomials and symmetric functions, starting from the Jacobi-Trudi identity.
Generating the Torelli group
Authors: Hatcher Allen , Margalit Dan
Published: December 2013

We give a new proof of the theorem of Birman–Powell that the Torelli subgroup of the mapping class group of a closed orientable surface of genus at least

3

is generated by simple homeomorphisms known as
bounding pair maps
. The key ingredient is a proof that the subcomplex of the curve complex of the surface spanned by curves within a fixed homology class is connected.
Rank of mapping tori and companion matrices
Authors: Levitt Gilbert , Metaftsis Vassilis
Published: December 2013

Given an element

\varphi\in \mathrm {GL}(d,\mathbb Z)

, consider the mapping torus defined as the semidirect product

G=\mathbb Z^d\rtimes_\varphi\mathbb Z

. We show that one can decide whether

G

has rank

2

or not (i.e.\ whether

G

may be generated by two elements). When

G

is 2-generated, one may classify generating pairs up to Nielsen equivalence. If

\varphi

has infinite order, we show that the rank of

\mathbb Z^d\rtimes_{\varphi^n}\mathbb Z

is at least 3 for all

n

large enough; equivalently,

\varphi^n

is not conjugate to a companion matrix in GL

(d,\mathbb Z)

if

n

is large.
Roots of complex polynomials and foci of real algebraic curves
Authors: Casas-Alvero Eduardo
Published: December 2013

We give a new proof of results of B. Z. Linfield presenting the roots of the derivative of a complex polynomial as the foci of a certain real algebraic curve in the complex plane

\mathbb C

.
The distribution of closed geodesics on the modular surface, and Duke's theorem
Authors: Einsiedler Manfred , Lindenstrauss Elon , Michel Philippe , Venkatesh Akshay
Published: December 2013

We give an ergodic theoretic proof of a theorem of Duke about equidistribution of closed geodesics on the modular surface. The proof is closely related to the work of Yu. Linnik and B. Skubenko, who in particular proved this equidistribution under an additional congruence assumption on the discriminant. We give a more conceptual treatment using entropy theory, and show how to use positivity of the discriminant as a substitute for Linnik's congruence condition.
Some remarks on meromorphic first integrals
Authors: Brunella Marco
Published: December 2013

A scholium on a paper by Cerveau and Lins Neto.
Quelques exemples élémentaires de feuilletages holomorphes et d'hypersurfaces Levi-plates
Authors: Cerveau Dominique
Published: December 2013

Le texte qui suit ne se veut pas une exégèse de l'article de Marco Brunella publié dans ce même volume. Le style épuré, minimaliste, d'une grande précision que Marco affectionnait va droit au concept, à la profondeur du résultat; le spécialiste du sujet y trouve bien souvent une nouvelle compréhension, une nouvelle esthétique. Il n'est par ailleurs pas rare, et on le vérifie dans [2], que Marco mette en exergue la beauté de tel ou tel fait. Le néophyte quant à lui ressentira sans doute un sentiment d'impuissance, de doute face à cette magnifique montagne, ... d'évidence d'accès difficile. Aussi plutôt qu'une lecture suivie du texte, qui ne pourrait que le dénaturer, nous proposons une liste d'exemples, de faits élémentaires, sur lesquels le lecteur pourra s'appuyer et découvrir les cairns à peine perceptibles qui balisent de fait ce très bel article.
Géométrie algébrique par morceaux, $K$-équivalence et motifs
Authors: Ivorra Florian , Sebag Julien
Published: December 2013

Soit

k

un corps algébriquement clos de caractéristique zéro. Deux

k

-variétés

K

-équivalentes sont-elles isomorphes par morceaux ? Ont-elles des motifs de Chow ou des groupes de Chow isomorphes ? Dans cet article, nous relions toutes ces questions entre elles. Nous justifions les liens en question, en nous fondant sur certaines conjectures et certains résultats classiques de théorie des motifs, mais également en prouvant quelques énoncés non conjecturaux. Tous ces éléments fournissent les premiers indices de l'existence de telles relations.
Une preuve plus immobilière du théorème de «saturation» de Kapovich–Leeb–Millson
Authors: Bardy-Panse Nicole , Charignon Cyril , Gaussent Stéphane , Rousseau Guy
Published: December 2013

We give a more building-oriented and somewhat simpler proof of the « saturation » theorem of Kapovich and Millson for any complex semisimple group. The main difference with their approach lies in the combinatorial part of the proof. We state a theorem of folding/unfolding triangles in the affine building, only in combinatorial terms. For the analytical part, we gather materials that appear in distinct papers of Kapovich, Leeb and Millson to complete the proof.
Le produit harmonique des suites
Authors: Candelpergher Bernard , Coppo Marc-Antoine
Published: December 2013

By means of an involutary binomial transformation on complex sequences, we define a new product called “harmonic” because of its remarkable properties towards harmonic sums. The Euler series transformation allows one to deduce from these properties some new and remarkable identities.
Triangle groups, automorphic forms, and torus knots
Authors: Tsanov Valdemar V.
Published: December 2013

This article is concerned with the relation between several classical and well-known objects: triangle Fuchsian groups,

\mathbb{C}^\times

-equivariant singularities of plane curves, torus knot complements in the 3-sphere. The prototypical example is the modular group

PSL_2(\mathbb Z)

: the quotient of the nonzero tangent bundle on the upper-half plane by the action of

PSL_2(\mathbb Z)

is biholomorphic to the complement of the plane curve

z^3-27w^2=0

. This can be shown using the fact that the algebra of modular forms is doubly generated, by

g_2,g_3

, and the cusp form

\Delta=g_2^3-27g_3^2

does not vanish on the half-plane. As a byproduct, one finds a diffeomorphism between

PSL_2(\mathbb R)/PSL_2(\mathbb Z)

and the complement of the trefoil knot - the local knot of the singular curve. This construction is generalized to include all

(p,q,\infty)

-triangle groups and, respectively, curves of the form

z^q+w^p=0

and

(p,q)

-torus knots, for

p,q

co-prime. The general case requires the use of automorphic forms on the simply connected group

\widetilde{SL_2}(\mathbb R)

. The proof uses ideas of Milnor and Dolgachev, which they introduced in their studies of the spectra of the algebras of automorphic forms of cocompact triangle groups (and, more generally, uniform lattices). It turns out that the same approach, with some modifications, allows one to handle the cuspidal case.
How to turn a tetrahedron into a cube and similar transformations
Authors: Shephard G.C.
Published: December 2013

Suppose that the surface of a polyhedron

P_{1}

is cut in such a way that it can be opened out flat to form a connected region

R

in the plane and that

R

, by introducing suitable folds, can be made into the net of a polyhedron

P_{2}

. Then we write

P_{1} \Rightarrow P_{2}

and say that

P_{1}

is
transformed
into

P_{2}

. In this paper we give many examples of the transformation of polyhedra and investigate the properties of the relation

\Rightarrow

.
Geometric covering arguments and ergodic theorems for free groups
Authors: Bowen Lewis , Nevo Amos
Published: December 2013

We present a new approach to the proof of ergodic theorems for actions of non-amenable groups, and give here a complete self-contained account of it in the case of free groups. Our approach is based on direct geometric covering arguments and asymptotic invariance arguments generalizing those developed in the ergodic theory of amenable groups. The results we describe go beyond those previously established for measure-preserving actions of free groups, and demonstrate the significant role the boundary action of the free group plays in the ergodic theory of its measure-preserving actions. Furthermore, our approach suggests the possibility of putting the ergodic theory of amenable groups and nonamenable groups on an equal footing : both can be viewed as special cases in the general ergodic theory of amenable ergodic equivalence relations with finite invariant measure.
Projections and relative hyperbolicity
Authors: Sisto Alessandro
Published: December 2013

We give an alternative definition of relative hyperbolicity based on properties of closest-point projections on peripheral subgroups. We also derive a distance formula for relatively hyperbolic groups, similar to the one for mapping class groups.
Almost-periodic action on the real line
Authors: Deroin Bertrand
Published: December 2013

A homeomorphism of the real line is
almost-periodic
if the set of its conjugates by the translations is relatively compact in the compact open topology. Our main result states that an action of a finitely generated group on the real line without global fixed points is conjugated to an action by almost-periodic homeomorphisms without almost fixed points. This is equivalent to saying that the real line together with the translation flow can be compactified as an orbit of a free action of

\mathbb R

on a compact space, together with an action of the group by homeomorphisms
withou
global fixed points. As an application we give an alternative proof of Witte’s theorem: an amenable left orderable group is locally indicable.
Advective transport of diazotrophs and importance of their nitrogen fixation on new and primary production in the western Pacific warm pool
Authors: Shiozaki Takuhei , Kodama Taketoshi , Kitajima Satoshi , Sato Mitsuhide , Furuya Ken
Published: December 2013

The western Pacific warm pool (WPWP) is a region of low nutrient and chlorophyll concentrations in which new production is generally considered to be supported by upward fluxes of nitrate from the deep water. A 19 d observation of nitrogen (N2) fixation activity and diazotroph abundance along with primary production and nitrate assimilation rate was made at a fixed station in the WPWP. N2 fixation activities accounted for less than half the nitrate assimilation in the first 9 d, then rapidly increased in association with southward current inflow after day 10 and exceeded the nitrate assimilation rate on day 13. During days 11 to 15, soluble reactive phosphorus (SRP) at the surface (39 ± 15 nmol L−1) was significantly decreased compared with that in the first 10 d (61 ± 5 nmol L−1), and nano‐sized diazotrophs became abundant. Then SRP at the surface further decreased to 20 ± 5 nmol L−1 after day 17, and Trichodesmium and Richelia intracellularis increased concomitant with the reduction of nano‐sized diazotrophs abundance. Both chlorophyll a and primary production increased after day 10, while nitrate assimilation did not increase. Primary production was not correlated with nitrate assimilation but was significantly correlated with N2 fixation, indicating that N2 fixation‐derived nitrogen was the primary source supporting primary production. Time‐series revealed that advective transport of diazotrophs played a critical role in stimulating new and primary production and changed the nutrient inventory.
Modeling the dissolved CO2 system in the redox environment of the Baltic Sea
Authors: Edman Moa , Omstedt Anders
Published: December 2013

Generation and depletion of total alkalinity (AT) were added to a Baltic Sea numerical model. The vertical distribution of generation and depletion of total alkalinity were described and attributed to different processes in the Eastern Gotland basin at the Gotland deep station (BY15) during the 1995‐2004 period. At this site, the mean annual generation (28.2 µmol kg−1 yr−1) and depletion (−25.8 µmol kg−1 yr−1) were almost balanced, though the transient rates were much faster (+125/−340 µmol kg−1 yr−1). The mean volume‐integrated AT content increased up to 50 µmol kg−1 when generation and depletion were added to the model. The AT changes were coupled to oxidation‐reduction (redox) reactions and the model budget indicates that internal generation and depletions is as important as lateral transports, including riverine input, at this site. Model predictive capability in marine environments with strong biogeochemical gradients was improved by coupling within the dissolved CO2, and the biogeochemical, systems. This enables evaluation of eutrophication, acidification, and climate change simultaneously, and is important specifically in regions with permanent or periodic anoxia.
Antecedentes da Eficiência Produtiva na Manufatura: experiências do setor moveleiro brasileiro
Authors: Silveira Rebecca Impelizieri Moura da , Martins Ricardo Silveira , Lopes Ana Lúcia Miranda , Alves Alexandre Florindo
Published: December 2013

O artigo objetiva identificar os fatores que determinam as características produtivas diferenciadoras entre as empresas tecnicamente eficientes e ineficientes na indústria, tomando-se o caso do setor moveleiro no Brasil. A amostragem de empresas obedeceu, principalmente, a critérios de acessibilidade, garantindo, no entanto, as premissas de homogeneidade e confiabilidade dos dados. A coleta de dados ocorreu in loco (maio a setembro de 2011) tendo como respondentes, em sua maioria, os gestores das empresas. A análise dos dados está baseada em escores de eficiência obtidos por meio de Data Envelopment Analysis. As empresas eficientes na produção podem ser definidas como de médio porte e produção empurrada. Ademais, desenvolvem internamente boa parte de seus processos, terceirizando com menor ênfase as pesquisas com o consumidor e desenvolvimento de novos produtos, estão há relativamente pouco tempo no mercado e têm maior perfil inovativo. Porém, são aquelas que têm melhores sistemas de controle da produção, apresentando produtos com maior qualidade e com menores custos unitários de fabricação.
Subclasses of close-to-convex functions
Authors: Singh Harjinder , Mehrok B.S.
Published: December 2013

We introduce some subclasses of close-to-convex functions and obtain sharp results for coefficients, distortion theorems and argument theorems from which results of several authors follows as special cases.
Generic riemannian submersions
Authors: Fatima Tanveer , Ali Shahid
Published: December 2013

B. Sahin [12] introduced the notion of semi-invariant Riemannian submersions as a generalization of anti-invariant Riemmanian submersions [11]. As a generalization to semi-invariant Riemannian submersions we introduce the notion of generic submersion from an almost Hermitian manifold onto a Riemannian manifold and investigate the geometry of foliations which arise from the definition of a generic Riemannian submersion and find necessary and sufficient condition for total manifold to be a generic product manifold. We also find necessary and sufficient conditions for a generic submersion to be totally geodesic.
Some Hermite-Hadamard type inequalities obtain via Riemann-Liouville fractional calculus
Authors: Mihai Marcela V.
Published: December 2013

We provide some new Hermite-Hadamard type inequalities for functions whose derivatives in absolute value are convex, via Riemann-Liouville fractional integration.
On a characterization of generalized Erlang-truncated exponential distribution through distributional properties of dual generalized order statistics
Authors: Shah Imtiyaz A.
Published: December 2013

Generalized Erlang-truncated exponential distribtion ${F(x)=[1-e^{-\beta(1-e^{-\lambda})x}]}$ has been characterized through translation of two non-adjacent dual generalized order statistics (dgos) and then the characterizing results are obtained for generalized Pareto distribution through dilation of dual generalized order statistics (dgos) and generalized power function distribution through pcontraction of non-adjacent generalized order statistics (gos). Further, the results are deduced for order statistics, lower record statistics, upper record statistics and adjacent generalized order statistics and dual generalized order statistics.
Evaluating the State of Nature through Gameplay
Authors: Pollock Ryan ,   Philosophy Documentation Center
Published: December 2013

In this paper I present an in-class game designed to simulate the state of nature. I first explain the mechanics of the game, and how to administer it in the classroom. Then I address how the game can help introduce students to a number of important topics in political philosophy. In broad terms, the game serves to generate discussion regarding two main questions. (1) How does civil society come about? (2) Is the state of nature and the arrangement which arises from it fair? In so doing I suggest how the game can further student understanding of figures such as Aristotle, Hobbes, Locke, Hume, Rousseau, Marx, and Rawls.
Evidence for nonmigrating tides produced by the interaction between tides and stationary planetary waves in the stratosphere and lower mesosphere
Authors: Xu Jiyao , Smith A. K. , Liu Mohan , Liu Xiao , Gao Hong , Jiang Gouying , Yuan Wei
Published: December 2013

In this work, 11 years (2002–2012) of Thermosphere, Ionosphere, Mesosphere Energetics, and Dynamics/Sounding of the Atmosphere using Broadband Emission Radiometry (SABER) global temperature data are used to study the nonlinear interaction between stationary planetary waves (SPWs) and tides in the stratosphere and mesosphere. The holistic behavior of the nonlinear interactions between all SPWs and tides is analyzed from the point of view of energetics. The results indicate that the intensities of nonmigrating diurnal, semidiurnal, terdiurnal, and 6 h tides are strongest during winter and almost vanish during summer, synchronous with SPW activity. Temporal correlations between the SPWs and nonmigrating tides for these four tidal components are strong in the region poleward of 20° and below about 80 km. In the tropics, where the SPWs are very weak in all seasons, the correlations are small. Bispectral analysis between triads of waves and tides shows which particular interactions are likely to be responsible for the generation of the nonmigrating tides that are largest in the midlatitude stratosphere. Based on the more limited SABER observations at high latitudes, the correlations there are similar to those in midlatitudes during spring, summer, and autumn; there are no high‐latitude observations by SABER in winter. These results show that nonlinear interactions between SPWs and tides in the stratosphere and the lower mesosphere may be an important source of the nonmigrating tides that then propagate into the upper mesosphere and lower thermosphere.
Furfuryl alcohol functionalized graphene nanosheets for synthesis of high carbon yield novolak composites
Authors: Roghani‐Mamaqani Hossein , Haddadi‐Asl Vahid , Mortezaei Mehrzad , Khezri Khezrollah
Published: December 2013

Graphene oxide and furfuryl alcohol modified graphene nanosheets (G‐FA) were used to prepare graphene/novolak composites. Effect of graphene compatibilization on the properties of the composites especially carbon yield value is evaluated. Both types of graphene nanosheets were dispersed uniquely in the novolak matrix as proved by X‐ray diffraction analysis. However, modification of graphene sheets by furfuryl alcohol results in more improved dispersions. Thermogravimetric analysis confirms the elevated thermal stability of the nanocomposites in comparison with the neat novolak. In addition, G‐FA containing composites have higher carbon yield values. A shift in the wave number of characteristic bonds of graphene after oxidation and modification with furfuryl alcohol, OH, CO, and CO bonds, are seen in the Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy spectra. Raman results and scanning electron microscopy images show that graphene nanosheets reduced in size and wrinkled by oxidation and functionalization. Transmission electron microscopy image of the composite with 0.2 wt % of G‐FA reveals the presence of nanosheets with curvature. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2014, 131, 40273.
Modification of ibuprofen drug release from poly(ethylene glycol) layered silicate nanocomposites prepared by hot‐melt extrusion
Authors: Campbell Kayleen T. , Craig Duncan Q. M. , McNally Tony
Published: December 2013

Composites of the poorly water soluble drug ibuprofen, a nonsteroidal anti‐inflammatory commonly used for pain relief, with layered silicates (nanoclays) and a poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) were prepared by hot melt extrusion. A highly intercalated and partially exfoliated morphology was determined using wide‐angle x‐ray diffraction, field emission scanning electron microscopy, and high‐resolution transmission electron microscopy. The crystalline content of PEG was significantly reduced, as shown by differential scanning calorimetry studies, as a consequence of the large surface area of clay platelets physically hindering polymer chain dynamics and, in the case of montmorillonite, by tethering of PEG via hydrogen bonding. Addition of layered silicate retarded the release of ibuprofen from the PEG matrix, even though the crystalline content of PEG was reduced. This study therefore indicates that drug release in solid dispersion systems may be modified or indeed tailored by the inclusion of layered silicates. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2014, 131, 40284.
Zinc oxide nanoparticles catalyze rapid hydrolysis of poly(lactic acid) at low temperatures
Authors: Qu Meng , Tu Huilin , Amarante Miranda , Song Yi‐Qiao , Zhu S. Sherry
Published: December 2013

Poly(lactic acid) (PLA), a biobased, degradable polymer has been used recently in the field of oil and gas. These applications require rapid hydrolytic degradation of PLA especially at low temperatures. This work reports a simple and ready‐to‐scale up chemistry of using zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) to catalyze the hydrolytic degradation of PLA at the temperatures well below its glass transition temperature. Furthermore, for the first time, we have applied the nondestructive analytical method of 1H T2 NMR relaxometry to measure the apparent rate constants of PLA hydrolysis in solid, heterogeneous/composite systems that have multiple and complex reaction kinetics. We demonstrate that the activation energy for ZnO catalyzed PLA hydrolysis is about 38% lower than that of pure PLA hydrolysis. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2014, 131, 40287.
Theory of end‐labeled free‐solution electrophoresis: Is the end effect important?
Authors: Chubynsky Mykyta V. , Slater Gary W.
Published: December 2013

In the theory of free‐solution electrophoresis of a polyelectrolyte (such as the DNA) conjugated with a “drag‐tag,” the conjugate is divided into segments of equal hydrodynamic friction and its electrophoretic mobility is calculated as a weighted average of the mobilities of individual segments. If all the weights are assumed equal, then for an electrically neutral drag‐tag, the elution timetis predicted to depend linearly on the inverse DNA length. While it is well‐known that the equal‐weights assumption is approximate and in reality the weights increase toward the ends, this “end effect” has been assumed to be small, since in experiments thedependence seems to be nearly perfectly linear. We challenge this assumption pointing out that some experimental linear fits do not extrapolate to the free (i.e. untagged) DNA elution time in the limit, indicating nonlinearity outside the fitting range. We show that a theory for a flexible polymer taking the end effect into account produces a nonlinear curve that, however, can be fitted with a straight line over a limited range oftypical of experiments, but with a “wrong” intercept, which explains the experimental results without additional assumptions. We also study the influence of the flexibilities of the charged and neutral parts.
A physiologically-based pharmacokinetic model for disposition of 2,3,7,8-TCDD in fathead minnow and medaka
Authors: Parhizgari Zahra , Li James
Published: December 2013

A physiologically-based pharmacokinetic model was developed for the disposition of 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (2,3,7,8-TCDD) in 2 fish species—fathead minnow and medaka. The model was developed based on the empirical data on disposition of dioxins in fish tissues, as well as existing knowledge on the mechanisms of uptake, distribution, storage, and elimination of dioxins in various species (other than fish). The present study examined the applicability of mechanisms known to occur in other species for fish and concluded that the same mechanisms defined for disposition of 2,3,7,8-TCDD in (mostly) rodents can be applicable for the 2 fish species examined as well. Parameter values for the model were selected and/or calibrated using available databases. Model compartments included the gill, kidney, liver, and other richly-perfused tissues, as well as fat and other slowly-perfused tissues. The model was calibrated using 2 independent datasets for exposure of fathead minnow and medaka to 2,3,7,8-TCDD in water. The initial values of the model parameters were selected from several sources, and calibrated to represent the 2 exposure datasets. With very few exceptions, the estimated parameter values for the 2 species were comparable, and the final predictions were in strong agreement with the observations. The model developed in the present study can therefore be used in the prediction of the body burden of 2,3,7,8-TCDD in fathead minnow and medaka. Uncertainty in the model prediction as a result of variability in input parameters is discussed for the parameters with the highest impacts on the model outcome. Environ Toxicol Chem 2014;33:1064–1071. © 2014 SETAC
Bioaccumulation of triclosan and triclocarban in plants grown in soils amended with municipal dewatered biosolids
Authors: Prosser Ryan S. , Lissemore Linda , Topp Edward , Sibley Paul K.
Published: December 2013

Biosolids generally contain the microbiocidal agents triclosan (TCS) and triclocarban (TCC) that are persistent during wastewater treatment and sorp to organic material. The present study investigated the concentration of TCS in tissues of radish, carrot, and soybean grown in potted soil amended with biosolids. Highest mean concentrations of TCS in radish, carrot, and soybean root tissue midway through the life cycle were 24.8 ng/g, 49.8 ng/g, and 48.1 ng/g dry weight, respectively; by the conclusion of the test, however, concentrations had declined to 2.1 ng/g, 5.5 ng/g, and 8.4 ng/g dry weight, respectively. Highest mean concentrations of TCS in radish and carrot shoot tissue were 33.7 and 18.3 ng/g dry weight at days 19 and 45, respectively, but had declined to 13.7 ng/g and 5.5 ng/g dry weight at days 34 and 69, respectively. Concentration of TCS in all samples of soybean seeds was below method detection limit (i.e., 2.8 ng/g dry wt). The present study also examined the concentration of TCS and TCC in edible portions of green pepper, carrot, cucumber, tomato, radish, and lettuce plants grown in a field amended with biosolids. Triclosan was detected only in cucumber and radish up to 5.2 ng/g dry weight. Triclocarban was detected in carrot, green pepper, tomato, and cucumber up to 5.7 ng/g dry weight. On the basis of the present study and other studies, we estimate that vegetable consumption represents less than 0.5% of the acceptable daily intake of TCS and TCC. These results demonstrate that, if best management practices for land application of biosolids in Ontario are followed, the concentration of TCS and TCC in edible portions of plants represents a negligible exposure pathway to humans. Environ Toxicol Chem 2014;33:975–984. © 2014 SETAC
Source apportionment of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) into Central Park Lake, New York city, over a century of deposition
Authors: Yan Beizhan , Bopp Richard F. , Abrajano Teofilo A. , Chaky Damon , Chillrud Steven N.
Published: December 2013

Relative contributions of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) from combustion sources of wood, petroleum, and coal were computed in sediments from Central Park Lake in New York City (NY, USA) by chemical mass balance based on several reliable source indicators. These indicators are the ratio of retene to the sum of retene and chrysene, the ratio of 1,7-dimethylphenanthrene (DMP) to 1,7-DMP and 2,6-DMP, and the ratio of fluroanthene to fluroanthene and pyrene. The authors found that petroleum combustion–derived PAH fluxes generally followed the historical consumption data of New York State. Coal combustion-derived PAH flux peaked approximately in the late 1910s, remained at a relatively high level over the next 3 decades, then rapidly declined from the 1950s to the 1960s; according to historical New York State coal consumption data, however, there was a 2-peak trend, with peaks around the early 1920s and the mid-1940s. The 1940s peak was not observed in Central Park Lake, most likely because of the well-documented shift from coal to oil as the major residential heating fuel in New York City during the late 1930s. It was widely believed that the decreased PAH concentrations and fluxes in global sediments during the last century resulted from a major energy shift from coal to petroleum. The data, however, show that this shift occurred from 1945 through the 1960s and did not result in an obvious decline. The sharpest decrease, which occurred in the 1970s was not predominantly related to coal usage but rather was the result of multiple factors, including a decline in petroleum usage largely, the introduction of low sulfur–content fuel in New York City, and the introduction of emission-control technologies. Environ Toxicol Chem 2014;33:985–992. © 2014 SETAC
1,2-dibromo-4-(1,2 dibromoethyl) cyclohexane (TBECH)–mediated steroid hormone receptor activation and gene regulation in chicken LMH cells
Authors: Asnake Solomon , Pradhan Ajay , Banjop-Kharlyngdoh Joubert , Modig Carina , Olsson Per-Erik
Published: December 2013

The incorporation of brominated flame retardants into industrial and household appliances has increased their occurrence in the environment, resulting in deleterious effects on wildlife. With the increasing restraints on available compounds, there has been a shift to using brominated flame retardants that has seen the production of alternative brominated flame retardants such as 1,2-dibromo-4-(1,2 dibromoethyl) cyclohexane (TBECH), which has been detected in the environment. In previous in silico and in vitro studies the authors have shown that TBECH can activate both the human androgen receptor (hAR) and the zebrafish AR (zAR) suggesting that it is a potential endocrine disruptor. The present study was aimed at determining the interaction of TBECH with the chicken AR (cAR). In the present study, TBECH bound to cAR, but in vitro activation assay studies using the chicken LMH cell line showed it had a potency of only 15% compared with testosterone. Sequence difference between ARs from different species may contribute to the different responses to TBECH. Further quantitative reverse-transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) analysis showed that TBECH interacted with and altered the expression of both thyroid receptors and estrogen receptors. In addition, the qRT-PCR analysis showed that TBECH altered the transcription pattern of genes involved in inflammatory, apoptotic, proliferative, DNA methylation, and drug-metabolizing pathways. This demonstrates that TBECH, apart from activating cAR, can also influence multiple biological pathways in the chicken. Environ Toxicol Chem 2014;33:891–899. © 2013 SETAC
Glioma Risks Associate With Genetic Polymorphisms of XRCC1 Gene in Chinese Population
Authors: Feng Xingjun , Miao Guozhuan , Han Yipeng , Xu Yi , Wu Huayun
Published: December 2013

Glioma is the most common type of primary brain tumors in adults. Previous evidence indicates that the X‐ray repair cross‐complementing group 1 gene (XRCC1) is an important candidate gene which influencing the pathogenesis of glioma. This study aims to assess the potential associations between glioma risks and genetic polymorphisms of XRCC1 gene. A total of 1,286 Chinese Han ethnic subjects consisting of 638 glioma patients and 648 controls were recruited in this case‐control study. The genotyping of XRCC1 genetic polymorphisms (c.482C>T, c.1161G>A, and c.1804C>A) were conducted using the polymerase chain reaction‐restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR‐RFLP), created restriction site‐PCR (CRS‐PCR) and DNA sequencing methods. Our data indicated that the allelic and genotypic frequencies of these genetic polymorphisms in glioma patients were significantly different from those of controls. We detected that the alleles/genotypes were statistically associated with the increased risks of glioma (for c.482C>T, TT versus (vs.) CC: OR = 2.24, 95% CI = 1.48–3.39, P < 0.001; T vs. C: OR = 1.30, 95% CI = 1.09–1.53, P = 0.003; for c.1161G>A, AA vs. GG: OR = 1.62, 95% CI = 1.11–2.35, P = 0.012; A vs. G: OR = 1.19, 95% CI = 1.01–1.41, P = 0.040; for c.1804C>A, AA vs. CC: OR = 2.12, 95% CI = 1.45–3.11, P < 0.001; A vs. C: OR = 1.32, 95% CI = 1.12–1.56, P = 0.001). Our findings suggest that these genetic polymorphisms of XRCC1 gene may influence glioma risks in Chinese Han ethnic subjects, and might be potential molecular markers for evaluating glioma risks. J. Cell. Biochem. 115: 1122–1127, 2014. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Down Regulation of miR200c Promotes Radiation‐Induced Thymic Lymphoma by Targeting BMI1
Authors: Cui Jianguo , Cheng Ying , Zhang Pei , Sun Mingjuan , Gao Fu , Liu Cong , Cai Jianming
Published: December 2013

The miR‐200c has recently been implicated in the epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT) process by directly target the EMT related transcriptional factors ZEB1 and ZEB2. The expression of this miRNA is inversely correlated with tumorgenecity and invasiveness in several human cancers. However, little is known about the expression and targets of the miR‐200c in radiation carcinogenesis. Here in this study, using a split radiation induced thymic lymphoma (RITL) model in BALB/c mice, we found that miR‐200c is down‐regulated in RITL samples. Cell death and apoptosis in lymphoma cells was induced by miR‐200c mimic while decreased by miR‐200c inhibitor. Computational analysis found a putative target site of miR‐200c in the 3′UTR of one of the polycomb group (PcG) protein BMI1 mRNA, which was verified by a luciferase reporter assay. Forced over‐expression of miR‐200c decreased the level of BMI1 protein and moreover, over‐expression of BMI1 rescued the biological effects of miR‐200c, indicating BMI1 is a direct mediator of miR‐200c functions. Furthermore, the BMI1 expression level was up‐regulated and inversely correlated with miR‐200c in RITL samples. Finally, our data also indicates that Adenovirus over‐expression of pre‐miR‐200c reduced tumorgenesis in vivo. Taken together, we conclude that down‐regulated expression of miR‐200c and up‐regulation of its direct target BMI1 in radiation‐induced thymic lymphoma, which may indicate a novel therapeutic method for RITL through induction of miR‐200c or inhibition of BMI1. J. Cell. Biochem. 115: 1033–1042, 2014. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Basic Models Modeling Resistance Training: An Update for Basic Scientists Interested in Study Skeletal Muscle Hypertrophy
Authors: Cholewa Jason , Guimarães‐Ferreira Lucas , da Silva Teixeira Tamiris , Naimo Marshall Alan , Zhi Xia , de Sá Rafaele Bis Dal Ponte , Lodetti Alice , Cardozo Mayara Quadros , Zanchi Nelo Eidy
Published: December 2013

Human muscle hypertrophy brought about by voluntary exercise in laboratorial conditions is the most common way to study resistance exercise training, especially because of its reliability, stimulus control and easy application to resistance training exercise sessions at fitness centers. However, because of the complexity of blood factors and organs involved, invasive data is difficult to obtain in human exercise training studies due to the integration of several organs, including adipose tissue, liver, brain and skeletal muscle. In contrast, studying skeletal muscle remodeling in animal models are easier to perform as the organs can be easily obtained after euthanasia; however, not all models of resistance training in animals displays a robust capacity to hypertrophy the desired muscle. Moreover, some models of resistance training rely on voluntary effort, which complicates the results observed when animal models are employed since voluntary capacity is something theoretically impossible to measure in rodents. With this information in mind, we will review the modalities used to simulate resistance training in animals in order to present to investigators the benefits and risks of different animal models capable to provoke skeletal muscle hypertrophy. Our second objective is to help investigators analyze and select the experimental resistance training model that best promotes the research question and desired endpoints. J. Cell. Physiol. 229: 1148–1156, 2014. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
The Three CARMA Sisters: So Different, So Similar: A Portrait of the Three CARMA Proteins and Their Involvement in Human Disorders
Authors: Scudiero Ivan , Vito Pasquale , Stilo Romania
Published: December 2013

Initially identified by their ability to modulate the functional activity of BCL10, the three CARMA proteins, CARMA1, ‐2, and ‐3, have recently themselves taken a leading role on the stage of molecular medicine. Although considered for some time as simple ancillary proteins, increasingly accumulating recent data evidently indicate a role of primary importance for these three proteins in the pathophysiology of several human tumors and inflammatory disorders. In fact, recent scientific literature clearly establishes that CARMA1 is one of the most mutated genes in a subtype of B‐cell lymphoma and, at the same time, responsible for some rare human immunodeficiency conditions. On the other hand, mutations in CARMA2 are responsible for the hereditary transmission of some inflammatory disorders of the skin, including familial psoriasis and ptiriasis; whereas expression of CARMA3 appears to be deregulated in different human tumors. Here we describe and summarize the mutations found in the genes coding for the three CARMA proteins in these different human pathological conditions, and offer an interpretation of the molecular mechanisms from which arise the biological outcomes in which these proteins are involved. J. Cell. Physiol. 229: 990–997, 2014. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
A Deluxe Money Pump
Authors: Dougherty Tom ,   Philosophy Documentation Center
Published: December 2013

So-called money pump arguments aim to show that intransitive preferences are irrational because they will lead someone to accept a series of deals that leaves his/her financially worse off and better off in no respect. A common response to these arguments is the foresight response, which counters that the agent in question may see the exploitation coming, and refuse to trade at all. To obviate this response, I offer a "deluxe money pump argument" that applies dominance reasoning to a modified money pump case.
Cryptococcus neoformans: historical curiosity to modern pathogen
Authors: Srikanta Deepa , Santiago‐Tirado Felipe H. , Doering Tamara L.
Published: December 2013

The importance of the Basidiomycete Cryptococcus neoformans to human health has stimulated its development as an experimental model for both basic physiology and pathogenesis. We briefly review the history of this fascinating and versatile fungus, some notable aspects of its biology that contribute to virulence, and current tools available for its study. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Substance use predictors of victimization profiles among homeless youth: A latent class analysis
Authors: Bender Kimberly , Thompson Sanna , Ferguson Kristin , Langenderfer Lisa
Published: December 2013

Although a substantial body of literature demonstrates high prevalence of street victimization among homeless youth, few studies have investigated the existence of victimization classes that differ on the type and frequency of victimization experienced. Nor do we know how substance use patterns relate to victimization classes. Using latent class analysis (LCA), we examined the existence of victimization classes of homeless youth and investigated substance use predictors of class membership utilizing a large purposive sample (N = 601) recruited from homeless youth‐serving host agencies in three disparate regions of the U.S. Results of the LCA suggest the presence of three distinct victimization profiles – youth fit into a low‐victimization class, a witness class, or a high‐victimization class. These three victimization classes demonstrated differences in their substance use, including rates of substance abuse/dependence on alcohol and/or drugs. The presence of distinct victimization profiles suggests the need for screening and referral for differential services.
Rotenone induces neurotoxicity through Rac1‐dependent activation of NADPH oxidase in SHSY‐5Y cells
Authors: Pal Rituraj , Monroe Tanner O. , Palmieri Michela , Sardiello Marco , Rodney George G.
Published: December 2013

Neurodegenerative diseases are attributed to impairment of the ubiquitin–proteasome system (UPS). Oxidative stress has been considered a contributing factor in the pathology of impaired UPS by promoting protein misfolding and subsequent protein aggregate formation. Increasing evidence suggests that NADPH oxidase is a likely source of excessive oxidative stress in neurodegenerative disorders. However, the mechanism of activation and its role in impaired UPS is not understood. We show that activation of NADPH oxidase in a neuroblastoma cell line (SHSY‐5Y) resulted in increased oxidative and nitrosative stress, elevated cytosolic calcium, ER‐stress, impaired UPS, and apoptosis. Rac1 inhibition mitigated the oxidative/nitrosative stress, prevented calcium‐dependent ER‐stress, and partially rescued UPS function. These findings demonstrate that Rac1 and NADPH oxidase play an important role in rotenone neurotoxicity.
Expression of the mammalian Xenotropic Polytropic Virus Receptor 1 (XPR1) in tobacco leaves leads to phosphate export
Authors: Wege Stefanie , Poirier Yves
Published: December 2013

Phosphate homeostasis in multicellular eukaryotes depends on both phosphate influx and efflux. The mammalian Xenotropic Polytropic Virus Receptor 1 (XPR1) shares homology to the Arabidopsis PHO1, a phosphate exporter expressed in roots. However, phosphate export activity of XPR1 has not yet been demonstrated in a heterologous system. Here, we demonstrate that transient expression in tobacco leaves of XPR1‐GFP leads to specific phosphate export. Like PHO1‐GFP, XPR1‐GFP is localized predominantly to the endomembrane system in tobacco cells. These results show that tobacco leaves are a good heterologous system to study the transport activity of members of the PHO1/XPR1 family.