bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effects of the herbicide imazapyr on juvenile Oregon spotted frogs
Authors: Yahnke Amy E. , Grue Christian E. , Hayes Marc P. , Troiano Alexandra T.
Published: November 2012

Conflict between native amphibians and aquatic weed management in the Pacific Northwest is rarely recognized because most native stillwater-breeding amphibian species move upland during summer, when herbicide application to control weeds in aquatic habitats typically occurs. However, aquatic weed management may pose a risk for aquatic species present in wetlands through the summer, such as the Oregon spotted frog (OSF, Rana pretiosa), a state endangered species in Washington. Acute toxicity of herbicides used to control aquatic weeds tends to be low, but the direct effects of herbicide tank mixes on OSFs have remained unexamined. We exposed juvenile OSFs to tank mixes of the herbicide imazapyr, a surfactant, and a marker dye in a 96-h static-renewal test. The tank mix was chosen because of its low toxicity to fish and its effectiveness in aquatic weed control. Concentrations were those associated with low-volume (3.5 L/ha) and high-volume (7.0 L/ha) applications of imazapyr and a clean-water control. Following exposure, frogs were reared for two months in clean water to identify potential latent effects on growth. Endpoints evaluated included feeding behavior, growth, and body and liver condition indices. We recorded no mortalities and found no significant differences for any end point between the herbicide-exposed and clean-water control frogs. The results suggest that imazapyr use in wetland restoration poses a low risk of direct toxic effects on juvenile OSFs. Environ. Toxicol. Chem. 2013;32:228–235. © 2012 SETAC
Toxicity of forest fire retardant chemicals to stream-type chinook salmon undergoing parr–smolt transformation
Authors: Dietrich Joseph P. , Myers Mark S. , Strickland Stacy A. , Van Gaest Ahna , Arkoosh Mary R.
Published: November 2012

Long-term fire retardants are used to prevent the spread of wildland fires. These products are normally applied by aircraft and are intended specifically for terrestrial application, but fire retardants have entered aquatic habitats by misapplication and/or accidental spills and have resulted in fish mortalities. The authors examined the toxicity of two fire retardant products, PHOS-CHEK 259F and LC-95A, to salmon undergoing parr–smolt transformation. Yearling stream-type chinook salmon at the smolt stage were exposed to eight concentrations of each retardant in freshwater and a no-PHOS-CHEK control for 96 h to determine acute toxicity. Concentrations of the products that caused 50% mortality were 140.5 and 339.8 mg/L for 259F and LC-95A, respectively, and could occur during accidental drops into aquatic habitats. Damage to gill tissues seen in histopathological sections was attributed to fire retardant exposure. Un-ionized ammonia levels, from 259F, were sufficient to cause acute mortality; but additional factors, indicated by increased phagosome prevalence in the gills, might have contributed to mortality during LC-95A exposure. Seawater and disease challenges were performed to determine sublethal effects of product exposures on fish health. Although PHOS-CHEK exposure did not adversely affect chinook salmon's susceptibility to Listonella anguillarum, exposure did significantly reduce seawater survival. Reduced salmon survival resulting from prior fire retardant exposure during their transition from freshwater rearing environments to seawater may decrease the abundance of salmon populations. Environ. Toxicol. Chem. 2013;32:236–247. © 2012 SETAC
A method for assessing the potential for confounding applied to ionic strength in central Appalachian streams
Authors: Suter Glenn W. , Cormier Susan M.
Published: November 2012

Causal relationships derived from field data are potentially confounded by variables that are correlated with both the cause and its effect. The present study presents a method for assessing the potential for confounding and applies it to the relationship between ionic strength and impairment of benthic invertebrate assemblages in central Appalachian streams. The method weighs all available evidence for and against confounding by each potential confounder. It identifies 10 types of evidence for confounding, presents a qualitative scoring system, and provides rules for applying the scores. Twelve potential confounders were evaluated: habitat, organic enrichment, nutrients, deposited sediments, pH, selenium, temperature, lack of headwaters, catchment area, settling ponds, dissolved oxygen, and metals. One potential confounder, low pH, was found to be biologically significant and eliminated by removing sites with pH < 6. Other potential confounders were eliminated based on the weight of evidence. This method was found to be useful and defensible. It could be applied to other environmental assessments that use field data to develop causal relationships, including contaminated site remediation or management of natural resources. Environ. Toxicol. Chem. 2013;32:288–295. © 2012 SETAC
Toxicity of diesel contaminated soils to the subantarctic earthworm Microscolex macquariensis
Authors: Mooney Thomas J. , King Catherine K. , Wasley Jane , Andrew Nigel R.
Published: November 2012

Several fuel spills have occurred on subantarctic Macquarie Island (54°30′ S 158°57′ E) associated with storing fuel and generating power for the island's research station. The Australian Antarctic Division began full-scale, on-site remediation of these sites in 2009. To develop appropriate target concentrations for remediation, acute and chronic tests were developed with the endemic earthworm, Microscolex macquariensis, using avoidance, survival, and reproduction as endpoints. Uncontaminated low (3%), medium (11%), and high (38–48%) carbon content soils from Macquarie Island were used to examine the influence of soil carbon on toxicity. Soils were spiked with Special Antarctic Blend (SAB) diesel and used either immediately to simulate a fresh spill or after four weeks to simulate an aged spill. Earthworms were sensitive to fresh SAB, with significant avoidance at 181 mg/kg; acute 14-d survival median lethal concentration (LC50) of 103 mg/kg for low carbon soil; and juvenile production median effective concentration (EC50) of 317 mg/kg for high carbon soil. Earthworms were less sensitive to aged SAB than to fresh SAB in high carbon soil for juvenile production (EC50 of 1,753 and 317 mg/kg, respectively), but were more sensitive for adult survival (LC50 of 2,322 and 1,364 mg/kg, respectively). Using M. macquariensis as a surrogate for soil quality, approximately 50 to 200 mg SAB/kg soil would be a sufficiently protective remediation target. Environ. Toxicol. Chem. 2013;32:370–377. © 2012 SETAC
Experimental exposure of eggs to polybrominated diphenyl ethers BDE-47 and BDE-99 in red-eared sliders (Trachemys scripta elegans) and snapping turtles (Chelydra serpentina) and possible species-specific differences in debromination
Authors: Eisenreich Karen M. , Rowe Christopher L.
Published: November 2012

Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) are a bioaccumulative, persistent, and toxic class of flame retardants that can potentially impact turtles in natural habitats via exposure through maternal transfer. To simulate maternal transfer in the present study, PBDE congeners BDE-47 and BDE-99 were topically applied to the eggshell and were allowed to diffuse into the egg contents of the red-eared slider (Trachemys scripta elegans) and snapping turtle (Chelydra serpentina). Eggs were topically dosed over 8 d to achieve a target concentration of 40 ng/g in the egg contents. Transfer efficiency was higher for BDE-47 than for BDE-99 in the red-eared sliders (25.8 ± 1.9% vs 9.9 ± 1.1%) and snapping turtles (31.3 ± 1.6% vs 12.5 ± 1.4%), resulting in greater BDE-47 and lower BDE-99 egg content concentrations relative to the 40 ng/g target. However, only 25.8 and 31.3% of the total BDE-47 and 9.9 and 12.5% of the total BDE-99 dose applied could be accounted for in the red-eared slider and snapping turtle egg contents, respectively. Additionally, increased BDE-47 in red-eared slider egg contents dosed with only BDE-99 indicate that BDE-99 might have been debrominated to BDE-47. The efficacy of topical dosing for administering desired embryonic exposures is clearly affected by the chemical properties of the applied compounds and was more successful for BDE-47 in both species. Environ. Toxicol. Chem. 2013;32:393–400. © 2012 SETAC
Time-dependent species sensitivity distributions
Authors: Fox David R. , Billoir Elise
Published: November 2012

Time is a central component of toxicity assessments. However, current ecotoxicological practice marginalizes time in concentration–response (C-R) modeling and species sensitivity distribution (SSD) analyses. For C-R models, time is invariably fixed, and toxicity measures are estimated from a function fitted to the data at that time. The estimated toxicity measures are used as inputs to the SSD modeling phase, which similarly avoids explicit recognition of the temporal component. The present study extends some commonly employed probability models for SSDs to derive theoretical results that characterize the time-dependent nature of hazardous concentration (HCx) values. The authors' results show that even from very simple assumptions, more complex patterns in the SSD time dependency can be revealed. Environ. Toxicol. Chem. 2013;32:378–383. © 2012 SETAC
Derivation of a benchmark for freshwater ionic strength
Authors: Cormier Susan M. , Suter Glenn W. , Zheng Lei
Published: November 2012

Because increased ionic strength has caused deleterious ecological changes in freshwater streams, thresholds for effects are needed to inform resource-management decisions. In particular, effluents from surface coal mining raise the ionic strength of receiving streams. The authors developed an aquatic life benchmark for specific conductance as a measure of ionic strength that is expected to prevent the local extirpation of 95% of species from neutral to alkaline waters containing a mixture of dissolved ions in which the mass of SO 42− + HCO 3− ≥ Cl−. Extirpation concentrations of specific conductance were estimated from the presence and absence of benthic invertebrate genera from 2,210 stream samples in West Virginia. The extirpation concentration is the 95th percentile of the distribution of the probability of occurrence of a genus with respect to specific conductance. In a region with a background of 116 µS/cm, the 5th percentile of the species sensitivity distribution of extirpation concentrations for 163 genera is 300 µS/cm. Because the benchmark is not protective of all genera and protects against extirpation rather than reduction in abundance, this level may not fully protect sensitive species or higher-quality, exceptional waters. Environ. Toxicol. Chem. 2013;32:263–271. © 2012 SETAC
Extraction of sediment-associated polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons with granular activated carbon
Authors: Rakowska M.I. , Kupryianchyk D. , Grotenhuis T. , Rijnaarts H.H.M. , Koelmans A.A.
Published: November 2012

Addition of activated carbon (AC) to sediments has been proposed as a method to reduce ecotoxicological risks of sediment-bound contaminants. The present study explores the effectiveness of granular AC (GAC) in extracting polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) from highly contaminated sediments. Four candidate GAC materials were screened in terms of PAH extraction efficiency using single-step 24-h GAC extractions, with traditional 24-h Tenax extraction as a reference. Subsequently, sorption of native PAHs to the best performing GAC 1240W (0.45–1.70 mm) was studied for sediment only and for GAC–sediment mixtures at different GAC–sediment weight ratios, using 76-µm polyoxymethylene (POM) passive samplers. Granular AC sorption parameters for PAHs were determined by subtracting the contribution of PAH sorption to sediment from PAH sorption to the GAC–sediment mixture. It appears that the binding of PAHs and the effectiveness of GAC to reduce sediment porewater concentrations were highly dependent on the GAC–sediment mixing ratio and hydrophobicity of the PAH. Despite the considerable fouling of GAC by organic matter and oil, 50 to 90% of the most available PAH was extracted by the GAC during a 28-d contact time, at a dose as low as 4%, which also is a feasible dose in field-scale applications aimed at cleaning the sediment by GAC addition and removal. Environ. Toxicol. Chem. 2013;32:304–311. © 2012 SETAC
Use of a novel sediment exposure to determine the effects of triclosan on estuarine benthic communities
Authors: Ho Kay T. , Chariton Anthony A. , Portis Lisa M. , Proestou Dina , Cantwell Mark G. , Baguley Jeffrey G. , Burgess Robert M. , Simpson Stuart , Pelletier Marguerite C. , Perron Monique M. , Gunsch Claudia K. , Bik Holly M. , Katz David , Kamikawa Anthony
Published: November 2012

Triclosan (5-chloro-2-[2,4-dichlorophenoxy]phenol) is a relatively new, commonly used antimicrobial compound found in many personal care products. Triclosan is toxic to marine organisms at the micrograms per liter level, can photodegrade to a dioxin, can accumulate in humans, and has been found to be stable in marine sediments for over 30 years. To determine the effects of triclosan on marine benthic communities, intact sediment cores were brought into the laboratory and held under flowing seawater conditions. A 2-cm layer of triclosan-spiked sediment was applied to the surface, and after a two-week exposure the meio- and macrofaunal communities were assessed for differences in composition relative to nonspiked cores. A high triclosan treatment (180 mg/kg dry wt) affected both the meio- and the macrobenthic communities. There were no discernible differences with a low-triclosan treatment (14 mg/kg dry wt). This exposure method is effective for testing the benthic community response to sediment contaminants, but improvements should be made with regard to the amount and method of applying the overlying sediment to prevent smothering of fragile benthic organisms. Environ. Toxicol. Chem. 2013;32:384–392. © 2012 SETAC
A Roe scheme for a compressible six‐equation two‐fluid model
Authors: Morin Alexandre , Flåtten Tore , Munkejord Svend Tollak
Published: November 2012

We derive a partially analytical Roe scheme with wave limiters for the compressible six‐equation two‐fluid model. Specifically, we derive the Roe averages for the relevant variables. First, the fluxes are split into convective and pressure parts. Then, independent Roe conditions are stated for these two parts. These conditions are successively reduced while defining acceptable Roe averages. For the convective part, all the averages are analytical. For the pressure part, most of the averages are analytical, whereas the remaining averages are dependent on the thermodynamic equation of state. This gives a large flexibility to the scheme with respect to the choice of equation of state. Furthermore, this model contains nonconservative terms. They are a challenge to handle right, and it is not the object of this paper to discuss this issue. However, the Roe averages presented in this paper are fully independent from how those terms are handled, which makes this framework compatible with any treatment of nonconservative terms. Finally, we point out that the eigenspace of this model may collapse, making the Roe scheme inapplicable. This is called resonance. We propose a fix to handle this particular case. Numerical tests show that the scheme performs well. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
HBx‐dependent activation of twist mediates STAT3 control of epithelium‐mesenchymal transition of liver cells
Authors: Teng Jing , Wang Xiaoqian , Xu Zhenxing , Tang Nanhong
Published: November 2012

This study investigated the molecular mechanisms of liver cells with HBx expression on epithelium–mesenchymal transition (EMT) change using Western blot analysis and Transwell assay to assess EMT‐related protein expression and cell mobility. Luciferase reporter assay and chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) assay were used to test the Twist promoter containing different STAT3 binding loci. Electrophoretic mobility band‐shift assay (EMSA) was used to detect Twist activity. Results showed that HBx expression affected the EMT‐related protein expression and the cell mobility of liver cancer cells (MHCC97) and liver cells (HL‐7702) in vitro or in vivo. These proteins exhibited reversed expression to a certain extent after Twist inhibition. In addition, the wound‐healing capability and the mobility of HL‐7702/HBx cells were lower than those treated with control‐siRNA. The expressions of p‐STAT3 and Twist were positively correlated with HBx expression. The second STAT‐3 binding sequence in the Twist promoter region of the HL‐7702/HBx cells was the first locus. Twist activity in the HL‐7702/HBx2 cells was higher than that in HL‐7702 cells. Moreover, the activity decreased when the cells were treated with HBx‐siRNA to inhibit HBx expression, or with STAT3 inhibitor to reduce STAT3 activation. Therefore, Twist is essential for the regulation of the mobility of liver cells with HBx expression. HBx activates the Twist promoter by activating STAT3 and promotes EMT occurrence in liver cells. J. Cell. Biochem. 114: 1097–1104, 2013. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
TGF‐β/BMP signaling pathway is involved in cerium‐promoted osteogenic differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells
Authors: Liu Dan‐Dan , Zhang Jin‐Chao , Zhang Qun , Wang Shu‐Xiang , Yang Meng‐Su
Published: November 2012

The extensive applications of cerium (Ce) increased the chance of human exposure to Ce and its compounds. It was reported that Ce was mainly deposited in the bone after administration. However, the potential effect and mechanism of Ce on bone metabolism are not well understood. In this study, we investigated the cellular effects of Ce on the differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) and the associated molecular mechanisms. The results indicated that Ce promoted the osteogenic differentiation and inhibited the adipogenic differentiation of MSCs at cell level. Genes involved in transforming growth factor‐β/bone morphogenetic proteins (TGF‐β/BMP) signaling pathway were significantly changed when the MSCs were exposed to 0.0001 µM Ce by RT2Profiler™ PCR Array analysis. The expression of genes and proteins related to pathways, osteogenic, and adipogenic biomarkers of MSCs upon interaction with Ce was further confirmed by quantitative real‐time reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (Q‐PCR) and Western blot analysis. The results suggest that Ce exerts the effects by interacting with bone morphogenetic protein receptor (BMPR) and activates TGF‐β/BMP signaling pathway, leads to the up‐regulation of the osteogenic master transcription factor, runt‐related transcription factor 2 (Runx 2), and the down‐regulation of the adipocytic master transcription factor, peroxisome proliferator‐activated receptor gamma 2 (PPARγ2). Runx2, which subsequently up‐regulates osteoblast (OB) marker genes collagen I (Col I) and BMP2 at early stages, alkaline phosphatase (ALP), and osteocalcin (OCN) at later stages of differentiation, thus driving MSCs to differentiate into OBs. The results provide novel evidence to elucidate the mechanisms of bone metabolism by Ce. J. Cell. Biochem. 114: 1105–1114, 2013. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Analysis of chloroquine and metabolites directly from whole‐body animal tissue sections by liquid extraction surface analysis (LESA) and tandem mass spectrometry
Authors: Parson Whitney B. , Koeniger Stormy L. , Johnson Robert W. , Erickson Jamie , Tian Yu , Stedman Christopher , Schwartz Annette , Tarcsa Edit , Cole Roderic , Van Berkel Gary J.
Published: November 2012

The rapid and direct analysis of the amount and spatial distribution of exogenous chloroquine (CHQ) and CHQ metabolites from tissue sections by liquid extraction surface sampling analysis coupled with tandem mass spectrometry (LESA‐MS/MS) was demonstrated. LESA‐MS/MS results compared well with previously published CHQ quantification data collected by organ excision, extraction and fluorescent detection. The ability to directly sample and analyze spatially resolved exogenous molecules from tissue sections with minimal sample preparation and analytical method development has the potential to facilitate the assessment of target tissue penetration of pharmaceutical compounds, to establish pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic relationships, and to complement established pharmacokinetic methods used in the drug discovery process during tissue distribution assessment. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Direct imaging of single cells and tissue at sub‐cellular spatial resolution using transmission geometry MALDI MS
Authors: Zavalin Andre , Todd Erik M. , Rawhouser Patrick D. , Yang Junhai , Norris Jeremy L. , Caprioli Richard M.
Published: November 2012

The need of cellular and sub‐cellular spatial resolution in laser desorption ionization (LDI)/matrix‐assisted LDI (MALDI) imaging mass spectrometry (IMS) necessitates micron and sub‐micron laser spot sizes at biologically relevant sensitivities, introducing significant challenges for MS technology. To this end, we have developed a transmission geometry vacuum ion source that allows the laser beam to irradiate the back side of the sample. This arrangement obviates the mechanical/ion optic complications in the source by completely separating the optical lens and ion optic structures. We have experimentally demonstrated the viability of transmission geometry MALDI MS for imaging biological tissues and cells with sub‐cellular spatial resolution. Furthermore, we demonstrate that in conjunction with new sample preparation protocols, the sensitivity of this instrument is sufficient to obtain molecular images at sub‐micron spatial resolution. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Dopamine agonists and delusional jealousy in Parkinson's disease: A cross‐sectional prevalence study
Authors: Poletti Michele , Perugi Giulio , Logi Chiara , Romano Anna , Del Dotto Paolo , Ceravolo Roberto , Rossi Giuseppe , Pepe Pasquale , Dell'Osso Liliana , Bonuccelli Ubaldo
Published: November 2012

Background:

Delusional jealousy (DJ) has been described in patients with Parkinson's disease (PD) on dopaminergic therapy, but a role for dopaminergic therapy in DJ has not been established.

Methods:

The current cross‐sectional study on DJ investigated its association with dopaminergic therapies compared with their associations with hallucinations and its prevalence in PD patients. Eight hundred five consecutive patients with PD were enrolled between January 2009 and June 2010.

Results:

DJ was identified in 20 patients (2.48%) and hallucinations in 193 patients (23.98%). In the multivariate logistic regression analyses, dopamine agonists were significantly associated with DJ (odds ratio, 18.1; 95% CI, 3.0–infinity; P = .0002) but not with hallucinations (odds ratio, 0.73; 95% CI, 0.49–1.10; P = .133).

Conclusions:

These findings suggest that dopamine agonist treatment represents a risk factor for DJ in PD independent of the presence of a dementing disorder, and the presence of this additional nonmotor side effect should be investigated in this clinical population. © 2012 Movement Disorder Society
The relationship between intracellular and plasma levels of folate and metabolites in the methionine cycle: A model
Authors: Duncan Tanya M. , Reed Michael. C. , Nijhout H. Frederik
Published: November 2012

Scope

Folate status and the status of the methionine cycle are typically assessed by measuring folate and metabolites in the plasma. It is assumed that plasma metabolite levels are proportional to their levels in tissues, but there is little information to support this assumption.

Methods and results

We developed a mathematical model, based on known kinetics of the methionine cycle in the liver and tissues, and the transport kinetics of metabolites into and out of the plasma. We use the model to explore the relationship between folate status and metabolite values in the plasma, the relationships between metabolite values and methylation capacity, the response to a methionine load, and the half‐life of folate in plasma and tissues. We also use the model to study the effects of Down syndrome and oxidative stress on metabolite values in plasma and tissues. The model accurately reproduces measured metabolite values pre‐ and post‐folate fortification. The model shows that a high acute intake of folate remains largely restricted to the plasma and is rapidly excreted; only a prolonged exposure to increased folate elevates tissue folate significantly.

Conclusion

The model accurately reproduces experimental and clinical findings and can serve as a platform to study, in silico, the relationships between metabolite values in tissues and plasma, and how these vary with methionine and B vitamin input, and with mutations in the genes for enzymes in the methionine cycle.
Determining crane areas for balancing workload among interfering and noninterfering cranes
Authors: Boysen Nils , Emde Simon , Fliedner Malte
Published: November 2012

This article treats the problem of subdividing an area for storing containers such that the workload is evenly shared among the cranes operating the resulting subareas. We consider two crane sets: while noncrossing constraints between cranes of the same set need to be observed, cranes of different sets do not interfere. Such a problem setting is, for instance, relevant for scheduling the (un‐)loading of vessels by parallel quay cranes operating on opposing berths or in container yards with cross‐over cranes. We formalize the resulting optimization problem, prove computational complexity, and present exact and heuristic solution procedures. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Naval Research Logistics, 2012
Simultaneous Pursuit of Innovation and Efficiency in Complex Engineering Projects—A Study of the Antecedents and Impacts of Ambidexterity in Project Teams
Authors: Liu Li , Leitner David
Published: November 2012

Projects, as the common unit of organizing complex tasks, often feature unique challenges that require both radical innovation and incremental improvements to processes and solutions in order to deliver the project within constraints. Both exploration and exploitation are likely to be needed for complex engineering projects to succeed. This study, through an in-depth case study of a complex infrastructure project facing unique challenges and tight budget and schedule, investigates the antecedents of ambidexterity and the effect of ambidexterity on project performance. The main contributions of this research include finding: (1) ambidexterity at the project team level to be a significant contributor to project performance; (2) the effects of temporal separation and project context on project performance are mediated by the project team's degree of ambidexterity; and (3) contrary to the prediction from organizational literature, structural separation has not contributed to the case project team's ambidexterity. The authors believe that among the three antecedents for ambidexterity at the project level as predicted by organizational literature, structural separation is rendered ineffective by the natural cycling between exploration and exploitation in the project environment and by the need to integrate the two under time pressure and resource constraints. The development of an effective project context can facilitate the temporal cycling between exploration and exploitation by creating awareness that overcomes the inertia in transitioning between the two by setting performance expectations and appropriate social context. Implications for theory development and practice are discussed.
Establishing Project Portfolio Management: An Exploratory Analysis of the Influence of Internal Stakeholders’ Interactions
Authors: Beringer Claus , Jonas Daniel , Gemünden Hans Georg
Published: November 2012

Project portfolio management (PPM) is viewed as a management innovation that must be further established and professionalized in many firms. Stakeholder behavior and stakeholder management are key success factors for project portfolios. Furthermore, stakeholder management must not only focus on single stakeholders but also account for stakeholders influencing one another in fairly complex interactions of multiple and potentially interdependent stakeholders.

Our quantitative study of internal key stakeholders’ engagement in the PPM process is based on a survey using 223 project portfolios from medium to large firms in Austria, Germany, and Switzerland. We investigate the intensity of stakeholders’ engagement in the three phases of the PPM process compared with expectations from PPM standards and role descriptions. Further, we analyze the interdependencies between the levels of stakeholder engagement and identify patterns of stakeholder behavior.

Our study assists in explaining the relevance of stakeholders to PPM. We further integrate stakeholder theory with a highly relevant management approach (PPM) and thus enhance the explanatory value of stakeholder theory. Finally, the current findings enable managers to address stakeholders more effectively through an increased understanding of stakeholder behavior and its consequences.
Interactive energy transfer between Cu2+ and Yb3+ in Ca1‐xCuSi4O10: Ybx
Authors: Zhuang Yixi , Tanabe Setsuhisa
Published: November 2012

X‐ray diffraction patterns, photoluminescence, excitation spectra, and luminescence decay curves of polycrystals with compositions of Ca1‐xCuSi4O10: Ybx (x = 0.00‐0.10) were measured. The samples showed intense absorption bands at 540, 630, 800 nm due to Cu2+: 2B1g→ 2A1g, 2Eg, 2B2g transitions, and efficient photoluminescence bands at 920 nm from Cu2+ and 1007 nm from Yb3+, respectively. With increasing of Yb concentration, the intensity of Yb3+ peaks increased, while that of the Cu2+ broadband luminescence did not decrease much. Possible energy transfer mechanisms were discussed based on result of luminescence decay curves of both active ions. (© 2012 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
New organic‐inorganic hybrid ureasil‐based polymer and glass‐polymer composites with ion‐implanted silver nanoparticles
Authors: Kavetskyy Taras , Lyadov Nikolay , Valeev Valery , Tsmots Volodymyr , Petkova Tamara , Boev Victor , Petkov Plamen , Stepanov Andrey L.
Published: November 2012

The micro‐/nanoscopic structure of the hybrid organic‐inorganic materials, based on polyether chains covalently linked to a silica framework through urea bridges, referred as ureasilicates or ureasils, and As2S3‐ureasil composites with ion‐implanted Ag nanoparticles is investigated. The formation of Ag nanoparticles is confirmed using optical transmission (surface plasmon resonance band of Ag nanoparticles) at ion‐implantation doses of 2.5×1016 and 5.0×1016 ion/cm2 on the example of ureasil. It is established with scanning electron microscopy that incorporation of the As2S3 clusters into ureasil assists to ion‐synthesis of Ag nanoparticles in polymer matrix, more effectively at higher doses of ion‐implantation and for silver containing (As2S3)95Ag5‐ureasil composite. (© 2012 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Rhizome of Anemarrhena asphodeloides Counteracts Diabetic Ophthalmopathy Progression in Streptozotocin‐Induced Diabetic Rats
Authors: Li Xuan , Cui Xiaobing , Wang Jinjin , Yang Jie , Sun Xiaoyu , Li Xiaodong , Zhu Quan , Li Wei
Published: November 2012

Diabetic ophthalmopathy (DO) impairs patients' eyesight and even causes blindness. Here, we investigated the effect of 60% ethanol extract of the rhizome of Anemarrhenae asphodeloides (ERA), which is commonly used in Chinese medicine formulae in treating diabetes, on DO progression. Blood glucose, insulin, advanced glycation end products (AGE), super oxygen dehydrogenises (SOD), malondialdehyde (MDA) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH‐Px) levels in serum and sorbitol concentration in the lens were measured. Retinal endothelium/pericyte (E/P) ratio was evaluated, and structural changes of the retina and lens were observed. Effects of mangiferin and neomangiferin, the two major components of ERA, on subnormal growth of pericytes induced by high glucose were also detected. It was found that the activities of SOD and GSH‐Px in serum were increased, whereas MDA and AGE levels in serum and sorbitol concentration in the lens were decreased in ERA‐treated DO rats. E/P ratio was decreased, and the pathological changes of the lens and retina were alleviated by ERA treatment. Moreover, the subnormal growth of pericytes induced by high glucose was ameliorated by mangiferin and neomangiferin. These results indicated that ERA could effectively prevent DO progression in streptozotocin‐induced diabetic rats, and mangiferin and neomangiferin may be the main effective components. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Effect of Arctiin on Glomerular Filtration Barrier Damage in STZ‐Induced Diabetic Nephropathy Rats
Authors: Ma Song‐Tao , Liu Dong‐lian , Deng Jing‐jing , Niu Rui , Liu Rui‐bin
Published: November 2012

Diabetic nephropathy (DN) is the major life‐threatening complication of diabetes. Abnormal permeability of glomerular basement membrane plays an important role in DN pathogenesis. This study was performed to assess the effect of arctiin, the lignan constituent from Arctium lappa L., on metabolic profile and aggravation of renal lesions in a rat model of streptozotocin (STZ)‐induced DN. STZ‐induced diabetic rats were treated with arctiin at the dosage of 60 or 40 mg/kg/day via intraperitoneal injection for 8 weeks. Blood glucose and 24‐h urinary albumin content were measured, and kidney histopathological changes were monitored. RT‐PCR and immunohistochemistry were used to detect the mRNA and protein levels of nephrin, podocin and heparanase (HPSE) in the kidney cortex of rats, respectively. Treatment with arctiin significantly decreased the levels of 24‐h urinary albumin, prevented the sclerosis of glomeruli and effectively restored the glomerular filtration barrier damage by up‐regulating the expression of nephrin and podocin and down‐regulating HPSE level. Our studies suggest that arctiin might be beneficial for DN. The effects of arctiin on attenuating albuminuria and glomerulosclerosis are possibly mediated by regulating the expression of nephrin and podocin and HPSE in STZ‐induced diabetic rats. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Investigating the Relative Importance of Individual Differences on the Work–Family Interface and the Moderating Role of Boundary Preference for Segmentation
Authors: Michel Jesse S. , Clark Malissa A.
Published: November 2012

This study examines the relative importance of individual differences in relation to perceptions of work–family conflict and facilitation, as well as the moderating role of boundary preference for segmentation on these relationships. Relative importance analyses, based on a diverse sample of 380 employees from the USA, revealed that individual differences were consistently predictive of self‐reported work–family conflict and facilitation. Conscientiousness, neuroticism, negative affect and core self‐evaluations were consistently related to both directions of work–family conflict, whereas agreeableness predicted significant variance in family‐to‐work conflict only. Positive affect and core self‐evaluations were consistently related to both directions of work–family facilitation, whereas agreeableness and neuroticism predicted significant variance in family‐to‐work facilitation only. Collectively, individual differences explained 25–28% of the variance in work–family conflict (primarily predicted by neuroticism and negative affect) and 11–18% of the variance in work–family facilitation (primarily predicted by positive affect and core self‐evaluations). Moderated regression analyses showed that boundary preference for segmentation strengthened many of the relationships between individual differences and work–family conflict and facilitation. Implications for addressing the nature of work and family are discussed. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
High‐Sensitivity Real‐Time Analysis of Nanoparticle Toxicity in Green Fluorescent Protein‐Expressing Zebrafish
Authors: Pan Yu , Leifert Annika , Graf Michael , Schiefer Frank , Thoröe‐Boveleth Sven , Broda Janine , Halloran Mary C. , Hollert Henner , Laaf Dominic , Simon Ulrich , Jahnen‐Dechent Willi
Published: November 2012

Gold nanoparticles (AuNP) show great potential for diagnostic and therapeutic application in humans. A great number of studies have tested the cytotoxicity of AuNP using cell culture. There is, however, an urgent need to test AuNP in vertebrate animal models that interrogate biodistribution and complex biological traits like organ development, whole body metabolism, and cognitive function. The sheer number of different compounds precludes the use of small rodent model for initial screening. The extended fish embryo test (FET) is used here to bridge the gap between cell culture and small animal models. A study on the toxicity of ultrasmall AuNP in wild type and transgenic zebrafish is presented. FET faithfully reproduce all important findings of a previous study in HeLa cells and add new important information on teratogenicity and hepatotoxicity that could not be gained from studying cultured cells.
Moving Beyond Communicative Language Teaching: A Situated Pedagogy for Japanese EFL Classrooms
Authors: Lochland Paul W.
Published: November 2012

This article questions the appropriateness of communicative language teaching (CLT) in classrooms teaching English as a foreign language (EFL) to Japanese students. The four main criticisms of CLT are the ambiguity of its description, the benefits of CLT for language learning, the amalgamation of CLT methods with local classroom practices, and the relevance of native speaker ideologies in EFL settings. As a result, the development and implementation of a situated pedagogy in a Japanese EFL classroom are discussed. The development of a situated pedagogy depends on finding a balance between three key components: one's personal theory of practice, institutionalised knowledge of English language teaching, and the necessities of a particular situation. Because learner and teacher autonomy are considered prerequisites for the successful implementation of a situated pedagogy, a number of procedures and methods that nurture these autonomies are recommended.
Syntheses and Structures of Terpyridine‐Metal Complexes
Authors: Zhang Na , Yang Juan , Hu Rui‐Xiang , Zhang Man‐Bo
Published: November 2012

Seven complexes, [Ln(ctpy)(NO3)2]n and M(ctpy)2·4H2O [Ln = Gd (1), Dy (2), Er (3); M = Co (4), Ni (5), Cu (6), Zn (7)] with the ligand 2, 2′:6′,2′′‐terpyridine‐4′‐carboxylic acid (Hctpy) were hydrothermally synthesized. X‐ray diffractional analysis reveals that the isomorphous compounds 1–3 adopt one‐dimensional chain‐like structures, whereas 4–7 are isomorphic monomers. Luminescence spectroscopy measurements indicates that compound 7 exhibits photoluminescence in the solid state at room temperature.
Synthesis and Crystal Structure of LiY(CN2)2, Having a Structure Related to That of NiAs
Authors: Unverfehrt Leonid , Ströbele Markus , Meyer H.‐Jürgen
Published: November 2012

The new ternary carbodiimide LiY(CN2)2 was synthesized by solid state metathesis reaction between YF3 and Li2(CN2) in a silica tube at 550 °C. The X‐ray single‐crystal structure determination yielded an orthorhombic crystal system (Pbcn, Z = 4, a = 982.0(3), b = 698.5(2), c = 613.4(2) pm). The crystal structure can be considered related to the NiAs structure. The carbodiimide ions are arranged in layers following the motif of a hexagonal closest packing of sticks. Lithium and yttrium cations occupy all octahedral voids in an ordered fashion, alternating on top of each other along the hcp stacking direction.
Identification of phosphorylation sites in Hansenula polymorpha Pex14p by mass spectrometry
Authors: Tanaka Katsuhiro , Soeda Maiko , Hashimoto Yoichiro , Takenaka Shigeo , Komori Masayuki
Published: November 2012

Pex14p is a peroxisomal membrane protein that is involved in both peroxisome biogenesis and selective peroxisome degradation. Previously, we showed that Hansenula polymorpha Pex14p was phosphorylated in vivo. In this study, we identified its phosphorylation site by mass spectrometry. Recombinant His‐tagged Pex14p (H6‐Pex14p) was overexpressed and purified from the yeast. The protein band corresponding to H6‐Pex14p was in‐gel digested with trypsin and subjected to LC/MS. As a result of LC/MS, Thr248 and Ser258 were identified as the phosphorylated sites. To confirm the phosphorylation sites and explore its functions, we made Ala mutants of the candidate amino acids. In the western blot analysis with anti‐Pex14p, S258A mutant gave doublet bands while wild type (WT) and T248A mutants gave triplet bands. Moreover, the double mutant (T248A/S258A) gave a single band. WT and all mutant Pex14p labeled with [32P] orthophosphate were immunoprecipitated and analyzed by autoradiography. The phosphorylation of Pex14p was suppressed in S258A mutant, but enhanced in T248A mutant compared to WT. Moreover, the phosphorylated Pex14p was not detected in the T248A/S258A double mutant. All mutants were able to grow on methanol and their matrix proteins (alcohol oxidase and amine oxidase) were mostly localized in peroxisomes. Furthermore all mutants showed selective degradation of peroxisome like WT during the glucose‐induced macropexophagy.
Higher spectral flow and an entire bivariant JLO cocycle
Authors: Benameur Moulay-Tahar , Carey Alan L.
Published: November 2012

For a single Dirac operator on a closed manifold the cocycle introduced by Jaffe-Lesniewski-Osterwalder [19] (abbreviated here to JLO), is a representative of Connes' Chern character map from the K-theory of the algebra of smooth functions on the manifold to its entire cyclic cohomology. Given a smooth fibration of closed manifolds and a family of generalized Dirac operators along the fibers, we define in this paper an associated bivariant JLO cocycle. We then prove that, for any l ≥ 0, our bivariant JLO cocycle is entire when we endow smoooth functions on the total manifold with the Cl+1 topology and functions on the base manifold with the Cl topology. As a by-product of our theorem, we deduce that the bivariant JLO cocycle is entire for the Fréchet smooth topologies. We then prove that our JLO bivariant cocycle computes the Chern character of the Dai-Zhang higher spectral flow.
How does a xylem-feeder maximize its fitness?
Authors: Walczyńska A.
Published: November 2012

The current case study concerns evaluation of the life history of an insect species living in a demanding habitat, namely a xylem-feeder Aredolpona rubra (Linnaeus) (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae) representing the wood-feeding guild. Growth rate, development time and body size at maturity were studied at different temperature regimes with discreteness of insect growth pattern, associated with moultings, taken into account. Moreover, the temperature effect on reproductive strategy of females was tested, and the general life history was compared with available data within the wood-feeding guild. The results show that: (i) the growth of A. rubra is slow but compensated by prolonged development; (ii) size dimorphism is probably caused by the longer development time of females; (iii) fecundity is at least partly determined by the temperature experienced during the egg-laying period; and (iv) interspecific comparisons reveal that the life strategy of a wood-feeder depends on the niche occupied within the tree, whilst its breeding strategy (whether capital or income) is controlled at a taxonomic level. Control of all the main life history traits at one time provided a unique opportunity to understand the selection pressures on A. rubra species. Moreover, comparison within a feeding guild broadens this context and identifies the sources of heterogeneity in the ‘inside-wood’ habitat. The knowledge so gathered may be applied to pest control in forestry science, as well as to the conservation of rare and endangered insect species living within trees.
Longitudinal study of Salmonella shedding in naturally infected finishing pigs
Authors: PIRES A. F. A. , FUNK J. A. , BOLIN C. A.
Published: November 2012

A 3-year longitudinal study was conducted on a multi-site farrow-to-finish production system. For each of 18 cohorts at three finishing sites, 50 pigs were randomly selected. Faecal samples were collected every 2 weeks for 16 weeks. Salmonella was cultured from 453 (6·6%) of 6836 faecal samples. The pig-level incidence of Salmonella was 20·8% (187/899 pigs). Salmonella prevalence varied between cohorts and within pigs. The adjusted Salmonella prevalence decreased over the finishing period from 6·4% to 0·8%. Intermittent detection of Salmonella was found in more than 50% of pigs that were positive at more than one collection. The finding that the majority of pigs shed intermittently has implications for surveillance and research study design when determining Salmonella status. The variability in shedding over time, as well as between and within cohorts and pigs suggests that there may be time-variant risk factors for Salmonella shedding in swine.
Epidemiology and aetiology of encephalitis in Canada, 1994–2008: a case for undiagnosed arboviral agents?
Authors: KULKARNI M. A. , LECOCQ A. COMTOIS , ARTSOB H. , DREBOT M. A. , OGDEN N. H.
Published: November 2012

Encephalitis is a clinical syndrome often associated with infectious agents. This study describes the epidemiology and disease burden associated with encephalitis in Canada and explores possible associations with arboviral causes. Encephalitis-associated hospitalizations, 1994–2008, were analysed according to aetiological category (based on ICD-9/ICD-10 codes) and other factors using multivariate logistic regression for grouped (blocked) data and negative binomial regression. A discrete Poisson model tested spatio-temporal clustering of hospitalizations associated with unclassified and arboviral encephalitis aetiologies. Encephalitis accounted for an estimated 24028 hospitalizations in Canada (5·2/100 000 population) and unknown aetiologies represented 50% of these hospitalizations. In 2003, clusters of unclassified encephalitis were identified in the summer and early autumn months signifying potential underlying arboviral aetiologies. Spatio-temporal patterns in encephalitis hospitalizations may help us to better understand the disease burden associated with arboviruses and other zoonotic pathogens in Canada and to develop appropriate surveillance systems.